Recap of September 28th Statewide Zoom and New Information Recording available on the MSL Coronavirus page,<https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/Coronavirus.htm> right column. Direct link <https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/Sept28_2021_zoom_0.mp4> to the recording for your convenience. Next Statewide Zoom meeting is scheduled for October 26, 2021 Time: October 26, 3:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) https://zoom.us/j/94919382323?pwd=VzlEZlNWMlBZTkF0RFlvOHJieEpkQT09 ARPA Formula Grants The ARPA Formula Grant Application period ended on September 30, 2021. 256 public libraries were eligible to apply. We had 206 libraries apply for a total of $548,000.00. There were 9 libraries that officially declined to apply 41 libraries did not apply. We will follow up with this group with a letter. We will be sending out more information about reporting and spending deadlines and discussing at the October 28th meeting. Other ARPA funded projects Beanstack renewal for 40 libraries; MSL centralized site for smaller libraries, coming soon. Zoom licenses renewed and a few added for the July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 year with ARPA funds. MSL expects we can continue to fund ZOOM with "regular" LSTA depending on federal allocation for 2022. Bendable meetings for the week of October 18 -22 Currently stilled planned for face to face in 4 locations with large venues for space. Bendable Maine Stakeholder Meeting - Sign up for meetings on the CE calendar. Join the Maine State Library and the Drucker Institute to hear the latest on Bendable Maine-the lifelong learning system being shaped by Mainers for Mainers. You'll get an update on our progress and, during this highly interactive session, be asked for your input on the design and development of the platform, set to launch in summer 2022. Date and Location Venue Meeting Time Monday, October 18 <https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373529> Portland <https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373529> University of Southern Maine, Wishcamper Center, Room 102 88 Bedford St Portland, ME 04104 10 - 12 noon Monday, October 18<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373563> Augusta<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373563> Augusta Civic Center, Civic Center Drive, Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Rooms 3-5 pm Wednesday, October 20<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373591> Bangor<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373591> Hilton Garden, 250 Haskell Rd, Bangor, ME 04401 10 - 12 noon Thursday, October 21<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373578> Lewiston<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/8373578> University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, Room 170 51 Westminster St Lewiston, ME 04240 10 - 12 noon MSL announced Wednesday that Marijke Visser will be joining us on October 25 as the new Section Supervisor for CE and Specialist Services. Marijke has spent the last 12 years in the American Library Association's Washington Office, most recently as a Senior Policy Advocate. COVID Update - See Maine CDC COVID-19<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus/data.shtml> data page Testing and positivity rate is trending down, along with hospitalizations. The upswing in vaccinations is due mostly to boosters. Breakthrough cases have increased to 4,167 as of 10/1/2021 Stay well 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