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Massachusetts Library System Resources for School Libraries: Home

Welcome!

The Massachusetts Library System, a state-supported collaborative, fosters cooperation, communication, undefinedinnovation, and sharing among member libraries of all types. The Massachusetts Library System promotes equitable access to excellent library services and resources for all who live, work, or study in Massachusetts. MLS provides critical, cost-effective service to libraries statewide and returns more than $54 million in value to local municipalities. 

Our mission has always embraced social justice and the MLS Team is committed to providing services that benefit and contribute to the library profession’s core values: diversity, inclusion, equity, access to information, free expression, privacy, and social justice.

Resources for our Members

Our school members find value in many of our services, most notably:

Statewide Databases

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With our partners, the Massachusetts Board Library Commissioners, we provide access to a suite of online content. These databases are used by students K-12 and into higher ed to expand collections and to encourage traditional as well as technological literacy skills. Find your school's links to the databases. 


Commonwealth eBook Collections

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Commonwealth eBook Collections is a statewide initiative to expand access to eBooks and audiobooks to all residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including students. For a small fee, MLS member schools can join the OverDrive K-12 Shared Sora Collection, which includes over 36,000 K-12 eBooks and audiobooks.

To learn more about these and all of our services, please contact us!

Professional Development Points (PDPs)

Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is an approved provider of professional development points (PDPs) for school librarian recertification. We can award PDP certificates for 10 hours or more on a topic. Since most of our professional learning opportunities are less than 10 hours in length, you can bundle workshops/activities together to get to the 10 hours so long as there is a cumulative "assessment of learning" (see the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education FAQ page linked below.) Some of our offerings naturally meet the 10-hour minimum and assessment requirement (e.g. Project SET, Word of Mouth Marketing, online courses, etc.) - you can check with us to verify if you are unsure. 

To earn PDPs from MLS:

  1. Keep track of the MLS workshops, webinars, events that you attend (i.e. keep certificates of attendance).
  2. Once you get to 10 hours, complete a cumulative "assessment of learning" to show proficiency in the topic. This can be a presentation for your colleagues, a report stating how you'll use the learning in your work, or other representation of learning.
  3. Contact an MLS Consultant to request a certificate to submit to DESE
  4. Do a little celebratory dance!

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Resources for our Members

Our school members find value in many of our services, most notably:

Resource Guides, including "Anti-Racism for School and Youth Services Librarians". 

Our guides are created with our members in mind. You'll find resources on traditional library topics, as well as support for addressing social topics.

 

Virtual School Librarian

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With our partner, the Massachusetts School Library Association, we created a Virtual School Library service to assist students, families, and educators during this unique pandemic. While never a replacement for a physical school librarian, this site allows for some extra support during this transitional learning time.  

To learn more about these and all of our services, please contact us!

Are you a Member of MLS?

You can check if your library is already a member by searching the Library Directory here - https://mblc.state.ma.us/directories/libraries/index.php

Requirements for School Libraries:

  • Public High Schools must be staffed by a full-time certified school library teacher. A High School library teacher can only be responsible for one high school library; they cannot cover any other school library locations.
  • Public Elementary and Middle Schools must be staffed by a certified school library teacher who may serve up to five different school libraries.
  • Private High Schools Must be staffed by a full-time librarian who either (1) is a certified school library teacher or (2) has a master’s degree in library science. A High School library teacher can only be responsible for one high school library; they cannot cover any other school library locations.
  • Private Elementary and Middle Schools Must be staffed by a librarian who either (1) is a certified school library teacher or (2) has a master’s degree in library science and who may serve up to five different schools.

 

Please contact Shirley MacLean at smaclean@masslibsystem.org or 508.357.2121 x130 with questions about this form or eligibility.