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New York State Library News & Events
February 2026
| | The New York State Library’s services, programs, and collections are made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. | |
Connect with Knowledge You Trust!
The NYS Library continues its work to support New York Libraries removing barriers to build community. Read to the bottom of this email to learn more about our upcoming Room for Everyone webinar series.
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By Order of this Congress: Early Days of the Revolution in the NYS Library Collections | |
The NYS Library’s Van Rensselaer Manor Papers are a truly priceless collection of letters, contracts, personal stories, land transactions, maps, ledgers, and countless other documents with valuable information detailing over 200 years of daily life in the Albany region. The papers in this collection provide details about life before, during, and after the American Revolution in New York State.
When disaster struck the Library during the 1911 Capitol Fire, these records became the focus of some of the most dangerous and essential salvage efforts undertaken by Library staff. From scaling ladders into smoke-filled rooms to digging through four feet of still-smoking debris, staff raced against the clock to save these incredible documents.
Join Elizabeth, Associate Librarian for Special Collections, as she invites us to experience the Revolution through one document from this astonishing collection with a signature one could recognize from across the Atlantic.
Watch the video and read more about this collection on the NYS Library blog.
| | Negro Leagues Stats and MLB's Official Record | |
In 2024, MLB included Negro League statistics within its official record. On Thursday, February 26, join Larry Lester and John Thorn--who were deeply involved in the process--for a free noontime webinar as they tell us how those stats came to be collected and how it was decided which would be official, and why.
Larry Lester is an esteemed author, historian, and curator whose influence spans film, museums, and the national conversation on Black baseball. As co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, he helped cement one of America’s most important cultural institutions.
John Thorn has been the Official Historian of Major League Baseball for fifteen years. His many baseball books over the past five decades include Total Baseball, Baseball in the Garden of Eden, and Our Game, which also supplies the title for his weekly blog. He chaired the Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee.
Register for Negro Leagues Stats and MLB's Official Record.
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The New York State Education Department (NYSED) defends the role of school librarians and the Freedom to Read. A new document from the Department summarizes key legal principles, established guidance, best practices, and other resources related to school library programs, librarian authority, and appropriate governance roles in New York’s schools and local education agencies. It is intended to support districts, administrators, librarians, and boards of education in maintaining strong, developmentally appropriate, inclusive library collections and policies.
Read more and connect to the full guidance on the NYS Library blog.
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NYS Personal History Initiative | | |
As part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, communities are recognizing and celebrating New York’s role in the Revolution. These celebrations also acknowledge the roles that New Yorkers played in the revolutionary civil rights movements, including the women’s rights and abolitionist movements, the underground railroad, and the LGBTQ+ movements.
Stories of everyday life make up the historical record and help us understand our past and present. How have everyday New Yorkers embodied the principles of revolution, change, and community?
An existing submission to our Community Collections tells the important story of the New York Black Librarians’ Caucus. In 1970, a group of Black Librarians met to address the problems resulting from widespread racism in their profession. Their story helps us understand what becomes possible when New Yorkers come together around a shared vision or interest.
Learn about how you can get involved on the NYS Library blog.
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Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library
Dates: Select Fridays: February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20
Time: Varies
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The New York State Library is a treasure chest of resources for those tracing their family histories. Join us for an on-site 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. NYS Library staff will lead the tour.
This public program is made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.
| | Library Accessibility Webinar Series | | |
The Room for Everyone series continues in 2026 with a full slate of virtual accessibility trainings for libraries.
For even more resources on library accessibility, don’t miss our newly launched Library Accessibility Guide, complete with helpful overviews, tips, and resources to help make sure that New York’s libraries are accessible to all.
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Effective Communication: Fostering a welcoming environment for our Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing patrons
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
| Have you ever tried to serve a patron who is Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) and struggled to communicate with them? In this webinar, library staff will learn how to interact with members of the DDBHH communities in a culturally appropriate and respectful way. | |
Neuro-Inclusive Libraries: Rethinking Access, Engagement, and Belonging
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
| Explore how libraries can better support people with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence through intentional design, inclusive programming, and equitable policies. Based on research, this program invites library staff to examine traditional expectations around attention, behavior, and communication in library spaces and to reimagine services that create a sense of belonging for all. Participants will learn ways to break down barriers to access, make spaces more inviting, and recognize neurodiversity as a valuable part of building strong, connected communities. | | | | |
