Monday Briefing - April 25, 2022

Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of NYLA

The Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of NYLA is again seeking nominations for the Velma K. Moore Award.

As you may know, 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. Her family established this annual award, which carries a $1,500 cash prize, in her name in 1962 and 2022 will mark the 60thAnniversary of the presentation of this award.

Any individual or group of individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the development of library services in New York State is eligible for nomination. Nominees may include (and in the past have included) trustees, a community member, library boards, or any individual or group who supports libraries. Nominations can be made by anyone in the library community.

Call for 2022 Velma K. Moore Award Nominations.pdf

System Website RFP

We're looking for a WordPress developer to help create the new https://owwl.org website. The RFP can be found here - https://owwl.org/RFP. If your library has had success working with a web designer in the past, I'd be happy to hear about them.

Updates to Open Meetings Law

For Library Boards that meet online, there is a new section of the law that will impact their ability to do so. I am still working through the details, but it looks like starting June 8, 2022 there will need to be a policy in place that governs a board's ability to meet online and at minimum, a quorum of the board will need to meet in person. My plan is to reach out to our attorney to see what policy requirements will be needed. Once I have those I will pass them along to all of you.

PLSDAC Meeting

A PLSDAC Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM. I'll send the agenda out in next week's Briefing.

HBR Tip of the Day - Break Your Procrastination Habit

Do you keep postponing work you need to do? Most of us procrastinate from time to time. Rather than feeling guilty about it, or beating yourself up, try these strategies to break the habit.

• Schedule your deep work. It's easier to put off work that requires concentration. So build time in your daily calendar to focus on your most important long-term project. Having a regular pattern each day will make it less challenging and help make progress feel automatic, rather than cumbersome.
• Learn to accept demanding work. Don’t make the mistake of equating easy work with productivity. The more tolerant you become of demanding tasks, the less you’ll procrastinate. This takes practice; commit to tackling 90 minutes of at least one demanding task each day — not just busy work.
• Create a system for starting new tasks. You’ll be less likely to delay novel tasks if you have a system for approaching them. Have consistent steps you take when you encounter something new to reduce decision fatigue about how to start.
• Use self-compassion. We tend to avoid tasks that stir up negative emotions. Try to identify what you’re feeling exactly, so you can address the emotion head on. Sometimes the negative feelings about a task are driven by a prior experience. You can heal these wounds with compassionate self-talk. Tell yourself, “It’s normal to be disappointed in my past performance. I’m learning through experience.”

This tip is adapted from “How to Stop Procrastinating,” by Alice Boyes

Division of Library Development - April Update

Each month I receive an update from the Division of Library Development. We try to sift through the information and provide it to Directors in an easy to digest way, but to anyone who is interested in the full report, here it is…

2020 Census Information

• The State Library’s 2020 Census Implementation Team continues to work on determining the official 2020 Census populations for the chartered service areas of New York’s 757 public and association libraries.
• The 2020 Census will be used to calculate State FY 2022/2023 State funding allocations. In addition to populating the Library Aid formulas, the 2020 Census data will also be used to populate public library system and local library annual reports beginning with the 2022 Annual Reports due to the State Library in Spring 2023.
• An announcement from the State Library will be made when the 2020 Census populations for all public libraries in the State are determined and finalized.

State Funding for Libraries 2022/2023

The FY22/23 State Budget passed by the Legislature on April 8 included the following appropriations for libraries and library systems:

• Library Aid - $99.627 million
• State Aid for Library Construction - $34 million
• Love Your Library Fund Special Revenue for Summer Reading - $150,000

The State Library will notify systems via the NYLINE-P, R and S listservs when the 22/23 Library Aid Charts are publicly available on the State Library’s website. The State Library is unable to respond to questions about specific allocations for libraries or systems until such time as the 22/23 Library Aid Charts are made publicly available. Thank you for your understanding.

State Aid for Library Construction

• State Aid for Library Construction
• A webinar “Understanding SHPO: A Primer for Library Construction projects” was held on Wednesday, April 6 from 10:30am-Noon. SHPO staff provided a great synopsis of the requirements for library construction projects for libraries over fifty years old and those projects involving ground disturbance. For those who were not able to attend the live webinar, it will be archived once closed captioning is completed. An email will be sent to the NYLINE list once it has been uploaded. Please encourage your member library staff members to subscribe to the NYLINE list. https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/nyline.htm
• FY2023 (0386-23). The allocation chart is being developed, based on the approved State budget. The allocation will reflect the 2020 census figures. The LDGrants portal will open on Wednesday, June 8, and all projects must be submitted by the public library systems to DLD by 5pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
• FY2022 (0386-22). 225 applications were received. Final Application review has been completed. Reallocation of unused funds will be taking place shortly. Once the $34 million is completely allocated, all projects will be submitted as one package to DASNY.
• FY2021 (0386-21) projects. These projects are now eligible for a fourth year per Chapter 563 of the Laws of 2021. Libraries were contacted on March 2 to confirm that these projects have begun within the required 180 days, and replies were due on March 16. Progress Report requests for the third year of these projects will be sent to libraries in April 2022 and replies will be due in early May and will be submitted online.
• FY2020 projects (0386-20). These projects are eligible for a fourth year, through June 30, 2023. The State Library is working on documentation requirements for requesting the fourth year for these projects.
• FY2019 projects (0386-19) are eligible for an additional “twelve months” per Chapter 120 of the Laws of New York 2020 (a fourth year). Projects must close by June 30, 2022. Reminder emails were sent out on December 15, 2021 and March 16, 2022 to individual library and system project managers and library directors for projects that have not closed. Please work with member libraries to ensure that these projects are completed as required by legislation. No further extensions are permitted by law.
• Legislation on increasing the length of time given for construction projects from three years to four years was signed by Governor Hochul on November 3 as Chapter 563 of the Laws of 2021.
• A bill was recently introduced in the Senate and Assembly, to extend the length of time to complete a construction project from four years to six years.
• Chapter 627 of the Laws of 2021 was signed into law by Governor Hochul on November 15, 2021. This law provides no more than fifty percent of the total funds appropriated to a library system may be used to support the total costs for projects receiving state aid in excess of seventy-five percent of the total approved costs. This is an increase from the previous legislation which capped at ten percent the total allocation that could be used to fund projects over seventy-five percent.

NYSL/PLS (Public Library System) Construction Regulations Amendment Committee

A joint NYSL/PLS Committee is developing proposed amendments to State Aid for Library Construction 90.12 regulations for submission to the Board of Regents in 2022. Construction regulations were updated many years ago, and need to incorporate changes to state law, including increasing the timeframe for projects to four years, permitting funding of up to ninety percentage of total project costs for eligible projects and adding language for coordinated projects.

The Committee has completed the initial work which is now being reviewed from leadership from the State Library.

Adult Literacy/Family Literacy Library Services Program

• Summary reports for the projects, covering July 1, 2019-November 3, 2021 were due on February 1, 2022. The Adult Literacy reports have all been approved and submitted for final payment. The Family Literacy reports are still undergoing review.
• Each library system will determine for themselves if the year three funds will be spent on the original adult and family literacy projects or used more generally for eligible expenses in Coordinated Outreach.
• Year Three funding will be included in the Coordinated Outreach category on the 2021 Annual Report for Library Systems (for 90%) and the 2022 Annual Report for Library Systems (for final 10%).

Summer Reading at New York Libraries

• Libraries are moving towards an exciting (and hopefully more “normal”) Summer Reading season so remember that public libraries are allowed to share the CSLP online manual access code with schools if they are working together on Summer Reading and Learning. Now is the time for public libraries to reach out to schools and school libraries in their region to get students thinking about signing up for Summer Reading and Learning activities. Connect with school librarians and parent teacher groups in the local school district to share information about opportunities and programs in libraries this summer.
• Check the updated CSLP Social Media Toolkit for some inspiration and messaging to help promote Summer Reading and Learning:: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X_TjdbTTW043wMeL_GCnls8NqoeRqwf- ?usp=sharing
• Several additional Summer Reading Lunch and Learn sessions are now scheduled and can be found listed here NYS Library Events - OCE Events - OCE (libcal.com) including an Overview of the Performers and Programs database (rescheduled from April 22 to May 5) and Oceans of STEAM Resources (April 28)
• Nutrition Program Resources for Libraries: No Kid Hungry’s Center for Best Practices has created a space just for libraries! This webpage houses information for libraries on both the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP or Summer Meals) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program (CACFP At-Risk or Afterschool Meals). Learn more about each program and how libraries can share their strengths to increase access to healthy food in their communities. Planning and implementation resources are also available, along with training opportunities. Check out the webpage today: https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/programs/summer-and-afterschool-mealslibraries 6
• Please share with your member libraries: The CSLP Child and Community WellBeing Committee (CCWB) has launched a new video series about library programming in support of youth mental and physical health. This series was developed to share successful programs and activities focused on well-being that can be replicated, scaled, or adapted to suit libraries, communities, and situations. The committee is seeking contributions to this new video series! Does your library offer an innovative, replicable or scalable (or simply inspirational!) program or service that supports youth mental health and well-being? Work with the CCWB to produce a 10 to 20 minute video about your program and add it to the Child & Community Well-Being Video Series! If you are interested, contact me at jdwyer@library.ohio.gov or CCWB Chair Linda Bartley at lbartley@mclib.net
• See the following links to these recent recorded sessions from the Lunch and Learn series: Summer Meals Program and Summer Reading 2022 on March 8 https://www.summerreadingnys.org/hunger-solutions/ ; Summer Reading Resources for Younger Readers with Print Disabilities on March 11 https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/webinars/index.html ; Summer Reading Partnership with 4-H STEM and the New York State Library on March 31 https://www.summerreadingnys.org/librarians-educators/le-resources/#4h
• Update on Summer Meals and waivers for eligibility: Congress has yet to extend the USDA’s authority to issue waivers, and without that Congressional action, the waivers will expire on June 30, 2022. Hunger Solutions NY is continuing to advocate for the extensions, and in the meantime, they can help libraries determine if they would be eligible to operate within normal program regulations. If anyone is interested and wants to talk through eligibility and options for this summer, they’re more than welcome to reach out to Krista at krista.hesdorfer@hungersolutionsny.org.
• READsquared refresher training sessions for NY libraries took place on February 22 and March 3. Recordings can be found at https://www.summerreadingnys.org/readsquared/ Did you know that the READsquared knowledgebase has graphics, flyers, and templates to help promote sign up and specifics of your Summer Reading program? Check it out at https://portal.readsquared.com/R2KB/Article.aspx?id=10154
• Libraries should take advantage of the Performers and Programs statewide database as they plan for library programs and events. There are over 400 different presenters listed for in person and virtual programs, and new ones are being added https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/resource.htm
• Encourage your libraries to promote and celebrate Screen-Free Week from May 2-8th! This is an annual invitation to play, explore, and rediscover the joys of unplugging and spending a week discovering new entertainment activities or bonding with family and friends by taking a break from screen time. There are lots of great activities and resources and information on the Screen-Free Week website at https://www.screenfree.org/
• State Libraries from Northeast regional states have been meeting to move forward with a project involving the National Student Poet project for Summer 2022. A proposal has been submitted to IMLS and the sponsoring Alliance for Young Artists and Writers to set up online staff and/or teen sessions on poetry and using poetry applications in library programming this summer, probably starting sometime in June. Stay tuned for more details as this exciting project moves forward!
• Update on the Love Your Library Fund: the 2022-2023 Executive Budget includes authorization for the State Library to expend $150,000 of the fund to support Summer Reading (per Ed Law 273(9)). Planning is underway for implementation for summer 2022 and for the money to be allocated to public library systems using the same formula as construction aid. More information and guidelines will be shared soon

Ready to Read at New York Libraries

• The One More Story resource, which is part of the DayByDayNY Family Literacy Calendar has some new features. See the new flyer recently added to help promote the new features and this free statewide resource: https://www.summerreadingnys.org/onemore-story/
• Check out the new DayByDayNY resources for families looking to explore all that New York State has to offer: https://daybydayny.org/explore-ny/
• Important Note: Due to low usage, the State Library discontinued the DayByDayNY Spanish site at http://daybydaynysp.org/ in 2021. Please be sure to remove any links to this site on your web pages or resource documents.

Transforming Teen Services/T3 Initiative

• There continues to be interest from library staff about professional development opportunities for enhancing teen services and involving more teens in participating in and planning library programs. Libraries want to bring teens safely back to events and activities at libraries, but still face many challenges related to COVID and pandemic fallout. YALSA is exploring a number of different options recruiting new trainers and for ways to keep offering T3 training in 2022 and beyond. The State Library will share more information as planning continues and as YALSA provides more updates to the participating cohort states.

NYSL/PULISDO/Central Library Association Committee

A joint NYLS/PULISDO/Central Library Association committee is finalizing proposed draft amendments to CR 90.4, Standards for Central Libraries, for submission to the Board of Regents in 2022. The draft is being reviewed internally and will be shared with stakeholders soon. With the enactment of Chapter 563, the PLS CLDA and CBA programs have been combined into a new PLS Central Library Services Aid Program, CR 90.4 needs to be revised.

NYSL/PULISDO/Trustee Education Committee

A joint NYLS/PULISDO Trustee Education Committee has been established to develop an FAQ for the NYSL Website relating to Chapter 468 of the Laws of 2021 (A6121-B/S4435-B) requiring all trustees of public, association, and Indian libraires attend two hours of trustee education annually. Library Trustees must comply as of January 1, 2023. Materials developed by this committee will be presented at the April 21 PLS Zoom meeting.