Circulate!
Outreach, Engagement & Other Splendid Stuff
In Iowa, Republican representatives introduced a bill that would make it illegal for school or public librarians deemed obscene or harmful to minors, resulting in possible jail time and fines. The Indiana General Assembly is working on similar legislation. Lest you think it couldn't happen here, the Baldwinsville Central School District (NY) recently had challenges to books used in its curriculum.
In response to these efforts, people are beginning to organize. Groups like Red Wine and Blue, comprised of suburban moms, are working to counter the narrative put forward by conservative groups. Others are shipping free copies of banned books to interested readers in Tennessee or hosting free classes to discuss titles under attack.
For regular readers of this newsletter, you may remember that the last issue featured furries coming to the rescue of a Mississippi library after the town's mayor withheld funding due to the collection including LGBTQ+ titles. At last count, they had raised $80,000 for the library.
And finally, everyone's favorite literary superhero, Levar Burton, encourages kids to read banned books. Because of course.
Stranger Than Fiction
Representation Matters
Say Her Name
Calm, Cool & Collected
This program is being provided by SALS and the Crandall Public Library. It may be used to fulfill both librarian and trustee continuing education hours. Registration information is forthcoming.
Manager, Adult and Outreach Services - UHLS
The Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) has an opportunity for a creative library professional to join our team. We are a cooperative library system headquartered in Albany, NY, providing services to enhance, support and connect the 29 independent public libraries in New York’s Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
Our new colleague will collaborate with UHLS staff and our member libraries to provide System services focusing on:
- adult services support and continuing education
- digital collection growth and management
- resource sharing services
- outreach services
We are looking for a professional who:
- is passionate about public library service
- is ready to be a strong leader in helping our member libraries make a difference in their communities
- understands and seeks to further the important role public library systems play in strengthening library service
You should be able to demonstrate through your skills and experience:
- the ability to plan and organize multiple priorities effectively and efficiently
- resourcefulness and creativity as an approach to both relationship building and problem solving
- the ability to supervise staff to maximize capacity and customer service
- a confident and effective public presentation style
- an awareness of current trends in public library services, especially in adult services, digital collections and resource sharing
- a commitment to engagement in professional organizations and activities
You must have:
- an MLS/MSIS degree from an ALA accredited institution; and
- a New York State Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate (or be eligible for this certification); and
- a valid driver’s license; and
- at least 5 years of relevant professional experience working in a public library, two years of which must include supervisory responsibilities.
This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package, including participation in the NYS Retirement System. The starting salary range for this position will be $63,000-$67,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references via e-mail to searchcommitteeadult@uhls.org. The review of applications will begin on March 4, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.
For additional information about UHLS, visit www.uhls.org.
Director – Saranac Lake Free Library
The Board of Trustees of the Saranac Lake Free Library (SLFL) is seeking an innovative and experienced Library Director to keep the library relevant as the public’s needs change, and to continue to develop and foster a great work environment. SLFL serves a wide range of residents in the Adirondacks’ Tri-Lakes region with its mission to connect diverse communities to resources and services that educate, inform, enrich, and entertain. Governed by a thirteen (13) member Board of Trustees, the library provides excellent services and programs with seven (7) full-time staff and an annual budget of approximately $500k. SLFL shares a catalog, resources, and delivery system with other members of the Clinton, Essex, Franklin Library Services (CEFLS).
Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Library Director oversees and directs the day-to-day library operations; ensures the delivery of high-quality library programs and services to the community; develops the annual library operating budget in conjunction with the Finance Committee; supervises the library funds; recruits, schedules and supervises all library staff and volunteers; resolves complex, sensitive, and/or controversial issues and complaints; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of library management; and fosters an environment that allows for creativity and a positive workplace.
Requirements/Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Library Science or Library and Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited college or university; certification as a NYS Certified Public Librarian or ability to receive certification within six (6) months of employment; and four (4) to six (6) years of professional library experience, including at least one (1) year of supervisory or administrative experience. Essential attributes and skills include a working knowledge and understanding of principles, methods, and practices of library operations; knowledge of library software systems; management and leadership skills to direct the library to meet the goals that contribute to the overall success of the SLFL; ability to positively promote and communicate the value of SLFL to staff, patrons and communities; provision of superior customer service; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
Compensation:
The salary range is $55-70k
For more information: visit slfl.org
Apply: via email with a cover letter, three (3) professional references with their email contact information and resume as a Microsoft Word or a single .pdf file via email to: saranaclakefreelibrary@gmail.com
Please include the words “Director Search” in the subject line
Deadline for application: March 15, 2022
The Left Bank Books Foundation, the 501(c)(3) arm of Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Mo., has launched the Literacy & Justice Project, aimed at providing banned and challenged books to people who lack access to them.
For a donation of $20, Left Bank Books will send a copy of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Maus by Art Spiegelman, All Boys Aren't Blue by George Matthew Johnson, Heavy by Kiese Laymon or Fun Home by Alison Bechdel to someone who has registered for a free copy.
In a message to customers announcing the project, store owner Kris Kleindienst and her staff noted that The Bluest Eye, All Boys Aren't Blue, Heavy and Fun Home were removed from Wentzville, Mo., School District libraries in January, while Maus was banned last month in Tennessee.
"Race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, and apparently even history are taboo subjects in the eyes of an extreme minority," the bookstore wrote. "While the efforts to resist the rightward turn away from the democratic principle of free expression is multi-faceted and ongoing, we thought we would try to make a difference in real time for folks who lack access to the material being challenged."
Anyone can make donations or register for free copies of banned books on the foundation's website.
Librarian Life
Holy Security, Batman!
The Trustee Handbook Book Club is back, from 5-6:30 pm the following evenings:
March 29 | Topic: Policies & Risk Management
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ji0sYwV9TxiHeuWmJq8v8w
April 19 | Topic: Ethics & Conflicts of Interest + Intellectual Freedom, Censorship and Privacy
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TFxfAFS9Rz-OSk--iswhQw
May 3 | Topic: Planning & Evaluation
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1JWbEj6VTdehLvoaI6sd7w
June 14 | Topic: PR & Advocacy
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0EUGOkzlQ3uDPK-qjyOXFA
Would you love to attend the Public Library Association Conference but don't have the money to get there? The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) All of Us National Program is pleased to offer funding for up to twenty-five (25) public library workers to attend the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference taking place in Portland, Oregon March 23-25, 2022.
Amount: Up to $3,000
Number of Awards Available: Up to 25
Application Deadline: End of Day, March 4, 2022.
Questions? Email us at lib-nnlmallofus@uiowa.edu
Financial Literacy
The FINRA Foundation is now accepting grant applications to help public and academic libraries meet the financial education needs of their communities and foster financial inclusion. The maximum grant amount is $50,000. The first application deadline is March 1, 2022.
For questions about this grant opportunity, please contact Robert.Ganem@finra.org.
Support for Small, Rural Libraries
Funding Requirements
Libraries qualify for the Children’s Book Project grant on an individual basis. To qualify for the grant, libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 will receive funding priority; however, town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 may also apply for grants. Be sure to provide accurate information about the library’s operating budget on the Children’s Book Project grant application. Failure to accurately describe the library’s operating budget may disqualify your application.
Rural Library Service Areas
A rural community is typically more than 40 miles from an urban area (population over 50,000) and not a part of a metropolitan area. A rural town library system should serve a population under 10,000 (priority to community populations under 5,000). A rural county library system should serve a population under 20,000. Be sure to provide accurate information about your library’s service area on the Children’s Book Project grant application. Failure to accurately describe your service area may disqualify your application.
Grant Application and Funding Cycle
Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and October 1 (postmark date). You do not need to send your application by Express or Certified Mail etc., as we look at the postmark date for adherence to the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed for the next grant cycle.
Grants will be awarded and grant recipients will be posted on our website by April 15 and October 15. Acceptance packets will be mailed within 10-15 days after we announce the Children’s Book Project grant recipients on our website.
2022 AARP Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement; support diversity, equity and inclusion; build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursue innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.
The following downloadable materials are recommended reading before starting the application process.
- Attachment A: Sample Online Application
- Attachment B: Sample 'After-Action' Report
- Attachment C: Project Examples
- Attachment D: Guidance for Summaries and Deliverables
- Impact Stories: How Challenge Grants Inspire Positive Change
- FAQs: Challenge Questions Answered (webpage) or (PDF)
- Challenge Overview: A PDF of the information on this page
Challenge Home Page: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge
Important Dates in 2022
- March 22: Applications due by 5 p.m. (ET)
- Mid-May: All applicants will be notified by email of their status
- June 29: Public announcement of the selected grantees — and work on the projects begin!
- November 30: All funded projects must be completed
- December 14: Deadline for after-action reports
Applicants and others with questions can email CommunityChallenge@AARP.org.
The Association of Rural and Small Libraries is partnering with Penguin Random House on a new grant opportunity for small and rural libraries nationwide.
Not all applications will be selected for funding. If selected, grants will be awarded for up to $2,500.
This is a rolling grant application, with batches of applications going under review every 8 weeks beginning December 17, 2021. Applications will be submitted until all available grant funds are distributed.
Submission Window / Award Notification Deadline
- February 14, 2022 - April 8, 2022 /May 27, 2022
- April 11, 2022 - June 3, 2022 /July 29. 2022
Project reports must be submitted by February 1, 2023.
The program will award grants to libraries that demonstrate a true need. Grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. In-kind donations will also be considered.
Have questions? Please contact the ARSL Office at (206) 453-3579 or info@arsl.org.
Trauma-Sensitive Programming: Using Mindfulness to Create Safe Space
This one-hour webinar will include topics such as yoga, meditation, self-defense, mindfulness, self-care, non-violent intervention, and mental health first aid training. We will explore different populations that may be living with trauma and how to make programs accessible for everyone.
Spotlight Speaker: Jenn Carson is an internationally recognized expert in physical literacy, an award-winning author, a yoga teacher, and the director of the L.P. Fisher Public Library in Woodstock, New Brunswick.
This webinar is the second in a series on Trauma-Informed Librarianship. You can find upcoming webinars on this topic under our Spotlight Speaker Series.
Objectives:
The NNLM Region 6 Spotlight Speaker Series features presentations from guests on topics of interest to those interested in health information, outreach, programming, and more. Topics provide information to help attendees:
- Know their communities
- Better understand health consumers
- Evaluate health information
- Increase knowledge of resources and subjects
- Improve health-related communication, reference, instruction, and programming
- Increase health literacy
- Understand and explore the relationship between technology and health
- Explore ethical and legal issues.
Accessibility This webinar includes live closed captioning.
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2022, 02:00 PM
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Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Patrons
Lisa Koenecke is an award winning author of “Be an Inclusion Ally: ABCs of LGBTQ+.” After 12 years as a middle and high school counselor, she is now a Counselor Educator at Lakeland University and also holds a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2022, 04:00 PM
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Actively Anti-Racist Library Service, Part 1: Collection Development
In this program you will learn tangible skills to help build enthusiasm for reading and discovering diverse books, begin to deepen RA service through thoughtful inclusion of EDI principles in all interactions with leisure readers, and develop the skills necessary to be a steward of an anti-racist mindset for your organization.
In Part 1, collection development Robin Bradford will discuss strategies for building a collection development plan that begins actively breaking down the systems of oppression that have been built over centuries but cannot be allowed to stand any longer.
Robin Bradford is currently a collection development librarian in Washington State. During her 29 years of library life, she has been recognized for service to readers, genre readers especially, from institutions like Library Journal to RWA’s Cathie Linz Librarian of the Year in 2016.
Please review our Code of Conduct, our Statement on Viewpoints, and details on Interpreter Services here: https://metro.org/code-of-conduct
Monday, Mar 28, 2022, 11:00 AM
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Digital Citizenship for Today's Libraries
In today's world, information is communicated and learned through a wide variety of media channels and sources, most of which are through some sort of electronic or digital device. Therefore, becoming media and information literate requires a new set of digital skills that are ever-evolving as technology changes at a rapid pace. Mastering these new skills is what prepares students, patrons, and everyone in our communities to become digital citizens.
In this course, we will define what it means to be a digital citizen, followed by deep-dives into the nine elements of digital citizenship. Throughout the discussion, we will identify services and programming opportunities that libraries of all types can provide to help promote digital citizenship in their communities.
Learning Objectives
- Define the concept of digital citizenship and how it relates to other literacies.
- Analyze the nine elements of digital citizenship.
- Develop services and create programming opportunities that promote digital citizenship in communities.
Instructor
Jodie Borgerding is the Continuing Education Manager for Amigos Library Services. She has experience in academic libraries, reference, information and media literacy, and library marketing and communications. Prior to joining Amigos, Jodie served as the Instruction Librarian for Webster University in St. Louis, MO. She is a past-president of the Missouri Library Association. Jodie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Missouri State University and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
This program is supported in part with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institue of Museum and Library Services (IMLS; imls.gov) and administered by the Capital District Library Council (CDLC).
Thursday, Mar 31, 2022, 10:30 AM
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Fishing for Friends: How to Reel in Midlife Adults with Programs.
Midlife adults are an active and demographically vast population. This generation is living longer, staying active, and looking for opportunities to use their impressive skillset in different ways. Who are these valuable individuals? Are we overlooking them for volunteer opportunities? How can public libraries tap into this significant cohort?
After the webinar, attendees will be able to identify the characteristics of midlife adults and how they are different from previous volunteers. We’ll explore the considerations when planning, marketing, and implementing adult programs that will engage adults 50+ with the library and the Friends. Examples of outreach, formal and informal lifelong learning opportunities, and creative community collaborations that can be replicated in your community will be highlighted. Gain practical tips and ideas to reach midlife adults through Friends-sponsored programming and other library events.
We’ll examine current trends in planning and expanding engagement opportunities to attract skilled and active midlife and older adults to your library. Creating diverse learning opportunities along with thoughtful strategies to entice and retain them as volunteers are a win-win to encourage this growing but underserved population to become involved in activities they can enjoy for years to come.
Participants will be invited to submit questions via chat during the webinar. The webinar will also be recorded and archived for future viewing on the NYLA website.
Presenter:
Dr. Reneé K. Bennett-Kapusniak is currently a librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. She is the author of Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond: Expanding Opportunities for a Growing Population (Libraries Unlimited, 2018).
This professional development opportunity is open to all.
The charge for the webinar is $25 for NYLA personal or organizational members (who are not members of FLS) and $35 for those who are not members of NYLA. Interested participants may choose to join NYLA prior to registering for the webinar to receive the NYLA member rate. However, at the time of registration, a NYLA member may not add FLS to their existing membership in order to attend the webinar at no cost.
As a member benefit, the primary contact person and group volunteers of Friends Group organizational members who are listed on the “Friends Group Volunteer Leader Registration Form” on file with the New York Library Association and personal FLS members may participate at no cost. When registering through the NYLA Online Membership Center, FLS members need their assigned username and password to qualify for an “FLS Member Reg Pass” that will waive the webinar registration fee. The FLS/NYLA membership must be active on January 20 and the expiration date must be after April 6, 2022.
Group registrations are also available ($75 member rate /$99 nonmember rate). A credit card is required for payment. Checks and purchase orders are not accepted. Registration closes 48 hours prior to the start time of the webinar.
Wednesday, Apr 6, 2022, 02:00 PM
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Data Collection and Analysis
Building strong and lasting digital inclusion and digital navigator programs require programmatic data collection, analysis, and management. Participants in this webinar will gain skills in finding and accessing data collection sources.
Tuesday, Apr 5, 2022, 11:00 AM
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Asset Mapping
Participants in this webinar will learn how to gather local asset information and visualize social characteristics of the digital divide on local, regional, and state levels using publicly available data and analysis tools.