RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS

MARCH 9, 2026

NEW RCLS LISTSERV OPTIONS!

At the request of member libraries, RCLS has created several new listserv options for communicating with target audiences. These listservs will be used to share county-specific information. Library staff members who want or need to receive information that may be important only in a particular county of our service area should sign up for the list or lists in which they have an interest.

SIGN UP HERE

Questions? Contact Meaghan Doyle (meaghan@rcls.org)

Virtual RCLS Construction Aid Workshop (Online)

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

10:30am - 12:00pm

Presenters: Stephen Hoefer, Chief Financial Officer, and Joanna Goldfarb, Sustainability Innovation Consultant

In-depth discussion on what types of projects are eligible for the New York State Public Library Construction Aid program. Review previously funded projects, the new program timeline, new program developments. Q&A session will take place at the end.

Member Library Directors, Staff, Trustees

are all welcome to attend

(Continuing Education for Library Staff: 2 hours)

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The due date for project applications for 2026 is August 1st.

Mark your calendars for the in-person RCLS Construction Aid Mandatory Workshop for applicants scheduled for June 15. Registration to open soon.

The Librarians Film Screenings

Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life of library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content.

To Register, please use the links below to the individual library's website calendar:

Valley Cottage Library, April 20

[Rockland County]

Albert Wisner Public Library

(Warwick), April 22

[Orange County]

Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library (Monticello), April 25

[Sullivan County]

Rectangle of blue background of old library pocket check-out card with orange and red flames in lower right corner. Text in white superimposed on top reads "The Librarians", a film by Kim A. Snyder

RCLS staff will be in attendance at each individual screening,

leading a discussion following the viewing

Questions? Please contact Michelle Muller, RCLS Member and Youth Services Consultant michelle.muller@rcls.org

Shake off those winter blues with a dose of fresh recommendations from the RCLS Bookwerm! Click on the picture to access her latest list...

Spring on the Hill 2026 text on yellow background bisected by diagonal white lines and white lightning bolts with teal blue and magenta outline

Registration is Open!

Spring on the Hill: You've Got the Power

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 ~ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St, Albany NY

A full day of educational programming to advance your advocacy!

Secure your spot...

Click HERE for more information & to register

RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION

RCLS Town Hall Sessions Series

Presenters: Grace Riario, RCLS Executive Director & RCLS Consultant team

This is your opportunity to learn more about the services that support the RCLS community. Sessions will be held in person at varying locations.

This program is open to all member library staff, directors, and trustees. When you register, you are invited to submit your questions in advance.

Click on your preferred date, time, & location from the list below

to be taken to the registration page.

2 hours of Continuing Education credit for library staff

2 hours Trustee Education credit for library trustees

To register for any event below, please click on the text in BLUE associated with the session. Credit Hours earned per session are noted below. Please verify with the individual posting on the RCLS Calendar.

Unearth a Story Summer Reading Workshop (In-Person)

Thursday, March 12, 2026 ~ 9:30am - 12:30pm

RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY

Includes: hands-on craft demonstrations, a roundtable discussion about program structure and reward systems, a performer exchange where you can share or find out about reputable performers in our area and tips and tricks for marketing and promotion

3 hours of Continuing Education credit for library staff

Wellness in the Library: Supporting Staff Needs (Online)

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 ~ 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Presenter: Beth Sousa, Community Engagement Coordinator and community-based social worker

Palatine Library District

Learn about Palatine Library District's effective library-based wellness initiatives, how staff successfully planned and implemented them, and practical strategies on how you can adapt them to your own library

1 hour of Continuing Education credit for library staff

1 hour Trustee Education credit for library trustees

Staying Current with Generative AI (Online)

Thursday, April 2, 2026 ~ 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Presenter: Nicole Hennig, e-learning developer and AI education specialist, University of Arizona Libraries

The session will cover examples of misleading news stories, statistics taken out of context, scientific studies with major errors, expert predictions that were wrong, and disagreement among experts. Learn methods for sorting through it all for a more balanced view. You can use these methods when teaching information literacy skills to others

1 hour of Continuing Education credit for library staff

PLEASE NOTE: If you sign up for one or more of the many

RCLS programs and/or continuing education opportunities,

save your registration confirmation email which will

contain the link for any ONLINE session.

You will also receive a reminder email 24-48 hours prior to the event.

Special Events

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO REGISTER FOR MARKETING MINDS

Notepad with word "Marketing" written in blue magic marker. Folded eyeglasses and uncapped marker on top of notepad and calculator to the left.

Marketing Minds:

Monthly Meetup (Online)

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

10:00am - 11:00am

Moderator: Dave Cosco, RCLS Marketing Manager

Participate in active, conversational space where we work together, share experiences, and learn from one another. Participants are encouraged to bring topics and questions to the table.

Note: This session is not eligible for CE credit

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click on the image of the flyer

to be taken to the registration page.

The Librarians

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

5:30pm - 7:45pm

Join the Newburgh community for an evening -- view the film

and take part in the

discussion to follow

REGISTER HERE

Is there something special coming up at YOUR library that you'd like to share with the library community? Did you host a great event or program and want to brag? We'd love to highlight your events & accomplishments! Please email your submission (include flyer, brief description, press release, photos, etc.) to abaumann@rcls to be featured in an upcoming issue of the bi-weekly RCLS News

RCLS SUSTAINABILITY CORNER

In keeping with our ongoing celebrations

of America250, try out the recipe linked below, straight from the "web-halls"

of our nation's Senate...

SENATE BEAN SOUP

(a required and beloved menu tradition in Senate restaurants for more than a century)

For those preferring a vegan option... Click HERE

MARKETING EDUCATION

Using AI Tools in Library Marketing (online)

March 10, 2026 ~ 11:00 AM

Presenter: David Lee King, Digital Services Director

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

In this session, you will learn how to:

Use simple AI tools to improve your marketing and promotional work

Strengthen your website and social media content with AI support

Put ready-to-use strategies into action so you can integrate AI with confidence

Use the link below to register:

REGISTER HERE

If AI feels confusing or risky, this webinar will help you feel more comfortable and make informed choices that reflect your community’s needs and values. Can't attend live?

Register anyway and the recording will be sent straight to your inbox.

RCLS Marketing Services LibGuide

Click the link above to view the Guide and schedule a meeting to talk about your marketing plans with Dave Cosco, RCLS Marketing Manager. Phone: 845-243-3747 ext. 245 or via email at marketing@rcls.org

A Closing Thought...

Submitted by: Rachel Leeds, Library Clerk, Port Jervis Free Library

Tickle the funny-bone of your colleagues with a cartoon or share a

library-related quote that would resonate with the RCLS community...

Send your submissions to abaumann@rcls.org!

Ramapo Catskill Library System

619 Route 17M

Middletown, NY 10940

845-243-3747

www.rcls.org

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NOTE: Some images in this publication are AI assisted