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Cheery Friday Greetings,
As July unfolds, I hope that you are able to spend some time outside to enjoy nature! The fields around here are glowing with fireflies at dusk, which is so lovely and magical to see! Fun piece of information…there are around 2,400 species of fireflies, worldwide. There is a group for most things--even fireflies! The Firefly organization provides some citizen science ideas and other resources if you'd like to learn more.
As we head into July, networking and learning opportunities abound!
Regional Conversations. We are excited to offer a round of conversations via Zoom and hope that you will join us--and your colleagues for these engaging sessions. They’re a chance to talk about your successes, challenges, and plans in a supportive, collaborative space.
While these conversations will help with the development of the 2026-2031 Plan of Service, they’re equally valuable as a networking opportunity. What insights or experiences would you like to share with your colleagues? And what are you hoping to learn from them?
The Conversations are open to all library and cultural education workers in the SCRLC region, across positions and roles. There are some general sessions and others are designed for specific sectors, e.g., hospitals, academic library directors, library assistants, SCHOAM (special collections, historical organizations, archives, and museums).
Each Conversation is scheduled for 90 minutes. Click here to register for a session! We look forward to hearing your voice in the Conversation!
Building Psychological Safety and Supportive Cultures in Teams, Thursday, July 17, 2:00-3:00 p.m. with Shasta Savage. This virtual workshop focuses on the importance of psychological safety in fostering effective teamwork and creating a culture of care. Participants will learn strategies to build trust, encourage open communication, and support each other's well-being, leading to enhanced collaboration and performance. Click here to register!
Lunch with the NYLA President – Monday, July 21, 12:30 – 2:30 PM. We are hosting New York Library Association President Tim Spindler and Executive Director AnnaLee Dragon at the SCRLC/Finger Lakes Library System building, 1300 Dryden Rd., Ithaca. Max Prime (Director of Government Relations and Advocacy) will be there if his schedule allows. Please bring your questions and thoughts on NYLA's mission including:
• What is NYLA doing well?
• What could NYLA do better?
• Is there something specific you would like to see NYLA do?
It is an opportunity for you to ask anything related to NYLA and to ask questions about advocacy. We are sponsoring lunch for attendees, parking is amply available and the building is accessible. Click here for more information and to register!
Advocacy Updates:
State. As you know, the Freedom to Read Act (S.1099/A.7777) passed in the final moments of the legislative session. Thank you to all of the advocates who contacted their legislators in support of this critical legislation. Please urge Governor Hochul to sign the Freedom to Read Act without delay--she has until December 31. Here is the contact form; or, call her office at 1-518-474-8390.
Want to know how your legislators voted?
Click here to find out how your Senator voted.
Click here to find out how your Assembly member(s) voted.
Let’s keep the momentum going! Please continue to advocate for the Open Shelves Act (S.1100-A/A.3119-B) with your Assembly members (it already passed in the Senate), and thank everyone who helped to pass the Freedom to Read Act.
Federal. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS still may be included in an upcoming appropriations bill, so continued advocacy is crucial.
More than a month after a federal judge dismissed the ALA’s lawsuit against Commissioner Sonderling, there has been little further news. For details, see the coverage in American Libraries.
On a more positive note, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 other Attorneys General, continue their legal challenge against the Trump administration. Updated information may be found on the State Attorney General’s website. Importantly, our State Library has been able to access their IMLS funds.
Continue to contact your federal legislators to help keep IMLS among their priorities.
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Enjoy the weekend!
Yours in partnership,
Mary-Carol
Mary-Carol Lindbloom
Executive Director
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