RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
NOVEMBER 17, 2025
 
NOTE: The RCLS Offices will be closed Thursday,
November 27 and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving Day.  
No deliveries on those dates.
Yellow and orange Fall leaves on curved branch

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 link below
Library System Civic Engagement & Education Cohort – Fill out form.

Mock Caldecott Awards
 
Please contact Eileen Acosta, RCLS Outreach Services Assistant, for a copy of the spreadsheet listing all the titles that might be considered for the Award and more information concerning the criteria.  We will have all the books that are on the spreadsheet at RCLS headquarters in Middletown for your perusing pleasure.  Please call or email Eileen to make an appointment to come in from now until December 3rd. (845-243-3747, ext 221 or eacosta@rcls.org)
Image of round gold relief Caldecott medal
 
The deadline for votes is Monday, December 8th.  
The top 40 books will be used for discussion and notice of the
final 40 will be distributed on or before December 19. 
 
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 via the RCLS calendar
Mock Caldecott 9am-11am
Mock Newbery 11:15am-1:15pm
Mock Printz 2:00pm-4:00pm
 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Suffern Free Library blue logo on white background
Promotional announcement for Shall we Dance program featuring image of Matthew Harrison and Vlada Yaneva doing an impromptu Irish jig under a stone arched brick walkway in front of a background of winter trees in the distance
An exhilarating Piano Concert that includes tangoes, waltzes and
other selections, featuring music by
Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Ravel and more
 
Sunday, December 7, 2025 ~ 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Suffern Free Library Large Meeting Room
 
REGISTER HERE
 

Monroe Free Library logo black text and swans intertwined with black capital letter M on cream background GREEN SCREEN
HOLIDAY CARDS EVENT
 Green Screen event flyer showing picture of young woman transferred to a holiday greeting card. Flyer border is evergreen boughs.
If you're interested in offering something similar at your library and would like help on how to get started, contact
Amanda Primiano, Library Director, aprimiano@rcls.org

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.
 
Advocacy Workshop: Learning about and Communicating with Elected Officials (online)
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 ~ 10:00 - 11:00am
Presenter: Jen Park
RCLS Government Information Specialist
1 Hour Continuing Education credit for library staff,
1 Hour Trustee Education credit for Trustees
 
Overdrive 101Training (online)
OverDrive Best Practices: Tips to build,
maintain, and grow your digital collection
Thursday, December 11, 2025 ~ 10:00 - 11:15am
Presenter: Kristin Preyss, Account Manager III,
Public Libraries, OverDrive
Facilitator, Michelle Muller, RCLS Member & Youth Services Consultant
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

RCLS America the Beautiful US flag image. Number 250 in blue in stars field above the word Anniversary in red next to red stripes field
America the Beautiful:
RCLS Celebrates
America 250 Libguide
  
RCLS is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by uplifting what makes America beautiful. 
 
You will find programs inspired by the natural beauty throughout our country and region, designed with the aim of celebrating and preserving that beauty. There are also programs that highlight institutions and concepts - such as libraries and the right to vote - that form the foundation of this country. 
 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE
FULL LIBGUIDE
 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
 
VetNow
Ramapo Catskill Library System member libraries offer a valuable service through Brainfuse to assist veterans with a variety of needs.
  • Live Online Navigators: VetNow Navigators are specially trained to help veterans and their families access critical benefits and resources.
  • Job Tools: Comprehensive job support, including career coaching, expert resume assistance, live interview preparation, and more—all tailored to enhance your job search journey.
  • College Skills: Prepare for college with VetNow’s extensive range of tools and resources.
Click on the picture below to find out whether your library 
provides access and to learn more about this service!
 Cartoon of woman, man dressed in camouflage and two children standing to left of text in blue which reads Live VA Benefits Assistance

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... 
  
Thanks to Lynn Skolnick for this submission!
 
 
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