After 24 years, the New York Library Association (NYLA) Annual Conference is returning to Syracuse, NY, in addition to holding a virtual conference. Because I'm on the Onondaga County Public Library Board of Trustees, I've written the information below for my board members in order to encourage them to attend. After writing it, I realized that other library trustees in NYS might benefit from this information. It might also be helpful to your friends groups. So please share this information with anyone who can use it!
This year, the New York
Library Association Annual Conference is holding a virtual conference (Oct. 28-29) or the in-person conference,
Nov. 3-6. Most of the in-person programming is on Nov. 4-5.
Registration for the in-person conference also gives you access to the
virtual conference. The virtual conference includes sessions at
specific times as well as on-demand programming.
Registration information
is available online with early-bird registration ending on Sept. 30.
If you are not a member of NYLA, you would register as a non-member
($299/full conference or $189/virtual conference).
The registration rate for trustees assumes that you are a member of NYLA. A trustee can join NYLA for $30/year.
Relevant sessions during the virtual conference programming include:
How to Hire and Inspire (and Occasionally Fire) Library Employees, Legally!
In this session, we will discuss a variety of employment law topics and the laws that govern them. Topics will include hiring and firing of employees, paid leave laws and policies, employee misconduct, discrimination and harassment, interpersonal conflict and bullying, wage and hour concerns, performance issues, safety concerns, and more. Using real world scenarios that arise in libraries, we will identify legal issues and plan practical approaches to resolving personnel problems. We will examine how federal and state employment laws and library policy work together, with a special focus on the requirements imposed by new legislation and recent court decisions.
In this session, we will discuss a variety of employment law topics and the laws that govern them. Topics will include hiring and firing of employees, paid leave laws and policies, employee misconduct, discrimination and harassment, interpersonal conflict and bullying, wage and hour concerns, performance issues, safety concerns, and more. Using real world scenarios that arise in libraries, we will identify legal issues and plan practical approaches to resolving personnel problems. We will examine how federal and state employment laws and library policy work together, with a special focus on the requirements imposed by new legislation and recent court decisions.
How to Run an Effective Meeting
Attendees will learn how to construct an effective meeting by deciding what structure will meet the meeting's needs. We will discuss when and if, using Robert's Rules of Order is necessary, and give a quick introduction into best practices when using that structure. Key meeting management tips will be introduced, including how to empower all meeting attendees to participate; communicate effectively with a large group; value the attendees' time; stay on task; tactfully end off-topic discussions; and finish meetings in a timely matter.
Attendees will learn how to construct an effective meeting by deciding what structure will meet the meeting's needs. We will discuss when and if, using Robert's Rules of Order is necessary, and give a quick introduction into best practices when using that structure. Key meeting management tips will be introduced, including how to empower all meeting attendees to participate; communicate effectively with a large group; value the attendees' time; stay on task; tactfully end off-topic discussions; and finish meetings in a timely matter.
Community Partnership Social Workers in Libraries
Middle Country Public Library welcomed a licensed social worker into their service model over 15 years ago and has sustained this model through deep community partnership. Learn about how this model has been so successful in forging new relationships and meeting patron needs. Meet our licensed social worker who will talk about the types of services she can offer with her professional training and how these services work within a public library. Kristen Todd-Wurm, National Coordinator for Family Place Libraries will talk about how the library set up and sustained this ongoing beneficial relationship over the years.
Middle Country Public Library welcomed a licensed social worker into their service model over 15 years ago and has sustained this model through deep community partnership. Learn about how this model has been so successful in forging new relationships and meeting patron needs. Meet our licensed social worker who will talk about the types of services she can offer with her professional training and how these services work within a public library. Kristen Todd-Wurm, National Coordinator for Family Place Libraries will talk about how the library set up and sustained this ongoing beneficial relationship over the years.
Library Construction 101
The State Aid for Library Construction program offers public and association libraries and public library systems funding, up to 90% of the total cost of the project, to carry out construction projects at these libraries. Learn about the funding distribution, how to apply for a project, and what the requirements to receive an award of funding through how to close a project once the work is completed.
The State Aid for Library Construction program offers public and association libraries and public library systems funding, up to 90% of the total cost of the project, to carry out construction projects at these libraries. Learn about the funding distribution, how to apply for a project, and what the requirements to receive an award of funding through how to close a project once the work is completed.
Relevant sessions during the in-person conference include:
De-escalation and Library Security, a Street Perspective
As libraries try to find a balance between safety and accessibility the discussion of security in libraries has become more nuanced and complex. One approach is to use Community Engagement Teams instead of traditional security or policing to de-escalate conflict before it begins. These Community Engagement Teams get to know the community, become aware of what is happening on the street level, are aware of trauma-informed services, and come from a shared background of the people that use the library. Their informed understanding of library users heads off conflict before it begins, and they become a part of the community library at the community level.
As libraries try to find a balance between safety and accessibility the discussion of security in libraries has become more nuanced and complex. One approach is to use Community Engagement Teams instead of traditional security or policing to de-escalate conflict before it begins. These Community Engagement Teams get to know the community, become aware of what is happening on the street level, are aware of trauma-informed services, and come from a shared background of the people that use the library. Their informed understanding of library users heads off conflict before it begins, and they become a part of the community library at the community level.
Library Trustees [Not In] Legal Jeopardy!
Being a trustee takes dedication, awareness, and a willingness to learn the ropes of library and not-for-profit legal considerations. Since that is a lot of work, this session will make it fun, promoting awareness of the most critical aspects of library trustee ethics and responsibilities through a game-show format: "What is...a fiduciary?" "What is...a conflict of interest?" "What is...Director's & Officer's Insurance?" You will wager all of your late fees as you test and build your trustee skills in this fun and highly informative session!
Being a trustee takes dedication, awareness, and a willingness to learn the ropes of library and not-for-profit legal considerations. Since that is a lot of work, this session will make it fun, promoting awareness of the most critical aspects of library trustee ethics and responsibilities through a game-show format: "What is...a fiduciary?" "What is...a conflict of interest?" "What is...Director's & Officer's Insurance?" You will wager all of your late fees as you test and build your trustee skills in this fun and highly informative session!
Friendly Relationships, Working Together for the Library
Friends of the Library can be valuable members of the library team. Trustees provide governance, library directors manage the operations of the library, and a Friends group provides an opportunity for citizen volunteers to give support and financial assistance. All parties in this alliance need to understand their well-defined responsibilities and the limits of their roles. Frequent, clear, and open communication is the key to a successful partnership, along with joint planning sessions and establishing an operating agreement to address the needs and expectations of all. Robust, positive relationships between these key players will impact customer satisfaction and achieve long-term goals, helping libraries to be strong and resilient. Our panelists from the Hamilton Public Library will share ways their Friends, director, and trustees work together successfully.
Friends of the Library can be valuable members of the library team. Trustees provide governance, library directors manage the operations of the library, and a Friends group provides an opportunity for citizen volunteers to give support and financial assistance. All parties in this alliance need to understand their well-defined responsibilities and the limits of their roles. Frequent, clear, and open communication is the key to a successful partnership, along with joint planning sessions and establishing an operating agreement to address the needs and expectations of all. Robust, positive relationships between these key players will impact customer satisfaction and achieve long-term goals, helping libraries to be strong and resilient. Our panelists from the Hamilton Public Library will share ways their Friends, director, and trustees work together successfully.
A New Way to RAC
Building on the success of the Vision 2020 plan, RAC (Regents Advisory Council on Libraries) is looking at newer ways to improve services. This program will include a discussion and we need your input. The RAC Vision Plan 2020 presented strategic directions for New York's libraries and library systems and was developed in partnership with the state's library community. It provided a clear vision of what excellent libraries should look like, and affirmed the ongoing value of the library system.
Building on the success of the Vision 2020 plan, RAC (Regents Advisory Council on Libraries) is looking at newer ways to improve services. This program will include a discussion and we need your input. The RAC Vision Plan 2020 presented strategic directions for New York's libraries and library systems and was developed in partnership with the state's library community. It provided a clear vision of what excellent libraries should look like, and affirmed the ongoing value of the library system.
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