Director Briefing - June 26, 2023

System Board Meeting Follow-Up from June 14, 2023

• System Board Meeting Agenda
  • Updated the Systems Access and Confidentiality of Library Records Policy – Member Library Agreement based on Member Library feedback (Trustee Workshop scheduled on Monday, August 7, 2023)
    • Systems Access and Confidentiality of Library Records.pdf
    • Member Library Agreement Form.pdf (I will be emailing this out to Board Presidents soon)
• June Executive Director's Report
• Approved an RFP for Audit Services (if you need it as a sample, let me know)
• Added the updated Sexual Harassment Policy to the System's Employee Handbook (make sure you update yours as well and have staff sign off that they received the updated version)
• Reviewed/Updated the System Strategic Plan
• Approved the Construction Aid Allocations for the FY 2024 Aid Cycle (Libraries have been notified)

Reports of FBI Visits to Libraries

Some of my System colleagues have reported that their member libraries have received visits from FBI representatives inquiring about threats or protests related to the LGBTQ community. The nature of their investigation has been vague, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up. So far this has only happened on Long Island and other Systems east of us. I'll keep you posted if I hear of anything happening closer to us.

Mixer at Star Cider

We are once again hosting a pre-conference get-together the evening before the Small Libraries Summer Symposium. Please join us at Star Cider in Canandaigua on Thursday, July 6 at 6pm. Food and beverage will be available for purchase (SLSS registrants will receive one drink token). This event is open to all. Please click here to RSVP.

OSC Webinars

This month, two great webinars were produced by the Office of the State Comptroller. Below are the slides in case you are interested in taking a look.

• Seeking Competition in Procurement - Slides
• Understanding the Budget Process - Slides

Trustee Workshop Recording

Trustee Handbook Bookclub: Financial Planning & Budgeting - Recording

Resources:

• Audits of Public Libraries (Office of the State Comptroller)
  • Top Five Most Common Findings for Libraries (Director Briefing - March 13, 2023)
• Related Local Government Management Guides (Office of the State Comptroller)
  • Reserve Funds
  • Seeking Competition in Procurement
• Public Library District Toolkit: Strategies to Assure Your Library’s Legal and Financial Stability (New York State Library)
  • Public Library District Facilities (New York State Library)

NYLA Updates

NYLA Voice

A few highlights from the June 2023 edition of the NYLA Voice.

• Legislative Recap for the 2023 Session by Max Prime
• The release of the Free for All website was highlighted in the Executive Director's Report by AnnaLee Dragon
• The Operations Update with Membership info by Lauren Hoyt
• Good Things, Small Packages is a piece written by our very own Suzanne Macaulay

2023 Velma K. Moore Award

Presented by the Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of NYLA.

The Velma K. Moore Award was established to honor the memory of Velma Moore, one of the charter members of the of The New York State Association of Library Boards (NYSALB), now the Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of New York Library Association (NYLA), and wife of former New York State Lt. Governor Frank C. Moore. Mrs. Moore worked actively for the improvement of library service in New York State from 1947 until her death in 1961.

Mrs. Moore served two terms as president and was a member of the NYSALB Board from its establishment. For thirty-three years Mrs. Moore was also a Trustee of the Kenmore Public Library near Buffalo, New York.

The Award, to be given annually, was originally established in 1962 with a gift from the Moore family. The Award—with its $1500 cash prize--will be announced at the 2023 NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs NY and then personally presented to the recipient, along with a check, payable their library or system of choice, at their home library at a later date.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, June 30, 2023.

VKM nominations sought 2023 04.2023.doc

2023 NYLA Conference

Save the Date: The 2023 NYLA Conference is Wednesday, November 1st - Saturday, November 4th, in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Free for All: New Yorkers for Intellectual Freedom from NYLA

We are thrilled to announce the Free For All: New Yorkers for Intellectual Freedom website has been launched!

Free For All: New Yorkers for Intellectual Freedom is an educational campaign that aims to inform, educate, and activate library industry professionals and library advocates across New York State about the rise of intellectual freedom challenges.

This campaign was developed by a team of fierce library advocates from the New York Library Association, the Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO), the Empire State Library Network (ESLN), and the School Library Systems Association (SLSA).

The website has a plethora of tools for both library industry professionals and library advocates to utilize when faced with intellectual freedom challenges - from resource links to template opinion pieces to talking points when speaking on the importance of protecting intellectual freedom.

This campaign will be an ongoing resource for all to learn more about intellectual freedom, and the challenges we are facing in New York State, and will be a hub for upcoming events like our Intellectual Freedom Support Group.

Join us in educating, informing, and activating our library community around the rise of intellectual freedom challenges TODAY by sharing our website shared below. Together, we can ensure our intellectual freedoms are protected!