MHLS Reimagining Library Services Series Wrap-Up
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The fall 2021 MHLS Reimagining Library Services (RLS) series has concluded, and recordings are now available for all programs in the series. As we balance changing forecasts for COVID transmission rates and safety guidance from health officials with providing the services communities need, libraries continue to find new ways to help patrons find connections and opportunities for personal and educational growth. The RLS programs highlight models and tools to help member libraries in finding and developing those solutions.
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As part of our first session, Lessons From the Family Literacy Grant Cohort & Summer Reading Wrap Session, Mary Wickham, Youth Programmer at the LaGrange Association Library and Susan Penick, MSW, Librarian at the Phoenicia Library shared lessons they had learned in mapping their communities’ assets and building partnerships and programs to meet their communities’ early literacy needs, and staff from member libraries discussed their Summer Reading Programs. In Developing Digital Literacy Skills with DigitalLead, Suzanne Wulf, Head of Digital Services at the Niles-Maine District Library (Niles, IL) and Heather Lowe, Adult Services Administrator at the Dallas Public Library (Dallas, TX) highlighted the tools available from the Public Library Association’s DigitalLearn initiative, which provides resources for preparing and teaching Digital Literacy programs for library patrons. Dr. Noah Lenstra, Director of Let's Move in Libraries, spoke about the importance of partnerships for library work, and the evolving role we see libraries playing in promoting healthy living in our communities in our final session, Let's Move in Libraries.
These recordings are available for any library staff or trustees to view. Look for a new slate of programs highlighting the evolving role of libraries in building sustainable communities in Spring 2022. For questions about these programs, contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin.
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REMINDER: MHLS needs to know your library’s Closed Dates for 2022. This information is necessary to edit the Sierra closed dates table. The easiest way to let us know the dates your library will be closed is to complete the Days Closed Form for 2022, which you can find in the Library Administrator’s Toolbox in the MHLS Knowledge Base.
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The Hudson Area Library partnered with Hudson Community Free Fridges to celebrate their one-year anniversary with a Prepared Food Drive. Community members were encouraged to purchase meals from a recommended list of local restaurants and drop them off at the library, to be delivered to the fridge locations from November 15 th to December 1 st. There are two “free fridges” located in Hudson which offer prepared foods to anyone in the community who needs it.
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The American Library Association (ALA) has launched ALA eLearning, a new centralized web portal that brings together a comprehensive digital collection of on-demand and live professional development for library professionals from ALA divisions and sections. Many courses are free for ALA members, while some require a registration fee. Topics include EDI training, Collection Management, Marketing & Outreach, Administration & Leadership, and more.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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There are still spots left for these upcoming sessions:
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Tuesday, December 7th at 12:00 pm join MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager, Laurie Shedrick for Edit your Print Templates. Making small changes to your notices or date due slip is something that you can do yourself. Take this one-hour lunchtime webinar, and you will have the tools to edit your own notices to include changes in hours, upcoming events and more.
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Wednesday, December 8th at noon join Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager to become acquainted with the necessary skills and workflows needed to manage the primary tasks of circulation desk work. Circulation 101 is intended for any new staff or perhaps experienced staff wondering if there are more efficient ways to do things while covering the circ desk.
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NYLA Resolution on Intellectual Freedom
In a Special Meeting of the New York Library Association (NYLA) Council on Thursday, November 18th there was a unanimous vote to approve a resolution on the Defense of Intellectual Freedom in response to the large number of recent book challenges that are taking place in school libraries, and public libraries.
The New York Library Association (NYLA) reaffirms its commitment to protecting and upholding intellectual freedom and the freedom to read. We advocate for the rights of all patrons to access information on a variety of topics and viewpoints without restrictions, which is a fundamental act of participation in a democracy.
With the increasing number of challenges, especially for books regarding race and LGBTQ+ communities, New York’s school libraries and librarians are being pressured to censor and restrict access to information. Parents have the right to set restrictions for their own children, but no person or group has the right to deny access to all readers. This principle applies equally to the free access of the information in other types of libraries as well.
Libraries are unique institutions of education and knowledge that provide information with impartiality and balance. Library materials are carefully selected by professionally trained librarians to represent a broad range of ideas and opinions and appeal to the needs and interests of all members of their communities. In a democratic society, partisan disagreements cannot dictate the decision to remove such materials.
Therefore, the New York Library Association stands firmly opposed to the restriction, removal, and/or censorship of books and other library materials in an attempt to limit the freedom to read or obstruct intellectual freedom.
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COVID Vaccine Booster Eligibility
In New York, people 18 years and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna initial vaccine series at least six months ago or the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. Boosters can help provide additional protection, especially for those over the age of 50 and others with underlying conditions. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and NYS Department of Health encourage all eligible New Yorkers to get their booster dose, especially those over the age of 50 and others with underlying conditions. People may choose which COVID-19 vaccine they receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. For more information, including booster shot locations, visit NYSDOH or CDC pages on vaccine booster shots.
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Reference & Collection Development
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One hundred public and school libraries will receive free books and resources through an effort to distribute diverse and inclusive financial literacy resources for children and young people. The giveaway is offered by the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation).
The giveaway includes a printed copy of the "Thinking Money for (ALL) Kids" book list with corresponding best practices and programming ideas for public and school libraries; a print copy of "Rainy Day Ready: Financial Literacy Programs and Tools" edited by Melanie Welch and Patrick Hogan for the ALA Public Programs Office (ALA Editions, 2020), a ready-to-use guide for library staff with 16 model financial capability programs; and one print copy of five books from the book list for libraries to add to their circulating collection.
Library workers are invited to apply online to receive one of the kits for their library. Applications will be accepted until January 3 rd, 2022.
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OPEN MEETINGS LAW UPDATE: Governor Hochul recently signed into law Chapter 587 of the Laws of 2021 which amends the Open Meetings Law to require agencies that maintain a website and use a high-speed internet connection to post meeting minutes on its website within two weeks of the date of the date of the meeting, or within one week of an executive session. It further states: “unabridged video recordings or unabridged audio recordings or unabridged written transcripts may be deemed to be meeting minutes. Nothing in this section shall require the creation of minutes if the public body would not otherwise take them.” This requirement took effect November 10th, 2021.
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Administration & Management
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New law Chapter 583 signed November 8th, 2021 requires private employers who engage in monitoring or intercepting electronic communications of any employee by any electronic device or system to provide notice of such monitoring. The law requires the notice to be given in writing, in an electronic record or in another electronic form, and employers must receive a written or electronic acknowledgement from employees of receipt of the notice. Employers must also post the notice in a conspicuous place so that employees who are subject to electronic monitoring can readily review the notice. This law takes effect May 7th, 2022.
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The New York State Library is launching two opportunities to foster statewide conversations about digital equity, building on the work of the State Education Department’s Digital Equity Summits.
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The State Library has created an email listserv to allow digital equity stakeholders to share news, ask questions, and facilitate opportunities for collaboration. If you would like to be part of these ongoing conversations sign up for the e-mail listserv
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The State Library will be convening a series of three roundtable discussions on Digital Equity in 2021 and 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities in the access and use of information and communication technologies. These disparities impact individuals within a broad range of areas including education, workforce development, and healthcare. These one-hour roundtable conversations are intended to be an opportunity for digital equity practitioners across New York to connect and communicate with one another. Everyone is welcome to attend and listen.
Register: Friday, December 17th, 2021 | 9:00 am
Register: Friday, February 18th, 2022 | 9:00 am
Register: Friday, April 15th, 2022 | 9:00 am
If you would like to give a short, 10-minute presentation at one of the roundtable conversations, please send an email to jessica.golden@nysed.gov with your interest and the topic of your presentation e.g. digital fluency training, accessible online services, etc.
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