The release of American Library Association’s (ALA) State of America's Libraries Report, showed library staff in every state faced an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books in 2021. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons. ALA President Patricia “Patty” Wong said, “The 729 challenges tracked by ALA represent the highest number of attempted book bans since we began compiling these lists 20 years ago.” |
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Reports from the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom indicate these record setting number of book challenges are well coordinated, and residents are following scripts provided by organizations looking to take particular books off the shelves in a widespread manner. There have been at least seven state legislatures across the country attempting to create legislation to directly influence school curricula by banning specific genres as well as other restrictive measures. The Hudson Valley is seeing book challenges within their own school districts with mixed outcomes.
ALA has put together a clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and library advocates in responding to the incidents taking place across the country. These include:
- Preparing for and Responding to Challenges
- Library Bill of Rights and Interpretations
- Graphics
- State Resources
- Censorship Legislation
Take Action:
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Join Unite Against Book Bans. Engage with other state, local, and national efforts to build a strong and vibrant network of individuals and organizations working together to fight censorship.
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Review your library's collection development policy, weeding policy, and challenge of library materials form and procedure
- Samples policies and forms (MHLS)
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Refresh your training for staff on how to handle a complaint about an item(s) in the collection from a community member
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Report censorship challenges: ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom | New York State Library
The New York Public Library is offering a selection of commonly banned books freely available to anyone (13 and older) in the U.S. through the end of May.
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The NYLA Conference Scholarship from the Mid-Hudson Library System is designed to help provide new library directors and new library staff with the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference of the New York Library Association by matching funds provided by the library to underwrite conference attendance. “New” is defined as serving in the role of director or at the library as a staff person for three years or less.
This is a competitive scholarship. One application per library will be accepted. Maximum request: $500. Minimum request: $250. Member libraries applying for the grant must agree to at least match the awarded amount.
Eligibility requirements:
- A “new” director or staff person must have been in their role for three (3) years or less.
- The member library’s board must designate the eligible staff member and authorize the library to apply for this award. This action should be recorded in the board’s minutes.
- The attendee must provide a personal statement.
Please complete the Application Form and send it to Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator by Friday, June 10th by email at cconlin@midhudson.org. Recipients will be notified in July to ensure they can take advantage of the early bird registration deadline for the conference.
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Woodstock Public Library District partnered with the Onteora Public School District’s Kindergarten – 3rd grade classrooms in a Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The library was a collection site for #2 and #4 plastics (grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, reclosable food storage bags, etc.) from November 15th, 2021, through April 15th, 2022. The school collected 4,101 lbs. of plastic film placing them in the top 100 for this nationwide challenge. The program sponsored by Trex Company and Charter Next Generation just completed its 15th year. |
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You are invited to Gather at the Virtual Table: Community Conversations on Food and Librarianship a free interactive national event that focuses on the timely topic of food and librarianship on May 12th from 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This event builds upon a series of informal, online conversations among a group of librarians and library partners interested in and working on this topic.
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In this presentation attendees will learn what a diversity audit is, why we should audit our collections, why the structure of the publishing industry may make it difficult to cultivate inclusivity, and most importantly, why it’s important to not stop at diversity, but to make sure that our collections are inclusive as well. We’ll look into the logistics of performing these audits, then you’ll be given some resources to help you identify inclusive titles. Because Kym is a youth consultant many of the examples and titles will fall into the youth category, but the principles are scalable to any collection.
Kymberlee Powe has been working in libraries for fourteen years and specializes in youth services. Kym is currently the Children and YA Consultant with the Connecticut State Library and was recently awarded the inaugural Judy Burroughs award by the Connecticut Crossroads Project, an award given to people whose skills and talents have a positive effect on the greater Connecticut Community.
If you are unable to attend but would like to receive the recording and resources from the program, please register for the event.
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New York Library Association – Youth Services Section (NYLA/YSS) is currently accepting applications for the Ann Gibson Scholarship Award. This scholarship is given annually to provide financial assistance to a person who has chosen to pursue graduate studies that will lead to New York State certification as a youth specialist in a public library or school media center. For more information and to access the application visit Ann Gibson Scholarship. The deadline for applications is May 31st, 2022.
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The recording for the MHLS Library Sustainability Series – Esports in Libraries webinar is now available including presentations from Lindsay Cesari, School Librarian and Esports Coach, Baldwinsville Central Schools and Amy Smith, Head of Programs & Youth Services, Red Hook Public Library. Video games may not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word “library,” but when you look closely, an esports team has all the hallmarks of a perfect library program: it builds community and contributes to positive outcomes for teen library patrons, including leadership and entrepreneurial and media literacy skills. There’s also social-emotional learning involved; teamwork and sportsmanship are key to esports league play. Basing an esports team in a public library is also a way to make gaming more accessible and equitable for teens. Running an esports team might seem daunting for library staff that don’t play video games, but you don’t need to be a gamer to run a successful program. Library staff already possess the skill set needed to get an esports team up and running. This recording will show you how!
Libraries interested in participating in a summer league for esports within MHLS can contact Millbrook Library Director Courtney Tsahalis, or Red Hook Public Library Head of Programs & Youth Services Amy Smith.
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The MHLS Trustee Education Series spring sessions begins in May with Trustee Essentials. Library board members looking for essential, basic information to increase their effectiveness in serving on a library board will benefit from attending this session. Attendees will develop a working knowledge of library funding and organization in New York State; receive a clear overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities and receive an introduction to Open Meetings Law and best practices for effective board meetings. This webinar provides a foundation of knowledge that other workshops in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will build on. Particularly for new board members, but open to all.
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Children’s Literacy Coordinator, Millbrook Library
The Millbrook Library is looking for an enthusiastic and engaging person to become their new Children’s Literacy Coordinator.
The ideal candidate will be creative, energetic, flexible, organized, and able to efficiently plan, promote, and supervise in-person and virtual programs for children ages birth – 6th grade. Must have the ability to coordinate volunteers and program facilitators and be willing to participate in community outreach and events. This full-time position will require occasional Saturday hours and some evenings, as well as assisting staff at the circulation desk when necessary.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, promote, and implement early literacy programs (online and in-person) for babies and children up to 6th grade.
- Order collection materials for babies and children up to 6th grade.
- Collaborate with local school librarians, parents, and organizations within the community.
- Research, contact, and negotiate with potential program presenters.
- Develop, schedule and administer the annual summer reading program for children.
- Set up program space, run programs, and assist presenters as needed.
- Participate in professional groups, listservs, and other opportunities for learning and networking.
- Present information about library services and programs to individuals and groups.
- Attend community events to promote library programs and services.
- Work as part of a team with the other library staff.
- Actively seek and utilize feedback, ideas, and recommendations from staff, patrons, community members, and others.
- Identify opportunities to secure grants for programs geared toward early literacy.
- Maintain statistics and develop reports.
- Occasional circulation desk shifts.
- Other duties as assigned.
Essential Traits:
- Knowledge of early literacy skills and development.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with community organizations.
- A commitment to social justice and fostering an equitable community.
- Ability to perform with minimal supervision, establish and maintain priorities, meet deadlines, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions.
- Ability to represent the library in a professional manner.
- Able to work effectively with adults and children.
- Ability to communicate clearly and regularly with director and staff regarding planning and programs.
- Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong computer and writing skills.
Schedule:
- Full-time, 35 hours / week (days, evenings, some weekends required).
- Start date of July 2022 (preferably with some training days beforehand).
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associates Degree with 1-3 years of experience working with children in a library, preschool or similar setting.
Salary:
- $40,000 a year.
- Generous benefits package including Vacation, Sick, & Personal time, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Life insurance & 403(b) Retirement Plan.
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Local
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Each library is unique | Adriance Memorial Library, Olive Free Library, Phoenicia Library, Stone Ridge Library, Woodstock Public Library District | HV1 5.1.22
National
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