WLA Fall/Winter newsletter 2020/2021

Volume 5 Fall/Winter 2020/2021

Libraries Embrace Change

To say this year has been surreal would be an understatement. No one has been unaffected by the sudden changes to library services and programs brought on by COVID-19. Ever a presence in the community, libraries have met numerous challenges with a willingness and understanding that change is vital to our existence. WLA is committed to providing new and informative programs to inspire, strengthen and continue educating its members. Our tagline this year, Libraries Embrace Change, signifies the resilience and resourcefulness exhibited by libraries throughout the county as they have adapted services and transitioned to a virtual platform for programming.

Since we are unable to meet in person, WLA has arranged to meet with members virtually once a month for an informal Meet & Unwind hour on Zoom. This is a great way to meet other library professionals and discuss what’s on everyone’s mind. WLA is planning a number of engaging workshops for the remainder of this year and is pleased to have four esteemed library and archive professionals speak about New Technology and Best Practices in Libraries and Archive Collections at the upcoming Mid-Winter Conference on Wednesday, February 3. Our guest speakers are Hillel Arnold, Assistant Director and Head of Digital Programs of the Rockefeller Archive Center; Robert Cartolano, Vice President, Digital Programs and Technology Services for Columbia University Libraries & Information Services; Lisa Kropp, Director of the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, and Kathryn Shaughnessy, Associate Professor and Open Education Librarian at St. John’s University. We hope you will join us.

See below for registration details for Midwinter. In the meantime, we welcome feedback from our members as we plan out programs for 2021 and encourage you to renew your WLA membership now.

Giovanna Fiorino-Iannace

WLA President

Save the Date - Midwinter Conference

WLA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Each year, the Westchester Library Association awards up to two, $500 scholarships. This award is designed to assist WLA members pursuing Professional Development activities and courses that will contribute to or enhance their performance in a library career.

If you are interested in applying for an award, please click below:

WLA Professional Development Award 2021-2022 – Application

WLA Professional Development Award 2021-2022 – Instructions

Congratulations to our 2020 Recipients:

Jonathan Heifetz, Samantha Mairson, and Tracey Wong

2019 Recipient Essays:

Justine Osterman and Maggie Leung

Upcoming Programs

Monday, November 30, 4:00-5:30pm

How Do You Create a Professional Resume?

Join job search coach Rebecca Mazin to learn about resume formats, creating a profile at the top of a resume, identifying keywords to include, and the importance of resume content that includes specific accomplishments. Participants will leave with action steps they can take to write or edit their own resume.

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Wednesday, December 9, 12:00-1:00pm

Working or Studying at Home? Tips for Staying Fit

Join Alyssa Klein, Senior Physical Therapist with NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, for an interactive virtual presentation on ways to stay fit while you are working or studying from home.

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Thursday, January 14, 10:00-11:00am

Westchester County Resources and Archives: What's Available & Helping Patrons Access Them

Join us for a presentation on the wealth of resources available through the Westchester County Archives & Westchester County Historical Society. Jackie Graziano and Patrick Raferty will provide an overview of the collections, common reference and research questions they assist with, and how their services have changed during the pandemic.

WLA 2020 Summer Program Highlights

WLA’s Board of Directors continued to offer free virtual programs through the summer to support members and address current issues such as isolation, job loss, depression, and racial injustice. Here are synopses and video links:

Dr. Adwoa Akhu, Stress Management Through Self-care Workshop -

Dr. Akhu encouraged participants to use several easy tools as an antidote to stress: Take deep belly breaths to experience a feeling of calm; Use the power of music several times each day to change your mood and help with productivity; Gratitude - Each day think of 7 things you are grateful for. Take a moment and write a “thank you” reflection on one of those things; Leverage the power of words by creating a mantra or memorizing an inspiring quote. Dr. Akhu quoted Maya Angelou: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” To view video, click here

Dr. Adwoa Akhu - Implicit Bias Workshop -

Dr. Akhu offered an expanded version of her initial presentation for WLA from 2019, including timely information for recognizing our own implicit biases and how to counteract these reactions with reason before a chain reaction can lead to false assumptions. In light of recent social unrest, these useful tools may not only increase awareness, but can help stem the tide of racism and social injustice. To view video, click here

William Lamson, Ph.D - Returning to the Workplace, Managing Anxiety, and Stress

In a presentation rich with great advice to combat workplace and covid anxiety, Dr. Lamson advised against going with the usual inclination to try and control situations. Accepting what you cannot control, will actually help you to gain it back. You can be assured that while the possibility exists of getting sick, doing everything you can to be safe, i.e., social distancing, hand washing and self-care, can lower probability. Lamson remarked that not all worry is bad, and we need to distinguish between productive and unproductive worry so as to not devolve into negative thinking. He also offered tools and tips on meditation and relaxation. To view video, click here

Giving Tuesday Workshop

October 13, 2020

WLA's Professional Development Series kicked off it's fall programs with a presentation from Pat Brigham, Director of Development at Westchester Library System. Pat covered the nuts and bolts of putting together a successful Giving Tuesday campaign, which can be a great source of funding for small projects at libraries. Giving Tuesday refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, in the United States, when a day of charitable giving is encouraged. Despite economically challenging times, Pat emphasized that many people still want to help, and there are library lovers in the community that you can still engage to support new library projects and programs. Participants were given tips and strategies with an emphasis on telling the story of the library's work, the impact it has had on the community, and the potential for greater reach and service with charitable support. Whether your library is looking to fund a larger eBook collection, a new program series, or something else to expand your reach during these pandemic times, Pat's advice provided an expert lens through which to consider planning a Giving Tuesday campaign.

WLA 2020 Virtual Annual Business Meeting

June 14, 2020

The Annual Business Meeting was held virtually this year, as Covid-19 prevented an in- person conference. WLA President Elaine Provenzano thanked everyone’s efforts, highlighting the ways libraries had effectively organized and worked together during the unprecedented crisis. Community library leaders were especially thanked for their diligent efforts and asked to share how we might continue to collaborate effectively in the future:

Terry Kirchner, Executive Director, WLS, emphasized how far we have come since March, leveraging library structures effectively when the need arose. Goals like virtual reference and virtual programming have become the new norm. As the voice of the community, we play an important role and need to find a way to continue serving those without a voice and stay mission focused. Referencing the Harwood model, he asked how do we use structures for good and turn them into action?
Nate Hill, Executive Director, METRO, remarked how quickly we have pivoted and changed services, pointing to the overwhelming response of the library community to supportive Metro programs. Hill also highlighted the importance of the Realm (Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums)project research, which identifies how long the virus lives on surfaces in libraries will affect reopening plans and best practices.
Karen LaRocca-Fels,President, PLDA and Director of Ossining Public Library, remarked on how libraries took the lead on early efforts and applauded the strength of library leaders and workers. LaRocca-Fels recognized colleagues as an enormous resource as libraries worked fast to transition to digital platforms and programming. These successes are attributed to greater outreach and regular collaboration with other libraries as well as the strength and versatility of library staff. We have the strength, intelligence, resilience, and compassion for each other to make it work moving forward.
Maureen Clements, President, WALDO and Collection Services Librarian, stated that Zoom has actually increased capability for much greater collaboration and professional development and has been transformative for the academic library community. Library consortial groups join together to build better tools to share information and create better interoperability of data platforms. This has thrown open source into hyper-drive, creating changes in resource sharing on a grander scale. A much stronger sense of our community and collaboration is emerging.

Provenzano then offered the platform to local legislators, Amy Paulin, David Buchwald, Steven Otis, Mary Jane Shimsky, thanking them for attending our Zoom meeting and for all of their efforts in support of our libraries.

Spotlight On:

Irvington Public Library - Tiffany Reading Room

In the mid-1860s, Louis Comfort Tiffany's father, Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Company, built an estate in Irvington, New York. As a result of his affection for the area, Irvington houses numerous examples of Louis Comfort Tiffany's work, including the Tiffany Reading Room, located in the Irvington Town Hall. Opened in 1902, the reading room was decorated with original Tiffany glass light fixtures and mosaic tiles, inscribed woodwork and Arts and Crafts furniture. The room served as the Village’s main reading and reference room for almost a century until the library's collection outgrew the space. By the 1990s the library moved into another local historic structure, the Lord and Burnham Building on South Astor Street, where it is currently located. Under the directorship of Rosemarie Gatzek, the library maintains Irvington's local history collection, which is dedicated to preserving the history of Irvington, Westchester County, and the Hudson River area. https://www.irvingtonlibrary.org/tiffany-reading-room/

Survey:

How Has Your Library Changed Since Covid-19?

We would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to answer our brief survey about your library during Covid. Please respond before Dec. 15th. We will share the results with you in early 2021.

Thank you!