School Library System Orientation

Soon after a school library system director begins their position, they are invited to the New York State Education Department / New York State Library in Albany to participate in an intensive two-day orientation session developed by the school library system program staff at the Division of Library Development. The orientation often includes a comprehensive tour of the New York State Research Library.

School library system directors are provided with binders that hold all applicable program forms, including copies of their current budget, annual reports and Plan of Service, in addition to statewide library initiatives. During the orientation, Library Development staff provide information and answer questions relating to education law and commissioner's regulations program policies and procedures.

Below is a sample agenda for a two-day orientation schedule:

The State Education Department
Library Development (LD) and NYS Research Library (6th floor)
Cultural Education Center (CEC)
Madison Avenue
Albany, New York
(518) 474-7890
www.nysl.nysed.gov

Topic Outcome

1:30 P.M. Come to the Museum/Information Desk – CEC for visitor's pass

1. 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

NYSILL Training (Interlibrary Loan)		 Provide training to access State Library resources through NYSILL 6th Floor – NYSILL Unit
2. 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Tour of the Talking Book and Braille Library		 Become familiar with the resources and services of the Talking Book and Braille Library - Basement

9:00 A.M. Come to the Museum Information Desk – CEC for visitor's pass

SED/OCE

1. NYS Library – overview

1a. Research Library
1b. Library Development

Explain the two (2) major divisions of the New York State Library and the five sections of the State Education Department (SED)
2. Brief overview and background of the School Library System Program (CF 90.18) Provide brief history of program

3. School Library System funding

3a. Sources -- State and Federal Aid

1. State formula aid
2. Regional Bibliographic Databases and Interlibrary Resources
3. LSTA Program

Understand various funding sources for SLS

3b. Budget Process Information

1. Budgets (FS10 and Program Budgets)
2. Final Expenditures/Rollover Form

Understanding of budget application process

3c. Plans/Reports

1. System Plan of Service
2. Member Plans
3. Annual Reports

Understand planning, evaluation, reporting requirements

4. School Library System Council

-- role and responsibilities

Describe role and responsibilities of SLS Council

5. Liaisons Communication Coordinators

-- roles and responsibilities

Describe responsibilities of district/communication coordinators
6. SED Library Legislative Initiatives: “New Century Libraries” Understanding the components of the proposed legislation

1:00 P.M. – End Session


Below are pictures of two of the most recent school library system directors: Danielle Boyea from Ulster BOCES SLS, New Paltz (l), and Jennifer Henry from Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington BOCES SLS, Plattsburgh, (r), holding their newly acquired school library system orientation binders.
Picture of Danielle Boyea from Ulster BOCES SLS, New Paltz.

Picture of Jennifer Henry from Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington BOCES SLS, Plattsburgh
Last Updated: November 12, 2010 -- asm; for questions or comments contact Cassandra Artale