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Circulate!

Outreach, Engagement & Other Splendid Stuff

Circulate!Outreach, Engagement & Other Splendid Stuff

Governor Cuomo has outlined a regional, phased plan to reopen New York. The plan is

based on CDC recommendations. Each region must experience a 14-day decline in hospitalizations and deaths on a 3-day rolling average. Regions with few COVID cases cannot exceed 15 new total cases or 5 new deaths on a 3-day rolling average. A region must have fewer than two new COVID patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.


Phase One will be to reopen low-risk construction, manufacturing, and select retail may provide limited curbside pickup only in parts of the state that have experienced a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate.


Phase Two will open industries based on priority and risk level. (Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to the customer will be prioritized.) This phase includes professional services, finance & insurance, retail, administrative support, real estate, and rental leasing. Officials will continue to monitor the hospitalization rate, the infection rate, and other key health indicators, and will make adjustments to the plan based on this crucial data.


In Phase Three, restaurants, food service, hotels, and accommodations can open. This phase, like the prior, will continue to monitor all key health indicators before progressing to the final phase.


Phase Four will see a reopening of the arts, entertainment, and recreation, as well as education.


There will be a two-week waiting period in-between each phase of the plan to monitor the effect. This will help ensure that hospitalization and infection rates do not increase as people begin to return to work.


To reopen, each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical workspace safer and implement processes that lower the risk of infection in the business. These measures include:


  • Adjusting workplace hours and shifting design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace
  • Enacting social distancing protocols
  • Restricting non-essential travel for employees
  • Requiring all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent contact with others
  • Implementing strict cleaning and sanitation standards
  • Enacting continuous health screening processes for individuals to enter the workplace
  • Continue tracing, tracking and reporting of cases
  • Developing liability processes


At this point, no region is in the position to reopen any businesses -- the Governor's New York State on Pause Executive Order is still in effect.

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Libraries, Reimagined

Public radio documentary-maker David Freudberg examines the role of libraries, sharing how we preserve democracy by providing access to information.

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Masked Up

Everything you wanted to know about making and wearing a face mask.
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Reading Challenge

Having trouble concentrating? You're not alone.

Elections

Governor Cuomo has passed an executive order delaying all school board elections and budget votes until June 9. The school board elections and budget votes will all be conducted by mail and all qualified voters will be sent an absentee ballot with return postage paid. The Executive Order also delays local special district and village elections until September 15, 2020.


What does this mean for libraries?


School District Public Libraries:

Unless you bundle your vote on the ballot with the school district on June 9, you will be required to mail an absentee ballot with a postage-paid return envelope to all eligible voters. School boards will need to provide two notices to the public by May 13, and budget hearings should be held 1-2 weeks before June 9. At this point, there does not appear to be a petition requirement for library trustees. They should be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order.


Special District Public Libraries:

All special district votes are rescheduled to September 15th, with the following exception: "a library district may conduct an election on June 9, 2020, pursuant to this Executive Order if some election is managed by a school district." There is currently no information about petitions.


Libraries that have a 259 Referendum:

The Executive Order requires the school to include 259 Budget Referendums on their absentee ballots if the library is pursuing an increase.

Paycheck Protection Program

The Federal Government has passed "Phase 3.5" of the emergency interim coronavirus relief package into law. The $484 billion stimulus package includes an additional $321 billion for the newly created Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If you have already been approved for and/or received a loan under the PPP, read this information slideshow from the Small Business Administration to make sure you manage those funds correctly.


The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has issued additional guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established by section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.


Click here to read the revised guidance document.


Please make sure you have the following information ahead of time to ensure you’re first in line to apply for PPP or EIDL:


Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance:


Business Information:

  • Employer Identification Number
  • Organization type
  • Gross revenues for the 12 months prior to 1/31/2020
  • Costs of goods sold for the 12 months prior to 1/31/2020

Business owner information:

  • If your business owned by a business entity—ownership percent and information

Where to Send Funds:

  • Bank name
  • Account number
  • Routing number

The application link will be on the SBA website here.


Paycheck Protection Program


You will need to provide your lender with payroll documentation. Please contact your lender for their specific requirements but examples of requested documents are:

  • 2019 internally prepared profit and loss statement
  • Payroll records for 2019 and 2020
  • 2017 and 2018 corporate tax return


A list of lenders participating in the Paycheck Protection Program can be found here.


If you're having difficulty navigating PPP, here are some helpful resources:


Volunteers Needed



Comfort Food Community is seeking volunteers to assist with a drive-thru food pantry at the Washington County Fair Grounds on Thursday, May 7th. There are four shifts to help set up, organize and distribute food, direct traffic, and break down the event. Sign up to Volunteer.


If you are available to help, please wear a mask, gloves, and a florescent vest. There will be some available on site. This event is limited to individuals over 18.


If you have questions about volunteering, please contact Krystal Mack of the Salvation Army via email at krystal.mack@use.salvationarmy.org.

Peer-to-Peer Dialogue

The Association of Rural and Small Libraries is hosting free one-hour open houses online via Zoom at 2 pm every Thursday. All are welcome to attend and participate. To attend, please register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.


The virtual sessions are a chance for small libraries to talk about dealing with COVID-19, how they are adapting to the challenge of running a public library in the time of a global health pandemic, and how services are being altered. Drop-in for this opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Public WiFi Funding

The Public Library Association (PLA) and Microsoft will provide public WiFi access points for rural public libraries to install on or near library grounds, to extend their signals so more community members can benefit. Like PLA's DigitalLead and other programs, libraries in eligible counties can complete a simple application form to receive this equipment. Successful applicants will receive hardware to create new public WiFi access points using the library's current WiFi service and may also receive installation support and reimbursement of expenses (up to $500) for materials and promotion. In the SALS region, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties are eligible.

The application is open, and awards will be made on a rolling basis until resources are depleted. A list of eligibility criteria, award information, and application instructions are posted on the PLA and Microsoft Public Hotspot Micro Grant program. For more information, please contact Scott Allen, PLA Deputy Director, at sallen@ala.org.

A Librarian's Guide to Providing Library Services to Patrons with Mental Disorders and Improving Self-Care

It is estimated by the National Alliance on Mental Health that 1 in 5 people in the United States, from adolescents to elderly adults suffer from a mental disorder, which - for many - causes a barrier to learning. Because this leaves librarians in all settings and institutions likely to encounter patrons with mental health needs, all in the profession would benefit from learning more about common mental health disorders and needs. The Capital District Library Council is providing a course to help librarians better and more confidently address the needs of your public who may have noticeable mental health issues. Please Note: This is a 4-week class beginning Wednesday, May 6. It consists of 4 one-hour sessions. When you register, you are committing to attend all four weeks of the course.


As a second career librarian with 20+ years of experience as a clinical psychologist, the course instructor, Dawn Behrend, is uniquely positioned to assist librarians in better understanding their role in supporting and servicing patrons with mental health disorders as well as developing techniques for engaging in self-care to prevent burn out and improve well-being.


Learning Objectives:

  • Understand common mental disorders
  • Manage challenging patron behaviors and provide crisis intervention
  • Analyze and improve library policy to better meet the needs of patrons with mental disorders
  • Create programming and outreach events to raise awareness about mental disorders
  • Develop a network of community resources to link patrons to available services
  • Establish effective self-care techniques for librarians to improve their own wellness


Students will participate in class discussions and complete individual assignments.

More Resources

As we adjust to the changes in how we work and serve our communities, we've been organizing resources for our member libraries, but each day more become available, including:



Continue to do great work, stay healthy, and know that if you need anything, we're just a call or email away.

Project ENABLE

Since 2012, Project ENABLE, funded in part by a series of grants from the Institute for Museum & Library Services (IMLS), has offered the most comprehensive, totally free, online training site for librarians in the area of libraries and disabilities. In addition to self-paced learning modules, the site also houses a searchable and ever-expanding Resources database of more than 1100 items to date, and a quarterly blog to bring some of the latest news to you about libraries and disabilities.

In addition, as part of our current IMLS grant, we are partnering with Infopeople, to provide a series of free online courses, webinars, and discussions related to libraries and disabilities.

A "Train the Trainer" section will be available in early 2021. It will contain workshop/course outlines and templates, learning support materials, PowerPoints, suggested readings, and assessments to create and deliver customized training to your staff, paraprofessionals and/or volunteers.

To be part of Project ENABLE, contact drruth@syr.edu.

Virtual Day of Dialog

Library Journal's annual Day of Dialogue will be fully virtual and free to attend this year! Hear from more than 35 authors in genre fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction and learn about more titles and trends from editors on our popular editors’ picks panel.


Visit the virtual exhibit hall to network with leading publishers, enjoy additional author chats, and download digital galleys as well as other free resources and giveaways. Certificates of completion will be provided to submit for CE credits.


LJ is anticipating an unprecedented number of library professionals to attend the virtual DOD, so live sessions may be full during the day. But fear not! All sessions and author chats will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of their initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand until August 28.

Come Together

The Capital District Library Council will be holding online meetings at 10 am Tuesdays to stay connected and engaged with your colleagues during this time of change.


Tuesdays at 10:00 am | https://zoom.us/j/309834807 | Meeting ID 309 834 807


To join any of the meetings by phone in New York, dial (646) 558-8656 and enter the Meeting ID for that day of the week.

Everybody Counts

With everything that's going on, the Census may not be on people's radar. At this point, New York Stat's Census response rate lags behind the national average. Public libraries have an important role to play in promoting the Census and encouraging everyone to take part. Visit the Response Rate page to see how your community is responding to the Census.


Why are we pushing the Census in the midst of a global health pandemic? Because Census data plays a huge role in the allocation of federal funding to states, cities, and communities. NYS receives billions of dollars in funding each year, and this funding could be in jeopardy if there is an undercount.


The Census will also determine the number of seats that NYS holds in the federal House of Representatives is based on Census data. An undercount of NYS residents will mean that we lose seats in the House, which means our state will not be as well represented as it should be.


If you're looking for census resources, the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council has put together a LibGuide with the following information:



Please use your social media to help spread the word about the importance of completing the Census 2020. There are short videos that can be embedded, information that can be shared. Libraries in Warren County can share posts from the Warren County Complete Count Commission on Facebook and Instagram.

Celebrate Your Friends

Would you like an opportunity to honor an active library supporter, Friend or Friends of the Library? The Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award is sponsored by the Friends of Libraries Section (FLS) of NYLA. Given annually since 1993 (through the precursor of FLS, the Empire Friends Roundtable), the award honors a volunteer member or group from the library community whose efforts have contributed to the growth of libraries or Friends of the Library organizations.


To learn more about Daniel W. Casey and to find the nomination form, go to www.NYLA.org/Friends to the “Awards and Scholarships” page. The deadline to submit nominations for this prestigious award is Monday, June 1, 2020. This year’s award recipient will be announced at the FLS annual membership meeting in Saratoga Springs on Friday, November 6, at the NYLA Annual Conference.


Nominations must include all relevant information outlined on the application form. Make sure to describe the contributions of the nominee (group or individual) to library service in detail; including positions held, years of service, accomplishments, successful fundraisers, etc.


Please submit the nomination form and all supporting materials (press releases, promotional materials, etc.) electronically to Marie Bindeman, Coordinator, via email at mariebind1955@gmail.com, or mail three copies to Marie Bindeman, 5498 Hartford Drive, Lockport, NY 14094. Paper copies sent by mail will not be returned.


If you have any questions, please contact Marie Bindeman at mariebind1955@gmail.com or call 716-433-0548. Thank you for your interest!

CARES Act Funds for Cultural Nonprofits

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced new grant guidelines designed to rapidly distribute NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations Fund to cultural nonprofits affected by COVID 19. This new funding opportunity, NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations, will provide grants of up to $300,000 to sustain humanities organizations and preserve jobs in the cultural sector. NEH will award grants to libraries and archives and other cultural organizations.


The purpose of this emergency relief program is to assist institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been affected by the coronavirus. In keeping with Congress’s intent in enacting the CARES Act, proposals for short-term activities should emphasize retaining or hiring humanities staff. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, public and 501(c)(3) accredited institutions of higher education, state and local governmental agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.


The deadline to apply is May 11. Click here for details.

Libraries Lead with Digital Skills, an initiative of ALA & PLA, is looking for public libraries to apply for $2,000 in funding to offer virtual digital skills and workforce development programming. We are providing $2,000 in funding plus marketing support, a community of practice, and advocacy tools for libraries offering virtual programs that are geared toward job seekers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs - the people who come to your library to build skills and grow their careers or businesses.


Curious? You can preview the brief application and apply on the Libraries Lead website.

What do I need to do?

Plan and host a virtual workforce event using one of the Grow with Google resources listed on the project website. Selected libraries also receive an "Awardee Toolkit" which includes marketing and outreach materials to help you hold a successful event.

Questions? Email LibrariesLead@gmail.com.

Propagating Promising Practices

Providence Public Library and their partners are happy to announce that the Propagating Promising Practices project for adult learning and workforce development has launched a website and has hosted a webinar (recording) with details about the opportunity for six public libraries nationwide to pilot one of the project’s three practices: mobile learning, learning circles or Learning Lounges.


The project offers support that is particularly relevant in this time of remote services. The deadline to apply is May 15.


Applicants will be notified by May 29, 2020, of their acceptance.


Please see the application page for more information. You can submit all questions in this google form.

Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change is an ALA pilot program made possible by support from a private donor. The program supports public and academic libraries in efforts to engage their communities in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis.

The goals of this project include:


  • Raising awareness and providing accurate information about the climate crisis to the public through libraries
  • Designating libraries as Climate Resilience Hubs, positioning them to provide ongoing public education and community support during extreme weather events
  • Engaging library staff in local partnerships and environmental justice efforts that emphasize bottom-up organizing, shared community leadership, and the centering of those most impacted by climate change, particularly communities of color and underserved communities
  • Creating space in libraries for communities to engage in conversation, mobilize for the initiation of sustainability policies and practices, and build more resilient communities
  • Identifying and documenting relevant, replicable programming models for future national distribution


ALA will select twenty-five (25) public and academic libraries to receive a Resilient Communities grant.


Applications open online: July 1, 2020
Deadline for submission: August 28, 2020 by 11:59 pm (CDT)
Award notification date: September 21, 2020

Learn All the Things!

Event Information

Data for Decision Making

Do you want to be more intentional and strategic when preparing, implementing or evaluating library initiatives? Are you looking for inspiration and ideas to find and effectively use data to inform goals, projects and reports?


Join presenters Lisa Dale and Mark Fink, who will share some of what they have learned about working with data effectively, and how you can strategically incorporate data to inform goals and decisions using what’s already available to you – no costly analytics tools required. Topics will include inventorying potential data sources, finding and using helpful data sets, and moving forward intentionally.


At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:

  • Be able to identify at least three types of internal and external data sources to inform policy or project-related decisions.
  • Be able to utilize available data sources to better understand the needs of diverse populations, improve services, and provide evidence of success for funders and key stakeholders.
  • Be able to identify examples of how organizations are effectively using data to improve programs and services.

This webinar will be of interest to: Public library staff at all levels who want to use data to inform planning and decision making. Some of the content may be specific to California libraries.


Special note: This webinar is sponsored by the California State Library as part of the 2019/2020 Metrics grant. This initiative was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the California State Library, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the California State Library should be inferred.

When?

Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 01:00 PM

Event Information

Using Social Media Listening to Adapt Your Library for COVID-19

This free webinar will help participants understand how social media listening tools like social dashboards can be used to gather insights on a local community's reaction to isolation and self-quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic. Participants will also learn to use these insights to adjust services and plan programs that address current community needs.

Learning Outcomes

After this webinar, participants will be able to:


  • Demonstrate the basics of social media dashboard usage;
  • Identify ways to better understand community needs and emerging library trends during COVID-19; and
  • Use social media monitoring to inform adaptive program design.


For updates on PLA and ALA's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, visit PLA Resources on COVID-19 and ALA Pandemic Preparedness Resources for Libraries.

When?

Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 02:00 PM

Event Information

How Foundations and Friends Can Support Their Libraries During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on public library budgets and spending. How can library Foundations and Friends of the Library groups best support their libraries during this time? Hear from library directors, a library Foundation director, and a Friends Board President on how their organization's priorities are shifting, and what initiatives they are planning to meet their library's changing needs.


United for Libraries will host the webinar How Foundations and Friends Can Support Their Libraries During COVID-19 at 1 p.m. Thurs., May 7. Featured presenters will be Jonna Ward, CEO, Seattle Public Library Foundation; Michelle Jeske, City Librarian, Denver Public Library; Nanci Morrison, President, Friends of the Palm Springs Library Board of Directors, and Karen Pierce, Director, Slippery Rock Community Library. Deborah Doyle, Chair of United for Libraries'Legislative Committee and President of California Public Library Advocates, will moderate. Registration is open and free to all. All registrants will receive a link to the recording.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, & Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century.

When?

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 01:00 PM

Event Information

Privacy During a Pandemic: Town Hall for Library, Information Workers for Choose Privacy Week

Join this IFC Privacy Subcommittee-sponsored town hall to learn about and discuss concerns around privacy that are arising as libraries move to digital platforms and remote services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion leaders include Erin Berman (Division Director of the Learning Group, Alameda County Library, Chair, IFC Privacy Subcommittee), Bill Marden (Director of Data Privacy and Compliance, New York Public Library, member, IFC Privacy Subcommittee), and Michelle Gibeault (Chair of Instruction and Librarian for Humanities at Tulane University and co-convener of the Digital Library Federation’s Privacy and Ethics in Technology (PET) working group). Each speaker will highlight particular concerns related to best practices, video platforms, data collection and vendor relations. There will be ample opportunity for participants to ask questions and share their experiences and solutions. All are welcome to participate.

When?

Friday, May 8, 2020, 02:00 PM

Event Information

Know Your Rights: Copyright Hacks for Librarians and Educators Webinar

Most people know librarians and educators have special rights under the copyright laws, but can they easily recite them? Join the league of people who can!


Presented by WNYLRC's "Ask the Lawyer" attorney, Stephanie Adams, this 90-minute, illustrated, live and interactive session will help you learn and remember the special rights of librarians, archivists, and educators. We'll cover the basics of copyright (what it protects), and then dive into how to use the exceptions built into the law to encourage the free flow of ideas, education, and scholarship.


Attendees will learn to rattle off the differences between Copyright Act Sections 106, 107, 108, 109, and 110 --and explore the implications of those exceptions on issues like purchasing and licensing-- in 90 fun and informative minutes.

Attendees can submit questions to be answered during this webinar during registration! Questions should be sent in by noon Monday, May 11.


Speaker:
Stephanie (nickname: Cole) Adams is an attorney. For over ten years, Ms. Adams was the in-house counsel at Niagara University, where she routinely conducted training in discrimination and workplace respect. She is now the owner of the Law Office of Stephanie Adams, PLLC, in Buffalo. Cole staffs WNYLRC's "Ask the Lawyer" service.

Free to RRLC & ESLN Members. This webinar will be held on Zoom; registration is required. Please note that this webinar will not be recorded.

All attendees will have the option to request a certificate of attendance for one hour and 30 minutes of CE credit.

If you have any questions, contact Tina Broomfield, Carolyn Bennett Glauda, or Caitlin Kenney.

When?

Thursday, May 14, 2020, 02:00 PM

Event Information

Expanding the Library's “Reach" through a Literacy Partners Program

Interested in expanding your library’s “reach” into the community, specifically to bring the library to nontraditional library users? In 2015, the St. Charles (IL) Public Library’s (SCPL) Outreach Services team (David Kelsey, Dana Hintz, Lynda Spraner, Christine Steck) decided to transform engagement initiatives to local businesses, by enhancing SCPL’s Literacy Partners program. Literacy Partners feature good-condition and popular withdrawn library books, magazines, and audiovisual materials; patrons can keep materials and do not need to return them. Having expanded the program by 750% to include over sixty locations, SCPL’s Literacy Partners program has helped increase the library’s community engagement and serve individuals who would not normally visit the library. Discussion about how to successfully implement and maintain a Literacy Partners program in a post-COVID-19 will also take place.

When?

Friday, May 15, 2020, 02:00 PM

Event Information

Librarian Life Story – Developing Your Professional Narrative


Librarians can use storytelling techniques to develop a professional narrative that can be used in the application, interviewing, marketing, and professional development processes. Once we know our own story and why we do what we do, we are better prepared to create a road map to further develop our careers and, perhaps, the profession as a whole.


In this workshop, participants will:

  • learn the basic elements of a good story and how it applies to their professional lives.
  • create their own professional stories.
  • try out their new stories in mock applications and interviews.

About the Presenter:

Kristin Charles-Scaringi’s story … so far: Kristin is the adult and teen services librarian at the Kingston Library, part of the Mid-Hudson Library System, where she has worked for almost eight years. Prior to becoming a librarian, Kristin was a journalist and public relations writer/editor. She loves to find ways to incorporate storytelling elements into her professional life as a librarian.

When?

Monday, May 18, 2020, 02:00 PM

Event Information

Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Why and How

Often residential and day programs for people with developmental disabilities bring clients to their local public library to visit, however, these groups don't really engage with the library's many services or programs. Adults with developmental disabilities also come to the library on their own. Many times, individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are directed to youth services and not the adult departments which are more appropriate. This confusion could present a barrier to offering these patrons more than just a place to visit.


Would you like to offer programming for adults with developmental disabilities rather than just a place to visit? Join us for this one-hour webinar devoted to an exploration of a range of topics related to programming in your libraries for the adults with developmental disabilities in your community. Presenters Carrie Banks (Brooklyn Public Library) and Barbara Klipper (Autism Welcome Here grant) will cover the barriers and benefits of programming, best practices, and what is meant by a “culture of inclusion.” They’ll also leave you with some sample program ideas you can bring to your library. And, of course, there will be time for your questions and concerns to be voiced and addressed.


At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:

  • Be able to identify at least three things that keep many libraries from offering adequate programming and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as responses to those barriers
  • Be familiar with what is meant by a library “culture of inclusion” and how it supports programming
  • Understand the importance of involving self-advocates in planning and implementation, and of partnering with organizations in the community
  • Be able to identify at least three types of library programs that would be fun and interesting for an adult with developmental disabilities.

This webinar will be of interest to: Public library directors, adult services, outreach and programming librarians and library staff.


This webinar is made possible by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Lifelong Learning Continuing Education grant and Infopeople, the Califa training arm in collaboration with Syracuse University and Project ENABLE.

When?

Thursday, May 21, 2020, 03:00 PM