Public Library System 2008-09 Budget Narratives and 2007 Annual Report Narratives

Brooklyn Public Library

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

In FY 08, Service to the Aging programs were offered in BPL’s neighborhood libraries and numerous off-site locations across the borough of Brooklyn. These initiatives will continue in FY 09. Below you will find a list of our many services and those within Service to the Aging that have been recognized for their great work.

Everyone Serves Seniors – The team consisted of members from diverse titles and backgrounds. Over 800 public service employees were trained in the Everyone Serves Seniors workshops. The response was over 90% positive. New ideas were generated for programming, customer service, and for future work shops.
Service to the Aging Website – The LSTA grant gave us the opportunity not only to create the Everyone Serves Seniors program, but we also designed a website for seniors, caregivers, librarians, and anyone interested in finding research on the lives of seniors. The site also includes an e-mail address. Additionally, the site includes information about our service such as Books to Go and Books by Mail and catalog links to material held in the Brooklyn Public Library. A section called links covers a variety of subjects and the best information on local, national, and international resources. Brooklyn Public Library’s Office of Service to the Aging continues to be a leader in the library field and this website in connecting people from all over the world with current issues involving seniors.
Outreach and Community Partnerships – Creative Writing Workshop – Fifth year Creative Writing – “Bits and Pieces” Sixth Year of Partnering with Elder Share the Arts Continue partnering with various organizations serving Caregivers and Grandparents Continue partnership with Elder Craftsmen Talking Circle continues at the Brighton Beach Library Books by Mail once again participated in the Adult Summer Reading Program Successful outreach had been coordinated with the Veterans Association Hospital located in South Brooklyn in which we will provide entertainment and educational programs to the veterans who visit the hospital. Also in partnership with the Fort Hamilton Army Base.
Diverse Programs – Puppet Show, Circus, Gospel, Popcorn & a Movie, Street Fairs Information Tables Hospice, Red Cross, Food Stamps, Access a Ride, Nutrition & Health
New Partnerships – Lutheran Medical Center/Chinese Community Windsor Terrace Senior Center/Hispanic Community
Library – Participation in the Big Read – We conducted the “Big Read” funded by the National Endowment for the Arts at two senior centers in Brooklyn. The seniors read and discussed “To Kill Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Our Outreach Supervisor and our librarian visited the sites to conduct a book talk with the participants who overwhelming enjoyed the project.
Veterans History Project – The Brooklyn Public Library is participating in the Veterans Oral History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress. Service to the Aging is donating their librarian to help conduct and record interviews. To date, two of the senior assistants working within Service to the Aging have been interviewed. This is a continuing project that will continue through 2008.
Bi-Folkal – BiFolkal Training for Adult Librarians and Senior Center Directors – Service to the Aging provided a meaningful and necessary training for people who serve seniors. We recently purchased new BiFolkal Kits and invited the creator Lynne Martin Erickson to Brooklyn to give a training workshop on how to use the BiFolkal Kits with seniors.
Awards – Emerging Leader - Olivia Morales, one of our librarians, was named an American Library Associations Emerging Leaders of 2008. She is sponsored by ASCLA – LSSPS and is assigned to a project for ASCLA (Association of Special and Cooperative Library Agencies) to ensure that the new web design for ALA’s website is section 508 compliant. *Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information that is comparable as the information used by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities. This project will end in June of 2008 and she will then serve on the ALA committee.
Recognition Awards - Sol Levitt – One of our Senior Assistants received a Recognition Award from Elders Share the Arts. Florence Zielinski - Our Senior Volunteer received a Volunteer of the Year award. Mark Livshitz – Books to Go, received a recognition award for the monthly delivery of library materials to Saints Joachim & Anne Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

State Corrections

N/A

County Jails

Funds will be used for Library Materials.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

BPL has successfully:

presented at ALA Annual on webservices for Spanish speaking families of children w/disabilities
Participated in storytelling and RIF at neighborhood hospitals
Initiated library building project at Crossroads Secure Detention Center
Hosted and participated in mental health fairs
Hosted Every Child Ready to Read workshops in Spanish, Cantonese & Mandarin

Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

As stated in the goals of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Five Year Plan, B&ECPL will continue to provide services to senior citizens, provide a welcoming atmosphere at all libraries for persons with disabilities and continue to develop a staff trained to work with diverse populations. The System has established outreach services through service to residents at the Erie County Home and at eight City branches. The focus of outreach is senior citizens with limited mobility, persons with disabilities and children at risk. Collections and resources are used effectively to serve this special client population. Staff has also been trained to offer equal access to the Library's services by meeting the needs of persons with disabilities through use of computers and other technology. Staff will continue to develop programs that entertain and educate the diverse population of Buffalo and Erie County, while promoting the resources and services available for their use at B&ECPL.

State Corrections

The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) will continue to provide library service to New York State Correctional facility inmates, as stated in the goals of B&ECPL’s Five Year Plan. During this project year, the Collins, Gowanda, and Wende State Correctional Facilities will contract with the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library for a variety of public library services and programs including: interlibrary loan and delivery, reference and consultant service, memberships in the Western New York Library Resources Council, and purchase and delivery of new books and other materials.

County Jails

As stated in the goals of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Five Year Plan, B&ECPL will continue to provide comprehensive and innovative service to all penal-connected facilities operated by Erie County – the Erie County Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility. Library service in these facilities encompasses a variety of materials in print and non-print formats, which engage the population and provide educational opportunities. This aid will assist B&ECPL to offer access to information for the individuals of Erie County's diverse communities.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Partnering with Just Buffalo Literary Center to focus attention on “The Big Read” in February 2008 (To Kill a Mockingbird).
Partnering with Literacy Volunteers for Drop-in Centers.

Coordinated Outreach

Designated handicapped parking spaces in front of the Crane Branch.Presented the following programs:
- “Barking Up Your Family Tree” (genealogy program at the 20th Century Club)
- “Genealogy Sources in the Grosvenor Room” (Family History Center’s 2007 annual Seminar)
- Multiple SCORE workshops and classes. SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.
- “Get Graphic” workshops for public and school librarians and educators.
- “Power Up: Unleash Your Inner Super Hero,” “From Superman to Sandman: Comics Grow Up” panel discussion
- “How To Take Better Digital Photographs”
- Multiple “Literally Speaking” book discussions
- Developed curriculum for “Database Direct” program
- Developed Language Café at Niagara Branch
- Set up a display in the Ring of Knowledge for Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Latin Jazz Trio presented a concert at the Ring of Knowledge.
Developed and conducted the following Special Events:
- “Buffalo Book Fair” (featuring 16 unique programs in the Central Library)
- Visits by author Michael Wallis and author/photographer David Plowden
Adopted Anti-Harassment Policy.
Updated collection of BiFolkal Kits used in nursing homes and adult day care facilities.
Contacted with various agencies and associations through Institutions department.
Began recruiting Spanish-speaking staff.
Participated at Job Fairs and Career Days.
Participated on City of Buffalo’s Digital Inclusion Task Force for the “Buffalo Wireless Initiative”

Correctional facilities (State and Local)

Reinstituted Lock and Key publication the Correctional Facility.

Youth Services

Developed and conducted the following Special Events:
- Potter Fest 2007
- Battle of the Books
- Day of the Book, Day of the Child
Central Library Children’s Department staff began conducting children’s programs for branch libraries.
Coordinated two scavenger hunts throughout the Central Library as part of the summer reading program series.
Conducted Spanish language Pre-School story hours at Niagara Branch.
Partnering with “Good Schools For All,” Read to Succeed, at East Delavan Branch (Success Center in a Success Zone).
Conducted various teen-oriented programs at the Central Library and Buffalo Branches, including a poetry jam, computer gaming and “Guitar Hero.”
Applied for and received NYS Family Literacy Library Services Grant, “Get Graphic” for $92,419.
Coordinated Summer Reading Program.
Created new look for Kids Corner for spring and summer seasons.
Posted online survey regarding graphic novels.
Redirected search box on Kids Corner to children’s databases.
Applied for and received LSTA Grant, “DataBase Direct” for $15,000.

Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

To provide direct library service to System residents living in areas unserved by a library or living in special communities, and to those with special needs, such as the educationally disadvantaged, ethnic groups, blind, physically handicapped, aged and unemployed; the CCLS Outreach librarian will supervise and assist 3 full-time staff members, 1 part-time driver and 1 substitute driver to provide bookmobile service to 26 stops: 6 rural communities without libraries; 8 schools with limited libraries; 3 inner-city housing developments; 2 housing developments for the elderly; 2 residential centers for incarcerated youth; 1 resource center for developmentally disabled; 2 summer camps, 1 summer day-care facility; and 1 summer community. The Librarian selects materials for the bookmobile, for deposits of large print materials placed in member libraries, and for special collections that support the needs of inmates at both county jails and county-wide human service programs. She also presides at two annual meetings of the Outreach Advisory Council, disseminates Outreach promotional materials, updates Outreach web pages, and service as an active member of such coalitions as Partners for Prevention in Chautauqua County and the Healthy Women’s Partnership in Cattaraugus County. To assist residents with vision and hearing loss, the librarian promotes and facilitates service for blind patrons through the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library and continues to promote and train residents on the use of both ZoomText and assistive hearing devices. The Outreach support staff member regularly performs both circulation and reference responsibilities for the Bookmobile, handles the management of deposit collections of large print materials lent as deposits to six member libraries and 22 nursing and senior homes, circulates 21 Bifolkal kits, selects and processes all serials and juvenile materials purchased for the Bookmobile, and coordinates the Bookmobile’s Summer Reading Club. As the Outreach Librarian has notified her intention of retiring in January, 2009, and the Bookmobile is coming to the end of its useful life, 2008 will be a year of evaluation outreach services to determine how best to serve the needs of these special populations without a new vehicle and with a new leader.

State Corrections

The System’s Five Year Plan of Service’s goal for the Lakeview Shock Incarceration and Correctional Facility is to provide both the staff and inmates with library materials. We plan to provide these materials through our weekly delivery service to the facility. Materials selected by the prison librarian will be purchased by the System for the facility. Reference and interlibrary loan service will be available to the inmates and staff. Prison staff are able to place holds and renew any borrowed items online through the System’s ILS. CCLS informs the prison librarian of any workshops, training opportunities, and activities the System is sponsoring that might be helpful in his position. The System’s librarian charged with responsibility for supervising the Corrections program visits the facility at least once a year and communicates regularly with the prison librarian to establish needs and provide library support.

County Jails

To provide library services to inmates and jail staff, the Outreach Librarian will visit each facility at least once during the year and will communicate regularly with jail staff contacts to establish needs and provide service support. Requested serials, books, and other materials will be purchased and delivered. Reference services, supervised deposit collections, interlibrary loan service and a weekly delivery will be provided to each jail. Book donations will be given to each as available.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Goal: Promote the development of collaborative literacy programs in member libraries and support those libraries with established literacy programs.

Results: All residents of the System’s service area seeking adult literacy services were connected with existing or newly established literacy programs and had access to literacy materials. All member libraries were notified of the State’s Adult Literacy Grant program. Help was provided to two libraries applying for the grant. All member libraries were informed of existing literacy programs in the System’s service area and appropriate materials were provided to adult literacy students.

Coordinated Outreach

Goal: Provide appropriate and accessible library services to System residents with special needs such as the educationally disadvantaged, ethnic/minority groups, blind, physically disabled, aged, and unemployed/underemployed, developmentally or learning disabled and institutionalized through direct service and collaborative efforts with member libraries and relevant community agencies.

Results: System residents with special needs were successfully linked to a comprehensive program of library services. System staff continuously assess information needs of the target populations and select, order, and make available appropriate materials in a variety of formats. A LSTA-funded project providing computer aids for the visually handicapped and deaf in the two central libraries was successfully completed. The Outreach Librarian consulted with area agencies serving the target population to keep abreast of the agencies’ programs and offered assistance when appropriate. The System operated a bookmobile which served the physically disabled, educationally disadvantaged and other institutionalized individuals. Deposits of large print and non-book materials were provided to 43 institutions including member libraries for use in serving the elderly and institutionalized. The System was a sub-lending agency of the New York State Library for the Blind. The Outreach Advisory Council met twice during the year. The System facilitated a Gates Spanish Language Workshop for 4 member libraries serving Spanish-speaking patrons.

Correctional Facilities (State and Local)

Goal: Provide the staff and inmates of the Lakeview Shock Incarceration and Correctional Facility and the Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County Jails with library service.

Results: Correctional facilities and jail inmates had access to library services. Deposit collections, interlibrary loan, and delivery services were provided to the two county jails and the one correctional facility located within the System’s service area. Materials were purchased, processed and delivered to the three facilities for use by inmates. Each facility was visited and jail and prison staff were interviewed to determine any needed service changes. Each facility received the System’s newsletter and staff were invited to attend System workshops and meetings.

Youth Services

Goal: Provide professional support to member libraries’ services to children and youth of the System area.

Results: The children and youth of the System area had access to a comprehensive program of library services at their local library. Print and non-print selection lists were provided to member libraries. An annual Summer Reading Club workshop was conducted and the System coordinated the distribution of Summer Reading Club materials, programs, and mini-grant funding to participating members. Four workshops on serving teenagers were presented to member libraries using the System’s LSTA Service Improvement Grant. $7,000 of funding from that grant was used to purchase YA materials for circulation by members. 2,390 contacts were made by System staff with member libraries on services to children and youth.

Clinton Essex Franklin Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Under the Laws of 1986 as amended by chapter 37, library systems receive Coordinated Outreach State Aid Funds yearly to provide library services to eight target groups. These groups include the visually handicapped, physically handicapped, aged, institutionalized, ethnic minorities in need of special services, educationally disadvantaged, unemployed/underemployed, and geographically isolated. Aid amounts are determined on a per capita basis with the results that CEFLS’ share is the one of the lowest in the state. To meet the various information concerns of the various target groups, large print books, spoken word materials (books on audio tape and on CD), videos, and assistive devices (such as radio receivers) will be purchased throughout the year as funds allow. These materials are made available to the public through member libraries, reading centers, and the bookmobile. The Coordinated Outreach Advisory Council meets during the year as required by low to advise outreach staff on projects and activities relating to the target groups. CEFLS will continue to use Outreach funds to partially cover the cost of the Outreach Coordinator salary, a portion of the Outreach clerk’s salary, and associated benefits. Obviously, grant-seeking from outside sources will be a primary focus of the Outreach Department so we can continue to provide basic library services to our various “target groups”.

State Corrections

Pursuant to State Education Law, public library systems receive $9.25 per inmate to provide supplemental library service to State correctional facilities. Under the objectives of our plan of service, which is negotiated each year with facility staff, we will continue to provide library services to facility libraries in five broad areas: educational programs for inmates and staff, rotating book collections and video loan, reference and interlibrary loan, a shared McNaughton lease and purchase plan (which is paid with funds previously designed as “per capita” or “discretionary” funds, and consultant services.) Presentations by local and visiting speakers will be coordinated by CEFLS, based upon input from facility staff. Programs planned for 2008 include: video discussions on personal development (transitional services), basic financial planning, written communication for inmates with varying literacy skills, Kwanzaa and other holidays, and family reading. The McNaughton Spanish purchase plan and general interest lease plan will be continued and jointly evaluated by system and state correctional library staff. Materials obtained through these plans will be jointly selected by CEFLS and state correctional library staff. Rotating collections of books will be provided upon request to facility libraries. Collections will include books from CEFLS general collection, best sellers as they become available, ethnic and special interest titles. Videos and DVD’s purchased for loan through the CEF Audiovisual Department. Reference and interlibrary loan services will be provided according to the interlibrary loan policy that was adopted by the CEF Board of Trustees in February 2006. Resources from the System’s member libraries, the New York State Library, and the NNYLN region will be loaned to all facilities that have designated a staff person coordinate this activity and can give CEFLS the assurance of the same and timely return of these materials. One DVD based “resource sharing package” produced by the NNYLN will be purchased with program funds for each facility that participates in ILL’s. Consultant services will be provided by CEFLS staff on variety of topics. These may include library skills training for inmates and continuing education for facility staff. In 2008, program funds have been budgeted to pay the registration fee (usually $15.00) for correctional facility librarians who would like to attend CEFLS workshops.

County Jails

During the 2008 project year, CEFLS will renew magazine order for the reading rooms of each of the county jails. CEFLS staff will also provide consultant services, by telephone and in person. Informational materials from Literacy volunteers, GRASP (Giving Rural Adults a Study program), the Rural Law center of New York, and other local human service agencies will be forwarded to ach county facility as appropriate. Information on outreach materials (assistive devices, materials in large print and other special formats) will be provided twice during the project year. We will also continue to deliver used paperback and other books to the county jails as they become available from member library book sales and other sources.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

CEFLS and member libraries will maximize resources and offer efficient and effective service to shared clientele, including correctional institutions in our service area. CEFLS will develop a website for use by adult new learners. (2007)Seven contacts were made between CEF and Literacy Volunteers of Essex-Franklin County. CEF featured several articles about LV fundraisers in the System newsletter, The Trailblazer. Two Literacy Volunteers organizations serve our area and we actively exchange information with both agencies. The director of LV Essex-Franklin County continues to serve on the CEF Outreach Advisory Group. This group exchanged information and ideas throughout 2007 which will be the “seeds” of a formal plan of service for adult literacy clientele. Fourteen member libraries provided meeting space for adult learner/tutor pairs in 2007 and 38% (11) referred adult learners to local adult literacy programs in 2007.

Coordinated Outreach

Member libraries, bookmobile staff and correctional institutions librarians will be better equipped to provide current print and online resources for the special needs clients. (2007)7 referrals were made to the National Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. 26 contacts were made with human service agencies in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. In May 2007, CEF hosted an informational booth at the 12th Annual Clinton County Seniorama. Medical reference sites were demonstrated to senior attendees. The CEF Outreach Coordinator and bookmobile driver made a guest appearance on a radio spot that was hosted by the Director of the Clinton County Office for the Aging. The show was broadcast on five stations with full county (and some Vermont) coverage. Plans were made for a repeat visit in 2008. The CEF bookmobile served senior readers at 10 stops that are dedicated to serving this age group. The bookmobile also serves developmentally disable adults at North Star Industries in Malone, and stops at the Adirondack Residential Center in Schuyler Falls to provide services to approximately 25 incarcerated youth per visit. 25 Playaway digital audio books were purchased with a combination of Coordinated Outreach and a grant from the Plattsburgh Noon Kiwanis Club. As anticipated, this format was highly favored by senior patrons of the bookmobile. Four comment cards were returned in Fall 2007; all requested more of titles and remarked that users found this format easy to use (“once they figured the darned thing out.”) A total of 922 downloadable audiobooks were borrowed during the first 6 months of 2007.

Corrections and Jails

Greater facility library use by adult new readers/ESL inmates. Improved ABE/ESL inmate reading skills as reported by facility education and library staff (goal is 20%). Correctional facilities staff will receive support conducting transitional services activities and inmates will be better prepared for “re entry” when released. (2007)The McNaughton Spanish language purchase plan and Adult Lease plan was continued for 2007 based on feedback obtained from Correctional Facility librarians in Winter 2007. All participants responded that the Adult Lease plan puts requested materials into the hands of their clientele faster, which was the goal of the group at the plan’s inception in 2006. The Spanish language purchase plan provides titles for Interlibrary loan and for rotating collections. One workshop for facility librarians on Interlibrary loan was conducted in Spring 2007 as part of our regular yearly meeting. Two correctional facility librarians attended a book repair workshop that was planned and hosted by CEF in Fall 2007. CEF courses such as these were advertised to correctional facility librarians and education staff through special flyers, and through the CEF System newsletter, as well as via the CEF-State Correctional Newsletter which was published twice in 2007. Approximately 50 Russian language book titles were transliterated and catalogued by CEF in 2007; they have enjoyed an almost constant circulation by request to facility readers, and in several instances, have been requested and sent via ILL to libraries elsewhere in NY State.

Youth Services

Children in the service area will be better prepared for school with increased reading and science skills. This will be accomplished through special programming and carefully selected collections. (2007)“Take a Bite Out of Books” challenge was held on June 2, at the Champlain Center Mall in Plattsburgh. 14 teams from 10 libraries participated in the program. “What’s the Big Idea” science program continued in 2007 and two training sessions were offered to the participating libraries by the staff of the Vermont Center for the Book ; one on the incorporating science ideas into the 2007 summer reading program and another took place on November 2, at the Saranac Lake Free Library with 35 people in attendance. There were two library directors from Akwesasne and Chazy, who have not participated in the program before and community partners representing the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, the Visitor’s Information Center at Paul Smith’s, Headstart in Plattsburgh and Kids’ Cove Daycare in Keeseville. The bookmobile staff offered several science ideas to younger patrons, e.g. “Change over time –Weather”. Get a Clue@Your Library Summer Reading Program 2007 was a great success. 22 libraries and over 700 children participated. The libraries held 94 programs for children and 10 programs for teens. They were attended by 3,465 children, teens and adults. Dannemora library published “Sneak Peaks” newsletter which allowed teens to write book reviews on the summer reading list. Patron from Upper Jay wrote: “It was awesome. My son loves reading. It was a creative way to connect kids to books and bring them alive.”

Services to Seniors

Intended Result(s): Seniors will have greater access to information and materials through the Internet and CEFLS online catalog. (2007)The bookmobile Clerk/Driver attended one session on NOVEL in 2007; his partner, a Principal Library Clerk attended two NOVEL training sessions in 2007. Both staff members report that they do “basic searches” for and with senior patrons approximately 2-3 times a month. Since the bookmobile is now online at all 60 stops, bookmobile staff were able to devote time to do online catalog searching with patrons of all ages, with the result that some seniors now place interlibrary loan hold requests from their homes. We offered online searching information to senior attendees at the May 2007 Clinton County Seniorama which was held in Plattsburgh. A brochure and associated handouts were produced that specifically address a senior online audience; these remain available on the bookmobile. Since the bookmobile staff reported senior difficulty in downloadable audio books, 25 Playaway digital audio books were purchased with a combination of CEF Outreach and Kiwanis grant funds.

Finger Lakes Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Coordinated Outreach Library Services Aid for 2008 will fund a portion of salaries and benefits for four staff members who will work to address the goals and objectives of the Outreach Department as delineated in the Plan of Service. Our Mail It program provides library service by mail to those who are unable to visit their local libraries including the loan of library materials owned by FLLS and by member libraries through interlibrary loan. Library materials, information and consulting services relative to Outreach Department goals, are also offered to member libraries, nursing homes and other agencies in our service area. The recent resignation of the Outreach Coordinator will allow us to re-organize the department and to explore new and different services and programs. New York State Outreach funds are insufficient to fund the program beyond salaries. Other expenses related to purchase of library materials, supplies, and postage; and to the delivery of materials to agencies and member libraries are paid from FLLS basic state aid, by funds received from the five counties in our service area, and by a generous grant from the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library.

State Corrections

State Correctional Facilities Aid for 2008 will enable the Finger Lakes Library System to provide library services to inmates of the three state correctional facility libraries in our service area as delineated in the Plan of Service. These staff-supported system services include interlibrary loan; weekly delivery; communications regarding monthly continuing education workshops and other news; consultant services on various issues as needed by the state correctional facility librarians; quarterly deposit collections of library materials to expand available collections for inmates; audio-visual services as requested by the state correctional facility librarians; and distribution of discard donations to the three state correctional facility libraries. Occasionally, upon request, system professional staff may present special programs for the facility libraries. The System Union Catalog in CD format will be updated twice in 2008 and installed by system staff on state correctional facility library computers to facilitate interlibrary loan.

County Jails

Service to County Jails (Inter-institutional) Aid for 2008 will enable the Finger Lakes Library System to purchase library materials for each county jail library, based on the general literacy needs of jail inmates and the GED instructors’ curriculum for each jail’s literacy program. Tasks related to selection and distribution of materials is performed by staff in the FLLS Outreach Department.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Participated in Family Reading Partnership activities to support family literacy in Tompkins County.
Purchased new collection of high/low readers and popular genres for struggling teen readers.

Coordinated Outreach

Continued to serve disadvantaged populations through Mail-It program and materials deposit collections in local nursing homes and other agencies.
Circulated 8,102 items to homebound individuals.Loaned 5,650 items through member libraries and twelve outreach agencies.
Continued Outreach Book Club program in local Senior facilities.
Continued to serve as liaison service to the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library. Nineteen contacts were made.
Made sixty-three consultant’s visits, with special emphasis on rural areas not chartered by the member libraries. Visits were to sixteen rural churches, two medical centers, three Senior Centers, five county jails, two Senior residential centers, six assisted living centers, two nursing homes, and one member library. Also made twenty five visits to Ithaca McGraw House Senior Apartments to facilitate their FLLS Outreach Book Club and participated in their annual Health & Senior Services Information Fair.
Planned and implemented LSTA grant funded program which provided workshop speakers speakers on serving Baby Boomers, and on intergenerational programming.

Correctional Facilities

Continued to provide system services to three NYS Correctional Facilities in our service area in the form of ILL, deposit collections, system workshops, and consultant services.
Purchased Spanish McNaughton Collections for three NYS facilities.
Made presentations to inmates at NYS facilities concerning read aloud strategies for family visits, and job search and career resources.
Provided twice a year updated CD Roms that include FLLS union catalog and Correctional Facility collections, to NYS facilities.
Provided library materials collections to five County Jails in service area. Purchased 245 new books for Jails including basic reference, sports, history, self-help, inspirational and general appeal recreatioanl reading, for use by GED instructors and inmates.
Visited each of the Correctional Facilities and County Jails in service area.

Youth Services

Maintained and improved youth services section of FLLS website with monthly updates for youth related activities, workshops, celebrations, programing and grant ideas and using the web to house training powerpoints.
Continued to distribute monthly storytime suggestions and youth news.
Added gaming tools to the FLLS collection and offered training in use to member libraries.
Provided collection development support to member libraries in the form of booklists, web resources, weeding initiatives, collection analysis and new collections. Assisted member libraries with collection development growth and maintenance such as weeding, graphic novel suggestions, non-fiction development etc.
Coordinated teen spaces makeover contest and workshop to improve member library service to teens.
Provided support for school/library collaboration efforts by working with the Secondary Literacy Initiative, BOCES and Family Reading Partnership of Tompkins County.
Provided early literacy support and reader's advisory support to member libraries.

Four County Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

4CLS will provide and promote library services to people of all ages who do not have access to a public library. The Cybermobile will provide access to the Internet as well as traditional library services. 4CLS will service people of all ages and ethnicities who may be visually handicapped, physically handicapped, aged, institutionalized, educationally disadvantaged, unemployed/underemployed, and geographically isolated. The major outreach activity is the delivery of materials by our Cybermobile or system van to users of all ages. In 2008, 4CLS will seek to increase the amount of programming and training on board the Cybermobile while continuing to provide traditional library services to those that are not served by libraries.

Automation: We will continue to refine and design procedures that best accommodate the technology on the Cybermobile and the possibilities that it brings. We will explore partnerships with community organizations whose goals run parallel to our own.

On the road: Cybermobile operation requires a driver/library assistant who drives and maintains the Cybermobile mechanically. The driver is responsible for establishing the satellite connection at each stop. In addition, he assists disabled patrons into the wheelchair on the lift and transports them on and off the vehicle. He also discharges returned material and shelves incoming items. A library assistant or librarian charges out materials, handles reserves, assists with material selection, provides reference and reader’s advisory service, and registers new borrowers. At six stops, it is necessary for the driver and the technician or librarian to carry the books and laptops into the congregate living complexes for disabled and/or aged populations.

At the system: The outreach manager performs administrative duties, reviews scheduling, oversees and initiates public relations, prepares and presents demonstrations for community groups, confers with correctional facilities, selects materials for juvelinilles and young adults, and conducts staff meetings. The library assistant maintains the registration, circulation and statistical files, selects adult materials for purchase, restocks the bookmobile, processes patron reserves (averages about 200 a month), and sends out routine publicity and overdue reminders. The driver/library assistant maintains the vehicle and selects materials to be carried into senior facilities.

At member libraries: We continue to encourage member libraries to take materials to shut-ins and provide service to their diverse populations; and when feasible, institute new programs and maintain on-going programs. Member libraries also distribute applications for Talking Books. Your Home Public Library in Johnson City continues as a literacy center where materials and a computer are available for tutors and literacy students.

Program Expansion: With the Cybermobile, we have many opportunities for service. In addition to traditional library service, we will develop help guides and pathfinders to help the patrons find useful information on the Web. As there is no substitute for hands-on training, we will also provide training sessions to make novices feel more comfortable with computers and the internet as well as one-on-one training during community stops as time permits.

Youth Services: During 2008 we will continue to reach out to children and families through other agencies and schools with an emphasis on Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego counties. Youth Services will continue to work with the Discovery Center, Head Start, Roberson Museum, and Building Brighter Futures for Broome. The Summer Reading Program, a favorite, will continue to be featured on the Cybermobile. In addition, the Four County Library System will apply for aid from the BOOKS Program to provide programming to children and their families.

State Corrections

We provide service to Camp Pharsalia, the State Correctional Facility in our service area, with monthly stops of the Cybermobile. Camp Pharsalia is a minimum security facility in Chenango County. 4CLS uses SCF funds to purchase magazine subscriptions and other library and book collections on the Cybermobile. With SCF funds, 4CLS purchases primarily popular fiction, non-fiction in the areas of psychology, history, poetry, Spanish, and the purchase of documentary videos. Through interlibrary loan, inmates have access to the entire catalog of the libraries in the Four County Library System. SCF funds are used to subsidize our fuel expenditures. Camp Pharsalia is in a remote location, adding an extra 60 miles to our route, and the cost of fuel has been rising steadily.

County Jails

We provide popular reading materials and periodicals for these correctional facilities. In fiction we provide mainly mysteries, adventure, romance and bestsellers. We also provide titles by popular, standard, and African-American authors. Non-fiction titles are chosen primarily from best-seller lists. Also included are trade, self-help, personal improvement, and poetry, and we respond to requests of inmates for subject areas. We have an agreement with the Binghamton Post Office whereby we pick magazines that were unable to be delivered, remove identifying information, and distribute them to the Broome County Correctional Facility, which has the largest inmate population of facilities in our service area. We also provide consultant services to the facility librarians.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

GOAL: Collaborate with established agencies (LVA, etc.), and other social service agencies (school districts, immigrant programs), and member libraries to dovetail services. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Identify and contact appropriate agencies.Results: Met and networked with leaders in adult literacy and new immigrants through BOCES partnerships and expanded services to families through participation on the Early Childhood Education Council.

GOAL: Develop collections (print and virtual) in member libraries to assist adult new readers (if funding allows). (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Evaluate current materials and recommend appropriate available resourcesResults: Collection budgets do not currently allow for expanding expenditures.

GOAL: Promote library services to agencies listed above and to potential students (if funding allows). (Annual)

ACTIVITIES: Identify and contact appropriate agencies; Prepare presentations and promotion pieces; Conduct programs, disseminate information.Results: Presented program for adult educators of BOCES to showcase services available to adult learners and their families.

Coordinated Outreach

GOAL: Provide/expand Cybermobile service to un-served populations as funding allows. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Evaluate current Cybermobile stops and restructure schedule to better accommodate patron baseResults: Added stop at mixed income housing complex and at Youth Leadership Academy

ACTIVITY: Contact other public agencies to inform of and complement services.

Results: Worked with the Binghamton Area Reading Council and agencies within Building Brighter Futures for Broome to promote services to their clientele. Worked with area schools and school library media specialists on programs.

GOAL: Work with other social service agencies for mutual support of programs without duplication. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Contact agencies and survey services.Results: Worked with the Binghamton Area Reading Council and agencies within Building Brighter Futures for Broome to promote services to their clientele. Worked with area youth center to provide literacy component to program.

ACTIVITY: Provide presentations and promotional materials to publicize library services and to be disseminated to their clientele.

Results: Established web based calendar to promote programs to families throughout FCLS region. Conducted two community wide events to publicize and promote importance of reading within families. Participated in two additional community events to promote library services. Conducted seven story programs for families to publicize library opportunities.

ACTIVITY: Research and establish database, gather, organize and input information from agencies

Results: Established wiki to gather and organize information on NYS authors and Illustrators. Staffing and technology cannot support accurate community database at this time.

Correctional Facilities

GOAL: Provide materials and service to inmate population with Cybermobile. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Work with CF staff to assess needs; Collect materials and conduct programs/trainings according to above.Results: Met with CF staff to improve service through reassign the materials provided by FCLS. Initiated services to families who visit inmates.

Youth Services

GOAL: Assist member libraries in serving children and families. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Quality training and continuing education for member library staff on YS related topics.Results: Orchestrated Early literacy story time workshop with national trainer to offer training for several systems. Conducted system wide workshop on SRP. Conducted 2 workshops at statewide conference for library assistants. Collaborated on regional literature evaluation conference for YS staff.

ACTIVITY: Include a youth component to any training conducted on a System level.Results: Opportunity did not present itself this past year, see workshop above.

ACTIVITY: Regular site visits to address specific issues.Results: 14 meetings with YS staff on site to discuss weeding, collection development, teen services, programming, etc.

ACTIVITY: Facilitated collection development through preview collections and recommended title ordering lists.Results: 10 preview collections/lists were generated, in addition to one awards list and 8 Starr’s Picks recommended lists

ACTIVITY: Consolidated dissemination of info on programs/services relating to children, young adults and families if funding allows.Results: Established web based calendar to promote programs to families throughout FCLS region. Worked with other outlets to promote and link to this resource.

GOAL: Enhanced Cybermobile service to families and youth groups/agencies/organizations. (Annual)

ACTIVITY: Increase direct contact with families and youth in remote areas while partnering with other agencies.

Results: Introduced Summer Reading program at newly established stop at mixed income housing complex. Conducted programs at CROP program for rural youth, (4 classes).

Mid-Hudson Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The expenditures, as follows, help support activities to attain the goals and intended results described in the MHLS 2007-2011 POS for Coordinated Outreach Library Services Aid, to insure library services for all area residents including groups traditionally underserved by libraries. The intended result is that member libraries will have the training and resources to recognize, connect with, attract and provide services for outreach target groups at the local level, and to develop community contacts and relevant local partnerships.

Professional Salaries for Outreach Coordinator who works as part of the MHLS senior staff to integrate the mission of outreach into the system’s offerings.

Other Staff Salaries for staff who provide support services to member libraries and community groups to assist libraries’ ability to attract patrons from underserved populations. The staff of the Outreach Department provide the following services, along with filling member library requests for support and consultation on additional outreach issues:

The NYS Talking Book service
Access to videotapes with descriptive narration
TTY machines for loan
Referrals to libraries for books and online resources supporting literacy, including materials for new adult readers
MHLS Professional Collection materials that promote an increased awareness of diversity and other outreach issues
Recommendations of resources in languages other than English
Selection and rotation of Large Print book collections
Selection and rotation of collections of adult Spanish materials and children’s Spanish materials
Consultation on ADA building and access issues
Consultation on universal accessibility for library web pages
Targeted marketing/advocacy to specific outreach target groups
Employment support through member libraries as well as corrections and jail facilities
Customized demographic information and analysis for member libraries
Individualized consultations with member libraries regarding their changing communities and how to provide library services for their specific community
Train-the-trainer programs for library staff to teach computer skills to new users
Track regional trends, including issues that affect target populations
Consultations on The New Planning for Results method of planning
Consultations of providing service to the Spanish-speaking community
Create universally accessible web sites for the thirty-six member libraries who have their web pages maintained by MHLS
Upkeep Workforce web site, which helps library staff assist with employment, including diversity issues

Workshops: for upcoming training for library staff, increasing their ability to provide service to outreach populations.

Supplies and Materials include new materials for Large Print and Spanish rotating collections, new Professional Collection materials, printing and distribution of Hudson Valley Connections (a resource guide for ex-offenders returning to Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam or Ulster counties in New York State), promotional materials targeted to for Spanish-speakers and resources designed to help develop targeted services and build partnerships.Travel for Outreach staff to attend meetings throughout the region as well as state and national conferences.

State Corrections

The expenditures help support activities to attain the goals and intended results described in the MHLS 2007-2011 POS for Service to State Correctional Facilities, as follows: (to augment their collections, technology and reference services and other support based on annual committee recommendations) as follows:

Professional Salaries to provide correctional facility librarians with: opportunities for continuing education, downloads from the MHLS database of holdings to CD-ROM, consultation in the areas of collection development and technology, consultation for reference materials in English and Spanish, information about speakers/performers with programs of topical interest.

Other staff salaries for MHLS ILL staff to continue the interlibrary loan of books, periodicals, videos and books-on-tape to correctional facility libraries, comparable to that of member public libraries.

ILL Search Fees and Delivery expenditures to insure smooth flow of interlibrary loan and access to System information including weekly distribution of the MHLS Bulletin. Grants to CF libraries for materials / services provide each facility with the opportunity to choose from the following options (funds for this are distributed based on facility population):

Purchase of hardcover reference materials
McNaughton plansPayment of fees for lost ILL books
Computer equipment or software
Honorariums for facility programs
Professional development costs (Ex: NYLA, ALA, computer training, professional subscriptions)

Postage for out-of area mail/UPS return of ILL items.

County Jails

The expenditures help support activities to attain the goals and intended results described in the MHLS 2007-2011 POS for Service to County Jails, as follows:

Paperback books are bought for the jails, concentrating on the following types of materials: self-help, inspirational materials, relevant biographies, job information, low literacy resources, materials in Spanish. Printing and distribution of Hudson Valley Connections (a resource guide for ex-offenders returning to Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam or Ulster counties in New York State). Postage pays for the items to be delivered to the jails during the year.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Goal: Library staff will be able to respond to literacy related issues.

Distributed 2-1-1 information & partnership letters from United Way, to provide staff with community support resources for patrons.
Collections expanded for new adult readers and for lower level readers, supported by reading lists compiled and distributed.

Coordinated Outreach

Goal: Insure library services for all area residents including those traditionally underserved by libraries.

Promoted outreach to Spanish-speaking community:
- Conducted workshops in all 5 counties on reaching out – over 50% of libraries attended. Over 70% of attendees reported that more than 50% of the information was new to them.
- Enhanced resources for Spanish-speaking patrons on MHLS-managed member library web sites.
Produced Hudson Valley Connections a resource guide for ex-offenders – over 6,000 copies distributed.
Conducted training to increase staff ability to teach technology to seniors.
Supported library staff connecting visually impaired patrons to Talking Book and Braille Library services. Now over 2,840 patrons in our area.

Correctional Facilities

Goal: Services will be provided to state and county correctional facility libraries.

State Facilities: 7 facilities serving 8607 inmates. Filled over 7,000 ILL requests. Provided consultation for collection development and reference materials in English and Spanish, information about speakers/performers with programs of topical interest and technology consultation. Conducted programs on mental health and library services for incarcerated Spanish speakers. Participated in 2 inmate pre-release job fairs.
County Facilities: 5 facilities serving 1066 inmates. Provided self-help books, Spanish materials, job information and transitional support materials.

Youth Services

Goal: Insure professional library services for the full age continuum of youth.

Developed quality measures for youth programming.
Supported the integration of developmental literacy practices into library programs, including Early Literacy training for parents, Connecting Boys With Books, Summer Reading Programs, Battle of the Books. Provided training and resources for members to develop local school contacts and collaborations, including County Book Banquets. Provided workshops on Technology and other current topics.
- “The skills I have learned and the knowledge I have obtained from attending the YS Workshops over the years has been very helpful in assisting … with the Summer reading programs, the stories hours and other events we hold for the youth in our community.” Member library youth services staff member responding to 2007 MHLS CE Survey.

Adult Programming

Goal: Build more diverse offering of Adult programming.

Developed quality measures for adult programming.
Analyzed non-user groups to develop new ways to reach them through programming (Building Your Base grant), resulting in targeted methods for member library staff to reach firefighters, sportsmen, boaters and gardeners.
Increased use of programming resources resulted from expanded content. 52% increase in usage of Book Club in a Bag program (now offers over 80 titles). Over 100 programs added to EZ Library Program Database (now has over 620 programs).
Conducted Training for Book Discussion Leaders on Leading, Maintaining & Reinvigorating a Book Discussion Group.

Mid-York Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Under Resource Sharing: Outreach monies will support the purchase, processing, cataloging, and delivery of large print collections to 35 libraries and 54 agencies in Herkimer, Oneida and Madison counties.

Under Special Client Groups: Mid-York will use the Coordinated Outreach grant money to provide library service to residents of nursing homes and senior care facilities.

State Corrections

Mid-York will provide 2 full catalog updates and monthly list of new materials to 5 correctional facilities.Under Resource Sharing: Correctional monies will be used to add titles to the Mid-York catalog. Inmates will receive preferred request status on these titles. Each correctional facility will receive once a week delivery.

Special Client Groups: Mid-York will provide library services to its 5 state and 3 county correctional facilities. These include delivery, ILL, reference and access to continuing education workshops for the facility librarians.

County Jails

Resource Sharing and Cooperative Collection Development: Mid-York and all member libraries will contribute to the enrichment and breadth of the Mid-York catalog.

County Jail money will be used for the purchase, processing, cataloging and delivery of paperback book collections available to the county jails.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Provided reference service to inmates at 5 correctional facilities. Added outreach delivery services to additional nursing homes. Assisted Frankfort and Old Forge libraries to plan programs and supported the existing Family Literacy Centers.

Mohawk Valley Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Budget supports the following Mohawk Valley Library System Plan of Service elements:

Resource Sharing: supports daily delivery
Special Client Groups: provides staff to support library efforts to reach target community groups, including consultation on planning, developing and implementing local services and grant assistance. Funds Outreach Mini grants to members. Supports purchase of laptop computer for presentations to outreach groups and member libraries.
Continuing Education: continuing education activities to library staff to enhance local services to outreach poulation and travel/conference attendance by Outreach Consultant.
Consulting and Technical Assistance: Outreach consultant funded to provide consulting and technical assistance to libraries.
Coordinated Services: Support rotating collections of large print materials.
Cooperative Efforts Other Systems: supports four system delivery service.
Construction: Supports staff consultant support/advice for local construction efforts, including accessibility, and grant application advice.

State Corrections

Library materials and periodical subscriptions for Hale Creek A.S.A.T.C.A. and Summit Shock Incarceration Facility will cost $3974. For Hale Creek, we have budgeted $650 for interlibrary loan. Requests are filled by the Johnstown Public Library. Susannah Risley will present a series of writing programs for this facility. Costs will be $800. Travel expenses for system staff field visits and presenter travel will be $200.

Expenditures in this budget application support these Goals of the MVLS Plan of Service:

Correctional Facilities: Hale Creek A.S.A.T.C.A. and Summit Shock Incarceration Facility receive materials, continuing education, consultant services, and interlibrary loan to meet the needs of their inmate populations.

County Jails

$3873 will be spent on materials for the facilities. $150 will be used for expenses to the facilities. Expenditures support the MVLS Plan of Service Goal for Correctional Facilities. Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, and Schoharie County Jails receive materials and consultation services to meet the needs of the inmate populations.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Community Connections grants awarded to Sharon Springs Free Library, Amsterdam Free Library, Margaret Reaney Memorial Library and Schenectady County Public Library to enhance services to outreach populations
Completed activities for second year of the Families Sing LSTA project with 5,367 users in year 2Coordinated, promoted, and supported Summer Reading Program activities, furnishing materials, planning workshop and programs to all libraries
Coordinated Telling Your Library Story LSTA grant with 14 libraries participating
Enhanced collections at two state correctional facilities with 242 books (12 Spanish language), and 58 periodicals (20 Spanish).
Enhanced collections in four county jails with 477 books (11 Spanish), and 10 DVDs
Supported a series of 8 writing programs at Hale Creek Correctional Facility
Supported 116 interlibrary loan requests from Hale Creek Correctional Facility
Purchased software for learning sign language
179 Visiting Kits for older adults circulated
Provided 71 programs and 31 Agency Spotlights for people 50 and over through LSTA funded Remember the Past Plan for the Future, with year 2 participation of 1,984.
149 rotating collections of large print books circulated among member libraries and outreach sites
Children’s and teen books for Summer Reading Program raffle provided to member libraries
Organized, implemented and supported 7 Science in the Spring and Summer programs at local libraries, presented by GE Volunteers (retired GE scientists) reaching 296 children, 87 caregivers, 8 teen helpers

Monroe County Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The MCLS Outreach Department maintains regular, bi-monthly delivery of bulk collections of materials to agencies as stated in our Plan of Service. We circulated 14,883 materials to 28 stations during 2007. These materials were of the quantities, genres, and formats requested by the target population. Agency personnel are encouraged to periodically contact us to further tailor reading requests. This target population consists primarily of elderly individuals, along with physically and mentally handicapped persons. We will continue to meet this aspect of our Plan of Service in 2008 in a limited capacity. Due to the relocation of the MCLS Outreach Department, services will be suspended and/or severely limited from May through mid-September.

We continue to provide library materials to the homebound members of our community as stated in our Plan of Service. We increased the number of our in-home patrons by 33.3% during 2007. Outreach staff personally delivered 2,581 print, audio, and visual materials to this clientele. This highly individualized service provides specific customer requests. A significant segment of this target population is elderly and legally blind and/or physically handicapped.

In 2007, the outreach coordinator conducted job search classes at community agencies serving this target population. 33 of these classes were conducted to a total of 571 unemployed individuals. This is a 17.9% increase in classes and 16.3% increase in participants over the previous year.

The outreach coordinator will continue to provide job and career programs in the library for local community-based urban groups serving the area’s youth, ethnic minorities, educationally disadvantaged, and the unemployed and underemployed segments of our target population. 246 individuals attended these programs in 2007, an increase of 40.5% over the previous year. The Extension/Outreach Department continued its affiliation with the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE) in 2007. We are active in the marketing component of the organization and hosted a senior art exhibition in 2007. We will continue this partnership in 2008.

The Outreach Department will continue to chair COSAC in 2008. Youth services, library Internet policies, GRAPE affiliation, and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s book club were the primary topics of the committee in 2007. COSAC will continue to meet a minimum of two times in 2008 as mandated by NYCRR Title 8-Education and the system's plan of service.

The Outreach Department along with the library’s duplicating service continued to produce our re-entry publication Making Moves: A Handbook for Ex-Offenders Returning to the Rochester, NY and Monroe County Area. We distributed 776 copies to correctional facilities and individuals in 2007. We will continue this service in 2008.

State Corrections

Subscription Services: The Outreach Department will continue to select and acquire informational and recreational print materials for the facility residents as stated in our Plan of Service. For 2008 we will continue to provide periodical subscriptions for delivery to the correctional facility and we will continue to meet this aspect of our Plan of Service.

Publications: For the Rochester Correctional Facility, as with other state correctional facilities, we will continue to ship free of charge and on demand Making Moves: A Handbook for Ex-Offenders Returning to the Rochester and Monroe County Area for current inmates and ex-offenders. This publication is created by the Monroe County Library System’s Outreach Department and produced by the library. We will continue to meet this aspect of our Plan of Service in 2008.

Note: As per the Monroe County Library System/Rochester Public Library Service Agreement, funds from the State Correctional Facilities Aid are transferred to the Rochester Public Library. The Rochester Public Library is designated as the official Central Library of MCLS and provides countywide services on behalf of the Monroe County Library System.

County Jails

Funds are used to purchase books and periodicals for the county inmate population.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Goal – Be aggressive in seeking grants to support Adult Literacy Services. Result – No grants were awarded in 2007 due to the administrative professional position in the MCLS Office being vacant for 7 months.

Goal – Provide library services to persons with special needs. Results - The MCLS Outreach Department maintains regular, bi-monthly delivery of bulk collections of materials to agencies as stated in our Plan of Service. We circulated 14,883 materials to 28 stations during 2007. This target population consists primarily of elderly individuals, along with physically and mentally handicapped persons. We continue to provide library materials to the homebound members of our community as stated in our Plan of Service. We increased the number of our in-home patrons by 33.3% during 2007. Outreach staff personally delivered 2,581 print, audio, and visual materials to this clientele. A significant segment of this target population is elderly and legally blind and/or physically handicapped. The Extension/Outreach Department continued its affiliation with the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE) in 2007. We are active in the marketing component of the organization and hosted a senior art exhibition in 2007. The Outreach Department will continue to chair COSAC in 2008. Youth services, library Internet policies, GRAPE affiliation, and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s book club were the primary topics of the committee in 2007. COSAC will continue to meet a minimum of two times in 2008 as mandated by NYCRR Title 8-Education and the system's plan of service.

Goal – Provide library services to inmates of state and county correctional facilities. Results - The Outreach Department along with the library’s duplicating service continued to produce our re-entry publication Making Moves: A Handbook for Ex-Offenders Returning to the Rochester, NY and Monroe County Area. We distributed 776 copies to correctional facilities and individuals in 2007. We will continue this service in 2008. The outreach coordinator conducted 12 classes at the Monroe Correctional Facility in 2007 for male and female inmates enrolled in the GED and Work Readiness programs. During the year, a total of 149 inmates (87 men and 62 women) attended these presentations. With each site visit, the outreach coordinator educates the inmates about library services in general and showcases specific resources contained in the Central Library's Job Information Center (JIC) that can be utilized by the inmates upon release. These resources include college, trade school and continuing education programs, plus books on résumé and cover letter writing and interviewing skills. Also highlighted are job hunting and career advice books specifically targeting newly released offenders and particular population groups such as women and minorities.

Goal – Play a leadership role in facilitating and promoting youth services by administering the Statewide Summer Reading Program Minigrants. Results – MCLS distributed minigrants of $300 to each member library in 2007.

Nassau Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

NLS provides Talking Books services to Nassau residents through a contract for service with the Suffolk Cooperative Library System.

Coordinated Outreach Aid is used to cover the cost to NLS for the contracted service.Coordinated Outreach Aid also covers part of the salary and benefits of our full-time outreach coordinator (aka Manager of Outreach Services) and an Administrative Assistant who devotes 40% of her time to outreach work.

Our Manager of Outreach Services is a certified librarian with outreach expertise who is responsible for all goals in our System Plan of Service related to the state-defined target populations for Coordinated Outreach. She plans and provides (or coordinates) continuing education opportunities, assists member libraries with their applications for grants related to the target populations, visits member libraries to consult with them regarding services for the target populations, and encourages and facilitates valuable connections between community service agencies and our member libraries. She also selects outreach-related materials for the NLS professional collection.

The Manager of Outreach Manager also oversees our Senior Connections project, which is separately funded through the State Office for the Aging and our services to the County Jail.

In order to keep current professionally, the Manager of Outreach Services attends local, state, and national conferences. Participation in these professional organizations enables her to be better able to inform our member library staff about outreach issues, trends, best practices as well as identify appropriate and high-quality continuing education opportunities and presenters for replication here in Nassau.

Unfortunately, our current outreach allocation is not sufficient to cover the entire cost of salaries and benefits for either outreach staff member. Nor is it sufficient to cover any the costs of outreach-associated travel, conference attendance, participation in continuing education, outreach materials for our professional, or any of the supplies used by Outreach Services staff. NLS’ general operating funds are used to make up the difference in the cost salary and benefits plus all other Outreach-related expenses.

State Corrections

N/A

County Jails

The goal for services to the Nassau County Correctional Facility (NCCF), as stated in the NLS Five Year Plan of Service, is to enhance library services at the Nassau County Correctional Facility.

The majority of the categorical aid which we receive for this purpose ($9,271) is used to s purchase materials for the three libraries that are a part of this three-unit facility.

Our Manager of Outreach Services, who has experience in collection development and reader’s advisory services, meets with inmates periodically to make sure that the materials purchase address their interests and needs. The officers in each jail library also call or e-mail the Manager of Outreach Services with specific inmate requests.

We also spend a small amount of purchased services ($387) for a service contract with IKON for the photocopier that was purchased for the main jail library four years ago. The copier was purchased at the request of NCCF to reduce damage to library materials caused by inmates ripping out pages that they previously could not copy. The purchase of this photocopier helped rebuild the services available to inmates, and our continued support of the service contract, at a very low cost, helps maintain this valuable tool and fulfill the intended result of improved access to information by the inmates.

The Manager of Outreach Services maintains our relationship with the staff of the facility through semi-annual visits to the facility and inclusion of NCCF staff on our Coordinated Outreach Advisory Council. Currently, the Sergeant in charge of all three jail libraries is a member.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Nassau residents borrowed over 60,000 items from the Long Island Talking Book Library, which is jointly sponsored and funded by NLS and SCLS.
Our long-time Senior Connections program was re-designed to re-invigorate it and make it more effective. There is now a greater focus of Senior Discussion Groups and informational programs. A “Senior Summit” is planned to get input from the target population which now includes “baby boomers.”
Donations continue to support a reading center in waiting room of the County Department of Social Services (DSS). It has been heavily used as families are sometimes there all day with little to do. Member libraries have been generous in their contributions and DSS staff has been very appreciative.
NLS continued to provide materials for the library collections in the three units of our County Correctional Facility. We make every effort to keep the collections stocked with the most popular materials which at this time are self help/recovery, GED preparations, and urban fiction.
Our Outreach Coordinator worked with 5 libraries on long range planning and assessing community needs as well as identifying and reaching the unserved.
Our Outreach Coordinator continued to work with member library staff to increase their knowledge about and comfort with using assistive technology for people with disabilities.
NLS continued to encourage and support member library services to the growing Hispanic community in Nassau County. This included participation in the Gates Spanish Language Outreach Program. Our Outreach Coordinator was invited to Seattle by WebJunction to help train staff from many other states on this Gates Grant Program.
A “Teen Summit Two” was held. 48 teens and 16 YA librarians worked together in teams to identify needs and develop “action plans” for the future.

The New York Public Library

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Coordinated Outreach Library Services Aid will support the goals in Section III, Special Client Groups, items III.1 through III.11 of the NYPL's Five-Year Plan of Service for 2008. Staff supported by this aid will provide and coordinate library outreach services throughout the New Yok Public Libraries system service area: the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

For 2008, the goals, activities and expected outcomes are similar to those of 2007. Literacy activities will include developing instruction that incorporates research-based methodology and associated materials necessary to respond to the NYS Department of Education mandates for low level literacy students and students with learning disabilities. Improve English proficiency of patrons by providing materials appropriate for adult new readers and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students. Literacy activities will also include increase use of technology assisted instruction to provide independent learning opportunities as well as improve management of ESOL and adult new reader instruction and records. ESOL classes will continue to be offered at 21 libraries to improve English language proficiency of ESOL students. The library will continue to evaluate and update the ESOL program to meet the ever-increasing need and demand for ESOL classes. Print and nonprint materials will be identified and purchased for use by adult new readers and ESOL students. Outreach to underserved groups will be conducted by the outreach staff and staff in branches. Including reading aloud programs at nursing homes, developing partnerships with senior centers and local libaries, summer reading programs for children living in shelters, and networking with organizations serving immigrant groups. Cultural, educational, and informational programs will be offered to attract the city's diverse communities to libraries. A special effort will be made to reach out to the city's large Hispanic community by offering computer classes in Spanish, cultural heritage programs, and open houses at selected neighborhood libraries. People with disabilities will have access to library resources through assistive technology such as personal readers and closed circuit television enlargers at selected branches, JAWS and Magic software in all branch computers to assist the blind and visually impaired navigate the library's web pages and the Internet. Video relay service for the deaf community will be made available at selected libraries. Large print books, digital collections of audio books, movies, and sound recordings will also be available for public use. The library will also reach out to and offer enhanced collections, programs and services for small business owners, the underemployed and unemployed. Circulating print and non-print collection on economic development and business information, and career and job information will be available. Workshops on resume writing, job search strategies, and career exploration will be provided in branch libraries.

State Corrections

Expenditures in this budget application will support Goals III.13-14 in NYPL's approved Plan of Service. Grant funds will support the printing and distribution of the New York Public Library re-entry directory Connections & The Job Search, which assists inmates and ex-inmates preparing for their return to New York City. Funds will provide a programmer who will visit Medium Security and Work-Release prisons in the service area, providing interactive workshops on concerns shared by those returning to the community following incarceration (job searching, recovery from addiction, parenting, domestic violence, self-esteem). Funds will be used to purchase books for the General Libraries in the Medium Security facilities in the service area. These books will include fiction and non-fiction in English and Spanish,including health books, books aiding in the job search, and high-interest/low-difficulty materials for beginning readers. In the 2007 fiscal year NYPL was granted an extension in spending its State Correctional Facilities Aid budget, in order to complete the printing of Connections 2008 and ship some of its print run to 69 New York State DOCS facilities. This shipment was completed in February 2008.

County Jails

Expenditures in this budget application will support Goal III.12 in NYPL's approved Plan of Service. Grant funds will support weekly outreach book cart service, other library programs, and assistance offered to the Island Academy Rikers Island school libraries. These services will be provided by the Correctional Services Librarian and a Library Information Assistant provided by the New York Public Library, with occasional assistance from other NYPL staff. Funds will be used to purchase fiction and non-fiction books in English and Spanish, including high-interest/low-difficulty materials for beginning readers.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

3.1- Materials in various formats: Print, nonprint, eaudio, and evideo were selected and purchased for Lifelong Learning Collections to support the literacy needs of ESOL and adult literacy students.

3.2- Tutor supported computer-assisted instruction in sequential alphabetics has been launched at 2 Bronx sites. More than 100 students are advancing in the program. A new Specialist position has been created, site staff has been trained, and specialized materials purchased.

3.3- On-line courseware is available at all 7 CRW sites that promotes distance learning for 450 students. Software is now delivered through the NYPL network.

3.4- Provided ESOL instruction at 21 branch libraries including technology assisted instruction. Piloted technology assisted instruction at the Seward Park Branch Library. To support class instruction, provided access to ESOL instructional software for students in the library’s ESOL Program. ESOL instructional software for students in the library’s ESOL Program.

3.5- Educational, informational and multicultural programs were offered throughout the library system resulting in increased awareness and use of library resources by culturally diverse groups. ESOL Civics curriculum instruction was offered at 8 libraries. Selected and purchased materials in languages other than English to serve the needs of immigrant New Yorkers. The World Languages Collection at Donnell Library Center presented 15 cultural programs in Russian, Spanish and Chinese attracting 1,932 attendees. Maintain and promote the Library’s World Languages Collections and minority/ethnic collections: The Donnell World Languages Collection sent 24,300 books in languages other than Engilsh to over 60 neighborhood branches. In addition, 161,927 books were checked out to customers visiting Donnell.

3.6- Drafted a policy document for the library on providing library services to persons with disabilities. Conducted staff development training on providing library programs and services for persons with disabilities. Produced accessability booklists for adult, young adult and children, and distributed to the public. Updated inventory of existing assistive technology and added new assistive technology in the branches: Video Relay Service for the deaf was installed at three library locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. In 2007 525 Books by Mail customers received free delivery of 3,929 items.

3.7- Branch staff and outreach librarians visited nursing homes, youth correctional facilities, senior centers, local AARP groups, shelters for persons without homes and provided read aloud programs and information about library programs and services.

3.8- 2007 Attendance: 24,956; Circulation: NLS Items: 346,123, NYPL Items: 18,482, TOTAL CIRC: 364,605; Reference Questions: 107,445; Programs: 123; Attendance: 1133. Audio Book Studio recorded 34 books to supplement the national collection. Walk-in hours expanded to 7 hours per day, 6 days per week in Sept 2007, including one additional evening, for a total of two. Reference and readers advisory service conducted Mon-Sat from 10 AM until closing. Circulation conducted Mon-Sat, Service by mail conducted Mon-Fri., ILL provided Mon-Sat. Museum trips, music programs, class visits, lectures, book discussions in English and Spanish, craft programs for children and teens were provided. Technology assistance was provided one on one and in classes. Three laptop computers were purchased and the public floors configured for WiFi service to increase access to internet resources and facilitate training.

3.9- NLS has not yet begun distribution of digital talking book players or copies of digital books on flash drives. The Library has started to identify patrons who will be offered to be first adopters, based on NLS criteria (veteran status, age) and activity in the collection. NLS has not yet set the quantity of talking book machines to be received. NLS set digital copy allotment for 2008 at 7,152. In Oct 2007 it became possible for patrons owning Daisy-compatible third party players to download digital talking books. In 2007 17 patrons downloaded 278 books and 26 magazines.

3.10- The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library ended its involvement with InfoEyes. Patrons seeking virtual reference are routed to NYPL standard virtual reference services.

3.11- SCORE & AARP provided free service to customers. Career Development Specialists Network conducted 12 workshops and additional career programs. Enhanced circulating collection included computer books, civil service test books and small business development books. Developed a DVD collection on career information. Conducted resume writing and job search on the Internet classes. In 2007, the Office of Adult and Information Services centrally purchased print and non-print materials on small businesses and job and career development for adult circulating collections.

3.12- More than 3,000 titles purchased in English and Spanish for city and state correctional facilities. Books included fiction: urban novels, popular fiction, non-fiction titles, including health, African-American, and Latino history, Young adult books for teen population, fiction and non-fiction titles. Weekly library service continued at Rose M. Singer Center for female population, Eric M. Taylor Center, George M. Vierno Center. Housing areas served continue to be the Special Housing Units, i.e. inmates with mental disorders, administrative segregation, etc. NYPL staff working with Department of Corrections staff have planned for increase out-reach to inmates through use of opening standing libraries. Monthly Baby Lap-Sit program continued at the nursery Project is currently under way in Anna M. Kross Center. Institute For Inner Development Program (IID). This represents a cultural shift away from the conventional jail setting of custody and control to a therapeutic environment. Program has begun with Young Adults at Robert N. Davoren Center. Teens will have access to books in dorm areas around the clock. Assistance was provided to assistant principal at Island Academy high schools on Rikers Island. Assistance also began at Horizon Academies for older young adults (18-up) Increased library donations and discards were utilized to enhance outreach services on Rikers. Increased programming such as poetry workshops, book talks, and author visits.

3.13- Connections 2008 was up-dated and printed in January 2008. (8,000 copies) 5,055 copies were sent to State Correctional Facilities. Requests for copies of Connections 2007 from prisoners, the formerly incarcerated, prison staff, and other library systems and service providers were filled during the year.

3.14- Library donations and discards continued to supplement purchases to improve the facility library collections at both Arthur Kill and Bayview Correctional Facilities. This allowed us to offer recreational reading and curriculum support inmates taking classes. Provided presentations on utilizing Library services at New York Public Library to inmates at Lincoln and Fulton Correctional Facilities who are about to be released. Provided Programs using hired presenters for sate inmates on topics such as self-esteem, anger-management, domestic violence, addiction, parenting and sexual abuse. Guest presenters included Renee Burney and Sil Lai Abrams, author of “ No More Drama”.

3.15- Developed an early literacy kit for caregivers of young children; printed 80,000 & are in the process of distributing the kits. Working with an evaluator to determine success of kit & information about how caregivers feel about the library. The “For Parents and Teachers page on On-lion showed an 8% increase in visits to 11,637. Picture and board books circulation was 960,824, an increase of 5.3%. 1466 Lapsit programs were offered with an attendance of 50224. 654 programs were offered for preschool children with an attendance of 16,411.

3.16- Continuing to expand the selections of informational books and online resources for teens. Focus groups were surveyed to establish how teens navigate homeworkNYC.org. 1,382 classes/groups visited the Library with an attendance of 33,744 teens in 2007. Visits to homeworkNYC.org declined 12.94% to 407,366. In October 2007 an IMLS study grant was implemented to improve homeworkNYC. Results showed that teen and pre-teen online habits both for homework and recreation rarely ventured away from familiar search engine and social networking sites. A plan is being implemented to “widgetize” homework help resources to place the content directly on users desktops, social networking homepages and iGoogle pages. Focus groups were surveyed to establish how teens navigate homeworkNYC.org.

Circulation of juvenile print nonfiction materials was 630,445, an increase of 1.5%. 3,432 classes visited the Library with an attendance of 101,604 children in 2007. 1,499 classes/groups visited the Library with an attendance of 41,227 teens in 2007.

3.17- 1,946 programs were attended by 26,587 teens in 2007. Young adult librarians and others are expanding outreach to additional community-based organizations and cultural institutions. Juvenile fiction circulation was 1,614,722, an increase of 9.3%. Juvenile media circulation was 813,050, an increase of 13.3%. 40,088 children and 8,276 teens enrolled in summer reading, a 25% increase. 9,197 programs were attended by 214,850 children in 2007. 2,220 programs were attended by 31,510 teens in 2007. Young adult librarians, children’s librarians and others are expanding outreach to additional community-based organizations and cultural institutions.

3.18- The Young Adult Emerging Technologies Group was established to advise on site design, functionality, and new technologies. Visits to On-Lion for Kids showed a 31.68% increase to 959,440. Visitors who visited more than once increased by 36.68%. Visits to TeenLink showed a 25.87% increase to 492,160. The number of TeenLink visitorss is up 42.21%. Visitors who visited more than once increased 26.79%. TeenLink survey results are as follows: Teen want to know what is new and popular on the shelves, and also want to provide input on what could be the next bestseller or blockbuster; TeenLink needs a new look; Teens are most enthusiastic about sites that allow them to customize the view, engage with other teenagers, and interact with the site itself through blogs, games, music and polls. Visits to homeworkNYC.org declined 12.94% to 407,366. In October 2007 an IMLS study grant was implemented to improve homeworkNYC. Results showed that teen and pre-teen online habits both for homework and recreation rarely ventured away from familiar search engine and social networking sites. A plan is being implemented to “widgetize” homework help resources to place the content directly on users desktops, social networking homepages and iGoogle pages.

3.19- 8276 teens registered online for summer reading in 2007, up from 5708 in 2006. Online polls for children, teens, and adults will be conducted during Summer 2008. 40,088 children and 8,276 teens enrolled in summer reading, a 25% increase from the year before. There were 7,840,607 page views of the summer reading website from June – September in 2007. Online polls for children, teens, and adults will be conducted during Summer 2008.

3.20- The variety of offerings for teens continues to expand with options that include new technologies and video gaming. Branch libraries continue to develop dynamic Teen Advisory Groups. Currently, there are just over 30 TAGs systemwide. The variety of offerings for children and teens continues to expand with options that include new technologies and video gaming. Branch libraries continue to develop dynamic Teen Advisory Groups. Currently, there are just over 30 TAGs systemwide.

3.21- Current effective and creative partnerships and collaborations include the New York City Department

Nioga Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The Nioga Library System’s goal of resource sharing and special client group will be to support the efforts of member libraries in providing library service to members of ethnic and minority groups in need of library services, unemployed persons and those in need of job placement assistance, persons living in areas underserved by a library, the blind and visually impaired, the physically challenged and the aged. With intended results of increasing member libraries awareness of the outreach population of their service area and assisting member libraries in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Outreach Librarian will track and monitor the member librarians as to their services to the Special client groups. Nioga employs a full time Outreach Coordinator ($37,731) who over sees the Outreach function. She is responsible for maintaining contacts with and developing cooperative and collaborative projects among member libraries and agencies. Responsibilities include assisting libraries in developing programs for specific client groups, developing partnerships for programs and writing collaborative grants in support of literacy programs. Nioga employs a Senior Library Clerk ($30,066) who handles the daily work routines of the Outreach Department. Among her duties are loans of large print books, audio books, videos, and talking book machines and audio visual equipment. Large Print Books ($700) are purchased with Outreach funds. Travel Expenditures ($250) are used to pay for the travel of the Outreach Coordinator. Employees Benefits: a portion of the health insurance and social security costs for the Outreach Coordinator and Senior Library Clerk are paid from Outreach funds ($15,889).

State Corrections

State Correctional Facilities: Resource Sharing and Special Client Group. The Plan of Service for Nioga Library System indicates that Nioga Library System will continue to support the information needs of the two state correctional facilities as part of our resource sharing and special client groups. Nioga has a contract with each facility. Intended results to be the purchases made and materials added to the state facility libraries by the support staff ($13,261 .4 FTE) Senior Library Clerk. Resource sharing will be supervised by the Outreach Librarian who will track, monitor and evaluate purchases of materials for the state facility libraries.

County Jails

Resource Sharing and Special Client Groups. The Plan of Service for Nioga Library System indicates that the Outreach Librarian will coordinate library service to the three county jails as part of our Resource Sharing and Special Client Groups goals. Nioga staff will notify the jail personnel of the amount of funds eligible for the purchase of library materials. The intended results will be to purchase materials for the county jail libraries. In consultation with jail personnel, the Outreach Librarian will select and purchase the magazines, paperback books or other library supplies in the amount of $3,496. Resource sharing will be supervised by the Outreach Librarian who will track, monitor and evaluate purchases of materials for the county jail libraries.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

The Outreach Librarian has made several contacts with the literacy organizations of the three counties. She serves on the governing Board of the Literacy Volunteers of Niagara County.
The Outreach Librarian is an officer on the Genesee and Orleans Interagency Councils.
The Outreach Librarian serves on the Niagara Interagency Council.
The Outreach Librarian is an officer on the Genesee and Orleans Interagency Councils.
Two workshops for services to Spanish Language groups were held.
Held two workshops on the use and utilization of aids for hearing and visually impaired. Nioga advertises and processes applications to the New York State Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
The Outreach Librarian submitted one grant application for Adult Literacy.
Contracts between Nioga and the two state correctional facilities were signed in a timely fashion.
The Outreach Librarian coordinated the purchase of materials (in consultation with the facility Librarians) materials for the correctional facility libraries.
The Outreach Librarian ordered library materials for the three county jails.
19 member libraries attended System supported workshops on Children and Young Adult related topics in 2007.
17 member libraries attended in-service training sessions (technology training) in 2007.
A grant to support the summer reading program was applied for and approved for in 2007.

North Country Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The allotted funds will allow for NCLS Outreach Department to continue to provide vital direct services to over 600 residents with special needs within the system service area, who are blind/visually impaired, deaf/hearing impaired, physically handicapped, elderly, learning disabled, residents of institutions, or who are unable to utilize their local public library. These patrons will be able to continue to request, receive, and return titles by mail at no cost to them. NCLS ILL service is also available to them. Patrons are regularly supplied with various updated listings of current and new materials available from within the Outreach collection in various formats, and are encouraged to phone in requests or stop by the Service Center to pick up or drop off materials, if they are able.

The Outreach Coordinator works closely with the NCLS Outreach staff as well as member library staff in sharing pertinent information that promotes and enhances Outreach services and programs which are gleaned from traveling to conferences and workshops, staying informed of issues and methods through NYLINE-P listserv, reviewing library literature, from numerous contacts, working with local service agencies, and serving on boards such as the local Association for the Blind.

The members of the NCLS Outreach Advisory Council, composed of representatives of the target groups served, meeting twice a year, will continue to offer input and guidance on topics, such as, disability awareness issues.

To facilitate further communication and exchange of ideas between patrons and library staff, NCLS Outreach services will continue to produce an Outreach Services newsletter, to maintain the Outreach page on the System web site, and to continuously seek input from patrons on ways to improve services.

The Outreach Coordinator and staff will continue to seek opportunities to expand the scope and reach of services by visits and referrals to agencies such as the County Offices for the Aging and by making presentations to potential patrons at nutrition sites and other senior housing facilities within the four-county area.

The NCLS Outreach Program will also serve as a model for member libraries by promoting and assisting member library staff in offering materials, services, and setting up and evaluating outreach programs for their local patrons held within their libraries and as they reach out within their own respective communities.

State Corrections

Allocated funds for Outreach Services to the 5 state correctional facility libraries within the NCLS service area will be used to continue providing opportunities for open communication and to continue the friendly and positive mutual working relationships that are in place. Making regular visits and maintaining frequent oral and written communication by the NCLS staff and the correctional facilities will contribute to enhanced library services available to inmates.

A variety of professional services such as Consultant services, collection development, automated acquisitions with specially modified software, hardware and software purchases and troubleshooting, MARC format cataloging and processing for correctional facility materials, interlibrary loan and delivery, workshops and training sessions, and assistance with planning special cultural programs will all contribute to meeting the library-related needs of inmates in these 5 correctional facilities.

NCLS will continue to coordinate, prepare, and submit the annual grant application for state correctional funding by providing opportunities for the sharing of common concerns and by facilitating open discussions, input gathering, and by hosting planning meetings.

County Jails

Access to library resources for inmates of the 4 County jail facilities will continue to be provided by NCLS Outreach Services. The allotted funds will continue to be used for the purchase of popular paperback books for the County inmate population. In addition, NCLS ILL service is available, as needed. NCLS will facilitate the purchasing of periodicals for use by inmates, if requested.

NCLS Outreach Services will continue to provide opportunities for open communication between the county jail staff and the NCLS Outreach staff by encouraging both oral and written communication, as needs arise, and by making visits, as needed.

NCLS will continue to coordinate, prepare, and submit the annual grant application for county jail funding by providing opportunities for communication and by facilitating the gathering of input for the grant.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Maintained regular communication with regional adult literacy providers.
Assisted Member Libraries and Adult Literacy providers in the development of cyclical draft applications for literacy related grants.
Visited Member Libraries to discuss programs and grant opportunities.
Encouraged partnering with literacy focused organizations.
The Outreach Coordinator attended all pertinent local and statewide meetings, workshops, and conferences as deemed appropriate.
The Outreach Coordinator spoke at meetings, workshops, and participated in local events to promote Outreach Services.
The Outreach Coordinator facilitated two meetings this year of the Outreach Advisory Council.
The Outreach Department responded to requests for materials made by Outreach patrons and attempted to purchase as many of the requested items as possible.
The Outreach Department promoted the service to Member Libraries and provided catalogs and lists as well as materials in large print and audio formats.
The Outreach Department filled patron requests placed by mail or telephone and had the items mailed directly to the patron's residence or sent to a member library for delivery by the librarian or for pickup by a friend, volunteer or family member.
Communication was maintained with Outreach patrons through a monthly newsletter, updated lists of materials, and an Outreach webpage.
NCLS staff maintained open oral and written communication with the CF librarians as needs arose during the year.
NCLS hosted CF Planning Meetings at the NCLS Service Center to plan and prepare the Budget application and report for the 5 state correctional facilities as well as to allow them the opportunity to share common concerns and meet with NCLS staff as needed.
NCLS continues to prepare and submit the annual state aid application and report for the four county correctional institutions in our service area.
NCLS Professional Staff continued to provide assistance in planning and scheduling special cultural and informational programs funded through the grant program.
NCLS Professional Staff continued to provide CF libraries with Consultants services including assistance with collection development through the System's bi-weekly acquisition list.
NCLS continued to keep CF holdings current in the System's database.
NCLS continued to strive to fill inmates' special requests for titles.
NCLS purchased popular paperback books for use by County Jail inmates.
Assisted Member Libraries in forming community-based partnerships for youth services and activities.
Pursued system-wide grants to promote and enrich children's and young adult activities.
Encouraged Member Library Staff to join and participate in the Youth Services Section (YSS) of the New York Library Association (NYLA).
Offered a variety of continuing education workshops.Offered a series of collection development lists to assist Member Libraries in the selection of materials.
Formed a Youth Services Advisory Committee to provide a forum to discuss and plan for system-wide children's services.
Coordinated the NYS Summer Reading Program, providing supporting materials and held a preparatory workshop to assist Member Libraries with this important activity.
Kept the Member Libraries and the NCLS IT staff informed of opportunities to integrate technology into library services for children.

Onondaga County Public Library

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Salary and benefits continue to take most of the funds allocated for outreach activities. OCPL employs a full-time librarian who provides services to the blind and otherwise physically disabled patrons who utilize services. He is supported by a half time page who pulls materials to fill holds and who manages some of the record-keeping. This set of services addresses the system goal of serving persons with blindness and physical disabilities.

Other personnel costs cover a half-time librarian assistant who provides services at the county correctional facility, and a part-time page who assists in collection management. This addresses the system's goal of serving that facility.

Funds for materials are used to purchase described DVD’s, Braille titles for children and adults, large print books, software for use in the STAR (Special Technologies and Assistive Resources) center, adult literacy instructional materials, books in world languages and paperbacks for our Books by Mail program. The system's goals of serving older adults, persons with blindness and other disabilities, and members of ethnic or minority groups in need of special services are partially addressed with these materials. Supplies cover processing materials, Braille paper and Books by Mail envelopes. $200 for travel will cover mileage reimbursement for outreach staff.

State Corrections

N/A

County Jails

Jails Aid will continue to provide library reading materials to inmates at the County Correctional Facility at Jamesville, the City Justice Center and Hillbrook Juvenile Center. Books and magazine subscriptions are the only materials purchased with these funds. This supports the system goal of providing library materials to incarcerated individuals at these facilities.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Upon Health is a collaboration between Upstate Medical University and branch libraries on the city’s south, west, and east sides, providing programs by medical experts and overviews of library resources to meet critical information needs
Expanded outreach into the Latino community through exhibits, programming and translation of key printed pieces and portions of the OCPL website
Participated in statewide training to improve services to Spanish-speaking patrons, focused on marketing, cultural differences, technology training and partnering with local agencies
Mundy Branch served as a site for the Food Bank’s summer lunch program
County Correctional Facility library circulated 33,348 items, with 16,675 inmate visits
The 2007 Summer Reading Program showed higher numbers in all categories:
- 6,603 children and teens participated, reading 94,230 books
- 25,462 children and teens attended 921 programs
Deputy County Executive Ed Kochian and the OCPL Foundation secured funding through Alliance Bank and the Gifford Foundation for “Discovery Summer” field trips to the MOST and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
The John A. DeFrancisco Library Grant Program and a Library Services and Technology Act grant funded additional programs and readers’ incentives
85 seniors attended 5 workshops on Researching Your Family Tree online
The STAR center (Special Technologies and Adaptive Resources) provided 619 hours of computer access to 289 patrons with visual or physical disabilities
The entrance to the STAR center was enlarged to improve wheelchair access
The STAR pc was replaced and all software upgraded

Pioneer Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Pioneer’s Outreach Department (1 full-time professional librarian, an outreach assistant and some additional clerical support) provides services to 42 public libraries and many community agencies in Ontario, Wyoming, Wayne and Livingston Counties. Three critical goals for 2008 are identified in the PLS Plan of Service.

Outreach to Community Agencies and in Connecting users with Library Services - Outreach staff will:

Participate in agency meetings within each county served, taking a lead role in providing presentations, serving on committees or as part of elected advisory councils, and keeping members informed of services and resources provided by libraries that would meet agency client needs.
Play an active role in the Genesee Valley Health and Wellness Partnership for Livingston County; provide presentations on Novel, Central Library and Regional Library Council electronic health databases and build awareness of local library collections on fitness, health, and self help materials available via local libraries for residents.
Actively improve access to Adult Literacy collections in Wayne County via collection development, partnerships, and developing web resources for tutors and learners.
Actively participate in a project with the Ad Council of Rochester to develop a system- wide marketing and communications plan to determine the best ways to reach the eight targeted populations and to improve access to member library services.
Promote awareness of member library programs, collections, and services by developing promotional materials, publishing four issues of the Pathfinder newsletter and providing incentive grants to support development of special collections and services.
Participation in Gates/WebJunction Turning the Page Advocacy training. Work with member libraries and trustees to build awareness and support of library services.
Create content and prominence of Outreach information on the owwl.org and pls-net.org homepages.
Outreach mini grants available to member libraries to encourage outreach projects, community collaboration and collection development to meet special populations needs.

Outreach to Spanish Speakers

A presentation on New York State involvement and a trainer’s perspective on the Outreach to Spanish Speakers initiative will be provided at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Anaheim.
Encourage member libraries to utilize WebJunction content for programming and collection development.

Outreach to Growing Target Populations

Participating in Lifelong Access/Equal Access workshops along with selected member libraries. Encourage and support member libraries’ outreach efforts to older adults including senior fairs, programming and informational displays.
Collaborate with Wayne County Action Program’s Foster Grandparents to provide a full day in-service program on “Growing a Reader” and the importance of early literacy to be incorporated into their volunteer assignments.
Launch system wide customer service initiative to foster awareness and outreach to special populations.

State Corrections

Pioneer Library System provides collection development, materials and information support to six correctional facilities in Wayne (Butler Correctional Facility, Butler ASACTC), Wyoming (Attica Correctional Facility, Wyoming Correctional Facility) and Livingston (Groveland Correctional Facility and Livingston Correctional Facility) Counties. The following key goals were identified as part of Pioneer's Plan of Service and an agreement between the facility librarians and Pioneer Library System for 2008-2009:

Improved Access to Materials: OWWL and OCLC

Due to facilities having limited or no internet access, Pioneer Library System will extract in January and June system-wide holdings found in Pioneer Library System's OWWL library catalog. These holdings will be sent to TLC for the creation of a CD-ROM that provides a static DOS version of the Pioneer Library System on-line catalog. Correctional patrons can search the CD-ROM to locate information via title, author or subject owned by PLS member libraries. Correctional library staff then print hold request slips that are forwarded to PLS Outreach staff via delivery to place holds on OWWL titles.
Outreach staff will continue work with Wyoming Correctional Library's pilot "internet access project." The project enables the facilities librarian limited weekly access to an internet connection located in the administrative offices of the facility. Via a special account with PLS, the librarian then can place direct holds in the OWWL library catalog, check overdues and request renewals.
Butler Correctional facilities, in lieu of increased special loan monies for collection development, opted for an increase in access to out-of-system inter-library loan. Outreach staff will research, request and monitor OCLC requests placed on behalf of the two facilities.

Improved Collections and Support of Local Programming

Each facility will receive special loan monies to purchase materials, equipment and/or to support programming to meet local needs. Facility librarians will develop purchasing lists and consult with the PLS Outreach Coordinator to locate quality materials and vendors. Purchases on behalf of the libraries will be ordered and spending lines monitored by the PLS Outreach Assistant.
The PLS Outreach Coordinator will provide facility librarians with articles of interest, programming ideas, and share community resources to support guest authors, writing programs and speakers.
Outreach Mini grants will enable facilities to provide special programming or collections for a targeted population.
Correctional librarians and staff will present at a System meeting an overview of their libraries and services to improve awareness and understanding of needs.

Improved Access to Continuing Education and Technology Trends

The PLS Outreach Coordinator will alert facility librarians about continuing education opportunities, promote attendance at workshops, and survey continuing education needs.
Facility librarians will be encouraged to attend NYLA conferences.

County Jails

Pioneer Library System provides consulting, information referral and collection development support to four county jail facilities located in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming and Livingston Counties. Key initiatives for 2008-2009:

Community Connections Ontario/Wayne Counties and Community Connections Livingston/Wyoming Counties- Pioneer Library System will continue to update and publish information and referral guides for incarcerated inmates returning to the community. Contact and agency information on housing, support services, counseling, etc. are highlighted. Booklets are distributed to transition counselors, probation officers, and directly to inmates requesting copies. A PDF version of the booklet will also be made available via the OWWL.org website.
Local Collection Development – The PLS Outreach Coordinator in consultation with facility representatives will research and suggest materials, software, and equipment to meet local jail needs. Review and organization of the Ontario County Jails collection will take place along with suggestions for replacement materials.
Programming Development – The PLS Outreach Coordinator and Outreach Assistant will suggest “Growing a Reader” and “Outreach to Spanish Speakers” workshop initiatives. “Growing a Reader” is for incarcerated parents and “Outreach to Spanish Speakers” is for staff.
Jail Advisory Participation – The PLS Outreach Coordinator and PLS Outreach Assistant will attend Wayne (monthly) and Ontario (bi-monthly) Jail Advisory meetings. The meetings provide an opportunity to share library services and information as well as offering opportunities to explore collection, program and presentation support that could be offered via outreach services

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Adult literacy services LSTA grant completed
New LSTA adult literacy grant begun

Coordinated Outreach

85% of libraries used PLS Outreach collections; 100% satisfied
60% of libraries frequently apply for Outreach mini-grants; 96% satisfied
56% of libraries used Adult Literacy services; 95% satisfied
61% rarely or never ask for consulting advice on ADA, outreach to Spanish speakers or other special outreach services
85% rarely or never borrow PLS assistive equipment

Correctional Facilities

The 6 correctional facility libraries received 2 updates to the CD-ROM catalog of OWWL holdings; 208 consultations and one visit each.

Youth Services

Offered 6 workshops, 56 consultations, 12 monthly online selection lists of new youth books, examination copies
71% of libraries used teen services consulting; 93% satisfied
90% of libraries used children’s services consulting; 95% satisfied

Promoting library services to the geographically isolated

Goal: Build more diverse offering of Adult programming.

95% of libraries satisfied with promotional efforts (publications, press releases, mini-grants)

Queens Borough Public Library

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The funding for the Coordinated Outreach Services Program funds programs and projects of the Special Services department for customers with special needs, the Special Services Satellite at the Peninsula Branch and supplements the Job Information Center.

Customer Services- The Coordinated Outreach Team for 2008 consists of a Assistant Coordinator for Special Services, two Outreach Librarians, partial funding for a Chinese Collections Manager (New Americans Program) serving immigrants, a Principal Administrative Associate and one part-time Office Aide. We are continuing to produce and oversee programs and projects of the Special Services department for customers with special needs. The Central Library and Flushing Branch Job Information Centers are working hand in hand, sharing information sources as well as supervising and supplementing the Job Information Center, along with the Special Services Satellite at the Peninsula Branch.

We will continue to work with the Queensboro Correctional Facility and reevaluate the needs of the inmate population regarding the book and periodical collection.

State Corrections

State Correctional Facilities Aid provides funding to enhance the current collections which were developed to meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of the correctional facility inmates.

County Jails

N/A

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult Literacy

Goal: Improve and expand services offered to Adult Learners in all the Adult Learner Program components...

Result:

Expanded the Pre-GED classes from 5 to 7 in the ALC’s; implemented offering of Basic ESOL Literacy classes at five of the seven ALCs
Expanded the Family Literacy Learning program with the conversion of Queensbridge and Ravenswood into Family Learning Centers.
Added new sites for the English classes at Kew Gardens, and Long Island City ALC, expanded Sunday classes in the Elmhurst library
Added a new wireless computer lab in the Elmhurst ALC

Based on the standardized assessment (BEST Plus Test for ESOL students and TABE Test for ABE), students overall educational gain went up from 35.8% to 39.4%. Our biggest gains were in low and high beginning ESOL learners where we went from 41% to 56% gain for low beginners and we even made educational gains with the beginning ESOL literacy which is the most challenging group of ESOL. We made 8% educational gain with the lowest level of ABE which is also a challenging group to work with.

Goal: Expand the Adult Learning Centers in Long Island City and Elmhurst.

Result:

Long Island City Adult Learning center opened on June 15, 2007 - Offered 5 ESOL classes, 6 ABE tutorial group and 5 ESOL conversation groups, 3 computer Literacy classes for Beginning and intermediate levels - Served 150 adult learners
Set up a Wireless Computer lab at the Elmhurst ALC with 13 laptops - 5 Classes were offered for beginners (2) and intermediate (3) level learners - 63 Students participated

Goal: Provide new learning opportunities through online courses.

Result:

Completed the Health Literacy curriculum for beginning ESOL learners. It is now available from the ALP website for other Adult Literacy program to use. An interactive activities component is incorporated for student practice.
Started a partnership with the Queens Museum to develop a “Digital Storytelling” project where students can create their own stories incorporating technology to be shared with other adult literacy learners. Training staff to implement the project is underway.
Collaborated with NY Public Library to learn about their “Reading Horizons” online course and a pilot project to implement it in the Queens Library’ ALP is in progress.
Flushing ALC piloted an intensive ESOL conversation practice in small group which resulted to increase in number of participants from 483-580. There is also an increase in number of participants in Rochdale by 5%.

Coordinated Outreach

Goal: Increase health literacy for low-income, low literate, and non-English speaking senior populations.

Results: Via Queens Library HealthLink, cancer screenings offered at 10 locations.

Goal: Expand assistive technology for deaf customers.

Results: Video relay service software installed at two locations.

Correctional Facilities

Goal: Expand service to incarcerated populations.

Results: Added educational DVDs to QCF, and introduced Job Skills programs by outside presenter.

Youth Services

Goal: Teens have greater input on library services dedicated to and for them.

Results: New Teen Center opened. Career programs presented at high schools in conjunction with Special Services.

Goal: Best Out of School Time (BOOST) and other OST programming permanently funded.

Results: BOOST has become a library service. Library foundation strategizing about funds.

Ramapo Catskill Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The Coordinated Outreach budget supports the RCLS Plan of Service as follows: RCLS will provide several programs targeting adult literacy and adult education providers on the resources available from RCLS and member libraries. A report will be made to member library staff (3.a.1; 3.a.2). RCLS continues to support the New York State Talking Book & Braille Library program by providing applications and referrals (3.b.1). RCLS will facilitate programs in a “Help for You” series, hosted by member libraries, to reach out to the unemployed/underemployed, active older adult and the immigrant populations, and will serve as model demonstrations for member library staff. The RCLS Resource Guide for 55+ will be updated. A new resource for the unemployed will be produced: RCLS Employment Resource Guide. Both resources will be made available on the RCLS website and in a print version. In addition, RCLS will be participating with other systems to upgrade a Spanish Language database hosted by the Westchester Library System. The coordinated project will allow RCLS to brand the database to its website (3.b.2).

State Corrections

The State Correctional Facilities Aid budget supports the RCLS Plan of Service as follows: RCLS will bring about forums for the staff to address issues, concerns and projects; and staff training on personal security skills (coordinating with Mid Hudson, as well as Westchester library systems and the NYS Department of Corrections). In addition, consultation for projects, issues and concerns is available and includes book discussion program support and “Words Travel” Project (3.c.1). RCLS makes possible interlibrary loan of books between the facilities and RCLS member libraries, the Southeastern Library Resources Council, member libraries, and the New York State Library (3.c.2). RCLS facilitates the purchase of materials, supplies, computer equipment as well as programs on “How To Get Published,” “How To Start Your Own Business,” Poetry, and other cultural programs for the correctional facilities ( 3.c.3).

County Jails

The Service to County Jails (Interinstitutional)Aid budget supports the RCLS Plan of Service as follows: RCLS facilitates the acquisition of materials of current law books, magazine and newspaper subscriptions for the facilities (3.c.3).

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

RCLS supported the efforts of our member libraries to reduce Adult Low Literacy by coordinating roundtables and discussion groups, offering workshops, training sessions and support information about literacy issues and NYS grants. Three literacy grant applications were submitted by member libraries, unfortunately none of these were awarded funding.

We continued to make efforts to expand the membership of the Outreach Council with representatives of groups and organizations which provide services and support to Outreach populations.

We continued to offer a range of services to the correctional institutions within our service area. One of the services provided is ILL, with 5,199 request processed.

Our Youth Services Consultant continued to offer staff at member libraries a broad range of programs and services to support their children and teen programs and services. One of the biggest efforts in this area relates to the Summer Reading Program. We offered workshops, training sessions and information about trends in children and teen librarianship.

Southern Adirondack Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

SALS Plan of Service states that SALS will maintain its outreach services to the eight target groups in this program. SALS cooperates with agencies in our service area, promotes member library collaboration with local organizations, and seeks the input of the Outreach Advisory Council in serving the eight target groups for outreach services.

Professional Salaries: The Outreach Coordinator (.75 FTE, $57,424) oversees the operation of outreach services programs and is responsible for maintaining contacts with and developing cooperative and collaborative projects among libraries and agencies. Responsibilities include assisting libraries in assessing community needs, facilitating partnerships for programs and funding, developing effective marketing strategies, and writing collaborative grants in support of literacy.

Other Staff Salaries: The Outreach clerk (.40 FTE, $14,017) is in charge of the daily operation of loans of materials to outreach patrons and organizations, either directly or through their member libraries. Loans include large type books, audio books, described videos, nonfiction videos, talking book machines, TTY machines, and equipment for video and computer projection. All 34 member libraries and three correctional facilities use this service.

Employee Benefits: A portion of the health insurance and social security costs ($11,506) for the Outreach Coordinator and Outreach clerk that are paid with coordinated outreach funds.

Travel Expenditures: The Outreach Coordinator will have a budget of ($3,000) to use for workshops and/or conference attendance to enhance outreach in the System.

State Corrections

State Correctional Facilities:

The SALS Plan of Service states that SALS will continue to support the information needs of the three state correctional facilities under agreements with those facilities.

Professional Salaries: SALS will also provide a full range of public library services ($18,996) to the staff and inmates of each facility. Services will include interlibrary loans of materials in all media, consulting services, and access to all continuing education programs offered to SALS member library directors.

Purchased Services: Weekly delivery of interlibrary loan materials to each correctional facility ($2,100)

Supplies and Materials: SALS will provide a materials and equipment grant ($10,391) to the three facility libraries proportioned according to their population as of July 1, 2006 [48% to Great Meadow, 20% to Mount McGregor, 32% to Washington Correctional.

County Jails

Service to County Jails Aid:

SALS Plan of Service states that SALS will maintain its outreach services to the eight target groups in the Outreach Services Program. Our county jails house one of the target groups, the institutionalized.

Supplies & Materials: SALS will inform correctional facilities of amount of money their facility is eligible to receive for library materials. In consultation with jail personnel, SALS outreach librarian will select and place orders for magazines, paperback books, or other library supplies $2,874 which reflect the subject interests of the residents. When the materials are received at SALS they will be delivered to each jail.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Adult new learners found the resources and services they needed in their local libraries. Member libraries networked with other community groups and organizations that support Adult Literacy. People residing in Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties had equal access to library materials and services. Member library staff partnered with community groups and organizations in order to provide people with the information and materials they need. The inmate populations had access to materials to meet their recreational and lifelong learning interests. Library staff received the training needed to provide services to the youth in their communities. Libraries received additional funds available through grants in order to provide services to youth in their communities.

Southern Tier Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Coordinated Outreach Library Services Aid will be used to attain STLS goals to work with member libraries to serve (1) persons who are aging, or have visual, hearing, or physical disabilities, (2) persons who are members of ethnic or minority groups, educationally disadvantaged, unemployed or underemployed, and (3) patrons who are in institutions (adult care facilities, community residencies, other)

Funds will be used to provide materials including TTYs, adaptive computer equipment, talking book equipment and materials, rotating collections, multi-media kits, large print, descriptive and closed-captioned videos/DVDs, and audio books to libraries, reading centers, and adult care facilities. Provide libraries with access to collection development aids, materials, training, and assistance in development of partnerships with other agencies to strengthen and support services for adults with low literacy levels. Work with members to provide outreach service to residents unable to make use of traditional library services by providing training, awarding outreach minigrants to fund library pilot projects, supplement local library collections, and provide access to specialized materials and equipment. Encourage partnerships with area agencies and organizations to publicize and promote outreach services to shared consumers. Support and assist members to improve service through new, expanded, or remodeled buildings which meet ADA requirements or make provisions to ensure services are fully accessible for persons with disabilities. Purchase and publicize Spanish language materials. In conjunction with Gates grant educate library staff on how to make computer equipment more accessible. Promote downloadable audios to persons with disabilities; purchase and publicize ear bud loops to enable persons who are hard of hearing to use these audios.

Intended results: Persons who are aging and/or have disabilities will obtain appropriate materials through their local library. Persons residing in facilities will receive access to library materials and services.

State Corrections

State Correctional Facilities Aid will fund the STLS goal to provide library services to state correctional facility general libraries. STLS will provide interlibrary loan, ready reference assistance, consultant assistance in keeping library skills and practices current, and regularly scheduled delivery service. Provide cataloging and processing of materials and add bibliographic records to the STLS regional catalog STARCat. STLS will provide facility libraries with System materials including rotating collections, special format materials, multi-media kits, professional collection titles, downloadable audios, and online databases. Invite facility librarians to continuing education workshops, advisory committees, and trainings.

Intended results: Correctional facility libraries will participate as member libraries in System workshops, programs, and services. Because facility library materials are entered into the regional catalog, area residents will have access to a broader range of materials, including African American, Hispanic and Spanish language materials.

County Jails

Service to County Jails Aid supports the STLS goal of working with libraries to serve patrons who are in institutions. Funds are used to purchase recreational paperback reading materials for long-term loan to the five county facilities in the STLS service area. Outreach staff work with member libraries to provide library outreach services to residents through the provision of special format materails such as large print materials and audiobooks as needed. STLS also assiste with the soliciation and selection of donated periodicals and paperback books. The Systemwroks with member libraries, loca school district GED teachers, volunteers, and jail staff to strengthen and support member library services for adults with low literacy levels. STLS assists with the purchase, processing, loan and delivery of GED and literacy materials to the jails for use by jail residents.

Intended results: Persons residing in jails receive access to library materials and services.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Strengthen and support services in member libraries for adults with low literacy levels Assisted Allegany LVA and several member libraries in writing a grant for NYS literacy funds – with grant funds members added computers and computer classes for literacy and adult ABE students. Allegany LVA staffer serves on STLS coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council. Partner with member libraries to provide library services to coordinated outreach populations Provided rotating collections of large print books to expand selection for persons with visual abilities. Provided captioned videos/DVDs, and audio books; descriptive videos/DVDs, talking book machines and materials, sign language materials, TTY, adaptive computer equipment, bi-folkal and multi-media kits. Continued working with five members in ongoing Brookdale grant to expand services for grandparents/relatives raising children. Provided mint-grants to assist members to expand services. Distributed free hearing loss newsletter to member libraries in cooperation with NYS Hearing Loss Association. Attended Gates workshop on service to Spanish-language speakers (9 members also attended), and purchased Spanish language materials for circulation.

Provide state correctional facilities with services and programs provided to public libraries, as possible Residents of the three state correctional facilities benefited from interlibrary loan, rotating collections, and the purchase of long-term loan materials housed in the facilities. Assisted facility librarians to order materials for their general library collections. Cataloged many titles and added to online regional catalog. Public library users received access to Spanish language, Hispanic, and African American books and videos via ILL from Southport Correctional Facilities’ general collection. Increased resources available to correctional facilities by conducted database searches on topics requested by inmates. Coordinated meeting with NYS DOC personnel , correctional facility librarians and administration and STLS staff resulting in increased cooperation among agencies Support member libraries in providing service to children, families and young adults Conducted three youth services and one adult/youth services workshop; attended by 51 staffers. Conducted a workshop on summer reading program (SRP) events for families; attended by 38 staffers. 83% of members presented SRPs; 88% participated in the System mini-grant challenge; 9% presented a SRP for adults and teens for the first time; 86% of libraries created displays and/or participated in local parades. Maintained a summer reading blog, including program plans, links for ideas, member comments and information on member programs; blog received 1850 visits. Purchased online calendar software for posting library events, resulting in more publicity about library events. Made a public performance license available to members resulting in more library programs for residents. Publicized local public libraries summer reading programs (SRP) through GST BOCES network. Created selection lists and researched information for members, resulting in stronger daily services in member libraries.

Suffolk Cooperative Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Suffolk Cooperative Library System’s (SCLS) Outreach Services Program:

Provides information and referral services to traditionally underserved populations
Focuses on the needs of people with disabilities – including the aged and institutionalized
Provides training in the areas of disability awareness, assistive technology and accessible internet services in an effort to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full access to library materials and other information resources.

SCLS Administrator of Outreach Services:

Supports and enhances the specialized resources and services the department has developed over the years, including: consultation on information and referral services to administration and staff of Suffolk County Public Libraries, community agencies and organizations, as well as talking book patrons
Offers presentations and consultation on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights legislation (in regard to public library patrons and employees), fact sheets and related materials
Presents Disability Awareness Workshops.
Works closely with community organizations and service agencies
Trains library administration and staff how to use various types of assistive technology that will provide access to library materials for patrons and employees with disabilities

Long Island Talking Book Library (LITBL):

Provides library services to individuals with visual, physical and learning disabilities, as part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Maintains a collection of approximately 100,000 recorded books
Circulates more than 140,000 talking books to approximately 4,500 readers
Loans and repairs playback equipment and provides accessories, catalogs and other resources that are part of the national program
Provides public libraries with information about the talking book program
Hosts informational tables at local fairs and community events
Provide promotional materials to community agencies and organizations.
Maintains collection of Print/Braille and Signed English Children’s books
Maintains collection of videotapes with descriptive narration
Maintains reference materials in alternative formats, bifolkal programming kits and TTY Loan Kits
Maintains a collection of disability related materials, including books, periodicals, catalogs, pamphlets and videotapes which contain statistical, legal, technological, accessibility and awareness information

The services to individuals with literacy needs and those needing ESL training are provided by Literacy Suffolk. The SCLS multi-language collection of more than 30,000 items will continue to be housed by the Special Collections department and Sister Joan Ryan will continue to participate in the selection and distribution process which provides materials to the local jails.

State Corrections

N/A

County Jails

Sister Joan Ryan will continue to participate in the selection and distribution process which provides materials to the local jails.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Nassau & Suffolk continue to be excellently served by SCLS's Outreach Department.

Upper Hudson Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

The expenditures in the proposed budget application will enable the Upper Hudson Library System attain its goals as follows:

By providing for a full-time Outreach Coordinator and a half-time library technician, we are able to facilitate the provision of library services by member libraries to persons who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. This includes the purchase of large-print books that circulate among our member libraries, the purchase of supplies and materials for coordinated delivery service to member libraries, and the provision of interpretive services for the hearing impaired.

By providing for the funding of mini-grants to the member libraries, we are able to fund programs that provide services to persons or groups who are in need of non-traditional library services such as the elderly, teens, the unemployed, the disabled, the rural poor, and ethnic groups.

State Corrections

N/A

County Jails

By purchasing special materials for the informational and recreational needs of the residents, we provide library services to the approximately 1,000 inmates of the Albany County Jail and the Rensselaer County Jail. This is done by the purchase of fiction and non-fiction paperbacks for the Albany County Jail and self-help, poems, meditations, and 12-step guides for the Rensselaer County Jail.

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

UHLS played a leadership role in facilitating and promoting literacy. We strengthened the collaboration between UHLS member libraries and local literacy provider agencies and schools and increased local awareness of UHLS member libraries’ role in promoting adult literacy. We increased the usage of adult literacy materials available at UHLS member libraries. UHLS facilitated the provision of library services by member libraries to persons who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. UHLS provided library services to the inmates of the county correctional facilities. The materials provided met the informational and recreational needs of the facility residents, and the materials provided were heavily used. UHLS facilitated the provision of library services by member libraries to children, teens, and families. The staff working with youth and families had regular opportunities to discuss materials and programs, and the member libraries were highly satisfied with the continuing education, training, and services offered. All librarians serving youth and families were informed about current trends in the provision of library services to these groups, and all member libraries had regular access to creative ideas to bring youth and families into the libraries. All member libraries had opportunities to participate in multi-library projects that increased library effectiveness and visibility, and they all had the knowledge and tools to create appropriate, current collections for youth and families.

Westchester Library System

2008-09 Budget Narratives

Coordinated Outreach

Consultant and staff services comprise the largest portion of the outreach budget. WLS personnel create and execute numerous outreach projects and activities in member libraries. “Personnel” includes salaries and benefits for the department head and administrative assistant. The salaries ($89,725) and benefits ($36,746) total $126,471.

Programming for older adults and ethnic minorities of all ages is a vital part of the library services offered in Westchester County. Programming will be continued with Mainstream Retirement Institute, Hudson River Museum, Westchester County Office for Hispanic Affairs, and other community organizations.

WLS will contract with library professionals to provide innovative training opportunities for member library administrators and staff to help them incorporate outreach policies and practices in their regular service delivery plans.

WLS will also continue to contract with career counselors to provide programs such as resume clinics, individual counseling, and other workshops designed to assist those seeking employment.

The budget for purchased services totals $34,379.

Each year WLS produces flyers, notices, announcements and other materials to alert member libraries and the public to the availability of programs and services. The budget for supplies and materials, postage, etc. is $1,500.

Other expenses include $700 for reimbursement of system staff travel to various conferences and meetings.

State Corrections

WLS will continue to provide collection development support to the general inmate libraries at all three State facilities through the purchase of library materials [$10,102], and delivery of selected donated items.

Both Department of Corrections (DOC) supervisory staff and inmate clerks at Bedford Hills CF and Taconic CF need professional assistance with day-to-day aspects of ILL, circulation, collection management operations. [WLS professional salary: $12,875 and benefits: $2,700, for a total of $15,575].

Opportunities to conduct or support programs, such as reading or discussion groups and employment readiness workshops will be developed [$1,500] at all three facilities.

County Jails

WLS will provide continuing collection development support to Westchester County Department of Corrections inmates through purchase of library materials [$4,265], consultation and technical assistance, and management of a donated items program.

WLS will also develop various types of programming support for educational and pre-release purposes [$2,000]. The department head will allocate time for consultation and research to develop other services [$3,000].

2007 Annual Report Narrative

Special Client Group Needs - Results

Teen Services programs to the traditional teen user and teen non-user continued throughout 2007. Here are a few highlights of the projects worked on to engage the teen non-user:

In a project at the Mount Vernon Public Library, WLS’s Library Youth Connection Program (LYCP) is collaborating with Family Services Program of Westchester’s AmeriCorps Program. LYCP facilitated in the placement of eight AmeriCorps members at the Mount Vernon Public Library and is also assisting in their training. In February, work continued at Mount Vernon to train and use AmeriCorps members to initiate programs for underserved youth populations. A “Reach Out” project was developed to target specific groups of youth. The AmeriCorps program was expanded to recruit and place members in Port Chester and White Plains Public Libraries.

LYCP was instrumental in bringing the Ossining High School’s African-American, Project Earthquake and Video Clubs, the Ossining Community Action Program, and the Ossining Public Library together to sponsor in- and out-of-school programming for 2007 Black History Month.

The Learning Ambassadors program through the Westchester Scholars program of the County Youth Bureau recruited library interns. WLS developed 4-day training program for recruits that covered basic information about library services and child development, as well as how to read to children, help select books, and use computers and board games as learning tools. The program saw great success with 27 teenagers aged 14 to 19 participating in training and interning at our member libraries in Mount Vernon, Ossining, Tuckahoe, White Plains, and Yonkers as well as day care/head start sites in Mount Vernon, Ossining, Tuckahoe, White Plains.

Office of Community Connections (OCC) Robin Osborne worked with 6 teenage girls from Mount Vernon Public Library and journalist Jill Nelson on a research & discovery project to investigate how to make Mount Vernon Public Library a better place. The group named, “Sisters Making a Change at the Library (SMACAL),” published a booklet with their final suggestions and presented to it to the Mount Vernon Public Library Board.

For the traditional teen users, action plans were developed for each library to provide individualized and specific recommendations for improved teen services. A variety of staff development topics were covered at our Teen Services Meetings: Smart Surfing: Helping Kids & Parents Be Safe and Savvy on the Net with Gina Pinos; Text Messaging and Teen Communications; Everyone Serves Teens training; Sirsi Q&A for Youth Services Librarians; Teen Spaces; Westchester’s Choice/Teen Librarians’ Best Books of the Year.

In order to integrate the latest research in child development and early learning into programs for young children and caregivers, a variety of topics were covered at our Children Services Meetings including: storytelling; a tribute to Jean Craighead George (Newbery Medalist, environmentalist and Chappaqua resident); William Steig Exhibition: From the New Yorker to Shrek at the Jewish Museum; the image of the child in American picture-book Art; Fair Tales at Lyndhurst. A series of roundtable discussion groups were also instituted to share ideas and air concerns. The Anne Izard Choice Award was designated which highlights distinguished titles in the field of storytelling. A special edition of Books to Share and our Back to School brochure were distributed in 2007.

To increase the reach of the summer reading program, several new partnerships were formed in 2007. Partnership with Rye Playland included “Fun Cards” with discounts for opening day and 3 grand prizes and a 16-page educational supplement in The Journal News promoted summer reading. This helped Westchester Summer Reading program reach some impressive statistics: 18,950 children enrolled; 2,410 programs held with 39,200 children attending; 518,000 books read; 2,700 teens attending.

In 2007 WLS established an event and publication honoring local authors and illustrators of books for young people. Called the Westchester Writes for Kids. 47 Westchester authors and illustrators of books for children and teens that published books last year attended and sat for a group photograph for a poster in support of Westchester libraries and kids’ reading.

In 2007, WLS continued to hold Interagency forums on issues affecting disenfranchised populations. The series entitled, “All Kinds of Readers,” began with Too Many Left Behind: Are We Part of the Problem? Can We Be Part of the Solution with Tracie Hall on 6/7/2007; Where We Live: Becoming Literate about our Own Lives, discussion of the uses of street lit to engage teens with Vanessa Morris on 9/27/2007; Using Video Games as Learning Tools with Alice J. Robinson on 10/25/2007; and Rethinking Literacy in the 21st Century with Jennifer Roswell on 11/13/2007; and The Health Literacy & Plain Language Institute with Lisa Gale Van Brackle on 11/27/2007.

In 2007 WLS continued its work with our member libraries and social service agencies to provide library services to Westchester residents who are unable to fully utilize library services – traditional or online – because of language, educational, economic or physical barriers. A number of exciting projects were implemented in 2007 and the highlights include:

Our first Health Advocacy Resource Center opened at Yonkers Public Library Grinton I. Will Library in conjunction with WLS, Yonkers Grinton I. Will Branch, Medicare Right Center and Sarah Lawrence College to help older adults and their caregivers get reliable health care information through one-on-one counseling and access to print and online materials. Training of volunteers was completed and the Center opened on 11/8/07 with County Executive Spano and a number of other dignitaries in attendance. A second Health Advocacy Resource Center will open at the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak in spring 2008.

WLS was given a grant by Westchester Board of Legislators to purchase a bookmobile in 2007. Currently under construction, the “Library on Tour” program will reach out to people and places not typically served by the local public library—will travel to parks, recreation centers during the summer months; community centers and retirement communities. We expect the bookmobile to be completed by April 2008.

Poet’s House – WLS laid the groundwork in 2007 for Poetry Westchester!--a series of workshops to be provided over 2 seasons to 9 member libraries to instruct them how in poetry programming for their teens and/or adults.

OCC collaborated with Manhattanville College on a pilot program called “Writer-in-Residence” (WIR). Project will draw writers from the graduate writing department who will commit to a 2-month residency at one library (New Rochelle Public Library, Port Chester Public Library, or Somers Library). Each will choose a specific format (poetry, memoir or book discussion) and target a specific audience (seniors/teens). Programs at POR & SOM were asked to be continued.

Robin Osborne worked with Westchester County Dept. of Corrections to investigate how to implement general library services for inmates at the correctional facility in Valhalla and reported her recommendations in October. Ms. Osborne worked with other agencies to provide services to people newly released from prison. WLS sponsored a re-entry job search and training program at Yonkers Public Library to support the Fathers Count program sponsored by Family Services of Westchester.

WLS was awarded Adult Literacy Grant for project with Mamaroneck Public Library District entitled, “Welcoming New Americans @ Your Library,” which will provide a variety of learning opportunities for immigrant residents including basic ESL tutoring, conversation groups, citizenship preparation classes, and a welcome desk for new American for one-on-one referrals. The project was launched in October 2007.

Robin Osborne was invited to LIBER 2007 by Embassy of Spain.

OCC and Yonkers PL staff participated in the third annual El Dia de la Primavera celebration at the Hudson River Museum on 3/25/08. Demonstrations were given of the large array of Internet resources on the WLS webpage, including Recursos en Espanol, WEBS, and firstfind.info. Event drew more than 500 attendees.

Robin Osborne is leading a collaborative project with the 3 NYC library systems to share collection responsibilities for a comprehensive web library in Spanish. Each participating system would agree to oversee specific subject areas in La Biblioteca Virtual.

WLS was invited to be a pilot site for a R&D project proposal to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for implementation of The Learner Web—a web-accessed application providing free online facilitation and support of self-study for adults seeking to improve their basic skills, prepare for the GED, go to college or work toward other learning goals.

Over 2,500 copies were distributed of the new edition of Introduction to the Public School System in New York State by OCC.

Robin Osborne was appointed to the Steering committee of newly-formed Westchester Disability Advocacy Association.

Youth Services worked with Dorothy Greenberg at Pace to support the CLOUT program for computer training of single mothers in poverty.

WLS continued its work to enhance access to Spanish-language materials in the WLS online catalog with Spanish subject terminology and the development of a Spanish-language user interface. Negotiations continued with Lectorum Publications in 2007 to establish electronic transfer of MARC records to be purchased from WLS. Lectorum is the oldest and largest Spanish-language book distributor in the US and has agreed to reimburse WLS for the Spanish language catalog records; however, there are still details to be discussed before finalization.

In 2007, WLS continued to expand the services provided for by WEBS (WLS’s Educational and Career Counseling Services). There was a high demand for the 8-week career seminars, and additional seminars were added at the Ossining Public Library, White Plains Public Library, and New Rochelle Public Library. Individual counseling has resumed after a brief recess at Mount Vernon and Yonkers Public Libraries. The online education database on the WEBS homepage was updated for the newly redesigned WLS webpage. Elaine Sozzi, WEBS Director, also works with Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board (WIB), serving on the One-Stop Services Committee which is developing strategies for an adult and dislocated worker training initiative. Newly-designed WEBS brochure was produced describing programs and services.

Last Updated: August 5, 2009 -- asm; for questions or comments, contact Cassandra Artale