Upper Pioneer Valley
Library Legislative Breakfast
Friday, January 16

Sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates and hosted by the Sunderland Public Library, the Upper Pioneer Valley Legislative Breakfast will bring together legislators and library advocates from the communities represented by Senator Joanne Comerford.  Join us for updates on the Library Legislative Agenda and for the opportunity to advocate for our libraries.

Breakfast and program begin at 9:00.

Contact:  Katherine Umstot, Library Director
Email:  director@sunderlandpubliclibrary.org
Phone:  (413)665-2642

Location: Sunderland Public Library, 20 School Street, Sunderland MA 01375-9503

Registration is required, begin registration on the MLS Calendar.

Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast
Friday, January 30

Massachusetts Libraries are leaders. Our infrastructure allows us to have tremendous efficiency, such as the access to 59 million items from across the state, a clear path for planning and funding library construction, and Small Libraries in Networks (SLiN) grants which keep our smaller communities (population under 10,000) connected. It can be easy to take these advantages for granted, but it is possible because we support our libraries.

We are thrilled to invite you to the 29th Annual Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., hosted at Great Barrington’s Mason Library. This gathering is your opportunity to celebrate the critical work of our libraries, advocate for their future, and connect directly with the legislators who help shape that future.

This breakfast isn’t just our annual reunion – it’s a call to action. Together, we will support the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ programs, endorse our Legislative Agenda, and share heartfelt stories of how libraries transform and empower lives.

The event will include:

• A chance to thank our legislators for their continued support and increased funding
• The opportunity to speak directly to legislators and to hear their perspectives
• Networking with colleagues from libraries, MLS, MBLC, and CW MARS

RSVP by January 15, 2026: Please email Deena Caswell at dcaswell@cwmars.org. For any questions, you may also call 413-229-7005.

Be sure to share this invitation with your staff, Friends groups, and governing boards, as a large turnout sends a powerful message to our legislators.

We can’t wait to see everyone and unite in our mission to ensure Berkshire libraries remain beacons of opportunity for generations to come.

Please also consider making a contribution to support this complimentary breakfast. Contributions of any size are appreciated and can be sent as checks payable to the Library Legislative Breakfast.

With warmest regards,

Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast Committee

Wendy Pearson, Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives
Holli Jayko, Treasurer, Adams Free Library
Deena Caswell, Secretary, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield
Dawn Jardine, Great Barrington Libraries
Katie O’Neil, Lenox Library
Alex Reczkowski, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

Remember to become a member!
Memberships keeps WMLA going! Everything we do is funded by your memberships and donations. Members enjoy first dibs on our new Advocacy Social series, an annual WMLA badge, and the pleasure of helping us advocate for you and your beloved library! Libraries are welcome to purchase an institutional membership for just $100. That way all of your staff can enjoy our newsletters and events. Perhaps your Friends group would want to support the cause as well!

Joining is easy – do it online or by mail today!