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My term as president ends at the conference and Ginger Tebo will be taking over the reins. It has been a great experience to work with the incredible staff at NYLA and all the wonderful colleagues we have across the state. We have had the opportunity to continue to build on the work of the previous presidents who worked to stabilize NYLA’s finances and now we have the opportunity to look forward. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual conference as we return to Saratoga. I am excited to hear Micaela Blei speak on story telling. There is an opportunity to advocate for libraries following the conference theme of Actionable Advocacy! There will be a booth where attendees can complete postcards asking the governor to support libraries. NYLA is also about community and the conference is an opportunity to meet new people. I encourage every attendee to reach out to someone you don’t know to say hello. It is difficult for myself as a very introverted person but I have never been disappointed in doing this. See you all in Saratoga!
Only two weeks away from our conference and the office is busy, busy, busy!
Our fall event planning is coming to a close as we finalize all things for the NYLA Conference. The office staff is excited to see all our attendees. Just a reminder, during these next three weeks, communications with staff may be delayed as each day we are diligently working to get everything completed for our event. We appreciate those with requests be patient for a reply.
The office will be closed from November 5th – November 12th as we will be in Saratoga Springs for our event! 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.
Actionable Advocacy!
This year's conference will be in-person at the Saratoga Hilton and City Center in Saratoga, New York on November 5-8.
Advocacy is more than meeting with your legislators. It is about telling stories, stories that show how your library can help your patrons. Marketing is the key to telling these stories. All library staff are involved in marketing whether aware of it or not. Everyone has stories they can tell and relationships they can build, whether you are working at a circulation desk, an information desk, or meeting with the local chamber of commerce. Any interaction is an opportunity to promote the library and build relationships. All these activities are actionable advocacy.
Come to our 2025 Annual Conference to strengthen existing relationships with colleagues and build new ones. The conference is a great opportunity to learn, build relationships, and take action!
Registration prior to the event has officially closed!
We appreciate registrants with an open invoice finalizing their payment as soon as possible. Registrants who require an attendance form to be able to finalize payment, will be able to download a fillable PDF on our conference app. This document will be available beginning Wednesday, November 5th.
Please note registrants with an open invoice will continue to receive payment reminders from our system until the invoice is paid. As noted in our registration policies, registrants are responsible for getting their invoice paid. If an outside organization is paying for a registrant’s invoice, it is the registrant that must make sure all required documentation is submitted for payment to be finalized. Please review all registration policies noted on our website for more information.
Registrants requiring their invoice can find this documentation in their member profile. Once logged into their profile, registrants should click on the My Profile wording located beneath the navy welcome banner. The next page will provide an Invoice tab. Each invoice listed in this section can be reviewed, downloaded, printed, and each invoice provides a payment link that can be used by anyone to pay.
Forget to register, but still want to attend conference?
We will be providing onsite registration for anyone looking to participate. Onsite rates can be found on the NYLA website. Please note, we will only be accepting credit card payments onsite.
2025 Conference App and Know Before You Go Information
Registrants will be receiving instructions to access the conference app next week. We strongly recommend registrants attempt to sign into the app and review its features before the event.
Registrants will also be receiving a Know Before You Go Email on Monday, November 3rd, that includes all information about our event. This email will be sent to the email address included in each registrant’s registration form.
Registered and looking to see what this year’s conference will be offering?
Check out the Conference Schedule for all meetings, programming, special events and more! Special event tickets will be sold onsite at the registration desk. Just a reminder, NYLA events are now cashless! Credit cards will only be the accepted form of payment.
Who is ready to strike up some fun and get their Scholarship Bowl on! Join us at Saratoga Strike Zone for a night of great food, flowing drinks and of course bowling your heart out!
This year's scholarship bash will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 6:30 PM – 9 PM. Attendees must purchase a ticket to attend. Tickets will be sold at the registration desk prior to the event, but not at the door, so get your tickets ahead of time! All money raised from this event will benefit the NYLA Scholarship Fund, so you can help us put the FUN in fund!
As we cannot anticipate the weather and we want anyone to be able to attend this event, NYLA is providing a shuttle van for this event as the bowling alley is a mile away from the Hilton. This shuttle will be providing services from 6:15 PM – 9:30 PM and running on a continuous loop from the main entrance of the Hilton to the Saratoga Strike Zone.
Attendees of the event as well as any attendee from the conference can use the shuttle during this period to be dropped off at those locations.
TICKET PRICING
On Site Ticket - $50
Conference Parking
Not staying at the Hilton but need a place to park?
We will have City Center parking garage validation offered at the Registration Booth provided by NYLA for all days of the event. That’s right Wednesday – Saturday!
Conference Continuing Education
To receive NYLA Continuing Education and /or CTLE credit for this year's conference, attendees are required to:
Attendees are required to “Check In” on the app for each session they wish to receive credit for. Each session in the schedule within the app will allow attendees to Check In. The Check In feature of the app is available one hour prior to each program. Please note check in is only open for a half hour following an event.
Attendees are required to submit an evaluation for each program they wish to receive credit for within the conference app. To complete this, attendees must click on the Survey button located in each program profile of the schedule in the conference app. Please note survey buttons will be provided before the event takes place. Please do not complete a survey prior to attending a session.
We encourage all attendees to submit evaluations for each session they attend regardless of needing credit hours as we love to provide feedback to our presenters.
Attendees are required to submit a CE Request Form to request NYLA/CTLE credit hours. Each attendee wishing to receive credit should complete the request form one (1) time that will be provided in the app in the FAQs/Resources/CE page. All fields in the evaluation and the request forms are required. Please do not submit incomplete forms. All incomplete submissions will be deleted.
Attendees will have approx. 30 business days (Friday, December 12th) following the conference to submit all of their program evaluation forms and the CE Request Form. Any request submitted after the deadline may incur a $10.00 administrative fee.
Requests for credit will not be reviewed until the deadline noted above. Following the deadline, the office will compile all requests and create certificates. Certificate and credit information will be uploaded into the current NYLA profile of all submitters, and an email including access instructions will be sent to the email provided in each CE request. Please note credit will not be provided to registrants with an open invoice.
2026 DEVELOPING LEADERS PROGRAM
Calling all those ready to take the next step in their careers! The Developing Leaders Program’s mission is to connect, educate, and empower rising leaders in the library profession.
This comprehensive six-month program, running from February to June, is tailored for library professionals with a minimum of three years of experience looking to explore and strengthen their leadership skills. This year we are changing the format! All participants will have their first meeting at our NYLA Pre-Advocacy Day at the NYS Museum. We have a full day planned for our participants that will include lunch. This registrations form will launch following the NYLA conference. As there is a limited capacity for this program, keep an eye on our website and communications for the official launch of our registration!
Communication Reminder
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 December edition of The NYLA Voice!
With just 10 weeks left in 2025, efforts to lay the groundwork for success during New York’s 2026 Legislative Session are in full swing! Check out the newly launched 2026 Legislative Session page on NYLA’s website to learn about our statewide priorities for the coming year and keep up to date on upcoming opportunities for coordinated advocacy.
In addition to setting priorities, communicating with organizational allies and key lawmakers, and outlining the needs of New York’s library community in testimony before the Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, NYLA is working on new ways to help its members engage in ongoing advocacy efforts.
To that end, the trade show at NYLA’s Annual Conference – November 5-8 at the Saratoga Hilton and City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York – will feature a new Library Advocacy Booth! If you are attending conference, please stop by to learn more about our priorities for 2026 and send a postcard to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to boost state funding for libraries in her FY 2027 Executive Budget!
Meanwhile, please continue to contact Governor Hochul in support of the Freedom to Read Act (S.1099/A.777). Following passage in both the House and Senate this spring, the bill has still not reached Governor Hochul’s desk. The Governor has until the end of 2025 to render a decision on the bill and your voice is an important factor in making sure it gets signed!
Click here to send Governor Hochul a message in support of the Freedom to Read!
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!
Recently win an award or got promoted? Submit your exciting news to be included in Members on the Move to [email protected].
Beyond Banned Books Week: How Social Media Keeps the Conversation Going
Every fall, libraries across the country turn their shelves into riots of color, courage, and conversation starters. Banned Books Week arrives, and for seven days our social media feeds fill with challenged titles, author quotes, and calls for advocacy in the fight for the freedom to read. Displays go up, hashtags trend, and readers realize that many of the stories they grew up with have been banned, challenged, or restricted across the country for reasons that are, frankly, hard to justify. And then, as quickly as it comes, it’s over. The hashtags quiet down. The displays come down. But the bans? The challenges? The restrictions? They don’t stop. That realization pushed me to create Beyond Banned Books Week at the University at Albany Libraries, a year-round effort to keep the conversation going long after the themed bookmarks, caution tape, and construction paper made flames are packed away. Because intellectual freedom isn’t a seasonal campaign; it’s a daily practice.
When I started Beyond Banned Books Week, it came from both necessity and conviction. The pace of book challenges had reached record levels in 2023, and I knew we couldn’t afford to only talk about this topic once, maybe twice, a year at best. So, the initiative grew into something bigger: a mix of classroom visits about censorship, book bans, and the First Amendment, panel discussions on banning LGBTQ+ literature paired with Drag Queen Story Time, and the beginnings of our Queer Book Club. These programs invited year-round discussion. They helped students see that intellectual freedom isn’t an abstract ideal, but something that plays out in classrooms, on shelves in libraries and bookstores, and in their own personal reading lives.
As the Libraries’ Outreach and Marketing Librarian, I think a lot about how our digital presence can make serious topics approachable. Social media isn’t just where students socialize, it’s where they learn, share, and form opinions – building community. If we want them to think critically about censorship, we have to meet them where they already are: in their feeds. When I post about banned books, I don’t start with a lecture about policy. Censorship is a heavy topic, especially now. I start with something relatable – you'd be surprised about how many trending sounds for reels that you can relate to book banning. Humor and, sometimes the shock factor (when they see the books we show), usually draw people in, and once we’ve grabbed their attention, they’re more likely to be open to listening. It’s not about trivializing the issue, it’s about contextualizing it. A silly or shocking Instagram reel may not change someone’s mind, but it can open the door to a conversation. And sometimes, that’s enough to start a ripple that reaches further than any single post.
One of my favorite parts of Banned Books Week is all the Read-Out events: people taking turns reading passages from challenged books in solidarity with silenced voices. Social media, in a way, has become a digital version of that, a read-out that never has to end. When libraries share posts about banned titles, highlight authors, or post student reflections, we’re participating in a collective act of resistance. The audience may be scrolling instead of sitting in a room, but the message is the same: we see you, we value your story, and we will not be silent about it – and again, we are not limited to one time a year to do this.
At UAlbany, I’ve seen this digital dialogue turn into real engagement. A post a year ago about one of the top challenged books lead to multiple comments from students saying they had no idea that this was happening and that they loved that book. A reel about banned classics led one student to borrow and read 1984 for the first time. Another reached out after a classroom visit to say they hadn’t realized how often books about queer identity or race were targeted until they saw our posts about a Banned Books Week event we were holding. Those moments matter. They remind me that social media advocacy isn’t always about the numbers - it’s about the reach and impact we have on conversations like these.
Keeping advocacy visible online isn’t always easy. The algorithm doesn’t reward nuance, and posts about censorship don’t perform like Taylor Swift memes (trust me, I’ve tested this... multiple times...ask me about the engagement on our Swift/Kelce engagement meme). All that to say, advocacy work isn’t about virality (nothing we do here is about that if we are being honest) it’s about showing up for what libraries stand for and educating our communities on what is happening and how they can be good advocates themselves, especially those of us on academic campuses. Every post counts and contributes to a larger narrative. The more often people see libraries speaking up for intellectual freedom, the more they understand that libraries aren’t neutral, they’re active defenders of access and inclusion. Even when engagement dips, visibility matters. So, I will keep posting. Between announcing game nights and movie screenings to python and zine workshops, there’s always space for a banned book or a quote about the freedom to read. Because for many students, that’s where discovery happens, not through a lecture, but through the constant scroll of a social media feed.
Most students I talk to weren’t alive when The Catcher in the Rye was at the height of its controversy or when Harry Potter was under fire (for the first time). But they’re living through their own era of censorship now and they’re watching how libraries, and largely the world around them, responds. Beyond Banned Books Week reminds me that advocacy doesn’t need to be loud to be lasting. Sometimes it looks like an Instagram reel, a comment thread, or a post saved for later. Each one says: this issue matters. Free people read freely and hopefully for the foreseeable future, they also can post freely. As long as libraries keep sharing and connecting, the fight for intellectual freedom continues and can continue well beyond Banned Books Week.
Happy creating!
See you in December!
See you in December!
Complexity Threshold
What is it?
Ok, according to some tech-centered definitions, it has something to do with when a task becomes too complicated to automate.
In a more human context, and in the execution of library programs, and specifically progressive programming (building on what is already successful), complexity threshold is, essentially, a combination of factors that lead you to stop tinkering with a program and allow it to be successful.
This is not the same thing as “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In fact - acknowledging and adhering to a program’s complexity threshold is a proactive engagement with a program’s elements.
Now, this limit to a program’s complexity as related to its success (whatever the metrics you are using for success may be), are not static. It may remain constant for multiple sessions, or similar iterations, but beneath this seeming stability, the hum of change is ever ready.
If you’re a programming librarian, and I’m assuming you are, if you're reading this column, you have definitely experienced this before. An example: You’ve tweaked a program based on feedback (data), and a splash of “gut instinct” until it has a healthy heartbeat. Then, for some reason, one piece changes and the whole thing seems off. Maybe it was a factor beyond your control, such as the weather. Maybe you substituted one element for another, such as a craft supply. Maybe it was so successful, adjacent forces (administration, patrons, the board) wanted to amplify it - but the particulars of that program don’t seem to scale that way.
Sometimes, the complexity threshold manifests (or is misidentified) as a problem. Here is a classic example nearly all of us can relate to: Patrons register for a program but don’t show up. So we imbed complexity into the process, (whether consciously aware we are doing so or not) in hopes it will solve the problem. We make multiple reminder attempts, maybe add additional steps to the registration process. Even if we had some success with these changes, I bet it wasn’t exactly in the way we thought.
So maybe we were just making things more complex, and swapping out one set of factors for another. Patrons who don’t always show up stop registering for programs all together. Or the added layers to the registration system are more frustrating than a library employee’s own complexity threshold can tolerate so they make errors during the registration process.
Complexity Threshold is also not a call to “Keep it simple stupid!” Not at all, in fact, complexity is an emergent property of any functioning, and thriving system. Welcome complexity when you see it improving your programs. Pump the breaks, or in the very least, reassess if you suspect the complexity now, is actually detrimental to the program.
You’ve made it this far and you’re still with me - thank you! Your reward is another concrete example that, currently, may be a threshold:
Ever since we offered steady program kits, take and makes, we regularly get this question:
“I couldn’t make the program, do you have a kit (of the program) I can pick up?”
Some programs can be converted into a take and make. Others cannot. Are enough patrons making this request that it might make sense to consistently have one or two take and make versions available if you can? Maybe. Will this layer of complexity undermine your in-house engagement? Is it worth baking this complexity into the programs that you can, and advertise it? Do you even have the resources to make this happen as seamlessly as possible?
Recognizing complexity threshold can be a tool to help reframe a program-related situation, and regain some power to shape the execution, function and hopefully success of the program.
So, there you have it. Complexity Threshold, nothing to be afraid of, nothing to celebrate, merely something to be aware of so we’re not too hard on ourselves, so we keep our mission statements in focus, and as always, we make our patron experience a positive one.
See you in December!
October is my favorite time of year. I have always loved all things scary and spooky and this time of year that love is amplified due to Halloween! As I plan programs centered around the best holiday ever, I try to keep things fresh and different from previous years. However, I have been a youth services librarian for over 10 years now and it can be hard to think of new ideas.
I was starting to stress myself out by trying to think of what I hadn’t done before. I had it in my head I just had to do something new for Halloween 2025. I had to give myself a moment to breathe and just relax. After calming down, I realized everything does not always have to be shiny and new. It is okay to repeat something, especially if it was popular! Besides, it is Halloween! Halloween programs are supposed to be fun, not stressful. And like I said, I love Halloween! I don’t want to be stressed; I want to enjoy the experience with the kids!
This year for my kids Halloween cooking program instead of thinking of new recipes, I’m doing what I did previous years. Kids loved the recipes, and I was actually asked to do Monster Mac and Cheese again! It’s simple, tasty and easy. (It’s also cheap!) And while you might have kids who have already done these recipes in previous years, you might have newcomers who have never done the recipe. I’m also bringing back Graveyard Brownies and Marshmallow ghosts. All of these were crowd pleasers and I’m confident there will be no complaints that these have been done before.
This Halloween season (or any holiday season really) don’t stress yourself out like I was by trying to think of new and exciting ideas. What you have already done could be good enough. It is okay to repeat ideas. After all these seasonal programs do only happen once a year, make it easy for yourself.
There’s been so much talk about AI in the library world, the education world, and beyond. There are benefits to using AI, and not so great impacts of AI. However, the use of AI requires one thing that many don’t think about – accessibility. Whether it’s being able to use the interface or being able to access the interface, there are those being left behind.
Like the digital divide, I worry about those who, for whatever reason, are not using AI and possibly even are being harmed by the use of AI. When AI is trained to answer ‘basic’ reference questions, I can see so many positives, but also some negatives. Will the patron know to fact-check the answer, will they feel comfortable asking more questions or would they just give up, does the patron know how to formulate an effective prompt to the chatbot? Will we be losing chances to interact with patrons and form those relationships that bring patrons back again and again? If an interaction with a chatbot is not going well, how can we ensure it turns around to a positive interaction if there is no human ‘reading the situation’?
The issue of privacy also comes up; how do we protect patrons’ privacy when they are entering their questions with private information included? When interacting with a patron, we as library staff can stop the patron from sharing personal information, or we can ‘forget’ the information so that there is no record. Like the elephant, AI does not forget; anything entered becomes part of the source data used by AI to answer future questions and situations. If multiple students are researching the same topic, will the answers generated for students who come along later be based on what information has been entered by those in the past? Is the data AI referring to accurate, has it been fact-checked by a human? There are LLMs to host locally. While these can help with privacy concerns, there are also shortcomings for some people. If you do not have a robust enough device to load an LLM on, or a personal device to load an LLM on, you are at a disadvantage. The LLM has a limited data set to draw from and is not updated unless you actively do this or have internet access and bandwidth to do so.
Prompt writing is a new skill students need to learn, and this can be seen as similar to creating an effective research question – answering the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions in a single prompt. Knowing how to think about all of these aspects of a prompt, and then how to evaluate what has been created, I feel, are skills related to information literacy. Yet, how do we as librarians help patrons to build these skills and apply them to all interactions with AI and not just for research? How do we help patrons ethically and legally use AI? As an academic librarian, I wonder about students uploading copyright-protected materials to an AI such as ChatGPT or Gemini, to get summaries, and then this copyrighted material being made available outside of copyright; are students aware that whatever they upload is being shared outside of the permitted area? I personally appreciate the ability to have material written in another format for me to better understand, but I fear if I become too dependent on this I will be at a disadvantage when I am faced with a source I cannot upload to AI for help in reading. I think about the relatively new concern of cursive versus print writing. Is AI going to change how we think and create, or are we going to keep needing to know the older ways to understand artifacts from the past? Does the effort of an AI-generated piece of art equal that of a person-generated piece? How do you compare the two? What happens if the internet goes down, will things still be able to happen, or will the world fall apart as was feared at the cusp of 1999 to 2000? AI definitely has benefits, but the concern I have is if we are looking more at the benefits and not considering the drawbacks. What are your opinions? What do you think AI's opinion would be?
Hello, dear readers!
We meet ourselves in the throes of fall, with colder and crisper air greeting our morning commutes, our fit checks decorated by cozy scarves and the ever-necessary pumpkin spice lattes.
As this change in temperature, in daylight, in season, finds its way upon us, I notice myself reading more and more articles about the topic of an equally changing landscape; that of the shift in dedicated practices surrounding digital accessibility standards within our libraries.
For those unfamiliar, on April 24, 2024, the US Department of Justice issued a final rule updating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule sets out specific requirements, such as adopting defined technical standards, to ensure that state and local governments make their services, programs, and activities accessible to the public through websites and mobile applications. The deadline for such compliance was thus established for April 26, 2026. Public entities serving fewer than 50,000 people, as well as special district governments, must equally comply with this rule starting on April 26, 2027.
So what do those digital standards entail?
The general breakdown includes compliance with foundational and structural references for digital accessibility standards, specifically the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). There have been many updates to those WCAG guidelines since they were first created by the World Wide Web Consortium (3WC) in 1999. Still, the upcoming deadline’s requirement of WCAG 2.1 (published in 2018) at Level AA translates to some essential and high standards of digital accessibility for our libraries - standards for every webpage, every 3rd party link on our library website, for every PDF, and every digital library collection item (amongst many more examples).
The conceptualization of WCAG guidelines most centrally focuses on 4 general principles, also known as P.O.U.R. - Perceivable (information and user interface components must be presented in ways that all users can perceive), Operable (users must be able to operate the interface and navigate the site, regardless of device or ability), Understandable (information and navigation must be clear and consistent), and Robust (content must work across current and future technologies, including assistive tools).
Does this legally mandated call to action sound familiar?
Now, for many librarians, it is only too easy to remember 1990, when President George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, which, at the time, mandated a similar compliance topic and deadline, via Title II (and Title III, which included some private and academic libraries). The implications of such standards meant that many libraries around the United States had to drastically adapt to universal design implemented policies surrounding the physical accessibility of public learning spaces, which are the central focus of most library ecosystems. Lewis’s article, “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Its Effect on Public Libraries,” stood as one of the first post-ADA overviews aimed at employment practices (Title I) as well as public services/accommodations (Titles II & III), closely emphasizing librarians’ professional and personal roles in ensuring equal access to library use.
Back to business - what do best practices for meeting digital accessibility guidelines look like?
In the months that followed the Title II digital accessibility standards ruling, many libraries have felt the quiet hum as their library legal teams or centralized organizational library structures notify them of any changes in platform usage or terminations of subscription access, among other updates. In an interview with Laura Harris (she/her), a SUNY Oswego Web Services and Distance Learning Librarian, she mentioned some crucial steps her university was taking.
First, her university system’s legal team was providing Title II conceptualization assistance. Second, the library’s accessibility team has been reviewing area-specific services (digital collections, interlibrary loan, etc.) and will eventually hold training sessions for staff. And equally impressive, campus-wide volunteer groups are currently developing training resources to help students, faculty, and staff create accessible materials.
As mentioned earlier, the axis of change via digital accessibility is tethered to yet another category - library platforms under local control (i.e., library websites, LibGuides, shared Google Docs) vs. third-party tools (i.e., subscriptions, databases, library service platforms, or learning management systems like Brightspace). Additionally, while necessary changes for the upcoming deadline may be increasingly relevant for our library systems, there are websites, often those used within library makerspaces and equally linked on many of our library websites (such as 3d files, 3d design, and online makerspace learning tools), that may not, or have not historically been interested in the adaptations of their core content, to meet any digital accessibility standards.
At the time this article was written, I was unable to find any articles or research on the topic of translating digital accessibility conformance via websites like Tinkercad (no Tinkercad VPAT available) or Thingiverse, two of the most widely referenced, maker-related, third-party websites.
To me, this translates as a profoundly noticeable gap in digital accessibility structure within popular makerspace technology. While there are excellent tools for renovating makerspaces into more universally design-oriented rooms, a similar lack of digital accessibility work has been done to the online universe of making.
So, what does that mean for our libraries?
While there is much work to be done before April 26, 2026, this work must also focus on digital accessibility through online makerspace resources. This article can act as a similar call to action for our makerspace-related initiatives, makerspace librarians, and researchers; a reminder of what next steps must include if we are to celebrate the innovative qualities that inherently guide every cycle of design theory and learning practice found within our making.
Perhaps, with time and perseverance, makerspace-oriented divisions of library associations will designate themselves as the pioneers of such necessary work. Or it could be everyday attendees of makerspaces themselves who work with community members to better understand and translate what our patrons need from us.
As we move from summer to fall, I continue to wonder what lies in store for our libraries - through both their seasons of promise and their seasons of discontent.
Until next time!
October 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. We’d love to know how your library and/or Friends group celebrate. Email us at [email protected]. (See the articles in the FLS September 2025 newsletter on page 9 and the July-August 2025 newsletter on page 7.)
- Happy National Friends of Libraries Week to all the incredible library Friends across our state! The work you do is essential to the success and ongoing work of the library community! Your advocacy and support of libraries is invaluable. Thanks for all that you do.
- Are you coming to the annual conference, November 5 - 8 at the Saratoga Springs City Center? Programs with topics of interest to Friends Groups will be offered throughout the week. Find FLS at the Trade Show and throughout the conference at these great programs. (See the article in the FLS July-August 2025 newsletter on pages 1 and 3-6 and in the September 2025 issue on pages 1, 3, 4, and 6.) See you there!
FLS is very excited to bring three Friends groups into the spotlight, highlighting their projects that support their community libraries.
In keeping with the NYLA conference theme of “Actionable Advocacy,” Ellen Burns, Co-Chair, Get Out the Vote Committee, Friends of the Clifton Park–Halfmoon Public Library, alongside Rebecca Verhayden, the library’s Assistant Director of Planning and Communication, will share tips on the Friends annual “Get Out The Vote” campaign that helps their school district public library succeed in passing their operating budget year after year.
The Friends of the Sand Lake Town Library have been very successful in keeping their community connected to the library in some unusual ways. The Friends have offered an adult spelling bee annually for three years, where they’ve met new members and engaged their patrons with some good old-fashioned fun and friendly competition. With the goal of keeping gently worn clothing out of the landfill, the group has held several seasonal clothing swaps. Everyone has been encouraged to participate in these free events, which certainly have raised awareness of the Friends group beyond their traditional book sales. President Lori Farrell and Secretary Nancy Bush will share tips on how to coordinate these unique “Friend-raising” events.
Elaine Dunne, Friends Trustee and former director of the Massena Public Library, will outline her successes with several different grants and program initiatives that highlighted healthy lifestyles and are now underwritten by the Friends. Sessions on exercise (walking, chair yoga), healthy eating (Charlie Cart demonstrations), and spending time outdoors have all proven popular and have supported some networking and partnerships in the community that might not have been possible otherwise.
FLS will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. You’ll find the Call to Meeting in News You Can Use starting in mid-October – or in an FLS member email announcement. We hope you’ll join us for a recap of our year and an opportunity to meet our Award and scholarship recipients.
2025 FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship Recipients
On behalf of the Friends of Libraries Section, we are pleased to congratulate Elaine Dunne, Friends of the Massena Public Library, and Michele Merwarth, Friends of Marcellus Free Library, on their selection as the 2025 FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship recipients. We look forward to welcoming both women to the 2025 NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs this November.
FLS established this scholarship in 2018 to celebrate the contributions of Randy Enos, a founding member of the Empire Friends Roundtable in 1992. EFR is the precursor to FLS, established in 2014. He has been a continuous member from the beginning, served as EFR President no less than six times, and was honored with the title FLS President Emeritus in 2015. The FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship provides up to $1,000 for a member of a Friends of the library group, who is also an FLS member, to attend a NYLA annual conference. Find more information on this scholarship and its namesake here.
Elaine Dunne
Prior to her retirement as Director of the Massena Public Library, Elaine worked with library volunteers to get a Friends group established to help ensure the financial stability of the library into the future. As her application stated, “The library had several Friends groups in the past, but unfortunately the groups disbanded, mainly due to a lack of an active membership. Fortunately, a couple of past members continued to run book sales. Building off the success of the book sales, I recruited some willing library patrons to help launch a new Friends group to continue and expand the book sales, and create new fundraising opportunities for the library.” After retiring, Elaine’s role changed from Friends Liaison to Friends Board Trustee.
Michele Merwarth
Michele’s story is not an unfamiliar one. She moved to a new community, went to her local library to get her new library card, and picked up a Friends membership form. Shortly after that, she attended her first Friends meeting. Months later she became the Vice President. The following year, she took over as President. After three years in that role, she became the Past President and the Recording Secretary. Currently Michele serves as the Corresponding Secretary and Membership Chair. Over the years she has been a mentor to many up-and-coming board members.
Read more about each of these remarkable women in the September issue of Friends News and Notes starting on page 2. Applications for the 2026 FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship will be available in early 2026.
Friends News and Notes, September 2025
The September 2025 issue of Friends News and Notes is available on the FLS Newsletter page.
Sustainable Libraries Initiative: Opportunities for NYLA Members
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) is looking forward to connecting with you at the NYLA Annual Conference, November 5–8 in Saratoga Springs! Be sure to stop by our booth in the Exhibit Hall to chat with the SLI team about how your library can get involved. We’ll be sharing information about membership, the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP), and some exciting opportunities just for NYLA members.
Special Benefits for NYLA Members
As part of our partnership with NYLA, members new to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative are entitled to one free year of SLI membership or a 20% discount on enrollment in the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP). This is a perfect chance to start—or continue—your library’s sustainability journey. Learn more.
SLCP Giveaway: Win a Balloon Bin for Your Library
We’re also thrilled to announce a special giveaway for SLCP member libraries! One lucky library will win a Balloon Bin, generously donated by Balloon Mission, a grassroots nonprofit on a mission to end balloon litter and promote responsible balloon use.
Balloon Mission provides balloon collection bins that accept deflated latex, foil, and mylar balloons, plus ribbons, confetti, and accessories. These bins keep balloon waste out of our environment and away from wildlife, while encouraging communities to celebrate responsibly. Libraries make the perfect partners in this effort—offering a visible, trusted place where people can bring their balloons after birthdays, holidays, and events. More details on how to enter will be announced later this month, so stay tuned!
Opportunity for SLI Members: Attend the Sustainable Futures Summit 2026 at No Cost
Looking ahead, we’re excited to share another great opportunity for SLI members: complimentary registration for the Sustainable Futures Summit 2026 (#SFS26), a virtual event happening on March 18–19, 2026, from 8:30 AM–1:30 PM (ET).
This annual summit brings together students, educators, community organizations, and sustainability-focused vendors to share ideas and explore strategies for a more sustainable future. You can expect:
- Student-led presentations and global collaboration opportunities
- Educator-led sessions with best practices in sustainability education
- Interactive workshops and green job presentations
- Exhibits from local agencies and sustainability vendors
- Networking to support partnerships, leadership, and innovation
Registration normally costs $300, but SLI members may attend at no cost by emailing Victoria Setaro at [email protected]. Interested in presenting? Submit your proposal by February 14, 2026 https://cfp.sched.com/speaker/Ug0YeXBx0d/event.
We hope to see you at the NYLA Conference this November—and encourage you to take advantage of these exciting opportunities. Whether in Saratoga Springs this fall, or virtually at the Sustainable Futures Summit in March, the Sustainable Libraries Initiative is here to support your library as a leader in sustainability and community resilience.