Circulate!
Outreach, Engagement & Other Splendid Stuff
This year, we celebrate National Library Week from home. As we begin to imagine what a return to our libraries may look like, we have an opportunity to reimagine what we do and how we do it. Some industry experts predict an increase in telecommuting, as well as adding physical barriers and minimizing open office spaces. Others predict that the demand for coworking spaces will decrease, as health concerns encourage more distance between people and increased use of working from home.
The pandemic raises many questions, including:
- Will we need to limit the number of patrons who enter our libraries at one time?
- How will this affect programming if we can't convene groups of people?
- How will the cleaning practices of our libraries change, and as they do, how will that impact our budgets?
- Will we need to take our own and other's temperatures?
- Where do we draw the line between public health and privacy?
- And perhaps most importantly, with a flood of information, how do we help our patrons navigate and find authoritative and accurate resources?
Flexibility, curiosity, and vision will shape our future. While our ever-expanding to-do lists continue to grow, it's essential to carve out some quiet time for reflection, to think about what we've learned, and how to move forward and create resilient communities. We know that people will need help finding work, identifying resources -- including access to food, housing, mental health services, and healthcare -- as well as informational, educational, and entertaining materials and programs. We know that there will be increased demand for technology, as well as a profound need to advocate for better connectivity in our rural communities. We'll also need to be able to communicate to stakeholders and residents the value of our libraries, and what we've been up to behind the scenes or in front of a camera while New York was on Pause.
As Eileen Palmer says, "Libraries are not essential to combat a public health emergency. Libraries are essential to a robust recovery."
All About that Database
Good News
Librarians, Bruh
Libraries Mean Business
Curbside or No?
Sharing is Caring
Help bring awareness to the availability of online library programs and services by using Findnyculture.org to promote web-based learning opportunities throughout your systems. Findnyculture.org is a searchable directory of over 4,600 cultural institutions across the state, including museums, science centers, and libraries, and is home to a robust statewide events calendar.
Profiles have already been created for every public library system and individual member library in New York State, and can be customized and updated at any time via secure login. To receive login information for your profile, please send an email to info@findnyculture.org.
While this is a relatively new tool, broad participation from the library community will help turn Findnyculture.org into a powerful resource for providing centralized, streamlined access to in-demand library program offerings.
Findnyculture.org was created by the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education, with input from New York’s teachers and cultural organizations. E-mail info@findnyculture.org to request a secure login or additional information.
The Protecting Immigrant Families, Advancing our Future (PIF) Campaign – a collaborative project between the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) – is now inviting proposals from community-based non-profit organizations. In light of the implementation of the public charge regulations and current public health crisis, the PIF Campaign seeks applications that would build capacity to mitigate harm and empower immigrant communities to fight fear with facts. Preference will be given to organizations and coalitions well-positioned to directly interface with immigrant communities.
In an effort to reflect the diverse network of partners and coalitions that make up the PIF Campaign, we invite proposals for grants in three different tiers:
Tier A – larger, state-wide coalitions: Applications of more than five organizations and planned activities in at least five categories can apply for grants of $50,000 to $100,000.
Tier B – smaller partnerships: Applications of two to five organizations and planned activities in at least 3 categories can apply for grants of $20,000 to $50,000.
Tier C – single organizations: Applications from a single organization and planned activities in 2 categories can apply for grants of $10,000 to $15,000.
Subgrants: Applicants may subgrant a portion of the funding to engage, build capacity, and disseminate information within your network of local, immigrant-serving organizations.
More Resources
As we adjust to the changes in how we work and serve our communities, we've been organizing resources for our member libraries, but each day more become available, including:
- The recording of the AL Live webinar Libraries & COVID-19: Managing Strategies and Stress is now available. Librarians from communities that have been on the front lines of this crisis discuss lessons learned during the initial response and how they are continuing to provide important services as public facilities close and commerce slows.
- As of March 19, Booklist and Book Links is available for free online, offering more than 25 years’ worth of recommended print and audiobook reviews, features, interviews, spotlights, and classroom connections. To learn how to put Booklist Online to work, check out this video tutorial.
- If you work with adult learners, here are some tips from ProLiteracy to help continue making progress.
- The Public Library Association is offering a free webinar series: Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19.
- The Capital District Library Council is making several virtual tools available to continue to build our professional skills, including: Skillshare, which offers thousands of online classes in design, business, technology, photography, writing and more! And Treehouse specializes in tech education with hundreds of courses, multiple learning tracks, interactive workspaces, quizzes, and coding challenges! Learn Presentation Skills and more! Email Amy Hren to sign up for either service. Members can request access to our limited number of licenses, which will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis in two-week intervals. Time may be expanded if there is no waitlist.
- Library users will be able to use LinkedIn Learning without having a LinkedIn profile. Patrons will only need to provide their library card number and PIN to login.
- COVID Tracking apps & Websites
Project ENABLE
In addition, as part of our current IMLS grant, we are partnering with Infopeople, to provide a series of free online courses, webinars, and discussions related to libraries and disabilities.
A "Train the Trainer" section will be available in early 2021. It will contain workshop/course outlines and templates, learning support materials, PowerPoints, suggested readings, and assessments to create and deliver customized training to your staff, paraprofessionals and/or volunteers.
To be part of Project ENABLE, contact drruth@syr.edu.
Virtual Day of Dialog
Library Journal's annual Day of Dialogue will be fully virtual and free to attend this year! Hear from more than 35 authors in genre fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction and learn about more titles and trends from editors on our popular editors’ picks panel.
Visit the virtual exhibit hall to network with leading publishers, enjoy additional author chats, and download digital galleys as well as other free resources and giveaways. Certificates of completion will be provided to submit for CE credits.
LJ is anticipating an unprecedented number of library professionals to attend the virtual DOD, so live sessions may be full during the day. But fear not! All sessions and author chats will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of their initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand until August 28.
Free For All
TumbleBooks’ databases are easy to use, and feature unlimited access from home! Your patrons can read as many books as they want, when they want, and on any device. There are no checkouts, holds, or bulky downloads. Books are available instantly.
We'll be sending out an email to all directors shortly with more information. Jack will be working with any interested libraries to put links on your websites.
Come Together
The Capital District Library Council will be holding online meetings this week to stay connected and engaged with your colleagues during this time of change. We created two standing Zoom meetings to help you share thoughts on your new work environment, expound on innovative service ideas, and discuss opportunities for virtual engagement. You can also check in to just say hi as we take the time to support one and other!
Our online Zoom meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays at 10:00 am and Thursdays at 1:00 pm. Click on the buttons below to join a meeting:
Tuesdays at 10:00 am | https://zoom.us/j/309834807 | Meeting ID 309 834 807
Thursdays at 1:00 pm | https://zoom.us/j/651018316 | Meeting ID 651 018 316
To join any of the meetings by phone in New York, dial (646) 558-8656 and enter the Meeting ID for that day of the week.
Everybody Counts
Help shape your future by responding to the 2020 Census. Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12 – 20. These official Census Bureau mailings will include detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online. You can choose to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail.
Public libraries can play a critical role in getting the word out about the importance of taking part in the census. Please use your social media to help spread the word about the importance of completing the Census 2020. There are short videos that can be embedded, information that can be shared. Libraries in Warren County can share posts from the Warren County Complete Count Commission on Facebook and Instagram.
Now that the Census is live, we can track the response rate for our state, city, town, county, congressional district, and tribal area: Track Census Response Rate.
The overall response rate for NYS residents is 16.3%, compared to the 19.2% response rate across the US. With so much on our minds right now, the people of NYS may need a reminder of how to complete the Census and why it's so important.
People across the country are receiving invitations to complete the Census. Invitations arrive via paper mail, and include a unique code that households need to enter online to fill out their Census form. Visit the Census site for examples of what all the Census mailings look like:
Census Mailings
Census data plays a huge role in the allocation of federal funding to states, cities, and communities. NYS receives billions of dollars in funding each year, and this funding could be in jeopardy if there is an undercount. For example, in 2016, NYS received more than $73 billion dollars from the federal government based on Census data: Counting for Dollars, New York.
The number of seats that NYS holds in the federal House of Representatives is based on Census data. An undercount of NYS residents will mean that we lose seats in the House, which means our state will not be as well represented as it should be. There are 435 representatives allowed in the House, to be divided by all 50 states. NY deserves its fair share of representatives!
Celebrate Your Friends
Would you like an opportunity to honor an active library supporter, Friend or Friends of the Library? The Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award is sponsored by the Friends of Libraries Section (FLS) of NYLA. Given annually since 1993 (through the precursor of FLS, the Empire Friends Roundtable), the award honors a volunteer member or group from the library community whose efforts have contributed to the growth of libraries or Friends of the Library organizations.
To learn more about Daniel W. Casey and to find the nomination form, go to www.NYLA.org/Friends to the “Awards and Scholarships” page. The deadline to submit nominations for this prestigious award is Monday, June 1, 2020. This year’s award recipient will be announced at the FLS annual membership meeting in Saratoga Springs on Friday, November 6, at the NYLA Annual Conference.
Nominations must include all relevant information outlined on the application form. Make sure to describe the contributions of the nominee (group or individual) to library service in detail; including positions held, years of service, accomplishments, successful fundraisers, etc.
Please submit the nomination form and all supporting materials (press releases, promotional materials, etc.) electronically to Marie Bindeman, Coordinator, via email at mariebind1955@gmail.com, or mail three copies to Marie Bindeman, 5498 Hartford Drive, Lockport, NY 14094. Paper copies sent by mail will not be returned.
If you have any questions, please contact Marie Bindeman at mariebind1955@gmail.com or call 716-433-0548. Thank you for your interest!
Opportunity Abounds
CARES Act Funds for Cultural Nonprofits
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced new grant guidelines designed to rapidly distribute NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations Fund to cultural nonprofits affected by COVID 19. This new funding opportunity, NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations, will provide grants of up to $300,000 to sustain humanities organizations and preserve jobs in the cultural sector. NEH will award grants to libraries and archives and other cultural organizations.
The purpose of this emergency relief program is to assist institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been affected by the coronavirus. In keeping with Congress’s intent in enacting the CARES Act, proposals for short-term activities should emphasize retaining or hiring humanities staff. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, public and 501(c)(3) accredited institutions of higher education, state and local governmental agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
The deadline to apply is May 11, 2020, so do not delay! Click here for details.
Propagating Promising Practices
Providence Public Library and their partners are happy to announce that the Propagating Promising Practices project for adult learning and workforce development has launched a website and has hosted a webinar (recording) with details about the opportunity for six public libraries nationwide to pilot one of the project’s three practices: mobile learning, learning circles or Learning Lounges.
The project offers support that is particularly relevant in this time of remote services. The deadline to apply for the pilot opportunity is May 15.
Applicants will be notified by May 29, 2020, of their acceptance.
Please see the application page for more information. You can submit all questions in this google form.
Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change is an ALA pilot program made possible by support from a private donor. The program supports public and academic libraries in efforts to engage their communities in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis.
The goals of this project include:
- Raising awareness and providing accurate information about the climate crisis to the public through libraries
- Designating libraries as Climate Resilience Hubs, positioning them to provide ongoing public education and community support during extreme weather events
- Engaging library staff in local partnerships and environmental justice efforts that emphasize bottom-up organizing, shared community leadership, and the centering of those most impacted by climate change, particularly communities of color and underserved communities
- Creating space in libraries for communities to engage in conversation, mobilize for the initiation of sustainability policies and practices, and build more resilient communities
- Identifying and documenting relevant, replicable programming models for future national distribution
ALA will select twenty-five (25) public and academic libraries to receive a Resilient Communities grant.
Applications open online: July 1, 2020
Deadline for submission: August 28, 2020 by 11:59 pm (CDT)
Award notification date: September 21, 2020
The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History is a new partnership between the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the Museum Association of New York (MANY). This new fund will grant assistance to 501(c)(3) history-related organizations in New York State with budgets under $100,000 that have been forced to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grants will assist with the immediate needs of sustainability and/or technology. A total of $50,000 will be distributed.
Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel that will include MANY Board, MANY Staff, and Pomeroy Foundation Staff. Grants are available to all eligible organizations; an organization does not have to be a member of MANY to receive funding, nor will preference be given to MANY members.
Pomeroy Fund for NYS History grants will range between $1,000 and $2,000 per organization.
Applications are being accepted through Monday, April 27, by 5 PM. Funds will be disbursed starting May 13.
OCLC Community Engagement Award
Winners will be selected by a panel of OCLC member library leaders. Each winner will be contacted prior to a public announcement in June 2020. OCLC is accepting nominations from all public libraries in the Americas now through April 30, 2020
Learn All the Things!
Meditation In Everyday Life . . . during the time of COVID - for Staff of Libraries, Archives, Historical Societies, and Museums
Meditation in Everyday Life is an opportunity to rest in what we already are—basic goodness, natural peace, and clarity. Meditation is helpful but it's often the hardest-easiest thing to do. Elissa Kane will provide a gentle, easy instruction for getting started with meditation and if it's something you've done before, it's a helpful way to start again. The virtual platform works well for meditation instruction and practice.
Elissa Kane meditates - or at least tries to for the past 20 years. She's a library trustee, advocate, former Board Member of CDLC, former library development director and has led meditation workshops at local libraries and currently produces Creating Calm at the Capitol at the NYS Assembly.
Monday, Apr 27, 2020, 03:00 PM
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Managing Remote Library Teams
With many libraries unexpectedly transitioning to working from home recently, librarians are facing new and unexpected challenges managing teams that have never worked remotely before. This webinar will offer concrete strategies for supporting remote staff, building successful online collaboration, facilitating online & phone meetings, and managing workflows and projects while working from home. We’ll discuss best practices for managing remote workers and learn tools and techniques that can minimize stress and maximize success in this new environment.
Participants will learn:
-The key elements of managing a remote team, particularly when working under stressful conditions
-The policies and structures needed to support remote teams
-How to effectively facilitate online meetings
-Strategies for managing projects and goals remotely
This webinar addresses several of LLAMA's Foundational Leadership Competencies including communication skills, change management, team building, collaboration and partnerships, and project management
Who Should Attend: This is geared toward managers at all sorts of libraries who manage remote teams, especially those who are experiencing an unexpected transition to remote work.
Our Presenter: Carli Spina, Head of Research & Instructional Services, SUNY's Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2020, 02:30 PM
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Social Work Students and Public Library Partnerships
Librarianship and social work have many shared values, including meeting the expanding and evolving needs of individuals and the community. Nearly 80 public libraries in the U.S. have collaborated with social work programs or schools of social work, to provide valuable learning opportunities for social work interns, and to connect community members with crucial services which exist beyond standard library offerings. Libraries or social work educators looking for ways to initiate collaborations with social work interns should join this webinar to understand the benefits, and a few challenges, to partnering with an institution or individual. Explore the types of intern assignments at the library that align with key social work competencies, from needs assessment to 1:1 patron referrals, and from staff training to outreach programs. And finally, discover how these internships can work for libraries of all types and sizes, including those in small and rural communities. Register for the webinar here: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/social-work-students-library-partnerships.html
Presented by: Sarah C. Johnson, MLIS, LMSW, Assistant Professor, Reference & Instruction Librarian Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), and creator of Social Work Students & Public Libraries website.
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2020, 03:00 PM
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Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific American Communities during COVID-19
In light of the outbreak of COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus), cases of racism and xenophobia against Asians and Asian/Pacific Americans have surged across the world. In the United States, there has always been a deep history of xenophobia towards Asians. This webinar will feature two experts to discuss the issue of Anti-Asian sentiment, and will also focus on teaching resources in countering xenophobia.
Dr. Erika Lee is a Regents Professor, the Rudolph J. Vecoli Chair in Immigration History, director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota, and Andrew Carnegie Fellow.
Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen is an associate professor in the Master of Library and Information Science Program at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She co-founded and co-edits Research on Diversity in Youth Literature and co-created the 2018 Diversity in Children's Books infographic.
Friday, May 1, 2020, 01:00 PM
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Data for Decision Making
Do you want to be more intentional and strategic when preparing, implementing or evaluating library initiatives? Are you looking for inspiration and ideas to find and effectively use data to inform goals, projects and reports? There’s a webinar for that!
Join presenters Lisa Dale and Mark Fink, who will share some of what they have learned about working with data effectively, and how you can strategically incorporate data to inform goals and decisions using what’s already available to you – no costly analytics tools required. Topics will include inventorying potential data sources, finding and using helpful data sets, and moving forward intentionally.
At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:
- Be able to identify at least three types of internal and external data sources to inform policy or project related decisions.
- Be able to utilize available data sources to better understand the needs of diverse populations, improve services, and provide evidence of success for funders and key stakeholders.
- Be able to identify examples of how organizations are effectively using data to improve programs and services.
This webinar will be of interest to: Public library staff at all levels who want to use data to inform planning and decision making. Some of the content may be specific to California libraries.
Special note: This webinar is sponsored by the California State Library as part of the 2019/2020 Metrics grant. This initiative was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the California State Library, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the California State Library should be inferred.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 01:00 PM
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Using Social Media Listening to Adapt Your Library for COVID-19
Learning Outcomes
After this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate the basics of social media dashboard usage;
- Identify ways to better understand community needs and emerging library trends during COVID-19; and
- Use social media monitoring to inform adaptive program design.
Instructors
David Vinjamuri is president of ThirdWay Brand Trainers and an adjunct assistant professor of Marketing at New York University. David writes the "Brand Truth" column online for Forbes and is the author of Accidental Branding: How Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Brands (Wiley, 2008) and two novels. David spent fifteen years in marketing and management for Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, DoubleClick, and Citigroup.
Thom Kennon has 30 years of brand building experience. Thom has founded, launched, and grown three marketing services agencies in his career, serving Fortune 500 global brands in brand, social media, and marketing strategy and insights. He teaches graduate students at New York University in social media and integrated marketing.
For updates on PLA and ALA's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, visit PLA Resources on COVID-19 and ALA Pandemic Preparedness Resources for Libraries.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 02:00 PM
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Librarian Life Story – Developing Your Professional Narrative
Librarians can use storytelling techniques to develop a professional narrative that can be used in the application, interviewing, marketing, and professional development processes. Once we know our own story and why we do what we do, we are better prepared to create a road map to further develop our careers and, perhaps, the profession as a whole.
In this workshop, participants will:
- learn the basic elements of a good story and how it applies to their professional lives.
- create their own professional stories.
- try out their new stories in mock applications and interviews.
About the Presenter:
Kristin Charles-Scaringi’s story … so far: Kristin is the adult and teen services librarian at the Kingston Library, part of the Mid-Hudson Library System, where she has worked for almost eight years. Prior to becoming a librarian, Kristin was a journalist and public relations writer/editor. She loves to find ways to incorporate storytelling elements into her professional life as a librarian.
Monday, May 18, 2020, 02:00 PM
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Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Why and How
Often residential and day programs for people with developmental disabilities bring clients to their local public library to visit, however, these groups don't really engage with the library's many services or programs. Adults with developmental disabilities also come to the library on their own. Many times, individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are directed to youth services and not the adult departments which are more appropriate. This confusion could present a barrier to offering these patrons more than just a place to visit.
Would you like to offer programming for adults with developmental disabilities rather than just a place to visit? Join us for this one-hour webinar devoted to an exploration of a range of topics related to programming in your libraries for the adults with developmental disabilities in your community. Presenters Carrie Banks (Brooklyn Public Library) and Barbara Klipper (Autism Welcome Here grant) will cover the barriers and benefits of programming, best practices, and what is meant by a “culture of inclusion.” They’ll also leave you with some sample program ideas you can bring to your library. And, of course, there will be time for your questions and concerns to be voiced and addressed.
At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:
- Be able to identify at least three things that keep many libraries from offering adequate programming and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as responses to those barriers
- Be familiar with what is meant by a library “culture of inclusion” and how it supports programming
- Understand the importance of involving self-advocates in planning and implementation, and of partnering with organizations in the community
- Be able to identify at least three types of library programs that would be fun and interesting for an adult with developmental disabilities.
This webinar will be of interest to: Public library directors, adult services, outreach and programming librarians and library staff.
This webinar is made possible by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Lifelong Learning Continuing Education grant and Infopeople, the Califa training arm in collaboration with Syracuse University and Project ENABLE.