It's only the beginning of October, and we already have a lot to celebrate. We're super proud of Caitlin Johnson, the Executive Director of the Schuylerville Public Library. The New York Library Association is recognizing the incredible work she does every day by giving her the Mary Bobinski Innovative Public Library Director Award.

The award recognizes a public library director who has developed or implemented an innovative program leading to an increase in financial support and usage of their library. Caitlin won for her outstanding work -- she's increased circulation by 38%, library visits by 32%, program attendance by 118%, and summer reading participation by 427%. She has also ushered in multiple building projects, including an accessible ramp and sidewalks, interior renovations, handicap bathrooms, and a 500 square foot addition. Congratulations, Caitlin! We can't wait to see what you do next!

The Richards Library celebrated its successful Summer Reading Program by giving each of its readers a lawn sign acknowledging their accomplishments. Way to read!

Census 2020 is coming! Are you ready?

Katherine Dillon from the US Census will discuss what we can expect, potential ways to partner, and the importance of counting everyone during a workshop about the census at 10 am Thursday, October 10 at the Southern Adirondack Library System. She'll be joined by Jeremy Johannesen, director of the New York Library Association, who will provide an overview of how public libraries are responding to and impacted by the census, and Mary Hanley from the Joint Automation staff to answer any questions about technology. This workshop is an opportunity to learn what other libraries are planning, and to have your questions answered.

We encourage all directors and youth services staff to attend since young children are historically undercounted. Register online to attend.

Does Excel make the headaches? Would you like to master QuickBooks? SUNY Adirondack is offering several courses to help you do all the things -- and the SALS Continuing Education Challenge Grants can help you make it happen! If you're interested in attending any of the SUNY Adirondack classes on Excel or Quickbooks, apply for a Continuing Education Challenge Grant -- we've extended the deadline to October 25, 2019. Choose from the following courses to take advantage of this opportunity:

Excel Level 1

for the Beginner

This course is intended for those individuals who have little to no experience with Microsoft Excel.

October 16 & 23

Wednesdays | 6 to 9 pm

Registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 2

Excel Level 2 —

Intermediate Skills

This course is intended for those individuals who have some experience with Microsoft Excel.

October 30 & November 6

Wednesdays | 6 to 9 pm

Registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 16

Excel Level 3 —

Advanced Skills

This course is intended for those individuals who have significant experience with Microsoft Excel.

November 13 & 20

Wednesdays | 6 to 9 pm

Registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 30

INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS

Learn the basic functions and applications of QuickBooks 2018 software. Each participant will be required to have QuickBooks software and a laptop to participate.

December 4 & 11

Wednesdays | 6 to 9 pm | SUNY Adirondack Saratoga

Registration for this class closes on Wednesday, November 20

Call 518.743.2238 or email conted@sunyacc.edu to register today.

Since 2016, SALS's Libraries Mean Business initiative has supported small businesses and entrepreneurs. We provide funding to train Notary Publics for each SALS's library, and are builidng a digital collection of business-related e-books and e-audiobooks.

If your library has not yet taken part in the Notary Public Training program, or if you would like to have a second person trained, there's good news!.

SALS will cover the cost of one person from each member library to:

• Attend the Notary Exam Preparation Course at SUNY Adirondack
  
• Take the one-hour Notary Exam
  
• Secure a Notary Public License
  

In exchange, participating libraries MUST:

• Let Erica know they intend to participate
  
• Register with SUNY Adirondack & identify as part of the SALS group
  
• Pay for the class, registration, and license
  
• Submit paperwork to be reimbursed -- including documentation indicating completion of the SUNY Adirondack class and Notary Public Exam and registration. Libraries will only be reimbursed after the Notary Public Exam has been completed.

The Notary Public License Exam Preparation—Face-to-Face classes are four hours long. There are two in-person classes:

• 12:30 to 4:30 pm Friday, October 25 @ SUNY Adirondack Queensbury Campus

OR

• 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Friday, November 15 @ SUNY Adirondack Saratoga

The price of the class is $65.

• All materials will be provided, and information about how to link to NYS Department of State licensing information, booklets and forms will be distributed.
  
• The Notary Public exam will not be given during this workshop. There will be an 80-question practice exam.
  
• Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Submit this with the paid bills to SALS for reimbursement.

There is also an online learning opportunity, available from September 9 through December 13, allowing anyone interested to move at your own pace.

Please identify yourself as a SALS member when registering to obtain documentation of online course completion to submit with a copy of the paid bill to SALS for reimbursement.

To register and pay for the course call 518-743-2238, e-mail conted@sunyacc.edu, or complete and submit the registration form.

Please note that you must complete all required components of the course and submit your paid bill, course participation documentation and proof of completed and passed Notary Public exam to receive reimbursement from SALS. The deadline for submitting documentation for reimbursement to Erica is December 31, 2019. No reimbursements will be made after that date.

Support for this program comes from the New York State Library’s Adult Literacy Library Services Program.

Rural suicide rates are on the rise -- and are 25% higher than those of their urban and suburban neighbors. Libraries have an important role to play in addressing social fragmentation, community health, lack of health insurance, and unemployment or underemployment. The Rural Health Information Hub has released a Rural Suicide Prevention Kit to provide resources and information for organizations that serve rural populations.

Imagine a world where all people have access to the Internet and the tools they need to use it. That's the goal of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which will be celebrating Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) from October 7-11, 2019, to raise awareness about digital inequities and nationwide efforts to close those gaps.

Here are two ways to participate:

1. Register as a Digital Inclusion Week Host to be included on the NDIA website.
2. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #Digitalinclusion and #Digitalequityis_______ on your DIW social media posts.

ALA International Games Week Registration is open for 2019!

Transform your library by participating in the International Games Week. This event is an annual celebration of games, play, libraries, and learning that is free for libraries!

This event has only one requirement - you have to have some sort of game-related activity in or around your library, on or around the official dates, November 3rd through the 9th. That's it! The games can be videogames on a library console, tabletop games, social games, party games - whatever you think will work for your individual library and community.

To register, fill out the form at http://bit.ly/IGW2019Register and tell us a bit about your library.

(photo by Christopher Paul High @ Unsplash)

The "Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More" grant, sponsored by Libraries and Autism: We're Connected, will accept applications beginning September 1, 2019.

The grant honors the groundbreaking work of Meg Kolaya, co-founder of Libraries and Autism: We're Connected and a pioneer in the area of library service to people with autism. It celebrates her contributions in promoting inclusion, connecting libraries and the autism community, and bringing awareness of the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families to the library community.

The grant is a direct outcome of the Illinois State Library's broad and ambitious project, Targeting Autism: A National Forum on Serving Library Patrons on the Spectrum, and is funded by Barbara Klipper, retired librarian, consultant and trainer, and the author of Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ALA Editions, 2014).

A total of $5,000 will be awarded. Depending on the applications received, one grant for the full amount or multiple grants for smaller amounts totaling $5,000 may be awarded.

The application deadline is December 1, 2019.

Any type of library in the United States or Canada can apply, and the proposal can fund projects and services for any age group. Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an already-existing, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service they already offer. All programs or services proposed must benefit people with autism or their families, directly or indirectly. Funds may be used to hire a trainer to present a workshop, to buy program materials, to pay for staff, etc.

Applications will be judged on the basis of:

1. The project is clearly described and well thought out.
2. The potential impact is significant.
3. There is institutional support for the program or service
4. People with autism, family members or other community stakeholders are involved in the development and/or implementation of the project.
5. The program is one that would be replicable in other communities.
6. The program or service is based on an understanding of the needs of people with autism and/or best practices in working with this population.
7. There is a plan for the continuation of the service or program after the grant year.
8. The project would not be possible without outside funding.

Please direct any questions to Barbara Klipper: b.klipper@icloud.com

Time to exhale. Waffle House has announced Karen Head as its official Poet Laureate. May her words flow as freely as maple syrup.

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