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What's New at Your State Library!

Highlights for the 2019 NYLA Annual Conference


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New Minimum Standards for Public and Association Libraries

Adopted by the Regents in 2018, new minimum standards take effect on January 1, 2021. Is your library ready? Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards in New York State, a guide for trustees, library directors and system personnel in understanding the why, what and how of each standard is available at the Minimum Standards homepage.

State Aid for Library Construction

Public libraries and systems submitted 232 project applications for FY19/20. This $34 million capital program provides State funds annually for matching construction, renovation and broadband infrastructure projects. A flexible match of State funds up to 75% is available to libraries in economically disadvantaged communities. NEW FOR FY20/21: a limited number of libraries in economically distressed communities will be eligible for State funds up to 90%. Visit the construction page for more information.

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic-New York Libraries Save Lives

State law allows public libraries to administer naloxone by partnering with a NYS Department of Health Registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Program. The State Library and the State Education Department partnered with NYLA, PULISDO and others to create Guidance for Implementing Opioid Overdose Prevention Measures in Public Libraries. New 2019 program materials include an Opioid Overdose Prevention Training Module, NARCAN Quick-Start Guide, and Responding to An Overdose Emergency, now available.

Transforming Teen Services Training at New York Libraries (T3)

Coming in 2020, T3 focuses on helping libraries build and develop services for and with teens. Learn about teen growth and development, connected learning, computational thinking and more. T3 training will be offered statewide through June 2021, with the support of library systems and the State Library. This national training initiative is coordinated by ALA/YALSA and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and funded through an IMLS grant. Find out more on the T3 landing page.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries

2.5 million young people participated during Summer 2019! The 2020 slogan is Imagine Your Story and the theme is mythology, folklore and fairy tales. Discover an array of FREE online tools like ReadSquared and Performers and Programs on the Summer Reading homepage. Be sure to put this link to Summer Reading on your library’s website: www.summerreadingnys.org.

Ready to Read at New York Libraries

Explore and promote the engaging early learning resources available on the DayByDayNY Family Literacy Calendar and DayByDayNY in Spanish, including a different e-book from One More Story each day, along with suggested activities and a song. Read the TumbleBook of the Day online! For more information about other Ready to Read at New York Libraries resources and training, visit Ready to Read at New York Libraries on the New York State Library website.

E-Rate

Is your library benefitting from E-Rate? Interested in ramping up your broadband speed? Attend the State Library’s free E-Rate webinar on Monday November 18 from 2-3:30 pm. The federal E-Rate program now provides substantial discounts for Internet connectivity, internal connections and broadband network construction. Both E-Rate modernization orders are on the State Library’s website, in addition to information about the new E-Rate Productivity Center. See the “Latest News” for more information.

NOVELNY

Encyclopedia Britannica and many popular Gale e-resources like Opposing Viewpoints are freely available on the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library at novelnewyork.org. With geolocation New Yorkers can easily access all the NOVELNY resources without a password from any device, from anywhere in New York State. Over 5,900 libraries are registered and are providing FREE access to the full text of thousands of online commercial journals, newspapers and other reference e-resources. Is your library one of them? Register NOW!

Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York State

Through DHPSNY, a statewide program offered by the State Library and State Archives, libraries, archives and historical societies have access to many free services, including archival needs assessments, preservation and conservation surveys, guidance with strategic planning, and a variety of educational programs and workshops. Visit dhpsny.org to sign up for notices about upcoming workshops, webinars and funding opportunities.

NYS Library Digital Collections

Includes thousands of items! Connect your patrons with digital access to historic maps and posters, current government publications, and other content relevant to New York’s history and government. Learn how to integrate items like the New York State Conservationist into your online catalog to offer your patrons free access to the digital copy (purl.nysed.gov/nysl/50874345). Contact the Digital Collections staff for help!

Learn More about State Library Programs and Services - Ask Us!
Visit Booth #32 in the Exhibit Hall
or
NYSL 101 online.

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Last Updated: November 13, 2019