RCLS Weekly Memo 1 August 23, 2010

Robert Hubsher, Executive Director Serving Member Since 1959 Ruth K. Daubenspeck, Newsletter Editor Ramapo Catskill System • http://www.rcls.org December 29, 2014 619 Route 17M • Middletown, NY 10940-4395 • 845.243.3747

Now Online @ Library Programming The American Library Association (ALA) has released a www.rcls.org report that explores the growing area of library programming and proposes an ambitious, eight-year  RCLS Weekly Memo Archives research plan to explore how programs reach library users  Forthcoming Bestsellers and impact communities. You can view the report and share your feedback on the National Impact of Library Public  RCLS Board Minutes Programs Assessment (NILPPA) website.  RCLS Executive Director’s Report

 RCLS Member Libraries' Board IMLS Sparks! Ignition Grants for Meeting Information Libraries

Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2015 The Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are small grants that encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. Grantees can undertake activities that involve risk and then share project results – whether they succeed or fail – to provide valuable information to the library field and help improve the ways libraries serve their communities. Successful proposals will address problems, challenges, or needs of broad relevance to libraries and/or archives. A proposed project should test a specific, innovative response to the identified problem and present a plan to make the findings widely and openly accessible. Projects should have broad potential impact and significant innovation. Libraries that fulfill the general criteria for libraries may apply. The funding range is from $10,000 to $25,000, and there are no matching requirements. Projects must begin on October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2015. Visit the websites for program guidelines and more information about the funding opportunity.

December 29, 2014 2 RCLS Weekly Memo YSS 2015 Spring Forthcoming Bestsellers Conference Grace Riario, RCLS Public Services Consultant and Outreach Coordinator Early Bird Registration is open for The Winter 2015 issue of Forthcoming Bestsellers, a The Youth Services Section (YSS) of handy guide to up-and-coming new books, is now online. the New York Library Association Member libraries’ staff can duplicate or direct their patrons 2015 Spring Conference. The to the PDF. Conference will take place on Friday, This list is one of four produced during the year as March 27, 2015 at the Islandia predicted and derived from Publisher's Weekly, Library Marriott, Long Island. Journal, , Brodart or Baker & Taylor lists, etc. The theme of Inform, Inspire, According to the publishers’ schedules, the titles will be Ignite! supports the YSS goal to in- released during the upcoming three months. form library professionals about For best results, place copies of the list near your New trends and practices in youth services, Books area or at the Circulation Desk. inspire them with new ideas, and The Editors for this edition are Lisa Hewel, Josephine- ignite excitement about what is hap- Louise and Belinda Cash, Nyack Library. pening in libraries each and every day.

The Keynote Speaker is Pam Sandlian-Smith Director of Anythink Health Happens in Libraries: Pathways Libraries. Anythink has been awarded to Guide Health Education at Your Library the IMLS 2010 National Medal of Access to reliable consumer health information is an Honor for innovating library services, essential component of individual and community well- the 2011 award and being. Because of their unique role and JAN the Library Journal 2011 Landmark reputation for being open and available to all, Library Award. Pam was awarded the public libraries bring valuable assets to 2012 Charlie Robinson Award for supporting local community health efforts. In 26 innovation and risk taking in public this WebJunction webinar, participants will explore essential libraries and was the Colorado pathways for libraries to address meaningful health Librarian of the year in 2010. information and services. Participants will be introduced to Previously, she was the Director of the foundational considerations for ensuring ethics and privacy West Palm Beach Public Library and in patron interactions, maintaining health collections at the the Manager of Children’s Services at public library, addressing community health literacy, and the Denver Public Library. supporting healthy communities through partnerships. Luncheon Speaker Matt Phelan is Participants will also be introduced to resources to advance the illustrator of an array of award these topics in their community, and leave the session winning books for young readers as prepared to join the strong network of public libraries well as author/illustrator of graphic advancing health education nationwide. novels, which have won several The free, one-hour webinar will take place on Monday, distinguished awards. January 26 beginning at 2 p.m. Learn more and register by It is YSS’ hope that participants will visiting the WebJunction website. leave with a renewed focus and energy, bringing that excitement back to the commun- Share your library news with ities they work the RCLS Weekly Memo. with. Join them Send your article to and explore the possibilities! For more information, view the [email protected] brochure (PDF). RCLS Weekly Memo 3 December 29, 2014 2014 RCLS Annual Program of the Year Awards At the RCLS Legislative Breakfast and Annual Meeting held on Friday, September 12 Annual Award presentations were made. The following is a description of the program that won Honorable Mention for the Adult Member Library Program of the Year Award.

Program: Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys Creator: Terry Numa Nominating Library: Florida Public Library

In January 2013, The Florida Public Library won the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys grant which was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association. The grant required holding one program on Muslim culture. Terry Numa planned ten programs to be offered over four months, including a kick-off celebration, three book discussions, a storytelling cafe and poetry cafe featuring Muslim literature, an essay contest for local high school students with a prize funded by the Friends of the FPL, a panel discussion with area clergy, a movie showing, a story time for children and a grand finale featuring authentic Middle Eastern foods. Two programs were cancelled due to low registration. The other programs drew over 150 attendees, including many Muslims from a variety of countries and other library districts who were thrilled that we were showcasing their culture. A kick-off celebration displayed the 25 fiction and non-fiction books, four DVDs, posters, bookmarks and online database which were supplied by the grant. The scholar and speaker, Anne Ruszkiewicz, Assistant Professor of History at Sullivan County Community College, who holds a degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, enthralled the audience with a presentation on the origins of Muslim culture. Anne is a local resident, born and raised by American parents in Saudi Arabia, and she was able to give a unique perspective on Muslim cultures and beliefs. A Turkish tea with accompanying sweet desserts was organized and donated by patron Alex Sarki. Director Madelyn Folino, a founder of the Black Dirt Storytelling Guild, entertained with a story of the wise fool Nasruddin Hodja who is a famous cultural hero of many Muslim countries. Book discussions focused on Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, a memoir of growing up Muslim in America, The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson, a memoir of an American who converts to Islam and Snow, a novel by Orhan Pamuk. The Storytelling Cafe featured Tales of the Arabian Nights and the Poetry Cafe featured the works of Rumi and other Middle Eastern poets. A panel discussion, Pathways of Faith, brought together a rabbi, an imam and a Christian minister to reflect on the common roots and differences of their faiths. By the time the final program featured demonstrations of Middle Eastern cooking, the library staff felt that they had offered a really complete and multi-faceted series of programs on Muslim culture. They had made new contacts throughout the Muslim community in Orange County and had strengthened the importance of the public library in the eyes of their previously retiring Muslim patrons who appreciated the staff’s offerings. Muslim Journeys provided new perspectives for the community and after completion, the library retained a collection of books and films which continue to circulate. The library also had free access to Oxford Islamic Studies Online for one year. This innovative and creative program has been a most exciting and fun activity for all involved in its planning and production. Everyone at the Florida Public Library is very proud for this program’s success. December 29, 2014 4 RCLS Weekly Memo Deadlines System Calendar For a complete and up-to-date list of events, including  Wednesday, December 31 @ 4 p.m. links to additional information, see the RCLS Calendar. CLOUSC Mock Caldecott & To add information, contact Ruth Daubenspeck. Newbery Discussions (1/12)  Friday, January 9 @ 4 p.m. January RCLS Teen Librarian’s Mock Thursday, 1 Printz Award Discussions (1/16) New Year’s Day – RCLS CLOSED Wednesday, 7  Wednesday, January 14 @ 4 p.m. Directors Association, RCLS – 9:30 a.m. LARC-YS Mock Newbery and Caldecott Discussions (1/20) Monday, 12 CLOUSC Mock Caldecott & Newbery Discussions, RCLS – 9:15 a.m. Friday, 16 RCLS Teen Librarian’s Mock Printz Award Discussions, RCLS – 10:00 a.m. Job Openings Friday, 16  Job Postings SUPLA, TBA – 10:00 a.m. Monday, 19  Building Your e-résumé Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – RCLS CLOSED Tuesday, 20 LARC-YS Mock Newbery and Caldecott Discussions, Haverstraw – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 20 RCLS Board Meeting, RCLS – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 22 BOCES Mock Caldecott, Newbery & Printz Discussions, RCLS – 8:00 a.m. Monday, 26 Direct Access Committee, RCLS – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 27 Managers Meeting, RCLS – 10:00 a.m.

RCLS Headquarters E-mail and Extension Directory (845.243.3747) Robert Hubsher ...... Executive Director ...... 242 Amy Haase-Thomas ... ILL/Tech Services Librarian ...... 237 Chuck Conklin ...... Delivery & Building Maintenance Supervisor ...... 226 Grace Riario ...... Public Services Consultant/Outreach Coordinator ...... 233 Jerry Kuntz ...... Electronic Resources Consultant ...... 246 John Schneider ...... ANSER Manager and Systems Administrator ...... 228 Randall Enos ...... Youth Services Consultant ...... 240 Stephen Hoefer ...... Fiscal Officer ...... 223