SCHOAM! for April 2026

Special Collections, Historical Organizations, Archives & Museums
in short: News | Grants | Ideas | Events | Webinars | Jobs

News from SCRLC


New Collection: Edith Sturgess Math Notebook

Edith Sturgess was a student at the Oneonta Normal School at the turn of the century, and her 1901 mathematics notebook shows how mathematics was taught at the time. This notebook was transcribed by students in the MATH 3010: History of Mathematics course with Professor Knudsen.


As an aside, I had uploaded this notebook and then looked online for biographical information to flesh out the landing page. Google's AI results, having already crawled the collection, tried to tell me that Edith Sturgess "was a notable figure" at SUNY Oneonta, "where she contributed to the educational mission of the college. Her work in mathematics education is documented in a notebook that has been transcribed and is available for research." In fact, Sturgess was basically unremarkable; she was just a regular student taking notes in math class! Take this as your daily reminder not to trust AI results out of hand.


New Collection: Fulcrum Student Newspapers and

New Collection: Tech Talk Student Newspapers

SUNY Broome (formerly known as Broome Technical Community College and Broome Community College) digitized their archives a few years ago and hosted it on their LibGuides page. Archivist Noah Roth shared the files with us so that the materials could also be on New York Heritage. These student newspapers are a great resource, not just about the college, but about the larger community.


New Collection: Newfield Middle School Yearbooks

Newfield, a rural town in southwest Tompkins County, is home to the Newfield Central School District with an elementary school, middle school, and high school. (This collection was published last year along with the high school and elementary school yearbooks but it hadn't yet been mentioned here.)

Grants & Assistance


NAGPRA Repatriation Grants

"The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to museums, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the purposes of assisting in consultation, documentation, and repatriation of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony." Apply by May 8.


The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

This foundation offers small grants to small organizations- "for which a relatively small amount of funding might make a large difference." Send them a brief summary of your organization and a brief summary of your project request on a rolling basis; it will either by funded as part of the fall cycle or the spring cycle.


NEH: Collections Stewardship

Planning grants of $50,000-$100,000 can support the development of assessments and plans, condition surveys, and pilot projects. Implementation grants of $100,001-$350,000 can be used to undertake conservation treatment and housing of collections as well as digitization projects. Projects can run up to three years in duration. Applications are due May 11.


ICYMI: Preservation League of NYS: Support for Pre-Construction Studies

Preserve NY Arts + Culture: Support for Pre-Construction Studies grants are for historic preservation planning studies that jump-start preservation projects. They do not fund capital repairs or construction costs, architectural plans and specifications, schematic designs, or construction documents. Due April 17.


ICYMI: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

Library systems (public or school) and public libraries can apply for up to $20,000 for projects that "strengthen your ability to provide meaningful services that help your communities thrive" - and the description seems to emphasize community engagement and outreach. Due May 15.

Ideas & Inspiration


The Award for Most Beautiful Catalog Goes to...

Did you or a colleague make a gorgeous exhibit catalog or brochure this year? Apply for ACRL's Katharine Kyes Leab and Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Catalog Awards! Applications are due April 30.


Revolutionary New York

The Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) has announced that their annual conference will be held in Utica at the end of September, and they're looking for program proposals on the theme of "Revolutionary New York." Submissions are due by May 1.


SAA Research Forum Call for Proposals

The 2026 SAA Research Forum will be held as two Zoom-based sessions on July 8 and July 15. Submit abstracts (300 words or less) for a 10-minute presentation or 5-minute lightning talk by May 1.


Consumer-Level AI for Descriptive Metadata Creation

I seem to recall seeing this as a presentation as part of NYAC, but in case you wanted a refresher on the findings or are seeing it for the first time, this article by SUNY Buffalo's Hope Dunbar and Ken Axford considers the workflow and results of using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot for digital collection metadata.

Happening in the Neighborhood


Construction in Cortland

Cortland Free Library shared pictures and news about their renovations, all made possible by a NYS Library Construction Aid Grant. Remember to nudge your legislators about the Construction Aid! Cortland County Historical Society has a Mother's Day Brunch planned, as well as a Derby Party. SUNY Cortland's Memorial Library is promoting their Red Dragons Read collection of popular books.


Bites and Signs in Chenango

The Chenango County Historical Society and the Chenango County Historian’s Office will unveil a new historical marker, funded by the Pomeroy Foundation, on National Historic Marker Day, April 24. This is the first historic marker installed in Norwich since 1976! CCHS has received a grant from Stewart's Shops, which they'll use for kids' activities at outreach events. CCHS is also planning the fourth annual "History Where You Eat" program in conjunction with the Madison County Historian's Office.


Calendars and Children's Space in Otsego

Fenimore has re-opened for the 2026 season and just promoted a busy schedule of events, including Preschool Tuesdays, Young at Art, Write Out Loud 2026, Sign Painting Workshop for Kids, and monthly Deep Dives, when staff of the museum talk about specific objects of their choice over Zoom. Fenimore's Farm and Country Museum has interesting hands-on workshops coming up: broom making, basket making, forging, and more. Congratulations to Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta on the grand opening of their new children's space!


Showcases and Art in Broome

Binghamton University Libraries Special Collections will open their doors for a showcase event on April 23 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. They'll show off some newly added items, including a 14th century manuscript, local 19th century diaries, and an 1853 abolitionist publication featuring Frederick Douglass’ only published work of fiction. A week later, on April 30, in the Bartle Library third floor gallery, a collaborative installation with Pentagram and Giorgia Lupi will be unveiled: Showcasing Library Data Through Art.


Ice Cream in Tompkins

The History Center in Tompkins County is planning its second annual Sundae Showdown for Sunday (of course!), April 19 Ithaca Downtown Conference Center. The event team will pick around 10 recipes from public submissions, and the IDCC culinary team will prepare them for the main event, where attendees can taste them all and vote for a winner. Sundae passports cost $20, and last year, they had nearly 500 attendees! As part of their America250 programming, the History Center is screening a documentary about Frederick Law Olmstead at Cinemapolis next Monday.


Community Read in Cayuga

The Cayuga Museum will be hosting "Organize, Agitate, Educate: How Susan B. Anthony & Cayuga County Reformers Fought for Social Justice" with Allison Hinman, President & CEO of the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, on Wednesday at 6 pm. The museum is also planning their May 2nd Derby Brunch fundraiser. Seymour Library in Auburn is planning a Community Read of Immigration: An American History.


Bowling, Turtles and Suddenly Scottish in Chemung

Chemung County Historical Society is planning a book talk and a poetry workshop in the next few weeks. They still have regular HistoryForge transcription events and are making great progress. Their blog has new additions, including a recent post by volunteer Milo Miller about bowling's seedy reputation and the story of DeMet's chocolate and caramel covered pecan turtles, which have a connection to Big Flats. The Chemung County Library District has several history-focused programs coming up: Suddenly Scotland! An Introduction to Scottish Research (on zoom!), Introduction to familysearch.org at Steele Library, and Who Needed it Anyway? Getting Around the Missing 1890 Census (also on zoom!).

Zooms & Webinars Up Your Alley


[CDLC] Copyright 101 for Librarians

Tuesday, April 14 at 10:30 am


[Choice] Advancing accessibility in digital collections

Tuesday, April 14 at 11 am


[METRO] Rethinking Your Tech Habits Workshop: A Reflective And Guide

Tuesday, April 14 at 11 am


[CCAHA] Textile Preservation Tips and Tricks

Tuesday, April 14 at 12 pm


Brodsky Series Lecture: "The Wide World of Map Conservation"

Wednesday, April 15 at 3 pm


[LILRC] Reflective Leadership: Developing Clear Expectations and Stronger Teams - Session 1 

Thursday, April 16 at 11 am


[ESLN] Digital Accessibility for Everyone: An Overview of Accessibility Tools

Thursday, April 16 at 2 pm


[Gaylord] Advanced Photo Preservation 101: Formats, Storage & Salvage

Thursday, April 16 at 2 pm


Pace University: Free Virtual ALM/OER Symposium

Friday, April 17 from 10 am to 2 pm


[ESLN] From Selection to Separation: Hiring and Parting Ways Respectfully

Tuesday, April 21 at 11 am


[NYS Archives] Bread Basket of the Revolution: Richest Soil in New York

Tuesday, April 21 at 12:30 pm


[NYSL] America at 250: Independence, Commemoration, and Lessons from Canada

Tuesday, April 21 at 1 pm


[NYSL] Universal Design & Libraries for All

Wednesday, April 22 at 11 am


[SCRLC & CLRC] In person workshop: Witness to Injustice

Wednesday, April 22 from 1 to 4:30 pm in Homer


[InfoPeople] Inclusive Data Practices: Strengthening Connections with Rural Communities

Wednesday, April 22 at 3 pm


[LILRC] The League of Women Voters: Sharing Our History, Defending Democracy...

Thursday, April 23 at 1 pm


[SUNYLA] Special Collections and Archives Interest Group

Friday, April 24 at 10 am


[NYSL] Harassment Self-Defense: a Practical, Hands-on Workshop

Friday, April 24 at 2 pm


[NNYLN] Beyond the Headlines: Advanced Features of NYS Historic Newspapers

Tuesday, April 28 at 2 pm


[NYSL] America250 & New York: Discovering History Through Gale Resource

Tuesday, April 28 at 3 pm


[Georgia Library Assn.] Communication Strategies to Support Collections and Budget Management

Wednesday, April 29 at 2 pm


[RRLC] Build the Skills to Ace Your Next Job Interview

Wednesday, April 29 at 2 pm


[LILRC] Playaway Vendor Demo

Thursday, April 30 at 2 pm


[CDLC] Collaborative Social Media Marketing

Wednesday, May 6 at 2 pm


[NYSL] Library Accessibility 101: Because People with Disabilities Need Libraries

Friday, May 8 at 10 am


[LILRC] Stolen Legacies: The Fight to Recover Nazi-Looted Art

Monday, May 11 at 2 pm


[LILRC] A Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Creating an Emergency Response Plan

Tuesday, May 12 at 2 pm


In-Person Events & Save-the-Dates


Recordings & Follow-up Resources

Openings in the Field

That's all for this month! Send me an email if there's anything at your organization you'd like me to include in the next newsletter: clovell@scrlc.org | Claire Lovell, Digital Services Librarian
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