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Cheery Friday Greetings,
There are several items to pass along today!
AskUs 24/7 Virtual Reference. Seven SCRLC libraries participate in this statewide service, and you can too! Participation runs calendar year, but you can join at other times. Why participate in a collaborative VR service? It can be less costly for software and staff time. Users have access to subject experts, both regionally and nationally. Some of the hidden benefits can be building your network of colleagues across the state and country and keeping up on the latest technology and innovations in reference services. For more information, contact Caitlin Kenney. Also, visit the AskUs 24/7 website.
Yesterday was the Diversity Consortium of Tompkins County’s (DCTC) Roundtable, which is a one-day conference. Kudos to Christine Brown, who chaired the committee, for a fantastic day of learning! Although “Tompkins County” is in the title, DCTC membership is open to organizations outside of the county, e.g., Corning, Inc. is one of the newest members. We were happy to see several library workers in attendance. Several of the session topics lend themselves to potential SCRLC programs via Zoom or in-person, e.g., radical vulnerability, neurodiversity at work, when change brings conflict, antiracist results-based accountability, psychological safety at work, and land acknowledgments. Do any of these topics resonate with you? Reach out to Jessica Philippe. She and the Educational Services Advisory Committee are in the throes of planning both spring and summer 2025 events!
I had the honor of introducing Sachem Sam George (Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’), who provided information to help us with land acknowledgments. For the actionable part, though we have often suggested contributing to the American Indian Library Association or other Indigenous organizations, or using Debbie Reese’s blog to help provide respectful books about Native American people, Sachem George reminded us that our actions can be as basic as cleaning up your space. We can get rid of pesticides and avoid using them on our lawns--library, historical society, or personal--which harms the soil, air, and waters of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ land. We can favor indigenous plants and trees. We can avoid excessive outdoor lighting (as we remember from the solar eclipse webinars). Excessive lighting decreases safety while harming birds and other wildlife. It impacts human health and exacerbates climate change. See DarkSky International for more information and guidelines about outdoor lighting that is safe for all.
Freedom to Read Day of Action. Tomorrow, October 19, is the Freedom to Read Day of Action that brings together libraries, publishers, bookstores, readers and others to united against book bans. Barnes & Noble has not been exempt from the gaze of would-be book banners, as you may recall. Be sure to sport your favorite I Read Banned Books T-Shirt at the gym or while running errands! If your library or organization is having an event, please send us pictures to include in an upcoming newsletter. Thank you!
International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week--October 20-October 26. A major concern for older buildings and homes, the Environmental Protection Agency has information available to help your home DYIers stay safe when renovating pre-1978 homes. The Centers for Disease Control offer information as does the World Health Organization contains a plethora of helpful information on lead poisoning.
Yours in partnership,
Mary-Carol Lindbloom
Executive Director
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