Ramapo Catskill Library System
N e w s
Monday, May 25, 2020
RCLS News Archives
Advocacy Now
New York State
As New York State contemplates adjustments to the enacted budget and cuts to education of 15-20%, YOU need to speak up and let your legislators know about the effects these cuts will have for YOUR library.  Increased cuts at the levels proposed will mean communities lose access to resources, services, and possibly staff when our neighbors need them most. Use the NYLA's Online Advocacy Center to contact your state representatives with a personal message about what cuts to your library would mean to you. Your voice and your story are powerful.
Federal
COVID-19 has caused significant revenue losses for libraries, resulting in thousands of furloughs and layoffs nationwide.  At the same time, the crisis has created urgent needs for library services for students, families, jobseekers, and small businesses.
Use the form and pre-loaded message at NYLA’s Online Advocacy Center to tell your federal representatives what’s at stake if libraries lose funding, and ask your federal representatives to consider providing aid to libraries as they decide how to allocate federal funding and assistance for different groups and programs.
 
Member Library News

May is “National Get Caught Reading Month” and the staff at the Pine Bush Area Library GOT CAUGHT!  Some were caught at home “social distancing” and those with facemasks ventured out to have their photo taken on library grounds. Pictured are:
Top:  Lucy Bojiuk, Karen Fox, Christine Von Deben.
Middle:  Ed Deegan, Doris Callan, Rebecca Cannon, Sandy Damon, Jean Eustance
Bottom:  Vicki Ducham, Sam Ribbecke, Cathy Scully, Mary Deegan
Call for Nominations
RCLS Annual Meeting Awards
Reminder that nominations for all four RCLS Annual Meeting Awards must be received no later than Friday, June 19 by the Awards Committee.(RCLSawards@rcls.org). Nominations submitted after that date will not be accepted. Detailed guidelines for the four awards are available on the
RCLS website.
 
Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award
The Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award, sponsored by the Friends of Libraries Section (FLS) of NYLA, has extended its call for nominations to Wednesday, July 1.  To learn more about the award and for the nomination form, visit the NYLA website. 
Grant Opportunities
Census Shelter-in-Place Grant
Due to the fact that the Coronavirus pandemic coincided with the 2020 Census, libraries have had to innovate in order to complete their follow-up work promoting a complete count. The Empire State Library Network, with thanks to the Charles H. Revson Foundation, is able to provide a limited number of cash grants from $500-$2,000 to New York Libraries and Library Systems to fund this work. Once the money has been distributed, it is gone. First come, first served - so apply early! Submit your grant application online.
 
Judith Krug Fund Grants for Banned Books Week
Apply for $1,000 or $2,500 Judith Krug Fund grants to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual #BannedBooksWeek celebration (September 27–October 3, 2020). Applications are due by Sunday, May 31.
 
CARES Act Grants Available
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced two new funding opportunities. The combined $15 million federal investment will provide direct support to institutions, equipping them to respond to community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act allocated funding to IMLS for libraries to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, June 12.
 
Now Online!
Check these out...
  • SENYLRC Ask the Lawyer
  • Index - RCLS Guides: Book Discussion Guides - LibGuide
  • June Webinars
  • May Webinars
  • May Workshops
  • RCLS Annual Meeting Awards - Online  (deadline is Friday, June 19!)
  • RCLS Census Guide - LibGuide
  • Free Digital Resources To Use During Social Distancing - LibGuide
  • Online Professional Development Opportunities - LibGuide
  • RCLS Libraries Present Online Programs - Flyer 
News Worthy
National News
  • Libraries have spent years reinventing themselves. Will they have to do it again? | Market Place 5.14.20
  • The Obamas team up for storytime in Chicago | Us Weekly 5.14.20
  • ALA rallies support for COVID-19 relief | AL: The Scoop 5.12.20
  • The post-pandemic future of libraries | The Atlantic: Our Towns 5.12.20
  • Is your online library for everyone? | ALSC Blog 5.11.20
  • Little libraries become food pantries during COVID-19 | PBS News Hour 5.10.20
  • Libraries will look different when they reopen | Washington Post 5.8.20
  • Protecting privacy in a pandemic | Choose Privacy Every Day 5.8.20
 
RCLS Board News
Trustee Nominations
The Annual Meeting of the Ramapo Catskill Library System will be held virtually at a date to be determined.  One of the items of business will be the election of two RCLS trustees, one for Orange County and one for Rockland County.  Anyone, other than a salaried employee of the System or any RCLS member library, is eligible for election as a voting member of the System Board of Trustees.  Potential candidates must reside in the county they represent.  These terms will begin January 1, 2021 and end December 31, 2025.  To read the Nomination to RCLS Board memo, click here.  For further details, visit the RCLS website.
 
Talking Points
At its Monday, May 18 meeting, the RCLS Board of Trustees had the following Talking Points:
  • Noted that RCLS received additional Construction Aid to allocate to eligible 2019 projects, which are now all fully funded.
  • Acknowledged that member libraries are working on reopening plans.  Kudos to those who worked on the Staged Reopening Plan for Member Libraries.
  • Announced that the Legislative Breakfast was canceled for 2020.  However, the Annual Meeting will be held virtually on a date to be determined.  Two openings for Trustees on the RCLS Board - one each in Orange and Rockland counties - will be decided at the meeting.
  • Stated that RCLS will not be increasing its member library Service Fees in 2021.
  • Expressed condolences to the family of Patricia Soto, a former RCLS Trustee and current Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library Board member.
The Talking Points will be elaborated on in the Minutes of the May Board meeting, which will be posted to the RCLS website about a week before the next regular virtual meeting on Monday, June 15. The current materials are available on the website (Minutes/Financial Reports and Executive Director's Report). If you have any questions about the Talking Points, contact Grace Riario at RCLS (243.3747, ext. 233 or e-mail).
 
RCLS Headquarters Directory
The RCLS team is available to help you via email and phone.
Don't hesitate to reach out.
 
Grace Riario
Ruth K. Daubenspeck
Eileen Acosta
Daniel B. Hulse
 
John Hurley
   
Ryan Smith
David Krawczyk
 
Leonard M. George
   
Nicholas Yaven
 
 
Stephen P. Hoefer
Marla Landsman
Tracey Webber
 
 
 
 
Jen Park
 
 
 
 
Chuck Conklin
   
Jerry Kuntz
 
Martha Sullivan
 
 
Daniel Donohue
 
Gretchen Chandra
 
Patricia Velez
 
 
Joanna Goldfarb
  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
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