Grant Opportunity - Preservation Needs Assessment Program

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is seeking applicants to participate in its Preservation Needs Assessment Program. Through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), CCAHA is able to offer a limited number of subsidized preservation needs assessments for $350. The funding also covers the assessor’s travel expenses.

Completing a Preservation Needs Assessment is a key first step in developing a preservation plan for institutions. The preservation needs assessment process encompasses a general evaluation of the institution's preservation needs for their collection(s): environment (temperature, relative humidity, pollution and light), housekeeping, pest control, fire protection, security, and disaster preparedness; collection storage, handling, exhibition, and treatment; and preservation planning. The site visit consists of a review of the site, an examination of the collection(s), and interviews with relevant staff. The written report provides observations, recommendations, and resources to serve as a guide in the development of a comprehensive preservation plan for the collection. In addition to pinpointing areas of concern, the preservation needs assessment is a valuable fundraising tool.

Eligibility: Institutions with paper-based humanities collections that are available to the public on a regularly scheduled basis and that have national or regional significance are encouraged to apply. Additional eligibility requirements are on CCAHA’s web site in the Service/Surveys/Consultation section at http://www.ccaha.org/services/surveys-consultation.

Application Process and Deadline: Application forms and additional information about the Preservation Needs Assessment Program can be found at http://www.ccaha.org/services/surveys-consultation.

All applications must be received by Friday, December 4, 2009.

If you have questions or want to discuss the suitability of this program for your institution, please contact CCAHA’s Preservation Services Office, call (215) 545-0613, go to www.ccaha.org or email pso@ccaha.org.

Workshop - What's New in YA Literature

Date: Monday, December 7, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Place: BOCES Gick Road Training Center, 27 Gick Road, Saratoga Springs
Presenter: Kathleen Odean
Cost: $35

In this lively one-day workshop with area school and public librarians, Kathleen Odean will introduce the best recently published books for teens in grades six through twelve. She will share practical strategies and tips for promoting and evaluating the best books for teens. There will be opportunities to share ideas and favorite titles with each other. Register by November 23 through the form, located here.

Webinar - Sweet Talk : Romance Fiction in the Library

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Place: Online https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/354863994
Cost: Free

Romance is hot . . . in the library, that is. Join Donna Seaman, Booklist's romance fiction editor, and a panel of librarians, authors, and publishers to discuss the state of the genre—in public libraries and in the marketplace.

Register for this free webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/354863994

Webinar - Helping Job Seekers in the Library

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: Online http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/313/index.html
Cost: Free

Your library has been helping the unemployed and underemployed (aka job seekers) in your community for a long time. However, the declining economy over the past year has dramatically increased the demands on library staff, services, and resources. Would you like to learn about some successful programs in other libraries? Do you wonder if there are some new ideas you could try for getting patrons started? Would you like to know the resources other libraries recommend to job seekers? Are you interested in partnerships but feel unsure who to talk to?

This webinar will help you by introducing three successful programs, giving you a fresh look at getting started in helping job seekers, providing information about some "best resources", and exploring agencies and organizations you may consider partnering with.

To attend this webinar, just visit the link above on November 10 starting at 2:30 PM. There is no need to preregister for this webinar.

Webinar - Emergency Preparedness Basics for Libraries

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (note: registration lists time in Central time, so says 2-3 PM)
Place: Online http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/emergencybasicslibraries/index.html
Cost: Free

Join Dr. Julie Todaro, Dean of Austin Community College Libraries as she gives library staff a short list of essentials associated with emergency management for the library. Julie will share tips from her book, Emergency Preparedness for Libraries, published by Government Institutes in August 2008. Julie's book offers libraries a tool for examining various emergency and disaster scenarios. It is unique in its emphasis on how library management may prepare for and respond to foreseen and unforeseen circumstances. Register for this free webinar by clicking on the link above.

Contact Your State Legislators

As you may know, the Governor has proposed mid-year budget cuts to close a $3 billion budget deficit. The proposal includes a 10% across the board cut to all state aid programs like Library Aid, which will result in a $3.3 million reduction in funding for library services. School Aid will be cut by 4.5%.

The proposed $3.3 million reduction in Library Aid is on top of the $8 million cut imposed back in April and the $3 million cut sustained last year. If the proposed cuts are approved, it will reduce Library Aid to $88 million or 1998 level of funding. With library usage continuing to increase and people of all ages depending on libraries to improve their literacy, computer and internet skills and the unemployed using libraries to search for new careers and employment, now is not the time for further cuts for library services.

Please contact your state legislators to ask them to reject the Governor’s proposed cuts. Libraries have already done their fair share towards reducing the state’s budget shortfalls, other alternatives need to be used before asking the library community to take further cuts. These proposed cuts impact all types of libraries and library systems, public, college, schools, etc.

Go to www.nyla.org or www.mvls.info and click on Library Advocate icon to send fax/email to your state legislators.

DK's Open Me Up Sweepstakes

From the creators of the award-winning Pick Me Up and Do Not Open comes Open Me Up—a full-throttle tour of the human body! From now through December 1, enter to win a set of DK's top fall titles. Fill out the quick form here for your chance to win!

Grant Opportunity - Romance Writers of America

The Romance Writers of America Library Grant is designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand its romance fiction collection and/or host romance fiction programming. The grant consists of $4,500 to be used toward the purchase of romance fiction, author honorariums and travel expenses, and other applicable program expenses.

Visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaawards/romancewritersgrant/index.cfm for complete information and to link to a grant application form. Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2009.

Workshop - Basics of Archives

Date: Friday, November 13
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Place: Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls
Presenter: Susan D'Entremont, Regional Archivist
Cost: $22, includes lunch

This workshop is an introductory course aimed at people who work with historical records but are not trained archivists. It is especially helpful to staff and volunteers at small institutions. Complete program description and registration form is available at http://cdlc.org/pdfs/BasicsArchivesWorkshopRegistration.pdf. The registration deadline is November 5.

Workshop - Energy Smart Students Workshop for Librarians

Dates and Locations:
Friday, October 23, Saratoga Springs Public Library
or
Friday, December 4, William K. Sanford Town Library, Colonie

Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching children and families to be energy smart? Increase your energy IQ in this interactive, hands-on program! Explore energy basics – energy forms and sources, energy efficiency, and renewable energy – and learn techniques for integrating energy into educational programs for students in Grades K-6.

These FREE workshops are open to school and public librarians and offer the following:
- FREE curriculum aligned to the New York State Learning Standards
- FREE posters, student worksheets, and annotated bibliography materials
- Professional development credit
- Refreshments
- Substitute stipends for school librarians

Additionally, once you’ve attended a workshop, you gain access to additional resources & opportunities:
- FREE Energy Smarts newsletter
- Applications for $500 education grants
- Teacher and student competitions
- On-line resources and access to information on what is new and exciting in the world of energy!

For more information, contact 1-877-NY-SMART option 6 or info@nyess.org. To register, please visit http://www.getenergysmart.org/EnergyEducation/WorkshopDetails.aspx?type=Course&co=15