NYLA budget update

The Legislative Special Session ended last week with no agreement between the Governor and the state Legislature on futher mid-year budget cuts. "NYLA's Library Rally at the Capitol, which brought 450 library advocates to Albany, showed state policymakers in a very visible, loud and forceful (but law-abiding) manner, that the library community would not stand for any further cuts in funding."

Coverage of the rally and other protests was quite extensive by television (see below) and pictures from the rally can be found on the website at www.nyla.org.

CBS6 Albany.

WHAM 13.

Capital News 9

"The Governor proposes to release his 2009-2010 Executive Budget on December 16th, which will undoubtedly call for additional cuts in Library Aid. It is also still unclear when the remaining $26 million in undistributed Library Aid from the 2008-09 State Budget will be released. NYLA will keep folks informed of any developments in this ongoing budget saga."

As NYLA's Michael Borges put it, "Advocacy is not a sprint, but a marathon, and we must keep pace with events as they unfold and prepared to take action on a moment's notice."

The 2010 Census – A Great Way to Earn Extra Money

Here's a nice user-friendly page promoting the 2010 Census employment opportunities. Census is a topic close to my heart:

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and the work is close to home.

Census taker jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, persons who want to work part-time, persons who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.

State Library Agency Report for FY 2007

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) issued its second library statistics report on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The State Library Agency Report for FY 2007 includes a wide array of information on topics such as libraries' Internet access and electronic services, collections, staff, and revenue. The survey provides state and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users information on the range of roles played by state library agencies and the financial, human, and informational resources invested in the agencies' work.

Findings in FY 2007 include the following:
-The number of book and serial volumes held by state library agencies totaled 24.1 million.
-There were 1.6 million visits to state library agencies.
-All state library agencies facilitated library access to the Internet.
-The total number of budgeted full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions in state library agencies was 3,500 as of October 1, 2007.
-State library agencies reported total expenditures of $1.2 billion.
-State library agencies reported total revenue of $1.2 billion.
-All state libraries agencies provided administration of IMLS funding through the Grants to States program; library statistics; library planning, evaluation, and research; and review of technology plans for the E-rate telecommunications discount program.

The body of the report is composed of tables providing an overview of state library agencies during the 2007 fiscal year. The tables present data on seven main topics:
1. Collections: describes state library holdings of materials in various formats.
2. Service Transactions: characterizes library use, such as circulation and reference transactions.
3. Internet Access and Electronic Services: describes the efforts of agencies to facilitate internet access among libraries in their states, as well as the availability of statewide electronic services, information, and networks.
4. Staffing and Public Service Hours: staffing levels and the functions performed by employees of state library agencies, as well as the number of public service hours during a typical week.
5. Expenditures: describes how state library funds are expended.
6. Revenue: identifies various sources of revenue.
7. Services to Libraries and Cooperatives: identifies activities and programs that support public, academic, school, special libraries, and library cooperatives.

For more information on library statistics: http://www.imls.gov/statistics.

The report is available in PDF format here.

The data is available in Access and Flat (ascii) File format here.

Sunday afternoon with WALL-E

What if mankind had to leave Earth and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? The year is 2700 and WALL-E is a robot still spending every day doing what he was made for. Soon he is visited by a sleek robot named EVE wholm he chases across the galaxy with a pet cockroach and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots. (Rated G and it's FREE. It's got an 8.7 on the IMDB scale and 96% at Rotten Tomatoes.)

Sunday, November 30, 2PM Large Auditorium at The Main Library

Climb Every Mountain

Drop by the Friends Noon Program on December 2 for Evelyn Dufur, co-president of a local chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, shares the goals and activities of the club as well as the various programs they offer for people of varying abilities. Evelyn is a Board Member of the Friends and a retired teacher.

NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook

Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic: Equal chances for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures and precipitation. For regions with more definitive trends, see here.

Albany Gets Greener

Don't you wish you could recycle even more than you do now? You can--thanks to an additional reclycing bin from the City of Albany's Department of General Services (DGS). DGS is now offering--free of charge--an additional “GREEN” recycling bin to City of Albany residents.

These new green recycling bins are to be used for paper and cardboard only. The new bins will not replace the blue recycling bins already provided by the City. The blue recycling bins will still be used for recycling glass, cans and plastic containers only. The new green bins will be used for recycling newspapers, shredded paper and cardboard. Separating glass, cans and plastic containers from paper will allow you to recycle even more paper, plastic and glass. Residents who do not generate enough paper for 2 recycling bins may continue to use their blue bins.

To get your new green recycling bin, you need to pick it up at DGS headquarters at 1 Conners Boulevard (near Huck Finn's Warehouse in Nipperville), Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be sure to bring ID with proof of Albany residency. If you have any questions regarding DGS's GREEN BIN program please contact DGS at 434-2489 (CITY). This offer is extended to City of Albany residents who live in residential dwellings with (4) four or less units located on a single property. All others, including mixed occupancy buildings, must contract for private collection.

Gift ideas for your favorite library supporter

Visit the NYLA Fundraising Gift Shop here to view the selection and place your order. Items include:
* Apparel/Ties/Scarves
* Jewelry
* Bags/Totes
* Home/Office Decor
* Other Gift Ideas

Library OPEN Saturday

Though all APL branches will be closing this Wednesday at 5:30 pm, and will be closed all day Thursday and Friday this week, the library branches will be open as usual on Saturday.

What kind of blog is this?

Perhttp://www.typealyzer.com/.

ISTP - The Mechanics
The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts.

The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.
Analysis
This show what parts of the brain that were dominant during writing.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Public Information Officer position - Albany Public Library

Public Information Officer

Albany Public Library is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, experienced professional for the position of Public Information Officer. In this position, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for creating, implementing and maintaining the Library’s public information, marketing, and organizational communication programs. The Public Information Officer will report to the Library Director and
work closely with all levels of the Albany Public Library organization, and will also be a key member of the Library’s leadership team.

Albany Public Library is an urban library serving a population of 95,000 in the Capital Region of New York State and has a publicly funded budget of $6.4 million and a staff of approximately 75 FTE. Albany Public Library’s $29.1 million Branch Improvement Plan will see the opening of five new or renovated branch library facilities by 2010.

Minimum qualifications:

a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college or university or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations or a related field and two (2) years of fulltime paid experience writing public announcements, newsletters, news and/or feature articles, and preparing and presenting informational materials and reports; OR

b) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s Degree in Communications, Liberal Arts, Business-Marketing or a related field and four (4) years of fulltime paid experience writing public announcements, newsletters, news and/or feature articles, and preparing and presenting informational materials and reports; OR

c) Any equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of a) and b) above.

Additional desired qualifications include a familiarity with the operations, activities, and organization of public libraries; experience with organizational advocacy efforts and/or community networking activities; experience using new and emerging technologies in public information/communications activities.

The salary for this position is $45,000 and includes an excellent benefit package. This is a provisional Civil Service position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin on December 15, 2008. To apply send resume, letter of interest, a professional writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references to:

Marjorie Reinhart, Human Resources/Finance Manager
Albany Public Library
161 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
reinharm@uhls.lib.ny.us

New York EqualAccess Libraries 2005-2008 Report

From NYLINE:
The New York State Library has released the New York EqualAccess Libraries 2005-2008 Report: Training and support in developing community-responsive programming and services in public libraries.

The complete report is now available on the State Library's website: PDF version and HTML version.
The State Library partnered with Libraries for the Future (LFF), the New York Library Association (NYLA), and Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO) to bring the EqualAccess Libraries program to New York State in 2005.

Since then, 99 staff members from 52 public libraries and 11 public library systems have participated in the 4-day EqualAccess Libraries Institute, the cornerstone of the program.

EqualAccess Libraries was developed by LFF with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its goal was to help public libraries across the country become more community-responsive.

Through a combination of lecture, scenarios, and group work, the Institute helped participants learn how to adapt and expand programming and services in new and innovative ways to meet community needs and interests-especially in this ever-changing digital age.

One participant said of the program: "Great workshops. The most productive workshops I have ever attended."

The report provides a detailed look at New York EqualAccess Libraries, from the Institute curriculum and sample agendas to specific evaluation and outcomes information.

For more information, please visit the State Library's EqualAccess Libraries page or contact Cassandra Artale, Library Development Specialist, cartale@mail.nysed.gov or 518-474-1479.

Bus meeting re: rate hikes

Expect the planned CDTA rate hikes to be topic #1 at the Citizens for Transportation bus meeting, Wednesday, November 19 at 7 pm at the main branch of the Albany Public Library.

One of These Things Is Not Like the Others

From Resource Shelf: Regarding the public availability of Congressional Research Service reports: maybe the situation will be different in the new administration. Maybe these valuable, taxpayer-funded documents will finally be posted online BY the Congressional Research Service AS THEY ARE ISSUED. In our opinion, there is no logical reason for the hoop-jumping necessary to pry these things loose from the CRS...

The sheer volume of government information now available online is amazing, and has made life infinitely easier not only for researchers, but for the average citizen. We have not yet heard a compelling reason why the Congressional Research Service — a division of the Library of Congress — remains a black hole. This Washington Post story, from February 2007, blames “a wall erected by lawmakers” who regard the agency “as an extension of” their own staff.

We’re not buying that excuse. Equivalent agencies in other countries routinely place their reports online...

The mild-mannered Librarians who took on the Patriot Act... and WON!

From the Daily Kos.

SLA Salary Survey

The 2008 SLA Salary Survey & Workplace Study results show that the average salary increases for SLA members have again outpaced inflation.

The angry librarian

NYLA RALLY TO PROTEST FURTHER CUTS IN STATE AID TO LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS

The NYS Division of Budget has proposed a $20 million cut or 20% reduction in Library Aid that would bring state funding for libraries down to 1993 levels. Library Aid has already been cut twice this year from $102 million to $99 million.

Although we realize the state is facing difficult economic times, libraries and library systems have already done their part toward reducing the state’s budget deficit. Other sources of revenue need to be explored and other state funded programs to do their share to reduce the state budget deficit.

When: Tuesday, November 18th 1- 2:30 pm
Where: Well of the Legislative Office Building, Albany
Directions: Vans and cars can find parking in the garages underneath or nearby the Empire State Plaza( visit http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/Parking/forVisitor/visitor.html
for more information). Buses can drop off attendees at the Madison Avenue side of the Empire State Plaza (between the ESP and State Museum) and park at Crossgates Mall. Attendees would then walk down the length of the Empire State Plaza, go through security check points and go left toward the Legislative Office Building. You need to bring identification to get into the building. The Well of the LOB is on the bottom floor near the elevators.
***
Stolen from various listservs:
20% IS a disaster to public library systems and the member libraries served. And it is on top of a $3 million cut that was made earlier in the year, therefore a $23 million cut out of a $103 million library aid budget. A 22% cut overall, THIS fiscal year.
LIBRARIES provide unemployment assistance by offering computer classes, resume writing skills materials, free internet to look for jobs, access to Microsoft Word and printing services, informational databases as well as the reference librarians who help them use all those tools. Actually, libraries can serve roles in emergencies as well. They can and have served as information clearing houses, places of safety for the elderly during hot summers, and much more.
When times were good and the State experienced substantial surpluses, libraries did NOT receive any additional funding nor an adjustment to the funding formulas.
Libraries and library systems have been asked to shoulder a much larger (and we believe unfair) proportional share of the budget reduction. A local state senator once told a group of librarians at the annual lobby day for libraries, "You librarians are too nice!"
We should stop saying “It’s free at the library.” As we who work in libraries know, it’s NOT free. Materials costs, electronic access, heat, lights, salaries, etc. are huge expenses. But, we’ve been telling the public for so long that it’s free, the fact that we need more money really doesn’t have an impact. Maybe we could come up with language, like, “today’s event is sponsored by... (wherever your funding came from) and there will be no charge for admission.”

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: "Well-behaved women [or men] rarely make history"

Philly follies

Perhaps you have heard that Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia has suggested closing at least 11 library branches.

Last night a Philadelphia TV show did a story on the library situation.
The last line was-- "We tried to reach the mayor for comment but ironically, he was accepting an award for literacy promotion and therefore unavailable."

Live the Lush Life...

...with the Friends of Albany Public Library. Michael DeVall, retired Chief Deputy of the Albany County Sheriff's Department reviews this gritty novel of low down urban America by Richard Price.

Tuesday, November 18th @ 12PM, Main Library

A Call to Action from NYLA's Michael J. Borges

Dear Library Advocate, I want you to get really angry, I mean really fed up with the way libraries and library systems are being treated by the State of New York. The NYS Division of Budget has proposed a $20 million cut, that's right the largest cut ever in Library Aid, a 20% reduction in funding, that no other educational institutions are being asked to bear, to resolve the state's deficit for fiscal year 2008-09.

This cut will be devastating to library services throughout the state, no library or system will go unscathed, if this happens layoffs may occur, services will be curtailed or costs passed onto to local libraries and their patrons.

I urge you to go our website www.nyla.org immediately and click on Contact Your Elected Official button to send a letter to your state legislator opposing this proposed cut that the Legislature will consider when they return to Albany on November 18th for a special session. The letter is editable so you may include your own comments about how libraries are essential in your community, how library systems save your library money and provide vital services. Or call/visit your legislators in person if possible between now and next Tuesday.

The library community needs to act now in a strong, aggressive and united fashion in order to prevent this outrageous proposal from becoming reality.

Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association

White House Conference on Library and Information Services

**Applications for White House Conference on Library and Information Services Award due April 15, 2009**

The White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIST) and the ALA Washington Office wish to announce the 2009 WHCLIST Award that provides a stipend of $300 to help defray the costs for a non-librarian participant to attend National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) May 11th and 12th in Washington, DC.

The criteria for the WHCLIST Award are:
The recipient should be a library supporter (trustee, friend, general supporter) and not a professional librarian.
Priority will be given to first-time attendees of NLLD.
Applicants must include a registration form, a letter of reference from a library director, school librarian, library board chair, friend's group chair or other library representative.

Representatives of WHCLIST and the ALA Washington office will choose the recipient. The ALA Washington Office will contact the recipient's Senators and Representatives to announce the award. The winner of the WHCLIST Award is announced at NLLD.

To apply for the WHCLIST award, please submit a completed NLLD registration form, a letter explaining why you should receive the award and a letter of reference to:
Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association
1615 New Hampshire AVE, NW
First Floor
Washington, DC 20009
202-628-8419 (fax)
kmurphy@alawash.org

Note: Applicants must register for NLLD and pay all associated costs. Applicants must also make their own travel arrangements but will receive 2 free nights in the NLLD hotel in D.C. The winner will be notified by April 20, 2009.

The ALBANY PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED

Thursday, November 20- Staff Development Day
Thursday, November 27-Thanksgiving
Friday, November 28- Thanksgiving

Copyright and the Digital Library

The legal and technical issues which bedevil the creation of online libraries, particularly in relation to copyright. It discusses the Google Books settlement of October 2008 and a number of divergent views on its value or problems for libraries.

Zeroing Out Waste Conference

Saturday, November 15, 2008
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Westminster Presbyterian Church
262 State Street,
Albany , NY 12210
Use entrance at 85 Chestnut St.


$15.00 Conference Fee includes lunch and refreshments. Scholarships are available.

Directions: www.wpcalbany.org

Why do we have so much garbage? What can we do to prevent it? Looking at the trash question as a resource issue and a problem of industrial design is ushering in bold alternatives to leaking landfills and polluting incinerators in forward-thinking cities and countries around the world. What can New Yorkers do to bring these solutions to our state and communities?

New Yorkers have a great opportunity to transform our solid waste practices as the state is finally revising its Solid Waste Policy.
National expert speakers will discuss how NY communities can start zeroing out waste with reuse, recycling, composting and remanufacturing.
The conference features speaker presentations followed by strategy sessions on key zero waste issues, including fighting incinerators & landfills, composting all organics (food & yard waste, etc), economic development and green jobs, pitfalls of privatization and waste prevention.

Speakers Include:

Neil Seldman, Institute of Local Self Reliance

Professor Paul Connett, International Waste Management Researcher

Majora Carter, Environmental Justice Leader, Founder Sustainable South Bronx

Barbara Warren, Citizens' Environmental Coalition



Sponsored by Citizens' Environmental Coalition (CEC)
For more information, contact CEC at 518-462-5527 X16 or cectoxic@igc.org


More Information on the Zero Waste Conference Speakers

Paul Connett, International researcher and campaigner on waste management and recently retired Chemistry Professor. Paul is known for his decades of work effectively fighting incinerators around the world making over 2,000 presentations in the U.S. and 50 other countries. He is the only one we know that can make waste funny!

Neil Seldman, President of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Neil is known for his work effectively fighting incinerators, and for his economic perspective and promotion of alternatives like waste reduction.
He is an economic development & jobs expert utilizing resources in our waste stream.

Majora Carter, Founder of Sustainable South Bronx, distinguished Mac Arthur Fellow and environmental justice leader. Majora teaches sustainability through the lens of social justice and has appeared on many TV and radio programs. She promotes environmental justice, sustainability and green collar jobs.

Barbara Warren, Executive Director of Citizensʼ Environmental Coalition, Formerly with Consumers Union and the NYC Zero Waste Campaign. Barbara helped to prevent the building of incinerators in NYC, led the effort to close Fresh Kills landfill and has addressed environmental justice burdens of waste.

Buy Local Bash November 15 in Troy

The public is invited to sample local foods, enjoy local music and shop for the holidays at the Buy Local Bash from 5 to 9 PM on Saturday, November 15th. The event will take place at the Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Avenue, Troy. Special guest speaker will be Laury Hammel, noted entrepreneur and author, who will discuss the linkage between building a strong local economy and the area's ability to do business in a down economy. Hammel's talk will take place at 6 PM.


Participating local, independent businesses include the Honest Weight Food Co-op, Brown's Brewing Company, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Roots and Wisdom, Defazio's Imports, Le Marche Vert, Tosca, The Spinning Seed, The Flower Girl, Alabu Soaps, The Placid Baker, Java Jazz Cafe, Tough Traveler, Digital Artist's Space, and more than a dozen other businesses from around the Capital District. In addition to samples of local products, attendees are eligible to win gift certificates, gift baskets, movie tickets, locally brewed beer, and other door prizes.

According to Karisa Centanni, Honest Weight's Education Coordinator, "Laury Hammel's talk will focus on the many advantages that accrue to communities when business is conducted between neighbors. When money stays in a local economy, it is a strong bulwark against the ravages of a global economy gone badly. Given the current recession, Hammel's talk will provide important insights about how each of us by our personal buying decisions can help assure that our little corner of the world stays as healthy as possible."

Businesses that are interested in participating as a vendor at the Buy Local Bash can download information at www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org or can call Karisa Centanni at the Honest Weight Food Co-op at
518.482.3312 ext. 113.

Laury Hammel

The evening's highlight will be a talk by Laury Hammel, author of "Growing Local Value - How to Build Business Partnerships that Strengthen Your Community." Hammel founded and grew The Longfellow Clubs, currently the 54th largest health club business in the US, with
$16 million in revenues. He is a recognized industry leader in innovative business practices, social responsibility and community service. Among his other accomplishments, Hammel is a founder of New England Businesses for Social Responsibility (NEBSR); Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a national organization; the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN); and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Hammel has also been very active in the areas of energy conservation and environmentalism, with a particular interest in the sustainability of businesses.

Enjoy Local Music While you Shop

Local musicians at the Buy Local Bash will include Ashley Pond, Ben Karis-Nix and Amanda Rogers. Pond, who released her debut album, Dala, in 2007, is a gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist who has taken the capital region of New York by storm. Metroland Magazine named Ashley Pond "Best New Solo Artist" in their Best of 2007 issue and followed up with a cover story. In addition, The Times Union, interviewed Pond and gave her a spot in their top 10 local records of 2007. Ben Karis-Nix recently released his new solo EP, We Are Giants Now. Ben's recordings, performances, and songwriting have earned him features on the CW show "One Tree Hill," MTV's "Road Rules" and "Real World, "NPR's "Weekend Edition," and MySpace Compilation Vol. 1. Similarly talented, Amanda Rogers has opened for some of the most acclaimed rock, emo, and jam bands in the industry. She recently released an EP containing new songs and covers of songs by Radiohead and At The Drive-In, played numerous shows in the States and two more tours in Europe. In 2008, she headlined another European tour with friends "The Sketchy Indians" backing her up in support of her highly anticipated album Heartwood.

Buy Local Bash Event Details & Directions:
www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org

Metroland Advertising Opportunity for Local First Members!

Metroland, also a member-business of Local First, would like to extend the offer to participate in a special two page "Local First Insert".
They have tailored an advertising campaign that will give you significant reach and size at a very cost effective rate.

Free Web Site Launched to Help Immigrants Learn English

The U.S. Department of Education today launched U.S.A. Learns, a free Web site to help immigrants learn English. The Web site, which is located at www.USALearns.org, provides approximately 11 million adults who have low levels of English proficiency with easily accessible and free English language training.

U.S.A. Learns offers the following features:
An easily accessible Internet learning tool;
Simple directions;
Free instructional materials developed to teach basic English skills and help adults improve their English proficiency; and
Learning modules that can be used outside a traditional classroom

Learn more http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/11/11072008.html

Obama transition website

Here in the U.S., at long last, we have a new President-Elect. And, for the first time, this means a new presidential transition website. Simple but elegant and still under construction — Change.gov. At the top left, you’ll see a countdown, in days, until the January 20, 2009 inauguration.

By The Book: RA in a Library 2.0 World

A Readers’ Advisory Conference
Albany Public Library, Albany, NY
November 14, 2008

Join Albany Public Library as we celebrate our fifth annual By the Book Readers’ Advisory Conference! This year, we’re looking forward as we explore readers’ advisory in a Library 2.0 world. If you’ve heard a lot of about Library 2.0 and would like to learn more about it and how it relates to readers’ advisory, join us on Friday, November 14, 2008.

Our featured speakers will be Nora Rawlinson and Jessamyn West. Ms. Rawlinson is the co-founder and editor of Early Word, The Publisher | Librarian Connection (http://www.earlyword.com), a website and blog aimed at collection development for public libraries. Ms. West is a consulting librarian whose work focuses on technology issues and how they relate to libraries. With an exciting sequence of programs for professional and paraprofessional staff scheduled for Friday, November 14th, APL’s By the Book event is designed to give attendees real-world readers’ advisory tips and techniques that they can implement in their libraries.

Nora Rawlinson will begin our morning sessions with a presentation on readers’ advisory and online collection development. Ms. Rawlinson is the former editor of Library Journal and former editor-in-chief of Publishers Weekly, as well as the former Head of Materials Selection for Baltimore County Public Library. Library Journal columns introduced under her editorship include PrePub Alert, the Collection Development series, Classic Returns, and Readers Shelf.

Jessamyn West will give a general presentation on Library 2.0 tools (what they are and how they work) and how they relate to readers’ advisory. In our afternoon session, Ms. West will explore Library 2.0 and readers’ advisory trends. She’ll also lead an afternoon breakout session in our computer lab where participants will enjoy hands-on experience trying out some of the Library 2.0 tools on their own.

Attendees may also choose to participate in either of our other afternoon breakout sessions on conducting readers’ advisory at the reference desk and in the stacks led by APL staff, or teen crossover titles and programming led by our own award-winning librarian Melissa Wasilewski. Ms. Wasilewski won YALSA’s “Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults” award for her Skateboarding Discussion Group program.

Librarians, library school students, and paraprofessional staff are all invited to join us for By The Book: RA in a Library 2.0 World. In celebration of our fifth anniversary, we’re discounting our normal registration fee – only $50 (includes breakfast and lunch). Student registrations are available for $25 (student ID required).

Registration must be received by Friday, November 7, 2008. For more information, see http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/readers/raconf/ or contact Amy Maurer McLaughlin, Head of Readers’ Services, mclaughlina@uhls.lib.ny.us, 518-427-4349.

NY's 2008 Statewide Summer Reading Program Tops 1.5 M Children & Teens!

Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Interim State Librarian Jeffrey W. Cannell congratulates public libraries statewide for the record-breaking participation in the 2008 New York Statewide Summer Reading Program. Over 1.5 million children and teens enjoyed a summer of reading fun by participating in the Statewide Summer Reading Program through local libraries.

The 1.5 million participation level exceeds Education Commissioner Richard Mills' goal of 1.5 million by 2010.
The Statewide Summer Reading Program is a Commissioner's priority initiative and the marked increase in participation shows the importance of the program in public libraries, small and large, across the state. The increase in participation from 2007 to 2008 is 15%, and the increase over the past eight years has been 338%.

"During the summer of 2008, children and families made reading for fun a top New York State summertime activity", said Cannell. "Taking full advantage of what public libraries in New York State offer resulted in record participation in the Statewide Summer Reading Program. This involvement with reading during the summer months leads to better academic performance when children return to school in the fall."

Additional thanks go out to all the public library systems and the public libraries that made the Statewide Summer Reading Program such a success in 2008. New York's public library system youth and teen services consultants offered training and technical support, and library staff and volunteers in New York's public and association libraries provided the programming and resources that made kids want to join the fun.

In the coming weeks, the New York State Library will be reporting additional valuable information from local libraries and library system final reports on their 2008 Summer Reading Program.

*** MORE SUMMER READING PROGRAM NEWS ***

For 2009, "Be Creative @ your Library" and "Express Yourself @ your Library" are the New York Statewide Summer Reading Program themes.

There will be an exhibit of 2009 Summer Reading Program materials at the Youth Services Section exhibit during the NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs. Stop by the Pavilion to see the 2009 manual, posters, and graphics.

For further information please see here or contact Karen Balsen, Statewide Summer Reading Program Coordinator, New York State Library, kbalsen@mail.nysed.gov .

The New York Statewide Summer Reading Program is supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

NYS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER RICHARD P. MILLS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO STEP DOWN

After serving for more than thirteen years as New York’s Education Commissioner, Richard P. Mills today announced that he has notified the Board of Regents of his decision to resign from Office by the end of June 2009.

Commissioner Mills said, “The Regents, my colleagues and I, together with our partners, have completed an enormous body of work and have taken the first steps in the next phase of the Board’s agenda to raise achievement. We have established a timetable that ensures a seamless transition for my successor. I will complete the tasks the Regents assigned to me as we prepare the education system for the future.”

Mills continued, “There is no better time for a transfer of leadership than when an organization is strong and the building blocks for the future are in place. I am confident that my successor will find an agency of strength with a compelling agenda for the future.”

As Commissioner of Education, Mills serves as chief executive officer of the Board of Regents, which has jurisdiction over the most comprehensive state educational system in the nation. The system encompasses every education endeavor in the State, including public and non-public elementary, middle and secondary education; public and independent colleges and universities; museums, libraries, historical societies and archives; the vocational rehabilitation system; and responsibility for the licensing, practice and oversight of 48 professions.



“New York is unique,” Mills said. “We are so fortunate that we have an education system here, a system that includes all of New York’s educational and cultural institutions – schools, colleges, libraries, archives, museums, public television, the licensed professions, vocational rehabilitation, career and technical education, and so much more. And unlike any other state, all of these are under the care of one board, the Regents,” Mills continued. “This system gives us a spectacular advantage, providing New Yorkers with the knowledge and skills that are the currency of today’s global economy. We must take full advantage of the opportunities this unique system gives us.”

Mills continued, “There are so many people I want to thank, starting with the members of the Board of Regents. They have had the courage to set high standards and to insist that all children can succeed. I’d also like to thank my colleagues in the Education Department, whose dedication as public servants is unmatched. Thanks, also, to the teachers and school leaders who work tirelessly to lift up our children. Finally, I thank the students – our children – whose boundless energy and enthusiasm delights us all. Their ability to achieve, sometimes against the longest of odds, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit,” he concluded.

Mills was appointed by the Board of Regents as President of the University of the State of New York and Commissioner of Education in August 1995. Before being appointed Commissioner in New York, Mills served as Commissioner of Education in Vermont for seven years.

Mills said, “The experience of serving New York’s children is exhilarating. Even the hardest days have a clear purpose. I never tire of it. But now it’s time for me to begin a transition for the Department and for myself.”

VOTE!

The polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm. If you are unsure of your polling location in albany County, you can use this tool on the Albany County Board of Elections website, or call the Board of Elections at (518) 487-5060. If you can't find South Allen in the database, try S Allen.

Here's a list of candidates plus info about the Congressional, assembly, state senate races and the ballot initiative.

Please don't walk out of the voting booth without casting a vote in the school board race and on Proposition 2. The school board candidates and the proposition will not be in the obvious upper left section of the ballot with all the "big stuff" -- so you really need to look for them.

Proposition 2 - This is a "better government" proposition, providing for more checks and balances within city government, and giving the Common Council a little more say over the city's budget when it comes to salaries.

ALA seeks $100 million in stimulus funding

The American Library Association seeks $100 million in stimulus funding as U.S. libraries face critical cutbacks, closures.

"Investments in libraries often yield high dividends for communities. Studies show economic returns from salaries and wages paid to staff, construction costs, employment services and library purchases. A recent Pennsylvania study points out that for every dollar invested in the public library, the community receives a return of $5.50. A similar report from Florida shows a $6.54 return on investment."

New York Heritage Digital Collections

The New York 3Rs Association has launched a new digital heritage web site, www.newyorkheritage.org. The site connects more than 160 digital collections from around the state, contributed by libraries, archives, museums and other cultural institutions, and builds on existing digital repository services administered by each of the nine reference and research library resources councils.
NewYorkHeritage.org uses OCLC’s CONTENTdm Multisite Server to bring these collections together, allowing the public to search across all items simultaneously. This project provides free, online access to images of cultural and historical significance in New York State.

A variety of materials can be found among the New York Heritage Digital Collections, including photographs, postcards, correspondence, manuscripts, oral histories, yearbooks and newspapers. Many kinds of institutions from New York State have partnered to make this project possible, including public, academic and school libraries, museums, archives and historical societies. The power of collaboration is what makes this new service possible.

Participants to New York Heritage Digital Collections are committed to enhancing the site by adding both content and contributing institutions on a regular basis. The goal of the project is to eventually connect one thousand collections and one million items from throughout New York State. All institutions interested in participating in the project are encouraged to contact the 3Rs organization that serves their region.

The New York 3Rs Association is a partnership among New York’s nine reference and research resource systems. The New York 3Rs was incorporated in 2003 to further the ability of those systems to provide statewide services. The members of the New York 3Rs Association are: the Capital District Library Council, Central New York Library Resources Council, Long Island Library Resources Council, Metropolitan New York Library Council, Northern New York Library Network, Rochester Regional Library Council, Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, South Central Regional Library Council, and Western New York Library Resources Council.