As 2020, the most extra year in my lifetime (so far), comes to a close, we can breathe a sigh of relief and give thanks for all that it's taught us.

We've learned that our buildings' walls don't bind the work we do and that although we may be sheltering in place, we can remain connected to each other and our communities. We've had a chance to test our resilience as we navigate a global pandemic, a racial justice reckoning, and a divisive election. We've learned how to live with ambiguity and to create flexible, nimble approaches to our work. We've begun to have challenging conversations about equity and systemic racism. We've harnessed our creativity, summoned our courage in the face of seemingly endless adversity, and learned to rely on and trust each other in a new way as we learned and worked remotely.

As we step into 2021, we have a bold new set of skills and talents to draw on. We can set new audacious goals that extend beyond our spaces and build on what we've learned after a year forged in fire. We can continue to evolve, grow, and dream. We can ask ambitious, honest, and open-ended questions that help us continue to learn and grow. And we can tap into our creativity, curiosity, compassion, and empathy as we find new, innovative, joyful ways to move forward.

Thanks for being fabulous. I can't wait to see what 2021 brings.

This year has shown us new ways to work and think about library services. As people began working from home, we discovered how to do it effectively and manage remotely. How can we effectively manage our teams from a distance? Here are a couple of thoughts:

• It begins with communication -- and over-communication is better than less in the virtual world. Whether it's good news or bad, let everyone know what's going on.
• Spend some quality time interacting, either as a team or in smaller groups. Encourage people to share their ideas about new programs, services, or approaches, and work as a group to think through and imagine what's possible.
• Embrace creativity. How can you create a dynamic, inspiring team meeting? What fears are holding your team back? How can you acknowledge the hurdles you're facing while continuing to move forward?
• Face forward. As we move into the new year, we have a chance to consider what we can let go of and what new opportunities we can leverage on behalf of our organizations and communities. How can we use virtual events to reach new patrons? How do we help our communities shape a new narrative? What can we do to address systemic injustice? How can we reach and engage those without reliable digital access? How can we advocate for digital equity?
• Extend compassion, and practice self-compassion. The pandemic is a marathon -- no, a triathlon, with a crazy ultramarathon through fire hoops: everyone's energy ebbs and flows. Give yourself, and everyone else, a break as we figure out how to move through this without burning out.
• Take time off. We all need time to recharge, reconnect, restore, and catch up with our watchlists.

The Build America’s Libraries Act (S. 5071), legislation that would provide $5 billion to repair and construct modern library facilities in underserved and disadvantaged communities, has been introduced in the Senate.

The legislation would begin to reverse decades of underinvestment by funding $5 billion of capital improvement projects in libraries nationwide through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Funding would be distributed through IMLS to state library agencies, which would then award grants on a competitive basis to libraries in each state. Funding would be prioritized to libraries serving marginalized communities, such as high-poverty areas. Additionally, IMLS would provide funding directly to tribal libraries.

Eligible uses of the funding include conducting facilities condition assessments, needs assessments, and master planning; financing new library facilities; or making capital improvements to existing library facilities, including buildings, grounds, and bookmobiles. Eligible facilities include public libraries, tribal libraries, and state libraries that directly serve the general public.

Improvements to library facilities could include enhancements to protect health and safety, such as preventing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating risks from natural disasters; upgrade broadband equipment and technology hardware; ensure accessibility for people with disabilities; abate hazards such as mold and lead; and increase environmental sustainability, such as energy efficiency.

In addition to the standalone version of the Build America’s Libraries Act, the same provisions were also included as part of the Economic Justice Act (S. 5065), which was introduced Dec. 18. The Economic Justice Act additionally creates programs that could be used to improve school and academic library facilities, provides $12 billion in E-Rate funds for libraries and schools to provide home internet connectivity, and ensures that tribal libraries are eligible to participate in the E-Rate program.

The Digital Public Library of America is in talks with Amazon Publishing about bringing Amazon's e-content to public libraries. The discussion is about Amazon titles, previously unavailable to public libraries, and does not include Audible content.

The National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) is an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities across the United States to call for racial healing, bring people together in their common humanity, and take collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

January 19, 2021, will be the fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing. The day was established in 2017 by more than 550 leaders from around the United States who wanted to set aside a day to take action together.

Join the conversation on ALA's social media channels on January 19 about the National Day of Racial Healing and add to the conversation using #LibrariesRespond and #NDORH. As a community, we'd like to talk about:

• Has your institution launched any initiatives to address racial inequities in libraries?
• What actions have you taken to explore your unconscious bias?

If you're looking for ways to get started, consider taking an Implicit Association Test Library workers, what workplace practices have you encountered or engaged in that reinforce inequity?

If you're looking for ways to get started, consider exploring the Race Matters: Organizational Self-Assessment

LIBRARY AIDE

Chestertown Library. 20 hour week. Duties include circulation, cataloging, and social media management. High school diploma or equivalency, familiar with basic computer and mobile device use. Send resume to Library Director, PO Box 451, Chestertown, NY 12817. 518-494-5384.

LIBRARIAN

The Canajoharie Library seeks a full-time Librarian. The Librarian administers all library services at the Canajoharie Library. The Librarian’s primary responsibilities are the advancement of the institution and the fulfillment of its mission and for all operational and general administrative functioning of the Library. The Librarian reports to the Executive Director of the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery (Arkell Museum).

Candidates should have a Master’s Degree in library science or equivalent; must be eligible for or possess a New York State Public Librarian certification; have experience working in a professional position in a library environment with increasing responsibility in a supervisory capacity. Complete details can be found at http://www.canajoharielibrary.org/employment.

The salary range for this position is $38,000-$40,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits include health insurance and employer contributions to a 403b plan.

Cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references should be submitted to:

Librarian Position
Canajoharie Library
2 Erie Boulevard
Canajoharie, NY 13317

Or humanresources@arkellmuseum.org

Application review will begin January 15, 2021, and continue until the position is filled.

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine is making free posters and other pandemic-related resources available to libraries.

The Public Library Association has put together resources to help libraries support patrons looking for jobs. The Skilling for Employment Post COVID-19 initiative identifies free resources to build skills, as well as sharing Tools and Resources for Trainers to help workforce development librarians.

Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Perhaps. But what's not so sweet is when language is used to codify systemic racism, as seen in some of the Library of Congress subject headings used to catalog material. This fall, Oklahoma University asked the Library of Congress to change the subject heading for the Tulsa Race Massacre, currently classified as the "Tulsa Race Riot." We've begun having conversations about problematic subject headings at SALS. If you're interested in being involved, get in touch with Sara Dallas.

The Pottsboro Public Library in Texas has been working to improve the health of its community -- including establishing space to provide telehealth services. When faced with the challenge of having a one-room open space library, the director made her office available so people could meet with their health care providers.

As any devoted reader can attest, reading can do wonders for one's mental health. As the pandemic slowed down our routines, more people began reading -- which has helped people navigate this difficult year.

A Chattanooga Public Library's library services coordinator, Cameron Williams, has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly burning books by conservative authors.

If you were around in 1786, you could flip through New York's first directory (pre-phone book) and get the digits for Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

The Cambridge University Library hasn't been able to locate two of Charles Darwin's missing notebooks since 2000. They now believe the books have been stolen. One bright spot -- both books had been digitized before they went missing.

We know that representation -- the ability for people to see themselves as valued members of the community -- is vital to creating healthy communities. In Tuscon, Tenecia Phillips, a branch manager of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library in Tucson, coordinates a group of Black librarians who are working to diversify the staffing, events, and collections of their libraries.

The American Library Association (ALA) has announced plans to award nearly $2 million to small and rural libraries in 2020 and 2021 to help them address issues of concern in their communities.

Through Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, up to 650 U.S. libraries in small and rural communities will receive $3,000 to tackle issues ranging from media literacy to COVID-19 safety to unemployment. The initiative is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries.

Library workers may apply online for grant funding until February 5, 2021, at ala.org/LTC. Up to 650 grants will be distributed over two funding rounds. Read the full project guidelines.

The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and/or rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) defines small communities as those with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and rural communities as those more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area.

Selected libraries will develop their facilitation skills through online training, talk with community members (virtually or in-person) about local needs, and undertake a project that benefits their community. Grant funds may cover a range of expenses, from hotspot purchases to personal protective equipment to staff time to undertake community engagement work.

Grant recipients will also receive a copy of “Ask, Listen, Empower: Grounding Your Library Work in Community Engagement,” edited by Mary Davis Fournier and Sarah Ostman (ALA Editions, 2020).

The American Library Association and Dollar General Literacy Foundation invite public libraries to apply for grants to expand services for adult English language learners or adults in need of basic education and workforce development. Up to 16 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded. Public libraries are eligible if they serve adult English language learners and are located within 20 miles of a Dollar General Store, distribution center, or corporate office. Visit the Dollar General Store Locator.

Read the project guidelines and apply online by Friday, January 29, 2021.

ALA has a recorded webinar about the grant.

The American Dream Literacy Initiative strives to develop tools and resources for libraries and library staff to provide effective literacy services to adult English language learners in their communities and across the country. American Dream libraries build replicable programs, develop coalition-building strategies, and provide annotated lists of vetted resources for libraries across the country.

The American Dream Literacy Initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. It is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office and Office for Diversity.

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