Legislative breakfasts provide a chance for library advocates to hear from their legislators about what the legislature is doing to advocate for libraries and what everyone else can do to help. On January 30, the Acton Memorial Library hosted the annual legislative breakfast for libraries in Acton, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, Wayland, and Weston.
After enjoying a lovely breakfast from Blackbird Café, library staff, town staff, trustees, and others from several towns were treated to mostly positive news from our state legislators, representatives of state library commissions, and others.
Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Dan Sena and Carmine Gentile spoke, along with one of Simon Cataldo’s aides, Anna O’Sullivan, Acton’s own library director, Maria Palacio, AML Trustee Chair Ann Chang, and Evert Fowle, from the AML Foundation. Library commissioners included Maureen Amyot, director of the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC); Sarah Sogogian, executive director of the Mass. Library System (MLS); Martha Potts, a Mass Center for the Book board member.
Library Director Maria Palacio opened the meeting and introduced the speakers. Senator Eldrige spoke about two library-related bills that are working their way through the legislature: H.3594, which addresses banning books and other materials from public and school libraries; and S.2710, which addresses the high cost of e-books and other digital resources for public libraries. Representative Danillo Sena mentioned the passage of Acton’s home rule petition that “simplifies the governance structure of the libraries.” He also noted the importance of libraries as a third place, and “if there was a pool, I’d never leave.”
Maureen Amhot, director of the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), spoke about the importance of retaining state funding for libraries, especially in the face of cuts to federal funding. She noted that while the Commissioners requested a 3-5% increase in state funding, Governor Healey’s proposed budget includes only a 2% increase.
Martha Pott described some of the many programs provided to libraries through the Mass Center for the Book, including reading challenges, great reads programs for both kids and adults, and the Letters about Literature program, which encourages children from grades 4-12 to write a personal letter to an author (living or dead) about how the author’s work impacted them. Letters are judged and cash prizes awarded, with young correspondents invited to an award ceremony. (See Acton Exchange article about an Acton 6th grader’s first place win for her letter to author Cynthia Kadohata.) The Center for the Book would love to see this program in more public schools.
Evert Fowle, a member of the Acton Memorial Library Foundation spoke about the importance of having a place where his 2-year-old can run around and learn to play with others and how winning a $1500 grant allowed the Foundation to purchase project kits for the Library of Things.
And finally Sarah Sogigian, the executive director of the MA Library System (MLS) described how “[l]ibraries rely on [the Massachusetts Library System–MLS] to build community around new ideas, established best practices, healthy engagement, and respectful dialogue, as well as access to trustworthy materials, training, expertise, and learning services. “
The meeting conveyed that the Commonwealth, from the top down, understands the importance of providing a wide range of library services, especially in uncertain times. Our legislators are very supportive of legislation and funding for libraries. The annual legislative breakfasts provide an opportunity for library staff, trustees, and others to connect not only with their legislators, but with their counterparts from other towns.
Select Board member and library liaison Alissa Nicol, said, “I always appreciate the wealth of information that is presented at legislative breakfasts, but Friday’s event, hosted by Acton’s library, was also a special source of pride. Staff made it very clear how resourceful they are in creating and implementing very exciting programming and other services for residents, and also how collaborative the town’s various departments are, supporting one another in operations and working together to offer unique opportunities to library patrons. The partnerships between the library and its board of trustees, foundation, and friends group was also highlighted as unique in Acton, partnerships that greatly enhance and expand the impact of staff efforts.”
Miriam Lezak is an Acton Exchange associate editor who occasionally writes articles. She is also a corporate (appointed) trustee for the Acton Library
