February 22, 2021

Advocacy Day is this Friday

Virtual Advocacy Day begins Friday at 9:30 AM. The schedule for our legislative visits can be found on the Advocacy 2021 OWWL Docs page. Suzanne and I will have each visit covered and most will include participants from other Library Systems. As I've said before, if you can't make it, no problem. We're doing our best this year and I understand that not everyone is up for advocacy.

Also, unfortunately, Senator Helming is unable to meet with us this year during Advocacy Day. I will be working on setting up a separate visit with her prior to the budget hearing.

Delivery in Bad Weather

As we trudge through the rest of the winter months a reminder that canceled delivery runs will be communicated to Directors and circ email addresses for the libraries impacted.

It is also incredibly important to keep steps, walkways, and entryways clear of snow/ice so drivers can get in and out as efficiently as possible. Thank you for helping us keep drivers safe with this.

Community-Based Organizations COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit

The Community-Based Organizations COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit from the CDC was shared on NYLINE late last week. Designed to provide information for organizations servicing communities, this may be a helpful resource for libraries.

This toolkit will help your organization educate community members about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.

Senate Bill S4430: Library Vote Signature Requirement

Senate Bill S4430 has currently passed the Senate and is now being discussed in the Assembly. Should this bill be signed, it will limit the number of signatures required for a Trustee to collect to appear on a School District Ballot.

This bill reduces the threshold number of signatures candidates must collect for nominating petitions for library board of trustees and school boards in the 2021 election cycle.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s4430

I will keep an eye on this and update you as more information is released.

Question of the Week

Can libraries collect petition signatures for School District Public Library Trustee Electrions using Google Forms or other online forms?

Considering the online world we have been living in for the past 12-months, this is an extremely valid question. Unfortunately, there have been no provisions made that allow for signatures to be collected online for Trustee elections. The only information on this would be Senate Bill S4430 mentioned above. I will be sure to let you know if anything changes.

Trustee Updates

Trustee Workshops

Suzanne and I had a nice turnout for both the Office Hours as well as the Roles & Responsibilities training last Thursday. To review the resources we discussed check out Roles & Responsibilities. Below is information for our March 16 training; we will be talking about the development of policies as well as answering any policy-related questions.

If there are additional topics you would like us to discuss let me know.

Developing Library Policies - Tuesday, March 16 at 6:00 PM

Discussion Points:

• Writing policy from draft to approval
• Considering corresponding procedures
• Reviewing policies on a regular schedule
• Considering long-term implications of board policy decisions

Click here to register.

Upcoming Trustee Workshops

Upcoming Trustee Newsletter

The second issue of the Trustee Newsletter will be scheduled to go out in the next few weeks. If you have items you would like to see addressed, please let me know. I am happy to answer questions, provide information, or write anything that you might find helpful. Currently, I plan on reviewing some updated System policies, the System's Bylaws (with new election procedures), the State Budget, highlighting Trustee Workshops, and discussing a few other minor items.

Online Board Meetings Continue

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo extends suspension of in-person meeting requirement of Open Meetings Law until March 16 in Executive Order 202.94.