Central Massachusetts Regional Library System

Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS) [http://www.cmrls.org] is a multitype library system serving 244 academic, public, school and special libraries in 72 central Massachusetts communities. CMRLS is one of six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems [http://mlin-edit.beacontec.com/mblc/regional/index.php] . Collectively, CMRLS libraries [http://www.cmrls.org/about/members.htm] serve 924,491 people who live, work or study in Central Massachusetts. Founded in 1963, CMRLS began as a unit within the City of Worcester, Massachusetts municipal government and served public libraries exclusively. In 1997 CMRLS became a multitype, independent non-profit organization working with all types of libraries. Nearly all services are provided free of charge, with major funding through a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusettsadministered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners [http://mblc.state.ma.us] .

Leadership

CMRLS is led by a twelve-member Executive Board composed of public, academic, special and school library stakeholders and one representative of the public. Additional Board members are representatives of public (4), academic (2), school (2) and special libraries (2) and an ex-officio Past President.

Subcommittees of the Executive Board include advocacy, library innovation, strategic communication and partnerships. CMRLS leaders see all of those efforts as ways to stabilize funding and expand programs.

Purpose

CMRLS promotes and supports resource sharing, professional development, collaboration, and innovation among all types of libraries in Central Massachusetts. CMRLS services strengthen member libraries and staff, creating a collaborative network that is essential to a high quality and accessible continuum of library services for those who live, work, or study in the region.

Public libraries typically receive less than 2% of municipal funding. Academic libraries fare better, but school libraries much worse. CMRLS helps libraries to use their resources more effectively and serve their clientele better than they could alone. CMRLS' vision is to “create synergy among libraries to enrich the quality of life in Central Massachusetts.”

CMRLS capacity building and system development activities can be grouped into three categories: resource sharing and collection support; reference services and support; staff and program development.

Flagship programs

Delivery, databases, and development are CMRLS' flagship programs. The organization supports member libraries' resource sharing by delivering over 1.5 million items a year. It provides access to a variety of electronic magazines and newspapers for local library card holders from home, work, or school. Staff development, public relations support, and summer reading programs are some of its development programs. Its Academic and Research Collaborative [http://www.cmrls.org/arc/] is a coalition of academic, public, and special research libraries working together to facilitate the sharing of resources and services for the benefit of their collective users. CMRLS is a partner with C/W MARS and the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System in Digital Treasures, a repository of images scanned from holdings in area libraries that showcase the history and cultural of central and western Massachusetts.

In addition, CMRLS runs a library temporary staffing service called BiblioTemps. [http://www.bibliotemps.com/]

External links

*Central MA Regional Library System [http://www.cmrls.org]
*MA Board of Library Commissioners [http://mblc.state.ma.us/]
*C/W MARS [http://www.cwmars.org]