Welcome to the NYLA Voice! Below is a quick links menus that will take you right to your favorite articles. When you are done simply click ‘Back to menu’ to return to the top. Happy reading!
Change is here and libraries are facing many difficult challenges. NYLA has made a lot of positive changes to stabilize its finances and improve operations in the last few years. The organization is now able to look forward and chart a course for its future. The Strategic Planning Taskforce is meeting to draft a plan for the organization. We have surveyed the membership to gather input and I have visited nine regions around the state to hear directly from members. The goal is to complete the initial draft by November. This plan, once approved, will set the direction for NYLA in the coming years. The strategic plan will focus on three directions for the organization: advocacy, continuing education, and community. Community will focus on how NYLA connects people, ideas, and resources to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and can share ideas, foster professional relationships, celebrate diversity, and inspire civic engagement. For education, NYLA champions access to educational content by expanding access to professional development learning resources, such as webinars, online classes and courses, and in-person conferences. Lastly, NYLA is a powerful voice for the essential role libraries play in building informed, connected, and empowered communities. NYLA advocates for local, state, and national policies that expand funding, access, and protections for all libraries and the communities they serve. These three areas are central to NYLA’s mission and will be part of its vision for the future. If you have any thoughts about what should be included in the vision for NYLA, please reach out to me at [email protected].
Summer is rapidly coming to a close but planning and preparations for our fall event are just beginning!
The NYLA office open conference registration on July 28th and we already have over 300 registrants! We are looking forward to these final summer weeks before we are in total conference planning mode. The NYLA conference will be November 5th-8th so register today before it is too late!
As always, change continues throughout our systems and policies. We encourage the membership to email [email protected] with any thoughts, ideas, edits, updates, etc. We will do our best to accommodate what we can!
MEMBERSHIP IN 2025
Renewal for the 2025-2026 membership year ended on June 30th. We appreciate all our valued members for their continued support of the organization.
This is a reminder NYLA now has a fixed membership year. This means that all members have the same membership year, regardless of when they join the system. The new membership year is June 1st – May 31st.
Renewal for the 2025 – 2026 membership year opened April 15, 2025. All members were sent a renewal reminder with a link to the renewal form. This communication was sent to the organizational membership contact email, not the Key Contact for organizational memberships. Please not this link can only be found in your email communications.
Membership were GRACED until APRIL 30th! If you have yet to renew for the 2025–2025 membership year and still wish to do so, please submit your renewal form and finalize your renewal payment ASAP! Following April 30th, membership profiles will be placed in a “lapsed” status. Renewal FAQS reviewed on the website.
New or prospect users can become members by completing the Join Form available on the NYLA homepage to create their new member profile. Personal members can use the form to enter their profile and payment information. As in our past database, organizational members should make sure that the past rep (Key Contact in the new system) on their membership enters the information in the Join form for their membership. This should not be completed by any members that are included in the organizational membership.
Personal membership paid with a credit card will automatically be made active. Invoiced membership payments will be placed in a pending status until payment is finalized. Organizational memberships will be placed in pending status until the office reviews the included members and provides them with access to their profile. We kindly request 1 - 2 business days for the office to review your form. Accounts are made active. Organizational account included members will be sent a welcome email with their new username and instructions to create a password.
REMINDER - Members who did not pay outstanding invoices for joining the new system for 2024-2025, were not sent a renewal invoice. The outstanding invoice for 2024-2025 would require payment to join NYLA for the 2025 -2026 membership year.
JOINED THE WEBSITE AND WANT TO KNOW MORE?
The office has developed a Membership and Website Guide available in the Quick Links Menu and in the Form and Gude Center. We strongly recommend reviewing this guide as it provides information about new features of the website and how to use the new Join Form. This guide will continue to be updated as changes are made to the website.
Office Hours Update!!! The office will be closed on Monday September 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day. Normal business operations will resume September 2nd . Check out this reminder and other important dates in the new Calendar . Stay up to date on all events, webinars, office announcements and more using this new feature.
The new system provides automated reminders, announcements, etc. Keep an eye out for all communications in your inbox!
Who’s ready to go to Saratoga Springs! Without skipping a beat, we are back to planning for our 2025 Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York at the Hilton and City Center.
Proposal submission forms for the 2025 Conference will be available in January. Fillable PDF planning documents will be made available on the NYLA website for anyone interested in planning their submission. Please note these documents should just be used for submission preparation and cannot be used to submit your official proposal.
Presenter Contracts have been accepted and the final slate has been finalized.
Conference Schedule
The Conference schedule is available on the NYLA website and in the conference registration form instructions. To access the schedule on the website, place your mouse on the Events menu item at the top of your screen. Conference Schedule is the third button in that list. Clicking on this wording brings you to the website browser feature of our new app. To access the schedule, click the Details button beneath the conference logo and information provided. Please note you do not have to login to access the schedule. Conference Attendees will be able to use this browser feature and the login when the event is active.
Clicking on the details button will bring you to the app homepage and the schedule tab is the second in the menu listing. Please note if the schedule details do not load automatically navigate between the tabs and this should make the schedule details appear.
Hotel Accommodations
Conference hotel accommodation information is now available on the conference website. We have contracted with several properties that range from $152- $210 a night.
We have been informed that our main hotel venue, The Saratoga Hilton and City Center is now sold out. We have overflow hotel accommodations available on our website. We strongly suggest booking your room accommodation as soon as possible to be included in one of our blocks.
Registration
The 2025 NYLA Conference registration OPENDED on July 28th. Registration rate information has been added to the conference website. Please note, to take advantage of member rates, you must have active membership in the system.
Early Bird registration ends September 1st.
Interested in the member early bird rate, but you do not active membership? Members who wish to receive the discounted early bird member rate must join/renew before submitting thei conference registration. Payment is required to make membership active. Members who chose to be invoiced with payment coming after early bird closes should:
1.) Submit their conference registration as a nonmember and choose to be invoiced in the payment section.
2.) Email [email protected] to inform the office that they have joined/renewed their NYLA membership and payment is on its way.
3.) When payment arrives at the office, the invoice will be updated to reflect the member rate. This invoice will be reset to the registrant.
4.) Registrants are responsible for making sure the newly updated invoice is sent to their billing contact or paid.
Please note registrants who wish to receive the early bird rate must submit a registration before the deadline in order for the rate to be provided.
Know an organization, business or someone looking to be an exhibitor at our trade show or a sponsor at our event? Both Trade Show Information and Sponsorship Opportunities are now available on the conference website!
Communication Update
The office staff are here to answer all the questions and requests our membership has. NYLA members who wish to communicate with the office should send an email to the desired staff member address listed below. We kindly ask that email be the primary form of communication with staff and calls be reserved for necessary follow up.
Emailing the office is our preferred form of contact because:
1.) The NYLA office does not have an official office administrator to aid in receiving phone calls. While the staff does their best to answer calls as they come in, we often miss them due to meetings, daily tasks, remote work, etc.
2.) During high periods of member requests (member renewal, conference registration, etc.) call and voicemail replies are often delayed. The best way to reach the office during these times is to email and wait for a reply. We kindly ask that members do not leave multiple emails and calls as this delay replies from being provided in a timely manner.
3.) The office staff typically must send an email with follow up information after calls, so members have this information. Emailing from the start allows the office to be efficient in providing as much assistance as possible with attached information, links, instructions, etc. that members can be sent and have a record of to refer to later.
The office is always available to schedule a time to call members following an email if further assistance or help is needed. A scheduled call following an initial email communication allows the staff to be prepared to directly follow up with member requests to make this process efficient.
Please use the menu below to email us!
- Executive Director AnnaLee Dragon at [email protected]
- Communications, Marketing & Digital Advertising, Professional Development Programs to Becky Czornobil at [email protected]
- Membership, finance and general association inquiries to Lauren Hoyt at [email protected]
- Event and continuing education inquiries to Lauren Hoyt [email protected]
- Legislation, Advocacy, and Government Relations Inquiries to Max Prime at[email protected]
We appreciate your continued membership with NYLA and stay tuned for more operational updates in the October edition of The NYLA Voice!
With summer winding down and Labor Day less than two weeks away, NYLA is working to position New York’s library community for success in 2026.
Last month, the members of NYLA’s Legislative Committee met and voted to approve our FY 2027 Budget Requests. These numbers will guide our efforts to secure funding increases in the coming year and can be referenced in any interactions you might have with state legislators and officials moving forward. Please find the official requests below:
- State Aid for Libraries: $181.32 million
- As in FY 2026, this request is based on adjusting the original level of statutory funding set in FY 1991-1992, $76M, adjusted for inflation to present.
- State Aid for Library Construction: $175 million
- As in FY 2026, this request is based on the current five-year estimate of construction (2023 – 2027) of 1.75 billion. Separated into five years of funding, $175 million would represent one half of one year of overall costs.
- Library Materials Aid: $11.33/pupil
- The Legislative Committee voted to keep NYLA’s request for adjustment in the per-pupil rate of Library Materials Aid (LMA) at $11.33/pupil. Our community has seen both chambers of the State Legislature include proposals to increase LMA to this level in the last two budget cycles and we seek to turn this support into a tangible win in the coming legislative session.
- NOVELny: $3.1 million
- NYLA seeks a $100,000 increase in funding for NOVELny to ensure our state is able to at least maintain its current offerings for New Yorkers in the NOVELny suite of digital resources.
- Cultural Education Fee $15 Increase (to $30/transaction)
- NYLA supports efforts to increase the Cultural Education Fee, a one-time fee on real estate transactions that funds the State’s Office of Cultural Education and, in turn, the New York State Library. This fee has not increased since its inception in 2002. Increasing the Cultural Education Fee is essential for ensuring the stability of the New York State Library and the essential services it provides to New York’s library community.
The Legislative Committee is currently voting to confirm NYLA’s non-budget legislative priorities for 2026. These priorities will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
Please continue to contact Governor Hochul in support of the Freedom to Read Act, as well as your members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in support of library funding and the Institute of Museum and Library Services in FY 2026.
Thank you all for your continued advocacy work across New York. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me by emailing [email protected] or calling (518) 432-6952 x 102 should you have any ideas, questions, or concerns related to any matter related to advocacy or lobbying!
Tony Iovino, Assistant Director of the Oceanside Library retired on July 31st. You Can read all about Tony and his commitment to the Oceanside community here.
Dorothy Butch, passed away on July 22, she was 99 years old. Dorothy was a librarian at the New York State Library for 30 years. Author of the New York State Documents: An Introductory Manual, she also created the New York State classification system which is used by many New York State documents depository libraries and is included in OCLC records. Dorothy was honored for these accomplishments, among others in 1995 when ALA awarded her the Bernadine Abbott Hoduski Founders Award. Read more about Dorothy Butch here.
Lattes, Libraries, & Listening
I never imagined a podcast could feel like a warm cup of community. Yet here we are, years in, cozying up with Librarians with Lattes, a humble audio experiment that I never thought we could still be doing eight years later.
It all began in 2017, when we launched the podcast as a simple interview-style series featuring experts and guests from our own campus community. We borrowed the name “Librarians with Lattes” from a service one of our librarians, Jesus Alonso-Regaldo, used to provide (essentially a roving drop-in reference service). Early topics included conversations on things such as banned books, open access, art & feminism, and metaliteracy, with discussions recorded in the University Library basement in a space we called “Studio B26” (a part of what we used to call the Innovate, Make, Create Center (IMC)). The space consisted of a green screen, equipment for recording practice runs of presentations, and a podcasting table (containing 4 radial arms with microphones, a computer with Audacity, and a couple pairs of headphones) that could be checked out for use in the room.
The first episodes were short but substantive, ranging anywhere between 20-40 minutes each, hosted by library staff with a passion for conversation. Over time, some episodes exceeded an hour long! Guests spanned a wide swath: I was featured as our first podcast guest, discussing banned books and the freedom to read, a Black History Month episode welcomed UAlbany Librarian, Camille Chesley, to speak on life in librarianship as a woman of color, and UAlbany Librarian, Lauren Puzier, talked about best ways to beat stress during the semester while studying at the library. By Spring 2018, the podcast rang especially true during National Poetry Month with a heartfelt interview featuring UAlbany senior, Nadine Zaky Kotb, discussing poetry across cultures, opening up students to be featured as guests on the podcast as well.
Although the podcast’s tone and guest list has evolved over time, its mission has remained constant: to place a warm, authentic voice on a range of timely topics in the world of libraries and beyond. As I’ve often said when asked about our podcast, Librarians with Lattes gives faculty, students, and community members a space to talk about a wide range of topics as they relate to not only our University Libraries or campus community, but our global community.
Fast-forward nearly eight years later and the podcast continues on, even if our frequency has died down a little. As of this year, Librarians with Lattes has published around 31 episodes, featuring everything from scholarly conversations to meaningful personal stories, all shared over various beverages (which often do not include lattes, sadly). One standout episode from April 2024, brought Stephanie Burt, Professor of English from Harvard University and author of We Are Mermaids: Poems, together with library ambassador Melody Palmer. Their conversation ranged from transgender identity to D&D, and yes, Taylor Swift made an appearance. It’s proof that the best library conversations are rarely just about books.
TL; DR – Let's break down why you may want to start your own library podcast
- Extend Your Library’s Reach: not every student, faculty member, or general patron can attend in-person events or other library activities. A podcast lets them connect with us anytime, anywhere, in a virtual space, on their own time.
- Highlight Library Voices: we wanted to put the people behind the services front and center, humanizing our work and breaking down “library anxiety.” Often times this just looked like an interview with one of our staff members.
- Preserve and Share Stories: podcasts act as a living archive of campus life and scholarship, capturing voices and perspectives that might otherwise be lost.
- Fostering Community Connections: inviting students, faculty, alumni, and local experts creates a shared platform that’s both promotional and genuinely collaborative. As time goes on you may even expand your podcast community to include national or international guests.
- Engaging in a Different Learning Style: some audiences prefer listening - podcasting meets them where they are.
Okay, Amanda. This sounds like a lot of time and energy. How may my library benefit from having a podcast?
- Adaptability: you can start with minimal equipment or go full production, either way, the format scales to the resources that you have available.
- Strengthen Relationships: inviting campus or community partners as guests can open doors for future collaborations (I know they have for us!)
- Builds Brand Recognition: having a consistent podcast presence can position your library (and the people therein) as a thought leader on campus (or in the larger community) and in your professional field.
- Invites Participation: you can bring in student voices, alumni stories, or crowdsourced questions to make the content interactive.
- Long Shelf-life: episodes can be shared in classes, embedded in LibGuides, or repurposed for social media. As long as you have access to your host platform, these episodes will be around for use for as long as you want them to be!
Today, Librarians with Lattes is hosted on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts (after many rounds of figuring out the best hosting platform), recorded with upgraded audio equipment in our new dedicated studio space, Studio B47, which now includes the ability to record video podcasts. Sometimes we even record episodes via Zoom to connect with guests who are not local – I’ll be doing just that today as I connect with horror authors, Clay McLeod Chapman and Dennis Mahoney, about all things horror writing (both were featured authors for our summer book club). Our reach has grown beyond campus reaching listeners from across the country and even internationally. Our podcast has become more than just a marketing tool: it’s an archive of our library’s living history, brewed fresh for every listener.
The beauty of a library podcast is that it’s endlessly flexible. You can highlight books, promote services, discuss campus issues, or simply share good conversation over a tasty beverage. For us, it’s been a way to bring the warmth of the Libraries into earbuds and car speakers. It’s also a gentle reminder that libraries aren’t just buildings or collections – they are people, stories, and ideas worthy of sharing, one episode at a time.
Happy creating!
See you in October!
I am the proud owner of a cherry red Swingline stapler. You know, the kind made famous in “Office Space”? (If you haven’t seen this movie, we can wait.)
Though the stapler brings me joy, I have other office tools that I relish just as much, if not more, in my work as a library director. Today, I will share a few of them with you. A couple are high tech while others are more lo-fi.
Sticky notes: Anyone who knows me knows my love of a good sticky note. They are absolutely invaluable for organizing concepts, whether working things out on my own or with a group. You can color code them, move them around – whatever you need to do. I have tried electronic sticky notes, but just don’t like them as much as physical squares of sticky goodness. I love them all and they all have different purposes, from the tiny markers that work so well in books to the giant sheets that are great for meetings. The giant ones that come on a stand are even better. I will say that the famous name brand ones tend to have longer sticking power.
Whiteboard: What better place to organize your sticky notes than a whiteboard? There are so many other uses, from making lists that you can’t ignore because they are right in front of your face to jotting down inspirational quotations. My whiteboard is magnetic, so I can also affix lists of meeting dates, schedules, etc. I know that not everyone has room for this in their workspace, but if you do, it can be a huge help.
Blue pens: This one is completely idiosyncratic. I got used to using blue pens when I worked for a library system and the State required wet signatures in blue; I’ve never gone back. My favorite is the somewhat pedestrian Bic round stic medium. I’ll use a clicker pen if needed, or (horrors) a gel pen, but the simple Bic still feels the best between my hand and the paper.
Zojirushi thermos: Also highly specific, I know, but this little buddy is on my desk every day filled with coffee to offset the chill in my office (yes, of course I have a cardigan) and keep me going. Zojirushi is a Japanese company, and this thermos was designed to keep tea as hot as possible for as long as possible. I’ve never found anything better; my head custodian is also a fan.
Candy bowl: If you want people to visit your office, a candy bowl is essential.
Email: I know a lot of people don’t like email, and I understand that you need to meet people where they are. Some people do better with phone conversations, online meetings, or in-person meetings. However, there is a lot to be said for getting something down in writing and being able to refer to it months or even years later if needed – and I have.
Zoom’s AI recorder: This is a new friend of mine. I know it’s potentially controversial, but I am amazed by how accurately it summarizes meetings, leaving me free to listen and interact.
A thirty-year-old lollipop: In October 1995, I left my part time summer job as a Page at the Bryant Library for my first full time job at the Port Washington Public Library. As a parting gift, a colleague gave me an orange Charms lollipop. “Here’s your lucky charm,” she explained. I’ve worked at two more organizations since then and my lucky charm has come with me each time.
As a last note, I have been writing for the NYLA Voice since October 2022; this will be my final column. I have greatly enjoyed this experience and I hope you have equally enjoyed reading my thoughts. Even though I won’t be writing now, I would still love to learn more about leadership from you. Feel free to share by emailing me at [email protected].
As our MakerSpace continues to grow and evolve, I’ve found myself thinking in terms of programs, and how to get more out of it.
A lot of MakerSpace programming is centered around design – it’s just not practical to have a program of ten or more participants using actual MakerSpace equipment. So usually during a program, patrons are instructed on how to design for the item to be made, with some limited hands-on learning about the materials, but then staff are the ones who actually ‘make’ the item.
Another format often involves learning how an item is made in the maker space, with a bunch of the pre-made items that can be programmed for in a secondary manner. So, you explain how a 3D dice tower is designed and made in the MakerSpace via demonstration, but have a bunch already pre-made that the participants can either assemble, paint or decorate, or both.
So, to get more out of our MakerSpace, I’ve been turning to companies and programs that lend themselves to the Maker ethos. For instance, our YPS department just purchased a PRIXEL Press for print making programs. While this by itself could have fit alongside some maker materials, we wanted it for our own programing needs. They offer their own 3D printed downloads to supplement their products including a range of additional stamps and a letterpress adapter.
Another method is by combining more ready-to-make MakerSpace items with a more mass produced crafty one. So for instance, you have have a bunch of vinyl decals precut and ready to go for a coaster; Patrons can mix and match design elements then apply. Pair this with a DIY mug, either the ceramic variety that they paint, then bake at home, or the plastic versions with the paper insert. In this way, your younger patrons are getting some hands-on experience with actual maker materials, but the program itself has the flexibility to accommodate more patrons, take place while another department is making use of the MakerSpace, less expensive, and generally gives you a bit more independence with planning you program.
I believe combinations like these are the way forward in getting more patrons curious about what our MakerSpace has to offer, alongside smaller group traditional instruction with design and the actual equipment itself.
The other side of this methodology spectrum might be long-term projects. Here I could imagine a program that runs once a week for a few weeks, where the end goal is some great “big thing” made using as many of our MakerSpace resources as we can – and granting us enough time to outsource the rest. Whether this is an art project we display in the library, a board game we design from scratch and make available to lend out, or maybe even something more “robotic” (like an actual robot!), these projects would showcase the breadth of what is possible programming for Makers.
In the meantime, I’m looking into 3D printed Beyblade arenas to host a unique Beyblade competition. Once again, hoping to incorporate our own personal touch on something more familiar to the targeted demographic of patrons, and hopefully make it more interesting – and in the case of a Beyblade competition, more exciting.
See you in October!
See you in October!
Can you believe it is already August? It has been a busy and fun-filled summer at my library! While I try to think of new and fun ideas for the kids and teens, I also try to be mindful of not only myself but my staff. I don’t want to have so many programs that everyone is getting burnt out. I used to do that when I first started and by the end of summer, I would be so exhausted.
The past few years I have given myself a rule to have no more than 3-4 programs a week (includes weekly storytime) and do not have more than one program in a way. This year, due to extenuating circumstances, there was a day where there were 3 programs! One was just my regular storytime, one was a program where the police brought their therapy dog Nova (my favorite program of the summer) and the third program was I was at another library helping out. I was exhausted at the end of this day!
One of the things I discovered is you do not need to go to crazy and all out with programs. (Unless you want to of course!) For example, I had a Bad Guys Party. I had crafts that were based on different characters in the books/movies. I also provided popcorn and soda. The setup didn’t take too long, and the patrons are pretty good at helping clean up.
Another simple program was Read to a Rescue Dog. I connected with a local charity, and they brought some dogs looking to be adopted. There was not much reading done, but the kids really enjoyed playing with and petting the dogs.
As mentioned above, there was another program where the local police brought their therapy dog Nova. The kids and their grown-ups enjoyed learning why the police department has a therapy dog and how Nova helps the police and others. 
The program that required the most work was my Teen Chef cooking series. I decided to go with recipes that would not require a lot of ingredients, that would taste good and would be fairly easy to make. I think I did a good job because the teens ate all the food, leaving nothing for my staff!
As summer ends, take a look at what programs you did and if it was too much. Patrons can get overwhelmed by having too many programs. See what worked, what didn’t work and what could possibly be cut for next summer. And finally, most importantly, any program with dogs is sure to be a hit and will be great for your mental health!
We’ve all been hearing about Universal Design (UD), whether we work in education where it also might be called Universal Design for Learning (UDL), or any other environment. UD, in its broad sense, applies to so much more than learning or accessibility. UD means, basically, that you are proactively creating an environment where as many barriers as possible have been removed for users. What is a barrier, you might ask. A barrier, in this case, is any element preventing the use of an item, knowledge, or environment. Adhering to UD means that instead of reacting just-in-time to barriers to access that arise, you are making a conscious effort to think critically about the design of the environment, tools, and information to ensure as many potential users as possible have equitable access and usability.
In libraries, education, and other environments, this means, in part, ensuring that information is presented via multiple means of expression or representation with multiple means of engagement available, offering multiple means of action and expression. Whether a physical location with curb cuts or automatic doors, or offering materials in a variety of formats, UD is an important consideration for users in all settings, not just academia. UD’s main goal, as we might also see with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), is to ensure that all persons have an equitable opportunity to be successful interacting with the environment and information you are creating, presenting, providing, or facilitating. UD is not just integrating technology, it is adjusting how we offer services and programs, how we arrange the environment in which we offer services and programs, reflecting and adjusting to represent content in multiple ways, addressing the diversity of our current and future patrons, regardless of their background or indicated needs. Technology offers us alternate ways to present information and create environments, but only when used effectively to offer an equitable container of information, items, or environments in a similar manner across all means of learning and engagement. Not everyone who would benefit from an adaptation (1) is eligible, (2) is aware, (3) is willing to ask, or (4) know what or how to ask.
What, if instead of creating adaptations to our programming, our environments, our resources, and our programming as issues arise, we took the time in planning and considering how to prevent the information and environment in the least restrictive manner possible? Rather than assuming everyone wants to, or can, use information or environments in the same way, consider that everyone is unique with their own best way of using information or environments. Yes, it may take more effort at the start, but think of the time you’ll save in the moment when there are less requests for adaptations in-the-moment. Is it worth the time and effort to make UD changes before they are needed? The simple answer, as stated above, is yes. As helping professionals, we in libraries want to help more users to be successful, whether or not they are aware they are using alternative methods. Implementing UD also offers the chance to review what you have been doing, see what others are doing, and update your practices to take advantage of new options available .... or determine that the older ways are better. Yes, sometimes the older ways are better. Remember that the newest isn’t always best. We want to be sure to consider all users – the digital divide still exists. While the library strives to ensure all patrons have access to the technology required to successfully use the library, this is not always the case. Even with computers and laptop and hot spot loans, patrons still might not know how to use the technology or have a place where they are comfortable using the technology. For patrons accessing the library and programming on their phones, for example, the mobile versions can have limited features or look different from the lesson on the desktop or laptop. UD is not just accessibility and technology; it also includes DEI. UD practices may unintentionally benefit others who may not even realize they are benefiting. Not everyone is aware of what they need, or what makes things easier or more equitable for them. In UD we need to consider these persons as well as those we might be aware of. Rather than limiting access to our new practices, we need to ensure they are available and accessible to all who might benefit.
What does all this mean for us in libraries? Using UD frameworks to analyze what we do and how we do it can take a lot of time and effort. However, if we truly want to help all patrons and draw in additional patrons, we need to take the time to do this evaluation and implement changes we have identified as needed. Is this going to fix everything, will we never have a just-in-time request for an adaptation? Definitely not. Will this proactive approach help cut down the number we get? Most definitely.
See you in October!
Happy August, dear readers!
As summer draws to an end, I am happy to say I’ve personally enjoyed my summer in library-land; one full of moments of giving hints to individual patrons and/or families via the SCLS Suffolk County Public Libraries Summer Passport Tour, cosplaying as Frida Kahlo for a full day of activities via the Longwood Public Library’s Gamercon, or in just watching children and teen patrons mill about the library, seeing them interact more regularly with the space this season than another other time of year.
In my designated makerspace open hours, more families frequent the space during the summer season, which is a welcomed change in pace and in atmosphere - as a side note, I’ve also learned so much about Labubu dolls!
As the summer swiftly makes its way into fall, I find myself wondering about the future of less “essential” services (such as makerspaces) within public libraries - due to recent changes in institutionalized funding on behalf of all public institutions within the United States.
New York, in the 2025 fiscal year, has received approximately $8.1 million in funding from IMLS via the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), for supporting state-specific initiatives that include NOVELny, Interlibrary Loan Services, Braille and Talking Books, Professional Development, as well as Digital Inclusion.
However, since the outcome of IMLS funding is still uncertain, many NY libraries have turned to focusing on securing state budget funding. For instance, New York City’s public libraries recently secured $32.7 million in operating support in their fiscal 2026 budget to expand services and help cover rising costs. However, smaller and more individualized public library systems within NYS are not guaranteed other significant sources to such a scale as IMLS’s funding. With the impending September 31 federal fiscal year deadline, many NY library systems are holding their breath as they await their financial fates. Equally, many have also turned to establishing and enacting Contingency Plans via two potential fiscal triggers, the “Federal Reduction Trigger” and the “Federal Elimination or Inaction Trigger.”
It is with this scenario in mind that I bring up the promise and the (potentially) fiscally conservative alternative model of making, known as mobile makerspaces. Librarian Lauren Britton, of the Fayetteville Free Library, is widely credited with coming up with one of the first mobile makerspaces in 2010, which was known as the “FFL Fabulous Laboratory” or “FabLab.” In waiting for the Fayetteville Free Library to raise funds for a designated makerspace room, Lauren created a small collection of carts with technologies such as a 3d printer, and other makerspace-related equipment. To date, there are many online resources and toolkits on the specific mobile makerspace model, and its innovative vantage points.
The ultimate significance of this makerspace model is its recognition of the ever-changing working parts that are presented in attaining and securing grant-based library funding. This story also relays the admirable use of creativity and innovation Lauren demonstrated in the honorable library tradition of promoting literacy and providing access.
Another equally revolutionary model of accessible mobile makerspaces is found within the organization, Innovation Wyrkshop. Based in Wyoming, Innovation Wyrkshop aims to provide free and accessible makerspace resources to its communities. The Innovation Wyrshop intentionally sets out to serve more rural communities within Wyoming that do not have access to the standard concept of a library makerspace. The organization therefore offers a Mobile Makerspaces program (for free!) whereby local schools, libraries, and community groups can request either a maker crate, a trailer, or a mobile workshop.
While Innovation Wyrkshop only serves local communities in Wyoming, their outreach model does present itself as an even broader viewpoint for the working definition of mobile makerspaces - not just as the property and fiscal responsibility of its respective library, but as the collectively shared resource of a connected library system- offering loans of mobile makerspaces, complete with tools and equipment, that can be borrowed by a library, school, or even local community group (which is particularly relevant since many patrons or organizations supporting children/adults with diverse abilities do not have UDL-centered access to library makerspaces). Within this model is an equally exhaustive list of potential problems or concerns, specifically with how makerspace resources are shared, formalized policies and practices via the program’s day-to-day structure and facilitation, including use and replacement. Equally important in this process is the emerging conceptualization of a makerspace-centered Community of Practice (CoP).
I take these varying scales of makerspace-centered ingenuity with me as I begin to pack away my summer clothes, my summer makerspace program materials, and get the makerspace ready for its next season. Similarly, in getting ready for a change in “funding temperatures,” I urge libraries within New York to examine and establish makerspace contingency plans, with the potential for mobile makerspaces, and similarly creative makerspace alternatives, to make a revolutionary comeback to the information science field.
Until next time!
August 2025 NYLA Voice Update from FLS
submitted by Terry Mulee, FLS Newsletter Editor
FLS creates a network to connect and inspire Friends groups in all types of libraries to support the New York library community.
FLS in 2025 - Events and Dates
- National Friends of Libraries Week is October 19-25, 2025. It's not too soon to think about celebrations, activities, or a membership drive during that week. (See the article in the FLS July-August 2025 newsletter on page 7.)
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Mark your calendars now for #NYLA2025. The annual conference is November 5 - 8 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Programs with topics of interest to Friends Groups will be offered. See you there! (See the article in the FLS July-August 2025 newsletter on page 1, and 3-6.)
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FLS will hold its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. More details will be available this fall.
FLS Election Results
The results are in and we are pleased to announce that the candidates nominated for open FLS positions have been elected. Their terms will begin at the NYLA conference in November, and they will be installed on the FLS Board at the FLS Annual Membership Meeting on November 19.
In addition, the vote on amending the FLS By-laws also passed. The new by-laws incorporate changes in several governance areas that mirror the Section's current operations and align with NYLA's existing by-laws. This new document went into effect immediately following the final tally of the election.
Congratulations to our incoming candidates:
- First Vice President/President-Elect, Geoffrey Kirkpatrick | Term Expires November 2028
- Secretary, Circe McKenney | Term Expires November 2027
- Members At Large | Term Expires November 2027
- Elaine Dunne
- James Foster
- Erica Freudenberger
- Mary Giardini
The FLS Board thanks these candidates for their willingness to serve the Section by sharing their time, talent, and expertise.
Friends News and Notes, July-August 2025
The July-August 2025 issue of Friends News and Notes is available on the FLS Newsletter page.
Inside this issue:
- FLS Awards Two FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarships, page 1
- Actionable Advocacy *Friends-Themed Preview* NYLA 2025 Conference, page 1
- Message from the FLS President, page 2
- FLS In-Person Meet-up in Rochester, page 2
- NYLA Conference Opportunities for Friends
- Registration Information, page 3
- Pre-Conference CE Workshop, page 3
- Friends-themed Programs, page 4-6
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Membership in a Minute, page 6
- NFOLW, October 19-25, 2025, page 7
- NYC Friends Council, page 8
- NYS Friends Receive Grants, page 10
- FLS Board / Auxiliary Volunteers / Info, page 11
- FLS Elections and By-laws, page 11
- Donate to the FLS Enos Fund, page 11
- Additional Information:
- Toolkit for Friends Councils, page 12
FLS Newsletters:
Read the current issue of the FLS newsletter, Friends News and Notes, at https://www.nyla.org/friends-of-libraries-section---newsletter. (www.nyla.org/Friends > Our Newsletter) FLS members may read past issues by clicking on Archived Issues and then logging in.
Contact FLS at [email protected]
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