CLRC

SCRLC Webinar: Shift Work, Long Hours, and Fatigue
2024-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This workshop 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.

NNYLN Webinar: Storing & Maintaining Digitized Materials
2024-12-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Digital files require ongoing maintenance to be preserved and used in the future. This webinar will focus on introducing the basics of digital preservation. Furthermore, it will take a hands-on approach to introduce resources to evaluate your resources and storage options to find a solution that will work best for your institution.

Webinar: Fundamentals of Human Resources
2025-01-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
This webinar will cover a basic introduction to many of the essential facets of running a business with employees. Attendees will

Be introduced to many of the laws that employers are required to abide by relating to employees,
Be given an overview of many of the best practices that are suggested when dealing with personnel, and
Have the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding issues that may have arisen in their workplace.

About the Presenter:
Ginny Biesiada served as the Chief Administrative Officer of a Syracuse-based real estate development and property management firm for over 25 years, overseeing human resources, organizational development and planning, training, risk management and marketing for the company and all of its related entities.
Currently she is providing human resource consulting services to small and mid-size for-profit and not-for-profit firms in the areas of recruiting, onboarding, benefits administration, coaching and disciplinary issues, policy and procedure design, and sexual harassment training and compliance, either on an ongoing basis, or for special projects.
She is a graduate of the University at Albany, earned a Certificate in Human Resource Studies from Cornell University and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse. She is the recipient of the Central New York Women in Business Award, the Thursday Morning Roundtable Award for Meritorious Service to the Community, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central New York Volunteer of the Year Award.
She currently serves as Immediate Past President of the Friends of the Central Library, a member of the Board of Governors of Hillside, a member of the Onondaga County Civic
Development Corporation, a board member of the Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York and a Parish Council member of St. Paul’s Armenian Church. Previously she served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the United Way of Central New York, President of the Board of Trustees of the Onondaga County Public Library system, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, President of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Consortium, and President of the Syracuse Onondaga County Youth Board.
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: Where is the Line? Freedom of Expression and Transgressive Speech
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This presentation will explore the limits of freedom of expression by looking at the works of several “transgressive” artists. Does their work have socially redeeming value or are these artists purposely prurient, shocking, and socially subversive? Who gets to decide whether these artists are given a platform or are cancelled?
This presentation will delve into the complex and often controversial realm of freedom of expression by examining the works of various transgressive artists. Due to the nature of the subject matter, the program will include discussions of media that some participants may find provocative, disturbing, or offensive. The views and opinions expressed during this program are meant to be educational and not necessarily those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of the hosting organization.
William Burns is a professor of English at Suffolk County Community College. His research interests include transgressive art, alternative cultural movements, and post-modernism
This program is co-presented with SCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee

ESLN Webinar: Expert Insights on Protecting and Preserving Library Collections with Marianne Hanley & David Stokoe
2025-01-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Back by popular demand! Last May, the Empire State Library Network hosted a webinar on basic book repair with Syracuse University Preservation Librarian Marianne Hanley. The program sparked a lot of interest—and even more questions! This time, Marianne will be joined by her SU colleague David Stokoe for an entire session dedicated to answering your questions on protecting and preserving library collections.
Presenters: Marianne Hanley & David Stokoe
We invite you to submit your questions for the presenters via the registration form or by emailing Susan D’Entremont (susan@cdlc.org) or Rebecca Kluberdanz Honsinger (rhonsinger@clrc.org). Don’t miss this chance to get advice on your book preservation concerns.
This session is sponsored by the Empire State Library Network.

CDLC Webinar: Preservation Interest Group - Exhibits
2025-01-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Please note: This session will NOT be recorded.
Our focus for this meeting will be on exhibits. Ann Kearney will offer a brief presentation based on guidelines offered by the American Institute for Conservation, the American Alliance of Museums, and the National Park Service. She will emphasize practical solutions to the care-taking issues we face when exhibiting collections items in small institutions. The session will be interactive, with plenty of time for questions and comments.
About the Facilitator: Ann Kearney is the Collections Conservator at the University at Albany. She holds a Master of Science in Information Science from the University at Albany, and studied bookbinding and paper conservation under a Fulbright Grant at Camberwell College of Art and Crafts in London, England. In addition, she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rosemont College.

SCRLC Webinar: Indoor Air Quality
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Description:
This program deals with the fundamentals of the indoor air environment, including the sources of the problem, the typical health symptoms related to poor-quality air, and how occupants and building materials can be affected. The sources of indoor air contaminants are illustrated with case histories that put the problem into perspective and demonstrate the correctable nature of this problem. The basics of conducting an indoor air quality investigation are covered, with surveys of building inhabitants and the correlation of air monitoring results demonstrated as important investigative tools. Regulations and recommendations on the indoor environment are discussed, with some public relations and labor relations aspects of indoor air quality, to assist in dealing with perceptions and fears in building occupants.

LILRC Webinar: HR Insurance Essentials (Session 2 General Liability Essentials)
2025-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
In this session, we’ll break down the complexities of general liability insurance. From understanding terms like premium, deductible, and umbrella coverage to exploring various coverage to get. Discover the avenues to get coverage and learn how to determine the coverage your library needs. Walk through the claims process and hear about the realities of lawsuits.
Practical Tools Provided:

Claims Checklist: A handy resource to ensure you’re well-prepared when the need arises.
Incident Report: Learn how to document incidents efficiently to streamline the claims process.
Valuation Checklist: Navigate the process of determining the cost to replace with a comprehensive checklist.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the insurance landscape effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned director or just starting out, our sessions will help you understand insurance and give you practical tips on how to navigate this complicated topic.

CDLC Webinar: Promoting Your Academic Library Post-Pandemic
2025-01-22 10:30 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
While we all understand things have changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, many are still at a loss regarding how academic libraries can make a comeback. Join Jessica Daly, B.S.Ed., MLS, as she discusses how to identify the changes in learning styles, and how to best meet the needs of our post-pandemic patrons which is critical for survival.
About the Presenter:
Jessica Daly is the Head of Collections and Electronic Resources and Head of Library Outreach and Marketing for the R.A. Williams Library at AdventHealth University in Orlando, Florida. As a faculty librarian, she holds the ranking of Assistant Professor.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Library Science from East Carolina University. Jessica was named “Hospital Librarian of the Year for 2020” by the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library of Medicine. The Florida Library Association awarded her “Exemplary Instructional Programs or Services” in 2022. More recently, the Florida Health Sciences Library Association named her “Librarian of the Year” for 2024.

NNYLN Webinar: Engaging Play in Libraries and Cultural Institutions
2025-01-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Play means having fun, experimenting, and suspending one’s sense of time. Play can make work in libraries and cultural institutions more enjoyable, more flexible, and less stressful – and bring delight to communities in small but meaningful ways.
Join Megan Lotts, the Art Librarian at Rutgers University and author of “The Playful Library: Building Environments for Creativity and Learning,” to explore simple, inexpensive ways to incorporate more opportunities for playful engagement in your organization, through programs, collections, or creative use of space. From edible books to art vending machines to pop-up making spaces, small practical playful installations and actions can make a big difference in community interaction and staff morale.
Participants may request a certificate of attendance for one contact hour following the event. Free to all who are interested. Registration is required. This webinar will be recorded.
Read a sample of Megan Lotts’ 2024 book, “The Playful Library: Building Environments for Learning and Creativity,” published by ALA Editions.
Bio: Megan Lotts is the Art Librarian at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she teaches research workshops, builds collections, facilitates programming and events, and closely engages with students and faculty researching in the Arts and across the Rutgers New Brunswick campuses. Lotts has presented her research both nationally and internationally and has published articles in portal: Libraries and the Academy, Art Documentation, Journal of Library Administration, multiple articles in College and Research Libraries News and more. Her research interests include outreach, engagement, makerspaces, and the work of library liaisons. She is known for her work with LEGO play, teaching the course Playing to Learn in Higher Education, and curating the Rutgers Art Library Exhibition Spaces. Megan earned an MFA (2004) and MLIS (2007) from University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a BFA in Painting (2000) and BFA in Art History (2002) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently lives in New Brunswick, NJ and continues to create site-specific conceptual art-works.

ESLN Webinar: New Laws in the New Year (2025) - An Ask the HR Expert Webinar
2025-01-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
A roundup of employment-related laws going into effect in 2025, with a focus on how they will impact libraries and other 3R-member institutions. Written materials: template language to implement them in the library or cultural institution environment.
This is the first event in our 4-part “Ask the HR Expert” series.
About the presenter: Stephanie “Cole” Adams is an attorney who represents libraries, educators, students, and creative professionals. Cole provides the Ask the Lawyer service that New York State’s nine library resource councils provide to each library in the state. She is a member of the ALA Lawyers for Libraries faculty, the Vice Chair of the Erie County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee, and served as the General Counsel of Niagara University for over ten years. Cole is a proud graduate of SUNY Buffalo School of Law and Hampshire College.
We invite you to submit a question for the presenter – there will be a place to do that during the registration process. The deadline to submit questions is Friday, January 10, 2025.
Free to ESLN Members. Registration is required. This webinar will be recorded.
This session is sponsored by Empire State Library Network.

SCRLC Webinar: Hold. Fold? Walk. Run! Dealing with Difficult Conversations
2025-01-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Did you ever get stuck in a surprise(!) contentious conversation? Did someone say something somewhere that put you in the spot? Was the spot in public? We have all had those unexpected conversations that made us uncomfortable. This workshop will show you how to keep the conversation in your favor.
Experienced educator, coach & keynote speaker Maurice Coleman will show you practical skills to deal with sudden controversial, & confrontational conversations in this interactive workshop.
Learning outcomes:

Participants will learn methods to prepare for any contentious conversation.
Attendees will get techniques to defuse confrontational situations
Participants will leave with multiple resources to deal with difficult people in unexpected situations.

Webinar: Digital Reference Resources to Help Library Users
2025-01-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
This is a digital workshop designed for library staff looking to elevate their reference desk interactions by using digital resources effectively. Zoom will be used to facilitate the session in order to accommodate a wider audience. Participants will explore best practices in reference interviewing. There will be time allotted at the end of the workshop for participates to ask questions or get additional assistance if needed.
Learning Objectives:

Participants will be provided with an array of digital resources to use when conducting reference desk interactions with library users.
Participants will learn reference interview best practices to support successful library user engagement while using digital resources and technologies.
The participants will practice reference desk interactions skills through interactive discussions of reference interaction scenarios. Participants can refer to the digital resources provided to them during the workshop to support them in crafting responses to the scenarios.

About the Presenter:
Shannon Crooks is a doctoral student at Syracuse University in the Information Science and Technology Ph.D. program. Shannon has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Winthrop and Howard University. She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University in 2018.
Before enrolling in the Ph.D. program, she worked as a librarian supervisor at an urban library in Prince George’s County, Maryland. While working in the library, she strategized how to engage and support the library community.
Shannon spent several years working as a social worker in various roles such as foster parent trainer/recruiter/licensing specialist, foster care social worker, teen mom social worker, treatment plan writer, and teen mom life skills group facilitator. Working in social work has enriched her librarianship skill set and guides her practice when working with people in library communities. Her primary research focus is community engagement.
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 1.5 contact hours.**
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

RSVP to Advocacy Day in Albany
2025-02-05 | State Capitol, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12242, United States
CLRC is providing a coach bus from Syracuse that stops in Utica and Herkimer. Join colleagues and library patrons, Friends, and supporters in Albany to advocate for Libraries in meetings with regional state senators, assembly members, and representatives. The bus has a capacity of 56 passengers, in the event we hit capacity we will start a waitlist. Please get in touch with Fran Dingle if you have any questions.
Driving yourself and meeting us there? We still need you to RSVP (free) so we know what members are in attendance.
Tentative Schedule – Wednesday, February 5, 2025
6:15 am – Depart CLRC parking lot East Syracuse, NY
7:15 am – Utica pick up off I-90
8:00 am – Herkimer pick up off I-90
9:00 am – Drop off at State Capitol – Legislative Office Building
NYLA Advocacy Meetings and Lunch NYLA Advocacy Day
3:15 pm – Meet bus at drop off location
4:45 pm – Herkimer drop off off I-90
5:15 pm – Utica drop off off I-90
6:15 pm – CLRC parking lot drop off

RRLC Webinar: Practical Ethics for Librarians - Navigating Generative AI Thoughtfully
2025-02-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Generative AI is transforming the library profession, unlocking new opportunities for accessibility, content creation, and operational efficiency. Yet, this technological shift also introduces complex ethical challenges that resist simple solutions. Intellectual property disputes, the environmental toll of AI, transparency, and equity concerns require librarians to move beyond instinctive reactions and engage with these issues using a more thoughtful, structured approach.
This presentation focuses on equipping librarians with practical tools to assess their own and their library’s use of AI through established ethical frameworks. By exploring deontological ethics (rights and duties), consequentialism (weighing outcomes), and virtue ethics (fostering integrity), participants will learn to apply these frameworks to real-world scenarios in library settings.
Learning Objectives
– Use ethical frameworks to evaluate their own and their library’s AI practices.
– Advocate for fair, transparent, and sustainable AI adoption.
– Balance innovation with integrity while upholding core library values.
You will have the opportunity to submit a question to the presenter during registration.
Dr. Leo S. Lo (he/him) is Dean and Professor of the College of University Libraries and Learning Services (CULLS) at the University of New Mexico. He is also 2024-2025 President of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

LILRC Webinar: Talking Book Library Service Information Session for Library Workers - Children's Services
2025-02-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library is a branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL) and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) that provides FREE accessible reading material for patrons who are blind, low vision, physically disabled, print disabled, or otherwise unable to read print, to patrons located in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Andrew Heiskell Library offers materials to borrow in a wide range of formats, including braille, talking books (audio), and magazines, for users of all ages, as well as players and mobile apps. Patrons can also find accessible programming and events, individual coaching in assistive technology, group workshops, braille study groups, the Dimensions Lab for tactile creation, and more. Ashley Dalle, Interim Chief Librarian, will present on how to apply for NLS service, the benefit to you, your students, and your patients, as well as the types of assistive technology courses and workshops that are being offered, for FREE, to library patrons. Andrew Heiskell Library offers children’s materials to borrow in a wide range of formats, including braille, talking books (audio), and magazines, as well as players and mobile apps, and early tactile literacy kits for early Braille users.

LILRC Webinar: Rock Star Online Platforms for Librarians - How to Create and Manage an Expert Online Presence
2025-02-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
In today’s competitive world, it is more important than ever to have an impressive online presence. Librarians with an established platform and personal brand are the ones who get noticed … and hired. This hands-on webinar will walk you through how to create your own personal brand development plan, establish your online persona, manage your online reputation, set up a professional landing page, blog, and stand-out online resume. You will learn strategies to build an audience, establish yourself as an authority, and become a “rock star” in the field.
Ellyssa Kroski is the Director of Innovation & Engagement at the New York Law Institute as well as an award-winning editor and author of 77 books including Law Librarianship in the Age of AI for which she won the AALL’s 2020 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award. She is a librarian, an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University, and an international conference speaker. She received the 2017 Library Hi Tech Award from the ALA/LITA for her long-term contributions in the area of Library and Information Science technology and its application. She can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/author/ellyssa

Webinar: Embracing Neurodivergence - Coping Mechanisms and Colleague Support
2025-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
In this webinar, I will briefly share my professional journey with ADHD in digital project management, detailing the coping mechanisms I developed before and after my very recent diagnosis. The focus will be on how these strategies have been helpful in managing projects, and the mistakes encountered along the way.
Prior to my diagnosis, I relied on innate methods such as intense bursts of focus and creative problem-solving. Post-diagnosis, I’m emphasizing structured routines, mindfulness practices, and technology aids to enhance productivity and maintain momentum in projects.
Moreover, I will discuss the challenges that ADHD presents in traditional work environments, emphasizing the need for adaptive project management methodologies. I will highlight the importance of personalized task management, flexible scheduling, and the utilization of visual aids.
I will offer insights into how neurotypical colleagues can contribute to an inclusive workspace. Simple yet effective changes, such as clear communication, recognition of diverse work styles, and supportive feedback systems, can make a significant difference.
The presentation will also seek to engage the audience by inviting them to share their coping mechanisms via the chat. This exchange aims to foster a collective understanding and generate a pool of resources that can benefit all attendees.
The goal is to encourage dialogue that not only empowers neurodivergent individuals but also educates and equips neurotypical professionals to be allies in building a more accommodating and productive environment for everyone. Medical advice will not be provided.
Learning outcomes:

Coping mechanisms in the workplace for neurodivergent individuals
Tips for managing projects with ADHD
Common pitfalls in the workplace for individuals with ADHD
Ways to support and accommodate our neurodivergent colleagues

About the Presenter:
Josh Morgan’s career in libraries began as a student employee in Clemson University Libraries’ digitization lab in 2008. He served as the lab manager and digital projects manager from 2010-2021, digitizing manuscripts and university archive collections, as well as assisting various departments and faculty with their eclectic digitization needs.
Much of his time was also spent consulting and supporting more than fifteen GLAM institutions across South Carolina in order to digitize and provide access to their cultural heritage material through the South Carolina Digital Library. He also managed the digitization projects for over twenty National Park systems and two state park systems for the IMLS grant project, the Open Parks Network, producing well over 300,000 images for public access.
As a left-handed, gay Jew in the South, Josh’s professional efforts have also been focused on supporting and empowering historically marginalized groups by founding Clemson University’s LGBTQ Commission in 2011, and serving as staff senator for the Libraries and Policy & Welfare Committee co-chair for the senate, eventually earning the President’s Senator of the Year award in 2021.
In August of 2021, he joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries as the digital production manager. Two and half years later, he was officially diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD, leading to another journey of self-discovery and advocacy.
Live captioning will be provided.
This presentation portion of this webinar will be recorded and shared with all registrants afterward. The Q&A and discussion afterward will not be 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: Diversity in Children's Literature - A Panel Discussion
2025-02-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Please join LILRC for a moderated panel discussion on the topic of diversity in children’s literature and publishing. Our guest speakers are:
Bobbie Bensur, the Director of Children’s & Teen Services (CATS) & Paw Prints Publishing at Baker & Taylor.
Cheryl Willis Hudson, an award-winning author, co-founder and editorial director of Just Us Books.
Vicki Weber, the Chief Marketing Officer at Behrman House.
Arthur A. Levine, the President and Editor-in-Chief at Levine Querido.

LILRC Webinar: Telling Your Story - Advocacy Strategies for Library Success
2025-02-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Everyone enjoys a story, including our political leaders. We will help you develop compelling narratives that highlight your library’s value to government stakeholders. This workshop will teach you how to craft persuasive messages and deliver them with impact. It is an opportunity to let your patrons tell your story.
Presented by:
The current Government Relations Specialist for a public library system, Jen Park jumped into advocacy and grassroots organizing when the school curriculum in her town suddenly hindered K-8 students from checking books out of the school libraries. A librarian prior to working in government relations, Jen has experience in public, academic, and special libraries with experience publishing and presenting on regional and national platforms. Jen has strong experience creating strategic advocacy plans, grassroots organizing, running successful referendum campaigns, and creating/strengthening relationships with elected officials.
Victor Caputo is the CEO of Supernova Consultants. He began his career as a journalist before entering the library field and worked as Director of Public Relations/Programs for 24 years. He served as a Library Director for six years before engaging in his consulting business full time. He has lectured extensively on management, project management, advocacy, marketing, and customer service.

SCRLC Webinar: Creating Equitable Library Policies
2025-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
The policies of a library help to create the library’s environment for staff and patrons. Effective library policies are essential for setting clear expectations, defining responsibilities, and establishing boundaries. Unfortunately, policies often focus on negatives, rather than positives and may unintentionally target (and harm) specific populations.
Using several policies that a library has – dress code, bereavement, code of conduct, and meeting room policies – we will discuss how to avoid policies driven by fear or past events, and discover how policies can focus on positive actions, inclusion, and equity.
Participants are encouraged to bring their dress code, bereavement, code of conduct, and meeting room policies to the webinar. There will be time during the webinar for them to review these specific policies and begin to update them using information learned during the session.

LILRC Webinar: Archival Reference and Access for Beginners
2025-02-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
A discussion about the practices and services that allow users to locate archival materials and addressing users needs in a changing digital landscape. This is a continuation of the series started in 2022 explaining the steps of archival management. If you are new to archival arrangement or simply curious, this introduction will help explain the thinking behind the work of an archivist.
Nicole Menchise, LILRC Digitization and Archives Coordinator, will present.

ESLN Webinar: Manga in Libraries - An Introduction
2025-02-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
This session will NOT be recorded.
Join us for an hour-long introduction to and overview of manga in libraries: what it is, why it matters, and how to develop a solid collection.
Jillian Rudes, author of “Manga in Libraries” and school librarian, will walk participants through manga readerships, genre, publishers, and age ratings. She’ll cover why manga is important: for patrons, entertainment, visual and textual literacy, social-emotional development, and building cultural literacy. Lastly, she’ll cover a basic understanding of manga collection development, resources to use, books to purchase, shelving and displays, reader’s advisory, and digital content.
From building teen engagement at your library to creating a collection that acknowledges manga as one of the fastest growing segments of book readership in the US, this webinar will help you initiate or strengthen your manga knowledge and offerings.
Read a sample of Jillian Rudes’ book, “Manga in Libraries,” published by ALA Editions, at https://alastore.ala.org/manga.
Bio: Jillian Rudes is the founder of Manga in Libraries, an organization which provides manga readers’ advisory lists and hosts manga webinars, workshops, and panels. She is also a New York State dually certified English teacher and school librarian. She currently serves as the school librarian at a grade 6–12 public school in New York City. In 2020, she received the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Collaborative School Library Award and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Scholastic Library Publishing Award in 2022. She was deemed the “Manga Maven” by Library Journal and was selected as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2022. Jillian was a judge for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards and is the current recipient of an IMLS research grant focusing on “Teenage BIPOC Readers of Manga”.
Participants may request a certificate of attendance for one contact hour following the event. Presented by Empire State Library Network, and free to all. Registration is required. Questions? Contact Amy Dickinson at amy@nnyln.org.

CDLC Webinar: Promoting Belonging - Creating Library Neurodiversity Clubs
2025-02-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Neurodiversity Club won the award for 2023 Program of the Year from the Southern Adirondack Library System. The facilitators of the club, Kate Lambert and Lauren Allen, will discuss how they started and expanded the club They will also provide guidance on how to create Neurodiverse-affirming offerings in your libraries. This webinar aims to reassure library staff that even if they have no experience working with Neurodivergent people, they can create and run successful programming aimed at them.
Why a Neurodiversity Club?
Library offerings geared toward Neurodivergent individuals serve a critical role in building connections and community. Approximately 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 6 children and adolescents in the United States have some type of disability. Despite people with disabilities being the largest minority group, they are rarely included in the same ways as people without disabilities. These inequities contribute to people with disabilities experiencing and reporting higher levels of loneliness and isolation.
Creating spaces and opportunities for anyone–and in the case of Neurodiversity Club, Neurodivergent kids and adolescents–to connect with other people they have shared interests and experiences with is powerful. The children who attend the Neurodiversity Club sessions are able to forge relationships and “just be themselves” in a space with their peers that centers and values their Neurodivergent identities – serving as another source of belonging in their lives.
About the Presenters
Dr. Lauren Lestremau Allen (she/her) is a Licensed Psychologist (NY, MD), Licensed Behavior Analyst (NY), Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Lauren is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator in the SUNY Empire State University Applied Behavior Analysis Master of Science program and the Assistant Director of the SUNY Empire Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES), both of which prioritize compassionate, value-driven care, and client self-advocacy and autonomy. Lauren is a former program director and continues on the Program Services team at the Ivymount School, a K-12 special education school in Maryland, where she served K-12 students with disabilities and their families. She has also supported Autistic, Neurodivergent, and disabled clients and their families and teams across home, clinic, and outpatient hospital settings. Lauren is on the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis board, acting as the Chair of the Student Activities Committee, and is a Hub Team member with ECHO Autism: Education. Lauren is committed to high quality service and support delivery for Autistic individuals and individuals with developmental disabilities and is passionate about training professionals to provide affirming and client-centered care.
Kate Lambert (she/her) is a Children’s Librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, where she runs programs including Neurodiversity Club (SALS 2023 Program of the Year) and Sensory Story Time. She got her MSIS from SUNY Albany in 2016 and has worked in public libraries for eight years. She has experience developing programs and providing library services for adults, teens, and children. Kate is committed to cultivating an inclusive library environment and is passionate about providing opportunities for kids to be creative, make connections, and develop a love of learning.

Webinar: Disaster Preparedness Basics - People, Policies, Practices, and Procedures
2025-02-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Webinar Description:
In July, 2024, Rome was hit by an EF2 tornado that went through the city’s center coming within a block of the library. In this one hour program, learn what procedures, policies, and partnerships helped Jervis to respond quickly to the tornado warning and as an essential component of the community’s response. In addition, you will be invited to consider other actions that can be part of response preparedness.
About the Presenter:
Lisa Matte earned her MLS from the University at Albany and her MS HRM (Human Resources Management) from Stony Brook. In her life before libraries, she was in fast food management for 6 years and retail bookselling for 4 years, experiences she values in their application to libraries.
As a librarian for services to teens at Jervis In Rome, NY she was recognized as Forty Under Forty in the Mohawk Valley. As the Library Director, a position she has held since 2005, she has been honored with the Mayor’s Community Excellence Award, the Rome Branch of the NAACP’s Shirley Chisholm Freedom Fund Award, Oneida County’s COVID-19 Hero Award, and the NYS Assembly Woman of Distinction designation. In 2022, she was enshrined in Rome NY’s Arts Hall of Fame. More recently, Jervis was chosen as this year’s CLRC Library of the Year.
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 1.5 contact hours.**
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: Talking Book Library Service Information Session for Library Workers - Adult Services
2025-02-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library is a branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL) and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) that provides FREE accessible reading material for patrons who are blind, low vision, physically disabled, print disabled, or otherwise unable to read print, to patrons located in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Andrew Heiskell Library offers materials to borrow in a wide range of formats, including braille, talking books (audio), and magazines, for users of all ages, as well as players and mobile apps. Patrons can also find accessible programming and events, individual coaching in assistive technology, group workshops, braille study groups, the Dimensions Lab for tactile creation, and more. Ashley Dalle, Interim Chief Librarian, will present on how to apply for NLS service, the benefit to you, your students, and your patrons, as well as the types of assistive technology courses and workshops that are being offered, for FREE, to library patrons.

Resource Sharing Virtual Conference 2025
2025-02-27 12:30 - 16:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Conference Schedule

12:30 – 12:40 Welcome and Housekeeping

12:40 – 2:00 Keynote Addresses
12:40 – 1:30 Recharge: Transforming Burnout into Growth
Melissa Lawson, Coordinator for Access Services, Utica University
1:30 – 2:00 Presentation
Gregg Kiehl, Library Director, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3)*
*This presentation is in place of the planned keynote address, “Transforming Workflow Pain Points into Smart Solutions” by Elise Thornley, Senior Head of Resource Sharing, Binghamton University Libraries. Elise’s slides will be made available after the conference, along with her contact information,

2:00 – 2:15 Break

2:15 – 3:15 Panel Discussion: Trends in Resource Sharing
Tor Loney, Library Development Specialist, Division of Library Development, New York State Library
Haleigh Mikolajczyk, Program Consultant, Southern Tier Library System
Sarah Shank, Access Services Manager, Ithaca College

3:15 – 3:45 Empire Library Delivery Update
Maria DeGaetano, Empire Library Delivery Coordinator, Empire State Library Network

3:45 – 4:00 Closing Remarks

This event is free and open to all ESLN members. Hosted by CLRC and SCLRC.
Questions? Please contact co-chairs Christine Brown (SCLRC) at cbrown@sclrc.org or Sophie Friedman (CLRC) at sfriedman@clrc.org.

ESLN Webinar: Innovations in Employee Benefits - An Ask the HR Expert Webinar
2025-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Exploring unconventional benefits that libraries, museums, and other cultural organizations can offer to recruit, retain, and inspire employees. Written material: legal guidance and sample language for implementing creative benefits.
This is the second event in our 4-part “Ask the HR Expert” series.
About the presenter: Stephanie “Cole” Adams is an attorney who represents libraries, educators, students, and creative professionals. Cole provides the Ask the Lawyer service that New York State’s nine library resource councils provide to each library in the state. She is a member of the ALA Lawyers for Libraries faculty, the Vice Chair of the Erie County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee, and served as the General Counsel of Niagara University for over ten years. Cole is a proud graduate of SUNY Buffalo School of Law and Hampshire College.
We invite you to submit a question for the presenter – there will be a place to do that during the registration process. The deadline to submit questions is Friday, January 10, 2025.
Free to ESLN Members. Registration is required. This webinar will be recorded.
This session is sponsored by Empire State Library Network.

New York Heritage Bits & Bytes: Schenectady County Historical Society, Siena College, and NY Archives Magazine
2025-02-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Adding digitized collections to NY Heritage creates unique opportunities for research which can lead to unexpected and fruitful collaborations! This episode of Bits & Bytes highlights a recent example of a successful partnership between a class of Siena College undergraduates and the Schenectady County Historical Society. Using the Samuel Jones Family Papers collection on NY Heritage and other materials from the SCHS collections, students in Professor Jenn Dorsey’s Honors NYS History class wrote a biography of Schenectady politician Samuel Jones. Their article has now been published in the Winter 2025 issue of NY Archives Magazine. Join SCHS archivist Marietta Carr, Siena Professor Jenn Dorsey, and two of the student authors to discuss their collaborative process, their approach to biography writing, and the results of their work.
Presenters: Marietta Carr, Archivist at Schenectady County Historical Society and Jennifer Dorsey, Professor of History at Siena College
This webinar will be recorded. Live transcription will be available.
We are committed to offering inclusive, diverse, and equitable services to all of our members. To request specific accommodations, please contact rrlc@rrlc.org at least five business days ahead of the program you’d like accommodations for.
If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Hughes at rhughes@rrlc.org

LILRC Webinar: Girls Who Code - Cost-Free Library Curriculum and Programs
2025-03-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Online Via Zoom, NY, United States
Computer science skills are some of the most sought-after and highest-paying in the US job market, with demand growing 3X the national average. In 1995, 37% of computer scientists were women. Today, only 24% of computer scientists are women. Attrition for CS interest in girls is heightened between the ages of 13 and 17.
This is where Girls Who Code steps in: We are on track to close the gender gap in technology by 2030. We have reached over 500 million people, served over 500,000 girls through our programming, and 50% of our participants are from historically underrepresented groups.
During this presentation, we will provide an overview of Girls Who Code’s educational philosophy and impact, and introduce our free Clubs Program. We’ll engage participants in a deep dive into the Clubs experience with Girls Who Code. We’ll discuss the ways that we can directly support communities in growing their clubs, building their networks, and engaging with students at all levels of coding. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how to incorporate our curriculum into their communities.
Presented by: Michaela Burger, Senior Associate, Community Partnerships & Outreach, Girls Who Code
