North Country Leader

Happy February! I hope you’re all staying warm and finding ways to make the most of the winter weather! 

Grant Opportunities from AARP – Short Application Timeline!

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. In 2023, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities, two of which are new this year. Click the link to view the application timeline, grant descriptions and eligibility criteria:

https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/info-2023/2023-challenge.html

Heads Up – Future Outreach Events (note corrected dates!)

NCLS will provide tables, a tent if needed, handouts and staff coverage; member libraries can sign up to participate for as little as an hour, or for the entire event! This is a great, no-stress way to connect with new potential patrons. If you have a great programming idea for one of these events, or want to suggest one in your region, please email me!

• WPBS Ready Set Fun Bookfest – Saturday May 6 from 10am-2pm at Salmon Run Mall, Early Literacy fair featuring the awards for the WPBS Young Writers Contest
• Jefferson County WorkPlace Career Jam – Career exploration event for 8th graders from around the region; typically held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Last year was on a weekday in May. 
• Zoo New York Earth Day Celebration – Saturday April 22, we will be upcycling books from the recycling program!
• St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES hosts Gateways to Careers at SUNY Canton on March 15th! I am unfortunately unavailable on this date to do the setup as I will for other events, but you are encouraged to participate, show the career resources available through libraries and talk about what a career in libraries looks like in 2023! If you plan to participate, please let us know and we will send you any signage, outreach materials and giveaway items we can! https://www.sllboces.org/apps/pages/CTE/Gateways

NYS Talking Book and Braille Library Newsletter 

The Winter 2023 issue of the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library’s Upstate Update is now available. This issue includes information about new and exciting initiatives through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, publication updates, and popular reads. View past issues and subscribe to here:

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Upstate-Update.html?soid=1110847617454&aid=udBKZcPjrjE

Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association conducted research on the evolution and kinds of Black History Month programming taking place in libraries. There is a lot of information about their process and findings, but if you scroll down this page, you’ll come to the taxonomy, which lists out different categories of potential library activities observing this month. This is a great source of inspiration for future programs!

https://blackhistorymonth.bcala.org/taxonomy/

Serving Family Home Childcares with Outreach Service

The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services listserv recently had a great discussion about how to connect with home-based childcare providers. With the ability to check out items remotely on Polaris, there will be great opportunities to bring the library to kids in these settings! 

Here are some of the recommendations that were shared:

WAYS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH FCCs:

• Working with local community college offering childcare coursework, offering trainings around books in programs and literacy-based play
• Join community-based Facebook groups

SCHEDULING:

• Many expressed desire for early visits (before 11am)
• Some libraries and bookmobiles find FCCs easier to schedule than traditional daycare centers because they are more flexible, with fewer special events and community visitors (speaking to greater need in many cases)
• Afternoon after-nap visits can work and you might see some older after-school kids then too

TYPES OF SERVICE:

• Bimonthly delivery of book baskets
• Makeshift bookmobile visit (load up your vehicle with select books and arrange in milk crates for kids to easily flip through)
• Books and storytime every other week
• Invite providers to bring kids to the library for interaction with other kids or a dedicated storytime and book exchange

MATERIALS:    

• Bring books for a variety of ages – both board and picture books
• FCCs appreciate checking out resource kits also: puzzles, manipulatives
• Home-based child care centers are less likely than larger centers to want books that support curriculum, and are more interested in reading-for-pleasure books.

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS:

• Smaller size offers opportunity for impactful connections and personal relationships, outreach to families and caregivers. 
• FCCs have fewer resources available than larger centers, and libraries can step in to fill that need

Upcoming Continuing Education

Exploring Race & Representation in Picture Books

This event has passed, but the recording will be available online until February 26th. View it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dORIFUhps20

Putting Theories Into Practice: Engaging in Empathy and Trauma Informed Librarianship Part 1

Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Time: 4:00pm

Join us for two sessions focused on closing the gap between theory and the active practice of working with people. 

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_87G2CnucT-iGv44ZD4Kp0A

Ryan Dowd’s Homeless Training: Homeless De-Escalation 301: Preventing Conflict

Date: February 9

Time: 2pm

• The science behind how conflict is prevented.
• How to ensure that people give you “the benefit of the doubt.”
• A quirky little game you can play that will keep people from yelling at you (or worse)!

Register: https://bit.ly/Homeless_De_Escalation_301_Member

How to Make the Most out of School Visits

Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Time: 1:00pm

Join librarians Tamelee Young and Deborah Kinirons of the Uniondale Public Library on Long

Island as they explain how they organized and conducted visits to the seven elementary schools

in their library district and the positive effects of that outreach.

Register: https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/10282537

Attack of the Black Rectangles: A Conversation on Censorship with Amy Sarig King and Jane Yolen

Date: February 15, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Please join LILRC for a moderated conversation with award-winning authors Amy Sarig King (Attack of the Black Rectangles) and Jane Yolen (The Devil’s Arithmetic) on the topics of censorship in children’s and young adult literature. 

Native Stories, Native Peoples: Opportunities for Library Engagement

Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Time: 3:00pm

This webinar will highlight opportunities for libraries to connect their communities to accurate and respectful information, fostering understanding and support of Indigenous peoples past and present.

Register: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/nativestories-native-peoples.html

Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers (NCLS-sponsored)

Date: Live session February 17, 2023, recorded sessions available now!

Time: 1-3pm

Providing robust readers’ advisory service that values equity, diversity and inclusion principles is essential to all library service. But moving from being a neutral, well-meaning library where systemic racism is acknowledged to an actively anti-racist organization involves work, some of which is uncomfortable at first. 

In this program you will begin that work, learning tangible skills to help build enthusiasm for reading and discovering “diverse” books. Prior to the live session, please watch Parts 1&2 of the series. We’ve made the recordings available on our YouTube page, but you’ll need the links to access them:

Part 1: Building Marketing, and Promoting Diverse Collections (and slides)

Part 2: Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers (and slides)

Register: https://ncls.libcal.com/event/10110453

Putting Theories into Practice : Engaging in Empathy and Trauma Informed Librarianship, Part 2.

Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Time: 4:00pm

Join us for two sessions focused on closing the gap between those theory and the active practice of working with people.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NVdv0ddGQWuuj0gEkmg6tw

With, Not For (Sponsored by NNYLN)

Wednesday February 22, 2022; 10:00 – 11:00 AM

NNYLN has hired Build With—a design, facilitation, and training practice led by Cuán McCann that helps communities and teams working for social change nurture and deepen their collaboration skills and know-how—to talk to us about what community engagement really is and why it’s vital work. 

This talk will offer a fresh framing of community engagement, identifying common ways we may be dissatisfied, fearful, or curious about other ways of operating. It will resonate with the tweet pinned to Cuán’s Twitter profile which reads “How can we ever create systems that enable equity, that share power, if we don’t practice what we preach in the creation of those systems?”

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpc-uurzIuE9DlNKAMfdUSmXzRXPMrwX2Z

Supporting People Who Are Currently or Formerly Incarcerated

Date: February 23, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Whether a person spends 24 hours or 24 years incarcerated, their life is impacted. 

Understanding the complex trauma often experienced by those in custody assists in building responsive and welcoming programming. 

This workshop is centered in respecting the experiences of those who have been or are currently incarcerated.

Register: https://lilrc.org/event-5146779

Connected Lib Fest

Date: March 15-16, 2023

Time: 1-5pm both days

This two day virtual event will explore the framework of Connected Learning, a way of approaching outreach to youth that leverages their interests and existing community connections. (Admittedly, when I received the email about the symposium it was not clear what it was all about; it took a little digging to find out what Connected Learning means. 

It does appear to be a potentially valuable approach for those of us trying to reach out to youth!) For more information about the Connected Learning mindset and toolkit, visit: https://connectedlib.github.io/

Register: https://web.cvent.com/event/b127a1d4-3295-4867-94f1-25fc4e791362/summary

The Unique Ways Libraries Can be a Source of Strength for People Currently or Formerly Incarcerated

Date: March 21, 2023

Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Libraries provide all communities members with a free, safe and warm space. This alone can be an asset to so many.  Participants will be provided with the information and space to begin exploring ways their current services can be more responsive to those formerly incarcerated, new programs that can be introduced and ways to impact those currently held in custody. This workshop leads with a perspective of strength, anti-racism and the belief in serving all humans.

Register: https://lilrc.org/event-5146789

Original source can be found here.