Dear colleagues (or perhaps Hello World to the new MCCLPHEI listserv),
Tom Raffensperger and I attended the MLS Executive Board meeting this afternoon. The Board discussed three items that are worth sharing with MCCLPHEI.
1. MLS has been working with MHEC to get pricing for the Statewide databases scheduled to be cut by MBLC on 7/1. Sarah Sogigian, MLS Executive Director, said she will have additional information to share in a couple of weeks. It sounds like vendors have been willing to play ball with MHEC. I shared how FLO is also working on getting pricing from the vendors. Gale has said if a library picks up a database, and then MBLC resumes the database, Gale will offer credits and not refunds. 2. The Board will soon solicit nominations to fill two director positions that will open in January. The two directors scheduled to leave the board are Tom Raffensperger, Westfield State and Hope Houston, Bentley University. Please consider throwing your hat in the ring. MLS continues to do exemplary work. We need to continue to show up and press for support for academic libraries. Feel free to send me questions about what it means to serve on the Board. 3. MLS has been engaging in strategic planning this year. At today's meeting, we reviewed an Organizational Assessment prepared by Stephanie Chase, a consultant from Construction Disruption. The following opportunity for next year concerns me: "MLS should consider transitioning from a statewide, all libraries focus to specific library types currently in the most need, as highlighted in the “Refocus Efforts” finding. This will require reallocation of staff capacity to invest in more direct, in person, one-on-one support for staff at our most vulnerable libraries, and likely require MLS and the networks to work together in new ways." I asked for clarification about the "specific library types." Per Stephanie Chase, she means small and rural publics, school libraries of all kinds, small academic, and/or special libraries. I am concerned that academic libraries, and particularly MCCLPHEI will be lost in the shuffle.
Matt
Matt Bejune Executive Director of the Library Worcester State University Office: 508-929-8526 Email: mbejune@worcester.edu Library website: www.worcester.edu/library