RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
March 10, 2025
SPRINGTIME = CONSTRUCTION TIME
The legislature will soon be adopting the budget for 2025 and allocating dollars for Construction Aid.  It's time to be thinking about projects at your library and whether you wish to apply for funding.  Please see the Continuing Education section of this issue (below) to register for an RCLS online session that will help guide you in preparing your application for the NYS Public Library Construction Aid Program.

Click the links below for more information on these special events in April...
 
 
Library Giving Day - April 1, 2025
 
  
 
National Library Week 2025 (April 6-12)
Drawn to the Library!
 
The 2025 celebration marks the 67th anniversary of the first event held in 1958.  Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of National Library Week 2025
 
COMMUNITY NEWS 

 Click on the flyer pictured below to register for the event
 
 

 
 
to all library DOCUMENTARY SCREENING!
 
Click on the flyer pictured at right for more information
& to register...

CLICK ON THE FLYER IMAGE TO REGISTER

 
 
Click on the flyer pictured at left for more information and to register for the Signups and Preview session on March 17th!

At the OLA Annual meeting held February 27, 2025, the guest speaker was Jennie Rose Halperin, Executive Director of Library Futures.  Ms. Halperin spoke about fostering a culture of open, inclusive leadership to support equitable library policy, technology, and advocacy. For more information on Ms. Halperin, click here: Library Futures | Jennie Rose Halperin
Text and photo courtesy of Diane Loomis, Director, Tuxedo Park Library
 
RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
To register, please click on the title in BLUE
Credit Hours earned per session are noted below.  Please verify with the individual posting on the RCLS Calendar.
 
Guide to Understanding and Requesting Funding Through the NYS Legislature (online)
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 ~ 9:30am - 12:30pm
 
This session will provide Library Directors with the opportunity to gain an understanding about the different types of funding available through the New York State Legislature. Join RCLS and Christie Foster as we walk you through the different avenues for discretionary funding that your legislative representatives have the ability to access.
 This program will be recorded and made available on NicheAcademy for 30 days.
1.5 hours Continuing Education credit for library staff
 
Virtual RCLS Construction Aid Workshop - Review of Eligible Projects (online)
Friday, April 11, 2025 ~ 10:30am - 12:00pm
Presenter: Stephen Hoefer, RCLS Chief Financial Officer
An in-depth discussion on what types of projects are eligible for the New York State Public Library Construction Aid program. The due date for applications for 2025 is August 1st.
2 hours Continuing Education credit for library staff 
 Note: There is an in-person RCLS Construction Aid 
Mandatory Workshop for Applicants scheduled for June 12, 2025 at 9:30
Please register separately for the June session
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 
 
BaFa' BaFa': Cross-Cultural Competency Training (in-person)
Thursday, March 27, 2025 ~ 1:00-4:00 pm
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown
Presenters:  Jen Park, Government Relations Specialist, and Joanna Goldfarb, Sustainability Innovation Consultant
BaFa' BaFa' is a learning simulation designed to improve participants' cross-cultural competence by helping them understand the impact of culture on the behavior of people and organizations. This is a hands-on workshop that involves moving and communicating with others, and includes discussions about cultural values, behaviors, and more.  All attendees are expected to fully participate and stay for the entire session. 
3 hours Continuing Education credit for Library Staff
[Not applicable towards Trustee Education credit hours]
REGISTER HERE 
 
COMMUNITY OUTREACH 
 
Stand Up for the Right to Read!
        
If you believe that reading is critical to our democracy and that books help us understand complex issues, it’s time to take action. Parents should have the right to make choices for their children, not others. Young readers also deserve to see themselves in books. Stand up for the freedom to read and access a wide range of viewpoints.
 
Join the movement to #UniteAgainstBookBans and stand up for the right to read. Together, we can protect access to literature and knowledge, ensuring that every reader has the freedom to explore, learn, and grow without restrictions.
 
Learn more or sign up to take action here!
 

 
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...
 
Do you have a library related thought-provoking quote or a funny cartoon to share? Send your submissions to abaumann@rcls.org!

Ramapo Catskill Library System
619 Route 17M 
Middletown, NY 10940
845-243-3747
www.rcls.org
         
Subscribe to receive RCLS publications via the link below
Sign Up for RCLS Newsletters