First, the big news: The American Library Association has a new executive director, Tracie Hall. She brings an incredible depth of experience, including directing ALA's Office for Diversity. We're excited to have her vision, innovation, and expertise at the helm.

In not so happy news, Governor Cuomo has cut $5M in general aid to libraries and $20M in Public Library Construction Aid. This year's Advocacy Day is Tuesday, February 25. Due to scheduling conflicts, SALS staff will be at the Public Library Association Conference in Nashville during Advocacy Day. Russ Wise, the SALS Board of Trustees Vice President, will be leading the advocacy charge on our behalf. To prepare, the Northern NY Library Network is holding a webinar next Thursday, January 30, covering the basics of legislative visits in New York State. There is no cost, but registration is required.

The presenter will be Jery Huntley, who worked as Chuck Schumer's legislative director in the New York State Assembly beginning in 1978 and continued on his staff through his campaign for Congress, then became his legislative assistant for special projects in Washington, DC.

Ms. Huntley was also a teacher and school library media specialist in New York State. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education (1971) and a Master of Library Science (1972) from SUNY Albany.

If you can't make the webinar, Library Advocacy Day is full of people ready to help you learn on the job. There is no training or experience required to join the effort in Albany on February 25.

This week, Sara and I are headed to the American Library Association Midwinter Conference to serve on the ALA Council. If there are issues that are important to you, please let us know!

We know that our libraries do fantastic work, but it's always gratifying to be recognized outside of the library world. A huge thanks to Ike Pulver of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Alex Gutelius from the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, and Karen Bradley from the Schenectady County Public Library for making us proud!

The Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library will be hosting an Opioid Overdose Rescue Training Session specifically designed for and open to local librarians at 10 am Wednesday, January 22.

All are welcome to attend this free seminar, presented and sponsored by the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Emergency Corps. Registration is requested.

Are you ready to reflect on how hard you rocked last year? Bring 2019's statistics to the Southern Adirondack Library System's Annual Report Party from 10 am to 1 pm on Thursday, January 30, and complete your annual report to the state. SALS staff will be on hand to explain the annual report, and to answer any questions you may have. Everyone is invited to stay for lunch. Please register so we can make sure everyone gets fed.

SALS has been chosen as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps program. For every reusable bag purchased from the Hannaford at 95 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs NY during the month of February, SALS will receive $1. Shop til you drop, save the planet, and support SALS!

Are you creating fabulous programs for Senior Citizens? Come share your great ideas with other adult program professionals during the next Adult Program Swap, at 9:30 am Thursday, February 13, at the Mechanicville District Public Library. Register here to learn with colleagues.

The Census Bureau has published a half-page flyer (PDF) that libraries can distribute to raise awareness of the 2020 Census. The flyer highlights the role that libraries will play in providing access to the online response option and notes that Census data helps determine the allocation of funding for libraries. The flyer and other free downloadable outreach materials, including materials in languages other than English, are available from the 2020 Census website.

Learn about key issues in just a few minutes with ALA’s 2-page Census tip sheets. Share them with a colleague who needs to know!

• “2020 Census: Key Facts for Libraries (PDF)”
• “How Can My Library Increase Awareness of 2020 Census Hiring? (PDF)”
• “Preparing My Library for the 2020 Census (PDF)”
• “How Can Libraries Help Count All Kids in the 2020 Census (PDF)”

If Representative Ben Baker of the Missouri House of Representatives has his way, libraries would be required to follow a set of stringent rules about who can access library materials in order to receive funding.

The National Archives blurred images from the historic 2017 Women's March that were critical of the current administration. The photos were part of an exhibit, Rightfully Hers, about Women's Suffrage. Librarians and others concerned with civil liberties were not pleased, and eventually, the National Archives apologized (on Twitter, natch).

Radiohead has created the Radiohead Public Library, a digital archive of the band's work.

Disheartened by the current political climate, writer Heather Fogarty decided to spend a year reading her way through the states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

The Public Library Association (PLA) is now accepting applications from public libraries interested in participating in PLA's Inclusive Internship Initiative (III) this year. In alignment with PLA’s strategic goal related to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice, III was piloted in 2017 as a pathway program to increase diversity in public librarianship. The initiative has been a tremendous success, and PLA is proud to offer III once again with the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (grant RE-00-17-0129-17).

Through III, PLA will sponsor paid, mentored internships at public libraries for 50 high school juniors and seniors during the summer of 2020. With individual guidance from a mentor, each intern will engage with multiple facets of library life, from administration to programming to user services, while also completing a connected-learning project on behalf of their host library.

In addition to identifying an appropriate intern, participating libraries must complete the following items:

• Assign a staff person to serve as a mentor;
• Develop a connected learning project in conjunction with the intern;
• Provide the intern at least five hours per week of one-on-one mentoring and coaching;
• Attend a June kick-off event in Washington, D.C. and a September wrap-up event in Chicago, Ill.;
• Share their successes, challenges, opportunities across the III cohort, within the library, and to community stakeholders; and
• Comply with applicable nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to those in the Assurances and Certifications, throughout the grant award and the intern application and selection process.

The 2020 application for host libraries can be found here. All public libraries, regardless of PLA membership of applicants, are eligible. Small, rural, and tribal libraries are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.

For more information, please see the program guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ). If your questions isn't addressed in the FAQ, please contact PLA at plinterns@ala.org.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries is a new learning series from the American Library Association (ALA) designed to help library workers develop facilitation skills to engage with their communities.

Specially designed to meet the needs of small and rural libraries, the series will consist of:

• In-person training at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago with follow-up coaching support; space is limited. Registration and travel stipends will be granted through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process
• A five-part asynchronous online course
• Follow-up coaching support

Applications are now being accepted for travel stipends to attend the in-person training at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. ALA will distribute up to 25 travel stipends to library workers in small and rural communities to cover travel costs. Applications are due Monday, January 20, 2020. Applicants will be notified by Friday, January 31, 2020.

Before starting, read the travel stipend FAQ and carefully review the requirements in each category for the travel stipend before applying.

Questions? Contact ALA's Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant RE-17-19-0041-19.

Applications for the American Library Association (ALA) Leadership Institute, a 4-day immersive leadership development program for future library leaders led by past ALA President Maureen Sullivan and Library and Leadership Consultant Kathryn Deiss, are now available. The institute includes a structured learning track and the opportunity for individual development.

Application Information:

• Application is now OPEN. Click here to apply.
• Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by their employer.
• Deadline: Monday, March 9, 2020.
• Applicants will be notified by May 2020.

Selection Criteria:

The selection committee reviews applications to select a participant mix based on type of library (public, academic, school, special, etc.), organizational responsibility, geography, gender, and race/ethnicity. This selective process is based on demonstrated leadership potential, professional achievement and community or campus involvement. Particular attention will be given to applicants’ personal statements as well as those of their references.

In addition, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have at least 5 years of library work experience
• Have a letter of support from his/her employer
• Be ready to assume a higher administrative or managerial role
• Be an ALA member at time of application
• Be able to attend the Institute in the Chicago area

Selected participants are mid-career librarians ready to assume a higher administrative or managerial role, with some history of community or campus involvement.

Meeting Logistics

• Date: August 2-6, 2020
• Location: Hilton Oak Brook/Chicago Conference Center and Resort in Oak Brook, Illinois
• Registration Cost: $1,650 (includes training, materials, lodging, meals, and a one-year membership to the Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA))

The Capital District Library Council invites applications for 2020 Regional Collections grants through January 31, 2020. All CDLC member institutions, including individual public and school libraries, are eligible to apply.

CDLC members may apply for a grant for a retrospective conversion or metadata project, a digital collection grant to contribute content to New York Heritage, or a digital newspaper grant to contribute content to NYS Historic Newspapers.

Projects considered for funding should improve access to collections and content or raise the visibility of regional collections.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Highlight undiscovered collections in our region
• Align with CDLC's strategic goals (see our Plan of Service)
• Have matching funds
• Are collaborative efforts between two or more CDLC members
• Are composed of a complete digital collection
• Are submitted by first-time applicants
• Are composed of long and complete runs of newspapers that are on microfilm

Other types of proposals may be considered.

Grant applicants will be required to submit a final report describing how funds were expended and the number of records converted or enhanced or the number of items digitized. Libraries must describe their project in a CDLC publication or present at a CDLC event.

Please note that unless an extension is requested and approved, all projects must be completed by June 30, 2021, or award money will be forfeited.

Submissions must be received by January 31, 2020, to be considered.

The Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association is proud to unveil a new annual grant program to enable libraries to develop gaming programs or collections for their public. Through the new Game On! Grants $500.00 will be available to be awarded either as one grant of $500 or two of $250 each to assist a library or libraries in developing gaming programs or collections for their communities.

ALA members in good standing currently employed at a public, school, academic or special library in the United States or Canada are eligible to apply. Libraries will need to illustrate a plan for a sustainable gaming program created with the funds as well as financial need and institutional support for the proposed program. The Game On! Grant online application is open now (ALA member login required to access).

The application period will take place from January 1 to March 1 of each year, and the grant winner will be announced at GameRT’s “ALA Play” event at the annual ALA conference, which will take place this year in Chicago from June 25-30, 2020. Learn more about the Game On! Grants or apply online

Applications are now open for The Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation. The annual award recognizes U.S. libraries and librarians who create lasting innovative community service programs that successfully inspire and connect with new readers. The award consists of a $10,000 cash prize.

The award, established in 2019, is open to public, school, and academic libraries. The $10,000 cash prize given to a library is sponsored by the Penguin Random House Foundation. In addition, four runner-up awards consisting of $1,000 in Penguin Random House books will be awarded to eligible libraries.

The Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program honors nonprofit organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad. The awards also encourage the continuing development of innovative methods for promoting literacy and the wide dissemination of the most effective practices. They are intended to draw public attention to the importance of literacy, and the need to promote literacy and encourage reading.

The David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000) is awarded for an outstanding and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels to an organization based either inside or outside the United States that has demonstrated exceptional and sustained depth in its commitment to the advancement of literacy. The organization will meet the highest standards of excellence in its operations and services.

The American Prize ($50,000) is awarded for a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels in the United States or the national awareness of the importance of literacy to an organization that is based in the United States.

The International Prize ($50,000) is awarded for a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels in a country other than the United States to an organization that is based either inside or outside the United States.

Best Practice Honorees ($5,000): Each year up to 15 organizations that apply in the three major prize categories are recognized for their successful implementation of a specific literacy promotion practice.

The 2020 application period opens January 13, 2020, and closes midnight, March 6, 2020, EDT.

Download the 2020 application form and instructions:

• 2020 Literacy Awards Application (Microsoft Word document, 169 KB)
• 2020 Literacy Awards Application Instructions (Microsoft Word document, 157 KB)
• 2020 Literacy Awards Call for Applications (PDF, 167 KB)

Please contact literacyawards@loc.gov prior to the submission deadline with any questions.

Email two letters of reference and the completed application form, including the five selection criteria statements and your essay, to literacyawards@loc.gov by midnight, March 6, 2020, EDT.

The 2020 application process for the ALA/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award is open.

This award honors an individual library, library consortium, a group of librarians, or support organization for innovative planning for, applications of, or development of patron training programs about information technology in a library setting.

Criteria for application should include the benefit to clients served; benefit to the technology information community; impact on library operations; public relations value; and the impact on the perception of the library or librarian in the work setting and to the specialized and/or general public.

The annual award consists of $1,200 and a 24k gold-framed citation of achievement.

Please complete the online application, along with attachments of supporting documentation, by February 1st, 2020: www.ala.org/tools/...

For more information, please see: ALA/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award.

Email: efreudenberger@sals.edu
Website: www.sals.edu
Location: 22 Whitney Place, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
Phone: 518 584 7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernAdirondackLibrarySystem