NYS Library Blog

On April 15, 2025, the NYS Library held a T3/Transforming Teen Services workshop. The full day workshop was hosted by the Mid York Library System and was facilitated by two trainers from the NY T3 team: Stephanie Markham and Kenneth Roman. Thirty attendees participated, representing public libraries from six different public library systems.

The focus of the workshop was on Connected Learning, one of the core concepts of Teen Services. Attendees learned about the principles of Connected Learning and how to connect theory to practice for developing or enhancing teen programs in their libraries and for reaching out to and working with teens in their communities. There were many lively discussions, networking, and sharing of ideas for connecting and working with teens!

Calling all teen librarians! 

The New York State Library is hosting an interactive training on Connected Learning from the Transforming Teen Services framework, presented by Stephanie Markham and Kenneth Roman. Connected learning explores the library's role at the intersection of teens' interests, relationships, and opportunities for the future. 

This day-long participatory workshop and networking opportunity will occur at the Mid-York Library System in Utica. We'll provide light lunch and refreshments, but attendees or their libraries will pay for travel costs. CE certificates will be emailed to workshop participants after the workshop's conclusion. 

Registration is filling up fast, so don't delay! Register today! 

Questions? Contact Sharon Phillips, Youth Services Program Manager.

Transforming Teen Services (T3) is a training initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and was originally funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Smokey Bear

Throughout 2024, New York State partnered with the Collaborative Summer Library Program and the USDA/Forest Service to promote and support the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge in libraries across the state and the country. A survey offered in fall 2024 was responded to by 134 libraries. These public libraries indicated that during the summer and fall of 2024 over 6,000 people engaged with the challenge at their libraries. Libraries used the free materials, resources, and reading lists made available through this partnership with the USDA/Forest Service and CSLP in many different events and learning activities for all ages. Libraries found creative ways to promote the challenge and raise awareness and appreciation of nature and outdoor activities as well as fire safety and prevention.  

Youth Services Basics Course

A new and comprehensive Youth Services Basics online course will be available soon on the NYS Library’s Moodle platform. This course is appropriate for public library staff who are brand new to Youth Services or for staff who are looking for a refresher in specific areas. There are four different sections in the online course, and staff will have an opportunity to complete selected modules or take the entire course at their own pace. Staff will be able to earn a certificate of completion that can be used towards professional development hours by taking a short quiz and completing a brief survey after each section. The course is designed so that it can be updated as needed and appropriate content can be included or changed.  

Additional Opportunities

Update on training and professional development opportunities for public libraries: the State Library is coordinating a Transforming Teen Services in-person workshop training to occur April 15 at Mid York Library System – attendees will learn about Connected Learning and ways to reach underserved teens in their communities. A 5-week session of Supercharged Storytimes for All early literacy training will be held online this spring, for public library staff working with young children and their families.  An early literacy statewide webinar on sensory storytimes is being planned for April 2025.  

On February 11, the NYS Library will host a statewide webinar on the Erie Canal bicentennial taking place in 2025. This webinar is intended to help libraries with program planning at their libraries and in their communities and will share information on Erie Canal resources to engage youth and families to learn more about this important transportation route in American history. Full details and a link to register can be found on the NYS Library Calendar of Events.  

Update: The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program grant application will be released soon. In order to apply, applicants will need to have a Memorandum of Agreement with the Dollywood Foundation for participation as a Local Program Partner in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library by the application deadline.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a community-based program mailing free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until their 5th birthday, no matter their income. Local Program Partners enroll children within their selected community and pay, on average, $2.20 per child/per month towards wholesale book and mailing costs.

To encourage participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, The New York State Legislature has appropriated $500,000 to be awarded through a competitive grant program.

Funds will be available to libraries, library systems, non-profits, school districts, and BOCES in New York State. Individual grants will be limited to a maximum of $49,000 to pay up to 50% of a Local Program Partner’s costs from the Imagination Library.  

Please visit the Imagination Library website for more information on the book gifting program and the process to become a Local Program Partner. We encourage any organization interested in becoming a Partner to begin the process prior to the grant application announcement.  

The grant application announcement and guidelines will be posted to the Division of Library Development website once released. You may also sign up for the NYLINE list, where the announcement will be shared by email.

Questions may be sent to NYSLImaginationLibrary@nysed.gov. 

Autobots, roll out…. and sign up for a library card today! Did you know that September is Library Card Sign-up Month? This year, The American Library Association has partnered with companies such as Skybound, Hasbro, and Image Comics to create Transformers themed supplies and graphics such as bookmarks, library cards, and posters in English and Spanish which feature art by Marz Jr. 

Be sure to check out the ALA Toolkit for even more ideas to help your library and community celebrate and promote library card sign up and use via social media graphics and templates.  

Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or just a book lover, your local library holds an arsenal of resources. By signing up for and using your library card, borrowers can upgrade their reading skills, expand their knowledge, and connect with other readers. ALA’s Transformers themed supplies are an effective way for libraries to encourage those in the community to sign up for a library card and become more involved in their local library. 

The Brooklyn Public Library has strategies for library staff and librarians to talk to families and caregivers about voting and voter registration. Librarians can register for the Brooklyn Public Library’s Voter Registration Storytime webinar and learn how to share non-partisan voter information to educate families about voter registration. The webinar will feature guest speakers who will present information on voter registration resources, engagement talking points, and even fun voting activities for children. 

This webinar will be held on Thursday, August 29th at 2 PM, and registration is required. The webinar will be recorded for those who can’t attend live, but registration is required to get access to the recording. Register now and learn more about how you can educate families about voter registration!