The Annual Meeting of the Metrowest Regional Library System was called to order by President Leslie Schoenherr. Leslie thanked Ann McFate, Director of the Needham Public Library, for hosting this year’s meeting.
The minutes of the November 2005 meeting were approved. (Bill Talentino/Tom Viti)
President Leslie Schoenherr welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves and say how long each had worked at his or her current position. The answers ranged from “forever” to one month!
Rob Maier talked briefly about the evolution from three public library regions to six mulitype regions. He explained that state funding cuts since 2001 have placed immense burdens on local library budgets at a time when demand for services is rising. State funds administered through the MBLC are directed to supporting services that promote equity of access to library services so that residents of all ages across the Commonwealth have access to essential library collections, services, facilities and electronic content regardless of where they live. Through libraries, residents find information and knowledge to improve their lives, to support education, to build their communities and to sustain our democracy.
Next, Rob explained the handouts he provided with an overview of the FY2008 legislative agenda. The legislative agenda for FY2008 requests additional funding for seven line items in the State’s budget but two line items, MBLC Administration and State Aid to Public Libraries, remain below FY2001 funding levels.
Rob also talked about two new MBLC committees. The State Aid Committee will assess the role of a state aid program in providing library services through review of the current state aid program and review of approaches in other states, and will develop a next generation program for recommendations to the Board of Library Commissioners. Members from the Metrowest area include Janice Coduri from Wellesley Free and Pat Lambert from Dedham Public, plus Frank Murphy and Andre Mayer, trustees from Robbins Library, Arlington and Cambridge Public Library. The PR Committee is developing a three-year PR plan for all libraries. Participating from Metrowest communities are Susan Flannery, Cambridge Public, Emily Salaun, Commissioner, and Stephanie St. Laurence, Tisch Library, Tufts.
The MBLC is continuing to press the Administration and Legislators for increases to the 9506 Account. Rob felt the Legislators know that there is a need to increase this account. Rob explained that the 9506 Account supports automated networks, and regional delivery through the virtual catalog. An increase of $600,000 would go to the Regions to help pay for delivery. License Databases, for example Gale’s InfoTrac will be paid from funds in the 9506 account. This would allow the Regions to use the money they pay for InfoTrac for something else. Increased funding will make more resources available statewide. Rob encouraged the group to continue to contact their legislators. Rob told the group that the MBLC received an offer for ˝ million. There is a possibility these funds will be spent to add an administrative position and $430,000 will go into the 9506 Account. Paula Polk asked Rob about construction funding. Rob said he has positive feelings regarding library construction. Rob told the group that Governor Romney has sped up the process of funding projects, and that funding for a new Bond Bill for Public Library Construction looks good.
Sunny Vandermark introduced Rita Gavelis, who gave us a trivia quiz about ten years of Metrowest history in celebration of Metrowest’s tenth anniversary. The slide show Metrowest staff created was informative and Rita was a very entertaining and enthusiastic emcee.
Dee Magnoni read Metrowest’s new Mission Statement, the foundation for our services, “Metrowest, a membership-driven organization of mulitype libraries, provides access to resources and services that augment the capacity of individual member libraries. Mobilizing a small force of highly skilled employees and the cooperation of our members, we deliver continuing education and technological expertise, high level reference and consulting services, shared materials, and advocacy leadership to ensure the relevance and vitality of libraries in Metrowest Massachusetts.” Dee stressed that members need to make opportunities to speak to their legislators and ask for their support of the library community’s legislative activities.
Dee presented the FY2008 Plan of Service and budget and highlighted the databases line item which was reduced to zero. Tom Viti, longtime member of the Budget Committee told the Council of Members that it is painfully obvious that more money is needed or services will be negatively reconfigured. The FY2008 Plan of Service and Budget were approved (Tom Viti/Hope Tillman).
Leslie Schoenherr presented the Executive Board Slate. The slate was approved (Diane Wallace/Dee Magnoni).
Paul Kissman, MBLC’s liaison to Metrowest, reported on several highlights from the 2006 Annual Regional Liaison Report. The Delivery Committee that was appointed in November 2005 is expected to report its recommendations for improving the statewide delivery system to the MBLC this fall. An Authentication Task Force, consisting of representatives from networks, regional headquarters, public, academic and school libraries, began work in December 2005. The goal is to streamline how patrons log on to licensed electronic content. A needs assessment process consisting of focus groups and web surveys is nearly complete, with results to be published in December 2006. Paul reported on the Gates Foundation “Rural” Sustainability Grant award to MBLC of $79,050. The grant money will be used to provide training programs in how libraries can sustain their investment in public access computing. These training programs will be offered in coordination with the Regions, with the Western Region serving as fiscal agent. A public library bus public awareness campaign, “Start at your library, see where you end up,” advertised public libraries throughout the state. Library construction grants were awarded to 12 libraries bringing the total number of libraries on the waiting list to 31. LSTA awards totaling $1,324,370 were given to 75 libraries. Additionally, 15 Equal Access libraries were given LSTA funds. The Long Range Plan Subcommittee will develop a five year plan for MBLC. Committee members are Ann McLaughlin of the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, Richard Poisson of the Mitre Corporation in Bedford, Irving Zangwill, a trustee of the Fall River Public Library, Joan Stern of the Cambridge Public Schools, and Gail Scanlon of Mt Holyoke College.
Leslie Schoenherr reported briefly on planning sessions and the process of creating Metrowest’s FY2007-FY2011 Strategic Plan. She enthusiastically blew a horn in celebration of the many benefits to membership in Metrowest and gave a brief President’s Report. When commenting on the budget, she explained that Metrowest’s mandated plan of service requires many services but due to budget cuts, Metrowest cannot provide all of the mandated services. Leslie urged attendees to contact their legislators and ask for additional funding. She concluded by stating, “Metrowest is only as strong as our members.”
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Myles
Clerk