RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
DECEMBER 29, 2025
NOTE
RCLS offices CLOSED Thursday, January 1st 
(New Year's Day) - No deliveries

Wishing everyone a VERY HAPPY 2026!

Mock Book Awards
      
Image of round gold relief Caldecott medal
 
The Mock Caldecott, Mock Newbery and Mock Printz Award discussions will take place at RCLS Friday, January 9, 2026.
(Snow date January 16th)
All three are in-person events and will not be recorded
Participants will receive 2 CE credits
Register for the discussions using the award links below
Mock Caldecott 9am-11am
Mock Newbery 11:15am-1:15pm
Mock Printz 2:00pm-4:00pm

2026 RCLS Professional
Development Scholarship
 
The Professional Development Scholarship seeks to improve the skills and abilities of our member library staff who wish to attend a professional development program or course but are unable to due to budgetary constraints. 
Scholarship application deadline is February 2nd, 2026 
 
To access the scholarship application and obtain further information, including guidelines, please visit the LibGuide on the RCLS website using the link provided below
RCLS PD Scholarship - RCLS: Professional Development Opportunities - LibGuides at Ramapo Catskill Library System
 
Questions?  Please contact: Michelle Muller, Member & Youth
Services Consultant, michelle.muller@rcls.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Library Advocacy Day in Albany
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Why Participate in Library Advocacy Day?

Adding your voice will benefit...
- every New York library and citizen
- each library and system that receives direct state aid
- the libraries and systems which receive indirect state aid in the form of cooperative services and shared programs from their library system
- legislators who need to understand how libraries can help them
 
General Information & Bus transportation sign-up available on the RCLS Calendar
 
RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
To register, 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.
 
Communicating with Elected Officials
(In-Person Workshop)
NEW Date:  Thursday, January 8, 2026
10:00am - 12:00pm (note: rescheduled from Jan 5th)
RCLS Headquarters, Middletown NY
Presenter: Jen Park
RCLS Government Relations Specialist
Open to RCLS member libraries staff, administrators, and trustees 
2 Hours Continuing Education Credit for library staff
2 Hours Trustee Education credit for trustees
 
That All May Read: An Overview of the NYS Talking Book & Braille Library (Online)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 ~ 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Presenter: Laurenne Teachout, NYS Talking Book and Braille Library Senior Librarian 
Questions? Please contact Meaghan Doyle, Community & Digital Engagement Consultant at RCLS, meaghan@rcls.org or 845-243-3747 x235
1 Hour Continuing Education Credit for library staff 
 
Library Advocacy Day
Overview & Information (Online)
Jen Park, RCLS Government Relations Specialist, reviews information surrounding the 2026 Library Advocacy Day taking place February 3rd. Ample time will be provided for Q&A.
Select ONE session from the dates/times linked below
Monday, January 26, 2026 ~ 10:00am - 11:00am
Thursday, January 29, 2026 ~7:00pm - 8:00pm
1 Hour Continuing Education Credit for library staff
1 Hour Trustee Education credit for trustees
 
 Lightning Talk:
Community Connections and Partnerships
(Hybrid format: In-Person / Online)
Thursday, January 29, 2026 ~ 2:00pm - 3:30pm
In person attendance will be at
RCLS Headquarters, Middletown, NY
Facilitator: Michelle Muller
 RCLS Member & Youth Services Consultant
 1.5 Hours Continuing Education credit for library staff 


CIVICS EDUCATION COHORT 
 
RCLS is pleased to announce a partnership with the League of Women Voters to provide in-depth informational sessions, workshops, and conversations surrounding Civics Education in a cohort setting. All sessions will take place virtually.  
     Ramapo Catskill Library System blue logo on white background   League of Women Voters red and blue logo on white background  
Westchester Library System blue and purple logo on gray background
(Registration open only to RCLS and WLS member libraries.  
More than one person per library may participate)
 
January 15 at 2p: Election security and integrity 
Speaker: Kristen Stavisky, Co-Executive Director, NYS Board of Election
 
February 12 at 2p: Understanding absentee ballots
Speaker: Monica Ferguson, League of Women Voters
 
March 19 at 2p: Moderating/Hosting a non-partisan forum for candidates (best practices and logistics) 
Speaker: Dare Thompson, League of Women Voters
 
April 9 at 2p: Combatting Mis-Dis-and Mal-information: Staying Aware and Activating Truth
Speaker: Chelsey Cartwright, Program Manager, Democracy Truth Project
 
May 7 at 2p: Civics programming for libraries 
Facilitators: RCLS & League of Women Voters
 
Participants are expected to attend all sessions. If a session must be missed, participants are expected to watch the recording of the session. Further, it is expected that participants complete the program with the intention of hosting and/or supporting one or more voter registration events/programs.
 
To sign up to participate in this program, use the "Fill out form" link below
Library System Civic Engagement & Education Cohort – Fill out form
Questions should be addressed to Jen Park, RCLS Government Relations Specialist jen@rcls.org

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 
 
Marketing Minds:
Monthly Meetup (Online)
Tuesday, January 20, 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
 
 
RCLS SUSTAINABILITY CORNER

 
AI and the Environment • Sustainable Libraries Initiative
Thursday, January 22 ~ 2:00 PM Eastern 
 
REGISTER
 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

America the Beautiful: RCLS Celebrates America 250 Overview (online)

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 ~ 10:00am - 11:00am

RCLS recently released a program guide for member library use called America the Beautiful: RCLS Celebrates America 250.This LibGuide highlights programs inspired by the natural beauty of our region and nation, as well as the ideas and institutions - such as libraries and the right to vote - that help shape our communities. 
During this session, participants will receive a brief overview of this resource, exchange ideas on how it can be used in member libraries, and more. 1 Hour Continuing Education Credit for library staff 
REGISTER HERE
 

Follow us on Social Media graphic with QR codes for RCLS Instagram, Facebook and X accounts
 
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... 
   
 
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