Current Legislation
There are  important upcoming library advocacy events that would greatly benefit from MSLA member participation, such as Library Legislative Day and Legislative Breakfasts. Please see below as well for talking points about the recommendations of the Special Commission on School Library Services in Massachusetts to strive for equity of access to school library services.

MSLA has shared much information on the Special Commission and the Long-Range Plan recommended in its Report.  We hope that we can work with DESE and the library community to improve equity. We feel that important steps toward improving equity of access to school libraries are:
  1. Appointing an appropriate staff member at DESE to act as a focal point and allow for a direct connection between DESE and the school library community.
  2. Conduct a thorough census of school libraries, staffing, and services to clearly identify the areas of inequity.
  3. Working with DESE and the library community to act on the steps in the Special Commission’s recommendations.
Salem State University is hosting the Special Commission’s Report and a great deal of related information.  Please see the Salem State hosted Massachusetts School Library Research LibGuide.

Please join us this year at the Statehouse in Boston for Library Legislative Day on Tuesday, March 5, 2019!  This event is free. Library Legislative Day is co-sponsored by MLA and MSLA. Please register online at: http://masslib.org/event-3170408
​We hope that school libraries are represented at the Library Legislative Day Showcase.  Let’s show our Legislators the best of school library services and innovations!  Library users and supporters are welcome too.
Proposals for the showcase are due by 4PM on Thursday, January 17. Please note that the updated time of the showcase event is 9AM - 11:15AM.  Showcase materials need to be portable and set up by 9 and removed by 11:15 to allow the most efficient use of the Great Hall on that day. Please submit your proposal for the showcase here. 

Library legislative breakfasts have been scheduled throughout the Commonwealth and are now in progress. See list here. These events provide a great opportunity to connect with your Legislators in an informal setting and let them know how important it is to support libraries.

If you are interested in hosting a breakfast at your library, please let me know.  I have a checklist of useful steps and can share my experience with being involved in planning and attending many breakfasts.
We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues, supporters, and end users.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Greg Pronevitz
MSLA Communications Specialist
greg@pronevitzconsulting.com
Updated: January 31, 2019                           Page Editor: Greg Pronevitz  greg@pronevitzconsulting.com