Ramapo Catskill Library System
2013 Highlights
Serving Public Libraries in Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and southern Ulster Counties since 1959
619 Route 17M Middletown, NY 10940-4395 845-243-3747 FAX 845-243-3739 www.rcls.org
RCLS 2013 Highlights STAFF RAMAPO CATSKILL Year Hired Anthony J. Castaldo ...... 1996 LIBRARY SYSTEM Executive Director: Robert Hubsher Bill Butler ...... 1998 Address: Ramapo Catskill Library System *Bill Hagadorn ...... 2008 619 Route 17M Bill Pagano ...... 2007 Middletown, NY 10940-4395 Brenda Adams ...... 1989 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Carol Martin ...... 1974 Telephone: 845.243.3747 866.364.4329 (outside Middletown area) Chuck Conklin ...... 2001 FAX: 845.243.3739 Daniel B. Hulse ...... 1981 URL: http://www.rcls.org David Krawczyk ...... 2005 E-mail: See website for individual staff Diane Biondi ...... 1986 e-mail addresses Eileen Kieva ...... 2011 Established: 1959 Grace Riario ...... 2012 Counties : Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Southern Ulster Jerry Kuntz ...... 1995 Member Libraries: 47 John McClain ...... 2002 Population Served: 750,795 (2010 Census) John Schneider ...... 2003 Land Area Served: 2,467 square miles Karen Haeger ...... 1995 Keith C. Scott ...... 1988 Kelly Colby ...... 2012 2013 BOARD OF TRUSTEES *Ken Kile ...... 2005 Martha Anderson Leonard M. George ...... 2009 Carl S. Berkowitz Linda Hendon ...... 1989 Norman R. Gallagher Patty Velez ...... 2007 Ira Simon, President Samuel L. Simon Randall Enos ...... 1982 Lynn Skolnick Robert Hubsher ...... 2000 Alfred Smiley Rose Marie Reilly ...... 1992 Patricia Soto, Vice President Ruth K. Daubenspeck ...... 1979 Mark Specthrie, Secretary Stephen P. Hoefer ...... 2013 Melvin Wesenberg, Treasurer Sue Scott ...... 2013 David Zuckerberg *Part-Time Marilyn McIntosh Italics indicates retired during 2013 (Non-voting Directors Association Representative)
Desktop Publishing by2 Ramapo Catskill Library System RCLS 2013 Highlights MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
In 2013 Ramapo Catskill Library For the eighth consecutive year System (RCLS) experienced the sixth the State made available the $14 consecutive year of State Aid cuts. million Construction Grant Program. Staff The final NYS Budget included a Under this program RCLS received Robert Hubsher modest restoration of funds for li- $591,714 to distribute to qualifying Executive Director braries and library systems. Howev- member libraries. The RCLS Board Ruth K. Daubenspeck er, even with the restoration our approved the distribution of those Administrative Assistant funding was 16% below the levels funds to 10 libraries for 11 con- outlined in Education Law. The total struction projects with a total value Eileen Kieva revenue shortfall was $281,944. of $2,659,870. We were very fortu- Communications Assistant This represented an increase of nate to receive an additional Daniel B. Hulse $851 (0.3%) compared to 2012, in $26,250 based on distribution of Development Officer spite of significant cost increases. Construction Grant funds not used The small increase in the revenue by other library systems. shortfall was the result of the antici- In 2013 RCLS had two retire- cates visited all 11 of the legislators pated modest increase in State Aid ments: Rose Marie Reilly, Software that serve our member libraries. A based on the funds received in 2012 Support Technician, (21 years of big THANK YOU to our generous and our efforts to reduce costs. service) and Brenda Adams, Fiscal financial supporters for help in un- The service fee doubled as the Officer and Assistant Treasurer (24 derwriting the cost of the three Li- RCLS Board of Trustees raised the years of service). We hired Sue Scott brary Advocacy Day buses. share covered by the member librar- to fill the Software Support Techni- Thanks to our advocacy efforts ies from 25% to 50%. The total cian position and Stephen Hoefer to when the NYS Budget was finalized, amount of the service fee represent- fill the Fiscal Officer and Assistant Library Aid saw a $4 million legisla- ed 0.25% of the total budgets of all Treasurer position. tive restoration, thereby raising member libraries. The highest per- We also celebrated several service funding from the Executive’s budget centage of a single library’s budget milestones – Bill Hagadorn (5 years) of $81.6 million up to $85.6 million represented by the service fee was and Bill Butler (15 years), both driv- + $1.3 million towards MTA re- 2.77% and the lowest was 0.14%. ers for our delivery service and John funds and $14 million for construc- As a means of helping our mem- Schneider (10 years) Assistant Net- tion aid. Thank you to all who ber libraries to support the needs of work Administrator. reached out to their legislators to their users we were able to add a make the case for this restoration. reader’s advisory resource called When we speak with one voice our NoveList Select. This resource is Lend Your Voice! message carries. Still about 16% fully integrated into the online public Tuesday, March 5, 2013 was New below full formula funding, the battle access catalog. Library users are of- York Library Association (NYLA) continues over the next year but for fered suggestions about other titles Library Advocacy Day. A total of now, congratulations to the Ramapo and authors that may be of interest 113 staff, trustees, Friends, students Catskill Library System community to them based on their interest in a and Library Champions, from RCLS for speaking up and keeping the particular title or author. Purchasing and Mid-Hudson Library System pressure on until the end of this this resource with Central Library (MHLS) joined nearly 900 other ad- budget negotiation – you made a funds allocated by the State, we vocates from around the State to difference. were able to reduce the cost and bring our message about the im- provide the resource to all member portance of libraries and library sys- libraries. tems to our legislators. RCLS advo-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 3 Legislative Breakfast and Specthrie. Representing Ulster Annual Meeting County, Carla Randazzo Amthor was elected to the Board for a full- Ira Simon, RCLS Board President, term ending December 31, 2018. welcomed 154 attendees, including She will be replacing Al Smiley. 10 legislators or their representa- From Harris, NY in Sullivan County, tives, to the RCLS 26th Legislative Helen Rados was elected to fill the Breakfast and 54th Annual Meeting Board seat being vacated by Ira Si- on Friday, September 20 at The mon. Her full term will end Decem- Fountains at the Wallkill Golf Club. ber 31, 2018. Seven co-sponsors helped to un- Karen LaRocca-Fels and derwrite the event: Chuck LaRocca Annual Meeting Awards Gold Sponsors - Lightower Fiber The Member Library Adult Pro- Networks, Nugent & Haeussler, Michele Murphy from the Orange gram of the Year Award, a plaque P.C., Orange County Trust County Legislature and Cora Ed- and check for $500, was presented Company, and the RCLS Board wards of the Sullivan County Legisla- to Karen LaRocca-Fels (above), Di- of Trustees ture who equally endorsed the work rector of the Cornwall Public Library Silver Sponsors – Friends of the of libraries. for the program “Civil War Sesqui- Cornwall Public Library, Greg Ten Library Champions addressed centennial Lecture Series.” Townsend of Marshall & Sterling the group on what the library means An Honorable Mention Certificate Insurance and SirsiDynix to them. was presented to Ginny Neidermier, Robert Hubsher, RCLS Executive Numerous member libraries’ dis- Director of the Josephine-Louise Director presented a document he plays added to the success of the Public Library in Walden for the pro- developed – Return on Investment overall program. gram “Sacred Books of Walden’s (ROI) for Services Provided by After the Breakfast many attendees Great Religions.” Ramapo Catskill Library System: stayed for the Annual Meeting at The Member Library Youth Pro- Monetary Value of Services for Eve- which Stephen Hoefer, RCLS Fiscal gram of the Year Award, a plaque ry Dollar Spent. The document Officer and Assistant Treasurer, pre- and check for $500, was presented graphically shows the cost of RCLS sented the 2014 RCLS Budget. to Michelle Muller (below), Head of services for continuing education, Four seats – two seats for Orange Youth Services at the Goshen Public consulting, cataloging, delivery and County and one seat each for Sullivan Library and Historical Society for the digital content compared to their and Ulster counties on the RCLS program “Medieval Mania.” value in services given to member Board of Trustees needed filling at No nominations were received for libraries. The Automated Network this meeting. Karen Weitzner of Go- the Anthony J. Knipp Library Trustee Services (ANSER) cost to value is shen was elected to fill a vacant Or- Award. also displayed in this document. ange County seat. Senators William Larkin, Jr. and Her partial term John J. Bonacic as well as Assembly- will end on De- men James Skoufis and Kenneth cember 31, 2017. Zebrowski, Assemblywoman Annie Bernard Marone Rabbitt, Carmel Wilson representing also of Goshen was Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther elected to an Or- and Matthew Watkins representing ange County seat, Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney a full term ending December 31, voiced their support of public librar- Goshen Public Library and Historical Society staff ies. Local legislators also in attend- 2018. He will be Kathy LaRocca, Michelle Muller, Kathlynn Ruberte- ance were Roxanne Donnery and replacing Mark Smith, Karen Golding and Matthew Gomm, Director
4 RCLS 2013 Highlights BUSINESS OFFICE
The Budget counts comply with the State re- quirements for third party collaterali- The 2013 RCLS Operating Budg- zation. RCLS has no debt. Staff et of $4,288,892 was adopted by Additionally, all Capital Assets are Brenda Adams the Board of Trustees on December insured by Selective Insurance Com- Fiscal Officer and 17, 2012 and received a 90% ap- pany. A detailed inventory control Assistant Treasurer proval rating from the 40 member system, established in the mid- Stephen P. Hoefer libraries who voted on it. The Auto- 1980's, continues with regular phys- Fiscal Officer and mation Capital Fund Budget of ical inventories. The current capitali- Assistant Treasurer $282,710 and Capital Fund for Ve- zation threshold for determining hicles Budget of $46,955 were also fixed assets is $2,500. Diane Biondi approved by the RCLS Board on Assistant Fiscal Officer December 17, 2012. State Aid was estimated at the same level as what Statement of Activities Carol Martin was received in 2012, which repre- Account Payroll The 2013 Statement of Activities Coordinator sented an 18% reduction to Educa- following the next page shows the tion Law formulas. After the State System-wide Revenue and Expenses Budget was finalized, State Aid actu- and is presented in accordance with The Business Office works with ally increased 4.8% which resulted in Governmental Accounting Standards the RCLS Director, Board of Trus- $72,041 more than budget, which Board (GASB). The largest Revenue tees and fellow employees; member flowed to the Unrestricted Fund Bal- reduction in State Aid – For Mem- library directors, staff and board ance and allowed the RCLS Board of ber Libraries of ($120,431) is pri- members; vendors; county organiza- Trustees to hold the member librar- marily because in 2012 there was a tions; governmental agencies; and ies RCLS Service Fee at 50% of the $250,000 Grant-in-aid from Sena- the New York State Division of Li- 2014 Budget shortfall, rather than tor David Carlucci for Rockland brary Development. increasing to 75% of the Budget County libraries. This also accounts shortfall. Advocacy works! for most of the ($384,202) reduc- tion of Contractual Expenses as well. Statement of Net Assets The Net Activity for 2013 was $12,840 more in receipts than ex- The 2013 System-wide Statement penses. of Net Assets on the next page shows that RCLS’s financial position remained stable with a $3,704 in- Other Information crease over 2012. Mostly due to the The Business Office worked with additional State Aid, the Unrestrict- eleven member libraries who submit- ed Fund Balance increased by ted construction grant applications $97,473 and will help offset future with projects totaling $2,659,870. budget shortfalls. A total of $617,964 in State grant Net Assets is a standard measure- money was allotted to member li- ment of financial health and of the braries and included an additional Systems Total Assets; eighty percent $26,250 allocated to RCLS projects (80%) is held in cash or CD’s and from other Library Systems who represents eighty-four percent (84%) could not use their funds. of Net Assets. All RCLS bank ac-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 5 RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS DECEMBER 31, 2013 CHANGE ASSETS 2013 2012 2013 - 2012 CASH$ 4,627,206 $ 4,580,622 $ 46,584 PREPAID EXPENSE1 67,163 67,991 (828) RECEIVABLES2 27,415 18,533 8,882 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 4,721,785 4,667,146 54,639
FIXED ASSETS: (NET) 1,092,605 1,143,540 (50,935) TOTAL ASSETS$ 5,814,390 $ 5,810,686 $ 3,704
LIABILITIES EMPL BENEFIT ACCRUED LIABILITY3 $ 363,270 $ 372,348 $ (9,078) ACCRUED PAYROLL4 - - - TOTAL LIABILITIES 363,270 372,348 (9,078)
NET ASSETS INVESTED IN CAPITAL ASSETS 1,092,605 1,143,540 (50,935) FUND BALANCE - RESTRICTED5 3,875,640 3,909,396 (33,756) FUND BALANCE - UNRESTRICTED 482,875 385,402 97,473 TOTAL NET ASSETS 5,451,120 5,438,338 12,782
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS$ 5,814,390 $ 5,810,686 $ 3,704
Notes: 1 NYS Retirement prepayment for the period of January 1 - March 31, 2014 2 Due from member libraries (goods/services) and 2013 NYS grant balances 3 Unused time accruals due employees for vacation and sick time 4 No immediate staff retirement at December 31, 2013 5 The FUND BALANCE – RESTRICTED of $3,875,640 consists of the following Funds: Restricted Operating Funds of $2,284,610: $ 1,400,000 Assigned as the minimum amount to be held at year end for the following year’s operations to fill the gap between the beginnings of a budget year (January 1), and the date that State Aid is received (July or later); by Board Motion dated September 20, 2004 $ 441,270 Restricted for Automation: Member Library Funds $ 369,817 Telecommunications - Automation $ 73,523 Grants and Obligations Capital Fund Reserves total $1,591,030: $ 1,130,940 Reserve for Capital Upgrades – Automation $ 241,847 PC Replacement Fund – Automation $ 218,243 Vehicle Capital Fund - General
6 RCLS 2013 Highlights RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES DECEMBER 31, 2013 CHANGE REVENUE 2013 2012 2013 - 2012 MEMBER LIBRARIES SHARED COSTS$ 1,633,735 $ 1,515,240 $ 118,495 STATE AID FOR SYSTEM OPERATIONS 1,694,022 1,615,860 78,162 STATE AID DESIGNATED FOR MEMBER LIBRARIES 587,083 707,514 (120,431) STATE AID FOR OTHER AGENCIES 179,974 171,559 8,415 E-RATE FUNDING 166,399 207,645 (41,246) FEDERAL AID - LSTA 25,920 27,855 (1,935) USE OF MONEY AND PROPERTY 17,580 24,409 (6,829) OTHER REVENUE 26,735 16,065 10,670
GRAND TOTAL REVENUE$ 4,331,448 $ 4,286,147 $ 45,301
APPROPRIATION EXPENSE PERSONAL SERVICES$ 1,594,705 $ 1,501,088 $ 93,617 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 828,197 825,406 2,791 CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES 1,756,322 2,140,525 (384,203) DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 139,385 147,910 (8,525)
GRAND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS$ 4,318,608 $ 4,614,929 $ (296,321)
CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES of $1,756,322 consist of the following costs: Pass-through grants to member li- braries were 35% ($616,212), Telecommunications for ANSER was 18% ($316,985), Coordinated Ordering was 14% ($246,715), Building & Vehicle Maintenance and Operations combined was 8% ($145,912) and Mainte- nance Contracts for the ANSER network were 9% ($160,255). The remaining 16% of Contractual Expenses cov- ered everything from reference material to professional fees and travel.
RCLS 2013 Highlights 7 ANSER - AUTOMATION
The year 2013 was a very busy senses an imminent failure of any year for the ANSER department. component. Of course, there have The ANSER staff delivered over 250 been times when a server needs to Staff PC replacements to member librar- be rebooted due to modifications Anthony J. Castaldo ies while still providing support for that need to be made, but those are ANSER Manager and existing equipment and keeping eve- scheduled maintenance windows, Network Administrator rything running as smoothly as pos- not failures. Karen Haeger sible. The performance of our vari- Automation Technical ous virtual machines, whether Sym- Assistant phony, e-mail or the other servers in The Fiber Optic Network our VMWare environment, continue The fiber optic network provided John Schneider to be almost flawless. The purchase by Lightower Fiber Networks contin- Assistant Network of the Windows Datacenter licenses ues to work very well with almost Administrator has proven to be a terrific savings zero downtime. This fiber network David Krawczyk since we can now build as many continues to provide us with the Senior Automated Systems Windows servers as needed (and capability to back up our servers off- Technician that will fit in our hardware re- site to Haverstraw (Garnerville) sources) at no additional cost. overnight to minimize network de- Leonard M. George lays. Automated Systems Technician The VMware Virtual En- vironment ANSER Staff Our VMware Virtual environment Training for ANSER staff is always consists of six physical machines an ongoing process and 2013 was hosting 29 virtual servers, plus sev- no exception. In 2013 John Schnei- eral test servers and backups der completed and received certifi- (clones) that are used to ensure any cation on Cisco router technology updates can be recovered if there is and also received his CCNA certifi- a failure. These clones are also host- cation. Dave Krawczyk was certified ing a number of virtual desktops that as both an A+ and Network+ tech- serve as RCLS’ pilot project for our nician. He continues to study the virtual desktop initiative. This virtual intricacies of VMware and cloud environment has provided for almost computing. Dave has created the 100% uptime operation, which is necessary virtual Windows 7 desktop unprecedented; never has a single machines for the pilot Zero Client server been able to approach zero project. Karen Haeger completed downtime. This is accomplished by her studies and received a B.S. in having six independent servers all Business, Management, and Eco- running together under the six nomics: Information Systems. Lenny VMware Hypervisors which monitors has become a big asset to the de- each individual server, spreading the partment in the short time he has load per our instructions and, if nec- been in his position, He is now do- essary, moving virtual machines be- ing the majority of PC installations tween these independent servers if it and upgrades.
8 RCLS 2013 Highlights ELECTRONIC RESOURCES One of the most significant new es had employed the same design innovations in library technology has for over a decade. In 2013, these been the capability to deliver library were converted from single HTML Staff patrons information about materials pages (which each needed to be ed- Jerry Kuntz they seek that goes far beyond the ited at RCLS by someone conversed Electronic Resources catalog elements found in library in HTML coding) to the LibGuide Consultant catalogs of the past. For many years, platform. Using the LibGuide ser- RCLS’ ANSER service has enhanced vice, these database access pages Rose Marie Reilly the catalog with additional elements are now more attractive; offer imme- Software Support such as jacket cover images, book diate use statistics for each library; Technician reviews, tables of content, and new can be edited by someone at each Sue Scott access facets (such as geographic library that has taken basic LibGuide Software Support setting, time setting, subgenre clas- webinars; and are much easier to Technician sification, etc). maintain. In 2013, ANSER took a giant step The new RCLS Software Support forward with this trend by integrating Technician, Sue Scott, has been able reader’s advisory data into the cata- to develop several new member li- log delivered from EBSCO’s Novel- brary electronic resource training ist Plus service. Now, when a patron opportunities. Sue has made numer- does a search in the ANSER catalog ous visits to member libraries for on- and brings up the detail screen of a the-site training; she has recorded specific title, one of the options they many instructional videos on Sym- see is a tab labelled “You May Also phony, SmarterMail, and LibGuide Like.” If they click on that tab, they uses (and has made them accessible can see: ratings and reviews from on a RCLS YouTube channel). She readers; books in the same author’s has also developed LibGuides deal- series; different similar series by oth- ing with electronic resources sup- er author’s; titles similar to that spe- port. cific title; authors whose works are similar to that specific author. None of this information has been offered through traditional library catalog records. The rollout of this major new fea- ture was muted by initial limitations of display options in our catalog software, SirsiDynix’s Enterprise cat- alog. By year’s end, SirsiDynix had resolved most of those display is- sues. On other fronts, RCLS made a change to each member library’s reference database access pages used by the public. These Web pag-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 9 DELIVERY SERVICE
The RCLS Delivery Service contin- Riario also delivered over 50 boxes ues to be a critical link between the of materials for the Correctional fa- Staff System and its member libraries. cilities this year. Chuck Conklin The year 2013 was another very This year also saw the addition of Supervisor of Delivery & productive year. The delivery service Herman “Butch” Zoutman to our Building Maintenance distributed over 79,404 boxes of part-time delivery staff. Butch began books. Overall, RCLS drivers trans- working with us in October. He was Drivers: ported 3,573,223 items in 2013. formerly a forklift mechanic and Bill Butler This breaks down to an average of knows the area very well; therefore, John McClain 14,705 items per day. The delivery he has been a good fit to our staff. Bill Pagano staff with the coordination of Grace Keith C. Scott Part-Time Drivers: Bill Hagadorn Nick Raimondo Substitute Drivers: Ken Kile Butch Zoutman
RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION / STAFF DEVELOPMENT
10 RCLS 2013 Highlights INTERLIBRARY LOAN / TECHNICAL SERVICES
During 2013, the Interlibrary selves from the RCLS catalog. All of Loan/Technical Services Department the filled items (8,313) are sent to worked on 45,072 bibliographic RCLS and checked out to the vari- Staff records in the database. These were ous facilities. The materials are ei- Linda Hendon done from printouts of the brief in- ther picked up at the system or for- ILL/Tech Services Librarian formation entered by member librar- warded to pre-arranged member ies allowing them immediate circula- libraries where the Correctional fa- Kelly Colby tion of the items. We electronically cility couriers pick them up. ILL/Tech Services Specialist added 14,913 government docu- Patty Velez ments titles supplied by Marcive. ILL/Tech Services Specialist The total of new titles added to the database was 47,164. Of the 45,072 records worked on, 24,143 were new print titles. Eight thousand one hundred eight (8,108) new audiovisual titles were entered for the year. Titles appear- ing on the printout are often already in the catalog and need to be trans- ferred. All AV materials have to be transferred into the good biblio- graphic records. All of these trans- fers amounted to 12,913. The de- partment entered 107 contents notes to existing bibliographic rec- ords. We processed 1,595 interlibrary Book Consortium Statistics loan (ILL) requests for member li- Number of books borrowed - 893 braries and Correctional facilities. Number of libraries borrowing - 22 One thousand four hundred thirteen Number of reading group programs - 88 (1,413) ILL requests were sent out Top three books requested: of the system to OCLC libraries for 1. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout our member libraries and 1,047 2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail were filled. One hundred and eighty by Cheryl Strayed two (182) requests were received 3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot from the Correctional facilities that could not be found in the RCLS cat- alog and searched in Southeastern Access to Libraries (SEAL). Seventy four (74) SEAL requests were filled. The member libraries do their own individual borrowing from SEAL. The Correctional facilities contin- ue to search and request titles them-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 11 PUBLIC SERVICES AND OUTREACH
PUBLIC SERVICES NYLTO (New York Library Trustee Online) One of RCLS’ goals is to create Staff training and skill development op- RCLS continued the partnership portunities for member libraries’ with 23 library systems throughout Grace Riario staff, directors and trustees to sup- New York State to develop Public Services Consultant port excellent library services and to www.nylto.org. This online resource and Outreach Coordinator meet New York State continuing was created to give library trustees access to tools and resources that Eileen Kieva education requirements. Communications Assistant will help them grow in their roles as Library Directors/Trustees Training trustees and learn to better serve Daniel B. Hulse This year we asked our member li- their libraries and communities. We Development Officer brary directors for their input on the continue to enroll library directors development of training workshops and trustees to this online resource. for themselves and their trustees. In RCLS Management Professional De- response to the survey, Jeanette Library Staff Training velopment Scholarship Woodward, author of “Countdown The New York State Board of Re- This scholarship was developed to to a New Library” presented a Build- gents revised the Commissioner's assist our member library directors ing Project Workshop in May. Other regulations towards public librarian and managers, and librarians, who guest panelists included Amelia Ka- certification. Public librarian profes- wish to attend a Certificate in Public lin, Valley Cottage Library Director; sional certificates issued as of Janu- Library Administration program to Rosemary Cooper, Albert Wisner ary 1, 2010, and thereafter shall improve their skills and abilities, but Public Library Director; Stephen only remain valid when 60 hours of are unable to due to budgetary con- Hoefer, RCLS Fiscal Officer and An- professional development are com- straints. Two scholarships will be thony Castaldo, RCLS ANSER Man- pleted every five-year period. Such offered each year. ager and Network Administrator. In periods will be defined as every five June, Gerald Nichols led a discus- years from the initial certificate date. Lynda.com sion on Creating the Future: the (For more information, go to http:// RCLS offered our member librar- 2020 Vision Plan for library service guides.rcls.org/ ies’ employees access to Lynda.com, in New York State for library direc- NYLibrarianCertification). As a an online subscription library that tors and trustees. In September, result, RCLS increased the number teaches the latest software tools and Allison Moonitz, Mahwah Public of continuing education opportuni- skills through high-quality instruc- Library Assistant Director and Ste- ties it provided for our member li- tional videos taught by recognized phen Hoefer, RCLS Fiscal Officer braries’ staff. We had a number of industry experts. Individuals must lead a workshop on Disaster Plan- technology training workshops: Lib- submit a Lynda.com license registra- ning for Libraries. In October, we Guide training, new and innovative tion form to access more than hosted our first trustees training ways to promote your website, 3D 1,400 training videos offered in a workshop. We had 54 library trus- printing, OverDrive tips and tricks, broad range of subjects including tees in attendance. In November, and database training upon request. business skills, photography, design, Mary Lou Carolan, Wallkill Public We also hosted “Creating a Latino music and video, animation, Web Library Director lead a workshop on Friendly Library” and “Teen Books design and development. The licens- the topic of Innovative Marketing for Everyone” workshops. es are available on a first-come, first- Strategies for turning your library served basis. They can be used by inside-out. one person at a time for a two-week period. We had 27 library employ-
12 RCLS 2013 Highlights ees take advantage of this continuing library employees took advantage of Berkowitz to lead a lecture on education opportunity. the discount, a savings of $440 to Graphic Novels, their history, trends our member libraries. and collection development tips. Other Services RCLS also partnered with NYLA Due to the lack of Internet access RCLS hosted an Adult Programs (New York Library Association) to at our Correctional facilities, RCLS Showcase in March and an Adult offer a discount to our member li- has delivered many resource guides Performances Showcase in October. braries to attend the Fall NYLA Con- in print format to support the needs Programs and music shows are cost- ference. This conference offered of our Correctional facility librarians ly for our member libraries to pro- three full days of continuing educa- to help them provide the best ser- vide. These two programs gave li- tion sessions on a variety of topics vices. brary programming staff the oppor- such as Open Meetings law, enhanc- Thanks to generous donations tunity to experience a live demo of a ing libraries for children with autism, from Finkelstein Memorial, Haver- music performer or a professional legal issues in public libraries and straw King’s Daughters Public, Pearl programmer creating their craft to more. Twenty-five library employees River Public and Piermont Libraries, decide if these professionals were a took advantage of the discount, a we were able to enhance the Correc- good fit for their community. savings of $27 per employee to our tional facility collections by giving RCLS continued to hold our yearly member libraries. them a number of hardcover, paper- Adult Summer Reading planning backs and Spanish language books. workshop, our bi-monthly ASAC We also introduced the Adult (Adult Services Advisory Council), OUTREACH Summer Reading Program to the RUG (Reference User Group) meet- Correctional Facilities Correctional facilities. Eastern, Otis- ings, and the yearly Outreach and The Ramapo Catskill Library Sys- ville State and Wallkill Correctional Adult Literacy and AV Roundtables. tem provides a broad range of ser- Facilities each ran a successful sum- During these sessions, member li- vices to seven Correctional facilities mer program. RCLS created book- brary staff had the opportunity to in our area. We offered continuing lists, flyers, book reviews, and led hear from guest speakers, mentor education opportunities for our Cor- four book discussions to promote new staff, discuss and share ideas, rectional facility librarians and sup- reading and participation in the pro- and learn about new trends in library ported them through consulting ser- gram among inmates. We had 70 services. vices and printed materials. This inmates participate in the discus- year we had three all-day training sions. The books were The Power of Group Discount sessions. The subjects presented Habit: Why We Do What We Do in In our goal to offer continuing during these training sessions must Life and Business by Charles education opportunities to our fulfill The New York State Depart- Duhigg, Blink: The Power of Think- member libraries staff, RCLS part- ment of Corrections and Community ing Without Thinking by Malcolm nered with Reed Exhibitions to offer Supervision requirements for our Gladwell, We Beat the Street: How a discount tickets to attend the Annual colleagues to receive continuing ed- Friendship Pact Led to Success by BookExpo Conference and Special ucation credit. Sampson Davis and Letters to a Events in May at the Javits Center in RCLS had the opportunity to invite Young Brother: Manifest Your Desti- New York City. This event allows Lt. Gary F. Cornelius, author of The ny by Hill Harper. participants the opportunity to meet Art of the Con: Avoiding Offender and network with authors, publishers Manipulation to RCLS to speak to JobNow Online Resource and other professionals in the library our colleagues regarding inmates’ The grant funds which supported field. Participants received many free manipulation via Skype. We also had the workforce online resource forthcoming books, posters, book- a representative from Westchester/ “JobNow” through the New York marks and small gifts that can be Rockland Literacy Volunteers discuss State Library ended in April 2013. used as Summer Reading Program the importance of literacy among RCLS negotiated with BrainFuse to prizes for their patrons. Twenty-two inmates. We invited Dr. Drew continue the “JobNow” workforce
RCLS 2013 Highlights 13 online resource for all RCLS member The resume building, job interview 16.3%; in Sullivan County 14.2% libraries for the following year start- and job searching workshops were and 9.3% in Ulster County. These ing May 2013 to May 2014. This attended by 131 people. The major- numbers highlight the fact that the product assists members of our ity of the attendees ranged in ages Hispanic population is the prominent communities with the resume writing 45 to 64, and female. The most well minority group in the four counties and job interview process. Training -attended was the resume writing that RCLS serves. For this reason we webinars were scheduled throughout workshop. find it important to promote the the year to help librarians use the RCLS partnered with the translation of our member libraries JobNow’s features to their best po- Westchester/Rockland Literacy Vol- cards, fines, regulations and library tential while helping their customers. unteers to offer “How to Become a services into Spanish. This year, five US Citizen” informational work- shops to our Rockland and Orange County member libraries. This pro- Adult Literacy Grant gram provided attendees with infor- RCLS applied for the New York mation on the application process State Adult Literacy Grant. The and alerted them to the require- grant funds were used to hire four ments to become a US citizen be- career counselors; one for each of fore they proceeded to engage in the counties RCLS serves. These filing forms and documents. This workforce professionals facilitated program was hosted at eight libraries libraries translated their library card career counseling sessions on re- throughout the two counties and 57 sume building, job interviewing and participants took part. job searching workshops in 20 li- braries throughout the four coun- Spanish Language Consultant ties. The program is titled Career Services Help @ your library and it will con- RCLS has developed a Spanish tinue to develop and be hosted at language eBook collection that can our member libraries until the fund- be accessed by all our member li- ing ends in 2016. braries patrons. In order to advertise applications into Spanish. RCLS surveyed all participants. and promote this eBook collection The results reported that the one- among our libraries and their pa- RCLS Outreach Grant on-one individualized career advice trons, a LibGuide was created RCLS created the Outreach Grant sessions with a career counseling (http://guides.rcls.org/espanol). This to encourage our member libraries professional for 30 minutes, was LibGuide can be copied and to develop new programs or services attended by 33 people. Most of the changed to the specifications of each aimed at serving people who are participants were in the age range of library. It can be found on the RCLS blind or physically disabled, aged, 18 to 24, and 45 to 54, and female. website under Outreach/Libros elec- developmentally or learning disa- These participants received help pri- trónicos en español. It contains bled, institutionalized, members of marily with job searching tips, re- Spanish language instructions on ethnic/minority groups in need of sume writing techniques, and inter- how to use our OverDrive catalog special services, educationally disad- view strategies. Most participants with a number of electronic devices vantaged, unemployed, underem- felt that the counselors were ex- and it lists the most current Spanish ployed or geographically isolated. tremely helpful and knowledgeable, eBooks purchased by genre. The grant winners were chosen by answered all their questions well, According to the 2010 Census, our Coordinated Outreach Services listened to their needs, were thankful the Hispanic population in Orange Advisory Group (COSAG). The for the assistance and would recom- County represents 18.8% of its total COSAG members are representa- mend the program to others. population; in Rockland County tives of non-profit organizations
14 RCLS 2013 Highlights from Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and ents of the grant. are in a crisis and to connect them Ulster Counties whose mission and Mental Health First Aid Training with the appropriate professional goal is to serve the populations RCLS’ Youth Consultant and Out- peer, social or self-help group. The mentioned above. reach Coordinator partnered with training took place on Thursday, The COSAG board met in Octo- Voices United 4 Change to bring the October 24 and Friday, October 25 ber of this year and after reviewing Mental Health First Aid Training to from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. RCLS funded five outstanding applications from our member libraries’ youth staff. the fee of $65 per participant. We our member libraries, chose the Al- Youth Mental Health First Aid train- had twenty-two member library staff bert Wisner Public Library in War- ing teaches a 5-step action plan to participate in the workshop. wick, Chester Public Library and offer help to youth showing signs Port Jervis Free Library as the recipi- and symptoms of mental illness or 2013 CONTACT SUMMARY
Record of contacts of substance made with member libraries’ staff, trustees, as well as legislators, Correctional facili- ties’ staff and media throughout 2013.
FINANCE
RCLS 2013 Highlights 15 YOUTH SERVICES The major activities of the RCLS Association of Rockland County- Youth Services Department are Youth Services [LARC-YS]), Mock listed below. These activities repre- Printz Award Discussion, Perform- Staff sent the largest percentage of the ers’ Showcase, Fall Into Books Con- total time of all responsibilities for ference featuring Steve Sheinkin (co- Randall Enos the Youth Services Consultant (YSC) sponsored with Mid-Hudson Library Youth Services Consultant during the year. System and the area BOCES), and Eileen Kieva Book Banquets. (14 programs – Communications Assistant “Dig into Reading!” and “Beneath 512 total attendance – includes 2 the Surface” Summer Reading Pro- SRP workshops). gram (SRP) Planning: Two workshops were held with a Participation in member library total attendance of 54. Youth Services association meetings: Fifty-one member libraries and (RCLS Teen Librarians, CLOUSC, branches (98%) reported enrolling LARC-YS) and Directors meetings 11,675 children and teens in their (RCLS Directors Association and Friends of Libraries Roundtable of summer programs (an increase of Sullivan-Ulster Public Library Asso- NYLA. 375 from last summer). There ciation [SUPLA]). Contacted legislators (Ten con- were 2,958 programs sponsored tacts). (an increase of 75), which were attended by 57,360 children, Organized New Book Preview teens and their families (a de- Sessions crease from last summer). The A total of 1,937 books from the children and young adults partici- preview sessions were distributed to pating in the programs read a total participating libraries. of 84,809 books (an increase of 21,021 from last year). Participation in local, state and The full range of activities of the national professional organizations RCLS Youth Services Consultant as and conferences: Attended Ameri- it pertains to the specific services can Library Association (ALA) Annu- outlined in the RCLS Plan of Service al and Midwinter conferences and is available on the RCLS Web page New York Library Association at http://www.rcls.org/index.php? (NYLA) Conference. s=10&b=112.
Consulting with member library Consulting with member library staff, trustees and volunteers on staff on Youth Services Issues: Friends activities and issues: 83 3,320 contacts. contacts. Worked with Orange Librarian Workshops such as Mock New- Association (OLA) to organize bery/Caldecott Award Discussions “Friends’ Gathering”. (co-sponsored with Children’s Li- Participated in NYLA Library Ad- brarians of Orange, Ulster and Sulli- vocacy Day in Albany. van Counties [CLOUSC] and Library Served as President of the Empire
16 RCLS 2013 Highlights MEMBER LIBRARIES’ REPORTS
sponsored with RCLS, a Career centennial Lecture Series was hon- Transition Assistance Program de- ored with the 2012 RCLS Adult ORANGE COUNTY signed to meet the needs of Job Program-of-the-Year Award, and (2) Seekers by providing resume review a founding member of the Friends of and job search workshops helping Cornwall Library – Janet Dempsey – Albert Wisner Public dozens of people seeking employ- received the Empire Library, Warwick ment or managing career transitions. Friends Daniel W. These are just a sample of the en- Casey Library Rosemary Cooper, Director richment, learning, inspiration and Advocacy Member Our library continued to build on Library Adult connections that happen every day Award. In the Program its iconic mission as a cultural cross- at our library! technology are- of the Year roads in 2013 by striving to pro- Award na, the library mote literacy, celebrate the arts, and launched a lap- enrich and connect the Warwick Chester Public Library top/iPad lab, purchased with funding community. Working together with Maureen Jagos, Director from a grant from the Verizon Foun- the Albert Wisner Public Library With the addition of two new staff dation. The grant application was Foundation and Friends of the Li- members; Joni Armstrong conduct- made by the Friends Group, who brary, Library staff was able to pro- ing Children’s programs and Irene provided laptops for patrons to use vide an impressive array of pro- Dunn coordinating Adult programs, within the building and iPads for grams, services and collections for the Chester Public Library has been training. A second Verizon Founda- library patrons of busy. In fact, our annual statistics tion grant, received through the all ages. From the have jumped through the roof. Our Cornwall Public Library Foundation, Warwick Chil- program attendance alone has in- will be used toward developing a dren’s Book Fes- creased over 50%. children’s early literacy mini iPad lab tival, to teen cre- Among the many new ideas our that will be available early in the next ative writing and new staff members have brought us, year. Speaking of grants, the Library popular classes on downloading e- we are proudest of the Sensory Sto- was awarded two grants totaling content, the book in all its formats is rytimes that we were able to begin in $4,500 in support of a concert se- alive and well at our library. 2013. These pro- ries entitled “Music of the Renais- We hosted over 20 exhibits by grams are de- sance & Baroque Periods.” The local artists and three library spon- signed for children grants were received through the sored community art shows includ- with Autism spec- New York State Council on the Arts’ ing “Winter Expressions” featuring trum disorders and Decentralization Program adminis- the work of 32 area artists. A high- their families. We tered by Arts in Orange, Orange light this year included an exhibit are currently the only library to offer County Tourism and the County of honoring the service of local Vi- such a program in Orange County Orange. Programming continued to etnam War Veterans. and with the help of a grant through flourish with attendance at both chil- The Library Foundation’s Concert RCLS we hope that it will be a pro- dren’s and adult events, reflecting Series drew hundreds to enjoy eight gram that lasts well into the future. considerable growth. Feedback from concerts including African drum- patrons continued to be positive and ming, string quartets, bluegrass and Cornwall Public Library affirming. many more. Due to the immediate Karen LaRocca-Fels, Director popularity of passes to area muse- Cornwall Public Library received ums, we added an additional four to two significant acknowledgements meet demand. The Foundation also this year: (1) the Civil War Sesqui-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 17 Florida Public Library her for Citizen of the Year. We scat- to a soundtrack by Goshen jazz leg- Madelyn Folino, Director tered iPads, a Windows Tablet and end Willie “The Lion” Smith. Florida Public Library’s (FPL) all our e-readers around the library Finally, we are happy to announce theme for 2013 was outreach. In for patrons to use and they love that we have recently initiated a local the spring, we offered ten programs them. history digitization project, and will on Islamic art, culture and authors shortly be making available to the for the NEH/ALA grant Muslim Goshen Public Library world-at-large some of our unique Journeys, as well as Storybook Art and Historical Society documents through the Hudson Riv- er Valley Heritage website. Studio, a six-week series for kids on Matthew Gomm, Director visual art in picture books, funded The Goshen Public Library’s re- by Arts in Orange. April saw our markable staff mem- Greenwood Lake annual El Día de los Niños/El Día de bers are again to be Public Library los Libros celebration and the pas- applauded for the Joan Carvajal, Director sage of our budget with a 7% in- zeal and The Library was delighted to re- Member crease. We continued our seventh creativity Library Youth ceive two generous programming Program year of Poetry Cafes with matching with which of the Year grants in 2013. funds from Poets & Writers, Inc. and they develop Award We received $1,250 from the the Friends of the FPL. We hosted programs that New York State Council on the Arts our fourth annual Ice Cream Social are consistent- Decentralization Program, adminis- for all ages in August to wrap up the ly fun and educational. I am happy tered by Arts in Orange, in support Summer Reading Program and to announce that our Youth Services of our “Explore the Arts @ Your marked our 16th year of campfire Department was awarded Member Library” adult programs. This grant storytimes at Glenmere Lake and our Library Youth Program of the Year supported our “Exit Right, Stage 14th annual Tellabration. We contin- Award and a generous $500 by Left” comedy writing workshops, ued bilingual programs for Florida RCLS once again, this time for their which culminated in a comedy show ABCD Head Start, weekly programs Medieval Mania program! performance by our workshop at- for the Village of Florida Summer And, for the first time in recent tendees – it was a smash hit! Recreation program and provided memory, the Library hosted a field RCLS provided us with a grant of three programs at the Florida Farm- trip as part of the finale for our $300 in support of our “Kids in the ers Market. We supported the local Adult Summer Reading Program. Garden” programs for our 2013 newspaper, The Florida Focus with a Around 30 enthusiastic spelunkers Summer Reading Program. We host- monthly page on FPL activities, plus joined us to explore Howe Caverns. ed four age-specific entertaining and articles and pictures. In November, The Library, in partnership with educational programs (for ages 2- we inaugurated a Homework Help Cornerstone Theatre Arts, enter- 11) on garden plants, worms, bugs Center where teen volunteers from tained over 1,500 patrons with a and composting. The Library now the National Honor Society tutor number of productions, including has a lovely children’s garden, which local students in Grades 1-5, mostly our annual Shakespeare in Salesian we plan to continue with the chil- in Common Core math. Also during Park (Merry Wives of Windsor) and dren seasonally. 2013, five staff members (Martha, the New York premier of Paullette Lastly, our “Taste Test Teen Book Ashley, Marie, Annette and Eileen) MacDougal’s Sisters Under The Club” has proved to be a tasty, edu- achieved Level IV, the highest Certif- Skin. cational and fun program!. Three icate of Achievement, from the NYS Our Friends hosted the annual programs are developed around Library Assistants Association. We Goshen Trivia Night to a sold out each book – at the first, the teens said a reluctant good-bye to Trustee crowd at the Harness Racing Muse- receive the book; at the second, Shirley Coughlin after 23 years of um. This year’s event featured a they are prepared to discuss up to service and successfully nominated slide show of historical Goshen set the mid-point in the book, and the
18 RCLS 2013 Highlights third wraps up the book discussion. The local Girl Scout troops held The JLPL also co-sponsored a At each, the kids make and eat fun their annual Holiday Craft Blow-out, presentation given by the Walden snacks and play trivia games, which at which all the children of the com- Elementary History Club on child tie into the theme of the book with munity were invited to make decora- labor in the Village of Walden in prizes for the winners. tions and cards. 1880. Storytime and early literacy pro- Highland Falls Library Josephine-Louise Public grams have maintained high attend- Suzanne Brahm, Director Library, Walden ance, thanks to the hard work of our Children’s Librarians. We have had a Throughout the year, local resi- Ginny Neidermier, Director growing number of attendances in dents and friends stepped up to help The staff and patrons at the Jose- our programs and are proud of our present programs of interest to the phine Louise Public Library (JLPL) work for the past year. Highland Falls Com- feel that providing education is a key munity. They includ- part of who we are. Our educational ed Chef programs during 2013 included: Moffat Library of Donna SAH-AH Award First to Local art classes for grades Kin- Washingtonville Douglass of Complete State Annual dergarten through middle Carol McCrossen, Director “What’s Cook- Report school; funded by Arts in Or- The Board of Trustees of Moffat ing,” with vege- ange County grants. Library has been hard at work this table-based cas- year planning for the renovation and Internship and volunteer oppor- seroles; Men’s Collectibles Day in restoration of our beloved historic early March; Donald “Doc” Bayne tunities for Valley Central High School students. Moffat building. In March 2013, the on the making of iron; Birding in building was transferred from the Orange County with Dr. David Marketing Internship opportunity Town of Blooming Grove to the Baker; a Plein-air painting auction of for a Mount St. Mary College Moffat Library Board of Trustees. In local scenes by the Wallkill River student. tandem with this, the library pur- School of Art; and Prof. Kenwood Job-for-you counseling, interview chased adjacent parcels of land. Dennard of Boston on Drums and workshops, and resume building This will greatly aid in our restora- Percussion. Two highlights of the sessions; provided by RCLS. tion plan as well as provide space for year were the Second Colonial Tea, Some additional programs includ- much needed parking. In October, presented by our own staff and ed: the Board selected an architectural Friends, dressed in period costumes firm to work with on the project. We th Wetland conservation for the celebration of the 4 of July. are on our way towards renovating Ethnic heroes of baseball We served “squirrel meatballs and and restoring our historic landmark pigeon stew,” as well as appropriate Author visits building to its original beauty and breads and desserts from the The premier of an award winning use as a library and community cen- 1700s. And finally, the Friends of UFO documentary ter. the Library held their second Library Medieval archery traditions fea- In the meantime, the Moffat Li- Gala on the Hudson, at the home of turing residents of remote Hima- brary continues to provide all the Charlie Murphy and John Dodson, layan Mountain kingdom services our community has come to as a major fund-raiser for future cap- Weekly music concerts rely on at our temporary facility. ital projects. Upgrades were made to the building The history of the Walden- We finished on a festive note with so that we could provide our full Newburgh Trolley many Holiday programs. The Friends complement of services and pro- of the Library offered their annual Financial literacy workshop grams to our patrons. Holiday Bazaar, and a Holiday Caba- Cooking demonstrations Additionally, we are so lucky to ret evening with vocalist Chris Judd Wine workshops have assembled such a great profes- singing carols and holiday songs.
RCLS 2013 Highlights 19 sional team working at Moffat. Our of a successful budget referendum in ers within the library. More than newest librarian, Matthew Thorenz, November. 274,700 visitors walked through came to us in November with a our doors and 208,016 accessed wealth of ideas and an enthusiasm Montgomery Free library services via the website. The about all things library that is infec- Library RCLS Mobile powered by Boopsie tious and so, we look forward to was launched, allowing smart phone Mary Elizabeth Comizio, Director great things from him. At the other users to connect to Newburgh Free No report available end of the spectrum, our fearless Library resources anytime, anywhere. bookkeeper and office manager, Lois nd Newburgh Free Library Delarose, celebrated her 32 anni- Pine Bush Area Public Chuck Thomas, Director versary with Moffat in 2013! Library District Also in 2013, the Moffat Reading Last year saw a change in New- Doris Callan, Director Train made its final stop at the li- burgh’s leadership as Muriel Ver- 2013 was a busy year with many brary. For her Girl Scouts’ Gold dibello retired after 13 years of ser- various programs being conducted project, high school student Kristen vice and library activist Chuck for all ages. The programs in art Arpa created a unique rail-themed Thomas took over as Director. What were sponsored by Arts in Orange space where children can learn to remained constant was the use of and The Orange County Tourism read in a fun and relaxed environ- the library, as visits and circulation grants. The artists who were award- ment. steadily increased. ed these grants were Ellen Samson We look forward to many exciting The library also continued its role of Ellenville and Meadow of Wood- changes in the upcoming year at as a community center. An Ezra Jack rock Studios in New Paltz. We had Moffat! Keats Foundation grant funded a children’s poster project, focusing many volunteers offer free art clas- Monroe Free Library on the theme “Newburgh is My ses, too. Pat Prohack and Lana Home.” The Tail Waggin’ Tutors Privitera both gave time to teach art Marilyn McIntosh, Director program attracted children who were skills. Our total program attendances 2013 proved to be a very exciting excited to read to our volunteer were 120% over last year. We in- year for the Monroe Free Library. therapy dogs. Adult programs in- creased from 140 to 308 programs After years of struggling to enlarge cluded a three-part “Cultural Cara- With the tax cap, it has been diffi- and renovate our aging structure, we van” concert series and a community cult keeping within budget and yet are finally in the last stages of mak- -wide “Newburgh Illuminated” Cele- provide the programs to help meet ing our dreams come true. Monroe bration, while the Muslim Journeys the needs of the community. Besides hired the architectural firm of Butler, Bookshelf project brought awareness our annual fund drive in December Rowland and Mays to design an ex- to Islamic art and literature. A porta- and the Spring Fling in May, we held pansion that will bring approximately ble Habitat for Artists hut was set up two yard sales and had a bus trip to 2,000 additional square feet of on the library lawn to offer fun and Governor’s Island to help fill in the space to the current building. There creative art experiences for all ages. gap. Having our Community Center will also be a complete renovation of Overall, more than 9,000 children, open full time brought in more reve- the existing structure that will bring teens and adults attended library nue from book sales. Our expenses a continuity of design to the whole. programs and classes including sev- were 3% higher than 2012. To get ready for our move into tem- eral at the increasingly popular Town The opening of the Community porary quarters, the entire staff Branch at the Newburgh Mall. Center full time was a great conven- worked extensively and aggressively Technology and digital literacy ience to the community. Besides the on weeding all collections. At year’s remained a key initiative. Over 800 increase in book sales, daily attend- end, our main focus has been clean- adult students took advantage of ance increased. There was more ing out the old to get ready for the computer classes and 87,122 log-in computer use and also more one-on new. Additional good news came to sessions were recorded on comput- -one help with computer instruction. the Monroe Free Library in the form
20 RCLS 2013 Highlights The Center was used by outside flower arranging, balsam wreath information resources and Internet groups, tutoring and added pro- making, attracting birds to your access. grams. backyard, flower arranging, spinning We are pleased to offer our pa- The Friends of the Library held wool and vegetable gardening. trons the ability to download audio three successful bake sales. The pro- This year our Children’s Room books and e-books onto their mo- ceeds brought added programs such received a major renovation. bile devices or home computers. as the Cornell Gardening series, Through library capital funds and the Our website, (www.thrall.org) rec- movie licenses, additional book NYS Construction Grant Program, orded an astounding 3.5 million hits shelves and new blinds in the main we were able to make improvements in 2013. Library users also recorded library. Their annual Recognition to the Children’s Room with a fresh more than 65,000 individual com- Tea for all the volunteers, staff and new color of paint, new carpeting, puter sessions at the Library’s com- Board of Trustees is always a huge new furnishings, and new signage. puter workstations while we noticed success and lots of good food was The new layout allows for better flow a continued growth in the number of enjoyed by all the volunteers. Over and browsing the children’s materi- people who brought their own lap- 50 people attended to enjoy refresh- als. The patrons love the new fur- tops, tablets and Smartphones to the ments, meeting new volunteers and nishings, especially the new Teen Library to connect to the Internet socializing, all with the library as its Room that is used very frequently. though our wireless Internet connec- focus. Our library completed another tion (WiFi). major construction project in Octo- Members of the public also came Port Jervis Free Library ber with the creation of our new li- to the Library for a wide range of Beverly Arlequeeuw, Director brary parking lot for patrons and informative and entertaining pro- During 2013 the Port Jervis Free staff. This new area is a wonderful grams for people of all ages. We Library received 82,457 library pa- addition that provides one handi- offered storytimes, family literacy tron visits, circulated 61,377 books capped space and 11 non-disabled and entertainment events as part of and materials, welcomed 14,351 spaces for library patrons. Between our Summer Reading Program, while patrons who re- the two parking lots, we now have a Elementary aged students received served and used total of 26 parking spaces. The li- help with their studies at our Home- the public com- brary’s board of trustees purchased work Help Center, and our Wii puters, hosted the property in April 2011 using Gaming programs continued to be 3,301 patrons at library capital funds. The improve- popular with children. We intro- 629 library pro- ments were made using library capi- duced a new and exciting book dis- grams, filled 25,793 hold requests tal funds, NYS Construction grant cussion group for adults called by patrons, issued 143 new Library program funding and a sizeable do- “Remarkable Reads” that features a cards, and had 2,816 patrons use nation from the Friends of the Port wide variety of genres and authors the Library’s free wireless Internet Jervis Free Library. that run the gamut from the classics (WiFi) on their personal devices. to the “trashics.” The Hub continues to be a popu- Thrall Public Library The Friends of Middletown Thrall th lar spot in our library. In addition to District of Middletown Library celebrated their 20 Anni- open computer use and one-on-one versary by donating $20,000 to the instruction for patrons, the Hub of- and Wallkill Library for the purchase of new pub- fers a vast array of programs. These Matthew Pfisterer, Director lic computers and software to man- include: GED preparation classes, 2013 was a year in which the Li- age time and printing on those com- digital photography and photo resto- brary District continued to strive to puters. The Friends of Middletown ration, learn to play the fife, and our meet the ever-changing and more Thrall Library continued to sponsor popular “backyard series” which complex information needs of our an eclectic mix of quality musical gives instruction on topics such as community. We continued to experi- performances and special events that making maple syrup, beekeeping, ence high demand for our items, offered quality entertainment free of
RCLS 2013 Highlights 21 charge to attendees. Woodbury Public Tuxedo Park Library Library, Highland Mills ROCKLAND COUNTY Jennifer Bradshaw, Director Diane Loomis, Director In 2013, WPL spruced up the 2013 was a successful year for the Highland Mills Branch with a new Tuxedo Park Library. coat of paint, while the Central Val- Blauvelt Free Library In September the Library’s Au- ley Branch received new furniture, Laura Grunwerg, Director thors’ Circle Program featured a including individual desk carrels to We began the year with a vigorous filled-to-capacity lecture at St. provide patrons with their own little Reference Room weeding spear- Mary’s Church by our very own workspace. headed by Head of Reference and local hero Howard Shore, the The Woodbury Reads! 2013 se- Assistant Director, Tonie D’Angelo. world-famous composer of mu- lection was Michael Shaara’s re- The removal of two shelves enabled sical scores for Lord of the creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, us to transform the space, with its Rings, Hugo, and so many other Killer Angels. Patrons enjoyed lec- cathedral ceilings, into an addi- films. For 90 minutes this im- tures by both Barry Hawkins and tional – and more appealing – per- pressive man offered us en- Charles LaRocca. formance venue. thralling insights into his creative A total of 141 kids registered and PR and Programming Manager, habits and the sources of his 38,260 minutes were read in WPL’s Barry Koch donated his design ser- inspiration, an intimate look at a “Dig Into Reading” and “Beneath vices to the Library Association of genius at work. And he did this the Surface” Summer Reading Pro- Rockland County (LARC) Confer- for the Library, because as a boy grams. WPL’s first ever Adult Sum- ence with the creation of a “Be the and young man in Toronto the mer Reading Program, “Ground Cloud” logo and brochure. We also library was the place where he Breaking Reads” offered 13 pro- insinuated ourselves into the fabric went to feed his imagination. grams and had 174 in attendance. of the community by conducting a Our beautifully renovated The greatest program participation town-wide yard sale we playfully ground floor was completed in came from the family programs that dubbed the “Western Highway the fall. It contains a redesigned were offered by the library, with Di- Roundup.” Barry created a handy Reading Room, Children’s nosaurs Rock, the Science Tellers, map to participating homes and we Room, a new Resource Center Family Movie nights, and the issued yard signs identifying each with new computers, scanners IOCCNYSAA Family Archeology “vendor” as a stop along the route. and an HD television for screen- Program at the held at Earl Reser- The event was a resounding success. ings, and a Media Café offering voir. Kudos to WPL’s programmers: Our Friends group, led by Alice coffee, a place to gather with Barbara, Linda, and Rose-Emma for Ryan, toured Yankee Stadium and friends, and an extensive collec- all their efforts! spent a black magical evening at the tion of music, films and audio The Library bid a fond farewell and Great Pumpkin Blaze at the Van books. thanks to Martha LaVallee, Assistant Cortlandt Manor. Library Director Laura Grunwerg conducted a “New Although book circulation has Director and Head of Youth Ser- Art from Old Books” presentation declined, OverDrive eMaterials vices. We congratulate her on her and workshop which highlighted the are up 51% and WiFi usage has many years of service with both the burgeoning art movement where all increased by 47%. Central Valley Free Library and later with the merged Woodbury Public manner of inventive sculptures, tap- We hosted 271 programs with a estries, and artifacts are created total attendance of 3,206. Library. We wish the best for her in her retirement. from repurposed books. She also found time to write a book entitled The Woodbury Public Library looks forward to providing continu- One Hamlet, Many Blauvelts, and the Library at the Heart of It All, ing enthusiastic service to our com- munity in 2014. which was funded through seed 22 RCLS 2013 Highlights money from New York State Senator (FML) is a busy place and very im- addition to computer workshops in David Carlucci’s office. portant to the East Ramapo Com- Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Inter- On Earth Day, we held our first munity. Last year, 732,535 items net, classes in various social media ever successful “Litter Rally” (get it, were circulated. Our offsite material were added to the offerings. “literally”) after being rained out for return and Finkelstein’s World Languages the previous two years. In conjunc- pick-up collection was expanded with special tion with Keep Rockland Beautiful, locations attention to Spanish, Creole, French, over 100 men, women and children had 76,154 Russian, Polish, Hebrew and Yid- worked to clean up the railroad bed items re- dish. In response to the need for behind the library, which was riddled turned to more quiet study areas, four study with commercial and domestic detri- our book drops in 2013 and 943 carrels were built on the second tus. We also learned that the state items were picked up. The addition floor. Finkelstein Library will contin- has plans to create a rail trail there of an ANSER terminal at the Circula- ue to be responsive to the needs of with work commencing in Spring tion Desk and one at the Reference our library patrons as we were in 2014. Desk enabled patrons to return 2013. We hired two terrific and talented items borrowed from others libraries I would like to use this opportunity young men at the library. Andrew to be checked in in real time and to to thank the RCLS Trustees and Li- Bachor – who comes to us with a place interlibrary-loan requests effi- brary Directors for their support in customer service ethic honed at ciently. our successful purchase of two AN- Barnes and Noble – and Alex Carver We offered 1,328 programs and SER terminals. who is the complete package – classes which included our Music on whether it’s IT support, notarizing a Sunday Afternoon series, Summer Haverstraw King's that document, extreme customer Sunday Evening outdoor concerts, Daughters Public service (he makes house calls), or movies on Monday evenings and crooning I Don’t Want to Set the Wednesday afternoons, knitting & Library World on Fire at our highly ac- crocheting and English literacy clas- Claudia Depkin, Director claimed old-fashioned radio broad- ses. Our Children’s Department The year 2013 was a busy year for cast during the holiday season. likewise offered storytimes for chil- the Haverstraw King’s Daughters Our Summer Reading Club contin- dren of various ages, drop-in craft Public Library (HKDPL)! Over ues to grow each year thanks to the programs, family films and home- 19,000 people attended close to Herculean efforts of Children’s Li- work help. In addition eight iPads, 1,100 programs at our two loca- brarian extraordinaire, Marybeth 12 PCs, Leapfrog Tag Readers and tions. Nearly 271,000 visits were Darnobid, and her unsinkable assis- video games such as PS3, Wii, and made to our facilities and 133,000 tants, Mary de Lisser and Dolores Xbox are available to the youngsters hits on our website. Our computers Doyle. Our circulation staff – under of our community. The Children’s were used for more than 36,600 the leadership of Theresa De Graw, Department was a recipient of a sessions, and our total circulation of with Irene Schutz, and Linda Kauf- $5,000 grant underwritten by ALA library materials was 313,000. man – never fails to receive high and funded by Dollar General for a This past year we said a fond fare- marks from patrons for their sterling multicultural storytime program, well to two long-time employees. customer service and welcoming One Moon, which presented stories Library Clerks Moira O’Brien and demeanor. and songs in French, Yiddish, Span- Beatrice Sasin had been on our team ish and English by readers fluent in for 38 and 32 years, respectively. Finkelstein Memorial each language. It’s an end of an era, for certain, and we wish them all the best in this next Library, Spring Valley The Information Technology Ser- vices Department was busy adding chapter of their lives. Tracy Y. Allen, Director wireless access points to cover all The Finkelstein Memorial Library the areas in the FML building. In
RCLS 2013 Highlights 23 Nanuet Public Library Nyack Library Orangeburg Library Gretchen Bell, Director Jane B. Marino , Director William C. Langham, Director Our users were surveyed for what In 2013, our Library welcomed a The number of items in the li- they like best about the library and new Director along with a new Busi- brary’s print collection was relatively what they view as most in need of ness Manager, Sharon Alfano. unchanged, totaling 34,123. How- change. Responses were largely pos- Although our construction project is ever, aggressive weeding and an ac- itive and indicated that we are meet- behind us, the Library made some tive new book purchasing plan pro- ing the community’s needs, but im- significant changes to the collection. vided lots of fresh material for our provement is needed in technology After a two-year experiment with the users. Significant growth was at- and the use of space. “Marketplace” system of shelving tained in other materials, primarily We are working on revitalizing the adult non-fiction books, we made audio books (19%), DVDs (33%), existing structure. Peter Gisolfi Ar- the move back to straight Dewey and e-books, where almost 5,000 chitects have been engaged to help Decimal system in August; a move titles are available for download. establish priorities and a plan. The praised by staff and patrons alike. In Both Children’s and Adult pro- first step, replacement of the air addition, we reconfigured our for- grams continued to attract, enter- conditioning system is underway. eign language DVD collection so tain, and enlighten the community. Children and teens turned out in each DVD is clearly marked with the Of special note was the showing of record numbers for our extensive language that is used and the DVD’s Till Then, a film based on corre- roster of programs. A series of pro- are shelved with each language to- spondence between a WWII soldier grams co-sponsored by Nyack and gether. Our mystery section was and his young bride. A Toddler Valley Hospitals was introduced for moved into a more prominent area. Dance Party rocked the library’s adults. We began distributing library Our programs continue to be pop- Greenbush Auditorium monthly and news online to our expanding e-mail ular with book groups for fiction, Music Together, a new kid’s song- list. non-fiction, multicultural books and writing program drew substantial Thanks go to Senator David Car- a family book discussion group. In young visitors to the library. lucci for awarding $20,000 in Sen- conjunction with the Valley Cottage Overall circulation was essentially ate Special Legislative Aid, to the Library, we even have a Book and flat, with 82,424 items lent. Inter- Friends of the Library for improving Pub Club for 20 and 30-somethings estingly, adult non-fiction circulation listening and viewing in our Commu- that meet in a different restaurant or grew over 10%, outpacing fiction nity Room with the gifts of a new pub in Nyack each month. We en- titles. Reference activity expanded by LCD projector, blackout curtains joyed many popular programs that 28%; over 5,000 visitors used our and amp. Thanks also to Boulders focused on Local History, most no- Internet workstations and almost President Ken Lehner for a chess tably, “the Cube” a mobile record- 500 brought their laptops and note- table for the library’s Teen Space; to ing booth brought to Nyack Library books to access our free WiFi. local resident Kenneth Cully for re- as part of a three-year IMLS grant in Staff continued to provide out- storing the puppet closet; and to which Nyack is a partner. Also, standing service to the Orangeburg William Levy, son of the late Senator thanks to that grant, we have Community and every staff member Gene Levy, for his father’s memorial digitized many of our oral history participated in various staff develop- tree. recordings. ment activities. Our children’s room continues to 2014 will see a new director at New City Library be a busy, active place with pro- the helm as Bill Langham, Director Mitch Freedman, Director grams for children of all ages, high- since 2007, retired. No report available. lighted by an enjoyable Summer Reading Game, with the theme of “I Palisades Free Library Dig Reading” that inspired many Maria Gagliardi, Director programs starting with the phrase, “I The Palisades Free Library com- dig.” pleted an exciting renovation project
24 RCLS 2013 Highlights that expanded and improved the “READ” Photo Exhibit. In addition, come the beautiful building that we services we offer our residents. The community members were encour- enjoy today. renovation updated the functional aged to “be a part of your library's space and energy efficiency of the future” by participating in our Li- Piermont Library building while retaining the library’s brary Community Survey. District warmth and historic charm. By ex- On Sunday, November 3, the Jessica Bowen, Director tending a portion of the building Pearl River Public Library commem- Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Pub- approximately seven feet near the orated the 50th Anniversary, to the lic Library’s Annual Gift of Art Show library entrance, we made the fol- day, of the 1963 dedication of the and Sale was a rousing success in lowing improvements: original Library built at our present 2013. This year’s theme, “A Post- Franklin Avenue location with an Created an upstairs meeting card from Piermont,” enabled us to open house, themed “Your Library: room and program space with include more art than ever before. Then and Now.” Local dignitaries seating for 25 people Paintings and photographs by over and elected officials attended and Installed a Hearing Loop in the 45 local artists including a few staff provided words of congratulation on meeting room for those who use members were featured. As always, the occasion. hearing aids we hosted exhibits by local artists in The 1960s-themed day featured a our gallery space throughout the Provided two more parking varied array of activities including a year. The summer of 2013 featured spaces local history panel discussion, a hula a very exciting exhibit celebrating the Created a walkway connecting hoop contest organized by our teen 50th anniversary of the March on the library entrance to Oak Tree volunteers, and a concert by the Sol- Washington for Jobs and Freedom Road id Rock Band. Activities for children held on August 28, 1963. Photog- Provided bench seating near the included classic family board games. rapher and Sparkill resident, Tom entrance The Friends of the Library provided Artin, displayed photographs from refreshments and unveiled their new- Added a rain garden to improve his book, March On!, taken at this ly expanded “Tribute Tree.” Library drainage around the front of the historic event. Trustees greeted visitors and shared building In September, patrons enjoyed a information about the Community This project was made possible by rare acoustic performance by local Survey. Library staff members pro- the New York State Library Con- musician, Marc Farre. Best known to vided demonstrations of a variety of struction Grant and bullet aid from many Piermonters as the producer automated and digital services we State Senator David Carlucci. of the First Friday Film series, Marc provide. The library also completed the is a serious musician whose work has The Library's READ Campaign restoration of stuffed birds donated been described as “intense and truly Photo Exhibit brought together the to the library in 1920. These birds fantastic” (NPR). iconic READ poster design and the were stuffed and mounted by John We hosted a record number of friendly faces of 400 members of the Graham Bell in the late 1800s. They children’s programs including Movie PRPL community. The entire Library were restored by Julia Sybalsky, con- & Dessert nights and special theme interior was adorned with this lively servator at the Museum of Natural parties like “Happy Birthday, Amelia array of posters. This very popular History. Bedelia.” This was in addition to our exhibit was kept on display for two regular schedule of Toddler Story months. Pearl River Public Times, Pre-school Story and Craft, While reportedly the largest library Pajama Time, Book Clubs, Art Clas- Library facility in all of Rockland County ses, Music Together and Reading to Kathleen W. Rose, Director when it opened in 1963, the Pearl Dogs. In 2013 the Pearl River Public River Public Library, having out- Library celebrated our “Fifty years grown its space, underwent an ex- on Franklin” with an open house and tensive expansion in 1991 to be-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 25 Rose Memorial Library Rose Memorial Library Director pating in the Summer Reading Pro- Benjamin Reid said goodbye to gram. Association, Stony Point Stony Point and returned to further Adult programs once again hit an Jacqueline Ryan, Interim Director his Librarianship in his home state of all-time high with 7,063 people 2013 was a year of increased pro- Ohio. Jacqueline Ryan began filling joining us for 222 presentations on gramming and patron attendance. his quite large shoes in December, such topics as cooking, concerts, The Children’s Department added as Interim Director. floral arrangements, film and book an “Itsy Bitsy Babies” program for discussion, and exercise classes. In babies up to 12 months. A non- Sloatsburg Public addition, the Library’s spaces served fiction book club for ages eight and as host for 104 community groups. up was created in coordination with Library the new Common Core standards. Mary Blake, Director Tappan Free Library No report available. We received an RCLS Summer Sara Nugent, Director Reading Program mini-grant. Our In April we held our official “Be Prepared” program gave chil- Suffern Free Library groundbreaking ceremony. Now in dren information on what to do in Carol Connell Cannon, Director full swing of our construction pro- emergency situations. In 2013 Suffern Free Library con- ject, we are currently operating out Adult digital literacy programming tinued to expand services and devel- of a smaller space within our existing was enhanced January through op new ones, as well. Through a building. We have been able to do March, and included basic computer grant from Senator David Carlucci this and continue services without skills, MS Word, Internet, Online and private donors we installed two any drastic reductions for the com- Communication and Computer Ba- digital screens in the lobby that an- munity. sics. We held events including Board nounce upcoming programs and We saw a huge spike in attendance Game Design, a Pizza Eat Off, Hair- display pictures from events. in children’s program participation, braiding, Comic Drawing, Drawing Electronic resources and technolo- up 46.5% and an increase in attend- Manga, Hungarian Cooking and we gy advances also included databases ance to the Summer Reading pro- Yarn-Bombed the Library. Adult such as College Source and Morn- grams, up 18.5%. As we continue to programming this year also included ingstar Investment Research. We add content to our website the num- four AARP defensive driving classes expanded the number of e-readers ber of visitors continues to increase, and a blood drive. Technologically, to borrow as well offering PS3 and up 7.4%. we progressed by adding Learning Xbox games for circulation. iPad After taking a hard look at how Express and Zinio. minis were introduced in our Young our facility was actually used, we Our Friends group held fundrais- Adult Room and Suffern patrons can adjusted our hours of operation. By ers, coordinated raffles, arranged art now stream music online from Free- extending our evening hours on Fri- exhibits and held several Book Sales. gal for three hours every day. day and Saturdays, we stand alone in Page and Stage was a book / play Programming flourished this past Rockland County as the only library program developed through a col- year. 767 Young Adults participated serving the community past 6 p.m. laboration with the Stony Point Pen- in 50 programs, including the popu- on Friday and Saturday. We have guin Rep Theater, in which patrons lar after-hours Lock-ins, as well as experienced great success in the read a book related to the theme of the PhASER book group and Teen extended hours, especially hearing a play being staged and spoke with Advisory Council. Our children’s positive feedback for the 5-7 p.m. the creative team after the perfor- department developed a Discovery hours on Friday evening. mance. We offered NY State of Zone program that featured such In spite of newly enacted legisla- Health informational seminars for activities as making apple pies and tion allowing our Town Board the residents. Over all, we kept very coloring an actual size anaconda. ability to finally fund the library busy being all we could be for our Over 15,000 children attended pro- based on proven need rather than community. grams, with 1,002 actively partici- antiquated law, they have chosen
26 RCLS 2013 Highlights again to decrease our funding by a into the community’s storm drainage cert by Temple Dudes, Rockfit and full 10%. We are hopeful that this system. The award is a bird house ESL classes, a presentation about trend will end in 2014. bearing the library’s name which Phantoms of the Hudson Valley, now hangs at the Conger’s Lake Zentangle and cooking with Apples, Tomkins Cove Public Walking trail. Apples, Apples. Our new Adult Ser- Library Although circulation figures of vices Area was updated with an in- Janet Lukas, Director library materials were down slightly crease in computers, network print- The Tomkins Cove Public Library in 2013, program statistics reveal ing and a more open layout. continues to seek ways to ensure that more people visited the library Youth programs were extremely that our library is meaningful to our to take advantage of the diverse pro- successful and continue to draw community. One of our goals this gramming that we offer for all ages. large audiences with events like sto- year was to increase adult programs. As more and more people turn to rytimes, cartooning workshops, Just As a result, we have hired a Zumba electronic resources, Valley Cottage for Boys book club, Sandbox Gang, instructor and a Yoga instructor to has responded by offering greater e- Pumpkin Decorating and Simple provide classes to our patrons. Since resources for the Nyack School Dis- Sewing. Our Summer Reading Pro- the classes are free of charge, they trict including an increased collec- gram was the most successful ever have been received very well by our tion of e-books and digital maga- with more children and teens partici- community. zines through our Zinio database, pating and reading more than ever In an attempt to meet the needs of and downloadable music through before. A record number of families our academic community, we have our Freegal database. We also offer enjoyed savings when they visited updated our juvenile nonfiction col- one-on-one training to all patrons one (or more) of ten museums using lection to support our student popu- on a range of electronic devices as the free passes sponsored by the lation with the new Common Core well as computer literacy classes. library. 2013 was an exciting year standards. Valley Cottage Library Staff bring and we are all looking towards a Our monthly book club continues the best in service and resources to bright and busy future at West to attract new readers. Our group the community we serve. They are Nyack Free Library. was treated to a reading by local conversant in their respective spe- author Mary Beth Keane, who gra- cialty and cognizant that they are ciously met our book club for a here to serve the public. SULLIVAN COUNTY reading and to answer questions. West Nyack Library Valley Cottage Free Eugenia Schatoff, Director This year brought many changes Daniel Pierce Library, Library to the library with the retirement of Grahamsville Amelia Kalin, Director our longtime (16+ years) Director, Joann Gallagher, Director Valley Cottage Library’s expanded Rita Tavel Fogelman. Under the The most important news for parking lot received kudos from the leadership of Eugenia Schatoff, the 2013 is that the Daniel Pierce Li- Town of Clarkstown in 2013 when it library continues to reach out into brary – our beautiful Community was awarded the Town’s Environ- the community through visits to the Center – is being used by our com- mental Excellence award for the en- Clarkstown Central School District, munity! The non-library sponsored vironmentally conscious incorpora- meetings with the West Nyack Rota- uses have increased significantly tion of drainage features consisting ry and our popular delivery service from last year. The library is truly a of two long bioswales and a very for the homebound. gathering place for so many seg- large rain garden. These eco-friendly Over 2,500 ebooks were checked ments of our community – Scout systems use native plants whose root out and as a result we developed groups, service organizations, 4H systems capture the storm water our first ever ebook budget. Adult Puppy Pals, the Neversink Agricul- runoff, effectively slowing its’ entry program highlights included a con-
RCLS 2013 Highlights 27 tural Society, the Red Hill Fire Tow- Ethelbert B. Crawford access this past year. The first few er Committee, AYSO Soccer, Time days with Wi-Fi saw patrons dancing and the Valleys Museum, and Tri- Public Library, in the streets. This was mainly due Valley Central School – to name a Monticello to people parked outside using the few. Each of these groups brings to Mary Paige Lang-Clouse, Director Wi-Fi and blocking the streets until the library a unique gift and contrib- 2013 was a very productive year we had that issue taken care of. It utes to the overall vitality of the for The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public has been a very popular added ele- building. Library. In April the library pur- ment and has increased our patron- We reached another milestone in chased an existing building and age. 2013. The third phase of the build- property, also located along Broad- In keeping with technology, the ing project was completed – the way in Monticello, that will be trans- library saw a huge growth in e- renovation of our historic 1902 formed into a greatly expanded reader usage and has slowly begun building. This original brick and state-of-the-art library. to build its own collection after sign- granite structure has been returned Mary Paige Lang-Clouse became ing up for OverDrive – another leap to its former beauty, with lovely Ed- library director in May, replacing from the Dark Ages! We also saw a wardian light fixtures, refinished Alan Barrish upon his retirement. boost in attendance at our basic chestnut moldings, polished brasses, Library hours were expanded in April computer classes and a higher de- and exquisite period wallpaper. (An – opening earlier each weekday and mand for workshops on the comput- extremely generous patron gave us a remaining open later several eve- er services offered by the library. donation in memory of her beloved nings each week to better serve the The library’s programs continued mother.) community. Programming for all their rise in success and surge in Hundreds of children and their audiences grew in 2013 – providing popularity. One of our biggest hits is families gathered at the beautiful 25% more programs this year than the monthly “Ladies Night Out” pro- Grahamsville Fairgrounds on Octo- last – with an overall increase in at- gramming session run by our Princi- ber 5 to enjoy the festivities of our tendance of 29%. More young pal Clerk. Our Director has added a 28th Annual Giant Pumpkin Party adults are using the library with an well-received monthly book club and Children’s Parade. Mother Na- active Teen Advisory Group and discussion group also. So, more re- ture created a glorious autumn day, Battle of the Books team meeting sources, more programs, all helped and squeals of laughter and delight regularly. The Friends of the Library for more satisfied patrons and the filled the air. Pumpkins of all sizes continue to work hard on behalf of library’s continued growth and de- and shapes reigned supreme, and the library and sponsored a lovely velopment. the King Pumpkin weighed in at a Tea program at a local B & B, as mere 933 pounds! well as seasonal family programs – Liberty Public Library As we reflect upon the past year, including a scarecrow-making pro- Marjorie M. Linko, Director we gratefully acknowledge the many gram in the Fall, accompanied by a In addition to our regular pro- individuals, groups, and organiza- book sale. gramming, this year we introduced tions who have willingly and lovingly The library board put in many several new types of programs. Co- shared their time, energy, and tal- hours alongside architects and engi- sponsored with the Sullivan County ents to make the Daniel Pierce Li- neers as design plans for the new Adult BOCES, we now offer weekly brary what it is – a vital community library were developed. The move adult GED instruction center for everyone to enjoy. into the new building is expected to classes. Last summer take place in Spring of 2015. we had our first col-
laboration SAH-AH Award Fallsburg Library between the First to David J. Phillips IV, Director Complete Livingston Manor State Annual The Fallsburg Library jumped out Free Library, Report of the Stone Age and added Wi-Fi Cornell Cooper-
28 RCLS 2013 Highlights ative Extension of Sullivan County Street community event for families. RCLS, along with our and Morgan Outdoors, a local out- Collaborations with BOCES and organic vegetable gar- door store, to offer a 4-week sum- Morgan Outdoors, a local outdoor den around SAH-AH Award mer Geocaching series for tweens. sports store, have allowed us to of- to the side First to Submit Our new Senior Coffee Club has fer weekly GED/HSE classes and of the building. Annual been very popular for seniors as a outdoor-oriented programs for fami- The peas that Highlights means of socialization while learning lies, respectfully. grew there were about a different monthly topic With the completion of renova- excellent. Folks which frequently features a guest tions on the second floor of the li- enjoyed cookies from the big tin on speaker. brary, adult and children’s craft ac- the front desk, along with hot cocoa As part of a Sullivan County Re- tivities can now take place with no during the winter months. The adult naissance Grant, the Friends of Lib- fear of being loud and messy! The book group met once a month for erty Library (FOLL) worked in con- second floor archway sports the the entire year, and there is a steady junction with volunteers and a local Henry Ward Beecher quote, “A little afterschool cadre every day during Girl Scout Troop on beautifying the library growing each year is an hon- the winter. We find that the library is front entrance of the Library. New orable part of a people’s history.” more of a community center with flowers, shrubs, and a planter now When the director’s desk was our neighbors gathering around a grace the entryway. FOLL was hon- moved upstairs, space became avail- newspaper table to visit and get the ored by winning a first place Sullivan able for public seating downstairs. latest news. That fits in with our goal Renaissance Award of $3,000 in Gifts of new furniture allowed us to to make the library a friendly place Category A. This award will be used accommodate more people, con- to get a book, a video, a magazine for further beautification of the li- ducting more activities than one or enjoy the Internet. (It helps that brary. might think possible. Readers, re- the director is the Historian for the The library’s microfilm reels of the searchers, homework-doers, laptop Town of Rockland.) We hope you'll local newspaper The Liberty Register users, tutors, browsers and small visit us whenever you are in the area. from 1878 to 1971 were digitized meetings may be found all at once; and made available online via our with children playing and reading, Sunshine Hall Free website. This has brought much more-or-less quietly, in the neigh- Library, Eldred needed access to these materials for boring room. Patty Kennedy, Director local history buffs and those tracing We look forward with renewed The board of Sunshine Hall Free their family genealogy. spirit to another 75 years of library Library (SHFL) elected a new board services to the great little hamlet of president in 2013 – Sarah Mitchell. Livingston Manor. Livingston Manor Free Mary Paige Lang Clouse has served Library our library board as president for the Peggy Johansen, Director Mamakating Library, past five years. She has been a mem- The Livingston Manor Free Library Wurtsboro ber of the board more years than celebrated 75 years of service in Gregory Wirszyla, Director that, and will hopefully continue for 2013 with monthly programs, No report available many more. But, I want to take this capped off with a humorous presen- opportunity to thank her for all the tation on the history of the library Roscoe Free Library extra work she did as president, and and special recognition of service by Dr. Joyce Conroy, Director for her guidance and diligence. long-time Board President Vera Far- The Roscoe Free Library has en- Thank you Mary Paige! rell. joyed a year of kids, cookies, flow- The other big news this past year The library also coordinated the ers, and visitors. We planted a book- was the addition of a part-time clerk first annual Livingston Manor Labor flower garden in the front of the to our staff. In 97 years, there has Day Parade, an enjoyable Main building, thanks to a mini-grant from been only one part-time librarian on
RCLS 2013 Highlights 29 staff (not the same one for all 97 Cochecton Branch that included the committee of 15 residents met to years, of course). Our volunteers are installation of a new air conditioning discuss the formation of a Free Li- amazing, but additional paid staff unit, plus some much needed new brary Association; a collection of will ensure continued quality of ser- siding on the building. We did not books had been housed in various vice. have to use money from our budget locations since 1903 or earlier, We “Dug into Reading” this sum- or increase our budget to do any of maintained as a lending library. From mer. Attendance to the program was our renovation or construction pro- this intent the Cragsmoor Free Li- down, but enthusiasm was undimin- jects. This is a major accomplish- brary Association formed (1914), ished. We also held our first annual ment for us. and a provisional charter obtained Family Game Night. The Friends of Another amazing accomplishment (1917), making 2013-2014 our SHFL had another successful year, for the WSPL was being able to 100th anniversary year. A building and also elected a new president. partner with the NACL Theater on came to fruition in 1923 when the Circulation, attendance, and pro- their Weather Project, funded cornerstone was laid. Designed by grams continued with only minor through the National Endowment for Frederick S. Dellenbaugh, this changes and fluctuations. the Arts “Our Town” grant. Partici- unique structure was completed and pants in the Summer Reading Pro- opened in July 1925; its foundation Western Sullivan Public gram were able to take part in this and massive fireplace built by Law- Library, Jeffersonville “massive community arts and sci- rence Keir, the structure by Bert ence project designed to bring resi- Goldsmith, and their helpers – all Kristin White, Director dents, artists, and scientists together local craftsmen, whose families re- Our biggest accomplishment for around the subject of the weather main here. Furnishings were largely 2013 at the Western Sullivan Public and climate science” (from NACL memorial gifts, their plaques keeping Library (WSPL) was the completion Theatre’s website). the old names alive. No effort was of the construction and renovation And finally, the year 2013 saw the spared in reaching the goal; for ex- project at the Delaware Free Branch formation of a Friends of the West- ample Mrs. Martin rented rooms in in Callicoon. Since completing both ern Sullivan Public Library group. her home to support the library, she the addition and renovation project Most of 2013 was spent getting or- also catalogued the books. It was a at the Delaware Free Branch, we ganized and getting the group off true community project. have seen an increase in traffic to the ground, but they were able to We are marking this Centennial the library and an increase in our accomplish a lot nonetheless. The Year with various programs; talks circulation. This is mainly due to Friends organized and hosted two with members of old families, poet- being able to spread the library out book sales that benefited the library ry, other events, and a banner. We to all three floors of the building. and its communities. We look for- still provide a social gathering place, We also have a new community ward to an exciting 2014 with lots and create fundraising opportunities room space and new technology of potential and growth for not only that combine fun, entertainment, space which includes more room for the Friends group, but for the WSPL and learning. And, yes, we still our Public Computer Center. We as well! maintain an excellent library! were very fortunate to have received two NYS Library Construction grants, a NYS Main Street grant Ellenville Public Library through Sullivan County’s Division ULSTER COUNTY & Museum of Planning, and a donation from a Pamela Stocking, Director private individual to help pay for the Last year was busy and exciting for addition and renovation project. the Ellenville Public Library & Muse- This was not our only big accom- Cragsmoor Free Library um (EPL&M). We made some great plishment for the year though. We Hattie Grifo, Director infrastructure improvements, in- also saw renovations at the Tusten- As reported in the July 15, 1913 stalling a more powerful Wi-Fi router edition of The Cragsmoor Journal, a
30 RCLS 2013 Highlights and new phones. We also added a community, even outside our library ries, wrapping up another produc- reader’s bench to our Children’s’ walls. tive, busy and eventful twelve Room, upgraded to a newer Early months. Literacy computer and now have a Gardiner Library dollhouse and interactive toys. Nicole Lane, Director Wallkill Public Library The display cases in Terwilliger The beginning of the year started Mary Lou Carolan, Director House, where our local history col- with a culinary bang. A three-part 2013 brought record-breaking lections are kept, were retrofitted cooking series taught enthusiastic community outreach efforts to the with museum quality conservation participants how to make Korean Wallkill Public Library. This in- lighting. We created our first online kimchi and other Korean specialties creased awareness of library pro- exhibit, Yama Farms Calling (check it which then culminated with a five grams enhanced participation in out on our website’s Museum page), course Korean dinner, white table- programming and services and part of a multi-faceted commemora- cloths and all. forged great community partner- tive program for the centennial of In the spring, a collaboration be- ships. Yama Farms Inn, a unique resort in tween the Gardiner Library, Ulster Utilizing an inside-out approach, our area. Sojourner Truth Library Literacy and the Agribusiness Child we created the “traveling librarian” Special Collections at SUNY New Development Center led to a weekly to offer professional library classes Paltz exhibited books from their Ya- ESL class. The library was then to area elementary schools to assist ma Farms collection in our Gallery awarded a grant, allowing us to offer teachers, parents and children with Link for this event, which included a Spanish story hour at the same navigating the Common Core cur- participation by local historic and time as the ESL class. This provided riculum while encouraging a spirit civic groups. We completed our parents who did not have childcare of fun, curiosity and a love of liter- Museum Strategic Plan started in options to participate in the ESL ature. Additionally, we launched 2012. class while their children attended our Summer Reading Program at Our programs were fun and suc- the storytime. A new series of sen- the local elementary school with a cessful, from a winter concert series sory storytimes offered families a professional performance that to author-led book discussions, from storytime-like program that was showcased our offerings and at- hands-on workshops to Summer modified for children with special tracted new audiences to popular Reading. Collaborating with area needs. educational summer events. summer camps, we reached new In June, high school art students To position our library as the target audiences when we dug into organized an art show and reception heart and center of our community, reading – Marble Run Mania was in our community room. It was nice our Friends group purchased color- one of the program’s biggest hits to see so many teenagers in the li- ful chairs for our spacious front (we dug into science, too!). EPL&M brary; a group that’s generally more lawn and signage that invited peo- received another Dutchess County difficult for us to reach. Adult pro- ple to gather and relax on the lawn. Arts Council grant for Cultivating gramming was diverse and included This effort positioned the library as Community Through the Arts, a se- Rob Edelman, a film commentator the community catalyst for leading ries of cultural events that culminat- on WAMC radio, a health and well- the “Vision of Wallkill” downtown ed with a public performance of the ness lecture series and Medea Ben- revitalization group. winter spectacular Into the Light at jamin who spoke about her latest Taking a seat at the leadership Ellenville’s historic Shadowland The- book, Drone Warfare. table, setting the example for com- atre. Local children who trained at In the Fall, an eager group of munity outreach and development, the library danced with the re- community members along with a and reaching out to support our nowned Vanaver Caravan and Arm mediator helped the Library Board schools is an ongoing commitment of the Sea Theater for this inspiring develop ideas for a 3-5 year Strate- of the Wallkill Public Library as a performance that highlighted the gic Plan. The year 2013 came to a vibrant and vital educational organ- invaluable role EPL&M plays in our close with our first winter music se- ization.
RCLS 2013 Highlights 31 Ramapo Catskill Library System 619 Route 17M Middletown, NY 10940-4395 845.243.3747 · FAX 845.243.3739 www.rcls.org
2014 RCLS Board of Trustees Carla Randazzo Amthor Martha Anderson Carl S. Berkowitz Norman R. Gallagher Roslyn Applebaum Hurwitz Bernard Marone Helen Rados Lynn Skolnick Patricia Soto Karen L. Weitzner David Zuckerberg Tracy Allen (non-voting representative of the RCLS Directors’ Association)
Executive Director Robert Hubsher
RCLS MISSION We deliver high-quality consolidated and cooperative services to support member libraries in meeting the needs of their communities. RCLS GOALS 1. Coordinated Services – Offer a clearly defined set of cost effective coordinated or centralized and consulting services designed to enhance local library service and maximize the return from local funds expended. 2. Technology – Enhance and maintain existing automation services and assist member libraries in implementing emerging technologies to improve library service and cooperation. 3. Resource Sharing – Coordinate Central Library and System services to provide a broad range of services, library materials and online resources to support equity of access. 4. Professional Development and Continuing Education – Provide opportunities to member libraries' staff, directors and trustees for the training and skills development needed to support excellent library service. 5. Advocacy – Encourage and support member libraries in their efforts to increase community awareness about public library programs, services and governance. 6. Communication – Maintain and promote effective means of communications with and among member libraries to ensure accountability and cooperation. 7. Organizational Environment – Maintain an organizational environment that allows RCLS to be responsive and accountable to member libraries.
32 RCLS Plan RCLSof Service 2013 2012-2016 Highlights