LibraryAware RCLS News 04.06.2020

Ramapo Catskill Library System

N e w s

Monday, April 6, 2020

NY State Budget Passes

The State budget passed with $2.5M restored to Library funding, a $2.5M or 3% cut from last year. The FY2020-21 enacted budget for State Library Aid will be $94.1M. The Construction Aid for Libraries was cut by nearly 60% or $20M ($14M total). For RCLS, the Construction Aid cut means we will go from allocating $1,437,015 to $591,794 in funds among applying member libraries.

The New York Library Association (NYLA) points out that each year the legislature makes tough decisions to allocate funding among hundreds of worthy programs; funding library services means the calls of other advocates went unheeded, and funding needs for other programs went unmet. NOW is a great time for YOU to act on this integral part of the budget advocacy cycle – acknowledging the efforts of our partners in the legislature who worked to secure funding to the Library Aid program.

Video Conference Security

Government law enforcement agencies have received multiple reports of Zoom video conferences being disrupted by non-appropriate and threatening language. In the wake of these reports the following recommendations were made in an attempt to curb this inappropriate activity:

Do not make meetings or classrooms public. In Zoom, two options are available to make a meeting private: require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.
Manage screen-sharing options. In Zoom, change screen-sharing to “Host Only.”
Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications. In January 2020, Zoom updated their software. In their security update, the teleconference software provider added passwords by default for meetings and disabled the ability to randomly scan for meetings to join.

While Zoom was singled out in these reports, these recommendations can apply to any of the Video Conference tools that are being used today.

OverDrive Big Read

In support of OverDrive’s Big Read, RCLS is sponsoring a special presentation for RCLS member libraries, their library users, and the greater RCLS community. Michael McCreary, author of the current Big Read title Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic, will present on Monday. April 6 at 11 a.m. via a live link on the RCLS Facebook page. Please note, this event will not be recorded and we ask that viewers do not record this session. For Continuing Education credit (1 hour), register through the RCLS calendar.

Continuing Education

Niche Academy –
Remote Training Platform Filling an Urgent Need

The Niche Academy online video tutorial platform, which RCLS licensed in May 2019, is now being used as the primary service offered by RCLS to its member libraries. The RCLS implementation of Niche Academy provides a means of delivering training to member library staff while their facilities are closed due to COVID-19 sheltering. Use of Niche Academy skyrocketed as soon as libraries closed their doors. The most popular tutorial it offers is New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention, which is required to be taken annually by staff and trustees.

When Staff/Trustees finish viewing a tutorial, and after responding to activity prompts and taking quizzes, Niche Academy offers the "Learner" an opportunity to download a certificate of completion, which now includes the number of Continuation Education credits it equals.

Many of the tutorials give instructions on using online database resources, but RCLS has developed other training tutorials on: WorkFlows (the SirsiDynix client software used in libraries), SEAL regional interlibrary loan, the Enterprise catalog, and SmarterMail.

Check out these FREE webinars for the
month of April!

As we learn to adapt to the ‘work from home’ environment, the Online Professional Development Opportunities: Home LibGuide provides continuing education websites
to keep library staff at all levels
engaged and learning.

Forthcoming Bestsellers

Member libraries’ staff can direct their patrons to the Spring 2020 Bestsellers now online. Copies can also be printed out for your patrons when the libraries reopen.

News Worthy

Regional and National News

Internet Archive opens 'National Emergency Library' | Albany Times-Union 3.30.20
How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic | AL: The Scoop 3.27.20
When No Public Means No Paycheck | Library Journal 3.25.20
ALA Advocates Library Economic Relief for COVID-19 Closures and Recovery | Library Journal 3.24.20
Staying Open during COVID-19 | American Libraries Magazine 3.23.20

RCLS Headquarters Directory

The RCLS team is available to help you via email and phone.
Don't hesitate to reach out.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Executive Director

Administrative Assistant

Communications Assistant

Development Officer

ANSER

Manager & Network Administrator

Technical Assistant

Assistant Network Administrator

Senior Automated Systems Technician

Automated Systems Technician

BUSINESS OFFICE

Fiscal Officer

Assistant Fiscal Officer

Account Payroll Coordinator

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Community Engagement & Talent Development Specialist

DELIVERY & BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Delivery & Building

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

Electronic Resources Consultant

Software Support Technician

ILL/TECHNICAL SERVICES

ILL/Technical Services Librarian

ILL/Technical Services Specialist

YOUTH SERVICES

Youth Services Consultant

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Share your library news with the RCLS News.
Send your article to rclsmemo@rcls.org.

Ramapo Catskill
Library System

619 Route 17M • Middletown, NY 10940

845.243.3747 • www.rcls.org