LSTA FY2008 Projects w/abstracts & contact information; approved through March 31, 2008

2008-2010 Service Improvement Invitational Grant Program

32 Projects approved through March 31, 2010
Including Abstracts, Category, Project Director and 2 Year Totals

Brooklyn Public Library

SCP

09-0007

Spanish Language Outreach on Brooklyn Bibliobús will provide a library on wheels targeting the area’s growing number of Spanish language patrons. The program will focus on children’s programming, tie-ins to Summer Reading, and library card registration drives to engage the Latino community.  It hopes to increase circulation and build a connection to this community by providing over 2,000 Spanish language book and multimedia materials aboard the Bibliobús.

Sharron Lahey  (718) 230-2199

$42,800

Capital District Library Council

AEC

09-0029

The CDLC Digitization Project will train library personnel on standards for digitization and how to manage digital collections. A project website will host the training resources on digitization topics including metadata, CONTENTdm, image formats, etc.  

Susan D’Entremont 518-438-2500

$21,250

Central New York Library Resources Council (CLRC)

AEC

09-0031

Heritage CNY will revamp its earlier digitization plan and begin creating digital collections for a public repository, rich in historical significance serving researchers, genealogists, students, tourists and anyone interested through the worldwide web.  This effort builds on a series of previous workshops which provided guidance to libraries on managing, sustaining and promoting digital collections.

Penelope J.M. Klein (315) 446 -5446

$21,250

Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System

AEC

09-0002

Revving Up Digital Media Services will provide library staff and volunteers training on emerging technologies for portable personal devices, including MP3 players and audio book players. Some 448 new titles will form the core of this downloadable book collection. This initiative will build the skills of library staff in introducing newer technologies to the public.

Anne Plyler (716) 484 -7135 x258

$14,730

Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System (CEFLS)

SCP

09-0008

E Seniors in the Driver’s Seat will build programs for seniors to build their “comfort level” with computers. Select project activities will pair seniors with young adults to expand their familiarity with computer applications and environments. The key objective will be helping seniors embrace technology to become fluent E-Citizens.

Elizabeth Brooks  518-563-5190

$14,730

Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (LEA)

SI
Statewide Collaborative

09-0006

School Librarians as 21st Century Leaders will establish a collaboration among all 41 School Library Systems for training.  Customized instruction for elementary and high school librarians, teachers, reading specialists, library systems and school administrators  will  focus on literacy, themes in the SED P-16 curricula, and Web 2.0 technologies. Participants will share knowledge and experience in an online communication forum.

Susan M. Bartle   (716) 672-4371 ext. 2022

$300,000

Finger Lakes Library System

SI

09-0009

Awesome Customer Service! Beyond A Smile and a Date Due Slip will provide staff training in customer service emphasizing work with special populations. The program consists of a series of workshops and features noted library experts as presenters. The training will embrace a wide range of library personnel and supporters. Links to bibliographies, customer service blogs and related materials for this initiative will be made available on the FLLS website.

Marisa Iacobucci (607) 273-4074 x26

$14,730

Four County Library System (4CLS)

AEC

09-0003

The Technology Training Project will build the skill sets necessary for all library staff to work with new components of  integrated library system automation software.

Pamela Brown  (607) 723-8236 x303

$14,730

Long Island Library Resources Council

AEC

09-0030

Long Island Memories will undertake a digitization program and provide training workshops targeting librarians and archivists to ensure public access to the rich regional resources of Long Island. Invited speakers will address copyright, scanning and the management of collections in an open source format. The creation and launch of a new digitized collection will be the capstone for this project.
Virginia Antonucci-Gibbons (631) 632-6656

$21,250

Metropolitan New York Library Council

AEC

09-0032

Moving Forward, Making Web 2.0 Work for Libraries will focus on innovation in the library world and technologies libraries need to know to become innovators in meeting the needs of their customers. This project will focus Web 2.0 technologies and how they can be best used to stimulate dialog and improve service to patrons.

Dottie Hiebing (212) 228-2320

$30,000

Mid-Hudson Library System

SI

09-0010

Building Your Base, Part II will expand on the success of Phase I in outreach to new user groups.Training will employ a tool known as The Community Connection Rubric, to help libraries identify new segments of the service population and their interests, with a goal of collaboration to build new library connections.

Merribeth Advocate (845) 471-6060 x54

$22,110

Mid-York Library System

AEC

09-0011

Learn and Meet Online with Web Conferencing will utilize web technology to build awareness of member libraries’ online resources, such as NOVELNY. Webinars showcasing value-added online services will be hosted for library staff, community groups and Internet patrons.  By incorporating web conferencing tools, member libraries will create a new form of outreach and service opportunity for their staff and patrons.

Linda Manfredo (315) 735-8331 x237

$14,730

Mohawk Valley Library System

SCP

09-0012

Wii Programming for Aging and Older Adults will use this new technology to build intergenerational library-sponsored activities for seniors.  Introducing sports programs in the Wii format will have the added benefit of providing physical exercise and social interaction for this distinct population throughout Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie and Schenectady counties. Extending library services to the community in new ways is the cornerstone of this initiative.

Sue Rokos 518-355-2010

$14,730

Monroe County Library System (MCLS)

AEC

09-0023

The MCLS Website Service Improvement Project will introduce more interactive components for teens and children by redesigning several areas of its website based on input from usability and user surveys. Building wikis and bi-lingual blogs to stimulate reader commentary are two examples of web improvements to involve patrons and allow more direct user input through the library’s website.
Patricia Uttaro (585) 428-8051

$22,110

Nassau Library System

SI

09-0022

Staff Development for Change, Innovation and Leadership will provide a series of workshops using outside experts to help libraries adopt innovation. Each library will be called upon to present a “change initiative” and explore ways to provide dynamic service throughout a large organization. Discussion on the use of library environments, customer service and technologies will help libraries develop new or improved policies for enhanced service. . 

Elizabeth Olesh  (516) 292-8920 x237

$27,400

The New York Public Library

SCP

09-0013

ABC-Read to Me: Reaching City Babies and Toddlers will focus on ‘emergent literacy’ programs for small children as part of early childhood exposure to libraries and their role in the formation of readers. Libraries will model lapsit programming for children 0 to 2 years of age, and facilitators will mentor teen mothers and other caregivers who deeply influence children’s early literacy. Training surveys will be administered to gauge the effectiveness of program activities by children, librarians and caregivers.

Margaret Tice  (212) 340-0903

$42,800

Nioga Library System

AEC

09-0014

“NioKids” will address the need to provide quality online resources for the more than 37,000 children under the age of nine in this region. The program will organize a website with a valuable directory of links for tots, elementary age children, ’tweens and parents. A variety of online and locally held resources will be highlighted in each section with links to age-appropriate online content and programming.

Thomas C. Bindeman (716) 434-6167 x14

$14,730

North Country Library System (NCLS)

SI

09-0015

Certification Courses will offer professional development in a broad range of system services: developing web content, maintaining web servers, networking, and maintaining system security with a goal of helping small libraries maintain their online presence and becoming more fluent in Web 2.0 technologies.
Stephen Bolton (315) 782-5540

$14,730

Northern New York Library Network

AEC

09-0024

Newspaper Digitization Project will offer access to a wider spectrum of historical newspapers for many localities in this region including those from Massena, Ogdensburg, Carthage, Lowville, and Malone. 124,000 additional pages will be digitized to expand the resources available through the network’s website. This initiative will expand access to unique historical documents, records and audio-visual components sought by regional users. Periodic evaluation by qualitative and quantitative analysis will enable the network to continuously improve this web-based collection.

John Hammond (315) 265-1119

$21,250

Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL)

SCP

09-0017

Starburst Accessibility Program plans to provide assistive technology and training for those with vision or hearing deficits at seven libraries with a focus on seniors, who now use materials in large print collections, but are less apt to use online access to resources.  The project will build seniors’ familiarity with electronic resources and hopes to build circulation through increased use of the online catalog and digital collections.
Mark E. Allnatt (315) 435-1816

$22,110

Pioneer Library System (PLS)

SI

09-0016

GPL Leads Geneva Reads proposes a coalition among community agencies to  unify diverse efforts to promote reading  for families and children in  Ontario county,  To meet the changing demographic make-up within the Geneva community, the program will  offer bilingual story times and relevant programming for growing diverse populations, especially single mothers, Latinos and  migrant families. A ‘Geneva Reads’ website will be created to promote this new initiative and special events it has planned. .
 
Kim Iraci (585) 394-8260

$14,730

Queens Borough Public Library (QBPL)

SI

09-0001

Public Library Administration and Management Program will help librarians build a ‘portfolio of competencies’ relevant to technology, outreach, special populations, automation processes and organizational change.  This program involves enrollment in courses using blended instruction taught in conjunction with the Palmer School of Library and Information Science. 
Maureen O’Connor (718) 990-8569

$42,800

Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS)

AEC

09-0018

24/7 Online Reference will help member libraries provide around the clock reference services to their patrons. The Central Library and the Newburgh Free Library will spearhead this new service model, and area libraries through the QuestionPoint Consortium will provide after hours assistance. This program extends access and service to a population in the RCLS community who are driven to the Internet and electronic resources for their information needs because of age and preference, lengthy commutes, or work schedules which prevent on-site use of their local  libraries.

Jerry Kuntz (845) 343-1131 x246

$22,110

Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC)

SI

09-0025

Reaching New Horizons will enhance professional development opportunities for all area library staff.  An extensive series of monthly programs featuring invited speakers and informal after-work events will help libraries embrace cooperative programming. New technologies including RSS feeds, blogs, and wikis will be introduced on the RRLC website libraries to help provide alternative learning and communication forums.

Deborah Emerson (585) 223-7570

$21,250

South Central Regional Library Council (SCRLC)

SI

09-0028

Practical Digitizing: Decisions, Details and Development will break down the hands-on work of digitizing collections into a series of “Boot Camp” workshops addressing project management, scanning, metadata, open source software, copyright and other topics. Resulting training materials will be hosted on the SCRLC website to help mentor future trainees.  Collections developed through the program will be maintained for the public and as future teaching resources. In year two, four additional interactive workshops will provide a forum for sharing tips, project ideas and feedback on the use of digital collections.

Betty Maute (607) 273-9106

$21,250

Southeastern New York Library Resources Council

AEC

09-0026

Hudson River Valley Heritage Historic Newspapers will create a model demonstration project to digitize select historical newspapers for potential use as primary source documents by genealogists, students and historians.

Tessa Killian (845) 883-9065 x14

$21,250

Southern Adirondack Library System

SI

09-0019

Continuing Education…will develop a certificate program in partnership with the Public Library Association and Adirondack Community College to implement improved library services. The program will explore two topics: Politics and Networking and Planning and Facilities. Participants will develop a project plan in one of these areas with assistance from course facilitators and library mentors. Participants can earn a certificate of completion  in support of  professional development activities from the American Library Association and Adirondack Community College.

Elaine Baker  518-584-7300 x209

$14,730

Southern Tier Library System

SI

09-0020

Working Together to Manage Change will explore bridging the well-loved traditional library and its modern counterpart. Targeting 39 libraries, participants will  learn technologies that support  new service opportunities and explore blending revered tradition with new innovation. A partnership with the NYS Association of Library Boards and newsletters supplementing the workshop topics will help sustain an active dialog for change and growth in member libraries throughout the system.

Ristiina Wigg (607) 962-3141 x207

$14,730

Suffolk Cooperative Library System

SI

09-0004

Suffolk Historic Newspapers will expand its conversion of newspaper content to include more local historical sources in an indexed and searchable digital collection available through the web. Collaboration with historical societies and schools on special topics will help build an audience of students, researchers and genealogists for these rare and unique regional resources.

David B. Concar (631) 286-1600 x1334

$27,400

Upper Hudson Library System

SCP

09-0005

Explore Your Shore: Discovering Community History @ Your Library will develop and offer family literacy programs using the theme: “Hudson 400” to coincide with New York’s Quadracentennial celebrations. Intergenerational and interactive family and leisure reading activities will highlight the collaboration among libraries, local historical societies and schools that will partner in this project.
Mary Fellows 518-437-9880 x228

$22,110

Westchester Library System (WLS)

SI

09-0021

Stepping Back will implement a usability study to affirm the value-added benefit of its online catalog and web-based services. Focus groups and surveys will take place with selected library clientele to examine their comfort level and satisfaction with online information retrieval and a host of other library services. The study will look at various service populations: teens, seniors, immigrants and staff  as distinct groups to gain a snapshot of user expectations and a framework for continuous improvement.

Lisa Ann Grazadei (914) 231-3241

$22,110

Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC)

SI

09-0027

Expanding Western New York Legacy: Preserving and Digitizing Collections Training will offer a series of institutes to develop staff skills in digitization and preservation. Participants will learn conservation methods and work with image and print collections that will be added to a regional online collection, at WNYLegacy.org

Sheryl Knab (716) 633-0705 x121

$21,250

 

 

Total Amount of Funds Approved:

$977,890

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Last Updated: June 3, 2009