Director Briefing - March 17, 2025

Taking Action for IMLS

I'm sure all have heard about Friday's Executive Order advancing the elimination of "non-statutory components and functions" of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Unless your library is receiving or was actively pursuing a grant through IMLS, it is unlikely that the consequences of this Executive Order will directly affect your library. If you'd like to generally understand how IMLS supports library services in New York State, here is a report on IMLS grants 2011-2016 broken down by state ( https://www.imls.gov/our-work/your-state ) and here is a search tool for IMLS programs between fiscal years 2014-2023 ( https://imls-spr.imls.gov/Public/Projects ).

If you would like to take action, ALA and NYLA are looking for support at the links below.

• ALA: Show Up for Our Libraries - Tell Your Story
• NYLA: Defend IMLS Now!
• NYLA: Protect Our Libraries - Increase State Funding Now!

You could also encourage Trustees and community members to become Library Advocates through NYLA .

Resolution on Supporting Competitive Compensation for Library Directors

At its recent meeting, the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees approved the Resolution on Supporting Competitive Compensation for Library Directors. Like our other resolutions, this is not a mandate but rather a recommendation—a statement of System support to member libraries and their boards on important issues.

This resolution was developed in response to ongoing discussions among library directors and board members over the past year regarding fair compensation. Recognizing the critical leadership role of library directors—who oversee operations, manage staff, and shape strategic direction—the Board strongly advocates for competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain qualified professionals.

The resolution encourages libraries to offer salaries at or above the New York State Exempt Salary level when feasible, along with essential benefits such as health insurance, retirement, and paid leave. While acknowledging financial constraints, the Board urges libraries to commit to fair and sustainable compensation that reflects their director’s responsibilities and qualifications.

By investing in strong leadership, libraries can build a foundation for long-term success and ensure high-quality service for their communities.

Resolution on Supporting Competitive Compensation for Library Directors

WHEREAS, the Library Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the library, responsible for overseeing operations, managing personnel, and setting strategic direction in line with community needs;

WHEREAS, the New York State Library Minimum Standards, as outlined in Commissioner’s Regulations Section 90.2, require libraries to employ a paid director, and Commissioner’s Regulations Section 90.8 mandates that the director meet specific qualifications and responsibilities. Therefore, it is essential that the library provide compensation that reflects these qualifications and responsibilities;

WHEREAS, the director’s duties are critical to the library’s success, including planning, implementing, and evaluating services, managing resources, and ensuring high-quality public service to residents;

WHEREAS, a library director’s role is similar to that of other executive leadership positions and warrants a comparable salary and benefits package, including a minimum of health insurance, retirement, and paid leave;

WHEREAS, library directors should be compensated competitively to attract and retain qualified candidates, ideally at or above the New York State Exempt Salary level, or the equivalent for part-time directors;

WHEREAS, the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees recognizes the need for competitive compensation to maintain a strong staff. While the New York State Exempt Salary threshold serves as a useful benchmark, the Board understands that smaller libraries with limited resources may face challenges in meeting this level. In such cases, the Board encourages member libraries to offer a salary commensurate with the director’s qualifications, responsibilities, and the library’s financial capacity. The Board also stresses the importance of securing sustainable funding to support competitive salaries and the long-term success of libraries;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees endorses compensation for Library Directors at or above the New York State Exempt Salary level, or the equivalent for part-time directors, to reflect their professional responsibilities, education, and experience;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Library Directors employed by member libraries should be offered benefits consistent with the significance of their roles, including health insurance, sick leave, paid vacation, retirement benefits, and other appropriate supplemental benefits;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the OWWL Library System Board strongly encourages member libraries to evaluate their compensation packages for Library Directors to ensure they meet the needs of the position and support the long-term leadership and success of the library.

Feel free to share this Resolution with your boards. Let me know if you need any clarification or have any questions on this.

System Board Meeting Follow-Up

The OWWL Library System Board of Trustees met last Wednesday.

• Minutes from March 12, 2025 System Board Meeting
• Resolution on Supporting Competitive Compensation for Library Directors (see above)
• The following policy updates were approved:
  • Collection Management and Circulation Policy (formerly the Selection and Reconsideration of Materials Policy)
  • Email Account and Use Policy
  • System and Member Library Relationship Policy (updated to include Email Account and Use Policy)
  • Systems Access and Confidentiality of Library Records Policy (updated language in certain sections for clarity)

Swank Movie Licensing Renewal 4/1/25-3/31/26

If you recall my write-up on Navigating Copyright Concerns from the February 24 Briefing, Swank is a resource I recommend to any libraries interested in screening movies.

Our movie licensing will be expiring on 3/31/25.

For libraries that are interested in purchasing a movie license, your pricing will depend on how many total libraries join. If 20 to 29 libraries join, your pricing will be under that Group Quote column, but if we have 30 to 42 libraries join your pricing will be under that Group Quote column.

FAQ from Swank.pdf

Sole Source Letter 2.28.24.pdf

OWWL Library System Quote 4.1.25-3.31.26.pdf

Contact Kelly by the end of Tuesday, March 18 with any questions or to join/renew.

Oversized OWWL Library Cards now Available

We received requests for oversized OWWL library cards that can be used for photos or library card sign-up events. Kelly ordered two for us. They are 28" x 22", with the OWWL Library Card design on one side and the OWWL Youth Library Card design (featuring Booklet) on the other.

They are available to member libraries here: https://owwl.libcal.com/reserve/equipment/ReserveEqupment

Contact Piety with questions.

What's New on the Trustee and Director Academies

Newly Added Resources

• Recently Asked Questions | Ron Kirsop, Executive Director of the OWWL Library System, provides answers to frequently-asked questions on topics such as policy, governance, human resources, budget and budget votes, fiscal responsibility, and more. Included in this resource are a selection of Recently Asked Questions.
• Trustee Briefing | Ron Kirsop, Executive Director of the OWWL Library System, provides an overview of the current challenges and issues facing libraries within our System, emphasizing matters relevant to library trustees.

Newly Added Webinars

• FY 2026: State Aid for Library Construction | In this presentation, Suzanne Macaulay, Program Director of the OWWL Library System, discusses the State Aid for Library Construction program. Topics include eligible projects, the procedure to apply, updates from the NYS Division of Library Development, and the approximate timeline of the FY 2026 grant cycle.
• Ask The Lawyer from WNYLRC (10 webinars) | The Western New York Library Resources Council retains an attorney to offer WNYLRC and its members timely input on human resources, intellectual property, digital rights management, vendor contracts, first amendment, civil rights, employment law, and other legal issues that can impact library operations. "Ask the Lawyer" was developed and piloted by the Western New Library Resources Council in 2016 and is now a service to members of all nine regional library councils in New York.

Coming Soon

• Creating an Effective Report to the Community | Matt Corey, consultant for the North Country Library System, explores strategies for creating and distributing your Report to the Community to make the biggest impact. An important state minimum standard for all libraries, your Report to the Community is an indispensible advocacy tool that can communicate your library's value, keep stakeholders connected, and help your library meet its unique goals.
• 2025 FAQs with Ron Part I | Ron will discuss Trustee Questions that have been asked this year. Trustees are welcome to submit questions prior to the event or ask questions during the event. To attend synchronously on Thursday, April 10 at 5 PM, register here .

The direct link to the Director Academy is https://my.nicheacademy.com/directoracademy . Contact Piety with questions.

Special Needs Parent Resource Fair at Webster Public Library on April 19

From RRLC:

We are excited to share that our 3rd annual Special Needs Parent Resource Fair is on Saturday, April 19 from 10am-12pm . If you could share this event with your community to help us spread the information, that would be great. Over 50 organizations will be in attendance to give caregivers and parents of developmentally disabled individuals of all ages information on services and resources. A full list of organizations can be found on the WPL website . Please contact jennifer . paxson @ libraryweb .org with questions.

Registration is recommended .

This Week in OSC Audits

Audit	Key Findings	Takeaways for Libraries
Village of Penn Yan - Procurement	Village officials did not ensure the Chief Water Operator procured all goods and services in accordance with Village policy. As a result, there is an increased risk that the Village paid more than necessary for goods and services or made purchases that were not in the best interest of ratepayers. For example, of the 195 WTP purchases totaling approximately $1.15 million that we reviewed: Competition was not sought for 89 purchases totaling approximately $95,000. Six of the 10 sole source purchases totaling approximately $30,000 lacked documentation to support the goods and services procured were only available from legitimate “sole source” providers. Three water-tight and air-conditioned enclosure purchases were not in the best interest of ratepayers and resulted in $32,000 of unusable parts.	Ensure competitive procurement processes: Always seek multiple bids for purchases when possible to ensure fair pricing. Maintain thorough documentation: Properly document decisions for sole-source purchases and other exceptions. Verify product specifications: Ensure purchased goods meet the intended needs and specifications. Follow established procurement policies: Adhere strictly to internal policies to avoid inefficiency or legal risks.