The past several years of New York State’s public and association library annual reports highlight some promising trends as libraries recover from the pandemic. COVID-19 hit libraries hard, negatively impacting nearly every measure of library success. [Read more…] about Data Shows Libraries Recovering From Pandemic, Extending Services
Libraries
The New York State Library Becomes A Preservation Steward
The New York State Library recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) to become a Preservation Steward. Under this agreement, the State Library pledges to keep permanent print collections of historical and current government publications produced by the GPO. [Read more…] about The New York State Library Becomes A Preservation Steward
Connecting New York’s Libraries: A Broadband Improvement Project
The New York State Library has been working with Carson Block Consulting to develop a network assessment process that individual libraries and public library systems could use to improve the performance of library broadband. [Read more…] about Connecting New York’s Libraries: A Broadband Improvement Project
$5.5 Million Dispersed To Libraries Through The American Rescue Plan Act
The NYS Library received and disbursed federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) LSTA Grants to States Program. [Read more…] about $5.5 Million Dispersed To Libraries Through The American Rescue Plan Act
New York State Library Announces Grants to Preserve Library Research Materials
The New York State Library recently announced the 2023-2024 Conservation/Preservation Discretionary Grant Program awards to preserve deteriorating library research materials. [Read more…] about New York State Library Announces Grants to Preserve Library Research Materials
1820s Literary Rivalry: Manhattan Versus Boston
On November 2, 1820, the city of New York‘s Chamber of Commerce placed an advertisement in the Commercial Advertiser and other newspapers inviting merchant clerks to meet in Tontine Coffee House at 82 Wall Street and discuss forming of an organization that would be similar to Boston’s Mercantile Library (founded earlier that same year).
Nearly two hundred and fifty young men responded to the notice and joined the meeting which led to the creation of Manhattan’s Mercantile Library Association. [Read more…] about 1820s Literary Rivalry: Manhattan Versus Boston
A Guide to Researching New York Communities During the American Revolution
The 250th celebration of the nation comes with new challenges to expand and deepen the narrative, and a recent guide can help researchers discover those previously hidden stories in their communities. “USA @250 and New York: Uncovering Local Stories” is an online guide with suggested research strategies and resources for finding primary sources connected to local communities during the American Revolution. [Read more…] about A Guide to Researching New York Communities During the American Revolution
A True Tempest: American Passion for Shakespeare & The Fate of a First Folio
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the printing of William Shakespeare’s First Folio, one of the key books in the English speaking world.
Published seven years after the playwright’s death, many plays that were never printed in his lifetime, including Macbeth, Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar, might otherwise not have survived. [Read more…] about A True Tempest: American Passion for Shakespeare & The Fate of a First Folio
Rockland History: Pearl River Public Library
On the January 2023 Crossroads, host Clare Sheridan welcomed James Cassetta of the Pearl River Public Library in Orangetown, Rockland County, to the program. In honor of its 60th anniversary, the library is inviting the public to share personal recollections in videotaped interviews. Memories including moving to Pearl River and living and raising families there will be compiled and edited to create a film for posterity. We learned about the library’s history and this interesting oral history project. [Read more…] about Rockland History: Pearl River Public Library
State Education Dept Announces $34M For Public Library Construction Projects
The New York State Education Department has awarded $34 million to 223 public libraries and systems statewide to support construction and renovation projects.
These funds are expected to help libraries construct new buildings, create additions, update electrical wiring and computer technology, improve broadband infrastructure, meet energy-efficiency standards, and renovate facilities to provide full accessibility to library users with disabilities and create meeting spaces to accommodate community needs. [Read more…] about State Education Dept Announces $34M For Public Library Construction Projects