As you may have heard, due to federal funding cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has had to make the difficult decision to cut certain services it provides across the Commonwealth. One such cut is to the statewide databases. Here’s the list of what’s being kept and what will be removed. The way to access the databases with your SAILS library card remains the same.
One service SAILS will no longer be offering after June 30th is Novelist, the readers’ advisory tool. Since Enterprise, the online catalog, has similar tools available to help you find your next read, the membership decided to explore purchasing databases that will fill in the gaps created by the loss of the statewide resources. For more information on how to use the tools within Enterprise and what resources will be available July 1st, please visit – https://sailsinc.org/reader-resources.
Additionally, we encourage you to apply for a BPL ecard. Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts can register for a free Boston Public Library eCard at bpl.org/ecard and gain access to a wide range of digital resources covering newspapers, magazines, streaming media, genealogy, and more. You can view the resources available to you with your BPL ecard here: bpl.org/popular-online-resources
Our State Representatives want to hear how the president's executive order can affect you and your families. Please use this form to share your thoughts/stories. If the state loses federal funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we could lose the Commonwealth Catalog, which gives us access to borrowing physical items from libraries across MA. Over 20,000 items were shared in and out of our network last year.
Our budget for books for the Overdrive/Libby eBook collection could be cut by more than $91,500. The network has already spent about $247,000 this year for over 6,000 items. Our member libraries have spent $610,385 on 27,000 items. We have more than 72,000 active holds with an average waiting time of 70 days. The demand is there and having an online collection lets people in all life situations access their library's resources.
On March 14, an order was issued to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency which distributes federal funds to libraries, museums, and archives. This e-book and e-audio platform is supported in part by IMLS grants. Learn More to see how you can show up for your library.
And when you're done learning about the executive order, share with our state reps how and why you value your library services. Here's a form to tell your story.
Description:
12 hours/week (Evenings and Saturdays)
Routine clerical and direct service work in connection with library services and related
activities; all other related work as required.
Supervision:
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Library Director or her/his designee.
Performs varied routine library functions in accordance with prescribed procedures which
require constant attention to detail and accuracy.
Job Environment:
Work is performed under typical library conditions; it requires frequent interaction with library
patrons, staff and volunteers.
Essential Responsibilities:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various
types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not
exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the
position.
• Provides circulation and basic reference services for patrons.
• Performs a variety of related clerical functions.
• Aids in various phases of operation at the front desk: answers the telephone, provides
basic directional reference and reader advisory services; issues library cards; checks
books and other library materials in and out; handles monies for library-related services;
assists patrons in the use of library facilities and in locating library materials; shelves and
maintains collection in proper order.
• Assists library volunteers, as needed.
• Updates patron records and performs miscellaneous filing and computer data entry
work.
• Handles a variety of requests from patrons related to computer help, our digital catalog,
and various online resources available.
• Assists with museum pass requests, meeting room/study room reservations, and any
special project related or similar to library clerical duties.
• Operates computers, printers and all other standard office and library equipment.
Troubleshooting capabilities for various electronics will also be necessary.
Qualifications:
High school diploma with some college coursework and six months of experience in library
services (preferred); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Salary: $17.19 to $25.25 per hour (in 9 annual steps)
Closing Date: 02/17/2023
Contact Information:
Please email a completed employment application, a resume, and a cover letter to:
midlib@sailsinc.org
The Town of Middleborough is an equal opportunity employer
Please search the SAILS Enterprise catalog first. If the material you want is not available in the catalog, please log in below to use the Commonwealth Catalog. For additional assistance, please contact your local library.
Login to the Commonwealth Catalog
View the Current participants' status
If you had to purchase materials borrowed through the network last year, it would cost $44,109,567 in a retail store. This includes print books, audio books, videos & DVDs, and downloadable books.
Curious how much your family saved at your library? Use the form below for the answer!
All databases are funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Library System
Massachusetts Library Directory - Search virtual resources
List of databases with full-text magazine, scholarly journals and e-reference books covering all subjects, as well as The New York Times.
Boston Globe - full text
