Upcoming Events

Title: Social Services in Libraries Roundtable
From: 11:00am Wednesday, April 15, 2026
To: 12:00pm Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Categories: Resource Sharing
Registration: Registration is required for this event.
Description:

Explore how libraries can enhance community support through social services. Connect with librarians, social workers, and social service providers to share insights, success stories, and practical tips.

Event Highlights:

  • Expert discussions on integrating social services in libraries.
  • Real-life examples and best practices.
  • Networking opportunities with professionals and community members.

 

Hosted by Ally Dowds, MBLC Consultant to Special Populations

Title: Web Accessibility Office Hours - Third Wednesdays
From: 3:00pm Wednesday, April 15, 2026
To: 4:00pm Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Location: Online
Categories: Internet, Technology, and Access
Description:

Need some advice when working on your library's web accessibility?  Join our Web Accessibility Office Hours, every first Friday at 11 am or every third Wednesday at 3 pm!

Join meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81854206876?pwd=YkJM6LcWmNe3NWpj8seufLQUIpgofn.1

Title: Youth Mental Health First Aid
From: 9:00am Thursday, April 16, 2026
To: 5:00pm Thursday, April 16, 2026
Location: MBLC Offices
Description:

Youth Mental Health First Aid helps adults who work with youth to recognize, support, and refer youth who may be experiencing mental health challenges and/or may be in crisis, for professional mental health services. This interactive training gives attendees the skills they need to provide initial support to youth and help connect them to the appropriate care. Session attendees will learn how to:

  • Recognize signs and symptoms in young people
  • Use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)
  • Interact with a young person in crisis
  • Connect a young person with professional help
  • Address stigma and explain that recovery is possible
  • Encourage young people to practice self-care

This training is open to Massachusetts library staff who interact with youth.

Participants must complete pre-work prior to attending the in-person session. It is estimated this pre-work will take 1-2 hours to complete.

Please register for the training using this link.

To request a reasonable accommodation to attend this training, please contact Lyndsay Forbes (lyndsay.forbes@mass.gov). All reasonable accommodation requests should be made no fewer than two (2) weeks before the training, although we will attempt to fulfill reasonable requests made after that time.

Title: State Aid Office Hours
From: 2:00pm Wednesday, April 22, 2026
To: 3:00pm Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Categories: State Aid, State Aid Office Hours
Description:

Join the State Aid team and your fellow Library Directors seeking advice and answers as we embark upon the FY27 budget season. Make sure your next budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements. FY27 is shaping up to be a rough budget year for many municipalities- ask your budget and certifications questions here. Registration is not required, and session and chats will not be recorded or saved. 

State Aid Office Hours are held on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 10am and the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm, and all use the same Zoom link.

Title: Library Advisory Office Hours
From: 2:00pm Monday, April 27, 2026
To: 3:00pm Monday, April 27, 2026
Categories: Library Advisory Office Hours, Trustees & Friends
Description:

Library Advisory Office Hours are open to all Directors, Trustees, Library Friends, and Foundation Members. They are designed to be an open-ended, safe space to ask Al Hayden, Library Advisory Specialist, questions and offer opportunities for interaction among participants. As consistently as possible office hours will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month @ 9AM and the 4th Monday of the month @ 2PM.

(When office hours fall on Monday holidays, during conferences, etc. I will do my best to reschedule with as much notice as possible.)

Sessions will NOT be recorded and chats will NOT be saved. I may use the topics and questions that come up to inform future training and resources so your Library Advisory resources are as relevant to your needs as possible, but nothing will be associated with any individual(s) or institution.