NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Public Library is in need of a youth services librarian now that Sara Russell-Scholl has left for the Berkshire Athenaeum.
Library Director Sarah Sanfilippo told the trustees on Wednesday that she has received applications for the open position.
"We posted the job shortly after she left, and we received a whole bunch of resumes," Sanfilippo said. "We are working through those and figuring out who we want to interview."
Russell-Scholl left her post in late January after seven years at the North Adams library, the first three as youth services assistant. She took a similar position at the Pittsfield library.
Otherwise, Sanfilippo told the trustees that things were quiet at the library with services greatly reduced during the pandemic.
"There is not a whole lot going on and it has been business as usual," she said.
She said curbside pickups continue to be popular, and patrons are continuing to sign up to use library computers.
"I think the word is getting out and we are getting regulars," she said. "We have had a few no-shows. I think people are learning about our services but just not following through. I am not sure what to do about that."
She said staff is also taking the time to inventory the library's collection
"We are starting to clean up the catalog," she said. "We are marking things that are missing ... it is just some cleanup that we normally don't have time to do when we are open."
She said they are also getting rid of books that are no longer in good condition and giving away materials that are no longer in circulation.
"We pack them into bags by genre and put them outside for curbside pickup," she said. "It's like a grab bag, like 'here grab this bag of romance novels or thrillers.' People are excited about them."
She said she has also asked employees to think about their own duties so she can update job descriptions.
"We want to streamline and move things around so we are ready when we can finally open and do the things that we used to do," she said.
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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
The School Committee earlier this month approved upping the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
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Dunkin' Donuts celebrated its reopening after undergoing a recent remodel by presenting the Friendship Center Food Pantry with a $3,000 donation. click for more