Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!


Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Award Nominations Needed

Award Nominations
Craig Koste & Ray Murray Award Nomination Process
Each year, NYSLAA seeks nominations from its members for each of these awards. The Executive Council reviews the nominations in April of each year and notifies the recipients. The awards are presented at the annual conference in June.
To nominate, please compile a packet including: your nomination letter, supporting letters, and any other pertinent documentation. Please include the name of the nominee's supervisor for notification. The deadline for the submission is March 31st of each year.
Send nomination packets (or questions) for either award to the NYSLAA President:
Joy Piper
President
University at Buffalo
Central Technical Service
134 Lockwood Library
Buffalo, NY 14260-2210
Phone: (716) 645-2305 ext.242
Fax: (716) 645-5955

Save the date

Save the date!
The 2009 NYSLAA conference is going to be held -
Wednesday, June 10th - Friday, June 12th in Troy, NY.

Please plan on attending this awesome learning and networking opportunity.

Lottery tickets available

Each year NYSLAA sells 'lottery tickets' as a fund raiser to help support their annual conference.
Tickets are $5 each. Each ticket comes with 3 numbers on it.
If these 3 numbers are drawn in the NYS lottery during the month of February for the Evening drawing of 'Take Three', then you will win $25. If you numbers are drawn on Valentine's Day - you will win $50.
Your $5 ticket is good for the whole month of February.
If you would like to buy a ticket - please let me know.
Thanks
Heidi

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

ALA seeks $100M in Stimulus Funding

The American Library Association is (ALA) is asking Congress for a one-time infusion of $100 million in stimulus funding to help libraries aid Americans as they deal with the nation's current fiscal crisis.
To read more on this topic -
Check it out at:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6611595.html

From NYLA

Dear Library Advocate,
As I informed you yesterday, the 2009-10 Executive Budget proposes a $18 million or 18% cut in Library Aid. This would bring Library Aid down to 1993 levels and is on top of two cuts (3%) in 2008 which reduced Library Aid from $102 million to $98.5 million. (This basically a repackaing of the same cut proposed on November 18th by the Division of Budget, that the Library Rally and other advocacy efforts help prevent.)
Library Materials Aid for School Libraries remains steady at $6.25 per pupil.
School Aid was reduced by $698 million, but BOCES Aid was increased by $33 million. See link for complete list of changes <http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0910/fy0910littlebook/EducationSchoolAid.html>
Public Library Construction Aid - $800,000 line item was eliminated, but the $14 million in borrowed funding for library construction remains intact. NYLA is working with Division of Library Development and the American Library Association to insure that a federal stimulus package for public works projects includes funds for libraries.
Adult Literacy Education (ALE) funds remains level a $4.9 million (libraries are elgible to apply for these funds)
SUNY/CUNY tuition increases of 14% and 15% respectively were proposed. $338 million in cuts overall proposed - see<http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0910/fy0910littlebook/HigherEducation.html> for detailed info.
BUNDY Aid (for private colleges) was cut by $2 million.
The Executive Budget also includes two changes with potential benefits for libraries that NYLA advocated for:
Computer Software Aid - language was revised to allow the purchase of materials in electronic format which are access or delivered through the internet.
Local Government Efficiency Grants - language was amended to allow all types of public libraries to apply for these shared services grants including association, school library district and special legislative district libraries.
NYLA will be updating its Talking Points and 2009 Budget Priorities over the next week for use by library advocates in their meetings with legislators. An updated History of Library Aid, Library Circulation and Visitation Charts are already up on our website.
In addition, we are looking for examples of how libraries have helped people find jobs, create new businesses, etc. Also we need to know if your library has a business or employment center (physical space dedicated for such use) or job assistance program, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.
Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Volunteers needed

Library Volunteers Needed!

The Education Committee of the Italian American Community Center is
seeking volunteers to help set up its new library! The library has a
beautiful new space - complete with lots of windows - on the second
floor of the Community Center building on Manitou Road in Gates.

The collection consists mainly of books, many of them written in
Italian. The books are currently arranged on the shelves in broad
categories, such as Biography, Travel, Music, Art, History,
Architecture, Science, Sports, Culture, Fiction, Children's Books, and
Young Adult Books.

The skills of a librarian are needed to catalog the items, assign call
numbers, and develop a database of the library's collection. The group
would also welcome a librarian's help in determining which of the many
web-based software solutions would be the best choice for a library
management system (OPAC, circulation) for this small, specialized
collection.

In developing this new special library, the Education Committee is
committed to:

Developing the community's awareness of the Italian American experience
and culture
Having a functioning library in the Italian American Community Center
available to members and to the public
Serving as a resource for educators
Serving as a forum for the development of Italian language skills

If you are interested in using your library skills to help organize and
catalog this new collection, please contact Joe Aleo by phone at
585-254-2020, x1038
or by email at friar@rochester.rr.com.

Proposed Library aid cuts

In the public announcement of his budget this morning the Governor
proposed an $18 million or 18% cut in Library Aid that would bring state
aid for libraries down to $80.5 million. The $14 million in public
library construction would remain the same.

It is a constitutional requirement that the Governor present a balanced
budget -- the legislature does not have to meet that requirement! So
once again that's where we will focus our efforts.

Stay tuned.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Library Assistant position open at U or R.

Posted on behalf of the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries

Department: Access Services (Interlibrary Loan)
Position Title: Library Assistant IV
Position Code: 0513
Pay Grade: 08

Summary:
The primary responsibilities of this position are to oversee and
maintain detailed online records in the interlibrary loan database and
OCLC, act as a liaison to our clients providing support, and to process
incoming materials. This position requires a good knowledge of the
River Campus in order to provide delivery of materials to branch
libraries and faculty offices. This position assists with setting rooms
for upcoming library events. The schedule for this position may include
providing Circulation Desk backup for weekend days. The ability to
exercise independent judgment, schedule work and set priorities is
necessary.

Duties:
30%
. Online record maintenance within the interlibrary loan database
and oclc
. Process incoming materials and prepare materials to be returned
. Processes all materials received electronically and pushes
materials through to the patrons

30%
. Contacts patrons promptly upon arrival of borrowed materials
. Processes overdue notices, recalls and updates renewal requests
. Monitors materials and sends reminders for items not yet picked
up
. Provides quality control of materials and rectifies problems
prior to patron notifications

30%
. Responsible for main phone line for office
. Provides patron assistance and support for using the
interlibrary loan database
. Provides assistance and support for use of the department
photocopy machine, Xerox color printer and fax machine
. Authorizes payment of bills and forwards invoices to the Library
Financial Office for payment
. Opens, sorts and distributes incoming office mail
. Provides backup to other staff in the office
. Provides backup and assistance at the Circulation Desk

10%
. Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:
2 years post high school education and 3-4 years of work experience (or
an equivalent combination of education and experience)
Relevant college degree preferred and may be substituted for the above
Good telephone skills
Aptitude and desire to work with the public
Sensitivity when dealing with patrons
Good judgment
Good command of English
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience working with computer terminals
Previous academic library experience
Ability to organize work
Knowledge of bookkeeping procedures

Please send letter of application, resume, and the names, address and
phone numbers of three references to:
Kelley Kitrinos, HR Administrator
University of Rochester, Rush Rhees Library
Rochester NY 14627-0055
Fax: (585) 273-5309
-OR-

Email: RCLHR@library.rochester.edu

New link added to blog roll

I've just added a new Blog link to the Blog roll located on the right hand side of this blog.
It's for the PLS OWWL Training Blog that Lindsay writes.
Check it out!


All member libraries are now on OWWL

As of early December, ALL 42 PLS member libraries are fully on OWWL (workflows).
They are all now checking items in and out, as well as, placing and receiving holds.
Congratulations to EVERYONE! We should all be very proud.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Libraries Featured on NBC News Report

Subject: Libraries Featured on NBC News Report

NBC News reports:

"The library business is booming, but now they could use some help in
these tough times"

Libraries offer free relief for tough times... - "the library is a
lifeline"

More Americans have library cards than at any other time since the
American Library Association has kept records.

See the video:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28165432#28165432

THANK YOU!

Dear Library Advocate, I want to let you know that your participation in NYLA's advocacy efforts has helped release $26 million in undistributed Library Aid from the approved 2008-09 State Budget.
As you know, the state was holding onto the undistributed funds pending an agreement with the state Legislature on further mid-year budget cuts. Since those cuts were not agreed to by the state Legislature (and the NYLA Library Rally on November 18th impacted that decision), the remaining funds have been authorized to be released. These undistributed funds include aid for the NYC libraries, library systems, Conservation and Preservation Program, Indian Libraries and Coordinated Collection Development Aid (CCDA) for college libraries.
So thanks again to all of you in the library community who joined us in advocating on behalf of all libraries. United we stand, divided we fall!
Stay tune for further NYLA Legislative Alerts. The Governor will be releasing his 2009-10 Executive Budget next week on December 16th, and there will be more work for NYLA and library advocates to do. In addition, President-Elect Obama and Congress are discussing an economic stimulus package for public works projects and we are working with ALA to insure that libraries receive their fair share of any stimulus package.
Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association
252 Hudson Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 432-6952, ext. 101
(518) 427-1697 Fax

Monday, December 1, 2008

OWWLug

" Please attend the final 2008 OWWLUG meeting! Submit agenda items to Lindsay Stratton, lstratton@pls-net.org or 585-394-8260.

We will also have a mini-CE session on creating a positive user experience at the circ desk. "

OWWLUG
Event Type: Meeting
Date: 12/12/2008
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Large Meeting Room
Description: OWWL User Group meeting

Public Library Director needed

Job posting ~
Public Library Director

The Trustees of Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich, N.Y. are seeking an innovative, highly motivated and resourceful Library Director to serve as a full time director beginning February 1, 2009, or as soon as possible, thereafter. The director is responsible for the ongoing operation of a library with 23 full and part-time employees, a budget of $1M, circulation of over 178,000, and a collection of over 76,000 items, serving a population of 13,500+.

Qualifications: Must have an ALA recognized MLS and at least five years experience in a supervisory position with fiscal responsibility.

Job Description: This is a Library Director I position as described in the NYS Civil Service Library Director’s position description, with excellent benefits.

Salary: $48,000 $55,000, commensurate with experience.

Closing Date: January 15, 2009

Applicants must have:
·
Strong written and oral communication skills.
·
Considerable knowledge of current technology and ability to use computers and software to conduct database searches, spreadsheet management, word processing and cataloging.
·
Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
·
Foster a team environment and committed to staff development and performance management.
·
Effective fiscal management skills, and experience with developing a library budget.
·
Ability to develop strategic planning and implementation.

Resumes, including three (3) references, should be submitted to:

Debra Deforest, Director of HR
City of Norwich Civil Service Commission
1 City Plaza
Norwich, NY 13815