February 2020 Trustee Newsletter

Trustee Workshops 2020

Here it is, the long-awaited list of Trustee training sessions scheduled for 2020 - Trustee Workshops 2020. Now for the sales pitch…whether you're new to your role as a Trustee or if you've been serving on boards since the beginning of time, there is something for everyone at a Pioneer Library System Trustee Workshop.

But seriously, I hope many of you will consider attending these events. It's a great opportunity to discuss what is going on in your library and I always appreciate meeting Trustees from across the system.

These are the first run of workshops scheduled, there will certainly be more added as the year progresses. I'll keep the Trustee Workshops 2020 page updated and send messages as items are added.

Workshops are free and open to all PLS member library trustees and directors. If you're interested in a topic that is not on that list or if you would like to host a Trustee Workshop at your library, feel free to email me at rkirsop@pls-net.org. I am also happy to visit your board to discuss any issues related specifically to your library.

Ride the Bus to Advocacy Day 2020

Albany visits have been scheduled and bus registration is open for Advocacy Day 2020 on. Bus registration, Advocacy priorities, and other information can be found on the Advocacy 2020 page.

If you haven't attended in the past, this is a great opportunity to see how advocacy in our region works. This year we have two definite items on the legislative agenda and another that may come up soon. The two that we will be focusing on this year are $200M in Library Operating Aid and $75M in NYS Library Construction Aid. Take a look at NYLA's handout as well as NYLA's Advocacy page for more details.

Like every year, our advocacy efforts are critical to counteract the Governor's proposed cuts to both Library Aid and Construction Aid. We need our representatives in the Senate and the Assembly to help restore and increase funding to libraries.

Please consider riding the bus to Albany and help advocate for your library.

Macedon Spectrum Event

A big shout out to Stacey Wicksall, Director of the Macedon Public Library for a fantastic event on Friday, January 17, 2020. The event showcased a grant that the library received from Spectrum for 50 laptops! A copy of Stacey's speech can be found by clicking Spectrum Digital Education Grant_Library Open House Speech.pdf. Well done, Stacey.

Macedon Event.jpg
Image Left to Right: Jim Keib, Office of Congressman John Katko; Kim Leonard, Town of Macedon; Kristine Hanford, U.S. Census; Stacey Wicksall, Library Director; Assemblyman Brian Mankelow; Senator Pam Helming; Lauren Kelly, Charter Communications.

Construction Grants

You will find the most up to date information on our ConstructionGrants page. Keep in mind that the Intent to Apply form will be ready soon and due on May 22, 2020. To be eligible to apply for a full Library Construction grant, you will need to complete the Intent to Apply and provide a realistic project estimate with a quote from a contractor.

The informational meeting for libraries new to the process will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 3:30 pm. Click here to register. In the meantime, you can view the grant checklist, instructions, slides from last year's informational call, and FAQs on our Construction Grant Community Page under Resources.

Executive Director's Report

To help keep Trustees across the system up to date on the activities here at the system, I'd like to pass along the Director's Report that I share with my board at our monthly meetings. Below is a link to my January report where I talk about Advocacy, Trustee Education Legislation, the Trustee Newsletter, and an update on our Strategic Plan. These reports are not a comprehensive document so feel free to reach out with any questions (rkirsop@pls-net.org).

Executive Director Report - January 2020.pdf

Rochester.rr.com Email Address Issue

It seems that there have been issues with the Trustee Newsletter finding its way to email addresses from rochester.rr.com. We're looking at solutions, but for now, if a fellow trustee does not receive the newsletter, this may be why. Feel free to forward it along to them while we figure this out.

Last Month's Newsletter

If you missed last month's issue of the Trustee Newsletter you can see what was covered below or by visiting the Trustee Newsletter Index on our Community page.

January 2020 Trustee Newsletter
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