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.
Problems sending the application or Questions?
Contact: MLAA Liaison, Barbara Friedman bibliogal@gmail.com

hoopla Checkout Limits Changing

Due to increased costs, users will be limited to six (6) hoopla items per month. We understand that this reduction in monthly checkouts may be disappointing for some users. Thank you for listening to each patron and their concerns. Here are some facts you can refer to if you receive questions:

  • We agree that this is disappointing: Like everything else right now, we are seeing cost increases in physical materials and digital licensing.  This is a way to continue offering Hoopla, a popular service.
  • We are being fiscally responsible: We look very carefully at usage statistics for all our content, and work to balance the best “bang for our buck,” while also continuing to offer a broad diversity of content.
  • We have a broad diversity of content: Have you tried Biblio+, Overdrive, Kanopy? Plus we have specialized digital content for kids.
  • We love to hear thoughts from you: What do you use most in hoopla? Audiobooks, eBooks, comics, TV? What would you like to see more of for digital content?

Please remember to document feedback in Gimlet.

Pay It Forward Tutors

We have two teen tutoring groups as we end the school year that are earning service hours. One is through Meghan M. and they know to come to the Ref desk to sign in for their hours. They only do these sessions on Saturday afternoons, and it is almost over.

The second one is through Michelle, and it’s called Pay It Forward. They know to come to the GF desk to check in. There is a labeled binder at the desk they use to sign in and out. Please hand them the binder to do so. They come in during school days.

If you have any questions, please see Michelle or Meghan.

2nd Floor Patio

Our patio upstairs has been open to the public since May 1st. There are chairs, a table, a kids table, and an umbrella ready to use.

Our Children’s Room is only for adults accompanying a child or an adult browsing the collection, but the patio is for anyone of any age to use (children must be accompanied by an adult). So please encourage folks to check it out for studying, reading, etc.

The patio garden will be planted 5/22 in case anyone asks. Our Plant Lab kids, teen volunteers, and others will help us maintain the garden this summer.

Politically Expressive Activities (Reminder)

With state elections and ballot measures coming up this fall, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of people collecting signatures in our area.  Please review these guidelines:
  1. As a public building, RPL may dictate the time, place, and manner of politically expressive activities. We may not encourage or discourage this expression based on content.
  2. Collecting signatures or any politically expressive activities are permitted in the lower lobby near the entrance of the building.  This is the designated area.
  3. These activities may not interfere with patron use of the building (no blocking the elevator, book sale room, or Hush Booth).
  4. These activities may not interfere with staff performing their duties
  5. For safety reasons, people may not collect signatures (any politically expressive activities) in the parking lot.
  6. For privacy reasons (lockers and book drop), people may not collect signatures (any political activities) outside the main entrance of the building.
  7. RPL purview does NOT include the public sidewalks on School Street, Middlesex Ave, or Deering Street.
  8. Employees are not permitted to add their signature or participate in politically expressive activities while on duty. To avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest and ethical violations, please do not add signatures to petitions, etc., on any town building property, even while off duty.

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.

Mah Jongg Info

Sorry for not sending this sooner!

We have a new Mah Jongg Meet-Up that is going to meet every Wednesday from 12-2 PM in the Community Rooms for the spring quarter. This is a drop-in program, no registration required; it is our (RPL’s) program. The groups can bring their own sets or they can check out one of the four sets we have at the Research and Reader Services Desk.

These four sets are available to check out at the Research and Reader Services Desk any time we are open to be used in the library for in-house mah jongg play.

We also have 1 set available to bring home via the Library of Things.

The next time we are offering Mah Jongg instruction will be in June.

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.

Staff Parking

For employees who are on shift for more than three hours

If you are physically able, please park on the street during peak times, such as mornings of February vacation or Saturdays. You are welcome to move your vehicle closer to the building later in the day.  This helps with the overall safety of those entering and exiting the building for shorter periods of time.

For context: 157 people entered the building yesterday (Tuesday, 2/17) betwen 9-10 am with another 101 coming in between 10-11 am. See below:

9:00-9:59 AM 157
10:00-10:59 AM 101
11:00-11:59 AM 65
12:00-12:59 PM 72
1:00-1:59 PM 63
2:00-2:59 PM 80
3:00-3:59 PM 62
4:00-4:59 PM 53
5:00-5:59 PM 39
6:00-6:59 PM 54
7:00-7:59 PM 21
8:00-8:59 PM 3