Program Descriptions and Our Presenters
Increasing the Relevance of Your Library through Branding
What are you communicating about your library? Do you position your library as a vital partner in your patrons' success, which in turn makes you relevant and necessary to your users? Learn why and how to focus your library “brand” to your patrons.

Presented by James Keller, who is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Queens Library System in New York City. He oversees all branding, marketing and communications for the 62 libraries in Queen’s County.

RE evaluating Director Evaluation 
As the library's governing body (and the entity with ultimate accountability for the institution), the board of trustees has the responsibility to review and evaluate the library director's performance regularly. Good communication and cooperation between the board and library director and an appreciation of the interdependency of each other's roles are prerequisites to a well-managed library. Learn the basics and some proven approaches in how best to evaluate your director.
Presented by Josh Cohen, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System and 2008-2009 President of New York Library Association.

Public and School Library Cooperation and Collaboration - How and Why Should Trustees Care?
School libraries are vital to growing long-term library users. Library trustees should be aware of the benefits provided for our youth by their school libraries and establish ways to compliment these benefits at their public libraries. There are many creative ways that the two organizations can work together to provide tremendous library experiences for our youth.

Presented by Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Teen Librarian at Fairport Public Library.  She also serves on the Library Board of Trustees for her hometown Library in Irondequoit, NY and is the Founder and Director of TBF Live: The Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival.

Library Budget Development: How to Prepare an Annual Budget—What to Consider, What to Include?
Every public library, regardless of size, must prepare and adopt a written annual budget. The best budgets are developed in relationship to the library's long range and strategic planning process. Public library boards are legally responsible for the library's finances and financial management. As custodians of public funds, trustees must be accountable in their management of the library's money. Learn the “ins and outs” of budget preparation for library operations and trustees role in this responsibility.

This session will be presented by Clifford Bueno, Trustee, Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, Clifton Park, NY. He is currently Vice President of the library, and over the past 2 years held the position of Treasurer, where his Finance Committee established the first budgets in the new 55,000 sq ft building. Estimates for the new operational/personnel aspects of the budget were critical to continued voter support. 

Friday Evening Keynote Speaker

Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education for N.Y.S.
The State Library, State Museum, State Archives and the Public Broadcasting Program comprise the Office of Cultural Education (OCE). These institutions are responsible for increasing the knowledge and information resources of State and local government, businesses, and individuals. The Office of Cultural Education provides services directly to individuals and government at the N.Y.S. Library, the State Archives and State Museum. OCE also distributes aid to libraries and library systems, local governments, and public broadcasting stations, and provides instructional television services through the Public Broadcasting Program.

Saturday’s Keynote Speaker

Bernard A. Margolis, newly appointed New York State Librarian
Mr. Margolis served as the President of Boston Public Library (BPL), Boston, Massachusetts, from 1997 to 2008. BPL is the oldest municipal public library in the country, with 27 neighborhood branches. The Library’s collections of over 34 million items include the library of President John Adams, Shakespeare’s first folio, Gutenberg’s Catholicon, and many other unique and rare materials. BPL is a member of the Association of Research Libraries.

Mr. Margolis holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Librarianship, both from the University of Denver.  His library experience includes management and executive positions in libraries and library systems in Colorado and Michigan. Prior to moving to Boston, he served as Director/CEO of the Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs (from 1988 to 1997).

State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said, “We live in an age of information, and libraries play a critical role in providing us with access to that information. They are vital to our economy and our communities. They promote literacy and lifelong learning. And in these trying economic times, they are vital to people seeking information about jobs. I am thrilled that the Regents have appointed a dynamic and innovative person like Mr. Margolis to serve in the critically important position of State Librarian.”

The New York State Library provides information and library services through its Research Library and the Division of Library Development.  Mr. Margolis will have oversight responsibility for a $13.4 million operating budget, 180 employees, over 20 million collection items and nearly $100 million in State and federal aid to libraries. 

One of the largest research libraries in North America, the New York State Research Library is the only state library which is a member of the Association of Research Libraries. The Library’s holdings include a significant manuscript and rare book collection, as well as holdings in a wide variety of formats, including paper, microform, digital and electronic records.  It is also a Federal Depository and Patent Library; has the responsibility for the acquisition, distribution and maintenance of New York State documents; and is a regional library for the blind and visually impaired in New York’s 55 upstate counties.

The Division of Library Development provides leadership and technical assistance to New York’s 73 library systems through a comprehensive program of State aid for public, school, academic and special library services.  Staff experts work with librarians, trustees, school administrators, public officials and local leaders to solve problems and find new ways of making library services and resources available to their community.  Library Development administers more than $100 million in State and federal aid to New York’s libraries and helps them to take full advantage of federal and private funding programs like E-rate telecommunications discounts and Gates Library Foundation grants.

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