Western Massachusetts Library Advocates
2013 Spring Meeting
April 16, 2013
9:30 AM
Westhampton Public Library
Westhampton, Mass.
Present: See attached sign in sheets
Call to order: 9:40 AM
President Chris Lindquist introduced the panel: Joe Rodio, Director of the South Hadley Public
Library; Toni Golinsky-Foisy, Director of the West Springfield Public Library; Lyn Keating, Director
of the Westhampton Public Library; and Mary Anne Antonellis, Director of the Spear Memorial
Library in Shutesbury. Attendees introduced themselves. Chris welcomed MBLC Commissioners
Mary Kronholm, Jan Resnick and Gregory J. Shesko and Consultants Rosemary Waltos and
Lauren Stara.
Summary of the panel ‘From the Ground Up: Building Support for Library Construction’
Joe Rodio, South Hadley, recommended starting early to build public support. The word ‘library’
was a political term, so they focused their presentation on ‘services’ such as early literacy, after
school programs, and life long learning. People supported the services, not a building. South
Hadley got a planning and design grant and used it to send staff to see 26 libraries. It was
important to get staff people out to see alternatives and broaden their point of view. Joe and his
Board took their case everywhere that people would listen and used Facebook, You Tube and
Twitter. The Director’s time is constrained by law, but he was able to share public documents,
including a Power Point slide show developed by the architects. He could post public information
on their building project on social media that anyone could use. Because of the need to delegate to
others, damage control was also needed. South Hadley will have a groundbreaking ceremony on
April 27 for their new library.
Toni Golinsky-Foisy, West Springfield, related her story of developing a building project over 20+
years. After being awarded a $2.6 million grant by the MBLC, West Springfield lost their building
site due to a change of school department building plans. The library requested and received a
site change approval from the MBLC, the first ever granted, but only had six weeks to redo their
design. With unanimous support for a construction bond from the City Council and the new Mayor,
they generated letters of support, videos, and a public petition to save the MBLC grant. Their
revised construction plans were successful. Toni’s message was that you can survive the ups and
downs of a construction project. She recommended soothing face cream and a family that’s
committed to helping you reach your dream. She also found hypnotherapy helpful for anxiety. Toni
thanked Joe for his help and offered to talk with anyone who’s facing construction project stress.
Lyn Keating, Westhampton, illustrated her talk with slides of the tiny old library building and the
community events supporting the new library. The MBLC awarded Westhampton a construction
grant of $900,000 in 2005, and town meeting approved the town’s share, but the debt exclusion
was voted down not once, but three times over the next several years. The Friends of the Library
were committed to the project and continued to raise funds and sponsor community events. The
events didn’t raise a lot of money but they attracted an out of town donor who gave $150,000 as a
challenge grant. The Friends purchased the parsonage building and three acres, and Town
Meeting approved using $100,000 in available capital funds. Their LEED certified, energy efficient
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library opened in 2010 using lots of volunteer labor for interior painting, building a steeple, and
beautiful landscaping.
Mary Anne Antonellis, Shutesbury, told a similar story with a not so happy ending. Her slides
showed the present small library, built in 1902 which operates without running water or toilets.
Plans for a new library were first drawn up in 1996, and the Town purchased land for the project in
2004. The MBLC approved a grant for a new design in 2007 and a construction grant in 2011. A
majority voted for local funds for the new library. No vocal opposition was voiced until a last minute
town-wide mailing took the library supporters by surprise. The construction project was defeated in
the town election. A second try ended in a tie, which meant defeat. A $150,000 challenge grant
was offered and a You Tube video brought in donations from many countries. Unfortunately, the
library was not able to raise the entire local match and lost their construction grant. They still have
hope for the future, and they propose that Shutesbury start setting aside capital funds for a future
library.
Q & A: Are there ‘boiler plate’ plans for a library to use? Rosemary Waltos explained that MBLC
consultants will help each community design their own plans. A new Construction Grant round will
be announced in the fall. How much money do events raise? In Westhampton, events raised only
5% of the total. Most came from 3-year pledges. What happened to Shutesbury’s Challenge Grant
pledges? Some donors wanted the money back, but most did not. West Springfield has an
ambition private fund raising campaign and uses FDA, a professional fund raiser. Their events
include a Race to the Library and a huge wine tasting.
Business Meeting, after a break:
Chris asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston marathon bombing. He also
announced the passing of Frank Taplin.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting October 3, 2012 were approved. Motion Debbie Bruneau,
second by Eric Poulin.
The Treasurer’s Report was approved. Motion Joan Powers, second by John Ramsay.
Membership Committee. Bonnie Isman reported that WMLA has 80 members this year.
Old Business.
 MLA Scholarships have been named in honor of Frank Taplin. Chris announced that three
people have applied so far. WMLA will also sponsor two programs at MLA this year.
 Postcards to legislators. Sample postcards were distributed to make it easy for the public to
advocate for state funds for libraries.
 WMLA Survey results. Copies of the survey report were distributed. Chris will speak about the
results to the MBLC.
 Author programs. As requested in the survey, WMLA will sponsor author talks this fall.
 Summer Reading Incentives. WMLA will offer western Mass. prizes from the Big E and Yankee
Candle to libraries statewide this year. Jan Resnick distributed a handout with the details.
 Small libraries tour. A tour of five libraries serving small communities is scheduled for
September 20. Chris said the tour will be an eye opener. A special effort will be made to
include the new MBLC Director.
New Business.
Greg Pronevitz, MLS Director, reported on the Mass. Broadband Initiative meeting in Whately on
April 17. This will be a game changer in bandwidth, he feels, and an affordable option for libraries.
He is enthusiastic about work to develop an E-Book Platform to bring access to electronic content
in one place. Fifty libraries have signed on to start, including four in Western Mass. The RFP is in
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draft. Their goal is 100% participation. Work is being done to create a search platform for all
resources, but Greg said he couldn’t promise it would be seamless. Greg was asked if MLS works
with MassLNC. No, but if they are invited, MLS will do so.
Greg distributed a graph of the MLS Satisfaction Survey which showed room for improvement in
the frequency, variety and location of training. He encouraged librarians to contact MLS with
specific topics and requests for training sessions. They are working with MSLMA to schedule after
school sessions. They had a total of 470-480 responses to the survey. MLS Consultant Anna
Popp explained that as a general rule a group of 8 is needed for training, but she will work with any
number in western Mass.
Greg announced that MLS will make a decision by June to put the Whately building up for sale.
They have been unable to find a renter to use most of the space and calculate their shortfall at
$50-60,000/yr. If they move, it will be to offices and training space similar to the Marlboro model
(bring your own device). Mary Kronholm pointed out that webinars and smart classrooms won’t
work without better connectivity for small communities. Jan asked if the MLS Board had adequate
geographic representation. Greg is comfortable with 2-3 members from western Mass. He
encouraged WMLA to get more people from the west to apply, especially staff from school and
special libraries. A new MLS nominating committee is forming.
Announcements: John Ramsay pointed out that our legislators have co-sponsored a number of
amendments to increase state library funding. He also reported that WMLA is working to restore
access to major regional newspaper back files at a decent price based on shared cost.
Meeting adjourned at 12:33 PM.
Submitted by Bonnie Isman, Clerk
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