Administration – RPL Staff Intranet

MLAA 2026 Scholarship information

The Massachusetts Library Aid Association (MLAA) Committee on Aid to Small Public Libraries is pleased to announce its Scholarship Program for Fall 2026. MLAA’s goal is to support staff development in small public libraries.

Applications available: Monday, June 15, 2026
Applications due: Friday, August 14, 2026, at 5 pm. No applications are accepted after this date.

To be eligible for the MLAA Scholarship Program, applicants must currently work (for a minimum of one year) in a Massachusetts Public Library in a community of 35,000 population or less, and their annual salary may not exceed $45,000.

Please click here for the full announcement, including links to the application forms.

Problems sending the application or Questions?

Contact: MLAA Liaison, Barbara Friedman bibliogal@gmail.com

Summer Brochure

The Summer Brochure (June/July/August) is available in hard copy; I’ve put out the hard copies and am holding the extras in my office. Stop by if you need to replenish!

In the meantime, if you want to see the amazing programs that are coming to the RPL this Summer, check them out here.

Social RX

The library has joined the organization SocialRx, formerly known as Art Pharmacy, to help medical providers connect patients with programs and events at a variety of institutions, including libraries. We won’t know who is participating when they come into the library; this is all anonymous. I’ve attached a reference sheet along with the information document that Amy shared with Town Department Heads.

All that staff need to know is that this organization does the following:

WHAT IS SOCIALRX?

SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy) is a national social prescribing platform that connects healthcare providers with community organizations such as libraries, arts centers, and cultural institutions to support patients facing mental health challenges, social isolation, and loneliness.

The concept is called a “social prescription”: instead of (or alongside) clinical treatment, a doctor or care team refers a patient to community-based activities and programs. Research shows that participation in arts and culture programming can support mental health and reduce isolation.

Per Desiree: Non-pharmaceutical “prescriptions” are gaining attention, for example, the author of The Connection Cure was recently interviewed in the Friends Speaker Series

If patrons are interested in this service, they need to speak with their medical providers.

Customer Service Survey

At the request of one of our Trustees, I’ve created a “how was your visit” survey that will be available at each service desk, at the self-check stations, on the catalog kiosks, and in the elevator.

If patrons would like to provide quick feedback, direct them to these surveys. If they want to provide more expansive feedback, direct them to the comment forms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Public Desk Talking and Politics

Hello all, there is a Town Election happening on April 7th. Here is the yearly reminder about what the public and staff can do regarding political campaigns.

Staff can answer factual questions about the candidates, but, per the Town of Reading personnel policy, should not engage in any political activity during working hours or on town property. Also, while on a service desk, keep discussions quick and quiet. Please read the full policy regarding town personnel political activity below, and the library policy on free speech and expressive conduct, specifically about candidates gathering signatures.

Communico Room Buffer

Hi all,

I’ve adjusted the Room Buffer for the Children’s Program Room and Community Room A and B. The end time buffer was removed. If you do need to add extra time for room setup, please do so manually.

Let me know if you notice any issues with this.

Thanks!

Meeting Room Questions

Cheyenne has completed training on Communico and the meeting room AV system. They can help with questions about using the meeting rooms, set up and troubleshoot the AV equipment, and manage bookings.

Cheyenne works on Thursday evenings and will be the main AV support contact in the meeting rooms during those hours.

Social Media Posts-Logo

Hi all, The Town Social Media and Website working group met today and has requested that for any image/static social media posts we include the library logo. Also, if we want to something shared to the Town of Reading social media account, send Katie or Joshua the image and blurb and they will share directly to that account.

Let me know if you have any questions.