Apologies for this being so late.

Recap of Statewide Zoom – November 23, 2021 @ 3:15 pm

The recording has been posted and is available on the MSL website<https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/Coronavirus.htm> in the top right column.
Pasted here for your convenience.  November 23 recording<https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/Nov232021.mp4>.
Recap:

MSL announced new deadlines for ARPA Formula Grants Spending and Reporting



New deadlines for ARPA spending and reporting

  *   Spend funds by March 31, 2022
  *   Report due by June 15, 2022



ARPA Formula Grants

Final numbers:

213 libraries requested funds

10 libraries formally refused funding

33 did not respond to repeated efforts and outreach.



$562,250.00 awarded

Working with purchases to amend the blanket contract to free up the $104,000 of unused funds encumbered for this program.



COVID in Maine

As you may all know from daily news updates as well as Dr. Shah’s Wednesday Briefings<https://www.maine.gov/covid19/cdc-livestream>, there has been a significant increase in the number of hospitalizations, deaths, and positive tests.  The current positivity rate is now at 9.1% with an average of over 1000 positive tests (antigen and PCR) per day. Maine has substantial community spread in all counties. Good news is that we have 81.4% of the eligible population vaccinated. Boosters are encouraged.  Everyone over 18 is now eligible



With this dramatic increase,  the Maine CDC is developing messaging to Maine citizens about what folks should do when they get a positive test result on a home testing kit (like the BinaxNOW<https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/binaxnow-covid-19-rapid-self-test-at-home-kit/ID=300414527-product> kits).  I am awaiting info from Maine CDC whether this program will go forward. They are now establishing additional testing centers this week (the first in Augusta Armory on Western Avenue later this week).  These will be walk in, no appointment required.  I will share opening dates as they occur.



Update for today, December 6, 2021.  These are all time high numbers

  *   249 Hospitalized with COVID
  *   112 in ICU
  *   60 on ventilators



All of Maine continues to be under high risk of community spread. The U.S. CDC is currently recommending <https://www.maine.gov/covid19/> people wear face coverings in public indoor settings in all Maine counties.



LSTA Five Year Plan Evaluation:

Thanks to all who filled out the survey for the LSTA Evaluation!  QualityMetrics received 131 responses.

Work continues on the evaluation.



Bendable Maine –

We now have all the fellows on board, and they have been working on divvy up the geographic areas they will work with libraries and other organizations statewide.

Christina Kane-Gibson - [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>  Northern Maine

Kate Hunter – [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Central Maine

Landis Hackett–[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Southern Maine

Paul Salway – [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>  (Coastal and Downeast)



The map of the areas each fellow is covering is on the website:

Bendable Maine Fellows Map<https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/grant_projects/documents/FellowMapHandoutcopy.pdf>



Marijke Visser – CE Coordinator and Library Specialist/Liaison Supervisor

Marijke traveled to Maine for 3 days this week and met with all the specialists, James Jackson Sanborn, and MSL staff working at 242 State Street and at the warehouse in Winthrop. We wanted to visit libraries but got involved in other meetings in Augusta.  Marijke will be taking on the Region 3 liaison role.  Region 3 libraries will hear from her soon as we update emails from the Annual report we received.



The next meeting is scheduled for December 14, next Tuesday at 3:15 pm.



MSL- Continuing Statewide Conversations

Time: December 14, 2021 @ 3:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/82904009133?pwd=NmpDS3VkQ3hsRDF1azZQak1wREhCQT09



We have moved over to a State of Maine Zoom account, so the link will be different going forward.



Thanks everyone!

Janet



Janet McKenney
Director, Library Development
Maine State Library
SHS 64
230 State Street
Augusta, ME 04333

207-287-5603
[log in to unmask]
@janetmckenney (Twitter)
She/her/hers