RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025

Congratulations to the Winners of the
2025 Battle of the Books 
Teams representing libraries throughout the System took up the challenge to flex their literary muscles - showing up and showing off their knowledge of this year's selected titles.  All the competitors are to be congratulated for the time they spent preparing and "entering the ring"...
 
 New City Free Library
(2025 Champion)
   
Daniel Pierce Library (2nd Place)
     
Moffat Library of Washingtonville (3rd Place) 
 

RCLS Plan of Service Focus Groups
 
RCLS can't develop the next five-year Plan of Service without your input to guide our future. Focus Groups for library trustees, directors, managers, and staff will take place through October 2025. Your participation is vital—your insights will help shape the direction of RCLS services and priorities.
 
Please ensure that we hear from you; register for one of the sessions designated for your role with the library via the
Calendar – Ramapo Catskill Library System

RCLS 66TH LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS PRESENTATION
Keynote Address: AnnaLee Dragon, Executive Director 
New York Library Association (NYLA)
  
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 8 AM to 1 PM
 
NOTE:  Online registration closed on September 5th  
Please contact Anita Baumann before noon Thursday 9/11 if you wish to attend  (abaumann@rcls.org)  // or (845) 243-3747 

COMMUNITY NEWS 
 REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 23!!
TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER CLICK HERE

LUCILLE BALL: A Living History Portrayal
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 ~ 6:30 pm (Online)
Presenter: Leslie Goddard, Actress and Scholar
This program is not a “celebrity impersonation” or a Lucy Ricardo celebrity look-a-like event. It’s an entertaining and educational historical portrayal, exploring the life of Lucille Ball
 
Please register HERE to receive a Zoom link prior to the event
Questions:  Contact Emily Nevill
Email: enevill@palisadesfreelibrary.org
Co-sponsred by these  Rockland County libraries
   

 
 
RCLS member libraries have participated since 2019.
Has your library committed this year?  
Click here to visit the Great Give Back website

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.
 
Open Meetings Law (In-Person)
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY 10940
Monday, September 15, 2025 ~ 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Presenter: Kristin O'Neill 
Deputy Director and Counsel for New York State Committee on Open Government (COOG)
1.5 Hours Continuing Education credit
 
Collection Development Series: Critical Thinking Fiction and Non-Fiction (In-Person)
RCLS HQ, 619 Rte 17M, Middletown, NY 10940
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 ~ 10:00-11:30am
Presenter: Michelle Muller 
RCLS Member and Youth Services Consultant
1.5 Hours 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.


SPECIAL CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY:  THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER SESSION
BEYOND ACCESS:
INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING IN LIBRARIES
Friday, September 19, 2025 ~ 11am-12pm (online)
Presenter: Meaghan E. Doyle, J.D., M.S.I.S.
RCLS Community and Digital Equity Consultant
 
Hosted by New York State Library, this presentation will highlight key considerations when developing, marketing and presenting library programming so that all members of a community can engage, learn, connect and thrive at the library.
 
RCLS is pleased to offer 1 hour of Continuing Education credit to staff of RCLS member libraries who attend
Details on obtaining credit and a link to register are available HERE
 
This session is part of the NYS Library's yearlong Room for Everyone series
of programs supporting library accessibility.
 
 
RCLS SUSTAINABILITY CORNER


 UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: SUSTAINABILITY
Hudson Valley Community Air Network
September 23 at 2:00, virtual
 
Join this information session to learn about the Bard Hudson Valley Community Air Network, a quickly-expanding network of community-accessible AQ sensors across the Hudson Valley. HVCAN was first built through the Bard Hudson Valley Library Air Quality Network that was started by a Bard student in 2019. Since then, over 18 Hudson Valley libraries have installed AQ sensors in their entryways to provide real-time never-before-available air pollution information to their neighbors. HVCAN hopes to expand across the state. This session will help member library staff determine if this initiative is right for them.
 This session will be recorded.
 
Click here to register 
AI and the Environment:
What Librarians Need to Know
October 15 at 2:00, virtual
 
During this engaging webinar, participants will  explore the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence. This session will provide a foundational overview of AI—what it is, how it works, and how it's increasingly integrated into everyday life. We will then examine the environmental footprint of AI technologies, including energy consumption, data center demands, and electronic waste. Gain insights and practical knowledge to help foster informed conversations with your community about responsible technology use and its role in a sustainable future. 
This session will not be recorded.
 
Click here to register

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
 
Banned Books Week: October 5–11
& Let Freedom Read Day of Action  
The American Library Association (ALA) and the Banned Books Week Coalition invite everyone to join in observing Banned Books Week, October 5–11. This year’s theme, “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” underscores the importance of protecting the freedom to read. A wide range of resources are available to help you participate and spread awareness.  Click any of the links below for more information... 
 
ALA 
Banned Books Week 
PEN America 
Unite Against Books Bans  
 
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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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