April 1999
Space Odyssey
By Parry Teasdale, NYSALB President
Lots of libraries suffer from a chronic lack of space, a situation exacerbated by the arrival of public access Internet computers. (You DO have public access Internet terminals, don't you?!)
But what if the problem libraries faced was what to do with too MUCH space rather than too little? Not possible, you say? Don't be too certain.
Over and over we've been assured the future of the book will be much like its past. It's already become a cliche that you can't curl up in bed (or the tub, or the hammock...) with a computer. That attitude assumes computers look like the laptop I'm using to write this: a box the size of a small dictionary, half of which is a keyboard. But think instead of a slab of plastic the size and weight of slim novel. The front displays bright, crisp text. You flip pages with a button on the spine. If you read yourself to sleep (spouses take note), you don't need a night light. And this e-book can hold the text and pictures for three or more books at once, each easily erased and replaced.
Now imagine your library lends these e-books, with patrons downloading from a collection far larger than your library could afford to purchase in paper. How much shelf space would you need then?
Science fiction? Nope. E-books are already on the market. They're relatively expensive at the moment - around $400 for the machine, not including the contents. But the price will drop as demand grows.
You needn't worry that the traditional paper book will disappear any time soon. More books were published last year than ever before. But how we gain access to the written word is in the midst of a momentous change, with our libraries caught right in the middle. Not convinced? Then how about the public library in Woodstock, which just began offering its patrons a huge database of periodicals; anyone with a Woodstock library card and a computer can access the database from home or office. In other words, Woodstock patrons don't have to visit their library to read these publications (which aren't even physically stored at the library).
Like the book, our public libraries don't face extinction. What we risk is sliding into irrelevance. The way to prevent this is to adapt to the challenge of technology. And one way to adapt is for each board of trustees to make certain its library provides adequate space for all patron activities. We must also make certain our library is fully accessible and inviting to every member of the community. I'm not talking about shelf space; I'm talking about people space.
The state Regents, through their Libraries 2000 funding initiative, and the New York Library Association's more ambitious Books, Bricks & Bytes proposal call for a multi-million dollar state investment in library construction. NYSALB strongly endorses these proposals, and we urge you to contact your state representatives to express your support.
A few years hence, the services we render may look remarkably different from the books and tapes Internet access we offer today. These changes underscore the central importance of public libraries in our information age. We must impress upon lawmakers the continuing need for buildings accessible to every citizen of New York State, buildings that accommodate all types of library functions - even ones so new we can't yet fully define their shape.
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The Library Circuit
When visiting Newburgh, NY, stop in and see the Newburgh Free Library, with its majestic view of the Hudson River. The library's address is 124 Grand Street. Originally incorporated in 1852, the library was housed for 100 years in a stately Victorian structure located in the midst of one of New York State's largest historic districts.
The present 52,800 square foot library facility houses state-of-the-art computer technology including a bank of some 18 CD-ROM and on-line products and 5 Internet terminals for public use. Special collections include the Parent Resource Center, the Orange County Law Library, the HIV/AIDS Information Service and the area's largest business collection. A recent grant enabled Newburgh to launch BRIX (Business Resource and Information Exchange) to assist minority and emerging businesses. Newburgh retains strong ties to the past through its Local History Room, which is often cited for its genealogical collection. The library also functions as a partial state and federal repository.
Newburgh Free Library has holdings of 277,839 and an annual circulation of 256,897. The library serves a population of 58,960.
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On Being Newsworthy
By Edwin M. Field, NYSALB Director, TRUSTEE Editor
A friend, a long time newspaper editor, once explained how he developed a great many of his editorials. He said that for him most subjects worthy of editorial coverage could be placed in a standardized "editorial format." Naturally, he pointed out, there were always exceptions.
Editorial copy starts with an editor selecting a specific subject from news stories or happenings occurring in the paper's area of community or regional coverage. It might also be developed from a variety of other interesting and pertinent resources. A subject of a potential editorial might be your library moving to a new site somewhere in the community after years on the main street of town.
The formula for writing an editorial is not extremely complex. For the purposes of explanation it begins with an issue that the editor believes relevant. Suppose the editorial subject or issue is a new site for your library. Your board is also considering the possibility of expanding on the library's present site.
From the viewpoint of the editorial writer, the issue has two sides.
On one hand , there are people who say about the issue (A new site is a great idea because..). On the other hand, there are also people who say that (Expansion on the present site should be the option because...) The truth (A distillation of both possibilities) is probably somewhere in between.
Why go into a discussion about editorial construction in this space? It's to point out the importance and practical value of always supplying good, solid information to the press. It's also about having a spokesperson available who is capable of answering questions about news stories generated at your library. The same concept holds true for having good background material available for those library news releases and feature articles that your media people send out.
Most editors, reporters and editorial writers function best when provided with information. Consider the quantity of editorials and news stories that each writer has to produce during a normal workweek. Make the job a bit easier by providing dependable, relevant, easy to use back up information and material about your library. In return, you will probably see portions of the directed material start appearing as part of the editorial or news story coverage of your library.
A few techniques to consider. Prepare and provide informative fact sheets about your library. Develop press kits for special library functions. Get involved in cyberspace. Have a library web page designed. Make sure of the accessibility of library spokespeople who will be responsive to media calls and questions and who can provide answers.
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NYSALB Board Report
The following were some of the items discussed at the NYSALB board meeting in Albany, NY on 1/23/99:
- Adopted an operating budget of $52,200 for 1999.
- Reviewed the program and brochure for the Trustee Institute, April 30-May 1, 1999.
- Endorsed NYLA's Legislative Action Plan, Books, Bricks and Bytes.
- Reviewed the programs NYSALB will sponsor at NYLA's Annual Conference; "Serving Non- English Speaking Communities", and "Trustees and Professional Librarians"- an open exchange to help each other build more successful libraries.
- NYSALB's Annual Meeting will be conducted at the Trustee Institute.
- Proposed amendments to the by-laws will be presented at March 13 NYSALB meeting.
- Appointed Judy Rosen, President of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Public Library, to complete the term of office of Dr. Thomas Shen.
- Reviewed and revised a draft Internet Policy Statement.
- NYSALB will consider an alternate site for the year 2000 Trustee Institute.
- Discussed the need to revise and reprint the Trustee Handbook.
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1999 TRUSTEE INSTITUTE
SCHEDULE
by Patty Paine, NYSALB Trustee
Dates: April 30, Friday - May 1, Saturday
Place: Albany, NY,
Best Western, Wolf Road
Program: Friday Evening (dinner)
Success Stories -Trustee Networking
Saturday Workshops
9:00 a.m. * Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees
Malcolm Hill, Director
Mid-Hudson Library System
* Using Focus Groups To Determine
Patron's Needs
Donna Meixner, Meixner Associates
10:30 a.m. * Making The Most Of Your Small Library
Trustee Panel
* Library Space and Facility Planning
Constance Brace, Assoc. Partner
Quinlivan, Pierik & Krause
Lunch The Purpose of The Regents Commission
Program On Library Services
Bill Crumlish & Martin Gomez,
co-vice chairs of the Regents Commission on Library Services
NYSALB Trustee Institutes are designed to provide the education you need to maximize your role as a public library trustee. Contact the NYSALB office for complete Institute details.
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Library of Congress
Book Source
This following information might be useful for trustees working with a particularly tight library budget.
The Library of Congress has available at all times, surplus books which are not needed for its own use. The books are available for donation to tax-exempt educational institutions such as libraries, schools etc. The publications are miscellaneous in character and, although shelved for inspection, are not arranged in any way, nor have they been listed or described. Most of the books have been turned over to the Library of Congress by other federal agencies. The collection, therefore, includes few publications at the primary or secondary school levels. Some books useful to school libraries do, however, appear in this collection from time to time.
Members of the Library staff are not authorized to make selections on behalf of interested parties and the Library of Congress does not pay transportation costs to ship the selected titles. There is constant turnover in the content and size of the collection.
In the opinion of the Library staff, it should be noted that the value of materials available at any one time do not warrant the expenditure of traveling expenses to Washington, D.C. Eligible organizations may, however, designate someone in the Washington area to act on their behalf.
For further details, interested libraries should contact:
Robert M. Overmiller, Acquisitions Specialist, The Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20540-4172.
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Gates Library Foundation
State Partnership Grant Initiative and New York State
The Gates Library Initiative could bring a potential $5 million to New York's public libraries and will help make computer and Internet technology more available to those who have no other means of access. Through State Partnership Grants, the Gates Library Foundation will provide funding to all public libraries and branches serving communities with a poverty level of 10% or more as determined by a formula established by the Gates Library Foundation.
What is the Gates State Partnership Grant Initiative?
The initial step in the application process required the New York State Library to submit a State Partnership Grant Application on behalf of the public libraries and branches in the State. Working with a Public Library Leadership Coalition, the New York State Library submitted its State Partnership Grant Application to the Gates Library Foundation on October 7, 1998. Representing NYSALB on the Public Library Leadership Coalition is President Parry Teasdale.
What Will the Next Steps Be?
Since the State Partnership Grant Application was approved by the Gates Library Foundation in January, eligible public libraries and branches will be invited to submit individual applications for grants. The timetable for submitting grant applications and overall implementation of the grant is still under consideration. Eligible libraries will send applications directly to the Gates Library Foundation. Grants will include hardware, software, telecommunications services for Internet access (but not ongoing connectivity), training, and technical assistance. The emphasis of the grants will be unmediated public access computing.
How Can I Stay Informed?
The closest source of information about the Gates Library Initiative is your local public library system. As new information about the initiative becomes available, it will be posted on NYLINE and the New York State Library Website. The direct link to information about the Gates Library Initiative on the NYSL Website is < http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/gateslib>.
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Money Talks
By Kenneth E. Wilbur, NYSALB Trustee, Legislative Chair
The governor's budget has been released and the funding for libraries is appropriated at $88.5 million. This is the amount received for 1998 which is the full funding of Chapter 917 of the Education Law. This amount is considerably less than the library community's goal of $149.1 million.
The governor's budget was created in a manner that permits only increases or decreases in budget funding adjustments. New programs or appropriations can not be added, but would have to be introduced in a new appropriation bill. This method usually does not meet with much success. Although the Electronic Doorway Library (EDL) bill has been partially funded by this method ($2 million in 1997 and $3 million in 1998), the $11.4 million total has never had the support of the legislature in the separate bill procedure.
This means that the focus of funding has to be on the Assembly and Senate to increase the funding for libraries in this budget. This can be accomplished by the task of increased letter writing, phone calls and visits to your legislator's local office to plead the cause for libraries. The annual organized effort, known as LIBRARY DAY is March 23rd. This is an excellent opportunity to visit your legislator in Albany to voice your library concerns.
What can we lose? Only increased funding for libraries in New York State. In the promotion of education and knowledge, libraries are a primary element.
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Statement of Ownership and Management
TRUSTEE is published quarterly by the New York State Association of Library Boards, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144. The New York State Association of Library Boards owner. Edwin M. Field, editor. Periodical class postage paid at Rensselaer NY and an additional mailing office. Printed in the USA. As a non-profit organization authorized to mail at special rates (Section 132.122, Postal Manual) the purpose, functions and non profit status organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes have not changed in the preceding 12 months. Extent and Nature of Circulation "average" figures denote the number of copies printed each issue during the preceding 12 months. "Actual" figures denote number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, the January issue. Total number of copies printed: avg. 3134; actual 3200. Paid circulation: not applicable (i.e. no sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors and counter sales.) Mail subscription: avg. 3134; actual 3134. Free distribution: avg. 12; actual 12. Total distribution: 3146. Spoilage avg. 54; actual 54. Total sum of previous two entries: 3200. Subscription at $10.00 annually per subscriber is a benefit of paid membership.
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The Facts -- What do you know about Public Library Trustees and Oaths of Office?
What is an Oath of Office?
The Public Officer's Law requires public officials to take and file an oath of office. This requirement is set forth in Public Officer's Law § 10, which provides, in part that "[e]very officer shall take and file the oath of office required by law..." The oath to which public officers must affirm is set forth in Section I, Article XIII of the New York State Constitution and provides:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of............, according to the best of my ability;".
Who is required to take an Oath of Office?
All public officers are required to take and file an oath of office, unless specifically exempted by statute. Library trustees are considered public officers and must therefore take and file an oath of office. Public Officer's Law §10; 23 Opinions of the State Comptroller 890. The oath of office must be taken and filed by trustees of all types of public libraries (village public, town public, city municipal, special legislative district public and school district public libraries).
Is a trustee of an association library required to file an oath of office?
No. Trustees of association libraries are not considered public officers but rather are considered trustees of a private, not-for-profit organization incorporated (chartered) by the Regents or created by a special act of the legislature.
Where should a library trustee file his or her oath of office?
Public Officer's Law §10 specifies that a trustee or officer of a public library shall file the oath of office with the clerk of the county in which he or she resides.
Who administers the Oath of Office?
Public Officer's Law §10 specifies a number of officials who are authorized to administer an oath of office. For a library trustee, the oath can be administered by either the clerk of the county in which the trustee resides or the president of the public library's board of trustees, provided the president has taken an oath of office. In addition, any judge of the court of appeals, the attorney general or any officer authorized to take the acknowledgement of the execution of a deed of real property in the state can administer an oath of office.
Is there a specific time frame for filing an Oath of Office?
Yes. A public officer is required to file his or her oath of office within 30 days of commencing the term of office for which he or she is chosen, in the case of an elective office, or in the case of an appointive office, within thirty days after notice of his or her appointment or within 30 days after the commencement of such term. Public Officer's Law §30(1)(h).
Why is it important to file an Oath of Office?
The official oath is required by law in order for the trustee to officially undertake and faithfully discharge the duties of a trustee.
Where can I get more information on Oaths of Office?
For further information on oaths of office and other aspects of public library trusteeship, contact your public 1ibrary system.
Source: Division on Library Development, New York State Library, New York State Education Department. February 1999.
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NYSALB Welcomes Assemblywoman Naomi C. Matusow, the new chair of the Assembly's Committee on Libraries and Education Technology.
A message to library trustees from Assemblywoman Matusow is scheduled to appear in the July 1999 issue of the TRUSTEE.
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The Books That We Read
A survey was recently taken of 2000 U.S. Public Libraries by the Library Journal. Here are some of the survey highlights.
Libraries spend the most money on mysteries. Five hundred and ten of the surveyed libraries spent $1.9 million alone on mysteries. Spending for all libraries including public, academic, school and special is estimated at $2 billion each year.
Libraries serving populations of over 500,000 people spent on average nearly $1.3 million each on adult books. $168,067 was allocated to popular fiction; another $78,324 to mysteries. Other major areas are art, science, fiction, westerns, computers and history.
Libraries serving communities of 100,000 plus spent on average more than $11,000 on health/medicine, more than $8,000 each on art and travel and more than $7,000 each on science and social science. Other popular areas include personal finance especially in communities with investors or retirees, books on careers, small business, job empowerment, travel, biography, tax books, text books and self-help manuals.
Adult circulation is up 63%. Most libraries have healthy material budgets averaging $1 million and ranging up to $2.7 million. Material budgets, generally 16% of a library's total operating budgets, increased by an average of 7% last year. Some genres need constant updating. These include health/medicine, sci-tech, computer science and travel.
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The Evolution of the Book
By Bill Johns
(Continued from the last issue of Trustee)
THE 19th CENTURY -- DEVELOPMENT OF THE MASS MARKET
Wood pulp paper is a disaster for the twenty-first century but it was a miracle for the nineteenth. The price of paper plummeted. Therefore the price of books, magazines, newspapers also plummeted. The price of a newspaper dropped from a nickel to a penny, spawning the "Penny Press." The "Dime Novel" emerged as a wildly popular form of entertainment. Reprint publishers churned out millions of copies of classic (and not so classic) works -- "The Alva Editions" for example -- which constitute the paperbacks of their era. Don't be fooled by their age and distinguished authors. These reprint editions are, today, virtually worthless.
THE 20th CENTURY
This century opened with a booming publishing industry. The focus was no longer on a small educated elite but rather on the great masses. This "popular culture" produced a whole new category of magazine. Frank Munsey, a marginally successful publisher of a mainstream general interest magazine, decided to shift to all fiction, eliminate the elaborate photography, use cheap wood pulp paper, and cut his price from a quarter to a dime. The result was an immediate success. Thus began the era of the "pulp" magazines.
The turn of the century also saw another innovation -- the dust jacket. At first the "dj" was printed on plain paper and intended simply to keep the cloth cover from getting damaged before you put the book on your shelf. People threw them out as soon as they got the books home. Soon, publishers realized the marketing potential of the dj and began to print full color pictures on the jacket. By the 1930s, the jacket had become a major artwork in its own right. Book collectors today place a very high value on a pristine dj.
1939 saw another revolution in publishing. Ten best sellers were printed in a small format that would fit into your pocket or purse. They had paper covers and were priced at a quarter each. The print runs were small, 2,500 copies of each title and they were sold at stores such as Macy's in NYC during the Christmas season. They sold out almost instantly, and the "Pocket Book" was born. (Today, individual copies of these first ten books are worth about $1,500 each.)
Also in the 1930s, the first Book Clubs were organized. Initially, book clubs bought publisher overruns and sold them to their members at discount. Then they began ordering copies before publication to allow larger print runs. Then they began printing copies themselves on cheaper paper with cheaper bindings. The bias against book club editions among collectors stems from the fact that the copies are either overruns or poorly printed. But, as any book collector or seller can attest, the clubs were enormously successful and brought thousands of important titles into millions of American homes.
Today, the persuasiveness of television, the decline of literacy, the explosion in production costs, and the ongoing computer revolution, have all put severe strain on the publishing industry. As we close the 20th Century, we have to wonder if there will be a book industry in the next Millennium.
THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Perhaps the phenomenon most driving the shift toward electronic publishing is the exploding prices for books.
With new novels costing $32.95, with a majority of that cost tied up in production and sale of the copy, and with only a couple dollars actually getting back to the author, it's obvious that there is an opportunity for alternative publishing. Authors have always sought to cut out the publisher and sell directly to the public. Mark Twain and Edgar Rice Burroughs both tried self-publishing (with only limited success -- it's not as simple as it seems.) The Internet allows them a whole new approach. Authors can post the text of their next blockbuster on a web site tarzan.com or marktwain.net. For only $6.95 you can download the text of "A Connecticut Yankee Surfs the Web" or "Tarzan vs. the Microsoft Monster" onto your computer. You save $20.00; the author makes three times what the publisher would have paid; and the publisher is left out in the cold.
But wait. There are problems with this scenario. I'm not sure I want to sit in front of my computer for a hundred hours or so to read "The Stand" or "The Hunt for Red October." And I certainly don't want to have to carry my laptop into the bathroom with me. So maybe there is a future for the book after all. But one thing is certain; technology marches on. Stay tuned.
© 1998, Coxsackie Antique Center (Bill Johns, author of this article, is co-proprietor with his wife Diane, of the Coxsackie Antique Center, in West Coxsackie, NY)
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1999 Velma Moore Award
Nomination Form
Nominee's Name: ____________________________
Address:___________________________________________
Library Affiliation:___________________________
__________________________________________
Please include a letter of nomination briefly describing your reasons for selecting this individual or organization.
Your name:________________________________
Address: __________________________________
Phone:__________________________
The Velma Moore Award committee of NYSALB is seeking nominations for this prestigious award. Any individual or group of individuals who has performed outstanding contributions to the development of library services in New York State is eligible. Nominees may be trustees, library boards, library professionals or any group of library supporters.
- Nomination deadline August 15, 1999.
- Award presentation at annual fall NYLA/NYSALB conference.
- Recipient will receive $750.00 to donate to the library or library service of choice and a specially designed glass-stand plaque.
Send nominations to NYSALB, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
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Library System Honors Barnard
Catherine Barnard has gained a certain statewide reputation in the library world. She is known as the The Lady Who Challenged Governor Cuomo. "A number of years ago," according to Lindsay D. Ruth, Director of the Geneva Free Library, "in the midst of the battle for improved library funding, Catherine happened to be at a formal dinner held for a group of newspaper owners. Governor Cuomo was a featured speaker, and after his comments, attendees were given a chance to speak with the governor. Catherine stood up and asked what he planned to do about library funding. Catherine demonstrates that a true library advocate never misses an opportunity to promote library causes. "
At last fall’s annual meeting of the Pioneer Library System, Catherine Barnard received this organization’s prestigious Pioneer Award. She was honored for her long time efforts on behalf of libraries, particularly the Geneva Free Library and the Pioneer Library System. A ten-year member of the Geneva board, Catherine served as board member, president, advocate and Friend of the Library. She has since been named an Honorary Trustee of the Geneva Free Library Association. While serving on this library board, Catherine was named as the library’s first representative to the Pioneer Library System. Subsequently she served as the Pioneer Library System’s first board president leading the consolidation of four boards into one, two office headquarters and staffs into one and the relocation of the organization into its new headquarters.
Trustees of the New York State Association of Library Boards have been fortunate to have Catherine serve the permissible two, 3-year terms as a member of this statewide organization. Fellow board members were particularly cognizant of her devotion and efforts on behalf of libraries. She chaired NYSALB’s program presentations at NYLA’s annual conference, served for 3 years as membership chair during which time NYSALB’s membership measurably increased, was a member of the group’s executive committee, and performed other relevant organizational duties.
The Pioneer Award honors extraordinary contributions to the development, improvement or expansion of public library service to the residents of Livingston, Ontario Wayne and Wyoming Counties. Frank R. Queener, Director of the Finger Lake Community College, who has worked with Catherine Barnard over the years put it succinctly when he said: "Whenever or wherever there was a way to advocate, help or promote library service, in the 12 years I worked with Catherine, I knew she would be there. She inspired others by her example and always made the work fun."
Editor’s Note: If you know of an individual who has performed outstanding service for your library or system, send us his/her name and some background information.
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TRUSTEE
Vol. X No.2 April 1999
is a publication of
The New York State Association of Library Boards
NYSALB
3 Douglas Avenue
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Phone: 518-286-2150 FAX: 518-283-8085
NYSALB e-mail number: nysalb@sebridge.org
Editor's e-mail number: efield@catskill.net
Edwin M. Field EDITOR
Parry D. Teasdale PRESIDENT
Davis Crippen 1st VICE PRESIDENT
Norman Jacknis 2nd VICE PRESIDENT
Kenneth Wilbur TREASURER
Martina Thompson SECRETARY
Davis Crippen, Piermont
Edwin M. Field, Monticello
Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, Cortlandt Manor
Mary Jo Ketchum, Elma
George Manitzas, Freeport
Constance M. Paine, Willsboro
Mable Robertson, Brooklyn
Nancy Simaitis, Waverly
Audrey J. Smith, Nunda
Dr. William Taber, Richfield Springs
Parry D. Teasdale, Phoenicia
Martina Thompson, Pittsford
Kenneth Wilbur, East Syracuse
Christine Paulsen, Assoc. Mgr.
TRUSTEE is published by the New York State Association of Library Boards, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144, four times a year for $10.00 annually per subscriber. Subscription is a benefit of paid membership; cost of the subscription is covered by membership dues. Second class postage is paid at Rensselaer, NY and an additional mailing office...USPS#010-872, ISSN:1085-3170. Volume X Issue #2, Postmaster: Please send address changes to NYSALB, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
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