Exhibits and Programs
Cookbooks
Seventh Floor Exhibit - January-March 2014
The current exhibit on the seventh floor of the New York State Library is a display of cookbooks from the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Published between 1828 and 1917, these examples are highly illustrative of the changes that cookbooks have undergone in the last two centuries.
Previous seventh floor exhibits | Items from the NYS Library collections on exhibit elsewhere
Online Programs
Selected past programs were recorded and can be viewed online.
Upcoming Programs and Classes
All programs are FREE and open to all New York State employees and the general public.
Senior Librarian Allan Raney will demonstrate the BIG Online America - an online database that includes detailed information and profiles on 25,000 foundations, corporate donors, matching gift programs, in kind donations and government grant makers. The BIG Online also includes a step-by-step guide and award-winning templates for writing professional funding proposals and letters of inquiry. In addition, IRS Form 990s are available and keyword searchable. Allan will also demonstrate three online products from the Foundation Center that are now available at the New York State Library. The Foundation Directory Online provides accurate details on over 100,000 US foundations and corporate donors and over 2.2 million recent grants. Foundation Grants to Individuals Online is an online database of over 8,500 foundation and public charity programs that fund students, artists, researchers, and other individual grant seekers. Philanthropy In/Sight is an new interactive mapping tool which combines the Foundation Center’s data on grant makers and their grants with Google maps. Users can use a wide range of customization options to create maps that reveal patterns of giving and funding relationships, show where philanthropy has made an impact and show where opportunities exist to fill critical needs. Space is limited and registration is required.
Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate the HeritageQuest and Ancestry online databases, both of which are accessible at the New York State Library. Learn how to access Census records, genealogy and history book, maps and other resources included in these databases.
Seating is limited and registration is required.
Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate search strategies and techniques for using 
The New York State Library is a treasure chest of resources for those tracing their family histories. Join us for a tour highlighting published genealogies, local histories, church records, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) records, United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, city directories and more. Shawn Purcell, subject specialist for genealogy and local history at the New York State Library, will lead the tour. The tour is limited to 15 individuals and registration is required.
BARD allows New York State Talking Book and Braille Library patrons to download their digital audio books. The downloaded books can then be played on their digital talking book players issued by NLS (National Library Service). NLS is part of the Library of Congress and administers the BARD system. Senior Librarian Michael Whitney will present this class and will cover the following topics: how to sign up for BARD; how to find books on BARD; how to download BARD books and how to play BARD books. The BARD Mobile App for iOS devices, now available to BARD members, will also be demonstrated. This hands-on instructional class is open to Talking Books and Braille Library registered patrons, their care givers, educators and anyone providing assistance to those with print disabilities. Seating is limited and registration is required. Reasonable Accommodation: Please let us know if any reasonable accommodation is required (Americans with Disabilities Act) at least three business days prior to the program date by calling 518-474-2274. The New York State Library and the Cultural Education Center are accessible to visitors with mobility impairments.
Location: Unless otherwise indicated, programs are held in:
Librarians RoomNew York State Library
Cultural Education Center, 7th floor
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Directions and Parking
More information: For more information about these classes, call at 518-474-2274.
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Evaluation Form: People who have recently attended a class or other event are invited to complete an evaluation online.