• Spring

Spring 2001

• President's Memo
• Editorial: Helping Hands
• Trustee Institute
• Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow
• Senator Hugh Farley
• Legislative Update
• The Book Cellar
• Some Rules For Library Politics
• Lobbying Law
• Library Awarded Architectural Grant
• The Library Circuit
• Librarian Talks To Herself
• Velma Moore Award
• NYSALB Board Report
• Reference Questions
• NYSALB Board & TRUSTEE Ownership

by Davis Crippen, NYSALB President

Dear Trustee,

This time around I'm peddling a handbook, but not just any handbook. It's the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State: Millennium Edition. It was written by Malcolm Hill, director of the Mid-York Library System. Assisting Hill in getting out the handbook were the Public Library System Directors Organization of New York, the Division of Library Development of the New York State Library, and NYSALB. A lot of savvy library people were involved in producing this handbook and I think it shows in the final product.

Its contents run the gamut of trustee concerns from an explanation of the library network in New York State to some pointers on the sorts of people to look for to serve as trustees. In between are sections on such subjects as trustee duties and responsibilities (you can't get much closer that to the core of what we trustees should know), how library boards should be organized and our meetings run, and what we need to do to make sure that appropriate policies for our library are both set and executed. There is also a useful set of appendices in the handbook. They include a comparison of the types of public libraries in our state and a list of useful web sites.

Some of you, I'm sure, already have and are using this excellent handbook. For those of you who don't have it but would like to, there are a number of ways to get it. Many of the systems have copies. You can ask your director to check and see if they are available from your system.

Or, if you've got the technical smarts, you can download and print a copy of the handbook through NYSALB's web site . The site address is http://www.nysalb.org. When you get there, you'll see what to do.

Or, thirdly, you can get copies of the handbook already printed from our offices. These copies cost $2.50 a piece, postage and handling included. Send a check for as many as you want to NYSALB; 3 Douglas Avenue; Rensselaer, NY 12144.

To end on a different subject: I'm sad to say that this will be my last memo to you. The term limits in NYSALB's bylaws are strict and I must soon leave the board. It's been a great nine-plus years and I want to send my best to everyone who've made them that for me -- trustees, fellow Board members, library professionals, and NYSALB staff. Thanks.

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by Edwin M. Field, NYSALB Director, TRUSTEE Editor

Who of us is not aware of trustee responsibilities?

We are obligated to develop effective advocacy programs. As library trustees we are asked to tackle legislators at just about every level in support of our own library and libraries statewide. Our local area politicians, Albany legislators, and people at any federal legislative level who may impact on our library or System are all fair game. If we are to generate the type of fiscal and legislative assistance so urgently needed, we are regularly asked to reach out to these people with the library story.

Speaking in support of libraries to the community at many different levels is another responsibility. At times it can be a one-on-one discussion with a friendly or antagonistic community individual. In other instances, it may be a full scale library presentations before community groups and organizations.

Trustee responsibility often flows over into the media field. The press may call and require a response to questions about a new library service or a problem at the library. The contact with the press may represent an overture on the part of your library to the media seeking coverage about an interesting aspect of the operation. Publicity is an important part of the communications game and it often falls to a trustee for some measure of explanation.

In addition, to one degree or another, all of us are charged with the governance of our individual library. These charges may range from fiscal responsibility to a working knowledge of daily library operation. It may require an understanding of library law, policies, general library maintenance, planning for a new wing, or an expansion program that includes a brand new building.

At some libraries, trustee responsibilities extend to relatively minor fundraisers like raising dollars for a new piece of equipment or roof repair. In other instances, trustees are called on to launch and lead major capital fundraisers for a new wing or building.

The United States Postal Service recently launched an interesting promotional program in which all libraries can become participants. The program serves as a reminder of yet another responsibility of library trustees; the importance of urging community residents, young and old, to read and use the resources of their local library.

This April, National Poetry Month will celebrate the American Poet Stamp series from the USPS. Community residents can nominate their favorite poet for a future stamp and sign a petition for more stamps featuring American poets. There are currently ten stamps dedicated to American poets. They include Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, T.S. Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Marianne Moore, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robinson Jeffers, Walt Whitman, and Edgar Lee Masters. The American Poet Stamp Series offers a great visual tie-in for libraries to use in their exhibit areas.

If your library is interested in obtaining a free 24" X 18" full color exhibit poster with photos of individual poet stamps, send an e-mail to NPMposter@poets.org. Incidentally, among the dozen business supporters of the poetry stamp program is the American Library Association. For those interested in additional information visit the National Poetry Month web site at http://www.poets.org.

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You still have time to register for the May 4 (Friday) and May 5 (Saturday) NYSALB Trustee 2001 Institute. A call to NYSALB's office at (518) 286-2150 and you can join trustees from libraries large and small, statewide, who will be taking advantage of some really fine learning options.

Among the programs offered at the Institute's Holiday Inn, Kingston, NY, site will be Library Construction & Renovations, David Walter, AIA, Vice-president of Habiterra Design Group; The Will to Lead, to Enlighten, to Learn, Lillian Edelman, President of the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association; Technology and E-Publishing, Susan Gibbons, a recognized authority on E-Book publishing; and Library Advocacy - Enhancing Public Involvement and Managing Issues, Suzanne Pfister, Vice president, BJ Communications. In addition, Friday evening will be devoted to a fine dinner complete with successful library stories and trustee networking

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Library Funding

Once again Governor Pataki has failed to provide anything more than the same limited funding for libraries. Despite the obvious value of first-class libraries, the Governor seems determined to allow New York's libraries slowly to starve.

Many of you have written to the Governor asking for increased library funding and may have received the usual form letter response from the Budget Director. Simply maintaining the funding required by Chapter 917 is nothing to be proud of. With increased costs, it is in fact a cut in funding.

As we all know, Chapter 917 of the Laws of New York was enacted in 1990 - ten years ago in real time - but ten light-years ago in terms of the ever-evolving role of libraries in the 21st century. The New York Times on its front page recently carried an article about an amazing array of activities offered at the Queens Public Library. Many of those activities are being offered by some other libraries across the state. With increased state funding, many more libraries could follow suit bringing learning opportunities to New Yorkers across the state and many more New Yorkers could take advantage of those activities.

To add insult to injury, the Governor's budget once again proposes removing the State Library and the Division of Library Development from the Education Department, placing them squarely under his control. With his track record of inadequate funding, how can he imagine libraries would see that as an improvement?

While library supporters have worked to increase state aid for our libraries, so much more needs to be done to lead the Governor and the members of the legislature to appreciate the value and importance of library services. NYLA's Lobby Day is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the depth of citizen support for libraries. But it is equally important to encourage those who don't come to Albany to make their presence felt through an avalanche of letters to the Governor, their State Senators, and their Assemblymembers expressing their concern that libraries are not getting the support they need and deserve.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Albany for Lobby Day. Please take a few moments to look at the Library display I have arranged to be presented in the North Concourse of the Plaza.

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The Regents' "New Century Libraries" legislation proposes significant changes in local public library governance, along with a nearly $100 million annual increase in State aid to libraries. While the library community has enthusiastically embraced the wide-ranging funding increases, I hope that trustees will carefully consider the governance proposals, and will offer their advice to legislators who may vote on the bill.

There are two major governance issues in the bill affecting public libraries. First, is the proposal to encourage public libraries to convert to the form of governance now known by the unwieldy moniker of "school district public libraries," which the bill wisely renames, "public library districts." Second, the bill proposes, for the first time, to base levels of State aid to libraries on measures of community wealth and need, with libraries in poorer communities receiving relatively more State aid.

The first proposal holds promise for strengthening public libraries by encouraging a form of governance which, in many communities, has increased local library funding while reducing the number of people without library service. In simplified form, a "school district public library" is a public library with its service area coterminous with the school district in which it is located. These libraries are governed by an elected board of trustees, and their annual budgets are voted on by people in the district. Although the physical boundaries match a school district, and the elected trustees and annual budget vote mirror school district procedures, these public libraries have no direct relationship with the school district itself.

This form of governance has proven successful in several parts of the State, notably Long Island and upstate suburban communities. From the public policy perspective of maximizing access to library services, this model elegantly eliminates unserved areas. Since school district boundaries encompass every inch of the State, if all public libraries adopted this form of governance and service area, then there would be nobody in the State without access to a public library. Currently about 1.3 million New Yorkers live outside the boundaries of any public library's service area.

Empirical and anecdotal evidence find that the "public library district" governance model has also been successful in increasing local financial and public support for the library. Public votes on library budgets have, according to observers, consistently resulted in higher levels of local funding than when library funding levels are set by municipal sponsors, such as towns and villages. And, even when voters defeat school budgets, they tend to support library budgets on the same ballot. Current law protects the fiscal base for these libraries by "ratcheting" local funding so that, if a budget vote is defeated, local funding remains at the prior year level.

The obvious downside to Statewide adoption of the "public library district" model comes from its potential conflict with existing alternate models. Converting an existing, say, town library, which covers part of a school district is easy. Expanding the service area to the entire school district brings in more patrons and taxpayers, and should have few downsides. But, other models are more complicated. When two or more libraries cover a single school district, the theoretical resolution is for the libraries to merge under a single governing board and adjust their boundaries to match the school district. But will patrons be willing to share "their" library services with more distant neighbors in another part of the school district? And other geographic permutations and combinations raise other questions. In addition, nobody knows if existing library board members will be willing to enter the rough and tumble world of public elections, or if all communities are best served by popularly elected boards.

The "New Century Libraries" bill wisely avoids mandating any form of library governance. The proposal to encourage conversion to "public library districts" involves financial incentives, including funding for public library systems to help public libraries within their areas work out the most appropriate local plan. This financial "carrot" does, however, come with the "stick" of a five-year "sunset" so that libraries which do not act within the five years would not receive the incentive funding.

The second major governance issue in the "New Century Libraries" proposal is a first-ever step to base part of State aid to public libraries on a measure of community wealth and need. Stemming from a study which found that effective library usage requires a minimum level of funding (empirically observed at about $20 per person), the Regents bill would utilize State aid to bring public libraries to the $20 per person level when local spending is below that level.

This enhanced State aid would only apply when a wealth or need measure (tentatively based on existing need measures used for "e-rate" telecommunications discount calculations) found that the local community could not support the $20 per person spending. Wealthier communities spending less than $20 (and they exist) would not receive additional State aid. Conversely, "poor" communities currently spending $20 or more would not be able to qualify for greater State aid by reducing their local effort.

There will be two levels of discussion on this proposal. First is the conceptual hurdle of whether or not State library aid should become needs-based. Obviously many aid programs -- the classic is aid to public schools -- are substantially needs-based. On the other hand, most municipal aid -- such as revenue sharing and highway maintenance aid -- is based on fixed measures such as population or miles of roadways. For nearly half a century, public library aid has been based on measures such as population, square miles of service area, and per-library minimums. We will face interesting discussions regarding the change in the conceptual basis for State library aid.

Second, the bill is generally silent on how "wealth" and "need" will be determined, leaving allocation of $10 million in needs-based aid generally up to the Commissioner of Education. I expect that the Legislature will want greater involvement in assuring the fairness of an allocation formula, and will probably want to write that formula into law, just as school aid formulae are set by statute.

The e-rate measure of need (based on eligibility for free school lunches) has the advantage of having already been calculated for public libraries. It is, however, a somewhat simplistic measure. Aid to school districts includes measures of community wealth (real property values) as well as income (taken from income tax returns), and presents a more comprehensive picture of the ability of local taxpayers to fund their schools through real property taxes. Since local property taxes constitute a much greater share of local library support (close to 90%) than they do of public school support (averaging about 55%), there may be valid reasons to consider real property tax effort and capacity in the development of wealth and need factors.

It is hard to predict how far we will come with the "New Century Libraries" proposal this year. While I've been successful in building support for libraries among my Senate colleagues, the proposal's doubling of State aid in one year will be a hard sell with the fiscal committees. The governance issues, however, will set the tone for local library functions as we enter the new century. I would appreciate the advice of trustees on these issues.

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By Parry D. Teasdale, NYSALB Trustee and Legislative Chair

Will there be more state funding for libraries this year? If the NYS Board of Regents and the State Library have their way, libraries would receive an additional $95 million, including $20 million for new construction, $15 million for school libraries, $60 million for public library aid. The Regents proposal also calls for direct state aid to libraries for the first time.

The full $95 million won't win approval this year, according to sources inside the Capitol. But the Assembly is ready to spend between $10 and $20 million on new assistance for libraries. That might seem disappointingly small, but last year libraries had to settle for only an additional $5 million in one-time aid. The Assembly bill sponsored by Naomi Matusow, would provide ongoing assistance, and it has the support of Speaker Sheldon Silver.

No money will end up in the budget this year (or any year) unless both houses want it, and as of early March, not one additional penny was allocated for libraries in the Senate. The odd thing is that Senator Joseph Bruno, the majority leader of the Senate, has said he'll co-sponsor the library funding bill introduced by Senator Hugh Farley, who heads the Senate panel on libraries.

Only political pressure on the Senate from the public (read: trustees) can put library funding back on the table, according to people familiar with the process. They note that the governor also has to sign off on the budget, but as a practical matter, if the leaders of both houses of the legislature want money for libraries, they'll get it.

The questions now are whether trustees have any kind of political clout with their state senators and whether they're able to use it.

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by Judy Rosen, President Albany Public Library Board of Trustees, and NYSALB Trustee

Like many public libraries, Albany Public had an annual sale of discarded and donated books, which was organized and run by the Friends of the Library. This one-day event, held in the larger of our two auditoriums, traditionally yielded one or two thousand dollars.

In the late 1990s, attendance and sales began to drop off, even though the number of books offered had increased. The return on the large investment in time and labor from the Friends and the library custodial staff was discouraging. Eventually, the Friends and the library director began to discuss other options, including discontinuing the sale altogether.

Fortunately, board member Bill Meredith stepped in and offered to help. After a series of brainstorming sessions with the director and the Friends, he volunteered to transform an annual sale into a weekly one. Several connected rooms in the library's basement were painted and book stacks were installed. Hundreds of boxes of used books were opened and organized in subject order. This labor-intensive task took over two months of daily attention. Not every book was deemed saleable, and many were discarded for poor condition. Some collector's items were set aside to be sold over the Internet.

Signs were made for all subject sections, including a "new arrivals" table; a children's section, which included a small table and chairs where kids could entertain themselves while their caregivers browsed; and an audio-video section that we named the "Hall of Records."

To make shopping easier, we posted price lists prominently. And to simplify cash control for our volunteer cashiers, we made the minimum purchase one dollar-so pocket books are one dollar, get four free, instead of five for a dollar. (Obviously, this also moves our stock faster!) Prices were based on previous experience and some experimentation, and are as follows:

Hardcover books $1.00
Large softcover books $1.00 get one free
Pocket books $1.00 get 4 free
Children's books $1.00 get 2 free
Audio books $1.00
Music tapes & CDs $1.00 get one free
Records $1.00 get four free

As opening day approached, we decided that a contest to name the new bookstore would be a great way to generate excitement. We publicized the contest on our web site, in our newsletter, and on signs posted throughout the main library and our four branch locations. The winning name was "The Book Cellar," and the prize was a shopping cart filled with the winner's choice of books!

Two years later, we remain pleased with the continuing success of The Book Cellar. We are open every Thursday, and the second Saturday of the month, from 10AM to 2PM. Sales exceed $20,000 each year, and we continue to receive hundreds of donated books from individuals and local libraries. The only items we find we can't sell are Magazines (including National Geographic), out of date textbooks, and Reader's Digest Condensed Books.

From the worst of times, to the best of times -- Library volunteers and staff took a struggling program and turned it around. We are looking forward to many years of continued success for The Book Cellar.

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by Mary A. Brown, Director,
Clinton Essex Franklin Library System

1. Politics happen. In order to secure adequate funding for your library you will be involved with your local government and political decision-making. Whether politics is noble or nasty is in part your choice, but you cannot escape participating in this prime Trustee responsibility. Few things are more frustrating, or fascinating, as getting your library the support it needs.

2. Be a schmoo. Remember them? They were tall (ok, I was three when I had mine!), white figures that always bounced back upright when you knocked them down, and always with a cheerful grin on their plastic faces. You will be doing a budget with your town every year. Some will go well, many will not. Ya gotta bounce back and do it again next year, cheerfully.

3. The budget process is a year-around process. Libraries that show up only in the fall during budget season are less successful than those that make themselves a part of their town's reality the year around. Often you can convey the library's situation and needs in a more relaxed setting outside budget season. Invite the Town Board over for coffee and cookies and show them the old furnace and leaky ceiling. If they have to climb over a mess of people using the library in order to see these things, so much the better. If they have to climb over their friends to see them, best yet!

4. Don't burn bridges. Even when you are angry or disappointed, keep your manner civil and treat the officials and the process with respect. Remember, ya gotta come back next year (see rule # 2)!

5. Don't be dumb. Learn what the budget process is, meet the deadlines, do your estimates and arithmetic well, and understand the financial/tax situation your town is in.

6. Get to know your elected officials personally. People respond to their friends - we all do, and politicians are no exception. It is not necessary to support them politically but if you can do so without damaging the library's longer-term political prospects, it helps.

7. Be dependable. A lot of people are trying to manipulate politicians. A focus on the welfare of the library (and thus the community), conveyed with consistency and integrity, often will earn respect and success over time. Jerking the town around only works once.

8. Appoint your Trustees with care. A chief duty of Trustees is to advocate for the library. You need in your mix of Board members Trustees who are effective in your town's political process, but you do not want the Board and library to become politicized or partisan because next year. . . (see rule # 2 again).

9. Do a good job. A busy, active library that is important to its users is your best advertising, and any Trustee standing before a Town Board is standing on the day-to-day work of the library.

10. Say "thank you" early and often. And say it again - even when you didn't get all you need. Think of the Town as partners.

11. If you don't ask, you won't get! Nuff said!

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by Rebekkah Smith, Mid-Hudson Library Coordinator of Member Information; ATM-FUNDRAISING Listserv Manager and Editor

In 1977 the New York State Legislature and Governor made a commitment to safeguard the integrity of the governmental decision-making process by enacting the Regulation of Lobbying Act. This was the first attempt in over 70 years to acquire full disclosure from special interests trying to influence both the Legislature and Executive Branch. Annually, about 2,150 lobbyists representing 1,350 clients and 50 public corporations register with and report to NYS on their activities effecting State level decision-makers. Lobbying expenses have grown from 5.7 million dollars in 1978 to a record 71.9 million dollars in 1999.

The Lobbying Act does not seek to prohibit or limit lobbying governmental decision-makers. While protecting the constitutional right of citizens to petition government the Act requires that the State Commission on Lobbying monitor and make public the identities, activities, and expenditures of those seeking to influence legislation, rules, regulations, and rate-making actions of New York State government.

On December 30, 1999, Governor Pataki signed Chapter 2, Laws of 1999, enacting a new Lobbying Act that contained a piece that expanded the definition of lobbying activities to include those at a local level. The "local lobbying" section of the law, which took effect on January 1, 2001, applies to the attempt to influence "pending legislation" through a municipality or its subdivision, with a population of more than 50,000, or a public authority or public corporation. Counties, towns, cities, villages, etc., are included. School districts are excluded.

2001 is an "educational year." The NY State Lobbying Commission will be forgiving of error as it attempts to define regulation for the law and explain it to us. After that, we will all be vulnerable to fines and other penalties if we are not in compliance.

What does this mean to you, the public library trustee? A lobbyist is a person or organization employed, retained or designated by another who attempts to influence pending legislation. A volunteer such as a trustee, would be considered a lobbyist under this law only if a library pays for the costs of the lobbying activities carried out by a trustee, such as transportation and lodging for Legislative Day in Albany, buttons, hats, or other items for legislators. The Lobbying Act required registration with the state if you expend more than $2,000 attempting to influence state law in any calendar year.

Under the local lobbying portion of the law you must also register with NYS as a lobbyist if you expend, or receive in compensation, more than $2,000 in attempts to influence the passage or defeat of any local law, ordinance, or regulation by any municipality.

Under the law "municipality" is defined as any jurisdictional subdivision of the state, including but not limited to counties, cities, towns, villages, improvement districts, and special districts, with a population of more than fifty thousand; public authorities, and public corporations, but not including school districts.

For a list of municipalities that have been identified as having a population of more than fifty thousand, and therefore, are covered under the new lobbying law, go to the Internet: http://www.nylobby.state.ny.us/municip.html

Reportable expenses include, but are not limited to, the following: Advertising-Telephone-Electronic Advocacy-Food and Beverages-Tickets-Entertainment-Parties, Receptions or Similar Events-Advocacy Rallies-Consultant Services-Courier Services- Expenses for Non-Lobbying Support Staff- Retained Lobbyists Payments-Lobbying-Employees' Salaries.

If this information has your head spinning and you aren't sure if you or your library qualify as lobbyists in the eyes of the NYS Lobbying Commission, give them a call and ask them. Roberta Law of the NYS Lobbying Commission (518-474-7126) is there to answer our questions about the law and help us understand how it impacts libraries.

Another option is to formally write to the Lobbying Commission and ask for a formal ruling on your situation. This is the safest way to ensure you are in compliance with the law.

Most libraries do not spend $2,000 trying to affect pending state or local legislation; that is left to library systems and the New York Library Association. However, special circumstances do arise and you'll need to be aware that there is a law in place that might affect you or your library.

For more information on the Local Lobbying Law: go to http://www.nylobby.state.ny.us/lobby.html; or call 518-474-7126.

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by Audrey J. Smith, Bell Memorial Library Trustee and NYSALB Trustee

and Patricia Galbraith, Library Manager, Bell Memorial Library

Nestled in the hills of southern Livingston County, Bell Memorial Library serves a population of 5,034. The library building was donated in 1912 by Katherine Bell Lewis of Buffalo in memory of her family, especially her father, Hon. Alfred Bell, one-time assemblyman from Livingston County. Green & Wicks of Buffalo, NY, were architects and R.E Williams, also of Buffalo was the builder.

Through the years, the board of trustees has provided contemporary library services while preserving the architectural significance of the building; a challenge that has increased with each decade.

In 1998, the board of trustees applied for and received a grant for $4,350 from the Preservation League of New York State (44 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206). The purpose of the grant was to have an architectural review to be done by an architectural firm specializing in historic preservation and receive a written evaluation. Their report prioritized the repairs needing attention as well as recommendations for future growth of the library. The completed study now provides the library's board of trustees with a tool for long-range planning.

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By Marcella O'Hanlon, NYSALB Trustee

When visiting Lake Placid, be sure to visit the Lake Placid Public Library, located at 67 Main Street.

Many of you have probably been to Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. But what you probably don't know, is that the little white bungalow on Main Street is just the top layer of a five story building overlooking the lake, with a lawn and Adirondack chairs for sitting out by the shore in the summer.

The library purchased and renovated the adjacent house, contributing significantly to the downtown waterfront, and connected it to the original building with an overhead walkway and elevator. Lake Placid just recently completed a big addition, with a computer lab, reference room, and kitchen. They used this opportunity to make the whole building handicap accessible.

The trustees and staff raised the money needed for the building and renovation through a community campaign with only $35,000.00 of public money, used for an elevator. Lake Placid Public Library is also very active with Literacy Volunteers and uses their computer lab with them.

Lake Placid Library was founded in 1884 and became a NY State School District library in 1894. From the very beginning, the library enjoyed a working relationship with the infamous Melvil Dewey, who was inspired by the scenery and beautiful mountains around Lake Placid. He started the Lake Placid Club and also encouraged the growth of the library and offered many subscriptions to it in agreement that the library would be open six nights a week. The Lake Placid Club became a retreat for many educators and teachers who used the library, as did the resident population.

The population served today is 5278 and it more than doubles in the summer. Circulation is 32,000 with special collections such as Olympic Collection, Adirondack Oral Biography Collection etc. available to library patrons. An Archives of Lake Placid Collection is expected to be available in the future.

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by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Trustee

Have you ever noticed your librarian talking to herself (or to himself as the case may be)? Does she talk out loud at her desk in her office, or perhaps does she mutter quietly in a low continuing conversation, especially with--or perhaps at-- her computer? Does she shake her head at times, put down a pencil or a mouse a bit too hard as she goes through papers, scowl at the computer screen, spin around abruptly toward the file cabinet to grab something, and perhaps share with you (whether you are still in the room or not) various arcane problematics of interlibrary loan systems, changing computer programs, accounting minutia? Do you occasionally hear agonized, albeit controlled, outbursts of "How am I supposed to know THAT?!"

If so, how do you interpret this behavior? Is it a sign of impending breakdown; should the board check the medical insurance (if any) for the staff? Hire a counselor? Or perhaps this is a normal part of running a small library in today's environment?

I think that a clue to our diagnosis is to see if there are some critical cyclical elements in this phenomenon. Does it happen all the time regardless of the hour, place, or circumstance? If so, then perhaps the library board should check out some of the medical responses noted above. On the other hand, if it appears most evident at certain times (and she or he is quite normal the rest of the time) we might suspect that this symptom reflects other aspects of modern librarianship in the small public library (where the librarian has to do everything). I can't diagnose your librarian, but I have noticed generally that January and February are months of intensified presentation of these symptoms. The "Annual Report" required by the state is prepared during this time, and the marvels of changing technology have led our governmental masters to change the rules nearly every year.

This year, they required that the report be done on a computer (not all computers will do it!) connected to a special web page somewhere out there in Internet Land that presents its questions in a form that must have been formulated with large libraries and big staffs in mind. "One page fits all" is a nice approach for those who receive the final document but not for those who must answer questions that at times verge upon the meaningless in the context of a really small library. In addition, the web page itself developed problems that prevented for days the final filing of the report and thereafter getting a printed copy of it. (A printed copy to check your facts prior to the final filing of the report is not permitted, since the web page actually disables the printer as long as the computer is connected to the web page! You have no choice. Paper is verboten! Hmmm. Interesting. Is the world already run only by kids?)

If the self-conversing librarian is more audible in February, our suspicions are aroused that it is not the librarian who is breaking down. What is it then? Perhaps what we are hearing is more related to the increasing workload and the growing complexity of technology, missions, services, regulations, legal vulnerabilities, and political sensitivities that the librarian (usually alone) has to juggle in the small library. There are no resources or staff to whom she can "farm out" part of the load of exasperation.

So, if your librarian talks to herself especially in February, don't call for the white coats right away. Are there other occasions during the year when the muttering seems to be equally benign? Real suspects seem to be whenever the library system changes its basic computer programs so that the tried-and-true systems are suddenly outmoded by wholly new techniques. They're called "programs" but actually they are languages. Think of your life as it would be if you were permitted to speak English for only one more year; thereafter you must speak French. A year later, you have no choice but to speak only in German. Learn it or perish. Better start working on Italian for soon after and pray that they don't switch to Chinese eventually. This is the kind of flexibility that is required of the small town librarians nowadays. It is called progress.

Other circumstances that can precipitate muttering: offices so cramped that three things have to be moved in order to find one thing -- where did it go?! The budget years of the library, village, and town are all on different schedules but they are all interdependent and have to be integrated. Board members who sometimes... and so on.

Where is the real craziness? Gee, I'm talking to myself just thinking about it all. So -- when your librarian talks to herself, be kind to her. She is on the cutting edge of the millennium.

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by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Trustee and Velma Moore Committee Chair

It's time to start thinking about presenting your candidate! The time for you to make your Velma Moore Award choice is approaching! Deadline for your entry is August 15, 2001.

Established in 1962, the Velma Moore Award honors the memory of Velma Moore who worked as a very effective library activist from 1947 to her death in 1961. Mrs. Moore was one of the chartered members of the Library Trustees Foundation of New York (predecessor of today's NYSALB organization).

She served two terms as the Foundation's president and also served as a trustee of the Kenmore Public Library, located near Buffalo, for 33 years. She was the wife of New York State Lieutenant Governor Frank C. Moore.

The Velma Moore Award, sponsored by NYSALB, carries with it a $750.00 stipend to donate to the library or library service of the award winner's choice. The winner is also presented with a beautifully engraved personalized plaque. In addition, the winner will receive the prestigious award at a public presentation-recognition ceremony.

Velma Moore Award rules and a nomination form are available from the NYSALB office. Candidates for the Velma Moore Award are individuals who have 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.

Last year's Velma Moore Award winner was Maureen Koehl who was first elected to the South Salem Library board of trustees in 1981. She has served as president of her library board of trustees since 1997 and has been extremely active in the growth and operation of her library.

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by Martina Thompson, NYSALB Secretary

The following library trustees are recommended for election to the Board of Directors of NYSALB at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 5, 2001 in Kingston, NY:
Edwin M. Field, Ramapo Catskill Library System (3rd term)
Joan Hurley, Horseheads Free Library (1st term)
Norman Jacknis, Field Library and Westchester Library System (2nd term)
Samuel Patton, East Fishkill Community Library (1st term)
Mable W. Robertson, Brooklyn Public Library (2nd term)
Dr. Robert Wells, Canton Free Library (1st term)

The Board accepted the report from the Nominating Committee. The slate of officers for 2001-2002 is:
President- Norman Jacknis
1st VP- Nancy Simaitis
2nd VP- Judy Rosen
Treasurer- Audrey Smith
Secretary- Tina Thompson

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An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer carried the headline "Internet brings a rise in reference questions for librarians." Quoting a reference librarian at the ready-reference call-in-service of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, the article pointed out that librarians in the call-in reference department expected that they were going to be out of business within 10 years. The reasoning behind this thought pattern --- increasingly people could look up things for themselves on their personal computers. "Unexpectedly," continued the story "people have been using the library's reference service more than ever."

Statistics indicate that last year Carnegie Library's reference department answered 138,000 calls compared with 120,000 four years ago, and the upward trend continues. The Los Angeles Public Library appears to be having a similar experience.

The head of the electronic resources and services section of the Library of Congress noted that librarians are encouraging e-mail inquires rather than telephone or written requests. The result has been a drop in phone calls and a subsequent rise in e-mails requesting information.

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Vol. XII, No. 2, Spring 2001

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 IIssue #2, 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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