From nbgrantme at gmail.com  Wed Nov 25 10:44:48 2020
From: nbgrantme at gmail.com (Nancy Grant)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:44:48 -0500
Subject: [MBL Discuss] Fwd: [MELIBS-L] Special MSL COVID Session: "Advocacy
 and Mobilization during a Crisis"
In-Reply-To: <SA9PR09MB5902AC37C27AEE9E541479DCEAFA0@SA9PR09MB5902.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <SA9PR09MB5902AC37C27AEE9E541479DCEAFA0@SA9PR09MB5902.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <CALQEUacnhf_8mS-+mXWizjF+fFqxbmTV+FbLT9jhhuhmRf_=nQ@mail.gmail.com>

As we are committed to keeping the Balsam catalog access online for your
patons to access from home, we also recognize that you may be facing budget
issues from your town/school.

Please alert us to this issue. We may be able to help you advocate for
maintaining your online catalog. Going back to a paper card catalog is not
an option for most librarians!

And the notice from Deborah Clark may provide you with details useful in
your advocacy planning.

Stay safe.

Nancy B. Grant
Maine Balsam Libraries Consortium President
Retired LMS, NBCT
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
207-564-3098
nbgrantme at gmail.com


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Clark, Deborah (Library) <Deborah.Clark at maine.gov>
Date: Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Subject: [MELIBS-L] Special MSL COVID Session: "Advocacy and Mobilization
during a Crisis"
To: <MELIBS-L at lists.maine.edu>


Hello All, MSL staff have heard about several instances of Maine libraries
losing municipal funding during the pandemic. Next Tuesday, December 1st at
3:15 p.m., our COVID statewide update will take the form of a discussion on
responding to de-funding challenges. Ellsworth PL director Amy Wisehart and
community engagement librarian Abby Morrow will share their experience
responding to a serious budget decrease at their library. They will explain
what they have been doing to maintain community engagement and how they
took action and worked with their supporters and city officials to address
the financial challenge.

Amy recommends reading this recent LJ article by EveryLibrary's John
Chrastka<https://www.libraryjournal.com/?authorName=John%20Chrastka>:
"How To Fight an Austerity Budget and Advocate for Your Library in the Age
of COVID-19"
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=how-to-fight-an-austerity-budget-and-advocate-for-your-library-in-the-age-of-covid-19

Janet will send out the Zoom link Tuesday morning like usual. Hope you can
join the discussion. Deb

Deborah A. Clark, MLIS
Library Management Specialist
Maine State Library
(207)233-2193
E-mail: deborah.clark at maine.gov<mailto:deborah.clark at maine.gov>

"Great Libraries Build Strong Communities"