MLS Executive Board Nominations
Three new board members will be elected for three-year terms, beginning January 2020. The Council of Members at its November 2019 annual meeting will approve a slate of candidates and officers. The three new openings will replace two academic libraries and one public library representatives. Recently we have had openings in the Boston and Southeast areas, but all applications will be considered.
Please contact the Nominating Committee Chair, Amy Lewontin (A.Lewontin@northeastern.edu) with questions. MLS bylaws are available at www.masslibsystem.org/bylaws. This form will close on Friday, July 16, 2019. Thank you for your interest! For more information, please read our Call for Volunteers.
Budget News
We are awaiting an update on the state budget process and will share as soon as news is available.
Staff News
MLS Interlibrary Loan Manager Sue Kaler is retiring after 5.5 years of stellar service to Massachusetts libraries. Sue joined MLS in 2014 to unify interlibrary loan processing operations at Massachusetts Library System. Here, she built a fantastic team and led innovations in MLS services to expand equity in resource sharing to Massachusetts libraries.
An active member in RUSA STARS, Sue is a national leader who helped shape resource sharing as we know it today. Her retirement is our loss, but we wish her all the best in her next adventures and her international travels.
Next, it is my pleasure to re-introduce our new Senior Manager for Information Technology, Interlibrary Loan and MassCat, Scott Kehoe. A longtime champion of Massachusetts Libraries, Scott, formerly of the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System, has worked at Massachusetts Library System since the beginning. Scott began as a technology consultant and trainer and transitioned to MassCat not long ago.
In this new role at Massachusetts Library System, Scott will help to unify resource sharing operations and build on the great foundations that Sue Kaler leaves behind for him. During the month of June, Scott and Sue have worked together on a seamless transition. Sue’s final day was June 28, and Scott formally assumes his new role on July 1. We are overjoyed that Scott has stepped up to this new challenge and know that he will continue to promote excellence in service to Massachusetts libraries.
Please join us as we celebrate Sue’s career and accomplishments and as we welcome Scott in his new role.
Project SET
The 2019 cohort has been selected:
| Name | Position | Library | Type |
| Alexandra Pratt | Reference Librarian | Vineyard Haven Library | Public |
| Amy Horning | Assistant Children’s Librarian | Medford Public Library | Public |
| Carlina Arsenault | Library Assistant – Children’s Services | Northborough Free Library | Public |
| Courtney Michael | Reference/Programming Librarian | Wayland Free Public Library | Public |
| Evelyn (Evie) Cordell | First Year Experience Undergraduate Engagement Librarian | Northeastern University Snell Library | Academic |
| Joel Newsome | Mobile Services Librarian | Worcester Public Library | Public |
| Katie Klein | Research, Teaching, and Learning Librarian | Rising Tide Charter Public School | School |
| Marissa Monteiro | Outreach Coordinator | Leominster Public Library | Public |
| Nicole Cunha | Public Services Librarian | Newton Free Library | Public |
| Sara Deignan | Children’s Librarian | Springfield City Library | Public |
| Theresa Tangney | Head of Information & Outreach Services | Thomas Crane Public Library | Public |
Membership News
MLS welcomed 3 new members in May and June
New Members
- Whitin Intermediate School, Uxbridge
- Stony Brook Elementary School Library, Brewster
- Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School Library, Newburyport
Returning Members
- Nathaniel H. Wixon School, South Dennis
- Narragansett Reg. High School, Baldwinville
MLS sends our congratulations to July Siebecker, Youth Services Librarian at the Hubbard Memorial Library in Ludlow, MA, who is the recipient of the Larry Romans Mentorship Award. The Award, administered by the the American Library Association (ALA) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender and Government Documents Round Tables (GLBTRT and GODORT), recognizes librarians who, through their sustained mentoring efforts, have made a difference in our profession. For more info, please read the official press release
