RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
AUGUST 11, 2025

JOIN US FOR THE RCLS
66TH LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS PRESENTATION
Keynote Address: AnnaLee Dragon, Executive Director 
New York Library Association (NYLA)
  
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 8 AM to 1 PM
Registration is REQUIRED
(registration closes September 5th)
 
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
& TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
 
If your library would like to bring a display to the event,
please email Anita Baumann (abaumann@rcls.org) for information

RCLS Plan of Service Focus Groups
 
RCLS can't develop the next five-year Plan of Service without your input to guide our future. We’ve scheduled a series of focus groups for library trustees, directors, managers, and staff starting in August 2025 and running through October 2025. Your participation is vital—your insights will help shape the direction of RCLS services and priorities.
 
Please ensure that we hear from you; register for one of the sessions designated for your role with the library via the
Calendar – Ramapo Catskill Library System

RCLS Road Trip 2025 keeps on rolling!
CLICK HERE to see details to share with your patrons

 
SPECIAL EVENTS

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS 2025
Join us August 23 for another epic show-down!
 Click HERE for more details... 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Come view the wonderful creations fabricated during the FML sewing Program held for 9-12 year olds this summer...  
~~~
Support budding fashion trend-setters at this special culminating event!!
For additional information
CLICK HERE

 
A special AUTHOR VISIT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION opportunity - courtesy of the Newburgh Free Library!
 
Register here: 
https://forms.gle/vpGciGbttDhqwXG96
 
Attendees will receive one hour of Continuing Education credit. 

Are you ready for some baseball?
Library Workers Appreciation Night at Clover Stadium in Pomona, NY 
Friday, August 15
Gates open at 6pm. NY Boulders baseball game starts at 7pm
 
Free ticket vouchers available for all library workers
($10 additional family & friends tickets) 
Click here to register yourself or your library for the vouchers
Questions? Contact KristineK@NYBoulders.com
 

Newburgh Free Library Citizenship Class
 
Questions? Please contact
Yoly Avella, New Americans and Adult Literacy Librarian (she/her), Newburgh Free Library
(845)563-3644 // yavella@rcls.org 

RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
To register, please click on text in BLUE
Credit Hours earned per session are noted below.  Please verify with the individual posting on the RCLS Calendar.
 
Lightning Talk: Failing Forward 
(Hybrid Session: In-Person @ RCLS HQ & Online)
Thursday, August 21, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Facilitator: Michelle Muller 
RCLS Youth and Member Services Consultant
Join three presenters from Member Libraries to hear more about how they used their less than successful programs to adapt and learn for future programming. These quick ten-minute talks will provide insight on how to evaluate your programs and gain valuable information for generating future success.
Presentations will cover programs aimed at multiple age groups and audiences, so any library staff member involved in programming is encouraged to attend!
2 Hours Continuing Education credit
 
Collection Development Series: Jewish Traditional Collections (In-Person)
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY 10940
Monday, August 25, 2025 ~ 10:00am - 11:30am
Presenter: Jessica Gordon, Asst Dept Head of Youth Services and Youth Services Outreach Coordinator, Finkelstein Memorial Library
Learn about how Jessica curated their Jewish Traditional Collection. The presentation will cover collections for all ages - not limited to youth services
1.5 Hours Continuing Education credit
 
Open Meetings Law (In-Person)
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY 10940
Monday, September 15, 2025 ~ 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Presenter: Kristin O'Neill 
Deputy Director and Counsel for New York State Committee on Open Government (COOG)
1.5 Hours Continuing Education credit
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.

 
RCLS SUSTAINABILITY CORNER
 
What is The Great Give Back?
The mission of The Great Give Back is to provide a day of opportunities for the patrons of the Public Libraries of New York State to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences. RCLS member libraries have participated since 2019.  RSVP HERE to add your library!
Questions? Contact Joanna Goldfarb at jgoldfarb@rcls.org
 Click here to visit The Great Give Back website

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
What an amazing journey it’s been so far! Community members are out visiting, exploring, and uncovering all the great things our libraries have to offer. We can’t wait to see where the road leads over the next couple of months! 

 
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...
 
Share a library-related meaningful quote or a funny cartoon 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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