New York Public Library Defends Plan to Renovate

Very interesting article in the Monday, April 16, 2012 p. C1, C5 New York Times on the proposed renovation of the Fifth Avenue and 42nd St NYPL. The comment section is also well worth reading where public library users-- scholars, writers, academics,and users of other branches-- write in about the importance of the research mission of the public library. Some excerpts from the article and comments:

New York Public Library Defends Plan to Renovate By ROBIN POGREBIN

"The New York Public Library is engaged in a public-relations blitz to address criticism from scholars and writers who object to the library's plan to reimagine its Fifth Avenue flagship building at an estimated cost of $300 million.
In the past few weeks the library's president, Anthony W. Marx, has written articles for The Huffington Post and Inside Higher Ed, appeared on radio and television and assembled an advisory panel that includes people skeptical of the plan. Several scholars have published criticisms of the project, known as the Central Library Plan. On Friday others began circulating a letter of protest among academics; more than 200 have signed so far, including Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning writer, and Lorin Stein, the editor of the Paris Review. "

excerpt: "The project would convert the main library, now strictly a reference operation, into a hybrid that would also contain a circulating library, many computer terminals and possibly a cafe. The Mid-Manhattan branch and the Science, Industry and Business Library would be sold and their operations folded into the main building. To accommodate the new
services, up to half of the three million volumes in the stacks under the main reading room would be moved into storage in New Jersey. Critics say that the money would be better spent refurbishing deteriorating branch libraries, and that the changes will diminish the library's role as a leading reference center, essentially turning it into a glorified Starbucks."

Comments make the case for unique resources of low demand and having subject specialists who can help researchers, writers, scholars--even if they are connected to an academic institution with a fine academic library-- that there is the need for a great public library to fulfill a research mission.

Katrina-Damaged Libraries Reopen

Officials cut the ribbon on the newly constructed East New Orleans Regional Library last week, the fourth branch to open within a four-week span, and another major step forward in making the New Orleans library system whole again following catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

It’s been an almost giddy spring for New Orleans Public Library Executive Director Charles Brown, his branch managers, library staff members and patrons, all of whom had to make do with trailers, bookmobiles and temporary storefront locations while the rebuilding project moved ahead.

More HERE.

Plan a trip to one of New York's state parks

From the The Office of the Governor

Our state is one of the most beautiful in the nation - from the shores of Long Island to the mighty Niagara Falls, from the Finger Lakes to the Adirondacks, and everything in between. New York's 178 state parks offer countless opportunities to explore your natural environment and experience exciting new adventures.

As the weather warms up, we hope you consider planning a trip to one of New York's stunning state parks. Imagine pitching a tent near the St. Lawrence River or one of the state's many lakes, waking up surrounded by the majesty of the woods, bicycling through the mountains, or cooking breakfast in a cabin overlooking the "Grand Canyon of the East."

You are one of the many lucky New Yorkers with some of the state's most spectacular scenery in your own backyard - the Catskills and Adirondacks, which offer 50 different campgrounds. Click here to view a map of the campgrounds and to learn more information about the sites. Want to stay closer to home? Visit one of the state park campgrounds in the Saratoga region.

Here's a list of campground openings near you:

· Cherry Plain: May 4
· Moreau Lake: May 4
· Thompson's Lake: May 4
· Northampton Beach: May 4
· Glimmerglass: May 11
· Bear Spring Mountain: May 18
· Devil's Tombstone: May 18
· Little Pond: May 18
· North/South Lake: May 18
· Lake George Battleground: May 18
· Luzerne: May 18
· Max C. Shaul: May 25
· Betty & Wilbur Davis: Open Year-round

Click here to explore the interactive New York Camping Guide for 2012 and learn more about the parks near you and throughout the state. To make a reservation to camp at a New York state park near you, click here. You can also see what adventures await you by searching for events by region, park, or activity in the New York State, Recreation and Historic Site's system. For more outdoor activities and information specific to campgrounds in the Catskills and Adirondacks, click here.

We encourage you to take advantage of all this state has to offer. Now is the time to discover somewhere new or revisit somewhere special.

Join us in celebrating the natural beauty of this great state.

NYLA Seeks Next Executive Director

The New York Library Association seeks a dynamic leader to be its next Executive Director. The New York Library Association (NYLA) is the voice of the library community in New York. NYLA, established by Melvil Dewey in 1890, is the oldest state library association in the country and represents school, college, special and public libraries, library staff, trustees, and students from around the state. NYLA has a staff of 4.5 FTE with offices located in Guilderland, New York.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree, excellent communication and public presentation skills, strong budgetary experience, demonstrated organizational, supervisory and management skills, and five years related experience in relevant areas such as government relations, grant writing/funding development, and association administration. The successful candidate must be able to work with a wide range of people and issues, manage multiple demands, and have a genuine passion for libraries.

Salary commensurate with experience, plus TIAA-CREF retirement, and an excellent benefits package.

The expected start date for the position will be on or before September 1, 2012.

Review of applications will begin on April 23, 2012 and will continue until an appointment is made. Please send cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information for three professional references by e-mail to Matthew Bollerman, Chair, NYLA Search Committee at mbollerm@suffolk.lib.ny.us.

For more information about this position please visit http://nyla.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=550
--
Matthew Bollerman, Director
Hauppauge Public Library
(631) 979-1600

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.

New piano at Albany Public Library, thanks to Friends' bequest

As you may or may not know, The Friends of the Albany Library donated the money for a new piano for the Main Branch of the library. Recently, Sarah (introduced by Friends president Gene Damm) thanked us on behalf of the library by playing a brief piece by Chopin, which you can see (about 2 minutes) on YouTube or HERE.

The money came from a bequest to the Friends from the estate of Ethel K. Reineck Noiseux, a lifelong Albany resident, who died last May 13, at the age of 90. She graduated from Albany High School, and received her bachelors degree from Albany Teachers College, now UAlbany. She worked for the NYS Dept. of Civil Service for 40 years, and was a lifelong, faithful and very generous parishioner at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Albany.

Lawrence Wittner on May 5: Friends of the APL Book & Author Event

NYPL History Blog

Bob Sink is "researching the lives of the 150+ librarians who headed a neighborhood branch of the New York Public Library during the first 50 years of its branch system, 1901-1950." He started a blog last year, NYPL-Librarians to report his research.

He writes:

"The blog will include information on my demographic study of the librarians; the autonomy the branch librarians (all but 6 were women) achieved within a male-run institution and then lost beginning in the 1930s; the process of racially integrating the staff starting in 1920; and the librarians' publication patterns.

"I’m also writing short profiles of the librarians and post them on their birthdays. The hope is that a descendant doing family history research might contact me after coming across the entry, and I may be able to get access to additional personal data, or reminiscences or even letters.

"I’ll also use the blog as an outlet for interesting vignettes, such as the post about a librarian’s assessment of the impact of the Milton Berle TV show on the High Bridge neighborhood in the Bronx in 1950.

"I welcome any comments or suggestions you might have."

Spring Break Activities for Kids and Teens at Albany Public Library

APL has lots of fun and FREE programs for kids and teens during spring vacation. Join them for movie showings, arts and crafts, games, puppet shows, story times, and more.

The spring break flier outlines all of the activities. For more details, check the online calendar of events.

Paul & Mary Liz Stewart on WebTalkRadio re: Underground Railroad .

Founders of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region in Albany, Paul and Mary Liz Stewart discuss how they became interested in the Underground Railroad and the discoveries they made on the inaugural episode of From Slavery to Freedom, with Tom Calarco, on WebTalkRadio.net.

The Stewarts also discuss what the Railroad was, why it is important today, and the struggle of Americans to live up to the vision of freedom and equality as it was intended in our Constitution, a struggle that continues. They also discuss their annual Underground Railroad conference that is being held this year at Russell Sage College in Troy, April 13-15.

Albany School Board OKs 2012-13 budget proposal

The City School District of Albany Board of Education approved a $207.7 million 2012-13 budget proposal Tuesday night. The proposal includes a 1.5 percent tax-levy increase and, according to the district, "maintains academic, extracurricular and social-emotional programs for all of the district's 8,700 students." You can visit the 2012-13 Budget News section of the district website to read more.

Peter and the Wolf Puppet Theatres

The Albany Symphony Orchestra will be performing Peter and the Wolf on May 1, 2 & 3. Many children are not yet familiar with Prokofiev's story or music. Members of the Vanguard/Albany Symphony, Inc. are hoping to enrich children's experience by reading the story in schools and libraries during April. The Albany Public Library is offering children and their parents the chance to make their own Peter and the Wolf cereal-box-size puppet theatre when they attend a special story time at the Main library on Tuesday morning, April 10 at 10:30 AM. They can act out the story with their stick puppets while Dale Gogan of the Vanguard reads it aloud. Supplies are limited, so APL is asking parents to register online or by calling 427-4310.

Do You Remember How to Use a Card Catalog?

When you walk into the Reading Room of the Law Library of Congress, you might notice something you haven’t seen in a while. A card catalog that is still in use, though no new cards have been added since December 1980. More HERE.

APL Position Announced – Public Computer Center Manager – 6 month term

The Albany Public Library seeks a full time Public Computer Center Manager to manage and coordinate the expansion of its library-based public computing center. This is an independent contractor position funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) through October 31, 2012. The selected candidate will report to the Head of Reference Services. The candidate should be a highly motivated, self-starter who can work with direction and minimal supervision. The PCC Manager will work through the completion of the grant and reporting period, with the main focus being developing a plan for continuation of service, and searching for additional funding sources beyond the end of the grant.

Summary of Position:

· Develop a plan for sustainability of PCC services after the end of grant funding, including identifying and partnering with sources of volunteers (i.e., SUNY, Literacy Volunteers, etc.)

· Ensure that funds are spent in accordance with program requirements; all reporting requirements are met on time and with accuracy; all grant goals and objectives are met and completed

· Provide Training and Assistance to PCC Trainers, Albany Public Library staff, community partners and volunteers

· Coordinate the scheduling and staffing of the PCC and its services in concert with already-established Albany Public Library programs

· Identify vulnerable populations and implement audience-specific training programs

· Promote the PCC and the library’s services through a variety of measures, including attending meetings and preparing publicity

Minimum qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree. Post-degree professional work experience is preferred, especially in either fundraising/grant writing or volunteer coordination.

The salary for this full time independent contractor position is $29.14 per hour. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply send resume, letter of interest, and the names and contact information for three professional references to:

Chris Sagaas/ Head of Reference Services
Albany Public Library
161 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
sagaasc@albanypubliclibrary.org

The Book of the Future

New York Times comic strip in the Sunday Book Review by Grant Snider

As long as there have been public libraries, librarians have been involved in education. They have helped people choose what to read for leisure and helped with their information needs. The recent emphasis on information literacy is more of a new term than a new concept, but as technology has transformed everything in society, information literacy needs to be done differently.

More

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

David Carroll of AIHA to address the Albany Roundtable on April 11.

David Carroll, Executive Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art, will address the Albany Roundtable on Wednesday, April 11.


Albany Roundtable luncheon meetings are held at the National Register-listed University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street in Albany, and are open to the public.

A Colorado native, Carroll succeeded Christine Miles as the head of one of America's oldest museums in September, 2011. He served most recently as executive director for the Western Museum of Mining and Industry in Colorado Springs, a position he held since 2005. While there, he worked with the staff and board to dramatically increase support and create a more vibrant institution that served the broader community.

Before returning to his home state, Carroll served as the membership director at the Art Institute of Chicago. A graduate of Colorado State University and Indiana University Bloomington, Carroll has also worked at the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College in Chicago and the Indiana University Art Museum.

The cost for the luncheon is $15, which may be paid at the door. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations for the April 11 luncheon are required by Monday, April 9 and may be made by calling 518-431-1400 (the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail toalbanyroundtable@yahoo.com.

APL Seeking Trustee Candidates

The Albany Public Library Board of Trustees has three seats that are up for election on Tuesday, May 15. This includes seats currently held by board chair Dennis Gaffney, who, I am told, has chosen not to run again, and Mary Ellen O'Connor, who cannot run again because of term limits. Leonard Ricchiuti is the third trustee whose term expires in 2012.

Anyone interested in running for a seat on the board should pick up a candidate packet at the Reference Desk in the Main Library. The packet contains a nominating petition and directions. There are several requirements for candidates, including the collection of 141 signatures on the petition. The number of signatures required is related to the number of votes at the previous year's election.

Completed nominating petitions are due to the City School District of Albany (School Administration Building in Academy Park) by April 16. The school district clerk can be reached at 475-6010.

Each APL trustee seat carries a five-year term that starts on July 1.
Questions about the APL trustee election can be directed to Stephanie Simon at 427-4344.

(Modified from here.)

for-profit schools and the value of the education.

The graphic illustrates stats on for-profit schools and the value of the education, offered up by www.accreditedonlinecolleges.net.

11th annual Underground Railroad Public History Conference

The Underground Railroad Turned On Its Head: Old Themes, New Directions and its relationship with us today

The 11th annual Underground Railroad Public History Conference
Organized by Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc.
Co-sponsored by Russell Sage College and Rensselaer County Historical Society
April 13-15, 2012

Highlights of Saturday, April 14 -
Over 25 workshops are scheduled, along with vendors and poster displays.

Of special interest is the inflatable art work Spectres of Liberty – the Ghost of the Liberty Street Church, modeled after Henry Highland Garnet’s Liberty Street Church.

An evening reception will feature Babacar Baiye from Goree Island, Senegal. Known as the 'Door of No Return', Goree Island was the last portal of home for many sold into bondage and bound for enslavement in the Americas.

Choose from the 'a la carte' menu of tours, workshops, concert, receptions, and art exhibit.
"The gold standard of Underground Railroad conferences" (Fergus Bordewich, author
of Bound for Canaan)

Reserve your place - Don't miss this historic weekend program - pass the word on.
Registration materials are available www.ugrworkshop.com
Questions? email info@ugrworkshop.com or call 518-432-4432