RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
JUNE 30, 2025
Note: The RCLS Offices are closed Friday, July 4 in recognition of Independence Day. No deliveries on that date.

JOIN US FOR THE RCLS
66TH LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS PRESENTATION
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 8 AM to 1 PM
Registration is REQUIRED
(registration closes September 5th)
 
Keynote Address: AnnaLee Dragon, Executive Director 
New York Library Association (NYLA)
  
 
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
& TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
 

RCLS Road Trip 2025 BEGINS TODAY!
CLICK HERE to see details to share with your patrons

 
Summertime! Warm weather, vacations, BBQs, beach going, the smell of suntan lotion, picnics AND.... a list of great new books for your patrons to put on hold and look forward to.  
Click on the picture above and view the list compiled for you by Eileen Acosta/RCLS & Sharon Stanton/EB Crawford Public Library, Monticello

BONUS BOOKS!  Recommendations from our resident Bookwerm
Click on the pic for some great reads for your summer vacation

 
SPECIAL EVENTS

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO REGISTER FOR MARKETING MINDS SESSION 4
Note: This session is not eligible for CE credit
Marketing Minds: Session 4 (Online)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
 11:00am - 12:00pm
Moderator:  Dave Cosco, RCLS Marketing Manager
Dive into practical strategies, useful tools, and open, hands-on discussion. We’ll continue sharing what’s working, tackling challenges, and exploring fresh ideas to strengthen your library’s marketing impact. No prep needed just bring yourself and your curiosity! 

Lightning Talk:
Failing Forward 
(In-Person)
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY 10940
Thursday, August 21, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm
 
Not every program, event or policy is a roaring success.  Sometimes they just do not work out the way we hoped. Sometimes they can be a quiet disaster. This Lightning Talk is going to provide a space where you can share those experiences and turn them into learning gold for your colleagues.  In turn, we hope participants will discover they are not alone, and the power of library community can overcome any challenges. 
 
Click on the image below to register for this session full of special energy!
 
Facilitated by Michelle Muller
RCLS Member & Youth Services Consultant 
 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Welcome Sunshine Hall (Eldred)
Library Director
Melissa Reid
 
Melissa was the manager of the Delaware Free Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library in Callicoon, NY from 2015-2020. In 2020, she left the position to have her daughter, Sophia, and is now returning to the workforce.  
In her previous life she was a Writer, Graphic Designer, Proof-Reader and Editorial Coordinator and most recently a stay-at-home mom and champion of learning, creativity and imagination.
 
Melissa shares: "I am a life-long library lover and voracious reader. In my free time, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my daughter Sophia and our mischievous entourage consisting of Oliver and Odin (our cats) and Freya (our very big dog) who follow us everywhere we go."
 
 
 

There's still time to buy tix & get ROCKIN'!!!
This affordable evening begins with the arrival of a coach bus at 2:45pm at the Cornwall Public Library (departure promptly 3:00pm).  If you prefer to use your own transportation, the group will meet you there.  49 bus seats and an unlimited number of non-bus seat concert tickets all on a first come-first payment basis.   
Contact Brenda at the library: 845-534-8282

Inaugural LARC in the Park 5K Run/Walk and
Kids' Dewey Decimal Dash 
Sunday, October 19 at Rockland Lake State Park
 
Want to get out for a fun, family-friendly community event? Looking to support libraries and library workers? Have you ever thought of running or walking your first 5K? Or maybe you'll be tapering before the NYC Marathon? Whatever moves you, join LARC on race day to set a personal record on this professionally-timed flat & fast course! Be one of the 1st 100 to register for not-to-be-missed swag. Lace up for libraries!
 
For more information and to register: LARCinthePark
Proceeds will benefit the Library Association of Rockland County (LARC)
Scholarship Fund and professional development
 
Questions?  Please contact Tara Borden, Event Committee Chair
Director, West Nyack Free Library 

RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
To register, please click on text in BLUE
Credit Hours earned per session are noted below.  Please verify with the individual posting on the RCLS Calendar.
 
Epilepsy Myths and Seizure First Aid (Online)
Thursday, July 24, 2025 ~ 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Presenter: Michelle Quinn,
Community Education Specialist, Capabilities Partnership
Ms. Quinn will speak about some of the myths associated with Epilepsy, the different types of epilepsy, and the symptoms.  In this session, participants will also be instructed in Seizure First Aid.
1 Hour Continuing Education credit
 

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
 
 Minimum impact practices for
anyone visiting the outdoors - from
remote wilderness areas to local parks
and even in your backyard
 
CLICK HERE
to learn more about 7 Principles
you can easily apply...
 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
 
Report Censorship Or
Request Assistance In Your Community
 
We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you see something, say something.”  Libraries are facing a surge in book challenges and censorship attempts. Reporting these incidents is critical.
 
The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks book bans and may offer support and resources when challenges occur. Your report helps identify trends, inform advocacy, and protect the freedom to read. All reports are confidential unless you give permission to share. Use the form below to report censorship.  Click the image below to report censorship.
 


 
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...
 
Share a library-related meaningful quote or a funny cartoon 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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