Director Briefing - November 8, 2022

PLSDAC Agenda

Our Director's Advisory Council meeting will be this Thursday at 10 AM. The agenda and Zoom information can be found here - https://docs.owwl.org/Members/DirectorSAdvisoryCouncilNovember102022

For past meetings, visit https://docs.owwl.org/Members/DirectorsAdvisoryCouncil

System Satisfaction Survey

Each year, Library Systems in New York are required to file a Satisfaction Survey with the Division of Library Development on the progress of their five-year plan. This is different than our Strategic Plan. The goals in our 2022-2026 Plan of Service are more general with a broad view of System work.

This will be the first year for the Plan of Service filed in 2021, however, I can already see that we will need to approve some amendments in 2023 due to changes in aid programs, System activities, and System goals.

Please consider everything the System has done for this survey over the past 12 months. Activities like the Small Libraries Summer Symposium, Trustee Book Club, Traveling Summer Storywalks, email transition to owwl.org, the System name change, and other specific items are not necessarily directly referenced. Your responses will help us evaluate our activities as well as consider amendments to the Plan of Service.

The survey will be open until December 1, 2022.

Click Here for System Satisfaction Survey

Technology Replacement Plans from Kelsy

It can be difficult to know when to replace computers in your library. Oftentimes, it feels wrong to replace a computer that appears to be functioning perfectly fine. But failing to follow a technology replacement plan can lead to multiple computers breaking and needing to be replaced at the same time, which can be catastrophic to your budget and daily operations.

The CANS department recommends budgeting for and replacing 20% of your computer inventory every year. To figure out how many computers this would be, add up the total number of computers in your library (both staff and public) and divide by 5. The result is how many computers you should replace each year.

For example, if you have 20 computers, you should replace four of your oldest computers yearly (if you’re unsure which computers are the oldest, submit a ticket to support@pls-net.org, and we can check our inventory).

Following a technology replacement plan will ensure that you have reliable, functioning computers for your staff and patrons.

System Annual Meeting

There is still time to register for the System's Annual Meeting and Election of Trustees on November 9, 2022 at 6:00 PM.

This meeting will be held online and used to elect two Trustees to our board.

Election of System Trustees

1. Subrata Paul (Wayne County) has been nominated to serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
2. Judith McKinney (Ontario County) has been nominated to serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.

State of the System

Ron Kirsop will give an update on the System's Strategic Plan, discuss successes from 2022, and talk about what is coming in 2023.

You can visit https://pls-net.org/event/system-annual-meeting-election-trustees-state-system to register. The Zoom information will be sent out before the event.

E-Waste Recycling from Kelsy

The System is currently accepting old electronics for recycling until Tuesday, November 22nd. Old Library computers, monitors, printers, network equipment (routers, firewalls, modems), and accessories (mice, keyboards, cables, etc.) can be dropped off at OWWL HQ on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. (Except this Friday, November 11, as we are closed for Veterans Day.)

Please do not send electronic recycling through delivery.

If you need help getting the equipment to our office, or if none of these days/times work for you, please email support@pls-net.org

When dropping equipment off at OWWL HQ, please enter the building by the large meeting room door and let someone in the CANS office know that you are here.

Some of the computers and monitors that are brought in to be recycled may instead be kept and used for System-wide programs. If you would prefer your equipment to go to e-waste recycling, please let us know by email or during drop-off.

Long-Range Planning Cohort

In 2023 I will be supporting libraries with a fairly different planning format than in previous years. Instead of helping libraries one at a time, I will be developing a cohort where we will meet monthly to discuss, plan, and implement activities that will lead to the development of a long-range plan.

Please let me know by December 1, 2022, if you would like to participate in this group.