A Musical Trip Through the NYS Library On its 200th Anniversary

Viewing of DVD recording of "A Musical Trip Through the New York State Library On its 200th Anniversary" (recorded on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the University Club, Albany, NY). Performers from Old Songs, Inc. and other local musicians sing and play music from the State Library’s sheet music collection.

Sponsored by the Friends of the NYS Library. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to all but reservations are recommended.

Location: Cultural Education Center, Huxley Theater (first floor)

Paul Grondahl

NYS Writers Institute director and former Times Union reporter Paul Grondahl will speak about how his research at the State Library helped him write his prize-winning books including Mayor Corning, Albany Icon, Albany Enigma and I Rose Like a Rocket, the Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt.

Sponsored by the Friends of the NYS Library. The program is free and open to all, but registration is recommended.

Location: Cultural Education Center, Librarians Room (7th Floor)

Putting History to Work in a Time of Crisis

Historian and Information Studies Professor (and former New York State Archives staff member) Bruce Dearstyne discusses "Putting History to Work in a Time of Crisis". Dr. Dearstyne will begin with a short overview of why historical perspectives are important, why there seem to be so few historians in debates over public issues these days, and then provide about a half dozen or so examples from current public issues where knowing more about origins, precedents, and parallels would aid public understanding.

Sponsored by the Friends of the NYS Library. The program is free and open to all, but registration is recommended.

Location: Cultural Education Center, Librarians Room (7th Floor)

George Barnum, U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)

The New York State Library will mark the conclusion of its bicentennial celebrations with a talk from George Barnum, Senior Program Specialist and Agency Historian at the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO). Barnum will discuss the history of the printing and distribution of government documents to citizens across the country. Learn how public access to government’s activities shaped American government over the course of two centuries.

The NYS Library has been collecting and providing public access to U.S. legislative documents since its inception in 1818. As the New York State regional depository for U.S. Government publications, the State Library receives and permanently keeps a copy of every document distributed under the GPO's Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).

Location: Cultural Education Center,Huxley Theater (1st floor)