RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
June 17, 2024
NOTE: The RCLS Offices are closed Wednesday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.  No delivery services on that day.
 
 
RCLS will be participating in the Rockland County Accessible Family Fun Day at Rockland County Community college on June 23, 2024, sponsored by the Rockland County Office for People with disabilities.  A free event for Ages 12 and over, there will be adaptive sports, arts & crafts, music and more.  
Please promote this event and
encourage your patrons to register here:
Accessible Family Fun Day Pre Registration 
 

Are you ready for the epic
2024 Battle of the Books?
 
 
Join us on Sunday, August 25th to cheer on the Book Warriors!
 
To learn more CLICK HERE
 

The Summer 2024 Bestsellers list is hot off the presses... Click on the picture below and download a copy for your patrons!
 
 

JOIN US FOR THE RCLS
65TH ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, September 6, 2024 | 8 AM to 1 PM
 
Guest Speaker:  Lisa Kropp, President,
New York Library Association (NYLA) 
Keynote Address: Emily Drabinski, President, 
American Library Association (ALA)
  
 
The morning will begin with a buffet breakfast followed by Annual Awards ceremonies and a brief business meeting
which includes elections to the RCLS Board of Trustees.  Displays by member libraries will be on view throughout the event. 
A special 50/50 Raffle will be held to benefit the work of
The Freedom to Read Foundation
 
Registration is REQUIRED
(registration closes August 30th)
 
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
& TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
 

COMMUNITY NEWS
 
 
Newburgh named as a National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Community
 
The Newburgh Free Library in partnership with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District has been awarded $20,000 to support programming centered around the poetry collection Hustle by David Tomas Martinez. Community programming during this Big Read cycle is focused on the theme “Where We Live.” Grantees chose their NEA Big Read book based on how its themes, characters, and setting relate to the unique aspects of their community.  The library and school district will partner with community-based organizations and higher educational institutions to offer six months of poetry and arts programming and programming celebrating Hispanic Heritage, including an author visit from poet David Tomas Martinez commencing in Fall 2024. 
 
For the full announcement of 2024-2025 NEA Big Read Communities please visit this link:
https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/announcing-2024-2025-national-endowment-arts-big-read-communities

 
 
 
 
 
We are thrilled to announce that Josephine-Louise Public Library Director Ginny Neidermier has been awarded the Twila Snead Commitment to Excellence Award at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council held at Mount Saint Mary College on June 7.
Congratulations, Ginny, on this well-deserved recognition! We also extend a huge thanks to the Southeastern NY Library Council for hosting such a wonderful meeting.

 
 
Allyship at Work
At a recent Orange Library Association meeting, Janine Ting Jansen, Global Lead for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Organon, gave an informative and thought-provoking presentation on Demystifying Unconscious Bias.  Her presentation explored how biases develop, the effects of bias on people decisions and actions staff can use to mitigate and counteract bias in the library.   
 

RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
 
Continuing Education is on 'pause' for the remainder of June and the month of July as our System gears up for the new Koha ILS
Courses will start up again soon - keep your eye on this space for announcements!
 
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 approximately 24 hours prior to the event.

 
RCLS SUSTAINABILITY CORNER 
 
Consultation Services are available to member libraries to pursue Sustainability initiatives for their own facility.  Please reach out to Joanna Goldfarb, RCLS Sustainability Consultant, to set up a meeting to discuss options that are suitable for you!
Check out our website for more details:
Home - Sustainability - LibGuides at Ramapo Catskill Library System (rcls.org) 
 
 
MARKETING EDUCATION
For details on registration, 
click on the session title in blue
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The Untapped Potential of Digital Accessibility for Nonprofits
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 ~  1 pm ET (1 hour)
Making sure your website is easy to use is not just a regulatory requirement, but also a smart move.  Learn about the importance of accessibility for users with disabilities and the broader benefits of providing a user-friendly experience for all
 
Getting Started with Kanopy
Thursday, Jun 27, 2024 ~ 2:00 PM
 
Learn how easy it is to get your patrons
started with Kanopy
 • Instructions for how to access Kanopy. • A live walk-through of the user experience. • Answers to frequently asked questions. • Where to find Kanopy marketing and help resources.
 
Outreach Service to Communities
 
Digital Navigators are trained, trusted guides who help with various tech needs. They work in libraries and community organizations, assisting with device access, securing free or low-cost internet, and more. Best of all, this service is FREE!
To learn more, visit our website.
 
Digital Navigators are now meeting with clients. Visit an RCLS library or another convenient partner location. Find your closest Navigator 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...
 
 
 Did you find something of note that library staff can relate to? Send us your submissions to end our newsletter with a smile.
 

Ramapo Catskill Library System
619 Route 17M 
Middletown, NY 10940
845-243-3747
www.rcls.org
 
   
 
 
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