Summer
President's Memo:
Are Libraries A Threat
To Major Corporations?
By Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, NYSALB President
Most of us, I think, have a relatively benign view of our libraries - institutions of learning and culture, loved by most, albeit usually not well funded. So you can imagine how I was taken aback by a May 29th article on the website of Editor & Publisher (E&P)- "Libraries Threaten Paid Online News Archives" ( http://www.editorandpublisher.com/editorandpublisher/features_columns/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1501615 ).
The author, Steve Outing, who has covered the online news industry for E&P since August 1995 and is also senior editor at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, describes how public libraries around the nation are offering on-line searchable, comprehensive archives of newspapers and other periodicals for free to any library cardholder (at least after we all pay our taxes).
While New York is not among his examples, the same is true here thanks to the Library Systems and Empire Link ( http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/emplink/ ). Of course, this phenomenon will grow considerably when the State Library gets funding for NOVEL, the New York On-Line Virtual Library.
Mr. Outing notes that these archives are also available at the websites of their publishers for a fee, with each article costing $1.95 or $2.95 or more. While the revenue from these archives is not broken out in public accounting records, he estimates that it is not very large each year, rarely generating more than $50,000 per year. However, it is important in the mindset of publishers. Even the New York Times apparently thinks this is a major part of their Internet success story.
Thus, his article concludes on an ominous note for E&P's audience: "Given public libraries' recent moves with at-home access to premium article databases, I seriously question the strategy of charging high fees for archived news articles. An already-shaky news industry model is having its foundations chipped away by librarians, of all people."
Wow! My library certainly has no budget line for the kind of axes we'd need to chip away at the foundations of the mega-media corporations that provide news and magazines around here. I don't know of any library that thinks it has those kinds of resources.
But there is an element of truth here. And it extends beyond this particular conflict over news archives.
At last year's NYSALB Trustee Institute, amid an interesting discussion about e-books, it became clear that one of the obstacles to the growth of library collections of e-books has been the fear of the publishing industry. Imagine an e-book computer server that would allow any library to download any book to a portable reading device. Every library, no matter how small, would have a vast collection available to its patrons.
From our viewpoint, this is wonderful; from the publishers' viewpoint, it is threatening. So they have begun an assault on the copyright traditions that allow our libraries to share books and other media for free, once the item has been purchased.
We're going to see more of this kind of dispute between those who feel they own "intellectual property" and those who want to distribute it widely, including libraries. (Note: this goes beyond the library world. Consider the impact of Napster and its cousins on the recording industry.)
I can't predict where this is going to end up, although I suspect that we are in for a long term shift in our thinking about books -- the kind of shift that occurred as we moved from an agrarian society to an industrial society and accepted concepts like standardized time, the corporation as equivalent to an individual in the eyes of the law, etc. Except in this transformation, libraries will be in the thick of the battle and their definition of what a library is will be at stake over the very long run.
If you would like to share your views on this or other subjects of interest, you'll find NYSALB's email discussion group for trustees especially useful. To join, just send an email to join-nysalb@www.watpa.org.
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Editorial:
Cooperation --
A Key to Library Survival?
by Edwin M. Field, TRUSTEE Editor, NYSALB Director
Choices, chances, challenges and change govern the actions of many library trustees today. Trustee goals and library growth and building sizing guestimates are, according to some pundits, a virtual hodge-podge. A great deal of this uncertainty can probably be attributed to the very nature of today's economic situation and the changing, challenging technology and its effect on individual libraries. The age and condition of the building housing the library and its total size naturally share part of the decision mix. A piece of the responsibility, if blame really needs to be meted out, can be placed squarely on the shoulders of library professionals and the leadership offered. True, a goodly portion of the problem can be placed on the new technology affecting libraries, technology which is constantly changing and rolling on to the scene in a fast, furious and expensive manner.
At NYSALB's recent Trustee Institute a speaker bemoaned the fact that libraries, as a group, did not seem to truly understand the value of cooperation. There are many different types of libraries, each serving different segments of the population, he noted. Each, at present (and in the recent past) with its own agenda. The call by the speaker was for the good of all. It was designed to try and end territorial or "turf" considerations. It is important, especially in this time of great challenge and electronic change that all of us do away with the attitude of viewing one type of library as superior or more important than another type. The inbred distrust factor on the same level, he noted, must also be eliminated.
A portion of the speaker's presentation was undoubtedly on target. Some of the presentation may have been conjecture or a reaction to his efforts to gain cooperation. The basic point raised by the speaker was that technology, for everyone and every type of library, was moving so rapidly that it could easily become over whelming no matter what type, kind or size of library that we deal with. The only practical solution is to develop positive cooperation between all segments of the profession and all types of libraries statewide.
Two positive signs are currently on the horizon.
- A statewide advocacy organization spearheaded by the State Library is in the works (cooperative-cooperation).
- The newest wireless technology operating the "world wide web" and thus the Internet bodes only good for libraries, especially those with older, Carnegie-type buildings. (These building are particularly difficult to wire up for computers. This technology, as it moves into full swing, can make the process possible, faster and easier.)
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From The Desk
Of The Library Committee Chair
Assemblywoman Naomi C. Matusow
The September 11th attacks on America continue to reverberate throughout our country and here in New York. The devastation in lower Manhattan dealt a significant blow to our public psyche, as well to New York's already weakened economy, creating a significant reduction in New York State's tax revenues.
The shortfall forced my colleagues and me to make difficult budgetary choices. Many programs which should have received increases have been frozen at last year's levels. New initiatives have been set aside in order to maintain existing programs. However, despite the challenge of diminished revenues, I am relieved that library funding was kept at the same level as last year.
Yet, it is necessary to point out that the plan did not take into consideration the impact of the 2000 census. The Governor chose to follow the 1990 census figures which drives the same level of funding as that of last year, regardless of whether the populations being served by the libraries had increased or decreased. I certainly supported keeping those libraries, which are now serving a reduced population, at the same level of funding.
I am, however, disappointed that neither the Governor nor the Senate majority was interested in adding the $2.3 million that would have assisted those libraries with increased population in providing the additional services required by the increase.
While the state budget does not include additional funding, the fact that Chapter 917 was not cut in this time of economic stress is proof that your lobbying efforts of recent years helped to emphasize the importance of maintaining library funding.
This limited success should encourage the library community to continue to push for increases in state funding. A clear and persistent approach explaining how libraries have responded to the challenges facing our country and demonstrating the value of library services will help libraries to secure additional funds when our state's economic fortunes stabilize and improve. You have all worked hard to establish relationships with your legislators.
These efforts do have an impact -- an impact that has resulted in the same level of library funding despite the loss of state revenue. I urge you to continue to visit with your Assembly and Senate representatives as well as to reach out to the Governor to remind each of them of the many ways in which libraries are enhancing the lives of the people of their communities and the importance of supporting libraries with increased funding.
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From The Desk
Of The Sub-Committee Chair
Senator Hugh T. Farley
Are we making deals with the devil? I was shocked to hear of an offer made to a small public library by a real estate developer. If the library trustees and supporters could convince the local town board to approve an unpopular construction project, then the developer would make a sizable contribution to the library. "This is blackmail," I sputtered, "and it must be illegal ... or we ought to make it illegal!"
Upon reflection, it doesn't seem to be illegal. Nothing is hidden; there is no secret deal. And nobody reaps a personal benefit, so laws regarding paid lobbyists don't seem to apply. But, should we make it illegal?
We make small deals with the devil all the time. We schedule library budget votes on random days, with the single polling place in the library. A few years ago there was tremendous library community support for a proposal to fund State aid to libraries by selling advertising on the back of State Lottery tickets. And, people who file legal documents with County Clerks will soon find their filing fees quadrupled to, at least indirectly, pay for the State Library, Museum, and Archives.
We have fiduciary duties -- in your case to your library, and in my case to the entire State, including your library. I opposed the Lottery ticket scheme, in part because I'm concerned about the human impacts of lotteries and gambling, but in part because the fiscal experts said it wouldn't reliably raise much money. I voted for the budget that included the filing fee increases, and I'm the author of the library budget initiative law.
Is it OK to make deals with the devil if they raise lots of money for the library budget?
This is the old "slippery slope" argument. Can we slide a little without losing a grip on what is good and right, or are we bound to end up in a quicksand which will inexorably inspissate its hold upon us?
There are two possible answers. We can accept the "slippery slope" in the name of realism and our responsibility to do all that we can for our libraries. Or, we can reject "creative financing" and instead insist on adequate general fund financing for public libraries, which are, after all, one of the obvious core services of local and state governments.
I've long argued that State aid for libraries should be treated the same as State aid for schools. It should be funded as a core public service through the general fund, and it should be automatically increased each year to account for inflation. One way to ensure this treatment equal to schools would be an amendment to the State Constitution making library service a constitutional right for New Yorkers, just as schools and welfare programs are today.
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Legislative Update
The Internet and Censorship
New York State Library Legislation
New York State Library Funding, 2002-2003
By Robert N. Wells, NYSALB Trustee, Legislative Chair
The Internet and Censorship
Public libraries cannot be forced to use Internet filters designed to block pornography. This was the decision of three federal circuit court judges, overturning a new federal law, the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). In their decision the judges said that CIPA went too far because filters can also block access to sites that contain protected speech. The law would have required public libraries to install filters or risk losing federal funding starting July 1, 2002. The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Library Association and the New York Library Association all strongly opposed the legislation. Indications are that it will be appealed by the Justice Department to the U.S. Supreme Court.
CIPA was the third anti-Internet porn law brought before federal judges for constitutional challenges. The 1996 Communications Decency Act made it a crime to put adult-oriented material online where children can find it. It was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The 1998 Child Online Protection Act required web sites to collect a credit card number or other proof of age before allowing Internet users to view material deemed "harmful to minors." The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals barred enforcement of the law indicating that the standards were so broad and vague that the law was probably unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court partially upheld the law in May 2002, but did not rule on its constitutionality as a whole. It remains on hold for action in lower federal courts.
New York State Library Legislation
Opposition by the Friends of the New York State Library and the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Library Boards to legislation for a new "Institute for Cultural Education" was important in holding up the bill this legislative session. Instead both groups supported legislation restoring $19 million needed for the Office of Cultural Education in the fiscal year of 2002-2003, to study the proposal and hold hearings on it before the end of 2002 and enact legislation to pass necessary parts of the New Century Libraries Program in the current legislative session (A.6048A and S.3166A).
A major reason for opposition to the "Institute for Cultural Education" is that libraries and cultural programs are carved out of the State Education Department and no provision is made for a State Director of Libraries.
New York State Library Funding, 2002-2003
The good news in the late budget which has been greatly impacted by the events of 9/11 is that $89 million has been approved for New York State public libraries.
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e-Books ... Directions Needed
Part 2
By Vin Crosbie, Managing Partner, DIGITAL DELIVERANCE,LLC
(Continued from the last issue of TRUSTEE)
Ironically, the book industry itself is to blame for the woeful but temporary mis-launch of the portable electronic reading market. Developing devices that were really good only for reading books, that industry narcissistically forgot that people read more newspapers, magazines and catalogs each year than they do books. A recent Veronis Shuler survey reported that the average American consumer last year spent 154 hours reading newspapers, 80 hours reading magazines, and 96 hours reading books.
I think people would be more likely to buy e-Reader devices if those devices contain the content that people most frequently read. And what people read most are periodicals. Moreover, people want a device that also contains their work reading, address book, calendar, e-mail, and ideally is a wireless device. In other words, they want a vehicle for all purposes.
Hardware manufacturers fortunately have realized this, and the earliest versions of these multipurpose devices are now coming to market. First in combined organizer/mobile phones, such as the Kyocera smartphone, Samsung Palm Powered phone, Nokia 9210, and GSM PDAs, such as the Handspring Treo. And then in time new tablet PCs, which are full-function computers in e-book form and which bloomed despite the otherwise arid economic climate at Comdex in Las Vegas last month.
Almost all of these new, wireless, multipurpose devices are capable of displaying newspaper and magazine full graphics and layouts, not just plain-texts of the GemStar and Cytale e-books or AvantGo serviced PDAs and with larger and more readable screens than with contemporary Palm Pilots or Handsprings.
Finally, imagine a lightweight and ergonomic handheld PC device, wireless on quick GPRS and not on the slow European and Asian WAP or ancient North American TDMA or CDMA cell networks, into which your daily newspaper or weekly magazine automatically delivers its full edition (no need to web browse or regularly sync the device), bought by subscription and with integrated and hyperlinked text, photo, audio, and video content. Those devices will in fact be shown at Comdex next November.
But most newspaper, magazine, and book content providers -- and certainly Time Warner Trade Publishing -- won't be ready to serve users of these devices, because most content providing companies myopically can't see beyond the next fiscal quarter. Or as Bob Cauthorn (now VP/Digital Media at SFGate.com) told interactive newspapers conference a few years ago, the milk industry spends a larger percentage of its revenues on research & development than the newspaper industry does. And milk isn't facing the changes that newspapers are.
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Technology Disaster
Planning For Libraries
By Samuel Patton, NYSALB Trustee
NYSALB's Trustee Institute offers an excellent mix of subjects for trustees attending the annual spring program. For example, Presentor Barbara Lilley, (Project Officer, NYS Education Department, Preservation of Library Material) talked about disaster planning and recovery for libraries.
Her excellent presentation got me to thinking about another aspect of disaster planning. As we become more and more dependent on computer and communications technology, how do we include technology in our emergency and disaster recovery planning?
Assuming that you have taken the conventional steps of backing up your computer data regularly, and storing the back ups off premises, and providing for an uninteruptible power supply for critical workstations and servers, what else should you consider? What about the source diskettes, CD's and documentation of your software?
Could you set up or rebuild your systems on new computers, even if you had the back up tapes and brand new computers? Do you have off site a complete inventory of your software and hardware, and an accurate record of your network (assuming you have one)? Is there more than one person familiar enough with your system to help a vendor rebuild a system? Do you have a record of the telephone lines in the library, and the numbers programmed into the fax machine?
Try this mental exercise: assume all your library technology becomes unavailable and unusable, but a generous donor gives you all new hardware to duplicate your system. Can you rebuild and restore all your necessary systems? These are some considerations for disaster planning for the physical damage or destruction of library technology.
Now what about the malicious damage that can and has been done by computer hackers and virus writers? Do you have a policy that controls who can bring diskettes to use in your computers? Do you have a secure computer that can do a virus scan on any diskettes patrons want to use in your systems? Do you allow anyone to download programs from the Internet to your computers? Do you have an up to date virus checker that both protects your computers from viruses and damaging emails and attachments? Especially if you have a high speed internet connection, or your computers stay connected to the Internet for a long time every day, do you have a firewall or other security mechanism in place?
For some thought provoking information, and a way to test your system for weaknesses, point your browser to http://www.grc.com and look for the "Probe my Ports" and "Test my Shields" sections. They may reveal some surprising things about your system, and give you food for thought about your system.
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A Lesson From Los Angeles?
by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Trustee
Los Angeles is a large, spread-out city that suffers from many urban problems. According to the media, there is a movement by San Fernando Valley, one of the sections of the city, to divorce from Los Angeles and to establish itself as a separate city. In New York State, we have the potential for something similar; as Staten Island periodically mutters about seceding from New York City.
You may think that whatever happens in Los Angeles is remote from the concerns of the small rural libraries in our state. Nevertheless, what is relevant to us about the Los Angeles case is the list of reasons that they give to support their petition to be transformed into an independent city: better public safety, better road and street maintenance, and BETTER PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE!
When we see that better public library service can be part of a call to arms for a major governmental change, this fact certainly reveals that the quality of library service has a potential for political relevance that is higher than is usually recognized in New York State.
Small town governments tend to focus upon public safety (fire, ambulance, sometimes police) and street maintenance (especially snowplowing) as their major responsibilities. Small town taxpayers are also acutely aware of the local school budgets. Support of the local public library is also in the mix, of course, but often its support by elected officials is somewhat grudging. The library may be like the poor distant cousin: recognized but not fully accepted.
However, the Los Angeles case reminds us of other bits of evidence which hint that libraries even here in New York State have more public support than we often assume.
Evidence of local public support lies in the history that most (not all) library budget propositions on the ballot survive even when school budgets are voted down, in the fund-raising successes that sometimes exceed expectations, in public outrage when libraries are forced to close, in the weight that is given to public library services by professional community evaluators when they rank communities as good places in which to raise children, to establish businesses, or in which to retire.
But something is missing.
Public support, when properly translated, becomes political support and power. The public support of public libraries is here, but many small public libraries don't effectively utilize it. The small library has limited staff, limited resources and too much to do. The job increasingly involves levels of knowledge, skills, and detailed work that is practically invisible to the public. The limits of time and energy may also conspire with librarians' rather studious personality types (which I share) so as to work against the kinds of action that is needed to translate underlying public support into explicit political success (read "budget, budget, budget").
Neither by nature nor by organizational structure are librarians, most trustees, and the library institution itself prepared to be lobbyists, salesmen, politicians, or partisans. Yet ...... increasingly, this is what seems to be required.
I have observed that two principles seem to underlie many examples of success and survival: don't rock the boat, or rock it so hard that others fear that it will sink ..... or perhaps ram into their own boats.
You have to choose which is best for you, but if the budget waters have been coming up steadily in recent years closer and closer to the gunwales of your boat (past which point you will start to sink), it may be better to start rocking it sooner rather than later. If the resources with which work have been falling farther behind the goals that your library knows that it should attain, rocking it now may send out some waves that will attract attention to your plight.
Roads have potholes and are blocked by blizzards and falling trees. This inconveniences people ... hence there is support for street repair and snowplows. Citizens are robbed and attacked ... hence people know the need for police. The occurrence of fires, accidents, and sickness likewise reminds the public of the need for firemen and EMTs. Schools with published low scores on academics disturb many (although not enough) parents. Obviously, the common element here is a threat of some kind, and failures in any of these protective services are embarrassments to whom it counts: to the politicians who determine budget allocations.
Traditionally, we have been told that libraries should take advantage of success stories as a means to educate the public and government about our services and its great value. I am beginning to think that we should talk instead about disasters, losses, and the horror stories of those communities who have been deprived of library services, and of those individuals who, for any reason, have been misled or prevented from using the resources of a properly equipped library when it could have helped them.
The costs can be high. Ignorance, mistakes, narrowness, intolerance, rage, desperation, hostility, and irrationalities of many kinds are all fed by lack of knowledge. Curiosity is muted. The sense of perspective, prudence, and balance that knowledge helps to encourage is lost. Sound familiar?
In this changing society, the big money that is spent for education of the young has a sharply reduced rate of return (read, "wasted") whenever the adults who are produced can not utilize fully the benefits of literacy, breadth of knowledge, and the ability to continually re-educate themselves -- available largely through the public resources of well supported libraries if they exist within reach.
Libraries in New York State, especially the small ones, are heroic stories of relative success by dedicated people despite pitiful budget support over many, many years from a wealthy but mismanaged and unreliable state. Such dedicated service without proper budget support does NOT encourage increased support in a system like ours, nor can dedication alone close the costly gaps that open up between communities ... and STATES ... wherever the public resources for knowledge vary dramatically.
Perhaps, the only road to appropriate political support for library services here will be through crisis and scandal and threat and embarrassment. Lessons elsewhere seem to teach this.
The San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles may or may not get its separate city, but I'm betting that they will end up with better library support after the dust settles.
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The Library Circuit:
Newburgh Free Library
By Muriel Verdibello, Library Director
Located on the hill overlooking New York's majestic Hudson River, the Newburgh Free Library is a modern facility in the midst of the area's historic district. Bright blue and gold banners grace the front of the building to proclaim the Library's 150th anniversary, which is being celebrated with a wide variety of events from a commemorative quilt to be created by children to a "Diversity through Dance" series to showcase its neighborhood cultures.
The Newburgh Library can trace its formal beginnings back to 1852. It is the fourth oldest free public circulating library in the state and one of the few libraries that operate under a Board of Education. Its first home was in a Newburgh Academy schoolroom stocked with 2,001 volumes. In 1876 a fashionable three-story Victorian building was built to house the Library and this facility served the city for the next 100 years. During this time a genealogy and local history collection was added and remains one of the library's strongest collections.
By the 1960s Newburgh was no longer a small city library. The Library was striving to serve the 60,000 residents in the newly enlarged city school system and thousands of additional members of the Ramapo-Catskill Library System where Newburgh served as the Central Reference Library. With the support of its Friends group and other citizens, the present four-story building was built in 1967, offering commanding views of the Hudson River from its reading areas. Today the Library welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year and houses over 280,000 books, magazines, newspapers, and videos.
Like many libraries, Newburgh works hard to fulfill its two basic responsibilities: to provide substantial print resources and traditional services and to secure the technology to make the Library a globally relevant information center. Many of its traditional programs are geared to serving specific population groups such as the Homework Help Center and Parent-Child Workshops for young families, the annual Holiday Luncheon for seniors and the Heritage Festival for Hispanics. The Business Resources and Information Exchange (BRIX) program has garnered national awards for its assistance to small and minority-owned businesses. One of Newburgh's latest services is the Hudson River Resource Center Online aimed at promoting and preserving this beautiful waterway that flows near its back door.
The Newburgh Library's global connections were expanded with the opening of the e-Learning Center, a cutting edge classroom funded in part by public and corporate donations, where hundreds have taken computer training classes. Other "click on" services include email service for overdues, reserves and reference requests, electronic renewals and free Internet access. At the hub of its services is the Library's web site <www.newburghlibrary.org>, with links to remote databases, computerized catalogs and thousands of useful sites, that allows Newburgh to be a virtual library whose resources are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Library's 150th anniversary celebration kicked off with a special newspaper section and an afternoon party of music, art and displays; a formal rededication will wrap up the activities in late fall. This exciting eight-month-long event will offer the community the opportunity to reflect on the history and accomplishments of this cornerstone institution.
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Library Advocates Meet With
Commissioner Mills In Albany
Library and system trustees, Friends, library professionals, and other library advocates met with Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills in Albany on Friday, May 17 for the first statewide Library Advocacy Leadership Meeting.
The New York Association of Library Boards (NYSALB), the New York Library Association (NYLA), the New York State Library, Empire Friends, and Libraries For the Future were among the cosponsors of the event that brought together 160 supporters of better library services for New Yorkers.
The New York State Archives, New York State Historical Records Advisory Board, and the Museum Association of New York also served as sponsoring partners and brought the extensive advocacy experience and knowledge of the cultural resources community to the meeting.
Commissioner Mills and Chancellor of the Board of Regents Robert M. Bennett addressed the group. Both shared their commitment to better state support for libraries of all types and the New Century Libraries proposal for $105 million in additional state support for libraries in New York State. Citing the almost 20% rise in library use since September 11, Chancellor Bennett emphasized that this is a critical time for libraries.
Commissioner Mills lauded the importance of libraries to education, the economy, and communities. He outlined his vision for adequately funded libraries for all New Yorkers and urged meeting participants to work with their communities, leaders, and one another to help realize that vision.
"The participants responded enthusiastically to the inspired and insightful comments of Chancellor Bennett and Commissioner Mills and the meeting's many discussions and presentations," said New York State Librarian Janet M.Welch. "This was a very highly motivated and committed group of participants. It will be their efforts that will ensure that this gathering helps build the foundations for a statewide grassroots advocacy effort strengthen support for New York's libraries."
Advocates participated in discussions and attended presentations that included skills training for beginning advocates. Other sessions addressed issues including coalition building and organizing an advocacy campaign.
Susan Keitel of the New York Library Association, Richard Strauss of the New York Association of Library Boards, and State Librarian Janet M. Welch were among those who addressed participants. Other presenters included Lynne Bradley of the American Library Association, Paul W. Crumlish, Past President of NYLA; Jennifer Morris, Pioneer Library System; Mary Lou Caskey, Mid-York Library System; John Shaloiko, Southeastern New York Library Resources Council; Sara Kelly Johns, School Library Media Specialist, Lake Placid Middle School; John McDonald, Mayor of Cohoes; and Kathy Marchione, Saratoga County Clerk.
Plans are currently being drafted for future library advocacy efforts. Included among them is a library advocacy listserv , advocacy tool kit materials, and future statewide and regional meetings. Other efforts include identifying speaking opportunities for Commissioner of Education Mills and making library advocacy materials accessible on the Internet.
Information on accessibility of the materials distributed at the May 17 meeting and plans for future meetings will be made available. For more information contact Valerie Chevrette at the New York State Library at 518/474-5961, or via email at vchevret@mail.nysed.gov.
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Still Time to Nominate
Moore Award Candidates
by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Trustee and Velma Moore Committee Chair
August 15th is the deadline for receipt of your nominations for the NYSALB Velma Moore Award. This prestigious selection carries with it a stipend of $750.00 to be donated by the award winner to a library or library service of his or her choice. In addition, the award includes a specially designed honoree plaque plus recognition by the statewide library community as the plaque is presented personally to the award winner. This will take place at the NYLA/NYSALB Conference scheduled for the fall.
Eligible to receive the award is any individual or group who has made outstanding contributions to the development of library service in New York State. Nominees may be, but need not be, trustees, library boards or any group of library supporters.
Let us know about your candidate today by sending in the name and address of the nominee, the library affiliation and a statement of not more than 250 words on the reasons for making the nomination.
Mail, e-mail, or FAX this information today to the NYSALB Velma Moore Award Committee, care of the NYSALB office at the addresses or FAX number provided on the back page of this newsletter.
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New Trustees Join NYSALB
Three new trustees were recently added to NYSALB and four current trustees were each re-elected to serve an additional term on the statewide trustee board. The election was held at the organization's annual meeting on May 4, 2002 in Albany, NY.
Elected to serve a third board term were George Manitzas, Freeport, NY; Martina Thompson, Pittsford, embers NY; and Dr. William R. Taber, Richfield Springs, NY. Elected to serve a second term on the NYSALB board was Nancy Simaitis, Waverly, NY.
The new trustees include Francis Picart, Brentwood, NY, a professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is currently a trustee of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System and very active in a broad range of library organizations.
Jane Sweet, Clarence, NY has served as a trustee of the Clarence Public Library for the past sixteen years, nine as president (1992-2001). She is a physical education teacher by profession, has served on numbers of library committees as well as working as a volunteer with many community groups.
Paula Werth, Shortsville, NY, is vice-president of the Red Jacket Community Library in Shortsville. She has served as a trustee of this library since 1998 when it was created as a School District Public Library. She is also Library Personnel Chair as well as the Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee.
Trustees of NYSALB serve three-year terms of office. Members of the organization serve without remuneration.
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NYSALB Officers Elected
NYSALB officers for 2002-03 were elected on May 4, 2002 at the organization's annual meeting held in Albany, NY. The meeting followed the organization's recently concluded annual Trustee Institute. Officers elected include:
Dr. Norman Jacknis |
PRESIDENT |
Martina Thompson |
1st VICE PRESIDENT |
Joan Hurley |
2nd VICE PRESIDENT |
Richard Strauss |
TREASURER |
Sam Patton |
SECRETARY |
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Kirkland Library Celebrates
Congratulations!
The Kirkland Town Library in Clinton, NY is celebrating its Centennial. The library, part of the Mid-York Library System, was chartered by the University of the State of New York on May 8, 1902. The board of trustees and library staff have planned a series of events for their Centennial Year celebration. For event information call 315-853-2038.
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The NYLA/NYSALB Annual Conference
Save The Date:
October 23-26th, 2002
Buffalo, New York
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THE TRUSTEE
Vol. XIII, No. 3, Summer 2002
TRUSTEE is published by the New York State Association of Library Boards, 338 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207, 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 Albany, NY and an additional mailing office. USPS#010-872, ISSN:1085-3170. Volume XIII Issue #3, Postmaster: Please send address changes to NYSALB, 338 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.
NYSALB
338 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Phone:518-434-5973
Fax:518-434-0072
EDITOR: Edwin M. Field, efield@catskill.net
PRESIDENT: Norman J. Jacknis, norm@jacknis.com
1st VICE PRESIDENT: Martina Thompson
2nd VICE PRESIDENT: Joan Hurley
TREASURER: Richard Strauss
SECRETARY: Samuel Patton
ASSOCIATION MANAGER: Karen K. Dyer
DIRECTORS:
Edwin M. Field, Monticello
Joan Hurley, Horseheads
Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, Cortlandt Manor
David Bruce Krogmann, Glens Falls
George Manitzas, Freeport
Samuel Patton, Hopewell Junction
Francis Picart, Brentwood
Nancy Simaitis, Waverly
Richard Strauss, Memphis
Jane Sweet, Clarence
Dr. William Taber, Richfield Springs
Martina Thompson, Pittsford
Dr. Robert Wells, Canton
Paula Werth, Shortsville
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