Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Copyright quiz

From Lesley Ellen Harris at copyrightlaws.com

When it comes to copyright law, there is much misinformation. Take the test below to determine what you think is a copyright truth or myth (false).

Truth or Myth (False)?

T F 1. Only registered works are protected by copyright.

T F 2. Online content is in the public domain unless it has a copyright notice.

T F 3. In at least 164 countries that belong to the Berne [Copyright] Convention, copyright protection is automatic upon creation of the work.

T F 4. In all countries, the duration of copyright is seventy years after the death of the author.

T F 5. Fair use is intentionally ambiguous.

T F 6. You can copy 3 percent of a work without obtaining copyright permission.

T F 7. If a work does not have a copyright notice, ©, then you may freely use the work without obtaining permission.

T F 8. All U.S. government works are in the public domain.

T F 9. Fair use never applies in a for profit situation.

T F 10. There is no such thing as an international copyright law.

Answers HERE or below.

QUIZ 1 - general copyright knowledge

QUIZ 2 - international copyright knowledge

Answers to above quiz: 1F, 2F, 3T, 4F, 5T, 6F, 7F, 8F, 9F, 10T

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tomes' time might be up at Newport Beach library

By Mike Reicher, Los Angeles Times, March 29 2011

"In a sign of the times, Newport Beach is considering closing the city's original library and replacing it with a community center that would offer all the same features — except for the books."

FEH!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Empire State Book Festival and NYS Writers Hall of Fame Gala

The 2nd Annual Empire State Book Festival and Gala is scheduled for April 1-2nd in Albany. The two-day event kicks off with the Empire State Book Festival Gala and NYS Writers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, April 1st at 6 p.m. in the State Room in Albany. This year’s inductees include poet John Ashbery and author Paula Fox as well as past literary greats Willa Cather, Julia DeBurgos, Ralph Ellison, Lorraine Hansberry, Madeleine L’Engle, Herman Melville, and Dorothy Parker. Tickets are $60. Deadline is Monday, March 28th.

On Saturday, April 2nd at 10 a.m. the 2nd Annual Empire State Book Festival begins with first keynote author Ann Martin, writer of the popular series – The Baby-sitters Club and at 3:45 p.m. the Festival closes with our second keynote singer/author Rosanne Cash, plus 30 workshops, panel discussions and story-telling from a host of writers, poets, illustrators and more.

The event is free and open to the public. For more info visit www.empirestatebookfestival.org and click on Events to download invitation to Gala.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Words added to the OED

'Muffin top' added to Oxford English Dictionary

The latest update of the OED, published on 24 March 2011, revises more than 1,900 entries and adds new words from across the dictionary.

Regents Advisory Council on Libraries Seeks Input for New Statewide Plan

Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, New York State Education Department announced Thursday that the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries (RAC) is inviting broad input from the library and education communities to inform development of a new statewide plan for library services. The New York State Board of Regents has challenged RAC to develop and recommend to the Board a 2020 vision for library services and an innovative plan for ensuring the greatest access to information for all New Yorkers.

RAC would like individuals and groups within the library and education communities to provide input on and also identify key issues. Ten key issue questions are posted on the RAC website. All comments, suggestions, insights, ideas and recommendations are welcome.

Please send responses and suggestions by Wednesday April 20, 2011 to: NYSLRegComments@mail.nysed.gov. Please clearly identify the group or individual responding and indicate a primary contact person in case someone needs to follow-up for clarification or additional information.

"I am asking that all those interested in improving library services for New Yorkers take the time to discuss and reply to the ten questions posed by RAC as part of this statewide planning process," said Cannell. "The New York State Board of Regents has asked RAC to take a visionary look at the future of library services and to develop a set of innovative policy recommendations to improve library services to the people of New York State."

Some of the topics that RAC will address as part of the new statewide plan include:
Equitable library service for all New Yorkers;
Projections of service needs in 2020 and beyond;
Organization and relationship of libraries and library systems;
Financial support for libraries and library systems;
Role of the New York State Library and State Education Department in leading and supporting new directions for library services; and
Visibility and public awareness of libraries and library systems, as a source of lifelong learning and enrichment.

In 2000, the Regents adopted Meeting the Needs of All New Yorkers: Library Service in the New Century, the current plan for statewide library services. It has been over 10 years since that plan was enacted and adopted as statewide policy for libraries by the Board of Regents. A draft status report on implementation of the 2000 statewide plan is posted HERE.

The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries works with the officers of the State Education Department in developing a comprehensive statewide library and information policy, and makes recommendations to the Regents concerning the implementation of the program. The Council is broadly representative of libraries and statewide constituencies served by the New York State Library. For more information about the Regents Advisory Council, visit the State Library’s website.

Any questions about the RAC 2020 Vision Process and this call for input may be sent to John Hammond, Chair, RAC 2020 Vision Planning Taskforce at john@nnyln.org or to Bridget Quinn-Carey, Chair, Regents Advisory Council on Libraries at quinncarey@hotmail.com.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Two Seats Open on Library Board of Trustees in May Election

The nine-member Albany Public Library Board of Trustees has two positions that are up for election on Tuesday, May 17. The library’s trustees are charged with making the rules, regulations, and policies under which the seven-location library system operates. The two open trustee positions carry full five-year terms that start on June 30, 2011.

In order to run for library trustee, candidates must meet the following criteria:
+ Be at least 18-years-old
+ Be a United States citizen
+ Reside in the city of Albany
+ Have been registered to vote in the previous year’s general election
+ Submit a valid nominating petition

Starting Wednesday, March 23, nominating petitions will be available at the Reference Desk of the Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue. Interested candidates can pick up a nominating packet (including the petition form and instructions) at the Main Library Reference Desk during regular library hours:
Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Completed nominating petitions (including at least 81 valid signatures) must be returned to the Clerk of the City School District of Albany by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18. The School District Clerk can be reached at 475-6010.

If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact:
Stephanie Simon
Public Information Officer
427-4344
simons@albanypubliclibrary.org

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Digital Library Better Than Google's

ON Tuesday, Denny Chin, a federal judge in Manhattan, rejected the settlement between Google, which aims to digitize every book ever published, and a group of authors and publishers who had sued the company for copyright infringement. This decision is a victory for the public good, preventing one company from monopolizing access to our common cultural heritage.

More HERE.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Book contributed to libraries

The general policy that many libraries use is that that books donated as a charitable contribution will result in the library giving a receipt for the number of books (XX hardcover, yy paperbacks). The library will NOT provide a value, and, as one librarian put it, "the valuation they put on the donation is between them, their conscience, and the IRS."

The part of the code regarding "recordkeeping and return requirements for deductions for charitable contributions" of all types is 26 CFR sect. 1.170a-13. Look for future iterations of the law at GPOaccess.gov.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Top 10 Web Hosting Services

Consumer-Rankings.com "performed in depth research on the leading web hosting service providers." It "compared their pricing, features, bandwidth and storage space, ease of use, customer support and more to help you determine which hosting provider is right for your personal or small business website. According to our 2010 logs and stats, 59% of our visitors preferred iPage.For a quick overview of the most popular web hosting services click here."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Pancake Breakfast to Benefit FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry



If you use Facebook, click HERE to RSVP to the Pancake Breakfast online!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB)

The Albany Common Council is seeking applications from qualified residents of the City of Albany for the following position:

Title of Position:

Member: Public, Education and Government Access Oversight Board (PEGAOB); 4 Common Council openings.

Members appointed by the Common Council shall be residents of the City of Albany and possess knowledge and interest in promoting public access cable television in the City of Albany. In making such appointments the Common Council shall endeavor to reflect the diversity of the City of Albany.

Additional members of the Board include two appointees of the Mayor and one representative of each of the following: Albany School District; College of St. Rose; New School of Radio and Television; Capitalize Albany Corporation; and Albany Public Library.

Term of Appointment:

Members are appointed for a three (3) year term except that of members initially appointed by the Common Council: two shall be for a term of one (1) year; one shall be for a term of two (2) years; and one shall be for a term of three (3) years. Of members initially appointed by the Mayor: one shall be for a term of two (2) years; and one shall be for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter all members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years.

Position Responsibilities/Duties:

The City of Albany recently entered into a Franchise Agreement with Time Warner Cable to provide access channels designated for non-commercial public, educational and governmental use (otherwise known as “PEG” access) and funding for equipment for PEG access programming. In addition, the City has also entered into “Memorandums of Agreement” with various stakeholders for purposes of implementing PEG access. The PEGAOB was established by the Common Council to oversee implementation of PEG access, the cable television public access facility/studio in the City of Albany and to promote public awareness of public access in the City.

Specifically, the Board:

 Assists in the development of public, education and government access television in the City including by promoting the use of the public studio to citizens and groups throughout the City;

 Oversees the cable television public access facility/studio and assists the Public Access Coordinator, whom shall be responsible for the day to day operation of the public access facility/studio;

 Reviews memorandums of agreement between the city and relevant entities to assure implementation of PEG access

 Makes recommendations on the success of the programs in Phase I of PEG funding and based upon said findings makes recommendations for expenditures of Phase II funding.

Members of the Board serve without compensation. The Board is expected to meet no less than quar-terly for the purpose of conducting any business necessary to its operation, and may meet at such addi-tional times and places as deemed necessary by its members, or on the call of the Chairperson (during Phase I implementation of PEG access it is anticipated that the Board shall meet on an at least monthly basis). All meetings of the Board are considered public meetings under the “Open Meetings Law” and shall provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment in accordance with rules and guidelines adopted by the Board. The Board is also required to prepare an informational pamphlet on, and regu-larly publicize, its mission and purpose and annually report to the Common Council regarding its ac-tivities and performance, including recommendations, if any, to the Mayor and the Common Council.

Statutory Authority:

Code of the City of Albany, Chapter 42, Article XLIX, sections 42-373 to 42-380.

Application Requirement:

Applicants are requested to submit a letter of intent describing qualifications and include a current re-sume to:

Cashawna Parker
Senior Legislative Aide
Albany Common Council – Room 206
City Hall
Albany, NY 12207

Tel: 434-5087
Fax: 434-5081
e-mail: parkerc@ci.albany.ny.us

Applicants will be interviewed by a selected committee of the Common Council prior to appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Close of business, Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

Policy Statement

The Common Council is committed to assuring that its appointments to city boards, authorities, com-missions or committees is representative of the diversity of Albany’s population. Consistent with the City of Albany Human Rights Law, it is the policy of the Common Council to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, marital or domestic partner status in all aspects of its personnel policies, programs, practices and operations.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

State Legislatur​e Unveils Budget Proposals

From Michael J. Borges, Executive Director, NYLA

Both the Senate and Assembly released their respective budget proposals this week. The Senate has proposed to restore $4.2 million and the Assembly has proposed no restoration of the $8.45 million in Library Aid cuts. The Assembly has rejected the Governor’s proposal to divert Library Materials Aid for computer software and textbook purchases by school districts and the Senate has accepted the Governor’s proposal. The next step in the process is the scheduling of Budget Conference Committees.

The first meeting of the Education Budget Conference Committee that will work to resolve differences in their budget proposals has been scheduled for 2 pm Wednesday in Hearing Room C.

We need to get the Assembly to support the Senate in their partial restoration of Library Aid. Without the Assembly’s support, it will make more difficult for the Senate to keep their partial restoration included in a final budget agreement.

Please contact your state legislators – Senate to both thank and urge them to keep the restoration in the final budget and the Assembly to castigate them for abandoning libraries and to amend their budget proposal to match the Senate’s $4.2 million restoration. Visit www.nyla.org to new revised letter by fax or email.

Members of Education Budget Conference Committee:
Senator John Flanagan, Co-Chair, Senators Andrew Lanza, Mike Ranzenhofer, Jim Seward, Suzi Oppenheimer
Alt. Senators Steve Saland, Joe Addabbo

Assemblymembers Catherine Nolan, Co-Chair, Vivian E. Cook, Joan L. Millman, Kevin A. Cahill, Joel Miller
Alt. Philip Ramos, Gary Finch

Monday, March 14, 2011

Edmund Morris, presidential biographer


Edmund Morris, presidential biographer
March 15 (Tuesday)
Reading — 8:00 p.m., Clark Auditorium, NYS Museum, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY

Edmund Morris, biographer, is the author most recently of Colonel Roosevelt (2010) the final volume in his critically acclaimed trilogy on Theodore Roosevelt. Morris’s first volume, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (1979), won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. The second volume, Theodore Rex, was published in 2001. The Los Angeles Times declared the trilogy “masterful…among the truly outstanding biographies of the American presidency.” Publishers Weekly described Colonel Roosevelt as “a witty, insightful biography combined with a vivid political history…It is a joy to read.” The authorized biographer of President Reagan, Morris published the bestseller Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan in (1999).

Cosponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library

Libraries after the Japan quake and tsunami

From Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Islamophobia and the Challenge of Pluralism

The College of Saint Rose will host a lecture by John L. Esposito, internationally renowned Georgetown University scholar in Muslim-Christian understanding and dialogue, on “Islamophobia” and the challenge of pluralism today.

Esposito will deliver his lecture, “Islamophobia and the Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century,” Monday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Hall Auditorium, 985 Madison Ave., Albany. Admission is free and open to the public.

More HERE.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

New Albany History Room to Open March 28

Local history buffs will soon have a beautiful new space in which to research the important people, places, and events in Albany’s past. The Pruyn Collection of Albany History at Albany Public Library is opening in a new location at the Main Library on March 28 at 5 p.m.

The collection is currently housed in an alcove of the Reference Department on the second floor of the Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue. Staff closed the room’s doors on March 7 in order to move the collection to its new home across the hall. During the next several weeks, the books, periodicals, photographs, and other documents recording Albany’s rich history will be relocated to the new Albany History Room.

More HERE.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

The Destruction of a Public Library is a Blow Felt by All

On behalf of Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library:

"Let's show the world that America's libraries have a heart and can unite to help the Egyptian people rebuild their public libraries. Two public libraries in Cairo, Egypt were senselessly destroyed this February by vandals who stole and burned the contents and left the two libraries in ruins. Queens Library has a formal partnership with the Integrated Care Society which operates the network of public libraries in Cairo. We are issuing a rallying cry to libraries and library lovers
globally to help our Egyptian friends rebuild and reopen as soon as possible. Together, the millions of people who support libraries worldwide can help reopen the doors to the information and opportunities that libraries provide to the people of Cairo.

Please do all you can do to promote this effort [for donations].

The destruction of a public library is a blow felt by all - promoting this link on library home pages worldwide can make a difference by providing an opportunity for the people in our cities, towns, and villages to help. Please forward this to your colleagues and library lovers everywhere.

Thank you. Tom

Monday, March 07, 2011

SLA Fudge Sale

Greetings from UAlbany SLA,

UAlbany Special Libraries Association
St. Patrick's Day Fudge Sale
Monday, March 14
Husted Lobby
3:00-4:30 (or sold out)

Please consider supporting SLA and indulging in a chocolaty treat, carefully crafted by a "special librarian."
All proceeds to benefit UAlbany SLA

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Albany School News: Elementary School Conference Day

Next Friday, March 11, there will be no school for middle school and high school students because of a recently scheduled superintendent's conference day. That is a change from the school calendar that was mailed out to homes last fall.

Elementary-school students still will be dismissed early because of parent-teacher conferences. Dismissal times for each school follow.

Albany School of Humanities (ASH)-11:15 a.m.
Arbor Hill Elementary School-12:20 p.m.
Delaware Community School-12:20 p.m.
Eagle Point Elementary School-11:15 a.m.
Giffen Memorial Elementary School-12:20 p.m.
Montessori Magnet School-11:15 a.m.
New Scotland Elementary School-12:20 p.m.
North Albany Academy (elementary school only)-11:30 a.m.
Pine Hills Elementary School-11:15 a.m.
Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy-12:20 p.m.
Sheridan Preparatory Academy-11:15 a.m.
Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST)-11:15 a.m.

A Library Aid Solution

Stephen Gaines, IT/ Web Systems
North Country Library System

Working for a Library System obviously causes me great concern about library funding. But when reviewing the Governor’s budget it is quite apparent that cuts are being proposed in almost all areas. Fiscal sense would dictate that you cannot run in a deficit mode, and while there are obvious major issues in the Medicaid (52.8 billion), Education(19.4 billion), Pension System, etc., the theme being pushed on the public to sell and balance this budget is of “Shared Sacrifice”.

Given the huge transfer of wealth that has occurred over the last several decades, the recent actions of government to step in and bail out elite entities in business, the definition of “Shared Sacrifice” translates to sacrifices made by the middle and lower economic classes in our state and our society. The higher economic class has not and will not share in this sacrifice thanks to government intervention. Just follow the money trail.

A simple repeal of the “Stock Transfer Tax Rebate” would allow for the re-instatement of funding cuts for all the needy agencies along with Library Aid. Do you remember your loss of the “Star Rebate Checks”? We were asked to “Share” in the sacrifice of balancing the budget. However, Wall Street, wasn’t asked to share along with us. The time has come for them to share along with us.

The “Stock Transfer Tax” was established in 1905 and consists of a few cents tax on each stock trade. In 1981 a law was passed to rebate 100% of it back to the banks, etc., which paid the tax. Last year this rebate amounted to 14.5 billion dollars.

Ask your legislator’s to repeal the “Stock Transfer Tax Rebate” and re-instate Library Aid along with other needy agencies aid.

Friday, March 04, 2011

Library Funding in the News

Assemblyman Bob Reilly and Michael Borges of NYLA were interviewed about library funding on Thursay's Capitol Pressroom Radio Show with Susan Arbetter. Go to the link and click the play button and after introductions move scroll bar on Track #1 to 35 minute mark.

Also libraries were featured the night before Library Advocacy Day on the local ABC TV station in response to NYLA press release.

Language and the Brain: What Makes Us Human

No other species on the planet uses language or writing — a mystery that remains unsolved even after thousands of years of research. Now neuroscientists are taking advantage of powerful new ways to peer into the brain to provide remarkable insights into this unique human ability.

Do you trip over your words, struggle to listen to a dinner companion in a noisy restaurant, or find it difficult to understand a foreign accent on TV? Help may be on the way. Using powerful new research tools, scientists have begun to unravel the long-standing mystery of how the human brain processes and understands speech.

Joseph F. Shubert Memorial Service - March 12, 2011

Joseph F. Shubert, New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries from 1977 to 1996, died November 24, 2010 in Plano, Texas. The family has communicated that there will be a memorial service open to all at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle Street, Albany, New York on Saturday March 12, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.

Joe Shubert began his professional career as reference and documents librarian at the Nevada State Library in 1951, and also served as State Librarian of Nevada and Ohio. From 1962 to early 1966, he was Assistant Director of the American Library Association International Relations Office. His tenure at the New York State Library was exceeded only by that of James I. Wyer, who was State Librarian from 1908 to 1938. Mr. Shubert was the 19th State Librarian since the founding of the Library in 1818

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING NEW YORK’S LIBRARY SERVICES FOR ALL

Mr. Shubert's 19 years included continuous improvement of the nation's most comprehensive library system and the nation's most respected State Library. Under his expert leadership, State funding for library development programs and statewide library services increased by $56 million, from $26 million annually in 1976 to $82 million annually in 1996. Library development programs that were instituted or greatly expanded during Shubert's tenure included:

o State aid for award-winning public library outreach services which touch the lives of people who are homebound, unemployed, incarcerated, speakers of languages other than English or persons struggling to overcome disabilities and disadvantages.

o State aid to library systems for database development and technology for resource sharing and broader access to information among all types of libraries - academic, public, school and special.

o State aid to library systems for a stellar program of resource sharing resulting in New York's consistent record in out-distancing all other states in public library interlibrary loan.

o Establishment of school library systems based in the Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and the Five Big City school districts, leading to greater school library participation in resource sharing than in any other state.

o Establishment of the first comprehensive State-funded program in the nation dedicated to the ongoing conservation and preservation of rare, unique and fragile library materials for use by future generations.

NATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

As State Librarian of Ohio, Mr. Shubert was one of the three founders of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies in 1973. He was Chair of that organization and also chaired the legislative, statistics and other committees at various times. He also chaired the Legislation Committee of the 50,000-member American Library Association and was instrumental in advancing improvements in the federal Library Services and Construction Act.

For the Library of Congress, Mr. Shubert served on the Advisory Committee for the Center for the Book (1979-82) and as a member of the Network Advisory Committee (1981-96). He was a trustee of the Ohio College Library Center and OCLC Inc., served on the Depository Council to the Public Printer and was a trustee of the Northeast Document Conservation Center.

President Ford appointed him to the Advisory Committee for the 1979 White House Conference on Library and Information Services and he served on a planning group for the 1991 conference.

AWARDS, HONORS AND RECOGNITION

Mr. Shubert received distinguished alumnus awards from the University of Denver (1979), the SUNY College at Geneseo (1985), and the Distinguished Public Service award and medal from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs at the University at Albany (1987). The American Library Association division, the Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) honored him in 1985 with the Exceptional Achievement Award for "distinguished service in strengthening the role of the state library on the national level".

In 1991, the Ohio Library Association designated him for the Ohio Library Hall of Fame. In 1996, he received both the New York Library Association’s Distinguished Service to Libraries Award and the New York State Association of Library Boards’ Velma K. Moore Award.

On the occasion of his 1996 retirement, The New York State Board of Regents named him State Librarian Emeritus and adopted a resolution at their meeting expressing thanks for "distinguished leadership in library and information services for all New Yorkers."

In his post-retirement years, Shubert worked with others to found the Committee for the New York State Library (now the Friends of the New York State Library), a not-for-profit group of readers, library users, scholars, historians, and others whose mission is to stimulate government and public support for the nation's greatest State Library. He continued to be active with that organization for many years.

RECOGNIZING SHUBERT’S CONTRIBUTIONS

In recognition of Mr. Shubert's many contributions to statewide library service, the Regents Advisory Council on Library Services established the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award which is presented annually to recognize achievements of small, medium, and large libraries and library consortia in New York State. The Friends of the New York State Library provides $1,000 for the winner of the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award in honor of Mr. Shubert's leadership and his tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to high-quality library services for all New Yorkers.

Those interested in honoring Mr. Shubert's memory are invited to make a donation to the Friends of the New York State Library in support of the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award. Please send donations to the Friends of the New York State Library, PO Box 2247 Empire State Plaza Station, Albany, NY 12220 or give online. Please identify that the donation is in support of the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award. The Friends of the New York State Library is a private nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Trademarks workshop

Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011
Time: 10:30am - 11:30
Location: 7th floor Librarian’s Room

Trademarks are a valuable way for businesses to identify and market their goods or services. This program will cover unregistered trademarks as common law rights and registered trademarks at the State and Federal level. The program will include information on doing a federal trademark search on the United State Patent and Trademark Office’s website. Bill Schilling, Senior Librarian will present this program. Registration is required.

All programs are FREE. TO REGISTER online go HERE or e-mail NYSLTRN@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-474-2274. Please the library know if any reasonable accommodation is required (Americans with Disabilities Act) at least three business days prior to the program date. The New York State Library/Reference Services, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230 (518-474-5355).

How much are late fines at APL?

Late fines for Albany Public Library are $0.25 per day per item. Cardholders with fines greater than $2.00 must pay prior to checking out additional material, using the library computers, or renewing online. Other libraries in Albany and Rensselaer County charge different rates. Please check with the lending library if you are concerned about their rates.

New York State Capitol& the Great Fire of 1911 event

Reception, Book Signing, Video Preview: Tuesday, 3/29
The New York State Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911


ALBANY, NY – March 1, 2011 – In the early morning hours of March 29, 1911, a fire broke out in the New York State Capitol at Albany. By sunset, the vast collection of the New York State Library, then housed in the Capitol, had been reduced to ashes.

To commemorate the centennial of the fire, coauthors Paul Mercer and Vicki Weiss, both of the New York State Library, have published The New York State Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911 (Arcadia Press, 2011) including rare images and documents from the special collections of the modern library, which arose from the ruins of the 1911 fire.

The public is invited join Executive Deputy Chief Warren Abriel of the Albany Fire Department to mark the 100th Anniversary of this historic event on Tuesday, March 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the University Club of Albany. The reception will feature light fare and cash bar, and authors Mercer and Weiss will discuss and sign the book. Royalties from book sales benefit the Friends of the New York State Library.

The event will also feature a preview of a documentary set to air on March 31 on WMHT, The New York Capitol Fire. Robert Altman, President and CEO of WMHT Educational Communications, will introduce a clip of the video, which draws on interviews, archival materials and reenactments. This WMHT documentary was created in collaboration with the New York State Museum, the New York State Archives, the Albany Institute, the New York State Library, the City of Albany and the Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol. The cost for the reception, book signing and video preview is $20 per person. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Support for educational programming presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is provided by AT&T.

CONTACT: Colleen M. Ryan, 518-428-9348, colleen_ryan@hotmail.com

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Caldecott/Newbery Tea at Guilderland Public Library

Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 2 to 4 pm

Children's Literature Connection, co-sponsored by Guilderland Public Library, will host a delightful afternoon tea to discuss and appreciate this year's Caldecott Medal and Newbery Medal winners and Honor books. Guest speakers will present their insights into these stellar examples of the best in children's literature. Light refreshments will be served. There are still some seats available so please register by emailing Betty Ahearn at ahearnb@guildelanschools.org asap.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Freedom of Information Day at the New York Public Library

Who: David Barstow, of The New York Times
What: Freedom of Information Day
Where: Science, Industry and Business Library; Conf. Room 014/015
When: March 16; 10:30-12:00

Freedom of Information Day will be observed at the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) of The New York Public Library (188 Madison Ave. @ 34th Street) on Wednesday, March 16, with a presentation and discussion from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Conference Room 014/015 on the lower level of the library. This year’s guest speaker is David Barstow, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times. He will discuss freedom of information and the freedom of the press, particularly how accessing government information using the Freedom of Information Act affects the work of journalists. The title of his presentation is: “ Freedom of Information: The Act (FOIA), the Press and the Future.”

Established by a Congressional Joint Resolution in 1989, Freedom of Information Day is held on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison, fourth President of the United States and primary architect of the Bill of Rights. The observance underscores the importance of freedom of the press, speech, information, and the public’s right to know.

David Barstow has been an investigative reporter for The New York Times since 2002. Mr. Barstow joined The New York Times in 1999, as a reporter for the Metro desk.

In 2002 and 2003, Mr. Barstow reported extensively on workplace safety in America, leading a team of journalists that produced two series for The Times and an hour-long documentary for the PBS program "Frontline." The two series, "Dangerous Business" and "When Workers Die,'' won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2004. The two series and the documentary were also recognized with the duPont Silver Baton, an award long regarded as the Pulitzer Prize of television reporting.

In 2009, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for "Message Machine," two articles that exposed a covert Pentagon campaign to use retired military officers, working as analysts for television and radio networks, to reiterate administration "talking points" about the war on terror.

His most recent article, “Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours,” appeared on December 26, 2010.

Before joining the paper, Mr. Barstow worked for The St. Petersburg Times in Florida beginning in 1990, reporting on a wide range of issues. While there, he was a finalist for three Pulitzer Prizes: in 1997, he was the lead writer for coverage of race riots and was a finalist for spot news reporting; in 1998, he helped lead coverage of financial wrongdoing at the National Baptist Convention and was a finalist for investigative reporting; and, that same year, he wrote a series of stories about tobacco litigation and was a finalist for explanatory journalism. Before joining The St.
Petersburg Times, Mr. Barstow was a reporter for The Rochester Times-Union in upstate New York.

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