Central Massachusetts Regional Library System
Encyclopedia
Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS) was a multitype library system serving 244 academic
, public
, school
and special
libraries in 72 central Massachusetts communities. CMRLS was one of six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems . Collectively, CMRLS libraries 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 were provided free of charge, with major funding through a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
. Due to the collapase of state funding, CMRLS was merged along with four other Massachusetts Regional Library Systems into the Massachusetts Library System
on July 1, 2010.
, collaboration, and innovation
among all types of libraries in Central Massachusetts. CMRLS services strengthened 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 helped libraries to use their resources more effectively and serve their clientele better than they could alone. CMRLS' vision was to “create synergy among libraries to enrich the quality of life in Central Massachusetts.”
CMRLS capacity building
and system development activities were grouped into three categories: resource sharing and collection support; reference services and support; staff and program development.
In addition, CMRLS ran a library temporary staffing service called BiblioTemps, which was suspended in May 2010.
Academic library
An academic library is a library that is attached to academic institutions above the secondary level, serving the teaching and research needs of students and staff...
, public
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
, school
School library
A school library is a library within a school where students, staff, and often, parents of a public or private school have access to a variety of resources...
and special
Special library
A special library is a term for a library that is neither an academic, school, public or national library. Special libraries include law libraries, news libraries, corporate libraries, museum libraries, and medical libraries and are not usually open to the public for use...
libraries in 72 central Massachusetts communities. CMRLS was one of six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems . Collectively, CMRLS libraries serve 924,491 people who live, work or study in Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts is the geographically central region of Massachusetts. Though definitions vary, most include all of Worcester County and the northwest corner of Middlesex County. Worcester, the largest city in the area and the seat of Worcester County, is often considered the cultural capital...
. Founded in 1963, CMRLS began as a unit within the City of Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
municipal government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
and served public libraries exclusively. In 1997 CMRLS became a multitype, independent non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
working with all types of libraries. Nearly all services were provided free of charge, with major funding through a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is a state agency that supports public libraries in Massachusetts. The governor appoints each member of the board. The current board consists of librarians, academics and library trustees: Katherine K. Dibble, Francis R. Murphy, Mary Rose Quinn,...
. Due to the collapase of state funding, CMRLS was merged along with four other Massachusetts Regional Library Systems into the Massachusetts Library System
Massachusetts Library System
The Massachusetts Library System is "a state-supported collaborative" in Massachusetts with a mission to "foster ... cooperation, communication, innovation, and sharing among member libraries of all types" and "to provide regional services to libraries and residents." Members may include "public,...
on July 1, 2010.
Purpose
CMRLS promoted and supported resource sharing, professional developmentProfessional development
Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning...
, collaboration, and innovation
Innovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
among all types of libraries in Central Massachusetts. CMRLS services strengthened 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 helped libraries to use their resources more effectively and serve their clientele better than they could alone. CMRLS' vision was to “create synergy among libraries to enrich the quality of life in Central Massachusetts.”
CMRLS capacity building
Capacity building
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing...
and system development activities were grouped into three categories: resource sharing and collection support; reference services and support; staff and program development.
In addition, CMRLS ran a library temporary staffing service called BiblioTemps, which was suspended in May 2010.
External links
- Central MA Regional Library System http://www.cmrls.net
- MA Board of Library Commissioners http://mblc.state.ma.us/
- Massachusetts Library System