Correction, today Nov. 23rd is the statewide Zoom meeting.
Sorry everyone!
Statewide Zoom – Tuesday, November 23 2021 @ 3:15 pm
Join the meeting:
MSL- Continuing Statewide Conversations
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 @ 3:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/96208341226?pwd=QlhBSWowV0dUUTVnd3VPeTcycjhlQT09
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
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Statewide Zoom – Tuesday, November 24, 2021 @ 3:15 pm
Join the meeting:
MSL- Continuing Statewide Conversations
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 @ 3:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fzoom.us%2Fj%2F96208341226%3Fpwd%3DQlhBSWowV0dUUTVnd3VPeTcycjhlQT09&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40MAINE.GOV%7C135a25a1f398424f763a08d9ae025fd3%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637732147493705872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=uhrQt4TccPp5iTIVfds4vAGkkyzJI485ZW7IXPNKYks%3D&reserved=0
Discussion Topics:
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. I will post on Monday the latest info we have from accounting regarding what checks are still in process.
COVID in Maine
As you may all know from daily news updates as well as Dr. Shah’s Wednesday Briefings<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.maine.gov%2Fcovid19%2Fcdc-livestream&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40MAINE.GOV%7C135a25a1f398424f763a08d9ae025fd3%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637732147493705872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=G3L1kEZKlpC6N2frSmSccJeGQTddiG%2FKZhps1WimmVI%3D&reserved=0>, 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://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walgreens.com%2Fstore%2Fc%2Fbinaxnow-covid-19-rapid-self-test-at-home-kit%2FID%3D300414527-product&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40MAINE.GOV%7C135a25a1f398424f763a08d9ae025fd3%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637732147493705872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ynlbi3XtOL1Dn2l%2Bmx45Edtxg2LAJZBPbqHF05sp4hk%3D&reserved=0> kits). There also seem to be shortages of available kits online or at some pharmacies in some more rural regions of Maine. I would love to discuss this at the meeting and ask also if you have noticed shortages in your local area. Feel free to email me about this prior to the meeting. Some library systems in other parts of the county are purchasing and providing kits to folks that can’t afford the, don’t have access to them, etc. So that may be a consideration based on need for your local area and a good use of some ARPA funds.
Maine CDC is finding that when people get a positive home COVID test they then schedule the PCR test. I believe this had been a recommendation but that may be reconsidered. There are a lot of conflicting rules for different sectors (schools, hospitals, jails, etc.). Maine CDC is working on developing best practice and recommendations. More to come but I believe that libraries can provide that info via Maine CDC branded guidance and Maine CDC was very interested in using libraries as an education tool about testing.
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)
We should have a map handout for everyone on Tuesday.
Marijke Visser
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.
Questions, discussion, ?
I am sure by tomorrow, more topics will pop up!
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
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