November moved faster than the speed of light, which is too bad because Dinovember is one of my favorite times of the year. A huge thanks to all of the libraries that took part and posted pictures of naughty, inquisitive dinosaurs on social media. Sassy dinos are the only things to keep me going as the nights get longer and COVID-19 infections begin to surge in our region once again.

As people begin to consider the implications for the new infection rates and hunker down with their families, it's a chance to plan for what library services may look like this winter, building on the incredible work done during the pandemic. One of the areas we can focus on is digital equity. What happens to communities when they don't have adequate broadband or Internet access to support remote work, allow people to connect to the larger world, and limit what opportunities are available? How can libraries help?

There are also bright spots. Penguin Random House is extending its temporary digital rights terms for libraries. Both Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer free courses to help people brush up on their skills before re-entering the job market. And more libraries are reconsidering their stance on fines, as tales of success are shared.

As we go forward, we have a chance to think about what steps we can take to make our libraries more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all. If you have a new project or initiative in the works or exciting ideas about rethinking library services, let me know!

The American Library Association awarded Easton Library a Women’s Suffrage Centennial Book Donation Grant in August. The grant was given to our library in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote or the 19th Amendment.

Our display case in the Easton Library's entry is filled with information on women’s suffrage leaders, both familiar and lesser known, who contributed alongside others to a broad heritage of controversial action towards the American promise of a representative and inclusive democracy. Please drop in to see the display. It will not disappoint! #LibrariesEngageVoters

The Board of Trustees of the Menands Public Library seeks an enthusiastic and community-oriented individual to serve as Library Manager to oversee the library in the Village of Menands.

The Menands Public Library is a school district public library and is a member of the Upper Hudson Library System. The Library Manager reports to a five-member board of trustees and collaborates with the library board on a variety of activities related to delivering library service to our community. The Library Manager has primary responsibility for the operation and management of the library, including but not limited to: collection development, customer service, program planning, and implementation, utilization of technology to enhance library services, written monthly updates to the board, public relations, and community outreach. The Library Manager supervises a small staff of up to five part-time employees.

The position of Library Manager is provisional and permanent appointment is contingent upon passing the Library Manager Albany County Civil Service exam and being reachable on the eligible list for that title.

Minimum qualifications for this position include completion of sixty (60) credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and one (1) year of professional experience in administering not-for-profit, government, education, human services, or library services. Equivalent volunteer work in a library can be substituted for professional experience.

The Library Manager’s annual salary will be $40,000 - $44,000 based on the selected candidate’s skills and experience. The compensation package also includes participation in the New York State Retirement System. The projected start date for this position will be February 14, 2021.

More information about the position and the library can be found on the library's website.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to the Search Committee via email to menandsdirectorsearch@uhls.org.

Application review will begin on 12/15/20 and continue until the position is filled.

Are you an individual looking to improve your own DEI practices? Or maybe you want to improve your organization’s work around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lara Pimentel, senior director of Development at ProLiteracy interviews Sarah Kith, diversity and inclusion advisor at the Library of Congress, to further understand, explore, and advance efforts around diversity, inclusion, equity, and equality in the workplace. In this blogcast, Pimentel and Kith discuss different ways to implement positive change and uncover biases and introduce tools for initiating difficult conversations.

With Bertelsmann's (Penguin Random House) acquisition of Simon & Schuster, there are now four major publishers in the US -- down from six just a few years ago. The purchase raises a number of issues for publishing, in addition to the inevitable question, what happens as the number of publishers decreases? What happens to the breadth of voices represented? How does this affect libraries' ability to negotiate when we disagree with decisions made about how content will be available?

When historians look back at this year, they will no doubt find that of all the years this decade, it has been the most extra. Looking for a brief respite, where you can wander through a gentler time? Take a virtual visit to Jane Austen's House, where tea is served, the floorboards are scrubbed, and the plots are being hatched.

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 Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) has opened its Health Programming in Public Libraries Award to fund virtual health programs for public library patrons that incorporate MedlinePlus and information about the All of Us Research Program. Up to $20,000 of funding per award is available for 8 or more projects within the region.

Projects are encouraged which include:

• Virtual programming that can be promoted to public library patrons
• A focus on underserved health communities and underrepresented populations

Projects must include a public library, state library, or library association as a partner or applicant. Virtual programming is central to this award.

Possible allowable related costs include: social media campaigns, digital library collections (ebooks/eaudio), speaker fees, closed captioning and digital platform subscriptions.

Efforts will be made to fund programs throughout the region and that have the potential to reach populations Underserved by Research. NNLM MAR staff will work with funded programs to integrate relevant health information and NIH All of Us Research Program content into programs.

Application Deadline: Monday, November 16, 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