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New York State Library News & Events
January 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 Room for Everyone webinar series.
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January is Braille Literacy Month | |
January is Braille Literacy Month! The NYS Library's Talking Book and Braille Library is celebrating by sharing information about Braille, which is a tactile code made up of raised dots that represent letters, words, and sentences. Braille is read by touch instead of sight, so folks who are blind or visually impaired can read and write without needing to rely on devices such as smartphones and computers.
The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library is a free service for New Yorkers (outside of New York City and Long Island) who are unable to use standard print materials. You may be eligible for TBBL if you are someone with a visual, physical, or reading disability.
NYS Talking Book and Braille Library patrons can access braille titles from the collection in a variety of formats. Explore the online catalog for braille books and digital braille that can be downloaded to a personal device.
Learn more about the Talking Book and Braille Library's braille collections and services.
| | 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (or 'twas it?) | |
In case you missed it: last month, staff at the NYS Library revived one of our favorite literary controversies just in time for the holiday season. Who wrote the famous, anonymously published holiday poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas? Folks weighing in online declared for Livingston or Moore, but the conversation continued!
On December 23, New York State Librarian Lauren Moore and Senior Librarian for Manuscripts and Special Collections Elizabeth Jakubowski sat down with Albany’s WTEN to talk about this classic holiday poem and the role that the NYS Library plays in making sure that New York’s incredible history is available to all.
Watch the interview and read more about the poem on the NYS Library blog.
| | New for 2026: The NYS Library YouTube Channel! | |
The NYS Library is pleased to announce the official launch of our new YouTube channel! We’re sharing videos from across the Cultural Education Center, including some exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses of what it takes to keep a 200-year-old Library of over 20 million items running in 2026 and what makes our collections and services so special.
Join us for a look at an early American cookbook, a classic Christmas poem, and so much more!
| | Genealogy at the NYS Library | |
The Local History and Genealogy Section is one of the busiest sections of the NYS Library—it's used by people who are tracing the history of their families, as well as by professional genealogical researchers, biographers, and historians seeking information about the domestic life of a period in American history.
Library staff members can assist in the use of the collection, suggest research strategies, and provide referrals to sources not available in the State Library. In addition, staff offer onsite walking tours of this rich collection, which includes United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, city directories, and a lot more.
We hope you can join us for a walking tour this year! Read on for upcoming walking tour dates or visit our blog to plan your visit to the Library.
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Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library
Dates: Select Fridays: January 9, January 23, February 6, February 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 onsite 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.
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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.
| | Library Accessibility Webinar Series | |
Building a Culture of Accessibility at Your Library
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
| Accessibility is an important part of your library’s service commitment, but perhaps you do not know where to begin with making your library more accessible. Maybe you are unsure of what to prioritize or how to get community buy-in for undertaking this work! Join this session to meet with the former NYU Libraries’ Accessibility & Accommodations Librarian, Lauren Kehoe, who will share her approach to building a culture of accessibility at NYU Libraries. The session will cover topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it influences your library services, spaces, and resources; disability justice frameworks; universal design; and some practical tips for how to begin prioritizing accessibility in your library work. | |
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. | | | | |
