CLRC

SCRLC Webinar: Finding Hidden Links in the Underground Railroad - Oneonta and Norwich, NY
2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
The aim of the webinar is to leave participants with an understanding of how diverse documents can solve the puzzle of identifying an Underground Railroad story.

SCLRC Webinar: Finding Hidden Links in the Underground Railroad: Oneonta and Norwich, NY
2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Description: The aim of the webinar is to leave participants with an understanding of how diverse documents can solve the puzzle of identifying an Underground Railroad story.
Participants will learn:
*The Difference between the Underground Railroad and the Freedom Journey
*How the search can begin with a primary or secondary source
*Examples of facilities preserving a record that includes reference to the local community’s involvement with the Underground Railroad

ESLN Webinar - NYH Bits & Bytes with Westchester County Historical Society
2025-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
In this webinar, the newly-launched digital collection, “Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews,” will be introduced by Patrick Raftery, Project Manager, and Monica Genuardi, Project Archivist. They were responsible for digitizing, transcribing and annotating the collection, which consists of over 400 hand-written, firsthand accounts of the Revolutionary War years in Westchester County and environs. This was the “Neutral Ground,” the term for the area between the British-occupied New York City and the American lines in northern Westchester County. The interviews conducted by John M. Macdonald are frequently graphic, eyewitness accounts of the numerous raids, skirmishes, and depredation that occurred here between 1776 and 1783, as told by the men, women, and children who endured it. The collection is now available on the sites of Westchester County Historical Society and New York Heritage. The project was made possible by the National Historical Records and Publications Commission, a part of the National Archives.
Presenters: Patrick Raftery, Project Manager and Monica Genuardi, Project Archivist.

LILRC Webinar: Jewish Librarians Meetup
2025-05-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Join us for conversation with fellow librarians and library workers to share your workplace concerns. All are welcome.

LILRC Webinar: From "I Can't" to "I Can" - Empowering Students to Overcome Learned Helplessness
2025-05-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Learned helplessness can quietly derail student success—it’s the phenomenon where students feel that no matter what they do, they’ll fail, and as a result, they stop trying. In the classroom, this often manifests as students who refuse help, give up easily, or lack motivation. This webinar shines a light on learned helplessness in education and offers actionable solutions. Educators will learn how to recognize the signs of learned helplessness, understand its psychological and behavioral impact on student engagement, and implement strategies to break this negative cycle. The goal: help you replace “I can’t” with “I can” in your students’ mindset by fostering resilience, motivation, and self-efficacy.
Throughout the session, you’ll learn to identify the telltale signs of learned helplessness, such as apathy, avoidance of challenges, and negative self-talk, while exploring the underlying causes. We’ll cover how to cultivate a growth mindset in students, encouraging them to view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Practical techniques for giving students ownership and autonomy in their learning will be shared, along with ways to empower them through choice, voice, and responsibility to build confidence and intrinsic motivation.
Additionally, you’ll gain strategies for delivering encouraging, constructive feedback that reinforces effort and progress, with a focus on celebrating small wins and improvement milestones to build momentum. We’ll explore how to create a classroom culture that is safe, supportive, and fosters resilience—one where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow, and students feel secure in taking academic risks.
By the end of the webinar, you’ll be equipped with practical tools and strategies to transform your classroom climate and support every learner. You’ll know how to spot and address learned helplessness early, foster resilience and self-efficacy, apply growth mindset techniques in daily teaching, deliver empowering feedback, and re-engage discouraged learners. Join us and gain ready-to-use strategies to boost student engagement, confidence, and success—turning “I can’t” into “I can” and watching your students thrive.
Dr. Danny Sabol is an experienced educator, librarian, and leader with a strong background in promoting student engagement, literacy, and educational innovation. With over a decade of experience spanning public libraries, K-12 schools, and higher education, Dr. Sabol specializes in fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students and support academic success.
He holds a Doctorate in Computer Science, a Master of Library and Information Science, and other advanced degrees in both Computer Science and Web Technologies. Dr. Sabol is a published author and recognized speaker, with expertise in areas such as student resilience, growth mindset, educational technology, and literacy development. His work focuses on equipping educators with practical strategies to support student motivation, self-efficacy, and lifelong learning.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Sabol is passionate about creating equitable and supportive learning spaces that help students overcome challenges like learned helplessness and disengagement. His engaging, actionable approach has made him a sought-after presenter at conferences and webinars nationwide.
To learn more about Dr. Sabol please visit his website: www.danielsabol.org

LILRC In Person - Chocolate Programming Experiences for Patrons of All Ages
2025-05-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Suffolk Cooperative Library System, 627 N Sunrise Service Rd, Bellport, NY, 11713, United States
Join LILRC as we welcome Linda Johnson of Chocology for an in person learning experience.
Linda Johnson brings the world of fine chocolate to life through hands-on, sensory-rich programs that are as educational as they are delicious. Designed for all ages, her library experiences blend storytelling, science, culture, and chocolate tasting into one unforgettable event. In this mini session, you’ll explore Bean-to-Bar Chocolate and her Tasting Ritual, enjoy a guided tasting, and learn about the variety of program options tailored for children, teens, multigenerational, adults, and seniors.
Linda Johnson is a passionate chocolatier and the creative force behind Chocology, a business dedicated to crafting memorable experiences around chocolate. With an international corporate background in technology, Linda transitioned into the world of chocolate to find joy, balance, and a path to a long, happy life. Her expertise and curiosity have led her to source and celebrate chocolate from around the globe, with a special focus on artisan and bean-to-bar selections.
Linda’s programs are immersive journeys that educate, entertain, and delight. She’s known for her innovative chocolate pairings with wine, cheese, and even music, bringing her clients on sensory adventures. Linda’s events highlight her belief in making chocolate personal and creating connections through shared experiences.

LILRC Webinar: Supporting Children's Mental Wellbeing with Just-Right Reads
2025-05-20 14:00 - 15:00 | NY
Books are one of the most ubiquitous, accessible, and powerful resources available to support children’s mental wellbeing. In this session, we will share information and strategies from our edited volume Using Literature to Support Children’s Mental Health, which explores the intersections and interplay between mental health topics and picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels targeted at children ages birth to twelve. Topics will include grief and loss, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, and more.
Kim Becnel is a professor of Library Science at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. A former youth services librarian, she currently teaches and researches in the areas of intellectual freedom, youth literature, public library services, and distance pedagogy.
Robin A. Moeller is a former high school librarian and professor of Library Science at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA. Her research interests lie in visual representations of information as they apply to youth and schooling, as well as the reading habits and interests of children and teens.

Webinar: Hazard Analysis Techniques Overview
2025-05-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
As people become more experienced, workplace safety walkarounds and evaluations can become worse — people have seen the same workplace so often that they don’t “see” it anymore. They can overlook hazards and risks because of their familiarity. One way to overcome this problem is to use tools that are structured, yet creative — tools which turn employees’ knowledge and experience into a valuable and decided advantage for doing workplace audits and assessments.
About the Presenter:
Nellie Brown is the Director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Nellie also provides expertise for the Cannabis Workforce Initiative. A certified industrial hygienist (Board for Global EHS Credentialing, Diplomate of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene), biologist and chemist, Nellie earned a master’s degree in a multidisciplinary program in natural sciences and applied science from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Nellie also provides industrial hygiene services for the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine – Western New York, a clinic funded by NYSDOH for diagnosis and treatment of occupational injuries and illnesses. See: https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/buffalo-co-lab/education-and-training/workplace-health-and-safety Nellie provides virtual and on-site training and technical assistance on a wide range of occupational safety and health hazards including chemicals, biological agents (including COVID-19), ergonomics, occupational stress, shift-work and long hours of work, crisis and violence prevention, hazard analysis techniques, and indoor air quality for employers, labor unions, and the public. She teaches a virtual credit course on occupational safety and health. Nellie is frequently interviewed by the media (including CNN) and was a speaker on workplace violence for a BBC television special. She is the author of numerous occupational health hazard manuals, training programs, and articles; her publications on Cornell University’s DigitalCollections@ILR e-Library have been downloaded over 290,000 times in over 180 countries.
This webinar is NOT being recorded.

**All participants will have the option to request a certificate of attendance for one contact hour.**
All CLRC events are open to CLRC members and members of the Empire State Library Network.
All Attendees are expected to follow CLRC’s Code of Conduct

LILRC Webinar: Ask An Archivist - Archival Outreach for Beginners
2025-05-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Making your community aware and engaged in your organization requires a steady flow of events and information. Outreach includes daily social media posts, programming for children and adults, exhibits, publications, and tours. Get some inspiration for how your archival materials can contribute to your organization’s positive exposure; making the most of what you have in your collections.
This is the conclusion of the series explaining the steps of archival management. This introduction is appropriate for those new to working as an archivist or are responsible for the safety of an archival repository or collection.

LILRC Webinar: High School and Beyond Meetup
2025-05-29 12:30 - 13:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This is a bimonthly meeting of academic and school librarians to discuss the transition students face graduating from high school and entering academia. All are welcome.

ESLN Academic Leadership Series: Recruitment and Retention
2025-05-29 13:00 - 14:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This series of six 90-minute panel discussions will feature academic library leaders from across New York State discussing various topics relevant to new and emerging leaders. Panelists represent a wide variety of academic institutions and provide a diverse set of experiences. As part of each session, participants will have opportunities to network with other new and emerging leaders through breakout rooms and small group discussions in addition to the larger panel discussion. These sessions will not be recorded.
Join us for the next event in this series, Recruitment and Retention! This session will focus on the strategies libraries have used to attract staff members at all levels and on strategies our libraries and institutions have implemented to help retain employees.
Topics discussed may include:
– Strategies to recruit a diverse pool of job candidates
– How to work within limitations institutions may place on recruitment efforts
– Successful interview strategies
– Managing virtual versus in-person interviews
– Effective elements of onboarding plans for new employees
– Implementing plans or programs aimed at retaining or incentivizing employees
Panelists: Liz King (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); Elaine L. Westbrooks (Cornell University); Andrea Falcone (Binghamton University)
Facilitator: Cara Howe

CDLC In Person Event Reinvigorating Librarianship Symposium, presented by the Collection Development and Sharing Committee
2025-05-30 08:30 - 13:00 | Capital District Library Council, 800 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY, 12110, United States
Reinvigorating Librarianship Symposium, presented by the Collection Development and Sharing Committee

Join us for an in-person symposium on reinvigorating your library career!
Tentative Agenda. This is subject to change. Check our Reinvigorating Librarianship guide for more information.
830 am Doors open
8:30 – 9:00 am Registration
9:00 am-12:00 noon Formal Program
12:00 noon-1:00 pm – Networking, socializing, selfies with Mychal Threets
Program will include:

Make Yourself Marketable: What HR is Really Looking for in a New Employee – Presentation by Erina Dacey, Human Resources Generalist III, Albany Public Library. Erina has 9 years of successful Human Resources experience, specializing in hiring and employee management. She obtained her SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professionals) accreditation in 2020.
Reimagining Your Career – You can revitalize your career while remaining in the library profession! Three veterans explain how they have thrived while making significant changes over the years. Regina, Gwen, and Susan will share lessons learned, skills acquired, and opportunities seized along the way. Regina Vertone from Russell Sage College and Gwen Weldy and Susan Flint from Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library.
A Conversation with Mychal the Librarian – Mychal Threets, Literacy Ambassador. Mychal worked in various positions at the Solana County Library in California for over 11 years. He became a library celebrity by promoting libraries and reading through social media. He now promotes literacy full-time.

SCRLC Lunch & Learn: Mosquito-borne Illnesses in NYS
2025-06-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Attendees will learn about mosquito-borne diseases that are transmitted in NYS, travel-associated mosquito-borne diseases, how mosquito-borne disease transmission occurs, and how to protect themselves from getting infected.

LILRC Webinar: Working to Increase Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ Community
2025-06-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Creating spaces where LGBTQ people can feel safe and supported is paramount at this point in history. In this interactive workshop, we will discuss current stressors affecting the LGBTQ community and explore methods to advocate for the needs of LGBTQ people. We will specifically highlight the needs of trans people and ways to support this resilient community.
Program Takeaways:

Current research on psychosocial stressors affecting LGBTQ people
Methods for Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBTQ people
Experiential activities for increasing empathy for working with LGBTQ people

Presenter: Dr. Samuel M. Colbert, PhD is a counseling psychologist, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. He earned his PhD at Ball State University and completed his pre-doctoral clinical internship at University of Pennsylvania’s (UPenn’s) counseling center. He received his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Ball State University and his Bachelor of Arts at SUNY Geneseo, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Colbert is a clinician, consultant, educator, and researcher. He practices couples and individual therapy at Philadelphia Couples Therapy, a private group practice in Philadelphia, PA. He has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses, including: Couples and Family Therapy, The Psychology of Sexuality, Multicultural Counseling and Fundamentals of Counseling Skills. He has presented various trainings, including hundreds of LGBTQ+ Skill Building Workshops, with varied audiences including, psychologists at the Annual American Psychological Convention, National Rehabilitation Psychological Conference, and fellows at John’s Hopkins. His research explores factors leading to the health and well-being of marginalized populations possessing intersecting identities; he has published multiple empirical articles on these topics. Informed from his teaching, training, and clinical experiences, Dr. Colbert has co-authored a chapter in Navigating Difficult Teaching Moments in Teaching Diversity and Social Justice published by the American Psychological Association.

LILRC Webinar: A Dangerous Experiment - Comics and Graphic Novels About Scientists!
2025-06-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Comics about scientists? Why such a dangerous experiment?! Comic books still have a whiff of disreputability about them, even after all the movies and all the decades of work done by creators and librarians (yes, you!) to broaden their subject matter and reach. Presenter Jim Ottaviani’s niche is comics about science and engineering, and in this talk we’ll discuss why and how he makes them.
Jim Ottaviani is the author of fifteen (and counting) graphic novels about scientists. His most recent books include Einstein, illustrated by Jerel Dye, Naturalist (with E.O. Wilson, illustrated by C.M. Butzer) and Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier, illustrated by Maris Wicks. Others include: The Imitation Game, a biography of Alan Turing illustrated by Leland Purvis; Primates, about Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas with art by Maris Wicks; and Feynman, with Leland Myrick, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. His books have been translated into over a dozen languages and are probably the only ones to have received praise from both Nature and Vampirella Magazine…and everything in between, from Physics World to Entertainment Weekly.
Jim came to comics via careers in engineering and librarianship. Find out more at www.gt-labs.com and on social media as @gtlabsrat on Bluesky and others.

RRLC Webinar: Articulating Value - Leveling Up Your Stakeholder Communications
2025-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This webinar takes a deep dive into stakeholder interests and motivation and the challenges to communicating with different stakeholder groups. We will focus on how to strategically communicate the impact of library services and resources to a variety of stakeholder groups.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will learn how to use stakeholder mapping and targeted activities to assess the needs and priorities of different stakeholder groups, as well as how to use storytelling frameworks to create meaningful stakeholder communications.
Presenters: Amanda Johnson and Lauren Clossey are the owners of Alliance Research and Training, LLC. Amanda Johnson started her journey in libraries 12 years ago and has since worked in academic, public, and state government environments. Lauren Clossey has worked in libraries for 17 years in academic, public, and school libraries. Together, Amanda and Lauren have developed trainings for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Public Library Association, Niche Academy, The People Connect Institute, New Jersey State Library, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Georgia Public Library Services, and more.

LILRC Webinar: In the Form of a Question: Jeopardy! Champion and Author Amy Schneider
2025-06-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Join LILRC when we welcome author and Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider to discuss her new book, Who Is Amy Schneider?: Questions on Growing Up, Being Curious, and Winning It Big on Jeopardy! (A Young Readers Edition of In the Form of a Question, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025). LILRC members who attend are eligible to win a copy of the book!
In eighth grade, Amy Schneider was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her classmates. Decades later, she finally got her chance. Not only did Amy walk away with $1.3 million while captivating the world with her impressive forty-game winning streak, but she made history and won an even greater prize—the joy of being herself on national television and blazing a trail for openly queer and transgender people around the world. Now, she shares her singular journey that led to becoming an unlikely icon and hero to millions. Her superpowers: boundless curiosity and fearless questioning.
Who Is Amy Schneider? shows kids that there isn’t a right way to be smart nor a wrong way to learn, that curiosity fuels passion, and that discovering your true self begins with asking yourself why?”
Amy Schneider is an American software engineer and recent Jeopardy! champion. Following an impressive forty-game winning streak, she became the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!. She is second all-time in the show’s history, trailing only Ken Jennings. Amy is also the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. She has been covered in People, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, USA TODAY, and more, and she has appeared on Good Morning America.

SCRLC Webinar: From Insight to Action: Trauma-Informed Approaches to Self-Care
2025-06-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This workshop explores the intersection of trauma-informed care, self-care, and self-regulation, emphasizing their collective role in fostering resilience and well-being. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of trauma, implement self-care strategies, and apply self-regulation techniques to enhance personal and professional being. Learning Outcomes: *Learn the key principles of trauma-informed care and how to apply them *Create a mini self-care plan that supports your well-being *Practice techniques like mindfulness and grounding to manage stress.

Health@CLRC Book Talks 2025: Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare's Misinformation Illness with Dr. Geeta Nayyar
2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
Are you interested in books on health information? Curious to learn more about books that are well researched and contain reliable health and wellness information? Join us for Health@CLRC Book Talks! Dr. Geeta Nayyar (Dr. G) will join us to speak about her book Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare’s Misinformation Illness. The first 100 registrants will receive a free copy of Dead Wrong.
About the Book:
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, access to accurate and comprehensive information empowers patients, providers, and policymakers alike. Embracing transparency fosters trust, facilitates informed decision-making, and enhances patient outcomes. Through open data sharing and clear communication, health IT professionals can drive innovation, improve interoperability, and address privacy concerns responsibly. Transparent practices enable the discovery of actionable insights, driving evidence-based care and reducing inefficiencies. Join Dr. G in the movement for transparency in healthcare, where data-driven solutions and collaborative efforts pave the way to a healthier, more interconnected future for all.
About the Author:
Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA, is a globally recognized healthcare technology leader steering the industry toward a new era. The former chief medical officer of Salesforce and AT&T and a consultant to the industry’s most influential organizations, Dr. G leverages new innovations, including artificial intelligence, to achieve previously unimaginable health and business outcomes. She serves on the board of the American Telemedicine Association.
Dr. G is the author of the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare’s Misinformation Illness, a post-pandemic look at the rise of medical misinformation in the digital age. In the book, she shows how healthcare organizations can apply emerging technologies to improve health literacy and advance strategic business goals.
Dr. G is a widely sought-after thought leader who has spoken at hundreds of events and appeared on media outlets such as CNBC, CNN, CBS, ABC, PBS, and Yahoo! Finance.
Live captioning will be provided.
This webinar will be recorded and a recording will be shared with all registrants afterward.

All CLRC events are open to CLRC members and members of the Empire State Library Network.
All Attendees are expected to follow CLRC’s Code of Conduct

CDLC: Fun and Games with CDLC: Dungeons and Dragons
2025-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Fun and Games with CDLC: Dungeons and Dragons

Join us as our presenters showcase how to host Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for people of all ages!
Olivia Downs from Albany County Parks & Recreation and Leah Fitzgerald and Matthew Young from Amsterdam Free Library will showcase their accomplishments and highlight how they host various gatherings for children, teens, and adults interested in playing the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons.
This event is online. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Webinar: Show Me the Data - Collection Evaluation in Libraries
2025-06-26 10:00 - 11:15 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
Maximizing patrons’ use of your library collection means knowing what they are – and are not – borrowing. Collection evaluation is key, but it is definitely not a “one and done” process. Evaluating collections means looking at popularity, diversity, gaps, people, and using the collection life cycle to know when and what staff is looking at for assessment. Participants will learn about different methods of collection evaluation and how to use these tools to create a robust and manageable collection.
After this webinar, attendees will be able to:

Understand what collection evaluation is
Discover and compare methods for evaluating their collections
Implement collection evaluation in their libraries

About the Presenter:
Kristi Chadwick is the Director at Ballston Community Public Library in Burnt Hills, NY. She spent the last two decades working for Massachusetts libraries, most recently as a consultant for the Massachusetts Library System. Kristi is also adjunct faculty for Simmons University School of Library Information and Science, teaching collection management, and is a Library Journal Science Fiction & Fantasy columnist.

Live captioning will be provided.
This webinar will be recorded and a recording will be shared with all registrants afterward.

**All participants will have the option to request a certificate of attendance for one contact hour.**
All CLRC events are open to CLRC members and members of the Empire State Library Network.
All Attendees are expected to follow CLRC’s Code of Conduct.

LILRC Webinar: Safe Labeling and Marking of Archival Materials 2025
2025-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Ideally, every object in a historic collection has a unique identifier, and that identifier is attached to the item securely, discretely, and with products that “do no harm.” With so many ‘archival’ products to choose from, it’s hard to know what is safe, effective and reversible. LILRC’s Digitization and Archives Coordinator, Nicole Menchise, will teach conservation-level techniques for marking objects with their identifiers. This will include all types of commonly found objects in your archival collection including textiles, glass and porcelain, metal and plastic, wood and paper based archives
This program is based on the in-person workshops held in 2023-2024. Recommended for individuals charged with collection management and maintenance.

RRLC Webinar: Green Cleaning Principles and Alternatives
2025-07-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
What makes cleaning “green”? Can we reduce the need to clean with chemicals and find alternatives?
This webinar will cover:
– ready-made cleaners: typical & greener
– alternatives: ingredients & tools
– general purpose cleaners
– heavy-duty grease cleaning: cooking aerosols
– hard-water scale: tile, toilets, tubs, sinks
– disinfectants
– laundry detergents and softeners
– drain cleaners
Presenter: Nellie Brown is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for the Worker Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. A certified industrial hygienist, biologist, and chemist, Nellie earned a master’s degree in a multidisciplinary program in natural sciences and applied science from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.
Free to RRLC & ESLN Members. This webinar will be held on Zoom Webinar; registration is required.
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for 1 hour of CE credit. This webinar will NOT be recorded.
We are committed to offering inclusive, diverse, and equitable services to all of our members. To request specific accommodations, please contact RRLC at least five business days ahead of the program you’d like accommodations for.
RRLC Registration & Program Attendance Policies

ESLN Webinar: 2025 PILLARS Symposium - Is AI On the Test? A Symposium for Educators Who Weren't Ready for Robots
2025-07-11 09:30 - 15:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
The PILLARS Symposium: Preparation, Information Literacy, Libraries, Academic Resources, and 21st Century Skills for Transitioning from Secondary School to College
This symposium is designed to introduce educators to a wide range of teaching and learning resources for practical use in the 21st-century classroom. This year’s theme, Is AI On The Test? A Symposium for Educators Who Weren’t Ready for Robots, focuses a critical lens on Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in the classroom, including creating policies, practical methods, evaluating AI tools, user privacy, and legal issues.
The Lineup: We are proud to share that our keynote speaker this year is Elissa Malespina, author of The AI School Librarian Newsletter and owner of Educational Equity Advisors.
The lineup also includes:

Dr. Ifeoma Ajunwa, AI and the Future of Work
J. Denice Lewis, Practical AI: Lessons From An Academic Librarian’s Journey
Dr. Chris Harris & Betsy Hartnett, Teaching About AI, Not Just With AI: Bypassing The Cheating Issue

See the full schedule here.

LILRC Webinar: NASA en Español - STEAM Education for Youth Services and Adult Services
2025-07-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
STEAM Educator Francisco Silva will discuss NASA en español resources for libraries, addressing both children’s and adult services.
About Francisco Silva:
I was born in 1984 in Madrid and I am a STEAM educator based in Las Vegas. With 11 years of experience focusing on youth education, I have developed a strong expertise in popular science and am known for my engaging interactions with the general public, fostering a love for science.
My interest in astronomy began at the age of six, thanks to my mother, who instilled in me a sense of wonder about the universe. A special mention goes to my sisters, who have often been my patient and enthusiastic companions during countless nights of stargazing, supporting my passion and sharing in the wonders of the universe through my telescope.
My academic background includes studies in computer science, computer engineering, and astronomy. This diverse skill set allows me to engage audiences through a variety of mediums, from hands-on experiments to captivating presentations.
Throughout my career, I have worked with various organizations, including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Lions Club, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Clark County School District, Civil Air Patrol, State Park, National Parks Service, several Native Tribes, CSN, and UNLV. I have also contributed to several citizen science projects for NASA, JPL, The Planetary Society, and, focusing on asteroid tracking, Light Sail, and lunar and solar projects. In 2013, I joined the Las Vegas Astronomical Society (LVAS) as a member and volunteer. Today, I’m proud to serve as Vice President of their Education Outreach Program, a position I have held since 2018, promoting astronomy and space exploration in our community. In 2018, I collaborated with Denise Nikita, a doctoral candidate on the Astra project (air and space thermal nuclear rocket engine with turbojet project). In 2022, I was selected to participate in The Solar System Ambassadors Program, a national NASA and JPL engagement effort to share the science and excitement of NASA’s space exploration missions with the public. I am proud to conduct over 100 STEAM events annually. Outside my professional endeavours, I enjoy reading books, listening to music, and playing video games.
This program is being presented in cooperation with NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program.

CDLC In Person Event: Sustainability Idea Swap
2025-07-29 10:30 - 2025-08-27 12:00 | Capital District Library Council, 800 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY, 12110, United States
CDLC Sustainability Idea Swap

Please Note: This is an in-person event at CDLC in Latham, New York.
We invite you to join fellow CDLC members for a Sustainability Idea Swap, an in-person networking event intended to ignite new ideas and share practical strategies for sustainability in libraries.
Every library, regardless of size or type, is engaged in sustainability work. This is your chance to share your initiatives, services, and programs—and learn what others are doing across our region. We’ll move beyond “green” initiatives to explore the broader scope of sustainability, encompassing environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability.
This interactive session, led by Jennifer Ferriss of the Saratoga Springs Public Library and Ali Larsen of Siena College, both librarians involved in the Sustainability Library Initiative certification, is a follow-up to our earlier Sustainability Library Initiative program. It’s an opportunity to connect with peers, gauge regional interests, and build a stronger network for sustainable library practices.
All are welcome! You do not need to have attended our previous sustainability session to attend this event. Bring your successes, your questions, and your innovative ideas.

RRLC Webinar: Shift Work, Long Hours, and Fatigue
2025-07-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This webinar deals with the effects of shift work and hours of work on the worker and the workplace with suggestions made as to solutions which can minimize adverse effects.
The program content includes the effects of shift work on the human body to produce desynchronization of body systems and the resulting health, behavioral, and social consequences which can result in short-term and long-term stress. Is there an “ability” to tolerate shift work? Can we predict who is best suited for shift work? Types of shifts and arrangements and analysis of shift work schedules is done with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of types of work schedules. Legislation and regulation on shift work and hours of work are covered. Methods of hazard reduction and control to lessen the impact of shift work are covered including: the job demands/job control model, job stress interventions, staffing, and balancing work and family life. Also covered are some personal strategies for dealing with stress.
Presenter: Nellie Brown is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for the Worker Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. A certified industrial hygienist, biologist, and chemist, Nellie earned a master’s degree in a multidisciplinary program in natural sciences and applied science from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.
Free to RRLC & ESLN Members. This webinar will be held on Zoom Webinar; registration is required.
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for 1 hour of CE credit. This webinar will NOT be recorded.
We are committed to offering inclusive, diverse, and equitable services to all of our members. To request specific accommodations, please contact RRLC at least five business days ahead of the program you’d like accommodations for.
RRLC Registration & Program Attendance Policies

LILRC Webinar: Jewish Librarians Meetup
2025-08-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Join us for a conversation with fellow librarians and library workers to share your workplace concerns. All are welcome.

OPALS Users' Group 2025
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
OPALS Users’ Group 2025

Please join us as we welcome John Schuster, of Media Flex, to CDLC’s annual OPALS Users Group Meeting. OPALS is an open-source automated library system, developed by Media Flex, Inc. This Users Group meeting is for both current users of OPALS and those who are considering adopting OPALS. John, an OPALS Librarian, Consultant, and Trainer, has experience with all types of libraries and provides training to library staff, including volunteers.
This year’s user group meeting will be an abridged online version with the following topics covered.

Basic overview of OPALS
OPALS current and upcoming enhancements
Advanced topics and answers to in-depth questions asked by members

More information about OPALS may be found on the Media Flex website: OPALS Library System
There is no cost to attend for CDLC or ESLN members.
This program will be recorded.

Related LibGuide: Technical Services at CDLC

LILRC Webinar: Long Island Rail Road: How to Research Its History
2025-08-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Dave Morrison will give advice on the various resources that are available to librarians and individuals who desire to research the history of the oldest railroad in the country that still operates under its original name. He will discuss the libraries, historical societies, museums and websites that have a wealth of LIRR history. He’ll talk about what is available in his own archives and the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum program that is available to libraries.
Dave Morrison is a retired LIRR branch line manager and railroad historian. He has been researching LIRR history for over 50 years and he is the author of 11 LIRR books published in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series. He is on the Board of Directors of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum and the Hicksville Historical Society.
