Who gets to tell the story of a pandemic? It's a question historians are wrangling with. What if history were told by the people who lived it? That's the premise behind the new project launched by SALS and its member libraries, Leaving Our Fingerprints: Documenting COVID-19 in the Southern Adirondacks.

The 20-question survey provides prompts for people to tell their stories of life during a pandemic. Participants can pick and choose what they answer and can respond to the poll multiple times. All information collected will be anonymous, shared with local historians, and featured on a website for the public.

This project is a collaboration of SALS, the Saratoga Springs Public Library, and Schuylerville Public Library -- and a huge shout out to Local History Librarian Lorie Wies and Adult Services Librarian Michelle Isopo for their dedication and excellent work to make it happen.

If your library does not currently have a customized link to the project on your library's website and you would like to be a part of creating a people's history of the pandemic, please contact Jack Scott.

As Governor Cuomo opens essential businesses in New York, librarians, along with other professions, are developing reopening plans that balance the need to serve our communities while keeping everyone safe and healthy. If your library is preparing to offer no-contact service, review the New York State Curbside and In-Store Pickup Retail Guidelines for Employers and Employees.

To help with the transition, the NY Department of Labor has released a FAQ page for employers about COVID-19, including questions on unemployment insurance, shared work, and job refusal.

The US Department of Labor has adopted revised policies for enforcing OSHA’s requirements about coronavirus. The revised policies cover increased in-person inspections at all types of workplaces, and the enforcement policy for recording cases of coronavirus.

The US Chamber of Commerce has a guide on how to apply for forgiveness of its PPP loans.

If you weren't able to get a PPP loan, New York State has created the New York Forward Loan Fund to support small businesses and nonprofits. Only libraries with 501c3 status are eligible for this loan program, available for organizations with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. These loans are not forgivable and will need to be paid back over a 5-year-term, with interest.

For more information about New York State's guidelines for operating during the pandemic, visit the Information on Novel Coronavirus page.

As an environment that promotes information literacy and provides broadband access, libraries are perfectly positioned to assist patrons with the 2020 Census. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries are figuring out how to promote a complete count.

The Empire State Library network is providing a limited number of cash grants, from $500 to $2,000 to New York Libraries and Library Systems to fund this work.

These grants can be used for programs such as:

• Procuring mobile hotspots
• A marketing program using radio or internet or physical ads
• Creating a traveling hotspot-mobile
• An educational campaign targeting low-response areas

Grants will be given on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to libraries and systems in low-response areas. This is a reimbursement grant; we will issue the money after grantees submit receipts.

In addition to receipts, libraries must provide follow-up documentation to summarize the results from your initiative. This can be accomplished by:

• a short presentation
• a newspaper/magazine/newsletter article highlighting your census activities
• a social media campaign summary
• or an alternative reporting tool that provides an accounting of the initiative you launched, funded by this grant.

There are limited funds to distribute for these grants, so apply early!

The Town of Ballston Community Library is seeking a creative, energetic forward-thinking Director.

We expect a Director will embrace change and the evolving role of libraries; strategically partner with the trustees and various stakeholders in the community; inspire, engage and develop library staff; and champion creative programs and offerings.

The Library Director is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Library; supervising staff, including other librarians; patron relations; developing and managing budgets; assessment of services; ensuring regulatory compliance; and developing and evaluating library staff.

The position requires strong budgeting, financial, personnel, technology management skills and knowledge of funding opportunities. The Director will be able to demonstrate success in strategic planning, management, and community relations. The Director is also responsible for identifying and addressing issues related to the facility and grounds.

• The Library Director works with the Board of Trustees to design and implement a long-range plan for library services through assessment of best professional practices and stakeholder feedback.
• The Director is responsible for ensuring that the library's physical space, staff, collections and programming meet the needs of the community.
• The Director acts as a liaison to various community stakeholders and is expected to connect and grow relationships with local government, business groups, school groups and the Friends of the Library.

Qualifications

• MLS and a minimum of five years of relevant professional library experience
• A minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience
• An equivalent combination of experience and education may substitute for the listed minimum requirement.

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position.

Submit Application/Resume to:

Steve Zarelli, President Board of Trustees

Town of Ballston Community Library

2 Lawmar Lane

Burnt Hills, NY 12027

or email to stevezarelli@gmail.com

Submission deadline: June 15, 2020

This position will be filled on a provisional basis pending the results of a Civil Service examination for “Director II” to be scheduled at a later date.

“An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program”

The Town of Ballston Community Library is looking for a temporary Librarian II, Head of Adult Services. The position is available for 3 months, with a possible extension.

Under the supervision of the Library Director of the Town of Ballston Community Library this position focuses on providing library services to adults and supervising the Circulation department.

Job Description:

Provides library service to adults, as well as children and teens when called for; including supervising a busy circulation area; solicits, schedules and provides programs for adults, including virtual programming; assists in maintaining the department’s collections; promotes use of library materials and services; performs outreach to community agencies as needed; website updates; technology assistance; supervises team of part-time circulation clerks; and performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Passion for and knowledge of adult literature; familiarity with current library technologies and a range of devices; the ability to perform both independently and as a team member; experience in planning and conducting adult programming; excellent communication skills; enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility and a sense of humor. Experience supervising others.
Preferred Skills: Knowledge of Polaris automation software, Wordpress, Evanced, Canva, Beanstack, and the Microsoft Suite.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from a registered college or university accredited by the American Library Association or registered by the NYS Education Department to grant degrees with a Master’s Degree in Library Science, Information Science, or equivalent, AND two (2) years of professional library experience.

Special Requirement:

Eligibility for New York State Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate at the time of application for appointment. Possession of certificate at the time of appointment.

Work Schedule:

A combination of day, evening and weekend hours averaging up to 35 hours per week, including one Saturday per month when the building is reopened, through Summer 2020 to fill a temporary vacancy. Work hours may include remote work for a period of time to adhere to the New York on Pause order. Responsible for the library in the absence of the Director and Head of Youth Services Librarian.

Supervisor: Library Director
Salary: $25.00/hr
Deadline: Until filled
Please submit cover letter, resume and three professional references to:
Jenn Richard, Interim Director
Town of Ballston Community Library
2 Lawmar Lane
Burnt Hills, NY 12027
jrichard@sals.edu
(518) 399-8174 ext. 6

The Board of Trustees of the Racine Public Library in Racine, Wisconsin seeks a dynamic and community-minded leader to serve as Executive Director. This opportunity is open due to the retirement of the current Executive Director. The library provides services to nearly 138,000 people who reside in the City of Racine and nearby communities in Racine County.

Located in southeastern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan, this diverse community is approximately 60 miles north of the City of Chicago and 30 miles south of Milwaukee. Residents enjoy a high quality of life that includes traditional and eclectic dining, cultural and family attractions, outdoor recreation including Lake Michigan beaches, and world-renowned architecture.

Salary $100,400 - $129,100/year, negotiable based on experience.

• Southern Adirondack Library System's Moving Forward Plan
• American Library Association Pandemic Preparedness
• Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Free Webinar Series
• COVID-19 Tracking Apps and Websites

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!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has two new funding opportunities for museums, libraries, federally recognized tribes, and organizations that primarily serve Native Hawaiians. The combined $15 million federal investment will provide direct support to these institutions, equipping them to respond to community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CARES Act allocated funding to IMLS to enable libraries, museums, and organizations serving tribal communities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including by expanding digital network access, purchasing Internet-accessible devices, and providing technical support services to their communities. The $15 million available through these new grants follows previous phases of funding announced over the past few weeks.

The deadline for submitting applications to either funding opportunity is June 12, 2020, with award announcements anticipated in August.

IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries support museums and libraries in addressing their communities’ immediate and future needs caused by the pandemic. Projects may focus on preserving jobs, training staff, addressing the digital divide, planning for reopening, or providing technical support and capacity building for digital inclusion and engagement. Applicants are encouraged to prioritize services for high-need communities.

To apply for these grants, as well as to IMLS’s other available funding opportunities, please visit the IMLS website.

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

Public library workers in rural communities are invited to participate in a project that will bring culturally inclusive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) programming and exhibitions to their patrons, especially often-underreached Latino populations.

STAR Net needs creative library leaders who would like to work with us at the intersection of transforming library services, gender equity and cultural inclusion (especially with Latino families), STEAM learning, and positive youth development.

The Space Science Institute's National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL/SSI), the American Library Association (ALA), Twin Cities PBS (TPT), Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) and Education Development Center (EDC) invites you to learn more about our new STEAM Equity Project!

To APPLY NOW see ALA’s website to:

• Start your application by submitting a brief Notice of Intent (deadline: July 20, 2020)
• Read the project FAQs
• Learn about the project advisors

Twelve rural libraries will receive $15,000 to enhance STEAM offerings for their communities, three STEAM exhibitions, and more. Those interested in applying are invited to complete a brief, 15-minute Notice of Intent (NOI) about their community demographics and needs by July 20. The STEAM Equity project team will review submissions, and eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full project proposal in August 2020. Learn more and begin the application process online.

The initiative is offered by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute (NCIL/SSI), the American Library Association (ALA), Twin Cities PBS (TPT), Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI), and Education Development Center (EDC), with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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