When Governor Kathy Hochul made this year's budget announcement, there was a bright glimmer of hope -- the Executive Budget included a $2 million increase in the proposed library budget, for a total of $96.1 million. This amount is still less than the full formula identified in Education Law, which is $106.2 million (which does not reflect inflation).

She has also proposed a $20 million cut to Library Construction Aid, slashing it to $14 million statewide to support libraries' construction and renovation needs.

All hope is not lost. This year's Library Advocacy Day will be on March 2, 2022. Virtual advocacy gives member libraries and their supporters a chance to share their stories about the impact we make in our communities and the need to increase library and Library Construction Aid funding. NYLA is requesting an increase in library funding to $123.1 million and restoration of Library Construction Aid to $34 million.

SALS is getting ready to make a big splash and organizing virtual visits to our representatives. To get prepared, we're asking you to check out the American Library Association's State Legislative Toolkit and to share stories about the fabulous work you're doing in your communities. We'll be sending out the schedule of appointments with our representatives shortly.

The CVW Long Lake Library now has equipment for telehealth services! Director Kristel Guimara secured a grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to purchase telehealth equipment.

The pandemic highlighted numerous inequities, including access to healthcare. This obstacle is compounded by the lack of broadband connectivity in many rural communities. Telehealth helps overcome barriers to accessing healthcare in rural and isolated communities by connecting people virtually to healthcare professionals. Through the grant from the NNLM, the Long Lake Library will be able to allow people to use the library's computers to access health care services remotely and manage health care.

There are many benefits to telehealth, including (but not limited to):

• Making services more readily available or convenient for people with limited mobility, time, or transportation options;
• Providing access to medical specialists
• Improving communication and coordination of care among members of a health care team and a patient;
• Providing support for self-management of health care.

Congratulations to Kristel and the Long Lake Library team for supporting the health of their community!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Share your incredible success in 2021 during the Annual Report to the State. Not sure what to do? Feel like pulling your hair out?

Fear not -- SALS Annual Report Party is scheduled for 10 am Wednesday, February 9. Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3ZJ57Z2

SALS has received a grant from the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries for a series of virtual workshops to create a culture of authentic and equitable community engagement.

The four workshops will cover understanding who we are and the identities we hold, creating an inclusive culture, becoming anti-racist, and the role of public libraries in deliberative democracy. By the end of the series, participants will be comfortable convening, hosting, and leading inclusive conversations in our communities.

This opportunity is open to all SALS member libraries but is limited to twenty participants.

Participants will be required to do the following:

• Complete the ALA's Facilitation Training

• Attend all sessions from 10 am-Noon on the following Fridays:

• Friday, February 18

• Friday, March 4

• Friday, March 18

• Friday, April 1

• Host at least one conversation in your community before May 30, 2022

If you would like to be a part of this professional development opportunity, sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BXNSBGD. People who apply will be notified of acceptance into the workshop series by January 15, 2022.

Feeling exhausted but can't sleep? Having problems concentrating? Overwhelmed by the thought of doing one more thing? You are not alone.

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, conversations about workplace trauma for librarians -- formerly discussed amongst peers -- are now being codified through surveys and studies, and acknowledged as a challenge to the profession.

There are tools to help support ourselves and colleagues, but please take the time you need to care for yourselves.

Are you interested in how you can make small changes in your library to improve user privacy? IMLS funded the creation of the Library Privacy Field Guides so that libraries of all types and sizes can follow easy-to-use guides to make changes in their libraries in support of user privacy. These guides are now complete and can be shipped to any rural and tribal libraries who are interested! Fill out this form for a copy.

There are seven guides covering a variety of important topics.

1. How To Talk About Privacy covers privacy talking points, creating an elevator speech, and how to build a persuasive argument

2. Non-Tech Privacy looks at space design, user surveillance, information printed on paper, and self-service options.

3. Digital Security Basics walks through creating strong passwords and phrases, multi-factor authentication, phishing, and the importance of staff and user training.

4. Data Lifecycles introduces readers to each area of the user data lifecycle and gives tips and exercises to learn more about what your library may be doing.

5. Privacy Policies introduces the read to privacy policies, how to read one and how to write one for a library.

6. Privacy Audits helps libraries ensure their procedures are in line with their promises of privacy and confidentiality by offering an audit framework and providing resources to perform the audit and tell the audit story.

7. Vendors and Privacy helps the reader evaluate vendor privacy and understand who in their organization controls decisions to buy and negotiate with vendors.

You can learn more about the project on the IMLS blog.

Individuals and families in Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties whose household income is less than $57,000 per year are eligible for free tax return assistance.

The IRS certified Tax preparers will be hosting day, evening, and weekend hours throughout Washington County following the current health guidelines.

You can promote this service by making some of the promotional materials from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) accessible, including the postcard size and a full page flyer.

When the Henrico County Public Library noticed its patrons were struggling to use the public access computers while watching their children, they came up with a solution that allows parents to connect while their children play safely nearby.

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the myriad of accomplishments of Black Americans. Schools and libraries typically join in festivities by creating copious book displays and hosting programs that highlight the many achievements of the Black community. This year, those traditions are under attack as books by Black authors, titles addressing Black history, and books with content about Black life are being pulled from the shelves. Initially relying on the fallacious idea that elementary and middle schools were teaching critical race theory, the strategy is now pivoting to advocate for "curriculum transparency," where parents would vet educational materials used in schools. Whatever name is used, the aim is clear -- to erase hundreds of years of American history.

Just when you thought we'd seen every twist and turn, every wrinkle, every permutation, in attacking intellectual freedom 2022. Buckle up. Recently a Mississippi mayor threatened to withhold funding for a library unless it removed all LGBTQ+ titles from its shelves. Furries stepped into the fray, raising money to offset the cut to the library. The initiative has raised nearly $70,000 for the Friends of the Ridgeland Library.

But wait, there's more. A pastor held a book burning in Tennessee, focusing on allegedly "demonic" materials, like the Harry Potter and Twilight series. This effort, along with others mentioned, is part of right-wing attacks in response to social justice efforts. Racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia disguised as "parental rights" and "curriculum transparency."

As this wave of fear gathers steam, it's affecting school libraries and public libraries, limiting access to information, changing the face of library boards, and restricting programming. As we see books tossed onto pyres, libraries defunded for having material that supports their communities, titles banned, e-platforms eliminated, or advocating for community health, we must remember: Libraries are not neutral spaces. Information professionals are on the front lines of this fight. Let's banish fear, amplify our values, and build inclusive communities.

Now more than ever, public library professionals must keep their information literacy skills fresh in order to teach patrons how to combat misinformation and navigate the information landscape to find reliable resources and tools. The Brooklyn Public Library has created a free, self-paced, online course to train library staff to effectively disseminate information literacy skills to the general public.

The course consists of twelve modules, each about an hour long, covering a broad range of information literacy topics. The course mixes video lectures, independent work assignments, and recommended readings. Topics covered include:

• Research
• Information equity
• Evaluating information
• Social media and free speech
• Instruction basics
• Empathy and crisis management
• And more!

The Trustee Handbook Book Club is back, from 5-6:30 pm the following evenings:

February 22 | Topic: Facilities
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KacE2TMZTaqrnDIdS3_IjQ

March 29 | Topic: Policies & Risk Management
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ji0sYwV9TxiHeuWmJq8v8w

April 19 | Topic: Ethics & Conflicts of Interest + Intellectual Freedom, Censorship and Privacy

Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TFxfAFS9Rz-OSk--iswhQw

May 3 | Topic: Planning & Evaluation

Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1JWbEj6VTdehLvoaI6sd7w

June 14 | Topic: PR & Advocacy

Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0EUGOkzlQ3uDPK-qjyOXFA

Calling all interested library workers! This is your opportunity to learn more about open data and how it can be discovered, curated and used by you and your patrons. All library types can benefit from this unique experience, working with a mentor one-on-one, focusing on a topic of special interest to you and your library.

Each participant will receive CTLE or CEU credit on request, AND each participant will receive a $100 stipend for completing the Boot Camp!

There will be three virtual sessions, from 11 am to noon on:

• Monday, February 7,
• Wednesday February 9 and
• Friday, February 11, 2022

SUNY Buffalo State Data Science Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graduate and undergraduate students will be available to meet once per week for one hour with participants to assist them in their project work through March 26, 2022 (up to 6 hours total).

Final session to present projects will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 11am-noon.

Facilitator is Dr. Wende Mix, Associate Chair/Coordinator, IUDSA & Data Science and Analytics M.S. at SUNY Buffalo State

Session 1 Framing Your Inquiry (February 7, 2022)
What is open data?
How can it be used?
Defining concepts: Specifying the Problem

Session 2: Data Resources for Research (February 9, 2022)
Finding open data sources
Assessing appropriateness and quality of data

Session 3: Visualizing and Presenting the Data Story (February 11, 2022)
Using open data

This Boot Camp is limited to 20 participants.

Applications are now being accepted for the Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia. Two $2,500 grants will be awarded in 2022. You do not need to be a member of ALA or RUSA to apply.

Grant submissions could include, but are not limited to:

• Inclusion – welcoming this population into the library/community
• Staff dementia awareness training
• Person-centered focus – address their unique needs as individuals with their interests, abilities, and history.
• Literacy activities that promote the use of books and reading as at least one component of programming (which of course can include art, music, exercise, nature, etc. as well)
• Academic research into reading and dementia
• Developing partnerships with local organizations that also serve those living with dementia

Grant applications are due Feb. 11, 2022.

Dollar General provides funding to organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following areas:

• Adult Basic Education
• GED or high school equivalency preparation
• English Language Acquisition

Click here to apply for a 2022 Adult Literacy grant.

Deadline to apply: February 17, 2022 (by 10 pm CST)
Grant announcement: May 12, 2022
Maximum grant amount: $10,000

Click here to download the 2021 Adult Literacy grant recipients.

The FINRA Foundation is now accepting grant applications to help public and academic libraries meet the financial education needs of their communities and foster financial inclusion. The maximum grant amount is $50,000. The first application deadline is March 1, 2022.

For questions about this grant opportunity, please contact Robert.Ganem@finra.org.

The Pilcrow Foundation is a terrific resource that supports small rural libraries. They have a variety of grants available.

Funding Requirements

Libraries qualify for the Children’s Book Project grant on an individual basis. To qualify for the grant, libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 will receive funding priority; however, town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 may also apply for grants. Be sure to provide accurate information about the library’s operating budget on the Children’s Book Project grant application. Failure to accurately describe the library’s operating budget may disqualify your application.

Rural Library Service Areas

A rural community is typically more than 40 miles from an urban area (population over 50,000) and not a part of a metropolitan area. A rural town library system should serve a population under 10,000 (priority to community populations under 5,000). A rural county library system should serve a population under 20,000. Be sure to provide accurate information about your library’s service area on the Children’s Book Project grant application. Failure to accurately describe your service area may disqualify your application.

Grant Application and Funding Cycle

Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and October 1 (postmark date). You do not need to send your application by Express or Certified Mail etc., as we look at the postmark date for adherence to the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed for the next grant cycle.

Grants will be awarded and grant recipients will be posted on our website by April 15 and October 15. Acceptance packets will be mailed within 10-15 days after we announce the Children’s Book Project grant recipients on our website.

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement; support diversity, equity and inclusion; build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursue innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

The following downloadable materials are recommended reading before starting the application process.

• Attachment A: Sample Online Application
• Attachment B: Sample 'After-Action' Report
• Attachment C: Project Examples
• Attachment D: Guidance for Summaries and Deliverables
• Impact Stories: How Challenge Grants Inspire Positive Change
• FAQs: Challenge Questions Answered (webpage) or (PDF)
• Challenge Overview: A PDF of the information on this page

Challenge Home Page: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge

Important Dates in 2022

• January 25: Application window opens
  
• March 22: Applications due by 5 p.m. (ET)
• Mid-May: All applicants will be notified by email of their status
• June 29: Public announcement of the selected grantees — and work on the projects begin!
  
• November 30: All funded projects must be completed
  
• December 14: Deadline for after-action reports

Applicants and others with questions can email CommunityChallenge@AARP.org.

The Association of Rural and Small Libraries is partnering with Penguin Random House on a new grant opportunity for small and rural libraries nationwide.

Apply for a Grant

Download a Sample Application

Not all applications will be selected for funding. If selected, grants will be awarded for up to $2,500.

This is a rolling grant application, with batches of applications going under review every 8 weeks beginning December 17, 2021. Applications will be submitted until all available grant funds are distributed.

Submission Window / Award Notification Deadline

• February 14, 2022 - April 8, 2022 /May 27, 2022
• April 11, 2022 - June 3, 2022 /July 29. 2022

Project reports must be submitted by February 1, 2023.

The program will award grants to libraries that demonstrate a true need. Grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. In-kind donations will also be considered.

Have questions? Please contact the ARSL Office at (206) 453-3579 or info@arsl.org.

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