Director Briefing - July 28, 2025

August 1 Directors Meeting: Alternative Program Ideas

Our next in-person Directors Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 1 at 10:00AM at OWWL HQ.

We’ll focus on alternative programming ideas. Bring ideas, challenges, and examples to share. No Zoom option for this one!

System-Wide Community Survey: Analysis Underway

Thank you for promoting the System-Wide Community Survey to your patrons! I am analyzing the responses now, and look forward to sharing the results with you soon.

2025 Continuing Education Scholarship Application

The OWWL Library System is offering scholarships of up to $700 to support attendance at the 2025 New York Library Association Annual Conference (November 5–8 in Saratoga Springs) or another continuing education event of your choosing. Click here to apply.

This scholarship is supplemental and may be used to offset the cost of:

• Conference registration fees
• Up to three nights’ lodging at the conference hotel rate (excluding sales tax)
• Round-trip mileage between your library and the conference hotel

Applicants must be employees of an OWWL Library System member library in good standing. Awardees are responsible for arranging and paying for their own registration, hotel, and transportation and will submit documentation for reimbursement following the event. All reimbursements must follow the guidelines in the System and Member Library Relationship Policy.

Please note:

• This is not guaranteed full funding; awards are intended to help reduce costs.
• Scholarships are available for NYLA 2025 or other eligible CE opportunity if detailed in your application.
• Preference may be given to first-time attendees or those who have not received OWWL funding in the past two years.

Click here to apply.

Application deadline: September 2, 2025

Let me know if you have any questions.

OSC Audit Reminder: Review Financial Practices Now

A small municipal library south of our System has been selected for an OSC audit, which may signal the start of a new round of library reviews. This is a good opportunity to double-check your compliance. While we don’t yet know the specific focus of this audit, here are some recommended actions:

• Review your financial policies and procedures.
• Revisit past Director Briefings where OSC audits were discussed.
• Confirm your processes align with best practices.

Top 10 Areas OSC Typically Reviews

• Board oversight — Monthly review of bank statements, reconciliations, and claims.
• Claims approval — Board must audit claims before payment.
• Cash receipts — Secure collection, documentation, and deposits.
• Treasurer’s role — Formal office, oath on file, signs disbursement checks.
• Procurement — Competitive bids, documented decisions.
• Budget and fund balance — Realistic budgets, proper use of reserves.
• Payroll and leave accruals — Accurate records, authorized payments.
• Internal controls — Segregation of duties or mitigating practices.
• Financial reporting — Timely, accurate monthly and annual reports.
• Asset management — Inventory logs and reconciliation.

Reach Out, Read On: Alternative Delivery Grant

We appreciate the libraries that have already reached out or met with us to talk things over! We are available to workshop ideas, talk through logistics, or connect you with sample materials. Just reach out to Piety if you’re interested.

Application Deadline: September 1, 2025

This one-time seed or pilot grant is intended to help libraries test or expand new ways of getting library materials directly to patrons. Projects must serve at least one of New York State’s nine targeted outreach populations. Funds may be used for things like postage, mileage reimbursement, promotional materials, or limited temporary staffing.

Action Item: Please remove all Books by Mail promotional materials or website links from your library’s digital and print communications.

Thank you for helping us pilot this service and for continuing to find meaningful ways to reach your communities. We’re looking forward to seeing the local solutions you develop next.

Complete the application here: https://forms.gle/LMmkMnxG1nT6qizJ7

HBR: Tip of the Day

How to Recover from the Emotional Drain of Leadership

Leadership is emotionally taxing. Whether you’re delivering tough news, navigating team changes, or absorbing others’ stress, the emotional labor quietly adds up. Over time, ignoring your own emotions can erode your health, performance, and relationships. To stay resilient, adopt these three recovery practices.

Reflect to build emotional awareness. After a hard moment, pause and ask yourself: What am I feeling? Where do I feel it in my body? What are my emotions telling me? Write down your answers or record a voice memo. Processing your feelings—not suppressing them—helps you move forward without carrying invisible weight. If journaling isn’t for you, talk to a trusted peer. Reflection doesn’t need to take long, but it must be intentional.

Reframe to change your perspective. Emotionally tough experiences can distort how you see yourself or your situation. Ask: What’s the silver lining? How might this help me grow? Reframing isn’t denial—it’s choosing a more empowering narrative. Practice self-compassion by offering yourself the kindness you’d extend to a colleague in the same situation.

Restore to rebuild your energy. You can’t lead well on an empty tank. Protect your emotional reserves by detaching from work, relaxing intentionally, learning something new, and reclaiming control over small parts of your day. These are leadership necessities, not indulgences.

Read more in the article "Leading Is Emotionally Draining. Here’s How to Recover." by Dina Denham Smith