As we reflect on Banned Books Week 2022, there's much to consider. It's been a challenging year, with record numbers of attempts to limit access to information. Most challenges to literature have focused on LGBTQIA titles and authors of color or books that contain history or other information about communities of color, despite most Americans opposing book bans. According to a recent report released by PEN America:

• From July 2021 to June 2022, PEN America's Index of School Book Bans lists 2,532 instances of individual books being banned, affecting 1,648 unique book titles.
• The 1,648 titles are by 1,261 different authors, 290 illustrators, and 18 translators, impacting the literary, scholarly, and creative work of 1,553 people altogether.

But all is not lost. People are organizing and fighting back to protect the right to read freely.

Here are four things you can do:

• Encourage your colleagues, friends, and neighbors to join Unite Against Book Bans and use the resources in the Action Toolkit to fight censorship in our local communities. Unite Against Book Bans, an initiative of ALA in partnership with organizations and individuals from across the country, is intended to inform and empower members of the public to take action in their communities and their state.
• Share (and use) the American Library Association's Fight Censorship page that collects resources from across the association that are proven means of addressing censorship and protecting the right to read.
• Please donate to The Merritt Fund, which provides financial support to librarians who have been denied employment because they defended intellectual freedom.
• Consider joining the Freedom to Read Foundation to support litigation defending the right to read and our First Amendment freedoms.

Thanks for continuing to advocate for intellectual freedom!

Yes, we've heard the rumor. The Saratoga Springs Public Library has added car repair and kitten rescue to its program offerings for the public. When a man stopped in the SSPL parking lot Thursday afternoon to fix a flat tire, he heard a sound coming from his engine. Readers, that sound was an adorable kitten. Thanks to the nimble Jennifer Ferriss, the kitten was removed from the automobile and given to a cat rescue group in Albany. Purrfect ending!

The SALS Friends Council, a virtual meet-up of Friends of the Library groups supporting SALS member libraries, will take place at 7 pm Monday, October 17. Join in the conversation about how to launch and support a vibrant Friends group at your library, and hear from colleagues throughout the SALS region -- and New York State!

Working in library administration means facing complex group dynamics every day. Join us at 10 am Thursday, October 13, when Ron Kirsop discusses discuss elements of effective collaboration and communication with different personalities when working with library Trustees, Friends groups, and staff. The audience will also have an opportunity to ask questions about specific situations that they may be facing in their library.

Ron Kirsop is the Executive Director of the OWWL Library System in Canandaigua, NY. He works with the 42 member libraries in Ontario, Wyoming, Wayne, and Livingston counties on library management, long-rage planning, library funding, and trustee education. He is also a certified PMP who is working on bringing the elements of project management to library administration.

This virtual workshop will take place on Zoom. All registrants will receive a link to the workshop.

People from all walks of life visit libraries for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, sometimes their behaviors are inappropriate for the library setting. They might push boundaries, be passive aggressive, act irrationally, try to bully staff, etc. In this workshop we will discuss common difficult customer service scenarios particular to working in libraries and identify best practices for de-escalation.

Participants will use breakout rooms to role play troubling behaviors and responding to them.

The workshop presenters are:

• Bridget Farrell (she/her), Interim Associate Dean of Student and Scholar Services, University of Denver
• Lindsay Gypin (she/her), Data Services Librarian, University of North Carolina Greensboro

This interactive event will be held on Zoom, and will include the use of breakout rooms. It will NOT be recorded.

This workshop is a collaborative effort of Capital District Library Council, Upper Hudson Library System, and the Southern Adirondack Library System.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the League of Extraordinary New Directors: Leading Great Teams meet-up in September. Please save the date for our next session, scheduled for 10 am Friday, December 9, when State Librarian Lauren Moore will join us to share the Regent's Advisory Council Vision 2022, a document shaping the direction for libraries in New York State.

It's time for the Great Give Back, an opportunity for libraries to work with their communities and realized shared goals! If your library is planning to participate, please fill out the Great Give Back Program Survey so we can include it on the website! Thanks for doing incredible work every day.

The New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries announced today that applications are being accepted for the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award and will be due on October 5, 2022. Libraries have faced many challenges and shown remarkable resilience and creativity over the past year; this is a wonderful opportunity to honor that.

The Award will recognize a New York State library or library consortium that has taken significant steps to improve the quality of library service to its users. As in past years, an award of $1,000, graciously donated by the Friends of the New York State Library, will be given to the winner along with a plaque.

Projects nominated for the Award should document measurable progress in identifying user needs, taking steps to meet those needs, and evaluating the results. All types of libraries are eligible to apply (academic, public, school, and special). Previous applicants are encouraged to apply, and previous winners of the Award may apply after 3 years.

Special attention will be given to applications highlighting efforts aligned with the NYS Library’s digital equity initiatives and the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries Vision 2022. For more information about the Shubert Award and the application form, please visit the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award page on the NYS Library website or contact Tor Loney, Library Development Specialist I, via email at Tor.Loney@nysed.gov.

Applications must be sent electronically and must be received by October 5.

Join the NYS Library and the Regents Advisory Council at 1 pm Thursday, October 20, for an online discussion of RAC Vision 2022. Vision 2022 provides a framework for libraries, reflecting the input of hundreds of library workers and supporters statewide. A road map for the future, Vision 2022 aims to inspire, support, and affirm the excellent work being done and codify a shared vision for libraries across New York.

For this kickoff session, panelists from a range of library communities will share work they are doing related to this document and invite participants to ask questions and share their own projects and initiatives. This is the first of a series of library community conversations around Vision 2022.

For more information and to register, follow this link to the NYS Library event calendar.

This session will be recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend live; to receive the recording link, please register and it will be automatically sent to you. Questions about registration can be directed to Tor Loney, Library Development Specialist, at Tor.Loney@nysed.gov

National Friends of Libraries Week (NFOLW) will be celebrated around the country this October 16 through 22. There is still time to plan special activities to draw attention to the contributions your Friends group makes to your library and to the community.

This annual celebration is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. The Friends of Libraries Section of the New York Library Association encourages libraries to plan a signature event, hold a Friends membership drive, or have the Friends present a special gift to your library.

Here are some ways to mark the celebration:

• Create a special display in the library
• Feature volunteers on social media
• Hang a banner in the library or community
• Host a Staff Appreciation event
• Communicate the importance of Friends to your elected officials
• Have a resolution or proclamation sponsored by local legislators
• Send a press release to local papers about the work done by your Friends

The United for Libraries website has graphics, a sample letter to the editor, suggested press releases, wordings for proclamations, public service announcements, and social media ideas.

Be sure to report your activities by sending a message to FLS.NYLA@yahoo.com. Photographs are always welcome for our quarterly newsletter, “Friends News and Notes.”

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

The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries advises the New York State Board of Regents regarding the New York State Library, library development programs, library aid programs and other matters related to the operations of libraries and library systems in New York. The Council works with the officers of the State Education Department in developing a comprehensive statewide library and information plan and makes recommendations to the Regents concerning the implementation of the program of library service.

The Council recently completed the RAC Vision 2022 document, which provides a framework for libraries and reflects the input of hundreds of library workers and supporters statewide. A road map for the future, Vision 2022 aims to inspire, support, and affirm the excellent work being done and codify a shared vision for libraries across New York.

The New York State Board of Regents will appoint three (3) Regents Advisory Council members to serve five-year terms from November 1, 2022, to September 30, 2027.

The Council meets a minimum of four times a year. 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, visit the RAC page on the NYS Library's website.

The New York State Library particularly encourages recommendations of representatives of New York State's broadly diverse population and endeavors to select members whose geographic diversity and professional and personal experience will enrich the work of the Council.

Please send nominations, along with a resume, for the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries by September 30 to: April Clifford, Administrative Specialist, Office of the State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, New York State Library, 10C34 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230; e-mail April.Clifford@nysed.gov.

The Board of Trustees of the Rensselaerville Library seeks a community-minded and enthusiastic individual for the position of Library Director.

The Rensselaerville Library is an association library that serves the 1,826 residents of the Town of Rensselaerville. It is housed within a charming historic row home in the hamlet of Rensselaerville, a designated state and national historic district located 25 miles southwest of Albany, New York. The library’s operating budget of $147,500 is funded by contributions from the Town of Rensselaerville, local school district taxes, fundraisers, and donations from the community. In addition to the director, the library employs four part-time employees. The library has recently developed a new strategic plan that calls for expanding library programs and services across the community. One of the projects currently underway is a library annex that will help provide library services in the center of town.

An ideal candidate will be a leader with strong team building, organizational and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability for effective public engagement and a passion for the importance of libraries in our communities.

Working closely with our supportive Board of Trustees, the Library Director develops and implements programs and services for our community, oversees the library collection, identifies and pursues grant opportunities, engages in long-term planning, creates public relations materials and pursues opportunities for improving public relations, maintains and enhances our online and social media presence as well as the library’s technology, develops and manages the budget, supervises staff and volunteer coordinator, oversees the physical plant, participates in Library Board meetings and stays informed of developments in library management.

Desired Skills:

- Excellent writing skills, including demonstrated ability to initiate, write and administer grant applications

- Knowledge of current library management practices and the ability to manage library collections and programs to meet the evolving needs of the community.

- Understanding of general building operations and the ability to work with contractors and other building maintenance professionals

- Ability to help patrons answer technology questions and to ensure that technology in the library is up to date and functioning properly

- Marketing experience to help promote library programs and fundraisers

- Human resource management skills, including hiring, payroll, and performing staff evaluations

- Experience with funds management procedures and budgeting

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master of Library Science degree and New York certificate of librarianship is desired but not essential.

The position is based on a 35-hr work week, with nights and weekends as needed. Salary range is $34,000-$45,000, with compensation based on education and experience. Benefits include paid time off, a healthcare stipend and professional development funds.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the job is filled.

To apply: Send cover letter including salary requirements, resume and three references to: search@rensselaervillelibrary.org

Library workers with federal student loans should review their eligibility under the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Library workers in all contexts—school, public, academic and others—with federal student aid may be eligible for the waiver, known as the Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF).

Under the existing PSLF program, federal student loan borrowers employed by government agencies, nonprofit organizations or other organizations that provide public library services or school library services, are eligible to have their federal student loan balance forgiven after making 10 years of qualifying loan payments. Many library workers meet the employer eligibility criteria for the program.

During the TEPSLF period, which ends on October 31, 2022, past payments that would not otherwise count toward PSLF will be made eligible and borrowers who previously would not have qualified for PSLF may now qualify. Borrowers must submit necessary paperwork by Oct. 31, 2022, when TEPSLF ends. The waiver can apply to borrowers with any number of relevant payments, including those who have not yet made 10 years of payments. Applicants can use the Department of Education’s PSLF Help Tool to search for a qualifying employer, learn what actions must be taken to become eligible for PSLF or TEPSLF, and generate the necessary form(s).

To help borrowers learn about the special opportunity for loan forgiveness under the limited waiver, ALA is hosting monthly free webinars with student loan experts hosted by the PSLF Coalition.

The National Suicide Prevention lifeline has changed its current 10-digit number to the easier-to-remember 9-8-8. This number has been designated the new three-digit dialing code to route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This dialing code became available to everyone across the United States on July 16, 2022.

Considering going back to school to get your MLS or MLIS?

If you need financial help, scholarship funds are now available. The American Library Association (ALA) has more than $300,000 available to students who are studying in library science or school library media programs at the master's degree level. Get your application in early. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2023.

Scholarships range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. They include scholarships for students who are interested in children's librarianship, youth librarianship, federal librarianship, new media and library automation. In addition, there are also scholarships available for minorities, persons with disabilities and people who are already employed in libraries but do not have an MLS.

To be considered for one of these scholarships, applicants must attend a master’s level program in library and information science that has been accredited by the ALA. Take a look at the application and instructions and get started working on your application now.

Applicants interested in school librarianship must attend a program that meets ALA curriculum guidelines for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Complete guidelines and instructions for the nationally reviewed and recognized CAEP/AASL school librarianship education programs are available on the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) website.

The scholarship process is open annually from September through March. For more information, visit the ALA Scholarship page or call the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4279.

The American Library Association (ALA) announced that its Libraries Transforming Communities project will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

Beginning in November 2022, ALA will accept applications for grants distributed over the next three years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide improvement of the library’s services. Grantees will then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.

Additional information regarding Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, Grant Advisor RFP requirements and how to apply for grants is available at https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access/rfp.

Art Resources Transfer's Library Program provides free books on art and culture to public libraries, schools, and incarcerated readers nationwide.

The book catalog offers 300+ titles published by leading museums, galleries, and independent presses nationwide. Books are free and shipped free of charge. To get started, sign up through the website here.

The NNLM All of Us Program Center Community Awards will provide funding to community-serving libraries and organizations to meet the following goals:

• Further individual and communities’ knowledge of and/or skills related to health literacy, digital literacy, and/or understanding of clinical medical research.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with communities who are underrepresented in biomedical research (Definitions (PDF, 29.3 KB))
• Raise awareness of All of Us(link is external), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) precision medicine research program and interact with All of Us partner organizations.
• Increase awareness and use of NNLM All of Us learning activities, National Library of Medicine(link is external) (NLM), and other trustworthy health information resources for individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.

The NAPC Community Award will fund proposed projects from applicants that address the goals above. Projects may include activities such as programming, health fairs, loanable kits, technology acquisition and distribution, community science projects, and more.

More project ideas, grant-writing resources, example application materials, and NNLM, NLM, and All of Us resources can be found in the full Application Guide (PDF, 1.1 MB).

Award Details

• Maximum award amount: $30,000
• Number of awards available: up to 5

ALA, in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's (NMNH) Human Origins Program, invites applications from public libraries interested in hosting the traveling exhibition Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution.

ALA will accept applications from September 12 to November 7, 2022. Learn more and apply online.

Six public libraries will be selected for the national tour. Working with leading scientists from the NMNH Human Origins Program, the libraries will engage audiences across a wide spectrum - from those who do not question the scientific study of human origins to those who are troubled by its findings - to engage the complex field of human evolution research in ways that are understandable, fulfilling, captivating and relevant.

Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays and videos, the traveling exhibition invites audiences to explore milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human - from walking upright, creating technology and eating new foods, to brain enlargement and the development of symbolic language and complex societies - advancements that define the unique position of humans in the history of life.

Selected libraries will receive:

• The traveling exhibition for a six- to nine-week loan period
• $1,000 to support programming
• Presentation of three to four programs at each site by the NMNH Human Origins Program (at no cost to host sites)
• A set of five early human skull replicas, which may be circulated to local science educators
• Virtual training on exhibition content and exhibition set-up
• Extensive online and printed program resources
• Programming and technical support from ALA staff

In addition to hosting the exhibition, selected libraries will host a formal opening event and create a project consultation panel comprised of community members to serve as advisors for developing local programs and conducting community discussions about evolution, among other requirements. Learn more about the benefits and requirements for selected sites.

Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution will be administered by the ALA Public Programs Office. To stay informed about other ALA traveling exhibitions, grant opportunities, and professional development from the Public Programs Office, sign up for our newsletter.

Has a librarian made a difference in your life or gone above and beyond to serve your community? The I Love My Librarian Award invites library users like you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored at a ceremony held in their honor and receive a $5,000 cash award.

Nominations are open through Friday, September 30, 2022.

Email: efreudenberger@sals.edu
Website: www.sals.edu
Location: 22 Whitney Place, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
Phone: 518 584 7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernAdirondackLibrarySystem