Director of the (New York) State Library, Open-Competitive Examination

28-297, Director of the State Library

For full announcement


Evaluation of Training and Experience To Be Held During
August 2013

Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By June 17, 2013

Minimum Qualifications
On or before August 31, 2013, you must have a master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from an ALA accredited institution; AND eight years post degree professional library experience. Five or more of the eight years must have included management experience involving fiscal, program planning, and policy responsibility in a research, academic, or library system setting with a collection of at least one million items.

State Library Offers Training Webinars

Bernard A. Margolis, New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, is pleased to announce a series of free training webinars for JobNow, an online workforce development tool offered through the NOVELny Portal or through your local library.

JobNow is funded by federal ARRA funds through the State Library's Broadbandexpress@YourLibrary Project and is an online resource tool for job seekers that features the following services: live interview coaching, resume/cover letter assistance, and access to both statewide and nationwide job resources. It includes an Adult Learning Center that offers test preparation (including the GED and the U.S. Citizen Test), an expert writing lab, study tools, and a unique academic skills center featuring live, online tutors.


The following is a list of webinar dates and times, with a link to registration information for each session. Space is limited, but registrations will be accepted up to the day of each webinar. Registrants will receive an email confirmation and webinar information.

1) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/221150457
Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

2) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/240181097
Date: Thursday, August 2, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

3) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/716368225
Date: Monday, August 6, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

4) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/906106584
Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

5) https://www4.gotomeeting.com/join/161065151
Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

6) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/453929256
Date: Thursday, August 16, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

7) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/388558777
Date: Monday, August 20, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

8) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/802799305
Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

9) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/724441721
Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

10) https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/164954648
Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT


Computer System Requirements

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server


Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY LAUNCHES Creating the Future WEBPAGE

State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis and Chair of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries Gerald Nichols announced today the launching of a new webpage focused on the implementation of Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Services in New York State.

“We invite the library community and other interested stakeholders to bookmark this new webpage and to help us implement this exciting new vision and statewide plan for library services,” said Nichols. “This plan sets a new course for the future and recognizes that, in spite of economic challenges, quality library service must be available to every child and every adult in New York.”

Information about implementation activities, events and strategies will be posted on the State Library’s new Creating the Future webpage and shared broadly with the library community and other stakeholders. There is a Latest News link to a new Creating the Future blog. The blog is intended to keep readers up-to-date on how library leaders and champions across New York State are going about implementing the sixty recommendations listed in Creating the Future. Readers will find out how to join Regents Advisory Council members Jill Hurst-Wahl, Gerald Nichols, John Hammond and others on LinkedIn to share and discuss implementation ideas and strategies.

Library leaders are encouraged to send information about upcoming planned events or discussions focused on the implementation of Creating the Future to Council Vice-Chair John Hammond (john@nnyln.org ). Events will be posted on the webpage. Library leaders are also encouraged to send ideas and suggestions for implementation strategies or action steps to John Hammond (john@nnyln.org) or Gerald Nichols (Gerald.Nichols@liu.edu).

The New York State Board of Regents accepted the new vision and plan as statewide policy for libraries at their April 2012 meeting. Members of the Board, the State Librarian and the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries will provide an opportunity for further discussion concerning the Plan and its implementation during the November 2012 New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga Springs. Questions about implementation or about Creating the Future may be directed to Gerald Nichols (Gerald.Nichols@liu.edu).

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Services in New York State.

State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis and Chair of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries Gerald Nichols encourage the library community and other interested stakeholders to discuss and recommend implementation strategies for Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Services in New York State.

“We invite the library community and other interested stakeholders to help us implement this exciting new vision and statewide plan for library services,” said Nichols. “This plan sets a new course for the future and recognizes that, in spite of economic challenges, quality library service must be available to every child and every adult in New York.”

The New York State Board of Regents accepted the new plan as statewide policy for libraries at their April 2012 meeting. Members of the Board, the State Librarian and the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries will provide an opportunity for further discussion concerning the Plan and its implementation during the November New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga Springs. The Council would like to incorporate implementation ideas from the library community and others.

“The Board of Regents has directed me to work with the Council and the library community to develop an implementation strategy and detailed action plan,” said Margolis. “The strategy will identify which of the recommendations will be implemented through Regents action, which may require changes to legislation and some other type of action by the State Library, the library community and/or other key stakeholders.”

“Library leaders, associations and other groups are scheduling various summer and fall regional and statewide discussions focused on the plan and strategies for implementation. My hope is that these discussions will occur in every corner of the state,” said Nichols. “For example, the New York Alliance of Library Systems will be focusing on the Plan’s recommendations concerning library systems during its annual retreat in East Greenbush on August 17th, and the NY3Rs Association is convening a statewide summit concerning academic and research library information infrastructure in Saratoga Springs in September.

Library leaders are encouraged to send information about upcoming planned events or discussions focused on the implementation of “Creating the Future” to Council Vice-Chair John Hammond (john@nnyln.org). Information about implementation activities and events will be posted on a new “Creating the Future” webpage on the State Library’s website and shared broadly with the library community and other stakeholders. Library leaders are also encouraged to send resulting ideas and suggestions for implementation strategies or action steps to John Hammond (john@nnyln.org) or Gerald Nichols (Gerald.Nichols@liu.edu).

Questions about implementation or about “Creating the Future” may be directed to Gerald Nichols (Gerald.Nichols@liu.edu).

NOVELNY STEERING COMMITTEE CONCLUDES ITS DECADE OF OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP

Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Acting State Librarian, Jeffrey W. Cannell, extends his warm appreciation to Chairperson Sarah Conrad Weisman and all current and former members of the NOVELNY Steering Committee as the work of the committee comes to a close effective May 15, 2012.

“The New York State Library is committed to building on the outstanding work of the Steering Committee going forward and will seek to continuously improve and expand the e-resources available to New Yorkers through this high value/high impact statewide program in the coming years,” said Cannell.

Announcement of New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVELNY) electronic resource offerings for 2012-2013 will be made in the near future.

On April 24, the Board of Regents enthusiastically accepted a new statewide policy document for library services: Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Service in New York State; Recommendations of the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the New York State Board of Regents.

“With the adoption of a new statewide vision and plan for library services, this seems like a good time to bring the work of the NOVELNY Steering Committee to conclusion,” said Weisman. “The Board of Regents has directed the State Librarian to work with the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries and others to develop implementation strategies and an action plan,” said Weisman, “and I anticipate that there will be numerous opportunities for the library community to contribute ideas, time and talent going forward.”

Leaders from all types of libraries have participated in the Steering Committee’s work since then State Librarian Janet Martin Welch appointed the first NOVELNY Steering Committee in 2002. The Steering Committee played a key role in assisting the State Library with implementation of NOVEL New York Online Virtual Electronic Library: Libraries Expanding Information Access for New Yorkers in the New Century. The creation of NOVEL was the first recommendation in the 2000 Regents Commission on Libraries report "Meeting the Needs of All New Yorkers."

The Steering Committee worked tirelessly to evaluate database products, survey users for feedback and represent the interests of New York’s diverse library community. Several notable efforts were conducted with the advice and assistance of the Committee, including, but not limited to:
o development of a statewide communications plan and publicity toolkit materials for the database program;
o driver license access and fashioning of the NOVELNY portal;
o testing of federated search; and
o the creation and revision of the NOVELNY Ready Levels Table.

Regents Advisory Council on Libraries Seeks Nominations for Membership

The New York State Library is seeking, by June 30, recommendations for membership on the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries.

The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries advises the New York State Board of Regents on State policy regarding the New York State Library, library development programs, legislation and library aid programs. The Council 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 Board of Regents will appoint three Regents Advisory Council members to serve five-year terms from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2017. The Council meets a minimum of four times a year: January (conference call), April (Board of Regents meeting in Albany), September (conference call) and December (New York City). Members of the Regents Advisory Council are leaders in a wide variety of endeavors across the State, including business, human services, education, and libraries. For more information.

The State Library particularly encourages recommendations of representatives of New York State's broadly diverse population, including but not limited to African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic origin/ancestry and people with disabilities.

Please send nominations and a brief biography or resume for the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries by June 30 to: Paula Paolucci, Office of the State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, New York State Library, 10C34 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230; e-mail: ppaolucc@mail.nysed.gov .

2012 New York State Teen Video Challenge Winner

The New York State Library is pleased to announce the winner of the 2012 Teen Video Challenge for New York State. Katherine Brownfiel, Nicholas Davis, Michelle Joseph, Philip Rossillo and Jenna Zier, from the Longwood Public Library, Middle Island, NY made up the winning team of teen video creators with their engaging video, “Night Creatures.” Chosen from entries from across the state, the teens will receive a cash prize of $275 from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), sponsor of the competition. The Longwood Public Library, Middle Island will also receive $100 from CSLP plus a $50 gift certificate from Highsmith.



This video competition is in its second year of encouraging teens to get involved with promoting summer reading and public libraries with a focus on the CSLP 2012 slogan, “Own the Night.” Each participating state selected one winning video to be named the official CSLP Teen Video Challenge state winner for 2012. Twenty-three states and over one hundred teens participated in the creation of these winning videos.



“Night Creatures” is featured on the “Teen NY” Facebook page, “Summer Reading at New York Libraries” website www.summerreadingnys.org, along with the top three finalists from New York State and selections from across the county. To see all the state winning videos visit the CSLP “Winner’s Page,” www.cslpreads.org. All winning videos can be used by teens and public libraries to promote summer reading nationwide.



The judging for the New York State 2012 Teen Video Challenge “Own the Night," was a two part process. Two panels of judges were assembled to review the entries, decide on the finalists, and choose a winner. The first panel of thirteen New York State public librarians narrowed the field of twenty-four down to four finalists who submitted their entries through the Pittsford Community Library, the Queens Public Library for Teens, the Briarcliff Manor Public Library, and the Longwood Public Library, Middle Island. The second panel of seven ‘celebrity’ judges consisted of Jeffrey W. Cannell – NYS Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Acting State Librarian; Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Kid’s hip-hop artist and 2010 & 2011“Summer Reading at New York Libraries” official spokesperson; Jackson Murphy - film critic for YNN television; Frank and Caroline Mouris - Academy Award Winning animators; Jackie Negri, Executive Director of the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus and NYS liaison to the Boys and Girls Clubs, and Dan Judson - Filmmaker/Producer for Digital Foundry. After a close vote, the second round judges chose “Night Creature” to be the winning video for its overall production value, and message that libraries are great places to find a wealth of interesting materials and have fun too.



The New York State Library is very pleased with the second year of the “Teen Video Challenge” and plans to participate in the CSLP sponsored competition in future years. Please check the Summer Reading at New York Libraries website (www.summerreadingnys.org) later this summer or in early fall for information on the 2013 Teen Video Challenge.

2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries to launch beginning in May

2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries is "ready to launch" in early May after months of hard work and preparation on the part of the State Library and its many partners. Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Acting State Librarian Jeffrey W. Cannell will be kicking off press events at library locations across the state in May and June. The first launch on May 10 will be in the Capital Region at the Bethlehem Public Library in Delmar. This event will be followed by 4 other launch events to take place around the state: Plattsburgh Public library (May 16), Onondaga County public Library and the Robert P. Kinchen Central library in Syracuse (June 12), Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (6/13), and The Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library in Watertown (June 27).

The State Library has forged many partnerships that add to the summer reading program carried out in public libraries across the state. The State Library and the State Legislature collaborate to encourage all children to read and visit libraries during the summer months, school districts statewide work with their local public libraries to promote the summer reading program, in addition, the State Library partners with other statewide organizations to provide added resources to libraries for their summer programming. They include: the Boys and Girls Clubs, 4-H, the New York Council for the Humanities, and Hunger Solutions New York. Hunger Solutions will be offering libraries in low income areas opportunities to provide healthy snacks and meals during summer reading activities. Working with the Office of Public Broadcasting, the State Library has also reached out to childcare providers statewide with new Early Literacy summer reading materials, offering a robust summer reading program for kids from birth to school age for the first time. The long range goal is to increase annual participation in Summer Reading at New York Libraries to 1.8 million young people by 2017. To learn more about summer reading partnerships and resources please visit summerreadingnys.org and select “Librarians and Educators” from the drop down menu.

State Library invites comment on 2012-2017 LSTA Five-Year Plan by April 27

Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Acting State Librarian, Jeffrey W. Cannell, encourages New York’s library community to provide feedback on the draft New York State federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five-Year Plan for October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2017. This plan identifies the major needs, goals and priorities for library services in New York State. The plan also describes potential statewide activities that will be implemented using the federal LSTA funds provided annually to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The draft plan is currently available. What do you think about the content of the plan? What role can your library, library system or organization play in the success of this plan? Please email all comments and suggestions to LSTACOMMENTS@MAIL.NYSED.GOV no later than Friday, April 27.

The LSTA Grants to States program is administered through IMLS. In order to receive these crucial funds, IMLS requires an eligible state to develop a plan every five years describing how LSTA Grants to the States will be used to support the state’s goals and priorities. These federal funds are allocated annually to state library administrative agencies. Due to budget reductions at the federal level, New York State currently receives $8.1 million annually in LSTA funding, a drop of $1.4 million from prior year allocations.

Although these federal funds represent a small part of library expenditures in New York State, they have a significant impact as they leverage state and local funds and fuel innovation. Highly-used and highly-valued statewide services such as NOVELNY and Summer Reading at New York Libraries are made possible through these federal funds. The State Library has also offered library systems LSTA Service Improvement Grants and LSTA Summer Reading Mini-grants in past years.

Learn more about how LSTA funds benefit New York, and view New York State’s current five-year plan.

Questions about New York State’s LSTA Program may be directed to Mary Linda Todd, LSTA Coordinator, Division of Library Development, New York State Library at mtodd@mail.nysed.gov. Questions about the draft LSTA Five Year Plan may be directed to Maribeth Krupczak, Library Development Specialist, New York State Library at mkrupcza@mail.nysed.gov.

Adirondacks Exhibit at the NYS Library

This month's web site and public floor exhibit features some choice Adirondack Mountain items from the Manuscripts & Special Collections unit of the New York State Library, as follows.

An early 1900s poster titled "The Adirondacks for Complete Vacation Joys," signed D. C. Lithgow.
Seneca Ray Stoddard's 1882 edition of his Map of the Adirondack Wilderness, hand colored.
The Adirondack Picture Map (circa 1920), produced by E. A. Knight and printed by the Lake George Printing Co.
Map of Adirondack Canoe Routes, prepared in 1919 by the Conservation Commission, State of New York, Division of Lands and Forests.
Also from the Commission, Map of the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence Reservation (1927).

Like the Great North Woods themselves, you should see these items in person if you're in the vicinity; otherwise, here's a digital vista.

New York State Library Announces “Early Literacy Partner Manual”

Acting State Librarian, Jeffrey W. Cannell, announced this week a new literacy resource for child care providers, "2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries Early Literacy Partner Manual." The manual may be downloaded from the Summer Reading at New York Libraries; click on Downloadable Materials.

This new manual will assist child care providers and teachers of young children in partnering with a public library, or public library system, to help families gain the full advantage of public library resources and programs during the summer months. Developed by the New York State Education Department in partnership with the Collaborative Summer Library Program and public library system youth services consultants, the manual contains information on public library summer programming for the young child along with extensive book lists related to the Summer Reading at New York Libraries 2012 slogan, “Dream Big READ.”

Libraries are encouraged to share the manual, in either electronic or paper form, with local child care providers and teachers of young children. It is hoped that this new resource will lead to strengthened relations between libraries and all those who serve and educate the young child.

For further information contact Karen Balsen “Summer Reading at New York Libraries” coordinator, kbalsen@mail.nysed.gov, 518-486-2194.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries is funded through the Federal Library Services and Technology Act, with funds awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The New York State Library is a program of the Office of Cultural Education in the New York State Education Department.

New York Research Analysis Documents Positive Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement

The New York Comprehensive Center (NYCC)/RMC Research Corporation, in consultation with the New York State Education Department, the New York State Library and the New York Library Association has produced a new publication entitled Informational Brief: Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement. This comprehensive brief provides a current and rigorous research analyses which demonstrates the positive impact that school libraries and school librarians have in advancing student learning.

The Executive Summary notes that “Based on the conclusions from the research cited in the brief, it is clear that school libraries play an important role in student achievement, curriculum development, and instruction. Through political and fiscal state support, effective school library programs can serve as consistent drivers for student achievement in times of constant change and churning educational reform.” Here is the full NYCC publication.

By referencing numerous studies conducted throughout the United States, the brief illustrates the importance of school libraries in the lives of all students, particularly when it comes to literacy, college and career readiness, assessment and graduation rates. The brief is framed around the New York State Board of Regents Reform Agenda. The Executive Summary will be published in the Spring edition of “In Transition,” the journal of the New York State Middle School Association.

The New York Comprehensive Center (NYCC) is one of 16 regional comprehensive centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education. NYCC works with the New York State Education Department to support education leaders and encourage student achievement.

The New York State Library has served New Yorkers, state government and researchers from throughout the United States for more than 185 years. One of the nation’s leading library development agencies and research libraries, the New York State Library is a program of the New York State Education Department and is located in Albany, New York.

Regents Advisory Council for Libraries issues second draft of Creating the Future, a 2020 Vision

The New York State Regents Advisory Council for Libraries has released the second draft of Creating the Future, a 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Services in New York State: Preliminary Recommendations of the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the New York State Board of Regents. The deadline for submitting written comments about the second draft is February 15, 2012. Comments will inform the development of the final plan which the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries will present to the New York State Board of Regents in April 2012.

The widget below will lead library users to the new draft document and provide them with an opportunity to submit comments and improvement suggestions by email. Get a copy of the widget to put on your website HERE.

This second draft document reflects hundreds of comments submitted through November 2011. For more information about the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, please visit the State Library’s website.

A second chance to attend NYLA?

Unable to attend the 2011 NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs earlier this month? Library staff and trustees will find all of the State Library fact sheets, handouts and other current information about statewide library services and programs posted in one convenient location on the State Library’s website.

Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Acting State Librarian encourages library staff and trustees to share this information with colleagues and with the public, as appropriate. Highlights include:

*Creating the Future – The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries disseminated a first draft of “Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Service in New York State; Preliminary Recommendations of the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the New York State Board of Regents” in October. Some 125 people attended an open meeting at the NYLA conference to learn about and comment upon the initial recommendations. Written comments may be submitted up until November 15.

*Libraries and the Education Reform Agenda - Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King encouraged NYLA Conference attendees to visit “EngageNY, Our Students, Their Moment” (SED’s go-to site for technology and learning resources) to see the latest information related to implementation of the Common Core Standards. Commissioner King emphasized that libraries of all types have critical roles to play in helping New Yorkers of all ages be career and college ready.

*Resources for JobSeekers - The State Library now offers JobNow, which provides expert résumé help, real-time interview coaching, career and job search advice and an Adult Learning Center, in English and Spanish. JobNow and the Adult Learning Center are products of Brainfuse and all New Yorkers have access to them from home, work or the library through NOVELNY. Library staff will also find tips and resources on helping the unemployed and underemployed on the State Library’s Job and Career Information page.

*NOVELNY (New York Online Virtual Electronic Library) is on Facebook! Check out the Facebook page and databases freely available to New York libraries and residents at NOVELNY. Use of NOVELNY continues to grow with 5,600 libraries participating statewide and more than 42 million searches in 2011. Tell us your library’s NOVELNY success stories!

*2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries -- Dream Big - Read and Own the Night -- New York has teamed up with 49 other states in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). Over 1.6 million young people participated in summer 2011 – a ten percent increase!

*2012 Teen Video Challenge – For teens ages 13 to 18. Eligible videos will be 30-90 seconds long and feature the teen’s interpretation of the 2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries slogan, “Own the Night.” Winners will receive $275 and gain national exposure when their video is posted on the CSLP website, as well as another $150 for their library! Visit www.summerreadingnys.org for more information and an entry form. Entry deadline is March 5, 2012.

*Research Library Digital Collections Put History on Parade! New Digital Collections of the New York State Library include a large array of 18th and 19th century historical materials from many subject areas, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Native American materials, and New York State laws and natural history. While books make up the core collection, Digital Collections also include primary source materials such as letters, diaries, and rare manuscripts as well as historic photographs, illustrations, maps, broadsides, drawings, and music scores. New York State government documents are also featured and include current 21st century materials along with rare 18th and 19th century documents.

*TBBL Digital Books And Players Are Popular! TBBL (Talking Book and Braille Library) Digital Books and Players continue to be distributed to new and registered borrowers who qualify for talking book services in New York State. Digital audio books are in high demand, and are sent FREE to eligible borrowers at their home or affiliated institutions, such as schools or health facilities. About 4,000 titles on digital cartridge are available from TBBL in Albany, and the collection is growing. Borrowers can now also download many more titles (over 20,000) from BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download), which is a Library of Congress National Library Services website. Institutions and public libraries may also now apply for a BARD account.

*Do you need career information? Online graduate programs? Job listings, or opportunities for professional development? Click on librarycareersny.org for Professional Development and More. Click on the Calendar Menu to see upcoming training opportunities for library staff available across New York State.

*New York State Adult and Family Literacy Grants Awarded – The State Library is announcing grant awards made for 2011-2013. Projects in public libraries and public library systems focus on basic literacy for adults and early learning as well as success in school for families. Grant awards for Adult Literacy and for Family Literacy.

NYS Library Family Literacy Library Services Grant Awards Announced

From New York's Libraries Information Network:

Family literacy library services will be expanded or newly offered through 91 public libraries, library branches and public library systems with the help of grants from the New York State Library, Deputy Commissioner for the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education, Jeffrey Cannell announced. The projects total $234,745 in the first year and are beginning now or in some cases have begun already.

"New York State’s Family Literacy Library Services grants enable public libraries and public library systems to develop or expand their services to parents, caregivers and children," said Mr. Cannell. "Libraries will partner with schools and other community agencies to help parents provide early literacy experiences and activities that are crucial for children’s success in school and beyond."

Locally, $39,547 was awarded to Comics Connect: Using Graphic Novels to Boost Literacy. Eight libraries in the Mohawk Valley Library System and 13 libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System will collaborate with local schools and parent organizations. Graphic novels will be used with boys in grades 3-6 to build heightened interest in reading. The project will also increase library use and inform parents and educators about graphic literature through workshops, library programs, expanded collections and classroom kits.

More information on the NYS Family Literacy Library Services Program.
Contact Cassandra Artale, Library Development Specialist, New York State Library / Division of Library Development, cartale@mail.nysed.gov.

The Capital Region's Cultural Heritage

New York State Assemblyman Jack McEneny will speak at a lunchtime program sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library on September 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. The program will take place in the Huxley Theater on the 1st Floor of the Cultural Education Center, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany.

Assemblyman McEneny received his B.A. in history from Siena and was Albany County Historian. Widely known as an expert teacher and speaker on local history, and author of the illustrated book “Albany: Capital City on the Hudson,” he is a wealth of knowledge on the subject of cultural heritage in Albany and its environs.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information send a message to nyslfriends@yahoo.com or call 518-474-5957.

A fundraiser luncheon for the Friends will be held at 12 noon before the talk. If you would like to attend, please register by September 22 using the above contact information. The cost of the lunch is $10.

Civil War Records at the New York State Library and New York State Archives

Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Location: 7th floor Librarian's Room, NYSL, Cultural Education Center
Presenters: Christine Beauregard and Keith Swaney

Christine Beauregard, Senior Librarian at the New York State Library, will provide an overview of materials in the State Library's collections that can be used to research the Civil War, including regimental units, individual soldiers, diaries, correspondence, broadsides, etc. Keith Swaney, Archives & Records Management Specialist at the New York State Archives, will discuss materials in the State Archives' collections that can be used to research the Civil War such as the Civil War Soldier database, abstracts of muster rolls, etc. Registration is required.

All programs are free and open to the public. TO REGISTER online go HERE or e-mail NYSLTRN@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-474-2274. Please let them 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)

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

New webpage highlighting digitized Census of New York volumes

Here's a recent news release by the New York State Library about its digitized copies of the statistical censuses that where done by New York State in the years in between the federal ones. In many cases if the publication was long we have split it into separate volumes. For example, the 1875 Census was split into 5 volumes. The last one ever done was in 1925.

The New York State Library has a new web page that highlights and links to digitized materials relating to the Census of the State of New York. The State Census volumes that have been digitized are the published statistical schedules compiled from the original returns under the direction of the Secretary of State which describe the population and economy of counties, cities and towns in New York State. Instructions for the enumerators taking the census have also been digitized, as well as, other related documents. These documents are freely available online as PDF documents on the State Library's website.

Note - Information in the Instructions for enumerators can sometimes be helpful when using the State census schedules that list acutal names.

For example, this paragraph below is from page 19 of the Instructions for Taking the Census of New York in the year 1855 ......

8. Color.1 the person be white, no entry is to be made, but if mulatto, write M. ; or if black, B. opposite to the name. In like manner if the person be an Indian, living apart from any tribe, and not on any reservation, write Ind. The number of Indians of this class is probably extremely small. Special marshals will be appointed for taking the census of Indians residing together in settle ments, and the marshals appointed for taking the census of the election districts of towns will have no duties to per form in relation to such Indian settlements. Special marshals will be appointed to take the Allegany, Cattaraugus, Oneida, Onondaga, St. Regis, Tonawanda, and Tuscarora Indians. All others should be taken by the town marshals.
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If you're interested instead about the original returns with the names, the New York State Library's holdings on microfilm can be found HERE.

A broader list of some of the items digitized by the New York State Library can be found HERE.

Alluring Androids and Robots in Film, Photography, and Art

The idea of artificial women who seem alive has long fascinated artists, photographers, filmmakers, and videogame designers. Today's female robots look so real they can easily fool the eye. These images reveal our social attitudes about women and also the impact of robots on our lives. This illustrated presentation raises provocative new questions: Do men and women view female robots differently? How do these images reveal men’s fantasies and fears about women? Will these ultra-realistic robots enhance our lives or challenge our humanity?

Professor Julie Wosk, State University of New York, Maritime College, will present this program which will be held in the Librarians Room on the 7th floor of the NYS Library. This program, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through the support of the NY Council for the Humanities’ Speakers in the Humanities program.

Friday, November 5th, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
You are welcome to bring your lunch.


TO REGISTER online go to this site or e-mail NYSLTRN@mail.nysed.gov or or call 518-474-2274. Please let the library know if any reasonable accommodation is required (Americans with Disabilities Act) at least three business days prior to the program date.

New York State Library/Reference Services, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230 (518-474-5355).