Webinars, New York Heritage, library news, and more.
DIRECTOR'S CUP

Cheery Friday Greetings!

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived nearly 2,500 years ago, has been oft quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life” -- an understatement as applied to the last five months. Where we are working, how we are working, and what we are working on has shifted. At the beginning of the year, the only plan looming on SCRLC’s horizon was the strategic five-year plan of service. That is still looming for many of us in NYS library systems, but all of us--systems, libraries, schools, colleges, and cultural organizations—are focused on how to reopen safely.

There is probably universal agreement that we all want to be opened and resuming programs, services, and learning in person. And yet, we want to do so without causing harm.

The possible longterm effects of COVID-19 are worrisome. On August 1 the Washington Post’s Voices in the Pandemic section included a piece written by Jeff Gregorich, an Arizona superintendent, “I’m sorry but it’s a fantasy,” which exudes the stress and weight of determining whether to reopen schools. 

In New York State, school reopening plans are in process of approval. Governor Cuomo indicated schools could reopen in communities where the 14-day average infection rate is 5% or lower—this is all of SCRLC’s 14 counties right now--which is small consolation to a friend working in a college setting, awaiting COVID-19 test results from workplace exposure.

Parents in many districts can weigh in regarding how they want to handle the fall. Online? Pods with tutors? In person? This becomes an issue of equity. All families should be able opt into whatever arrangement they want, including having a tutor and small pod. In reality, only those who can afford to do so, can. Same with online. 

It is stressful for parents who must continue balancing work and the learning needs of their children. It is stressful for our teachers and school administrators—who also may have learners at home—dealing with so many issues including learning slippage, food scarcity among their students, the digital divide, and the burden that their students can be fatally or chronically affected by COVID-19, as can they.

On a positive note, while the spring involved a lot of scrambling to--without any warning--move all classes online, many educators are now prepared for this environment. We know via some of the meetups that librarians are planning to be right there with them and continue to develop strategies to reach remote learners. In the spring, electronic resources use declined, both for SCRLC's and for those available through the State Library's NOVELny. We expect that use will go up in the fall as educators and librarians adjust to the new ways of supporting learners. I hope you will attend our meetups to share your strategies with your colleagues!

In other news (not so positive), library systems including SCRLC await the release of partial funds (around 33% for SCRLC), hopefully by the end of August. The revised state budget will be presented to the legislature in September, at which point we should know if there are additional cuts.

On a hopeful note.....SCRLC is hosting a four-part book discussion of Ibram X. Kendi’s How to be an Antiracist. The first discussion happened this past Thursday and the next one is this coming Thursday at noon. There is still room if you would like to participate—register here. Our hope is that participants will identify antiracist actions to take in their institutions to bring about positive change, i.e. eliminate racist policies and structural racism. The discussion questions are general enough that participants can still engage in meaningful discussions even if they didn't have a chance to finish the readings (we’ll be looking at Chapters 5-9).

Among your weekend reading, might I suggest John Lewis’ final essay written shortly before he died for publication on the day of his funeral, Together You can Redeem the Soul of our Nation.

Yours in partnership,

Mary-Carol Lindbloom
Executive Director
TAKE ACTION
SCRLC COMMUNITY

Member Status Updates- Have you reopened?
Let us know if you have reopened in on this Google Sheet and check the status of other organizations.

Zoom Meetups

Next Director's Meetup: Monday, August 17, 4:00pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/95880178218 | Meeting ID: 958 8017 8218
Or call in: 1-646-876-9923
Passcode: SCRLC

Next All Member Meetup: Tuesday, August 11, 1:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/109469034 | Meeting ID: 109 469 034
Or call in: 1-646-876-9923
Passcode: SCRLC

Next Resource Sharing Meetup: Tuesday, August 18, 1:00pm  
https://zoom.us/j/109469034 | Meeting ID: 109 469 034
Or call in: 1-646-876-9923
Passcode: SCRLC

Next Special Collections/Local History/Archivists Meetup: Wednesday, August 12, 2:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/715709544 | Meeting ID: 715 709 544
Or call in: 1-646-876-9923
Passcode: SCRLC
UPCOMING WEBINARS

FROM SCRLC

FROM SIBLING COUNCILS & OTHER PARTNERS
ON DEMAND LEARNING
Send a request to jphilippe@scrlc.org for access to online classes in design, business, technology, photography, entrepreneurship, film and writing through Skillshare.
In addition to the weekly Tech-Talk newsletter, SCRLC members have access to the Tech-Talk Database, which offers an up-to-date, searchable library of technology and communication articles and videos. Look for the login information at the top of your weekly Tech-Talk newsletter or email jphilippe@scrlc.org.
A free instructional design training program available through WebJunction to enable library workers to transfer their in-person teaching skills to the online environment. The 7 modules include: Orientation, Foundation, Diversity, Community, Content Creation, Course Management, & Capstone.
D4L was developed in partnership among the South Central Regional Library Council, Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, and the Empire State Library Network. It was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 
Autogiro named the "Nut Gum" - 1931
NEW COLLECTIONS
The Black Oral History Project was conducted by Chemung County Historical Society staff and community volunteers from 1989 until 1991. It was conceived as a follow-up to the collaborative exhibit and publication A Heritage Uncovered: The Black Experience in Upstate New York, 1880-1925 and sought to capture information about a more contemporary Black experience. It was digitized with a grant from the South Central Regional Library Council.

New collection added and growing! Ithaca College Yearbooks
Archivist Bridget Bower has digitized decades upon decades of Ithaca College yearbooks, which provide annual description of athletic, cultural, professional, social, and other student organizations' activities at the Ithaca Conservatory and Affiliated Schools (later Ithaca College), with many photographs of student activities and the campus, located in downtown Ithaca until the '60s.
ONLINE EXHIBITS
Census 2020 Library Exhibit

Two Hundred Years on the Erie Canal

Recognizing Women's Right to Vote in New York State
ONE-ON-ONE JOB SEARCH
PREPARATION COACHING
Whether you are actively looking for a job or just want to be prepared in these uncertain times, SCRLC is offering confidential, objective one-on-one resume and cover letter review, as well as interview coaching. Let us know what would help you feel prepared. Fill in the form below and we will be in touch.