• Spring

July 2000

• President's Memo
• Editorial: The Future
• NYSALB Officers
• New Trustees Elected
• Trustee Institute
• Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow
• Senator Hugh Farley
• Legislative Update
• E-fundraising Forum
• Multiculturism
• Annual Read Aloud
• Not Just For Children
• The Library Circuit
• Velma Moore Award
• NYSALB Board & TRUSTEE Ownership

by Davis Crippen, NYSALB President

Services, sources, and success -- three s's of library operations.

(1) The services to our patrons, (2) the sources of financial support so that we can deliver the services, and (3) success, both in the delivery of the services and in the development of the support sources for them.

We talked about all three of these s's all through NYSALB's fourth annual Trustee Institute May 5 and 6 in Rochester, but especially during our second annual Friday night networking session. As those of you who were there know, following dinner we split into tables of six or so, and, then, at each table discussed our successes both in services and support. Last, to cap off the evening, each table sent a representative to the mike who told the rest of us the highlights of what they'd heard at his or her table. Thanks to NYSALB board member Mary Jo Ketchum, who summarized what we all said, I can share some of these success stories with you, success stories from all over the state and in a variety of guises.

NYSALB term limits having caught up with him, Parry Teasdale has stepped down as our president and our board has elected me to succeed him. Term limits pros and cons aside, let me just say that I am honored to have been elected to succeed Parry, and if I do as well as he, I will be doing very well indeed.

Success stories -- we're always looking for them, in our lives in general and, to be more specific, in our library lives as well. As for library success stories, we heard a lot of them at NYSALB's Trustee Institute. We networked intensely giving each other examples of how we improved services or found new ways to raise money -- and sometimes both. Thanks to NYSALB board member Mary Jo Ketchum, who summarized what we said. Here are a few of the breakthroughs -- but far from all -- of those we talked about that memorable evening.

For example, April was poetry month. To celebrate it at the Saratoga Springs Library they gave out poems. What could be more appropriate? During the month each time a patron checked out books, a bookmark with a poem on it was put in one of the books. Several hundred different poems were used on these special bookmarks, one to a bookmark. Staff estimated they gave out more than 5,000 of the special bookmarks. To increase the local flavor of the event, local poets were among those whose works were used.

Another special service, the Family Fun Passes program in the Westchester System. Under it, various organizations such as museums, boat tours, and amusement parks, donate passes that are then circulated like books. Patrons check them out, use them for a day or an event at a contributing organization, and then return them to the library for use by others. Well, we already knew libraries weren't just about books.

And at the Waverly Library they have a fund-raiser that sounds like a lot of fun. It's also a great way to build community spirit. The program is called Tip-a-Cop and it works this way. Held at a local restaurant, area police contribute their services helping the regular restaurant staff serve the food and drink. Tips the cops earn are contributed to various local organizations, including the library. It sure sounds like a better way to get to know your local gendarme than being stopped when you overlook a stop sign.

At LaGrange Association Library they have a teen health information project that is not only for teens but was largely put together by them. Using the money from a grant, teens were trained by library staff to evaluate substance abuse prevention and consumer health materials, and relevant Internet web sites. And just to put the icing on the cake, the application for the grant that made it all possible, was, you guessed it, written by a teen who was a page at the library.

So there they are, some of the success stories we heard at this year's Trustee Institute. If you weren't with us this year, I hope you will be next, and do your part in sharing your successes and in learning from others. I strongly suspect we'll be having another one of these networking sessions at the 2001 Institute. They're one of the most popular features of our trustee get-togethers.

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by Edwin M. Field, NYSALB Director, TRUSTEE Editor

Over the past five years, I've served as editor of NYSALB's TRUSTEE newsletter. Putting together the twenty-three quarterly issues has been a challenging and interesting assignment with lots of talented folks helping along the way.

It's time now, however, for us to talk about the future!

During this time span, a continuous and conscious effort has been made to add subjects that would enliven the newsletter pages and could be useful to our trustee readers. Some of the subjects have been far ranging but well within library trustee interest parameters.

Like editors of newsletters and newspapers the world over, my goal is to continue to make constant improvements in the pages of "our" publication. The columnists who have helped fill the pages of the newsletter certainly share the same goal.

There is a hitch and this is what we have to talk about. Like most people, editors tend to view a great many things from a personal perspective. This can spill over even into creative areas. This selected approach may not always suit your taste, interests or requirements. There are information demands that, in addition, we may not for one reason or another be able to fulfill without seeking input and advice. The goal is to know where to look for and how to contact these people who may have the specific expertise required. You know your talents. Often we don't.

There is an interesting tale by a writer named Fred C. Kelly that may bring this point into clear focus. "A man amused himself one summer day by sending telegrams to twenty acquaintances selected at random. Each message contained just one word" 'Congratulations.' So far as the author of the telegrams knew, not one of his acquaintances had done anything in particular to be congratulated on. But each recipient took the message to heart and wrote back a letter of thanks. Every one of the people to whom the man had sent a telegram had done something that he himself regarded as clever and worthy of a congratulatory telegram."

Many of you out there have amassed a great deal of experience that may be invaluable to fellow library trustees. Your experience, in your own area, can be put to good use by sharing information in the pages of TRUSTEE.

The time has come for us to talk about the future! We'd like to hear from you. First of all, tell us what you would like to see in future issues of the NYSALB newsletter. Next, if you would be interested in preparing a column on your particular area of expertise, please let us know. Remember -- we are limited in space which may not allow your words to appear in the very next issue of the newsletter. Eventually, it will see the light of journalistic day. An e-mail discussing your article idea is always welcome. Write efield@catskill.net

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Officers who will lead NYSALB in the year 2000-2001 were selected at the organizational meeting held in Rochester, NY on May 6. The New York State Association of Library Boards serves library boards throughout New York State providing communications, information, guidance, education and recognition of library trustee activities and accomplishments.

• President: Davis Crippen
• 1st Vice-President: Norman Jacknis
• 2nd Vice-President: Nancy Simaitis
• Treasurer: Audrey J. Smith
• Secretary: Martina Thompson

NYSALB trustees serve as a public service and do not receive any remuneration.

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Three new trustees have been elected to the NYSALB board of directors and one trustee has been re-elected to serve an additional term. The new trustees were chosen at the NYSALB board meeting held during the organization's Trustee Institute held in Rochester, NY on May 6, 2000.

The new board members, who will each be serving three-year terms, include David Krogmann, Marcella O'Hanlon and Richard Strauss. Judy Rosen, who completed an unexpired term on the NYSALB board, was re-elected for a new term.

David Krogmann, a practicing attorney and partner in the law firm of Bocas & Krogmann in Glens Falls also serves as town attorney for the Towns of Bolton and Horicon. He has been a member of the Crandall Public Library board of directors for more than 20 years and is currently serving as board president. He has also served on the board of directors of the Southern Adirondack Library System in Saratoga Springs for the past eight years. Mr. Krogmann, who serves as a Glens Falls City Court Judge, lives in Glens Falls.

Marcella O'Hanlon is a trustee of the Lindenhurst Memorial Library. She is the acting policy chair of the library board. She has also worked as a staff member at the Lindenhurst Library and the E.W. Bower Elementary School. Currently, she is employed as a secretary for the Suffolk County Police Department. Ms. O'Hanlon has had extensive experience in school, library and church related activities. At the present time, she is studying Library Science at C.W. Post College. Ms. O'Hanlon resides in Lindenhurst.

Richard Strauss serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Jordan Free Library in Jordon, NY. He has been a member of this board since 1995. He has also served as President of the Advisory Council of the Onondaga County Public Library in Syracuse since 1997. He has been particularly successful for the libraries he serves in both the fiscal and grant areas. He has effectively garnered grants for building and repair purposes and established and implemented sound library investment policies. Mr. Strauss lives in Memphis, NY.

Judy Rosen, in addition to serving on the NYSALB board, has been a member of the board of trustees of the Albany Public Library since 1992. She was elected president of the Albany PL board in 1996, the first woman to hold this office since the founding of the library in 1833. Prior to becoming president, she served as Chair of the Services Committee and a member of the Strategic Plan Committee and has participated in many additional ad hoc working committees. Ms. Rosen lives in Albany, NY.

Trustees of the New York State Association of Library Boards do not receive any remuneration for their service on behalf of this statewide library trustee organization.

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Four years ago, the trustees of NYSALB, the New York State Association of Library Boards, developed and initiated an educational program for library board members. NYSALB trustees considered an educational component an obligation of the statewide organization, one they were determined to fulfill. The program was named the Trustee Institute.

From the very first Trustee Institute in the spring of 1997, these moderately priced annual programs were successful. Each weekend-long program, Friday evening to Saturday after lunch, received rave reviews from attendees. Designed for trustees of libraries, large and small, the first three programs were conducted in centrally located Albany, NY. For the convenience of upstate trustees, this spring in the year 2000, the Trustee Institute was conducted in Rochester, NY. At some point, NYSALB will probably be considering moving the Institute program downstate.

The range of educational subjects, presented by some of the outstanding people in the library field, was interspersed with interesting networking opportunities for participants. The subjects selected for presentation were designed for both new and experienced trustees. For example, programs dealt with advocacy, fund raising, public relations, fiscal management, selection and potential removal of a library director, marketing and a host of other informative areas.

This year the Trustee Institute presenter's list was broadened still further.Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Educational Technology; New York State Education Commissioner Richard Mills; and New York State Regent James Dawson also addressed the many problems faced by library trustees and offered a range of potential options.

Jim Farrell, New York State Library Development Specialist spoke about the Regents Commission on Libraries Report and its public library and trustee implications. Dick Panz, Director of the Monroe County Library System and the Rochester Public Library, explained how a Library System (there are 23 systems in New York State) could effectively provide assistance to an individual trustee's library. Donald Allis and Joan Rodgers, both extremely experienced library trustee members, dealt with the responsibilities and duties of library trustees. An important part of the weekend event was the Friday evening dinner networking session . Trustees had an unusual opportunity to discuss and share information about the program successes they have experienced at their home libraries or library systems.

Based on the reaction of program participants, it matters little, statewide, where you serve as a library trustee; the size or structure of your library; or whether the area is rural or suburban. The information gleaned from these Trustee Institute weekends has been an invaluable, often money-saving, money-raising and always a positive, enjoyable learning experience.

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As a brand new grandmother, I have been drawn to books on early childhood development. What I have learned, thanks to modern science, is that babies are ready to learn from day one. The billions of brain cells with which they are born are working overtime, making connections called synapses and preparing this new person to learn from and respond to all manner of stimulation. And it all happens in the first three years of life!

It is that stimulation which is so very important because without it, the connections are not made, the learning pathways are not established and the ability to utilize those cells to their fullest is lost forever. "Use it or lose it," is no idle piece of doggerel. Indeed, substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that early childhood education has a significant impact on the lives of America's youth. Children who are stimulated to read and learn from birth are more advanced in IQ and language development. Their listening skills improve school achievement. Children who experience love, attention, and affection from the youngest ages are better integrated into society, and far less likely to commit crimes or acts of violence. Being held and read to is a fine way to get started on the path to success.

So, where do libraries come in to the discussion? Many libraries are in the forefront of efforts to promote literacy among the children in the communities. In Cattaraugus County, free reading materials are presented to children from birth to age three. In Tompkins County a program has been started which encourages new parents to bring their babies to the library for an orientation. In Suffolk County storytelling programs are held at community health centers. In Steuben County the libraries are hosting kindergarten readiness programs. At the Yonkers Public Library in Westchester County, the Born to Read program, encourages new parents to begin the education process immediately by giving out a small, chewable baby book of pictures while introducing the parents to the wonders of the library.

Another program focuses attention on school age children. The innovative Tall Trees Initiative, a pilot program started in Westchester County in 1996 by the Reader's Digest Foundation in cooperation with the Westchester Library System and the New Rochelle School District has brought teachers and librarians together to encourage families and their children to utilize the New Rochelle Public Library. The coordination of school and library has created a seamless transition for students from school-time to after-school. The library's circulation has increased. Student performance in school has improved. A natural partnership has evolved that is reaping rewards for everyone.

There are many fine programs across New York State, but there is need for more. Libraries are not alone in this effort. Many groups are eager to assist, and would make excellent partners in library efforts. I would very much appreciate hearing about similar programs being offered in your libraries. You can send information to me at L.O. B. 553, Albany, New York 12248.

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One of the post-budget issues here in Albany is a "COLA" -- a Cost of Living Adjustment for retirees who have seen their once-adequate pensions eroded by inflation. If you have run into one of your long-retired librarians, you surely know about the issue. It is heart wrenching to see dedicated retired public servants striving to maintain their dignity in the face of slow, steady impoverishment.

In a sense, our libraries are like our retirees. Some, like retirees with well-off spouses or fortuitous investments, are doing just fine with generous support from their local taxpayers. Some, like retirees relying on Social Security (which does have a COLA) and a part-time job, are keeping their heads above water. But some, like the oldest retirees who started with the lowest pensions, are inexorably sliding downhill. I think that our libraries should have a COLA -- a regular, automatic adjustment in State aid to keep up with inflation.

This is not a particularly radical idea. Most working people have a COLA. Formal agreements such as union contracts, or informal labor market pressures, help keep most salaries in line with inflation. Retirees usually have at least part of a COLA. Social Security, Railroad Retirement, federal pensions, and many private sector pensions are inflation-indexed. Schools have a COLA. Every year, good times or bad, the Legislature increases State aid to education. So why shouldn't libraries -- which, after all, deliver public education to those of us who are not in school -- have the same sort of COLA? Why shouldn't libraries be able to plan on regular, automatic, indexed increases in State aid?

In cooperation with the Board of Regents, I have introduced a bill (S.7160) which would annually increase State aid to libraries based on increases in the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The bill has been approved by the Senate Education Committee, and is now under study by the Senate Finance Committee.

If this bill were law now, the 2.3% CPI-U increase between December 1998 and December 1999 would have automatically generated a $2.04 million increase in State aid to libraries.

Detractors say that the dollar amount isn't very big. After all, the Legislature added $5 million in new library aid this year. And, a 2.3% increase is less than $35 for the small public libraries receiving the minimum $1,500 annual State aid.

But, it would be automatic! Instead of being forced to fight for each penny of library aid we can get, library supporters would start with the comforting knowledge that the basic goal of keeping up with inflation is resolved by law. Then we could devote our energies to much-needed improvements in library funding, including capital construction and electronic information resources.

I think that funding increases for libraries should be as automatic as funding increases for schools. We value education, and we demonstrate our commitment to schools through the public purse. Libraries are just as much a part of education as are schools. Their funding should be no different.

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By Parry D. Teasdale, NYSALB Trustee and Legislative Chair

At this year's annual Legislative Lobby Day in Albany, Susan Keitel, the executive director of the New York Library Association, arranged a meeting with Lt. Governor Mary Donohue. Although legislators frequently meet with library advocates, it is rare — perhaps unprecedented — that someone as high up in the administration as the lieutenant governor has taken the time to listen to the needs of libraries.

Donohue asked our small delegation, which included Deputy Commissioner of Education Carole Huxley, State Librarian Janet Welch and Mary Berman, legislative chair of NYLA, questions about the Regent's Libraries 2001 proposal and the more ambitious NYLA plan called Books, Bricks and Bytes. The lieutanant governor also spoke at some length about her interest and involvement in improving the safety of public schools around the state. It doesn't matter how we got on the topic, it was something she had on her mind.

That's not surprising. Often, a lieutenant governor is given little or nothing to do. And when the second in command is given a task like school safety, that person is expected to do the job without upstaging the governor; this is the case regardless of who's in power.

What Lt. Gov. Donohue was telling us, though not in so may words, was that she wanted to know how the needs of libraries fit with the job she's been given concerning school safety. A political calculation lay behind this unstated question: If libraries play a role in the overall effort to make schools safer, she could broach the topic of library funding to the governor and his staff; if libraries are irrelevant to the school safety issue, she would wish us well, but her voice would not be heard by those who make the decisions. She was not suggesting we change library programs to fit her needs. She was simply conveying the reality of politics in Albany.

Recent experience indicates we should not expect politicians to embrace increases in state support for libraries just because funding libraries is the right thing to do. Elected officials agree libraries are valuable, but they also know how many other good causes deserve support, and they make their decisions based on where the money will do the most good for them.

Our visit with Lt. Governor Donohue suggests trustees should think about how to find projects that mesh with the interests of individual politicians. The place to start is to learn the assignments they've been given or the committees on which they serve. By playing to their strengths, we may be able to convince them that increasing support for libraries is good for their political careers. And that could prove as strong an incentive as a fat campaign check.

The state budget contains an additional $5 million this year for libraries, but as of the end of May, no one knows what restrictions the legislature and the governor will place on the allocation of the money. The $5 million represents real progress, considering there was no new funding last year. But it's not nearly enough to address the needs already identified for statewide databases for the NOVEL (New York Online Virtual Library) program and library construction. A meeting between members of the Board of Regents and library advocates is scheduled for early June to begin planning strategy for the 2002-2003 budget.

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By Mary Keelan, Director of Development and Resource Management, Mid-Hudson Library System

A service of the Mid-Hudson Library System, the e-fundraising forum Project, began in 2000 under a grant awarded to the Mid-Hudson Library System through the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) funds awarded to the NYS Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Service through a competitive process. Work continues with support from the Bell Atlantic Foundation and the Dyson Foundation of Dutchess County.

e-fundraising forum has evolved from two earlier MHLS projects at the Access through Technology to Money for Libraries and other Not-for-Profits Project and the Fundraising Information Center Project. e fundraising forum adds options for nonprofit fundraisers to communicate experience and share knowledge. Reaching out to library trustees, friends groups and volunteers directly through a partnership with TrusteeNet -- an interactive web-based product developed by Jesse Feiler, Mid-Hudson Library System Board President.

TrusteeNet is a database of comments, questions and information for trustees. Other library players are encouraged to participate - such as library staff, Friends and volunteers.

TrusteeNet has been set up to help library trustees make informed decisions by:

• Sharing ideas, information, opinions, and experiences.
• Discussing library issues, legislation, policies, and other topics.

TrusteeNet will also help trustees:

• Advocate for libraries and the systems that serve them.
• Find out about and support library-related events.

Why TrusteeNet?

• Public library trustees are volunteers.
• Many have limited time to devote to library work.
• Many trustees find it hard to attend meetings at distant sites.

TrusteeNet puts the support of other trustees at your fingertips. And it can be accessed at your convenience, 24 hours a day.

To Participate: Type http://yucca.forest.net/philmont/trusteenet/default.htm into your browser. You need to register for TrusteeNet. Enter your name and a password that you can remember. If you forget either one, you can simply register again; however, in order for TrusteeNet to list new messages since your previous visit, it needs to know your name. Reregistering wipes out this information.

For more information visit http://midhudson.org/virtual/efundraising/default.htm.

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The century closed with a new beginning for the Ethnic Services Round Table (ESRT) at the 1999 NYLA Annual Conference in Buffalo. This new beginning brought to light the extraordinary accomplishments of our peers in the areas of Library services for ethnic populations and multicultural programming.

A glimpse of it all was provided at the Conference's first ever Multicultural Expo, where representatives from over a dozen libraries discussed examples of successful community partnerships, programs, publicity, staff recruitment, and electronic information resources, designed to serve New York State's diverse ethnic communities and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Among the familiar faces at the Expo were representatives from New York City's Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library and Queens Borough Public Library. Multicultural library services at these libraries continue to flourish, invigorated by the very makeup of their community. "One in three of Queens' residents hails from another country and nearly half the borough's population speak a language other than English." But multicultural library services in our State are by no means limited to those libraries endowed with a cosmopolitan community. We are exposed to world cultures in the music we hear, the books we read, the food we eat, and the fashions we wear. Libraries offering multicultural services are responding to today's spirit of multiculturalism.

The Schaffer Library at Union College maintains a suite of award winning Multicultural Resources web sites. The New Rochelle Public Library sponsors International Film Festivals and fun-filled Multicultural Poetry Slams. The Amherst Public Library has created a similar atmosphere through ongoing programs, highlighting countries of the world with books, crafts, food, music and dance. At the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, the annual African-American Writers Reception has allowed for networking and camaraderie, along with a special opportunity to introduce local talents to the community. SUNY at Buffalo Libraries promotes diversity through recruitment and offers a three-year library internship/residency program. The Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls has added a new dimension to its programs through ongoing cultural exchanges with Sister Libraries abroad. The Guilderland Public Library involves resources readily available in a community steeped in Dutch history since 1609.

The Mid-Hudson Library System sponsors programs at its member libraries. "Many Streams Makes One River," offered programs highlighting various aspects of cultural diversity, such as Eastern Religions and Multi-racial Literature. The Library Friends have been a strong force behind the Amsterdam Public Library's multicultural events - "Earth Harmonies" and "Melting Pot." The Brewster Public Library partners with local organizations to help serve their rapidly changing community of 17,000. Last year, a local artist received a grant from the Putnam County Arts Fund to create a series of bas-relief clay tablets depicting scenes described to her by some of Brewster's new immigrants. Her work was exhibited at the library. The Newburgh Public Library, with funding from Key Bank, hosted a month long exhibit, "Eclectic Africana: Contemporary Black Art" featuring artwork by African-American artists from throughout New York State. The exhibit also enabled the library to also showcase its own African-American resources and bring in many people that are not frequent library users. Funding for the Multicultural Expo, was generously provided by the Reader's Digest Foundation.

As you can see, there is a great deal of activity taking place throughout New York State to serve newcomers and to celebrate our many diverse cultures. As trustees, we invite you to encourage your libraries to explore the area of multicultural library service. For further information about ESRT and its activities, please contact the president, Irina Kuharets by E-mail at: ikuharets@nypl.org

For those of you who were unable to attend the Multicultural Expo, ESRT is putting together a multicultural programming resource book highlighting the many successes of New York State libraries in this field. We are still accepting submissions for this publication. For more information please e-mail the editor, Irina Kuharets at the above address.

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So, you really think children won't sit still for the written wordŠthat they need to be electronically entertained?

It's pretty obvious that you were not at a Read Aloud! And you think it takes bright lights, bells and whistles to get the attention of today's younger set? You definitely were not part of the Great New York State Read Aloud! You're sure there's little hope for the future of the written word? No question! You should have been at a Read Aloud-somewhere, anywhere across the state.

Our small library attracted more than 25 readers on a chilly night in April, people from age six to sixty and beyond. At least that many more were there to just listen.

They heard everything from Shel Silverstein's poetry (read so eloquently by two young men -- one 10 years of age and the other 8) to a passage from a novel-in-progress -- shared by its author; from the classic "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" to another original story (this one written and illustrated by a young lady, also just 8 years of age."

They heard the village mayor, parents, grandparents, library trustees, members of the community and each other -- all with the simple love of words and reading in common. They heard the three young fifth-grade winners of our library's "Why my local library is important to me" essay contest.

And they saw that the love of reading is important to all sorts of people - not just children and not just parents and teachers; that people actually took time out to come to the library and read to each other.

What's more, they saw people enjoying the sharing -- applauding for and actually laughing out loud over something so common, so mundane as being read to.

Best of all? Most of the people who read at this one small library on this one chilly day in April asked, as they left, "This was fun! When can we do it again?"

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by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Trustee

A number of years ago, an acting mayor of our small village was quoted as saying, "What does a small town like this need with two libraries?"

Two libraries? When pressed to explain, he argued that the town already had a school library; so to have a public library as well was just duplication and a waste of municipal money.

This story reflects a too common misperception of the role of public libraries, and it highlights the need for library trustees to continue to educate the public as to the full range of their library services -- especially during this period in our national history when politicians and ideologues typically couch their appeals in terms of "the children" so as to deflect or silence opposition.

This need, and frustration, is vividly expressed in a letter that was published recently in the Utica Observer Dispatch. It is addressed to the public, but it is also a reminder to us as library trustees. Entitled "Libraries are for all, not just for some groups", Cheryl A. Pula, a professional librarian in Whitesboro, NY, writes (in part):

"Why is it, whenever an article about libraries appears, it has to be along with a photo of children in the library or of a children's librarian reading to them? I love good publicity for libraries, but why does the coverage always have to be children's activities? Why not those for adults? I work in a public library. Two years ago, a photographer came to take a photo of people utilizing the facilities prior to our budget vote. There were many adults reading books, magazines, browsing, and using the computers. He waited over an hour until a child entered, then took a photo of her among the adult book stacks."

"Sometimes, I meet people shopping and I casually remark that I haven't seen them in a while. The answer that I usually receive is that the library "is mostly for kids." This bothers me. True, we have many excellent activities just for kids, but we also have events that anyone can attend, regardless of age. Our library is home to ...(history club, round table, discussion groups, with)... monthly programs open to the public. We've had Revolutonary War encampments, "drive-ins" of restored World War II jeeps, a yearly photography contest open to all ages, tax preparation programs, boating safety courses, book signings by local authors, AARP-sponsored driving courses, book sales, gardening classes, slide programs, book discussions and concerts, just to mention a few. We are about to begin Internet computer classes.

The public library exists to serve everyone, not just members of a specific ethnic group, gender or age level. The media seems intent on showing only one aspect of the many services the area libraries provide. While children's services are important, they are by no means the sole reason for the library's existence" ...

Pula's letter highlights the fact that the public is misled about the library's functions. Historically, for its appeal to sympathy and support, this emphasis upon children has been encouraged sometimes by the libraries themselves in our unending struggle for funding, by the media's desire for the eye-catching image, by the politician's equally self-interested drive to be identified with unquestionable merit.

I would add that the public's focus upon children is a double edged sword for the library and for society. Although it invites support in the short term, it also narrows that support in the longer run. It opens other gates for ideological intrusions (witness the censorship assaults, using children as the wedge, upon library access to the Internet) or budgetary evasions of public library support ("The schools are already getting a lot of money!"). It discourages the full use of the library's resources by much of the adult population who increasingly will need it. In the decades to come, it would be healthier for all to redefine the public library as "continuing education for adults" rather than the present presumption in many locales that it is just a continuing education for children, a corollary to the school curriculum. This redefinition (by constant pressure on the media) is the job of the Board of Trustees as much as it is of the librarian.

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When visiting New City NY stop in to see the New City Library, a member of the Ramapo-Catskill Library System. It is located on North Main Street at Squadron Boulevard, just south of High Tor, an area made theatrically famous by Maxwell Anderson's Broadway play of the same name. This extremely active, service-oriented library, established in 1936 and chartered in 1971 by the New York State Education Department, is open 73 hours a week including Friday evenings and serves the 41,676 residents in this county seat community. The library has 27,717 card holders or 67% of the residents of the service area. Last year, the New City Library sponsored 663 programs for patrons and area residents.

With holdings of over 215,000 items, the second largest collection in Rockland County, the library, according to Library Director Richard Treleven, operates with a current budget of $3,587,900.00. In 1999, 372,000 patrons and visitors came to the library staffed by approximately 80 full and part time employees. During 1999, reference librarians at the institution answered 95,611 questions from patrons and other callers requesting information.

A section of the New City Library is dedicated to the history of the region with a Special Collection Room. The only such collection in the county, these historical holdings are available to the public during library hours. For the convenience of historians and patrons, the Special Collection Room is staffed by a full-time local history librarian.

In 1980, the library moved to its current and fourth site on North Main Street. In late 1980s, the library expanded to its current 31,000 square foot. The library building has received awards for its architecture and landscaping. "The New City Library board and staff," notes Richard Treleven, " is just finishing a long-range plan and has begun discussion about a building program in the near future."

The New City Library New City, NY

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by Marcella O'Hanlon, NYSALB Trustee

Nominations are being accepted for the Velma Moore Award. This prestigious award is presented each year by NYSALB to a deserving recipient who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the development of library services in New York State. Nominees may be trustees,library boards, or any group of library organizations or supporters.

The Award was established in 1962 to honor the memory of Velma Moore who worked actively for the improvement of New York State library services from 1947 until her death in 1961. As one of the chartered members of the Library Trustees Foundation of New York State (predecessor of NYSALB), she served two terms as Foundation President and was a member since its inception. Velma Moore also served as a trustee of the Kenmore Public Library located near Buffalo, NY, for thirty-three years and was the wife of Lieutenant Governor Frank C. Moore.

The Velma Moore Award presentations will take place during the Inaugural Banquet and Awards Ceremony at the NYLA/NYSALB Year 2000 Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. The award recipient is personally recognized and honored for the measurable involvement given to the advancement of effective library service. Along with the recipient's honorable recognition, a cash prize and crystal award are donated to the library or library service of winning recipient's choice.

Last year's Velma Moore Award winner was Janice Allen, Director of the Paine Memorial Free Library, Willsboro, NY.

Nominations may be submitted to the Velma Moore Award Committee by mail to NYSALB, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144. The letter of nomination should include name & address of nominee, library affiliation, and reason for nomination (250 words maximum). The deadline for receipt of nominations is August 15, 2000.

(Marcella O'Hanlon is a newly elected trustee of NYSALB. She also serves as a Trustee of the Lindenhurst Memorial Library.)

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Vol. XI, No. 3, July 2000

is a publication of The New York State Association of Library Boards

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 XI Issue #3, Postmaster: Please send address changes to NYSALB, 3 Douglas Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144.

NYSALB

3 Douglas Avenue

Rensselaer, NY 12144

Phone: 518-286-2150 FAX: 518-283-8085

EDITOR: Edwin M. Field, efield@catskill.net

WEBMASTER: Norman J. Jacknis, norm@jacknis.com

PRESIDENT: Davis Crippen, davis.crippen@worldnet.att.net

1st VICE PRESIDENT: Norman J. Jacknis

2nd VICE PRESIDENT: Nancy Simaitis

TREASURER: Audrey J. Smith

SECRETARY: Martina Thompson

ASSOCIATION MANAGER: Christine Paulsen

DIRECTORS:

Davis Crippen, Piermont

Edwin M. Field, Monticello

Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, Cortlandt Manor

Mary Jo Ketchum, Elma

David Bruce Krogmann, Glens Falls

George Manitzas, Freeport

Marcella O'Hanlon, Lindenhurst

Mable Robertson, Brooklyn

Judy Rosen, Albany

Nancy Simaitis, Waverly

Audrey J. Smith, Nunda

Richard Strauss, Memphis

Dr. William Taber, Richfield Springs

Parry D. Teasdale, Phoenicia

Martina Thompson, Pittsford

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