Director Briefing - June 9, 2025

System-Wide Community Survey for 2025 Long Range Planning Cohort

We're excited to announce a system-wide community survey designed to gather valuable insights from library users across our network. This survey will run from *June 16 through July 14, 2025* and is specifically designed to support libraries participating in the 2025 Long Range Planning Cohort.

Survey Details

The survey aims to collect community feedback that will inform strategic planning efforts and help libraries better understand and serve their communities' needs. While this initiative is tied to our Long Range Planning Cohort, the insights gathered will benefit the entire library system.

Participation

Participation in distributing this survey is *voluntary* for all libraries. We recognize that each library knows its community best and can determine the most appropriate way to engage with patrons. However, we strongly encourage participation as the broader the response, the richer the data will be for everyone.

Benefits for All Libraries

Even libraries not participating in the 2025 Long Range Planning Cohort will benefit from this initiative. We will generate a comprehensive report based on the survey results that will be shared system-wide, providing valuable community insights that all libraries can use to enhance their services and planning efforts.

Next Steps

The survey link and additional distribution materials will be included in next Monday's Director Briefing.

Thank you for considering participation in this important system-wide initiative. Your community's voice will help shape the future of library services across our network.

Reminder: Oath of Office for July-June FY Libraries

Pursuant to New York State Public Officer's Law §10, all public library Trustees must take and file an Oath of Office within 30 days of the start of their term. If an oath isn't properly taken and filed on time, the Trustee's position is considered vacated (per NYS Public Officer's Law §30(1)(h)). This applies to new Trustees as well as to incumbent Trustees beginning a consecutive term.

If a Trustee starts their term on July 1, 2025, their oath of office must be filed before Thursday, July 31, 2025, or they will no longer be on your Board.

Please let me know if you have any concerns about oaths of office. There are various ways to correct issues if they come up.

While oaths of office are not required for Trustees of association libraries, it is a good practice to take and file them, regardless, as a public demonstration of accountability and transparency.

Trustee Academy | Playback Issue Corrected

It was brought to our attention that videos on the Trustee Academy and Director Academy were unable to be paused or replayed. This issue has been corrected.

Let Piety know if you run into any trouble with the Trustee Academy or Director Academy.

June Director Meeting: Friday, June 27 at 10 AM at System HQ

The June Director Meeting had to be rescheduled, and will be held at OWWL HQ on Friday, June 27 at 10 AM. The topic will be Collection Management.

As a reminder, these are informal meetings at OWWL HQ on topics pertinent to Directors, with time for chit-chat following. These meetings are held at 10 AM on the first Friday (except in June) of the month opposite OWWLDAC. In 2025, the remaining Director Meetings will be held on June 27, August 1, and October 3.