Novelist Julia Glass to read from her new novel "And the Dark Sacred Night"

Julia Glass, National Book Award-winning author of Three Junes (2002), will read from her new novel, And the Dark Sacred Night. See press release for Julia Glass's readingfor more information.

Location: Huxley Theatre, New York State Museum

Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

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. The tour is limited to 15 individuals and registration is required.

Location: 7th floor, New York State Library – meet in front of Genealogy/Local History/Equipment desk

Using BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)

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.

Location: 7th floor Computer Classroom, New York State Library

Grant Resources Online at the New York State Library

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.

Location: 7th floor Computer Classroom, New York State Library

Henry Johnson--Hero of Harlem's Rattlers: The Man and the Legend

It is no accident that the new book, Harlems Rattlers and the Great War by Jeffrey T. Sammons and John H. Morrow, Jr., virtually begins and ends with its most famous combat hero Henry Johnson--a man most closely identified with Albany, New York. Virtually sightless within the unimaginable darkness and dense fog of early morning in the Champagne-Marne region of France, Johnson and his comrade Neadom Roberts repulsed a German raiding party of perhaps 20 or more men in what has become known as The Battle of Henry Johnson, when two ordinary men became war heroes and race symbols. Ironically, that which made the men eventually helped to destroy them. Henry has long symbolized the triumphs and tragedies of the 369th. When Toni Morrison fictionalized the plight of the veterans of the unit in Jazz, she obviously had Johnson in mind. Her veterans embody a bleak and dreary postwar existence in which memories haunted more than they sustained. Johnsons postwar life reveals as much, if not more, about his significance than his brief but glorious moment as a hero. Unfortunately, Henry Johnson the man and his life story remain largely unknown, neglected, and distorted. Moreover, most people care not so much for Johnson but for how his achievements and reputation might benefit them. Sammons and Morrow believe that their book sheds new and revealing light on the Henry Johnson and his cautionary tale. Join us for this presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Sammons. Signed copies of the Harlems Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the African American Quest for Equality will be available after Dr. Sammons' presentation. This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library.

Location: Huxley Theatre, 1st floor Cultural Education Center

State Capital Universe and LoisLaw Online

Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate search strategies and techniques for using State Capital Universe and Loislaw - two online databases available at the New York State Library. State Capital Universe contains information on bills, regulations and statutes for New York and other States. This online resource also has information about state legislators, issues and public policy, state newspapers of record and links to websites with related information. Loislaw is an online source for Federal and state case law, statutes and acts, administrative rules and regulations, court rules and more. Space is limited and registration is required.

Location: 7th floor Computer Classroom, New York State Library

Preservation Open House

Join us to learn how to keep your family treasures safe and ensure they will be around for future generations. Bring examples of your family collections and our book and paper conservators will offer personalized advice on storing, handling, and caring for them.

Sponsored by the University at Albany, University Libraries Preservation Department, the New York State Archives and the New York State Library.

Location: 11th floor Cultural Education Center