Opposition to Drag Queen Story hours at public libraries, an opportunity to celebrate inclusion, continues to build. Last December, protestors gathered outside the home of a New York City Councilmember. For the past several years, public libraries have increasingly been under attack, with calls for censoring material (and attempts at defunding libraries that don't acquiesce), to disruptions of public programming, and even bomb threats.

Add these coordinated attacks to decades of public libraries working to address the gaps in the social system by providing programs and resources to address restorative justice, food insecurity, mental health, and public health concerns, bridge the digital divide, and the many other responses to community challenges, and public library staff are stressed, stretched thin, and burning out.

In 2022, the US Surgeon General released a Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing to address the ongoing concern brought to light during the pandemic. There are five essential steps to creating healthy workplaces, which begin by centering workers' voices and equity and creating workspaces that provide physical and psychological safety for employees. The five essential steps are:

1. Protection from Harm
2. Connection & Community
3. Work-Life Harmony
4. Mattering at Work
5. Opportunity for Growth

What does this mean for library workers? Counter-intuitively, it may mean doing less. Five years ago, Fobazi Ettarh wrote a groundbreaking essay, Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves. Ettarh's work is a call to consciousness, a reckoning with our image of ourselves and our profession, debunking the idea of librarianship as a calling or vocation rather than a career. Rather than sacrificing our well-being in an attempt to weave a social safety net, we have to find a way to do good work while taking care of ourselves.

The Denver Public Library is beginning to address workplace wellness by providing employees who work a minimum of 10 hours a week with eight wellness hours a quarter. Library staff can use their eight hours to exercise, relax, and spend time on a hobby -- whatever brings them joy and helps balance their lives. And Dr. Beck Tench works with librarians to discover and create restorative library spaces.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, companies are creating "work resorts," with concierges to help employees plan their day, providing:

• Both brainstorming and private workspaces.
• Meditation and activity spaces.
• Lunch at a chef's table.

While library work resorts may not be in our future, there are steps we can take to create more compassionate, sustainable workplaces where we demonstrate our value to our most precious resource -- the people who make the magic happen every day -- by creating equitable organizations that prioritize the wellness of staff.

(p.s. To support mental health, at the top of this newsletter is a picture of the front of the Greenwich Free Library, painted with a scene from Ezra Jack Keat's Snowy Day.)

But wait! There's more good news! The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust has donated $100,000 to the Ballston Spa Public Library to expand and renovate the Library — a great start to its $3 million campaign that will rely on grants and fundraising.

Congratulations to the Ballston Spa Public Library for its plan to grow to meet the needs of its community!

Do you work in a library in finance, human resources, or public information/marketing? If so, consider making time to meet with colleagues in similar positions at Upper Hudson and Mohawk Valley Library Systems from 10 to 11 am this Friday, January 27 on Zoom. This is for anyone who helps keep the library running smoothly behind the scenes.

There will be separate, facilitated, breakout rooms for finance, HR and public information staff.

Let's face it:

• Ibiza is for Eurotrash.
• We can't have a White Party after Labor Day.
• Coachella is tired.

Save your spot NOW!!! Dress to impress!!

1. Library staff can provide better service to patrons
2. Being fine-free aligns with the mission of public libraries
3. Libraries that become fine free see an increased return of missing items
4. There are better ways to use library resources
5. Eliminating fines can lead to a new appreciation of the library

As more of our member libraries eliminate fines, we join the growing national trend of creating inclusive, accessible spaces.

New digital service, who dis?

Thanks to Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, Crandall Public Library, and Saratoga Springs Public Library (and the excellent negotiation skills of our own Jill Ryder), SALS member libraries have access to more than 4,000 magazines through Overdrive and Libby.

Find out why Brad Pitt is about to be a father (again)! Clear out the piles of unread New Yorkers you've been waiting to read because, yes, you have access to current and past issues of magazines.

Worried about the wait? Put those fears to rest because anyone can immediately borrow a magazine and renew it as necessary! Enjoy!

• Trustee Handbook Book Club: Open Meetings Law with Kirsten O’Neill, Committee on Open Government (Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER
  

• The Board-Director Relationship (Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER
  

• Financial Planning & Budgeting (Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER
  

• Strategic Planning (Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER
  

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access & Justice (Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER
  

• Financing & Managing Construction Projects (Tuesday, December 19, 2023 | 5:00-6:30pm) REGISTER

Those who attend a live session will receive a certificate of attendance, and everyone who registers for a session will have access to the recordings.

This series is brought to you thanks to a partnership facilitated through the Public Library System Directors Organization of New York State (PULISDO), the New York State Library, and the Library Trustees Association Section of the New York Library Association.

The New York State Public Officer's Law §10 requires all public library trustees (but not association library trustees) to take and file an oath of office within 30 days of beginning their term of office. Public library trustees are public officers and the oath of office is required to officially undertake and perform the duties of a public library trustee.

If a public library trustee does not properly complete and file an oath of office, the trustee’s position may be deemed vacant. See Public Officer's Law §30(1)(h).

For more information about how and why the oath of office is administered, and where to properly file an oath of office, please see the Oaths of Office FAQ on the New York State Library website.

Lucy Scribner Library at Skidmore College is looking for a Social Sciences and Data Librarian. This librarian will help students in key social sciences disciplines develop as scholars by teaching them research skills and connecting them with relevant information resources. They will also help students in social sciences and related fields of study develop expertise in data science, building skills they will need to thrive academically and professionally.

This librarian will have the opportunity to develop and teach data literacy and/or skill-building courses offered through the Library. Salary range: $62,000-67,000.

Are you scared of challenges at your library?

Have the culture wars taken the joy out of your work?

Do you feel like you are being attacked for your materials or programs?

Find support for your role in protecting intellectual freedom at NYLA's monthly support group for library workers who are feeling the pressure of standing fast for others’ reading rights. The group will meet at 1 pm on the following days:

• Jan 26, 2023
• Feb 23, 2023

Christian Zabriskie, one of the authors and researchers of the Urban Library Trauma Study will facilitate these confidential, voluntary conversations. There is no NYLA membership requirement to participate.

Registration is now open for ConnectedLibFEST, the first ever connected learning event specifically focused on small and rural libraries.

This virtual experience takes place from 1 to 5 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, March 15 and 16. Each day brings together library staff, researchers, and community members to learn from and with each other about bringing Connected Learning to small and rural library settings. Small and rural libraries are already using the principles of connected learning in their work. They do this by building relationships with youth, community members, and stakeholders; fostering interests of teens through library services; and creating opportunities for academic and life success.

Registration is free.

The Centers for Disease Control are partnering with public libraries as part of its Increasing Community Access to Testing program (ICATT).

Color has partnered with the CDC to support free COVID-19 lab testing for under-resourced communities across the nation. Public libraries can sign up to participate in Color Health’s Community Testing Program, in partnership with the CDC and the Association for Rrural and Small Libraries.

Libraries receive supplies, signage and information for participants in the mail, make test kits available and ship samples to the Color lab - all with ongoing support from ARSL and Color.

In addition to helping your community, participating in this program has additional benefits including:

• A free year of ARSL membership after only 10 completed tests!
• $7.50 per test for each test administered
• Materials, testing support for site participation

To learn more about the program:

• Review the program one-pager
• Register here to join a weekly program overview webinar held every Wednesday at 10AM PST/1PM EST

To participate, use this form – or search bit.ly/colorsite12 in your browser.

If you need financial help, scholarship funds are now available. The American Library Association (ALA) has more than $300,000 available to students who are studying in library science or school library media programs at the master's degree level. Get your application in early. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2023.

Scholarships range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. In addition, there are also scholarships available for minorities, persons with disabilities and people who are already employed in libraries but do not have an MLS.

To be considered for a scholarships, applicants must attend a master’s level program in library and information science that has been accredited by the ALA. Take a look at the application and instructions start working on your application now.

The scholarship process is open annually from September through March. For more information, visit the ALA Scholarship page or call the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4279.

The American Library Association (ALA) ill offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

Library workers may apply online for grant funding from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, at ala.org/LTCAccess.

Selected libraries will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term.

The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. To be eligible, a library must be located in an area that’s more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area and with a population of 25,000 or less, in keeping with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

Additional information regarding Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, Grant Advisor RFP requirements and how to apply for grants is available at https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access/rfp.

Art Resources Transfer's Library Program provides free books on art and culture to public libraries, schools, and incarcerated readers nationwide.

The book catalog offers 300+ titles published by leading museums, galleries, and independent presses nationwide. Books are free and shipped free of charge. To get started, sign up through the website here.

Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program. The NEA Big Read is a community engagement opportunity with grants of up $20,000 for community-wide reading programs (in-person and/or virtual).

Organizations can choose one of 15 available books.

Past grantees developed meaningful and lasting partnerships with other organizations in their community, and program participants have the opportunity to meaningfully connect in-person and/or virtually.

The deadline to submit an Intent to Apply is January 18, 2023. Completed applications are due by January 25, 2023.

If you have any questions, contact Arts Midwest at neabigread@artsmidwest.org or 612-238-8024.

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members to address issues for the betterment of the community.

For the 2022-2023 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on connection and reconnection with your community. Your project can be a collaboration with an audience that has not frequented your library in the past or an audience that has not used the library recently (e.g., because of the pandemic). Libraries should work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization to develop a project that addresses a local issue and builds upon community assets. Please note that, while projects should be community-driven, they must be spearheaded by the library.

Applications for the 2022-2023 cycle will open on December 1, 2022.

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant was made possible by former ALA president and longtime generous supporter Nancy Kranich, with additional contributions raised by solicitations and a matching opportunity in 2017.

• Apply online
• Read the grant guidelines
• Review the frequently asked questions

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant of the American Library Association (ALA) that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming.

The grant aims to help ease library budget challenges by awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.

For the 2022–2023 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant to support programming related to increasing access for groups that are identified as underserved or new library users in the community.

Possible proposals could include things like :

1. Increasing access to library resources for homebound seniors
2. Builds kiting for patrons re-entering society so they can more easily learn about and access local resources
3. Focusing on media literacy that helps people learn how to access accurate and important information.

Applications for the 2022-2023 cycle will open on December 1, 2022.

• Apply online
• Read the grant guidelines
• Review the frequently asked questions

Margaret "Peggy" Barber was a transformative leader in ALA and the library field who was behind the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. Read Library Journal's tribute.

Applications for a $2,500 award from the Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia are now being accepted. This grant is designed to provide seed money for new library programs that directly serve your patrons living with dementia. Applications can be submitted until Feb. 17, 2023. You do not need to be a member of the American Library Association or the RUSA subdivision to apply.

Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a family literacy initiative that connects Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities across generations. The Talk Story grant celebrates and explores Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian stories through books, oral traditions, and cultural arts to provide interactive and enriching experiences for all ages. This grant provides financial support to libraries and community organizations who are motivated to promote intergenerational literacy through programming, services, and collections. Talk Story programs may be conducted in-person or virtually.

Talk Story is in its fourteenth year of partnership between the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and the American Indian Library Association (AILA).

Libraries, archives, museums, and community organizations that promote intergenerational literacy across Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and/or American Indian families and communities are eligible to apply. We encourage collaboration with related community organizations on a Talk Story program, although the applying organization must be a library, archive, or museum. With the exception of cross-border tribal organizations, all organizations must be based in the United States or U.S. territories. Organizations who have previously been awarded two Talk Story grants are ineligible for additional awards.

Two grant winners for each organization (APALA and AILA), a total of four winners, will receive $500 each to fund a program that meets the criteria of the grant.

All complete submissions will be considered, which includes a statement of financial or economic need, narrative describing how the grant addresses community needs and promotes the Talk Story mission, an explanation of how your program empowers AANHPI and/or AIAN communities, and a proposed budget.

You may apply for either an APALA grant OR an AILA grant. You may not apply to both organizations.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, March 15, 2023 11:59pm AoE.
Awards will be announced by Monday, May 1, 2023.

ALA will distribute implementation grants to 100 libraries to host Great Story Club programming on two themes: “Deeper Than Our Skins: The Present Is a Conversation with the Past” and “Finding Your Voice: Speaking Truth to Power.” These themes, created by scholars Maria Sachiko Cecire and Susana M. Morris, will feature books that explore questions of race, equity, identity and history.

For each theme, ALA will award up to 50 grants to eligible institutions. Up to 50 libraries will be selected to receive a "Deeper Than Our Skins" grant, and up to 50 libraries will be selected to receive a "Finding Your Voice" grant.

Applications will be accepted from all types of libraries (public, school, academic, and special) in the United States and its territories that meet one of the following criteria:

• The applicant library is located within an organization that reaches underserved, under-resourced and/or at-risk teens (e.g., alternative high school, juvenile detention facility, tribal library).

Or

• The applicant library is working with a partner organization that reaches underserved, under-resourced, and/or at-risk teens. Possible partner organizations include but are not limited to juvenile justice facilities, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children and shelters serving young adults and families experiencing homelessness.

Selected libraries will receive 11 paperback copies of theme-related books to use in the reading and discussion groups as well as a $500 programming stipend, online training, an array of program resources and support throughout the grant term.

Participating libraries will work with small groups of approximately 10 teens; provide up to four theme-related books for each participant to keep as their own and convene opportunities for exploration and discussion of relevant humanities content among peers. Book discussions will be led by an experienced programming librarian, often in cooperation with staff from a partner organization or department, such as teachers and counselors.

Because the Great Stories Club seeks to engage libraries in different areas of the country, serving high-need and diverse groups of teen readers, ALA invites interested librarians to get in touch if there is a specific need for flexibility with the program model or requirements.

Visit the project guidelines and apply online by March 15, 2023.

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