New York State Association of Library Boards

Sometimes I am struck by the coincidence of reading two different articles at the same time. Individually, they may be just interesting, but together they raise fundamental issues. So it was with these two articles:

One article was on the front page of the New York Times on June 21, 2004, and was entitled “Old Search Engine, the Library, Tries To Fit Into A Google World.” The Times story described how the Internet has affected usage of university and research libraries by college students and other young researchers. As the author wrote: “For the last few years, librarians have increasingly seen people use online sites not to supplement research libraries but to replace them.”

The article describes several examples of how students and faculty are conducting most of their research online, unaware or uncaring about what might be in the library. It goes on to illustrate some of the, frankly tentative, ways that librarians are trying to tame this trend, supplement it, and perhaps accommodate it in a changing role for libraries. Even as trustees of public libraries, we've heard some of this news before, although the strength and relentlessness of this trend is becoming increasingly daunting to us.

Then I read the cover article in the June/July 2004 issue of ALA's publication, American Libraries, entitled “From Outreach To Equity: An Introduction” and written by Satia Marshall Orange and Robin Osborne (of my own Westchester Library System). Orange and Osborne focus on the need for libraries to reach out to the full diversity of the communities they serve. As the authors note: “In New York State, for example, outreach is defined as a `program of library services designed to identify, contact, and serve persons who are educationally disadvantaged; members of ethnic or minority groups ... [and the poor and the] handicapped'.” The need for this kind of outreach is something that NYSALB itself has considered to be important. We have, for example, sponsored panels on outreach methods and successes, even at the annual NYLA conference.

Orange/Osborne think outreach is so important that they argue it cannot be segregated from general library services if these disadvantaged populations are to be served. They also insist that outreach shouldn't be treated as an extra isolated service, which can be easily eliminated at the first hint of a budget problem.

They feel strongly that each library must go beyond satisfying just those who already use the library. Indeed!

While the Times article was not about “disadvantaged populations” and was not ostensibly about public libraries, it struck me that it too raised issues of outreach in our libraries. Orange and Osborne are right that it should be the regular business of the library to consider and try to serve those who don't readily come inside our library buildings.

But the underserved populations now are not just the disadvantaged, but even the well educated and “advantaged” who have lost interest in libraries as a result of their easy exposure to the Internet. How can a library continue to play its proper role in its community if it fails to reach both the disadvantaged and the advantaged? Without an increased emphasis on reaching out to the full range of the community, we may find that our population of patrons shrinks over time. Not only would that be a failure of the library's mission. It will also jeopardize the financial support from the public that we depend upon for all library services. A properly defined and well-executed outreach program can be self-supporting, just as ignoring the need for such outreach can lead to a downward cycle of diminishing finances.

As a group, library trustees know that one of their most critical roles is to be the bridge between the library and the community. Ensuring the success of outreach is just one example. Please share your outreach plans, methods and success with your fellow trustees on NYSALB's email discussion group. You can join by sending an email to join-nysalb@www.watpa.org. Thank you.

This issue is a little later than I had planned. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday. The last NYSALB function I attended was the Trustee Institute in Albany, where I had a chance to talk with many Trustees from libraries of all sizes. I found the presentations to be very interesting, and as usual, some of the informal talk between sessions was as valuable as the formal talks. A Trustee from Mount Vernon talked about problems in her library - her story is in this issue. We also discussed fund raising and public awareness of our libraries - the stories about Toni Morrison at the Desmond Fish Library, and the Juried Photography Exhibit at the Freeport Library show two successful efforts. I am an old car fan (I still have my 1967 Jaguar 2+2), so the story from Everett, Washington, about their restoration of a bookmobile interested me.

Also in Albany, we welcomed two new trustees to the NYSALB Board: Sharon Best from the Geneva Free Library, and George Stamatiades from the Queens Borough Public Library.

The legislative news from Albany is all too familiar. We not only have no budget, but it appears that once again lack of legislative action will put the courts in the position of implementing the education funding decision made by the Court of Appeals. Please do what you can to encourage your legislators to act to at least maintain support for our libraries.

Mark your calendars now for the 2005 Trustee Institute, to be held in Syracuse next April. Look at the box on the address page, and you will note a new address, phone and fax number, and e-mail for the NYSALB office in Albany, and a new person as Association Director: Margaret Malicki.

As any NYSALB conference will reveal, libraries quite distant from one another in this vast state have many things in common. Fiscal sustenance is one reality that most libraries confront on a regular basis. The construction and maintenance of library buildings are also common concerns. These matters comprise the predictable realm of trustee responsibilities.

What sometimes stymies local trustee board members, however, is the even more tangled web of laws and politics that defy logic and test the fortitude of any city's well-meaning boards and administrations. Westchester County's city of Mount Vernon is a perfect example of such complexity. Take, for example, the Mount Vernon Public Library building itself.

Now one hundred years old, the library needs a new roof, additional new wiring and an air conditioning system for the main reading rooms. In spite of its needs, increasing daily as the rain water seeps into the walls, the building belongs to no one but itself, and the city administration leaders are reluctant to invest the 2.3 million dollars they have floated bonds for into a building that the city does not own. Can you blame them? The question of whether it is even legal to use taxpayer dollars to repair a non-city owned building has emerged.

In the midst of this circumstance sit the trustees, all of whom have been appointed by the Mount Vernon Board of Education. It was the Mount Vernon Board of Education who originally owned the library structure and who, in 1969, transferred it to the trustees. (This transfer of property was formally approved by the voting public; the endorsement of the Board of Regents followed shortly.)

Complicating matters even further is the fact that some of the lots comprising the public library property belong to the library, and some of the lots belong to the city. How could such a circumstance have ever evolved? Couldn't one of the parties simply transfer the lots it owns to the other? Maybe, but such a transfer has never taken place, and the separate ownership of the lots creates or adds to what might be considered a gentle tug of war. This kind of local detail boggles the minds of readers and is, therefore, best left in the local town, village, city or county.

One concern of numerous state onlookers of the Mount Vernon situation, however, is the strong desire of the city administration to convert the public library once and for all into a municipal agency. City funding, shared maintenance services, mutually determined insurance contracts and appointment of trustees are touted as the obvious benefits of this type of arrangement. What's more, onlookers, there is accord within the city regarding this choice.

The library CSEA unit has gone on record as supporting a municipal library. After spending more than 80 hours of research, the president of the CSEA wrote an article entitled “The School District Library Scheme” recording the legal history of the Mount Vernon Public Library as a municipal entity. The document has been distributed to the media and Regents Cohen and Phillips, who visited Mount Vernon Public Library in August of 2003.

In addition, the Mount Vernon City Council has voted to seek and support a municipal public library. Most importantly, the library Board of Trustees has also voted to support the concept of a municipal library and is working collaboratively with the Mayor and the City Council to make the necessary changes. Ironically, the local state legislators who have been in office over eight years, voted to support the concept of the library as a small city school district library. Complikated4ever?

Enter the state presence and the concept and identity of a central library. According to the “Long Range Plan (1999-2001)”of the Central Libraries Association of New York State, central libraries have seven common characteristics.

As the central library of the 38-member Westchester Library System, Mount Vernon Public Library meets all of the criteria above. The question then arises: Should a central library be a municipal library? Are there currently any central libraries that are also municipal libraries?

The very identity of the central library as defined by the CLA would suggest that on the one hand, the CLA and local administrations must work collaboratively: “The cost of library resources is growing relative to the ability/willingness of municipalities to fund them and especially their attendant capital and maintenance costs.” (CLA, 1999-2001) On the other hand, the visions of the central libraries and the municipalities might often collide. For example, Mount Vernon Public Library was recently designated by the Westchester Library System as one of the teleconferencing sites in the county. The vision inspired by that opportunity is not likely to be shared by a city government focused on the gripping needs and demands of its school, fire, police and sanitation departments.

Is it within the interests of NYSALB and the Central Library Association to assist central library trustees in forging more flexible identities because of the drastic needs and changes they are experiencing? Might NYSALB itself offer a special training or “clinic” for central library trustees who need the assistance of expert educational lawyers or consultants in the face of dwindling office staff in the Division of Library Development and/or the lack of accessibility to such expertise locally?

Finally, consider the relationship of a central library to its local municipality as that of an adult child to her parents. The parents have provided sustenance for that adult throughout her childhood and certainly desire the adult to now stand on her own two feet, establish her own identity, find her own way of surviving in the world. When the adult runs into financial difficulties, most parents will attempt to help her in as many ways as possible. The last thing they want is an adult dependent upon them “4ever.”

A self-supporting adult is free and enabled to reach out to help others. Central libraries need to be free and enabled, not “controlled” by city or state past traditions, practices, or legalities. Cities that enjoy the privilege of hosting them must recognize their value to the entire region and assist them in seeking creative and long-term fiscal support. The relationship between a central library and its host municipality need not be complikated4ever.

The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport's 24th Annual Juried Photography Show co-sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings took place at the Freeport Memorial Library April 1-30, 2004. For the past 16 years, the Freeport Memorial Library has been honored to act as host for the Long Island Arts Council's Juried Art Show. This year's exhibit showcased 30 of Long Island's most outstanding photographers. Over 20,000 people had the opportunity to view and be inspired by this exhibit.

The judge, Stephen Frailey, is Chair of the Photography Department at the School of Visual Arts and Chair of the Graduate Photography Department at Bard College. Mr. Frailey is the recipient of two MacDowell Colony Fellowships, a National Endowment for the Arts Grant and an Aaron Siskind Foundation Grant.

After careful review of the 241 submissions, Mr. Frailey selected 30 photographs for exhibit. His choice for awards were:

Over one hundred guests attended the opening reception on April 1, 2004 at the Freeport Memorial Library. Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg presented a citation to the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport for contributions to the cultural life in Nassau County. Legislator Denenberg also awarded achievement certificates to exhibitors from his district.

John Baldante, Jr., Branch Manager-Merrick, Astoria Federal Savings and Lorraine Peragallo, first Vice President, Regional Manager, Astoria Federal Savings joined Polly Whitehorn, Juried Photography Show Coordinator in presenting prizes to the winning photographers.

The success of this photography show could not have been possible without the strong support of a show committee. Thanks go to: Joyce Adler, Janet Feile, Caroline Fenyo and the Freeport Memorial Library Staff, Joseph Giordano, Mary Goldstein, Elaine Goodman, Jack Holly, Don Hunerberg, Marc Josloff, Diane Mecker, Kristine O'Malley, April Marius, Gloria Panella Sr., Harold and Judy Perlman, Phyllis Pullman, Fred Schneider, Shirley Stevenson, and Michele Swersey.

The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors for their contributions to the show: Armato's Pro Video, Astoria Federal Savings, Berger Brothers Camera, Brooklyn Camera Exchange, The Camera Co., The Freeport Chamber of Commerce, The Freeport Memorial Library, Great Neck Photo & Imaging, Ken Lieberman Labs, Ken Mar Camera Co., King Kullen Supermarkets, Kings Supermarket of Merrick, George Mallis, PJ Art & Frame, Photography in New York, The Long Island Center of Photography, Love & Quiches, South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Stop & Shop of Merrick and Freeport, Stu-Art Frames, and Kathy Boulukos.

The core of public library service is to provide truth -- in the form of knowledge and information. Since the world is so complex, we as individuals cannot experience directly everything that we need to know, and we must depend upon the nourishment to the human mind that libraries help to provide equally to all in the population without regard to their wealth or power. Through these services, public libraries inherently are committed to certain social and cultural values of honesty, individual freedom and integrity, rationality, good will towards others, and equality of opportunity -- all important prerequisites to democracy and to a free society.

Our public libraries are public institutions. However, this does not mean that they can stand mute when the basic values which they serve are threatened by government or by political movements or by any other group's authoritarianism. Public libraries can exist and can function only within the structure of a larger society that supports these values -- and this structure includes the political and governmental climates which dominate at any particular time. The nature of the times is revealed in many ways.

For example, one of the pictures on my computer's screensaver is the photograph of flag draped coffins neatly in line within the hold of an aircraft returning our dead from Iraq -- meticulously cared for by two soldiers. It is a quiet moment of reality, and, when it appears on my screen for half a minute every week or so, it gives me a moment of pause and reflection. It is clearly part of the truth, and, like all truth, it threatens only those who (for whatever their own purposes or fears) insist upon controlling the knowledge and thoughts of others. As you probably know, that image is nearly criminalized, those who released it were punished, and releases of further photos were banned by the administration in a flurry of passionate rhetoric that such a photograph of the coffins was somehow disrespectful and disturbing to the families. Consequently, our losses continue to be shipped back unseen by the public and possibly out of the public mind. (Finally, after much criticism of the administration's restrictive actions, family members have been granted permission to view the arrivals.)

I have seen the dead arrive from World War II and later from Korea and Vietnam. The returns were a mixture of sorrow and pride ... and sometimes anger. But they were done with the careful dignity and public recognition of their sacrifice that characterizes our military's respect for its dead, and they were not seen officially as shameful and dangerous.

This vignette, minor though it may be, sticks in my mind as a symbol of the whole fabric of manipulation that this country has suffered and which, if truly unchecked, may eventually smother any hope of a fair, equitable and free nation for the majority of our people.

Fortunately, the domestic iron curtain that has been built in recent years is still full of holes. Through these holes a flood of literature has emerged (on lists of most borrowed library books and on best seller lists) that may yet save our future by awaking the public. Such glimpses by whistle-blowers and by researchers into the true purposes, thinking, and tactics of the groups presently in power are frightening, but they prove that freedom of inquiry and expression is not dead, only bruised and reeling.

The public library community has been part of the self-correcting power of our country. It has been a leader in defending individual rights to know and to think. When newspaper articles describe libraries' opposition to censorship, to ideological or religious control, or to attempts to co-opt it as a kind of police informant, they often refer to that opposition as coming from a “surprising” or “unlikely” source. But that source is not at all unlikely; for the public library is founded precisely upon those values that I mentioned earlier (honesty, rationality, equal access to accurate knowledge, individual freedom of thought, and the good of all the community, not just a few). These are the values that it must defend, not just for itself but for the whole country of which it is a part.

Librarians, patrons, and trustees have an obligation to take threats to those values very seriously and to do what they can to preserve them. The only question is, “How?”

We can rebuff attempts to destroy principles that are important to our library and to our country (if we value a free and open democracy) only by opposing the very people who mount such attacks from positions of power.

By their actions, these are people for whom “knowledge” is not something to share with other humans but rather something to hoard or hide for one's own secret advantage of power or profit. These are people for whom “freedom” means only a license to use nearly any means by which to dominate others to one's own benefit (and to the others' loss). These are people for whom “argument” does not mean the exchange of views for the purpose of finding the truth or reaching an accord, but rather the use of power to control and to prevent the airing of any other views. Underlying all these attitudes is an absolutist sense of moral certainty and superiority that dismisses with contempt anyone else's willingness to consider alternatives, to question premises, or to critically examine promised alternatives. When people with these attitudes have seized power, whether that power is based upon huge wealth or upon control of government, the freedom of all is in danger.

A democracy has to tolerate such people and their thinking, but it will not endure as a democracy if it tolerates their hold on the free flow of information. Librarians must continue to work for and encourage the free and open availability of information to all those who seek it.

National Library Week was celebrated during the week of April 18th this year, and Senator Hugh Farley and I were again able to welcome exhibitors including the New York Library Association, the New York State Library, the Albany Public Library and the Talking Book and Braille Library. These groups, among others, reserved tables to display information regarding their programs. In addition to the exhibitors on the concourse, the Assembly for the first year hosted a Library Day on the floor of the Assembly during which a package of bills and resolutions were passed during session on Monday April 19th. Two resolutions were enacted as a part of this package: K.1949, which recognizes National Library week in New York State, and K1950 which proclaims Thursday, April 22nd Library Staff Recognition Day in the State of New York.

In addition to the resolutions that were passed, the following bills were enacted by the Assembly in recognition of Assembly Library Day:

The opportunity to celebrate a Library Day on the floor of the Assembly was tremendously exciting for me. As Chair of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, I look forward to continuing to work with my Assembly colleagues, Senator Farley, the State Education Department and the library community as a whole to do new and innovative events to advance libraries, such as Library Day. I hope that you will all continue to share your thoughts with me on the budget and the issues facing your libraries. You can reach me at my office at 914-941-1111 with any ideas or input that you would like to share.

This month, I get to report on legislation which directly affects the New York State Association of Library Boards (NYSALB). In 1962, State Education Law formally recognized the organization of Library trustees, then called the Library Trustees Foundation of New York State, by permitting libraries to make annual contributions to the organization.

Over the past 42 years there have been lots of changes in libraries, including changing the name of the trustee's organization to NYSALB. This year, the law caught up with that change. The Legislature passed a bill (S.6861/A.9706) which Assemblymember Galef and I sponsored to correctly name NYSALB (rather than the Library Trustees Foundation) in the Education Law. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law.

Other, considerably more complicated, legislation could have a positive effect on library funding. After more than a decade of passing one-house bills, a joint Senate and Assembly Conference Committee presented comprehensive State budget reform legislation. The reforms consist of a proposed Constitutional Amendment (S.7317/A.11231) and an implementing statute (S.7318/A.11232.) In order to take effect, the Constitutional Amendment must pass two consecutive Legislatures (it received first passage in the Senate and Assembly this year), and be approved by the voters of the State at a general election, presumably November 2005.

One of the most significant elements of budget reform would be a Contingency Budget taking effect automatically on the first day of a fiscal year if the Legislature does not act on all of the Governor's Budget Bills. The Contingency Budget would be based on the prior year's Budget, with upward adjustments in some aid and grant programs and downward adjustments if revenues are not sufficient to meet the resultant spending.

The upward adjustment provisions have generated discussion which might become relevant to libraries. Most of the items excluded from the spending cap are bills which have to be paid, such as debt service, health insurance premiums, and withholding taxes. The initial proposal also allowed upward adjustments in school aid and public assistance grants, and health care organizations have since argued that their aid should be excluded from the cap.

The budget reform bill clearly shows a broad sense in both Houses of the Legislature that education is special. And, libraries are an integral component of the life-long education process. I am a strong believer in equal treatment for formal education -- such as schools -- and informal education -- such as libraries. Perhaps it should be through the budget reform process that we tie library funding to school aid, ensuring regular annual increases in State aid to libraries.

Garrison's Desmond Fish Library marked the tenth anniversary of their annual Associates Dinner by honoring Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison with the Library's prestigious Hamilton Fish Award. Over a hundred and fifty guests attended, 87 of whom were actually members of the Associates Program, the Library's key fund raising activity. The success of the Associates program allows the library to be open seven days a week for most of the year. The evening's activities included a welcome from Library Director Carol Donick, as well as the presentation of several other awards prior to the introduction of Ms. Morrison as the recipient of the Hamilton Fish award which is named for a founder of the Library, Congressman Hamilton Fish, and is given to residents of the Hudson Valley to honor their civic, political, environmental, or cultural leadership in the community.

Ms. Morrison gave a most gracious speech. It was a passionate pitch for libraries and for books. She noted, in fact, that she judges places, towns and villages by their libraries. A community's view of itself and of learning, she argues, can be seen in its enthusiasm for its library and its identification with it as a cornerstone of the community. Ms. Morrison is a member of the Board of the New York Public Library and has brought this enthusiasm to that board for some time. Her association with Public Libraries reaches back much further. As she began she reminisced about her own time working in a public library in Lorraine, Ohio. Years later, her Social Security report reminded her that in 1942 she earned the magnificent sum of $12 as a page there.

Needless-to-say, Lorraine, Ohio, later wanted to honor this daughter of their community and to Toni Morrison's mind, a suitable honour in Lorraine for her was the naming of a room in their new library. She specifically requested a quiet place with comfortable chairs and lots of good books on the shelves. The committee in charge initially felt this to be a bit retrograde but what she wanted was to recreate for another generation her own experience as a young person in town who could always find solace by climbing the library steps and going in to read or re-read a good book. Earlier in the evening she had commented to this writer on the great emotional and even physical joy to be found in simply holding and getting lost in a good book. Several times she remarked about being so enthralled that she could forget she was even holding a book - - she was completely absorbed in it. “A picture may be worth a thousand words,” she reminded us, “but it is NOT a thousand words.” Language is capable of taking us to an entirely new dimension.

She offered us a marvelous observation in the thought that great civilizations are measured by their access to knowledge - - by free access not dependent on meeting other requirements of party or money or class. A library represents free access to knowledge, all are invited. It speaks to the world -- “We have treasures here, and they are YOURS.” It's unlike any institution that exists elsewhere.

Board president Ham Fish summed the evening up best in his closing remarks when he observed “one of the world wide symbols of what's good and great in this country came to Garrison tonight.” He was right.

State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills will hold 3 statewide Leadership meetings in September and November 2004 to discuss the Department's New Century Libraries initiative and its potential to raise the quality of education at all levels and improve the quality of life in communities of the State. Commissioner Mills will discuss the value of NOVEL and other New Century Libraries initiatives at the meetings.

State Librarian Janet M. Welch, NYLA leaders, members of the State Board of Regents and other library supporters will participate in each meeting.

Five successful leadership meetings have been held: in Albany, the Buffalo area, the Poughkeepsie area, the Long Island area and the Syracuse area. Each meeting was well attended by stakeholders including the library and education communities, State Legislators, local elected officials, and business and community leaders.

Patricia Mallon retired from state service on June 2, 2004. She had spent 36 years with the New York State Library's Division of Library Development. And after almost 23 years, James L. Farrell, Jr. retired on April 30, 2004. Both were recognized as experts in library law and governance, and both have led several statewide initiatives to improve public library services for all New Yorkers since they joined the State Education Department.

Pat was the regional liaison for 331 public libraries and 10 public library systems in the 28 counties comprising the Capital District, Central NY, Southeastern NY and Western NY regions.

In addition to her important work coordinating the chartering and registration of local public libraries for the State Education Department, she also provided leadership for implementing Regents policy on forming new public library districts. Mallon's retirement plans include spending more time with family - especially her one-year old granddaughter.

Jim has been a major force in the statewide implementation of the Regents priority initiative on public library districts. He helped develop the popular and informative "Public Library District How-To Kit" that is now available on the State Library's website. He has been an active member of the New York Library Association's Public Library District Task Force and has led many workshops and meetings for trustees and local government officials on forming public library districts. Jim's future plans involve private consulting with public libraries and spending more time with his family, particularly his new granddaughter.

Many years ago, in my home county in Virginia, my mother was a founding volunteer of the Rockbridge - Botetourt Regional Library. This was a two county library, serving both small cities and rural areas in the 1950's. During my senior year in college, I was drafted as a substitute driver for the bookmobile, a converted school bus. Loaded with books, with a driver and librarian, we navigated some very steep and winding roads of the Blue Ridge mountains as we brought library services to the small hamlets and villages of the area. We were always greeted warmly by our loyal patrons, usually with refreshments and stories. I was reminded of those times when our East Fishkill Director, Gloria Goverman, sent me an email about the restoration of an old bookmobile in Everett, Washington. Their first bookmobile or “book wagon” was built on a 1924 Ford Model T truck.

In 1929 the custom bookmobile coachwork from the Ford Model T chassis was installed onto a new Ford Model AA truck chassis, and the bookmobile was named “Pegasus.”

After many years of service Pegasus was retired in 1950. They recently discovered Pegasus in a storage building. With help from the local Model A club, they have restored it completely. Here are two photos, one of the discovered chassis, and as it looks now.

I know this was not in New York, but my question to readers is: “Do you know of any older bookmobiles in New York that are still operable, or what was the first bookmobile in service in New York?” Remembering the flurry of correspondence I stirred by an article on the oldest libraries and buildings, I won't attempt to identify the oldest, largest, smallest, most time in service, etc., but would like to hear from you. Pictures would be most welcome.

Make a date with NYSALB! Join fellow trustees for the Ninth Annual Trustee Institute on Friday evening, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. This popular opportunity for trustees to share ideas, areas of mutual concern and strategies for advancing library service to their communities will be held at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool, New York. This hotel is conveniently located opposite Thruway exit 37 and provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
The planning committee is hard at work preparing programs that will help you become a better trustee and welcomes your suggestions for possible topics. You are encouraged to forward program suggestions to Tina Thompson at <onerlt@aol.com>.

TRUSTEE is published by the New York State Association of Library Boards, P.O. Box 11048, Albany, NY 12211 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 XV Issue #3, Postmaster: Please send address changes to NYSALB, P.O. Box 11048, Albany, NY 12211.

NYSALB
PO Box 11048
Albany, NY 12211
Phone: 518-445-9505
Fax: 518-426-8240
Website: http://www.nysalb.org