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Welcome to the NYLA Voice June 2024 issue! 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!
Last month, I wrote about the uncertainty we face currently. This has not changed. We face volatile situations at the federal level regarding a variety of federal funds to states. Recently, I was talking to a colleague who has been repeatedly asked by friends if their job is in jeopardy. This kind of uncertainty can take a toll on one’s mental health. If you add to this, the other stressors we face in our day-to-day jobs, including book challenges, it is understandable if librarians and library staff feel under siege.
Mental health professionals emphasize the role of community in improving people’s mental health. We are a social species who need contact. We need community. NYLA can be your community. There are many opportunities with NYLA to meet new professionals across the state and there are different sections and roundtables that can address your specific professional needs and interests. It also provides an opportunity to learn about specialties other than our own.
Membership is easy and open to all members of the library community. Your membership gives you professional development and networking opportunities. NYLA is also the primary organization advocating for libraries throughout the state. By being a member, you support these advocacy efforts. Individual memberships are based on salary, or your institution can join and include you as part of the membership.
I encourage everyone to be a member of NYLA and join the community of library professionals across New York. If you are already a member, become active in a section or roundtable and build our professional community.
Spring has sprung at NYLA!
From assisting at the successful YSS section spring conference to planning our Spring on the Hill Advocacy event in May, the office continues to run all of the daily operations of the organization.
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!
Our first membership renewal in our new membership database launched on April 15th! All current members have been sent an email containing renewal instruction and the link to our renewal form. For organizational members, this would be the Key Contact listed on the membership. All members will have until the May 31st expiration date to renew.
The office has compiled a list of FAQs on our website to assist our membership with the renewal process. While we have compiled this list from questions already received, anyone with questions about renewal or membership can reach out to Lauren Hoyt at [email protected]. Please note during the renewal period, communications may be delayed due to an influx in requests received by the staff. We kindly ask for patience as we navigate all requests.
Just 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.
REMINDER - Members who have outstanding invoices for 2024-2025, will not be eligible to renew for 2025-2026 until they pay their 2024-2025 invoice. Please contact the NYLA office with any questions.
Anyone looking to join for the 2025–2026 membership year, can use the Join Form on the website! All fees can be reviewed on the website.
Personal members can use the form to enter their profile and payment information. Organizational members will need to have one Key Contact listed on their membership that serves as the membership holder and enters all required information in the join form for their membership. This should not be completed by any members that are included in the organizational membership.
The Join Formwill be creating your membership for 2025-2026. New members who join during the open renewal period will “roll” into the new membership year.
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.
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 Guide 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.
Check out reminders 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!
SPRING ON THE HILL
Join us this May 20th in Albany for a full day of educational programming focused on advocacy, which is vital in every season!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SPRING ON THE HILL!
The schedule includes a wide array of presentations and something for everyone – even our most experienced advocates. Lunch will be served, and there will be plenty of opportunities for professional networking during this one-day mini-conference. Don’t miss the chance to develop your advocacy skills and help to strengthen the library profession’s grassroots efforts.
Our event will be at the Capital Center located in Albany, NY. Hotel accommodation can be made at Renaissance Albany Hotel for $239 USD per night. Interested participants can book today using this link.
NYLA CONFERENCE
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 for the 2025 Conference was a success! Thank you to all who submitted. The CE Committee is currently reviewing this information and will be meeting April 21st to select our slate of programming. Approved program presenters will be notified of their presentation was selected in the beginning of May.
NYLA AWARDS
Submit for your conference stipends and education scholarship today!
The Lake Placid First Time Conference Stipend and Empire State Academic Scholarship applications are now open! Eligibility information and applications can be reviewed on the webpages noted above.
Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2025.
Thank you to those who attended the 2025 YSS Conference, All on the Same Page in Mount Kisco, NY. The NYLA office kindly requests all open registration invoices for this event be paid as soon as possible. Registrants will continue to receive email reminders until payment is processed by the office regardless of who is paying for the invoice. We appreciate registrants reaching out to their billing departments to confirm all required payment information has been received and payment is on its way to the office.
Get your Continuing Education for the Event! CE information can be found on the YSS Conference website. Attendees have until, Friday, April 25th to submit all program evaluation forms and the CE Request Form.
The 2025 SSL Conference, Sharing Your Story will be held on May 1 – 3, 2025 in Rochester, NY. Registrants can find Information about the event the SSL Conference website.
Just a reminder for all membership, finance and general association inquiries to [email protected] and all event and continuing education inquiries to [email protected].
As always, we appreciate your continued membership with NYLA and stay tuned for more operational updates in the June edition of The NYLA Voice!
Happy April, NYLA members! We are now three months into New York’s 2025 legislative session with two months to go. In the two months since the last edition of Keepin’ Up at the Capitol, significant events at the state and federal level have altered the landscape for library advocacy. As such, I’d like to bring you up to speed on what events have transpired and how you can support library priorities!
First, as of April 9, 2025, the march of negotiations on New York’s FY 2026 budget continues forward despite our constitution’s April 1st deadline for passage. Leaders in Albany are currently deadlocked over policy proposed for inclusion in the legislation, including matters related to discovery reform, involuntary commitment, cell phones in schools, a proposed mask ban, and whether the Governor and Lieutenant Governor should continue to run in separate primaries in future elections. Inability to find common ground on the most contentious of these issues has required three short-term funding extensions to date, with a fourth slated for passage today.
So, where do libraries stand in the FY 2026 Budget?
On March 10th, the Senate and Assembly issued their One-House budget proposals, their responses to the spending outlined Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget. The levels of funding for core library programs proposed in each are greater than those included in the Executive Budget, and NYLA thanks the members of the Legislature for their recognition of library needs. The proposed levels of spending outlined in the One-Houses are included below:
Senate:
Library Operating Aid: $109.6 million
- +$5.748 million from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$5 million from Executive Budget
Library Construction Aid: $54 million
- +$10 million from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$20 million from Executive Budget
Library Materials Aid: $11.33/pupil
- +$5.08/pupil from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$5.08/pupil from Executive Budget (No Change Proposed)
NOVELny: $3.25 million
- +$250,000 from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$250,000 from Executive Budget
Assembly
Library Operating Aid: $107.1 million
- +$3.248 million from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$2.5 million from Executive Budget
Library Construction Aid: $68 million
- +$24 million from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +$34 million from Executive Budget
Library Materials Aid: $11.50/pupil
- +$5.25/pupil from FY 2025 Enacted Budget
- +5.25/pupil from Executive Budget (No Change Proposed)
NOVELny: $3 million
- Stable funding at FY 2025 Level
Unfortunately, as budget negotiations continue in Albany, events in Washington, DC have complicated our battle for state library funding.
As our community knows, on March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order 14238 advancing the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and six other governmental entities. In doing so, the President moved to effectively dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to funding and serving libraries across the United States and its territories.
Since that time, the gutting of IMLS and its work has been swift. On March 31st the staff of IMLS were placed on administrative leave and on April 2nd, several states and grant recipients across the country, including those in California, Connecticut, and Washington, received notice that their current IMLS grants were cancelled.
As New York braces for potentially similar cuts to its federal funding, we must simultaneously push our state’s members of Congress to defend IMLS and advocate to our state elected officials for maximally increased funding in the FY 2026 budget before it is finalized.
New York received $8.1 million through the IMLS Grants to States program, funding dozens of positions at the New York State library and ensuring that our overall library infrastructure can function. As such, our legislators must both increase funding for existing library programs and take action to ensure our state library is able to operate effectively should federal support be fully, formally withdrawn. NYLA asks Governor Hochul and the members of the New York State legislature to build on the funding included in the Senate and Assembly One-House budget bills and advance the following funding priorities:
- $176.8M in Library Operating Aid
- $175M in Library Construction Aid
- At least $11.33/pupil in Library Materials Aid
- At least $3.1M for NOVELny
- $5 Increase in the Cultural Education Fee (one-time fee on recording deeds and mortgages, $15 à $20).
I know that this is a time of fear and uncertainty for libraries, library professionals, and library users in New York and across the country. Now is the time to stand together with all members of our community and speak with one voice in defense of libraries. Whether in building resilient local networks of support, working for adequate funding in New York State, or pushing against executive action gutting IMLS, we must work together to safeguard what we know are vital institutions that democratize education, art, and culture for all people.
One easy way to contribute your voice is to send messages to your elected officials through NYLA’s current state and federal take action campaigns, linked here and here.
Thank you for your action thus far, and please continue to speak up and speak out for libraries.
As always, updates on state budget and legislative priorities can be found on NYLA’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives page, and please do not hesitate to reach me at [email protected] with any thoughts or questions.
Congratulations, Taina Evans!
Taina has been elected ALA’s Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Secretary.
Taina currently serves as the president of the New York Black Librarian Caucus, a New York Library Association roundtable, and as a lead liaison for the affiliate division for BCALA.
RUSA made the official announcement of the election results here.
See you in June!
Happy Spring, everyone!
In this month's column, I'd like to share my experiences with creating Escape Rooms. One of the skills I acquired at GENCON, the largest board gaming convention in the U.S., was learning how to design my own Escape Room. This was taught by a librarian from upstate New York, Brian Meyer. Until last fall, I had never attended an in-person Escape Room, but after learning the process behind them, I was able to create my own.
For those who may not be familiar, an Escape Room consists of a series of puzzles—some physical and others on paper—that lead to clues, which ultimately open a combination lock or reveal a hidden message. When I organize Escape Rooms for the library, I typically set up two boxes that participants must unlock.
Escape Rooms are fantastic for team-building activities, as they encourage participants to collaborate and solve puzzles within a limited timeframe. However, creating one is a time-consuming process. The key challenge is to design puzzles that are sufficiently complex to prevent easy solutions, but also solvable within the allotted time.
My biggest takeaway from hosting over 15 different Escape Rooms is the importance of testing your puzzles before presenting them to the public. I’ve often found that a puzzle that makes perfect sense to me can confuse others who are trying to solve it. The feedback I’ve received from colleagues before running the program has been invaluable.
The first step in creating an Escape Room is selecting a theme. My very first Escape Room, done in collaboration with two colleagues, was based on the TV show Stranger Things. While we had some good ideas, many were too ambitious, and when we ran it for the teens, most of them were left feeling confused. Since then, I’ve developed a variety of other themes, including underwater (in conjunction with the Summer Reading Club), a murder mystery, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Star Wars, holidays, and a haunted library.
I strive to make the puzzles align loosely with the theme and often incorporate small props as part of the puzzles. I’ve also created puzzles that are entirely paper-based. For each Escape Room, I typically give participants between 30 and 45 minutes to solve the puzzles, and I try to run multiple sessions so that as many patrons and staff members as possible can join in.
Next month, I’ll be sharing some of the tools and technologies I’ve used to create Escape Rooms, as well as how I’ve integrated new tech into them.
There is a rat outside my building. Not a New York City pizza rat (I should be so lucky), but the kind with big red eyes that is about 10 feet tall and filled with air. Yes, that rat. The kind that doesn’t care that we are following the law and paying prevailing wage. Welcome, friends, to my library’s construction project.
If you want to test the limits of your patience and endurance, I recommend you embark on a major construction project. I mean really big, like building a new building or, in our case, renovating an entire building. We’ve been under construction for about one week and I have already found this to be the best way to alienate everyone around me, including my family, my dogs, and random people at the supermarket. No matter what choice I make, someone is unhappy. This is always true when you are the director, but construction seems to magnify this.
I have been involved with several construction projects as a director, from new windows to a new roof. This is the largest project yet and accordingly has induced the largest amount of crankiness. I can’t blame people for this. Right now, someone is using a jackhammer over my head and the construction manager, who is sitting next to my office, keeps yelling at Siri to call people and uses more colorful language than I do at a baseball game.
There really is no best way to manage this kind of construction. If someone tries to convince you that there is, they haven’t been through a big project, they are lying, or they have blocked out the memory. Each approach will inconvenience the public, the staff, the contractors, or possibly – probably? – everyone. When I was a baby librarian, the library where I worked underwent major construction. The building was closed for that one. We provided service out of trailers and had the barest semblance of shared office space on the other side of town. One day, I made the mistake of nuking fish in our office microwave – and I mean IN the office. I know, I know, but I’m not making this up – you can ask people there and I’m sure they still remember it. I am now a big fan of cold salmon. I did not think that the situation had much of an effect on me until we moved back into the library and I felt as though I had been released from prison.
This time, remembering how awful it was for both the staff and public to be ripped from our usual surroundings, to say nothing of the cost of finding an alternative space, I recommended that we stay open at our home base. This presents its own particular challenges. In addition to the aforementioned jackhammering, we will be playing musical desks for the next two years and juggling services around to accommodate the work.
The result is going to be worth the stress, or so I must tell myself to keep my sanity. At my core, I am an optimist. Some people think I am overly optimistic, and I probably am considering the situation. I look at the renderings and breathe deeply as three people approach me with their three incompatible requests. I see the gutted spaces and marvel that we have come this far. It rains, and I consider giving the rat an umbrella.
Some progressive programming updates:
School Program Kits
If you’ve read my past articles, you’ll know that our middle, and high school kits are still going strong. Beginning in April, we’ve added Woodhull Intermediate School with its own unique program kit format. So now we can service our tween and teen demographic in this new way, from grades 4 all the way through 12. We have that many more opportunities to offer services to our patrons, and meet them where they are – all the while strengthening our partnerships and communication with our so very integral, and important school libraries.
Magic the Gathering is alive and well!
We also hosted our (first in a long time) Magic Tuesdays program – with supplies provided by Magikids, to a large, enthusiastic group. While many attendees were somewhat familiar with MTG from our D&D Lite group, some had never played a hand before. We’ll be meeting once a month, using the cards supplied by Magikids.
- If our gaming group gets much larger, we may provide more sessions for play.
- Additionally, we’re still exploring zone gamer groups and partnerships with local gaming shops.
Family/Teen Puzzle Contest
Believe the hype – there is a devoted, and competitive fanbase for puzzles! We held our first Youth and Parent Services Puzzle Competition last Saturday and had seven teams with twenty-three individuals total. We offered two age categories, one for families with children, and the other for teenagers. The program was a total success – very fun, and also, very serious!
Some key takeaways:
- Tweens and Teens in attendance paired with their parent(s), caregiver, or families. So even though we will offer the Teen category as a separate option again, it was heartwarming to see them playing with their families.
- Some of the parents had previously played in our library’s Adult Services puzzle competition, and were thrilled we now offered something where their whole family could play together.
- The atmosphere was friendly and fun – but the competition was legit! About halfway through I asked if anyone would like to be distracted with some “puzzle trivia” and the entire room answered “NO!” in unison. Point taken.
- Hungry for more – next session lands in July, and now I’m suddenly just as excited as our patrons are.
Teen Wellness Partnership
We’re currently developing a partnership, and new Teen Wellness program with a local mental health counseling group. Centering on teen wellness and mental health, the barebones of the project will look something like this: The program will last one hour, for teen patrons grades 6-12. Their parents are invited, and encouraged to attend. One of our partner’s counselors will come in and discuss a theme on wellness, whether this is a presentation, a Q&A, or a little back and forth exercise. Then, for the second half of the program, the library will pair that theme with a hobby-friendly craft (a hobby-craft) or DIY project. For now, we’re going to start with seasons. One program each season, with a complimentary wellness theme and hobby-craft. We would alternate sessions between our main and station branches.
If this venture is successful, we might make it more frequent; Ideally, every other month.
More on this to come . . .Anyway, that’s enough serious fun stuff for now - check back in the future for more!
Have you ever wanted to take a beginner’s yoga class, refine your still-life drawing skills, or learn a new language? These are just a few of the enriching classes you might find at your local public library. Libraries aren’t just about books; they’re hubs of lifelong learning, offering a variety of free educational programs to the community. One of the people bringing these creative opportunities to life is Kristen Duer, founder of Traveling Art Programs. Kristen offers a wide range of art classes at libraries, including paint nights, flower arranging, cartooning, and more. Whether you’re a child, adult, or someone with special needs, Kristen provides a fun and inclusive space for everyone to explore their artistic side. While Kristen runs her own company, she isn’t doing it all alone—her mom, Judy, lends her expertise to teach *Knitting 101!* Running a mobile arts and crafts company involves more than just teaching. Kristen handles a variety of tasks, from scheduling and bookkeeping to ordering supplies and keeping up with the latest trends, like the current capybara craze among teens. She travels across the island to bring her programs to libraries far and wide, saying, “Depending on the week, I could be in Mineola, Amagansett, or Southold.” On average, Kristen runs 8 to 12 programs per week, but during school breaks, that number can skyrocket to as many as three or four programs a day. To pass the time during her long drives, she enjoys listening to audiobooks. As a self-proclaimed “art kid,” Kristen is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation of budding artists. “It’s important for kids and teens to have a way to express themselves and have fun,” she says. “Maybe a kid comes to one of my classes, discovers a love for art, and decides to explore it further.” Kristen has seen firsthand how libraries foster connections within communities. She’s watched friendships bloom in her classes and has even made some of her own through library programs. Kristen’s love for libraries runs deep. Her first library experience was in Howard Beach, Queens, where her mom took her to get her very first library card—a card she still holds onto today. Describing her family as a “major library family,” Kristen fondly recalls spending time at the library, attending programs, checking out books, and connecting with new people. A self-professed fan of book displays, Kristen loves discovering new reads through themed displays like “Summer Reads” or “Door Stoppers.” These displays have encouraged her to step outside her reading comfort zone. Her current read? *Do You Dream of Terra-Two?* by Temi Oh, a teens-in-space drama. When asked if she’d prefer dinner with her favorite author or a character, Kristen cleverly chose both—her answer being Joan Anderson, author of A Walk on the Beach: Tales of Wisdom from an Unconventional Woman. To follow Kristen’s creative journey and learn more about Traveling Art Programs, check out her Instagram @travelingartprograms. You can also visit her new art studio, The Art Lounge, in Bayport, NY (@theartlounge_li).
As news about the gutting Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) spreads and alarms library workers and citizens alike, one of the most essential government-funded services was attacked in the Supreme Court. The Schools and Libraries Program, known as E-rate, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission had two separate cases moved from the fifth circuit court combined into one: Consumers’ Research v. Federal Communications Commission. E-rate provides discounted internet services to libraries, schools and other institutions such as hospitals who would not be able to afford it on their own. E-rate is widely praised as an effective tool against the digital divide in the United States.
The digital divide is the gap between people who are able to use technology and those less able. This gap is most visible in poor or rural communities, or with people experiencing homelessness. This lack of access leads to difficulty seeing doctors, communication difficulties bother personal and professional and much more. In response to this, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, with the charge to provide competitive and reasonable technology access to the United States’ market. Notably, it was the first major legal change to communication architecture since 1934, which decreed the similar cooperation for radio.
Last week, a lawyer representing Consumers’ Research, attacked the structure that the FCC uses to set prices for providers participating in E-rate. In a bizarre line of question, Justice Gorsuch compared mobile hotspots to the Musk-owned satellite provider Starlink. The dreadful irony of comparing a public service that provides essential technology to deserving communities including hospitals, to the company that may benefit from this administration's cronyism was not commented on. As the attack on federally managed public resources continues, information workers should keep an eye on the courts not only for a ghastly undermining of democracy but also for the many victories that will come.
See you in June!
Happy Spring! Let’s talk weeding! No, not the outdoor kind, the kind where you have to get rid of books. I know, I know, it is not a fun task but is necessary. It is especially hard when it is a book you love with all your heart. Of course, there are times where it is easier to get rid of book. For example, there are pages falling out of it, a giant dead spider is squished in it, moldy cheese that was used as a bookmark, etc.
But what do you do when a book just doesn’t go out? Sometimes I will put it on display and that helps. Or I recommend it if I think a particular person might enjoy the book. Often times, that works but sadly not always. When the book just won’t go out, I know it is time to weed.
We are lucky to have a pop-up library, and our outreach librarian loves to take my weeded books. Well unless they have giant dead spiders or moldy cheese in them, then she says, “No thank you.”
When I weed, I try to think of it as giving the book new life somewhere else. It’s not going out at my library but maybe it will go out at our pop-up library. Other ideas for weeded books include- sending them to Better World Books, putting them in a book sale, donating to schools, etc. There is so much you can do with discarded books, and once you get rid of them, you can make room for brand new books!
Now I am curious, what is the strangest thing you have found in a library book?
https://take.supersurvey.com/QJ0ZPAU62
With the growing focus on Web accessibility in higher education, I have been experiencing firsthand how this impacts libraries as well as others in academia. eBooks and other online resources have been touted for so long as ‘better’ than print resources, with their multimedia and ease of updating or integrating other resources. And, yes, this has been an amazing growth in supporting different learning styles. Yet, their accessibility has always been a question to consider. Whether socioeconomic differences (does one have a safe place to store a device to use the materials; does one have internet access at the time of need; does one have access to electricity to power the device), or usability in other ways (audio / visual / textual / manipulative) impact the use of these materials has not always been at the forefront. The awareness has been growing recently, but retrofitting existing materials is not always easy. I know in my work to create materials on how to use the library, I’ve been having to recreate the same information in three or even four formats to ensure I meet differing learning styles – a video with captions; a transcript of the video; a handout; a slideshow – and this takes time. When these need to be updated, I need to be sure I update them all correctly, it’s no longer just a question of updating one file but several. As a former instructor, I can just imagine having to redo my course materials – so much more work than my one-shot materials. Faculty revise their courses regularly, and the library is often a support for the faculty. Add in the need to address the universal design requirements, and faculty may become less willing to update their courses as more effort is needed than before. Not only does content need to be created or edited, but it also needs to be formatted and checked to meet accessibility standards. Library resources are not immune. I wonder how these changes will impact what resources are available to our patrons. Will older materials disappear until a way is found to retroactively adapt older materials? Will these materials disappear rather than the effort being put forth to do so? Who will be charged with this retroactive work? How will it impact the fees? The usability will be greater, which is a positive, but at what cost to the amount available? This balancing act is not something I envy anyone, and yet it is something we all will be facing. If it becomes too much, will we not offer the service or resource, or will we find a way to make it work? Personally, I’ve wanted to give up and not create resources; and then I think about it and create and take the time to make it accessible, but the extra time causes me to question whether I want to continue working on the resource. In some ways I yearn for the old days when materials were available physically, and people helped each other to use what was available. But then I consider how hard it was for me personally to ask for help in using what I was not able to myself; or when captions became the norm for example and how that made my life so much easier. Is technology always a good thing? I really don’t know.
On January 21, I attended "DiCamillo Bakery: A Family Business" at the LaSalle Branch of the Niagara Falls Public Library. Part of the library’s 2025 Speaker Series, Head Baker Tom DiCamillo spoke about the history of the bakery and the art of breadmaking.
Founded in Niagara Falls in 1920, DiCamillo Bakery has been a family owned and operated business for more than 100 years. A venture that started with basement ovens and delivery via horse drawn carriage, now boasts four brick-and-mortar storefronts and offers nationwide shipping. Their bread, biscotti, and cookies are staples on holiday tables and their broccoli pizza has been rumored to fuel basketball and lacrosse referees across Western New York.
I was charmed by the stories behind the bakery as it grew through generations, and I was struck by the similarities between such businesses and libraries. “Mom and pop shops” are neighborhood centerpieces, and it is always a heartbreaking loss when one is pushed out by a large chain or franchise. Likewise, libraries are integral to the villages, towns, and cities they serve and threats to funding not only strip away much-needed information and resources but the sense of identity, connection, and belonging that make communities grow and thrive. Both locally owned businesses and local libraries need our continual and most-ardent support.
To say current events surrounding libraries is distressing would be a gross understatement. With so many uncertainties, it is easy to be discouraged about the future of our field and the institutions to which we have dedicated our careers. The fear and helplessness can be overwhelming, and it can become difficult to chart a path forward, both personally and professionally.
To keep from descending into hopelessness, I have been trying to focus on all the wonderful things I see happening in libraries every day, especially in the small and rural libraries that do so much for their communities that may be geographically isolated, do not have public transportation systems, and lack reliable broadband. This is not to say that we should ignore the imminent threat to our libraries. We must continue to be vigilant; to educate ourselves and our community members; and to advocate. But we must also continue to meet the daily needs of patrons. And we must also analyze how those needs might be shifting due to changes in policies, economics, and education on the state and federal levels.
An inspiring example of quickly adapting to a community need comes from Edith B. Ford Memorial Library in Ovid. Early this year, a devastating fire destroyed a strip of Main Street businesses, including the only grocery store, Big M Market. To help ensure that people are able to get the food and sundries they need, the library is offering one-on-one food ordering assistance. This new service is available at the library or in-home for patrons who are unable to visit the library. For groceries that cannot be ordered for delivery, two local drivers will pick-up and drop-off the items. While the loss to the residents of Ovid, Varick, and Romulus was tremendous, the library was able to draw upon its staff and technology to provide aid, care, and solidarity.
Similarly, libraries can address recent changes to education and federal programs to support community members. Libraries can increase computer assistance to older adults to navigate modifications to social security. To combat book challenges in school libraries, public libraries can maintain a diverse collection, ensuring their materials are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors* to all patrons. They can provide bilingual resources for immigrants and non-citizen community members seeking legal information, advice, and representation. They can host food pantries and stock personal care items for residents experiencing food insecurity or other hardship.
But above all, as libraries, we can just continue to be there, as a safe space, where anyone can walk through the doors, free of charge, is warmly greeted and welcome to stay as long as they need.
*Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors is an article written by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. It originally appeared in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books in the Classroom (Vol. 6, no. 3, Summer 1990).
Hello dear readers,
On par with my last article on environmental scanning of public library makerspaces, I bring us to another type of less discussed, and equally important assessment, that of safety “environmental scans” of a makerspace’s physical design and practices (aka its Environment Health & Safety or EHS).
Since library makerspaces are an innovative library endeavor, it is significant to contemplate how public libraries include safety into their makerspace physical layout. When a library makerspace is being imagined or created, understanding the impact of safety guidelines can be challenging if not downright overwhelming.
The process of actively looking at a physical space and its overall safety practices is known more formally as aHazard Analysis and Risk Assessment, and it is commonly performed by an institution and their Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team, such as a fire marshal, or whomever is formally designated as part of that consulting force. When receiving feedback from one’s designated EHS team, it may seem daunting to figure out what items to buy, what tools to purchase, what services should stay or go, and what should be done with feedback. And yet, in the earliest stages of research on safety practices within makerspaces, it was found that a library makerspace cart or delineated space within a public library is often missing this important practice.
A well-recognized and maker organization that has assessment criteria for makerspaces is CSHEMA (Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association), the pre-eminent organization serving EHS professionals in higher education. They have resources and information on makerspaces, including safety guidelines and best practices. Most likely this collaboration and reference is needed in the initial planning stages of a makerspace design.
Another critical recommendation is that, while every public library makerspace is vastly different, a recommended role within them is “safety coordinator,” or a designated staff member whose role includes maintaining safety signage, training other staff on safety procedures, and establishing annual trainings on safety action plans on behalf of the makerspace specifically. This delineated role, however, should be financially compensated, in that it does not become just another “job” a makerspace worker must suddenly include within their already hectic roles within public libraries.
Once a public library makerspace has a safety planning and assessment system in place, annual self-inspections on each piece of equipment and its respective processes should be established, along with necessary corrective measures.
With these recommendations in mind, here are some easily accessible online resources on makerspace safety planning; tools that have already been created!
Makerspace Directory has an extensive itemized pdf on everyday makerspace tools and materials that may offer a way to better understand what tools are in your respective makerspace that must be understood via its safety procedural planning.
Another excellent resource is Texas Tech University’s Innovation Hub - whose website also includes an amazing framework, including a number of safety items. The basic breakdown of their plan includes: a Safety Plan that includes what to do in an emergency, a Safety Guide that has first aid steps, PPE, equipment and operation guidelines for each tool, and most importantly, a Safety Training Form that patrons must sign on behalf of using the space. The language within the form includes a confirmation on being trained on behalf of the tools/equipment within the space.
Until next time!
FLS creates a network to connect and inspire Friends groups in all types of libraries to support
the New York library community.
Last Call for Nominations:
FLS/NYLA Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award
Would you like an opportunity to honor an active library supporter, a community volunteer, or a Friends of the Library organization? FLS offers the FLS Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award to honor the efforts of a volunteer member or group within the library community who have contributed to the growth of libraries or Friends of the Library organizations. 2025 is the 30th anniversary of this prestigious award.
With this award, FLS annually acknowledges not simply good work on behalf of libraries but recognizes the people who go above and beyond what is asked of them. These library civic leaders see a need, focus on a challenge, share goals, and commit to exceptional community service. Recent recipients have included the Friends of the Fairport Public Library and Kris Macdonald, Friends of the Beekman Public Library, in 2021; Jane Harkinson, Friends of the Cornwall Public Library in 2022; Marjorie L. Gascon, Friends of the Webster Public Library in 2023; and in 2024, Paulette Quinn, Friends of the Marcellus Free Library.
The recipient receives a plaque and the Friends of the Library group with which the individual or group is associated will be given a one-year organizational membership in FLS/NYLA. FLS will work with the nominator to hold a reception for the award recipient at their local library. The award recipient will also be announced at the FLS Annual Membership Meeting in November 2025.
To nominate a group or individual, use the nomination packet for the FLS Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award posted on www.nyla.org/friends under “Our Awards and Scholarships.” Nominations must be submitted electronically and received by 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at [email protected]. Questions concerning the award process can also be submitted to Lisa C. Wemett, FLS Coordinator for the Casey Award, at this email address.
Apply Now for the FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship
Are you a member of a Friends of the Library group? Do you serve as the Staff Liaison to your library's Friends group? Do you have a stellar Friends group at your library? Could you or one of the Friends volunteers benefit from a professional development opportunity at the NYLA Annual Conference?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please consider applying for the FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship (RECS) to attend the 2025 NYLA Annual Conference. The award pays up to a maximum of $1,000 for an individual to attend the conference. Reimbursements may include registration, tickets for events and meal functions, lodging, and travel expenses.
"Some people are drawn to bars, some to church groups, I was drawn to the library!" This quote is by Randy Enos, who spent a very successful professional career supporting libraries and library Friends groups. The FLS Executive Board has honored him by naming him President Emeritus and paid tribute to his commitment to professional development for volunteers and staff by establishing the FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship in 2018. The scholarship is underwritten through an endowment funded by designated contributions to FLS.
Whether a community volunteer or a library staff member, applicants must be a member of FLS/NYLA and involved in a local Friends group at any type of library in New York State. Applications must be received by June 1. Learn more and find the application packet on the FLS RECS page.
The application form and supporting documentation should be submitted to [email protected]. Use the same address for any questions. The Scholarship Committee will review all eligible applications and notify applicants of the results in the summer.
Thank you for your interest and support. It's not too soon to think about applying!
Save the Date: Meet-up for Friends of Libraries Groups in Rochester
FLS is offering its annual meet-up, this time in Monroe County on Thursday, June 12. Representatives of Friends groups are invited to talk shop with the FLS Executive Board when they meet in-person at the Henrietta Public Library.
The meet-up will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. It will offer a chance for representatives of local Friends of Libraries to come together to discuss topics of interest, such as fundraising ideas, best practices for book sales, advocacy, membership initiatives, energizing volunteers, and programs and services that the Friends offer to their community.
Over the past ten years, FLS meet-ups have been held at various locations around New York. They offer a great opportunity for Friends of the Library groups to meet with other library civic leaders, to exchange ideas, and make new contacts, all within a short distance from your home! There is no charge to attend. Advanced registration is required; no walk-ins, please. Send a message to [email protected] indicating your intention to attend. Put Henrietta in the subject line. In the body of the message, please give the names, their library affiliation, positions (e.g., Friends officer, Staff Liaison to the Friends, library trustee, Friends committee chair, book sale coordinator), and email addresses for all who plan to participate. You’ll receive a detailed confirmation email prior to the event. We look forward to seeing you and sharing great ideas and conversation!
See the newsletter entry below for additional information.
Friends News and Notes, March 2025
The March 2025 issue of Friends News and Notes is available on the FLS Newsletter page.
Inside this issue:
Join FLS IRL for a Friends Meet-Up in Rochester!, page 1, 7
FLS in 2025 Events and Dates, page 1
Message from the FLS President, page 2
Apply Now FLS Enos Conference Scholarship, page 2, 3
30 Years of Recognizing Outstanding Advocacy, page 3
Everyone Has Remainders!, page 4
NFOLW October 19-25, 2025, page 4
From the FLS Inbox: Funding Requests to the Friends, page 5, 6
What to Read Now: Donor Appreciation, page 6
Help Your Library Have a "Greener" Summer, page 6
Correction: FLS 2024 Annual Report to the Membership, page 6
FLS Board / Auxiliary Volunteers / Info, page 7
FLS Enos Conference Scholarship donate box, page 7 (This will be a recurring box)
Additional Resources:
Cornwall Public Library - Good Idea Fund, page 8
FLS Election and Petition Candidates Process
FLS holds its election for the Executive Board exclusively online through NYLA’s Online Membership Center. FLS members will need their log in and password. In May, notification of the election will be sent via an email blast to all FLS/NYLA members eligible to vote, detailing the log in process for casting ballots. Voting is open from June 1 through June 15.
The FLS Nominating Committee prepares a slate of candidates from among FLS members for the position of President (annually), for the position of Secretary (every two years), and for Members At Large of the Executive Board (annually). The committee is interested in hearing from any member who wants to serve.
Individuals who are not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. Article VII, Nominations and Elections, Section C of the FLS By-Laws states that additional nominations of Section members may be added to the slate of candidates by petition signed by ten members, prior to the scheduled issuing of the ballot by NYLA.
FLS members wishing to appear on the 2025 ballot as a petition candidate for the office of FLS President, Secretary, or Member At Large should request a current position job description and a candidate profile sheet from Erica Freudenberger, Chair of the 2025 FLS Nominating Committee, at [email protected]. Both the completed petition and candidate profile sheet must be submitted to Freudenberger by email no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Thank you for your interest.
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]
Calling All New York School Librarians: Lead the Way in Sustainability!
After five years of beta testing, the Sustainable Library Certification Program for School Librarians is officially here—giving New York’s school librarians (and those nationwide!) a specialized pathway to lead sustainability efforts in their schools and communities.
The program’s first official cohort launched in December, featuring a dynamic group of participants from the NYC Public School system, representing all five boroughs, along with three additional school librarians from outside New York State.
A Program Designed for Impact
Built on the triple bottom line of sustainability—environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility, this program seamlessly integrates sustainable practices into school libraries through a structured, hands-on approach.
What’s in Store for Participants?
- 12 months to certification – Work at your own pace!
- Mentor-guided support – Learn from certified experts.
- Real-world impact – Position your library as a sustainability leader!
“We’re thrilled to see the Sustainable Libraries Initiative benchmarks align with established standards for school library programs. This ensures best practices are recognized and celebrated across the profession.”
— Vincent Hyland, Program Co-Creator & Mentor to NYC School Librarians
— Ann-Marie Kalin, Certified School Librarian & Mentor