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01/31/2025
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Two people at a shared work table looking at a laptop. Text overlay: Black History Month Webinars from the Division of Library Development

The New York State Library’s Division of Library Development is excited to announce two scheduled webinars for February in celebration of Black History Month. Please read on for descriptions and registration details.

The Handbook of Black Librarianship – Past, Present, and Future

The Handbook of Black Librarianship was first published in 1977, intended to “provide reference information on the relationship of Afro-Americans to various aspects of librarianship and libraries.” Compiled and edited by E.J. Josey during his time as Chief of the Bureau of Specialist Library Services for the New York State Library, this volume provided resources for developing African/Afro-American collections, program guidance for serving Black youth, directories of library school programs primarily attended by Black students, and essays from Black educators, writers, librarians, and more. A second edition was published in 2000, adding to and updating the first volume.  

A third edition has just been published, edited by Andrew "Sekou” Jackson, Marva L. Deloach, and Michele Fenton. Beyond updating previous volumes, the new edition adds over 70 new essays on Vital Issues, Service to Our Communities, Library Technology, Wisdom from Retirees, Global Issues, and Banned Books and Censorship. In this webinar, you will hear from the editors about their relationship to the Handbook, how this edition came to be, and how you can use it to engage with your library and its community.  

Register for The Handbook of Black Librarianship

 

The Journey to Freedom Project – Preserving Local Stories from the Civil Rights Movement

The Journey to Freedom project has recorded the stories of women and men from the Capital Region of New York who participated in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Many traveled to the segregated Deep South. Others were active in their home communities. All worked to advance social justice. Their stories highlight the powerful impact that regular folks can have in effecting change, and the importance of documenting the histories of everyday heroes.  

Siena College professor Dr. Paul Murray and co-producer educator Donald Hyman  worked with videographers Kirk Daniels and Zebulon Schmidt to record and make publicly available the histories of 15 activists. Attendees of this webinar will learn the history of this project, its development process, and ways they can undertake similar projects in their home communities. 

Register for The Journey to Freedom Project: Preserving Local Stories from the Civil Rights Movement

Both sessions will be recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend live; to receive the recording link, please register and it will be automatically sent to you. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these events, please reach out to Tor Loney at tor.loney@nysed.gov

01/28/2025
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Two people reviewing a table full of printed documents. Text overlay: DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services

We're excited to announce that applications are open for Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025

Offered at no cost to qualifying New York State collecting institutions, Planning & Assessment Services connect organizations with DHPSNY specialists to assess preservation practices, deliver tailored recommendations, and develop actionable plans uniquely suited to your organization’s needs.

We are accepting applications for the following services for consideration in the spring 2025 review period:

  • Preservation Surveys: Comprehensive evaluations of preservation needs, addressing areas like building conditions, collections care, and emergency preparedness.
  • Condition Surveys: A detailed assessment of preservation needs for a specified set of materials; for organizations that have already completed a Preservation Survey.
  • Archival Needs Assessments: Holistic reviews of archival programs, covering collections management and administration.
  • Strategic Planning Assistance: Guidance from a trained facilitator to develop a three-year strategic plan.

Learn More and Apply

Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a program of the New York State Archives and New York State Library to provide service and support for the state’s archival and library research collections. 

01/23/2025
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Companion Information in support of New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students 

The New York State Education Department and the New York State Library are committed to safeguarding the rights of individuals including both citizens and noncitizens. This information highlights and clarifies relevant resources for public and association libraries to support efforts to safeguard immigrants and noncitizens, considering recent threats of increased federal immigration actions in our communities. While the information does not address local policies that may afford additional protections, libraries should be aware of all policies, regulations, and laws governing their operations. To the extent that questions arise regarding compliance, we encourage libraries to contact their regional public library system or the New York State Library. 

Free Direct Access and Minimum Standards for Public Libraries

Free Direct Access in accordance with Commissioner’s Regulations §90.3, ensures the broadest possible access to information for all New Yorkers, regardless of circumstance. Library card eligibility and access to services should never be determined by an individual’s immigration status. Library policies that thwart equal access to resources may expose libraries to legal liability and undermine the role of public libraries. Each public library system has a state-approved free direct access plan which outlines these responsibilities, and every library must comply with the plan to receive state aid.  

Additionally, libraries must also comply with Commissioner’s Regulations §90.2, Standards for Registration of public and association libraries or commonly known as “minimum standards," to maintain their library registration. Minimum standards for public and association libraries require that every library has a community-based long-range plan that outlines their commitment to providing equitable library access to all residents and written policies for its operation.  

To ensure that all residents are welcome in New York’s public libraries, we remind libraries that they must work to break down any discriminatory barriers to library services including those that discourage immigrant residents from accessing library services. Libraries should consider all federal and state human rights laws and laws protecting personal information when considering their policies for registering for a library card. Libraries should therefore consider various proofs of residency for library card eligibility and make the list of acceptable forms of documentation publicly available. Libraries should not request a Social Security Card, a Social Security Number, or any information that would reveal the immigration status of an individual.  

In addition to the patron record, any records retained as part of the registration process could be subject to a subpoena, and it is recommended that documentation used to verify library card eligibility not be retained. Moreover, libraries are obliged to provide access to library services for individuals experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing, including migrant shelters. Libraries should review their policies and practices to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness may also use their public library.

Protecting Confidentiality of Library Records

Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) §4509 prohibits access to any library record that contains names or other personally identifying details or that links the name of a library user to any library material, information request, or any other use of the library. Libraries are obligated to protect patron confidentiality, and with that, libraries are encouraged to collect as little personally identifying information as possible and should consider practices around library card eligibility, computer usage, program registration, and other activities that might involve the collection of personal data.

Libraries may not provide library patron records to federal or local law enforcement officials unless presented with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. If a federal or local law enforcement official requests library patron information, a library should not disclose the information and should instead request a subpoena or other documentation upon which the request is based. Upon receipt thereof, the library should refer to their Law Enforcement Inquiry Policy and contact their attorney before disclosing any patron information. See the intellectual freedom, censorship, and privacy section of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State (2023 Edition) for more information about patron privacy and related policies. 

In addition, we recommend that libraries:

  • Review their policies around library card applications, computer use, and the management of patron records.  
  • Review practices to ensure that the library is not collecting information that may inadvertently disclose a library patron’s immigration status. This may include place of birth, nationality, or passport information.
  • Libraries are encouraged to develop policies that limit the amount of personally identifying information collected and retained. In general, it is best practice to limit the personally identifying information collected or retained to minimize the library’s liability against data breaches.  
  • Ensure library staff, trustees, and contractors are informed of library policies and trained in practices required to support these policies.  

Appendix: Resources

Governor’s Office Resources for New Yorkers 

Office of the New York State Attorney General Resources

Other Resources

  • Check with your Public Library System Director for help understanding other local and regional laws, policies, and resources.  
  • Refer to the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State (2023 Edition) to review your obligations as a library trustee. 
  • The Office of New Americans hotline number is available for anyone looking for referrals to legal services or other support. Call 1-800-566-7636, Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 8 PM. All calls are confidential and information is available in 200+ languages. The Office of New Americans also provides Know Your Rights resources.

For questions regarding this information, contact the New York State Library at statelibrarian@nysed.gov

01/23/2025
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Overhead view of people working at a board room table. Text overlay: Trustee Handbook Book Club

Join co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and friends for the fun and informative Trustee Handbook Book Club series! At each session, trustees will take a deeper dive on a topic relevant to their role and responsibilities as a library trustee. The topic for the first session, which took place on Wednesday, January 22, was Advocacy.  

Future Sessions

Registration information for these sessions is available on the Trustee Handbook Book Club webpage. All sessions run 5-6:30 PM. 

  • Wednesday, April 30: Board Development: Recruitment, Orientation, Education and Evaluation
  • Tuesday, July 15: Recruiting & Retaining Quality Staff
  • Tuesday, November 18: Next Level Trusteeship: Building an Effective and Impactful Board Culture with guest speaker Terry Kirchner, Executive Director, Westchester Library System

Archived Sessions

The archive of recorded sessions is available. All count towards the 2 hours of required education for public and association library trustees. Additionally, each season an “After Party” session of the Trustee Handbook Book Club is held to answer audience questions that were not covered during the live sessions. The latest “After Party” recording is now available to view on the Trustee Handbook Book Club webpage.

01/23/2025
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Person sitting on a car hood and holding open a large road map. Text overlay: Plan Your Visit

While you’re visiting the Cultural Education Center to view an exhibit or attend a program, why not use the opportunity to spend some time in the NYS Library? We have exciting collections to explore and knowledgeable staff to help. We encourage library visitors to prepare in advance to make the best use of their library time. Here are some steps to take in advance: 

Identify Materials 

The NYS Library maintains a number of online resources to support your research. Before your visit, you can browse an A-Z list of all NYS Library collections. You can also check out our catalog guide for tips on tracking down items across our collections. If you’d like some further guidance, don’t hesitate to Ask a Librarian! Reference librarians can advise you about the types of materials that may be relevant to your research.

Visitors can also request that materials be retrieved in advance and made ready for use upon arrival. If you plan to visit our Manuscripts and Special Collections unit, be sure to make an appointment.

Get Familiar with Library Policies 

It may be helpful to review library policies as you plan out your visit. Check out our policies around On-site Use of Library Materials or get familiar with the rules of the MSC and Archives Research Room.

While you’re at it: why not check for Upcoming Public Programs? The NYS Library offers monthly public programs, and many of them cover using our collections and completing onsite research.

Make a Parking Plan 

The NYS Library is located in the Cultural Education Center in downtown Albany, but you don’t have to sweat parking on the day of your visit! We have tips on metered parking and visitor lots, as well resources for scouting traffic conditions and lodgings. You can find that information on our Visiting the Cultural Education Center page. 

01/23/2025
No Subjects
Overhead view of a team of people piling their hands together over a work table. Text overlay: Catching Up with the Digital Equity Academy

On December 16, 2024, the NYS Library Digital Equity Academy had its first virtual meeting, facilitated by library technology expert Carson Block and DLD staff. Thirty-three library and library system staff, representing school, public, and academic libraries from all across the state came together to meet and discuss digital equity in libraries. This is the first session of a seven-month continuing education program covering essential aspects of digital equity, from understanding its importance to developing and implementing effective strategies. 

Subjects include:

  • Visioning and assessment
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Digital equity planning 
  • Design and implementation of those plans
  • Funding opportunities
  • Promotion and programmatic sustainability

Check out our previous post about the Digital Equity Academy.

01/10/2025
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Professional portraits of Danielle Berchtold, Hope Dunbar, and Reanna Esmail against a blue background. Text overlay: Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, Welcome New Members

As of January 2025, the NYS Library welcomes three new members to the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries. Join us in getting to know our new RAC members! 

Danielle Berchtold

Danielle (Dani) Berchtold is a trustee and the president of the Board at the Apalachin, NY Library. She became involved in the Library as a trustee in 2021 and has provided leadership and support during a period when the long-time library director retired and a new director was hired. Since 2014, Dani has served as the Senior Associate to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at SUNY Broome Community College. She works with academic programs and curriculum, academic policies and procedures, the college catalog, and is a member of the academic leadership team. She taught as an adjunct instructor in the social sciences for fifteen years.  

Prior to working in higher education, Dani worked for regional community organizations. She worked at Southern Tier AIDS Program as a case manager, health educator, and program coordinator, then at the Rural Health Network as a health advocate and an AmeriCorps program director. Dani is passionate about the importance of connecting people and resources and is eager to participate in work that fosters synergy. 

Hope Dunbar

Hope Dunbar is the University Archivist at the University at Buffalo, where she leads the ongoing operations of the University Archives, building and promoting its collections through outreach, donor relations, and partnerships. With a robust background in archival management, Dunbar applies best practices to ensure access to the university’s rich manuscript and archival collections. She is also actively involved in grant writing and development to support archival projects and services. Prior to joining the University at Buffalo, Dunbar spent seven years as a Special Collections Archivist at SUNY Buffalo State University, where she worked extensively on processing, digitizing, and managing special collections, while fostering community engagement and enhancing archival services through collaborative initiatives.

Dunbar holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a specialization in Archives & Special Collections from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University, College of Law. She is a Certified Archivist and has served in various leadership roles within the archival community, including as a board member for the Society of American Archivists Foundation. Dunbar has contributed to the academic and local community through numerous exhibitions, publications, and presentations, with a particular focus on LGBTQ history and Western New York regional collections. Her professional achievements have earned her accolades such as the Parkside Partner Award and the Western New York Library Resources Council’s Excellence in Library Service Award. 

Reanna Esmail

Reanna Esmail is the lead librarian for instruction at Cornell University. Working in Olin Library’s Research and Learning Services Department, she oversees the library’s information literacy program, provides in-person and virtual reference help, and supports the research and collection needs of Asian American studies, game studies, media studies, and philosophy. Prior to her promotion in July 2021, Reanna was the outreach and engagement librarian at Cornell and previously a digital asset management intern at the Corning Museum of Glass. She holds an MS in library and information science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an MA in English from the Freie Universität Berlin, and a BA in English from the University of California, Berkeley. Reanna is currently a co-primary investigator on an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)–funded grant project to create open educational resources for algorithmic literacy and Association for Research Libraries Leadership and Career Development Program Fellow. She is also a Minnesota Institute alum, columnist for American Libraries magazine, and Library Freedom Project member.  

As a library instructor, Reanna is particularly interested in critical pedagogy and providing services for various campus communities, especially those that have historically been underserved and underrepresented. Her research interests include intellectual freedom, targeted online harassment self-defense, data brokerage, and algorithmic literacy. 

01/10/2025
Handwritten recipe resting on an open cookbook. Text overlay: family History Blog Exclusive Recipe.

A little Tasting History – Family History Recipes bonus content for you! 

Sadly, one of our chefs wasn’t able to be with us on tasting day so we couldn’t try their dish along with all the others we’ve shared with you. Thankfully, they shared the written recipe and now you have a chance to check it out! 

Here it is, exclusively shared on our blog, the recipe for Heather’s “Gram’s Susies, aka Crepes.” 

Recipe: Gram’s Susies, aka Crepes

My recipe inspiration comes courtesy of my maternal grandmother who prepared crepes for me and my sister when we were children. This was a special treat at her house, and she always happily obliged when we pleaded for them after a sleepover. Gram was born in Maine and proudly came from a long line of French-Canadians. In fact, French was her first language. For reasons unbeknownst to me, she always referred to any kind of crepe as “Crepes Suzette”, aka, the famous dessert that comes smothered in flaming orange liqueur. Crepes Suzette was then shortened to Susies. She most certainly was not serving us flambeed breakfast, but somehow the name stuck and we lovingly will forever refer to crepes as Susies.* She always served them with brown sugar and sometimes strawberries, which is still my favorite way to enjoy this family classic. - Heather 

*Bonus content: Below is a copy of a letter written to my sister in 1997 that confirms the correct spelling of Susie, direct from the source.

Short handwritten note in cursive from Gram to Heather's sister. In the first paragraph, the word

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbs sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbs butter, melted

Directions:

  • Whisk all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined, or preferably combine in a blender for 30 seconds. For best results, chill the batter for several hours or overnight.
  • Heat a lightly buttered griddle or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto the pan. Tilt and swirl the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly, the thinner the better.
  • Cook 1-2 minutes until the bottom has turned light brown. Use a spatula to loosen the crepe; gently flip and cook until the other side has turned light brown, about 1 minute more. 
  • Serve hot, topped with desired toppings (sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, whipped cream, fruit, Nutella, etc.)

Bon Appetit!



 

01/03/2025
A hearty scoop of pasta e fagioli in a paper bowl with a colorful border.

The final recipe in this series of Family History Recipes comes from Natalie. She brought in Grandma Riggio's Pasta e Fagioli. Natalie also shared last week’s recipe with us to be sure to check it out! 

Natalie said that this recipe was from her Italian grandma, who “was raised during the Great Depression. Because she was raised and lived in prolonged poverty, I believe this is one of her recipes she would use when she had no money because she always had these ingredients in her house.”

Who doesn’t love a hearty soup recipe in the cold winter months? This one will fill you up and keep you going, that’s for sure! Taste Tester Francis was all smiles as he went in for a quick sniff test. He had a bite and chewed thoughtfully, coming back with another smile, pleased with this simple but yummy soup! 

Taste Tester Francis smiles knowingly while doing the sniff test.

Taste Tester Francis leans into his first bite.

Taste Tester Francis smiles over his bowl of pasta e fagioli.

 

Recipe: Grandma Riggio's Pasta e Fagioli

My Italian grandma was raised during the Great Depression. Because she was raised and lived in prolonged poverty, I believe this is one of her recipes she would use when she had no money because she always had these ingredients in her house. She was a (Long Island) famous seafood cook in her heyday until she started having heart issues and always knew how to make a beautiful meal out of saltines, ketchup, and a tin of fish.

These days, I make this in bulk and freeze it for whenever we're sick, tired, when our friends welcome children into their lives, and to just have around whenever one of us wants it for dinner. It also makes a good baby food to blend when babies are cleared to have beans. - Natalie 

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound small shaped pasta (ditalini, macaroni, etc.)
  • 2 cans cannellini beans
  • 6 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons oil (I use regular olive oil made for sautéing)
  • 1 cup water
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

  • Cook pasta to al dente.
  • Add water, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper to a pot. Cook until veggies are soft. Add beans, simmer for 3 minutes. Mix cooked pasta with bean and veggies. Serve with extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parm/Romano cheese.
     
Field is required.