Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
NYLA Information and Advocacy Session
Meetup members were greeted warmly by NYLM Organizer and session leader, Stephanie Gross, who started off the session with identifying various contributing factors to the potential decline in financial support to NYC libraries. She pointed out that professional networking needed strengthening in numbers and participation. She suggested that through the power of increased participaction, such groups could more effectively communicate with each other and the necessary governmental parties on how to better serve community libraries. Additionally, Stephanie noted that library advocacy groups need to identify libraries' strengths and weaknesses-- then decide on the best course of action to maintain those strengths and eradicate those weaknesses. If they do not, City Council will soon vote on a proposed budget cut of $37 million dollars, the largest library cut in the history of the city. Libraries will no longer receive the funds necessary to adequately serve their communities. As a result, branches will be closed, jobs will be cut, librarians will be out of work and communities will go underserved.
During the session, one NYLM member remarked that alternatives to public librarianship would have to be sought out for unemployed librarians. She explained to fellow session participants that she was currently searching outside the public library arena to obtain work. Stephanie followed up the member's story by discussing her own experiences in being an academic librarian as opposed to a public librarian. A second NYLM member‘s story about her work as a law librarian seemed to emphasize a need for librarians, in general, to really fight for job security— especially in the face of economic downturn. Other NYLM members who said they were currently seeking employment in libraries, discussed the need in gaining important skill sets in order to obtain and maintain a library position. However, these looming budget cuts are illustrating for many hoping to become librarians that the desire to learn more about the profession may become overshadowed by an even greater need to stay afloat financially.
It was suggested, although only briefly discussed, that the Computer Age is playing a signifigant role in proposals to decrease spending on libraries; perhaps because libraries are becoming less focused on real live service to library patrons and more so on making information accessible to patrons via the World Wide Web. Though also worth mentioning, I think that librarians on the whole are becoming increasingly more fearful of what an emphasis on technology rather than actual person to person service could mean for their professional future. These proposed budget cuts by library administrators are, perhaps in many ways, a wake-up call to NYC library employees and patrons forcing them to recognize what is important to the continuance of the privileges they enjoy. Moreover, these impending budget cuts are making libraries and library patrons realize just how vital advocacy is to the survival of NYC libraries.
The session concluded with handouts, created by Tinamarie, being passed around to all attendees. The handouts provided information on NYLA and how to join the association, so that a greater presence could be brought to the group’s outreach and advocacy efforts in the NYC area. The second handout provided information on a few simple ways to get involved in library advocacy for libraries located in and beyond the NYC area.
For more information regarding NYLA, please visit their website at: http://www.nyla.org/
Additionally, take the Save NYC Libraries’ “Rally Challenge” by clicking on the following link: http://savenyclibraries.org/. Use the Rally in a Box kit, which will give you the tools and guidance needed to hold your own library rally.
To receive a copy of the handouts described above or to give suggestions on how NYLA can increase interest and participation in library advocacy for NYC, please contact Tinamarie Vella at: tinamarie.vella@gmail.com
Brain Rules for Presenters
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Brain Rules for Presenters
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
NYLM--We Will Not Be Shushed (24 Hour Read-In)
The three public library systems in New York City serve the 8 million residents that live in the boroughs from various locations. The use of the public library has drastically increased after the effects of the economic crisis. The public are now looking towards their local library for access to information, resources, and programs that are necessary to carry out important tasks set out in front of them—job searching, education, Internet access, and most importantly a reserve of books. In the coming budget for the year 2011, the public libraries face very destructive cuts. Facts show that "Mayor Bloomberg’s Executive Budget for FY’11 calls for a reduction in funding of $16.9 million for Queens Library, $20.6 million for Brooklyn Public Library, and $37 million for New York Public Library". With these cuts, not only will the libraries suffer in terms of available resources, but staffing the libraries will become an important issue as well. With this budget cut, around 40 libraries citywide will be in danger of closure and 30% of the staff will be laid off. Programs that New Yorkers use daily will also be eliminated with this budget cut. These programs include assistance with job searching, tutoring, computer access, and instruction. Clearly this cannot happen. We ask you—New Yorkers, librarians, avid readers, students, and lovers of the libraries—join us in this 24 hour event of continuous public reading to support the New York Public Library System. We will not be shushed!
With only a few days away, it's important to remember to sign-up and fill a spot for a BIG LIBRARY EVENT. On June 12-13th we will be gathering around the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library to take part in "a unified libraries effort" to preserve the Public Library System in New York. Come out and support libraries during our 24 hour Read-In. Register as a reader to support this event. There will be a voice reading in front of the library for the full 24 hours, so this means that we need as many people as we can to fill the slots of designated times. After you join, don't stop there. Help us spread the word however you know how—listservs, bulletin boards, social media, word of mouth, and find us on Facebook and Meetup. Tell your friends and family to sign up. To register for a 20-minute slot, e-mail: savenyclibraries@gmail.com. Volunteers are also needed to set up, break down, move tables, and lots of other odd jobs. Late night and early morning people are particularly appreciated! If you can't volunteer, don't fret—there are other ways you can help. We are taking in donations of art supplies (crayons, markers, glitter, etc.), signs and banners, cardstock, and of course—coffee! Apart from our Read-In we will be building a petition for the three library systems, and our goal is to have every attendee of the event sign it, as well as write a postcard to the City Council. We need to make clear to the elected officials that public library funding cuts and layoffs are unacceptable and must be stopped! We need to stick together to keep libraries open!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
New York Librarians MeetUp at MoCCA
On Tuesday, May 18th eight hardy librarians braved the rain and/or who were able to leave work early enough visited the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art. This fascinating museum is hidden in an office building at 594 Broadway-Suite 401 (just south of Houston). If you think of comics as only superheroes or Archie and Veronica, you can gain a new appreciation of the artistry involved in telling stories through pictures and text.
A current exhibit, running through August 29th, entitled NeoIntegrity: Comic Edition features cartoonists, illustrators, animators and fine artists.We were fortunate to have Keith Meyerson, the curator of the exhibit, as our guide. The concept of NeoIntegrity is to show how the combination of words and images can explain a culture to itself. Through understanding itself, a culture and society can become a better world. Meyerson spoke to us about what he described as iconic language created through the graphic arts. There should be no distinction between fine art and what some may call lesser arts, like comics. Indeed, the exhibition featured political art, social art and art for arts sake.
Meyerson talked to us about the history of comics. Before World War II, comics were read by children and adults alike. However, the McCarthy Era fell upon comics as well as other entertainment media and the Comics Code was enacted. This rather draconian measure was a reaction to the perceived ultraviolence of horror comics. Comics had to follow strict guidelines showing the triumph of good over evil without accompanying blood and gore. Reaction to this code gave rise to MAD Magazine in the 1950's and National Lampoon in the 1970's mainstream. The 60's and 70's produced underground comics such as RAW and Heavy Metal. Recently, graphic arts have been heavily influenced by Japanese manga. The exhibit has examples from all these eras. Meyerson explained how he designed the exhibit to have artists, their influences and those they influenced to be in proximity so viewers could examine the flow of ideas.
I highly recommend a visit to MoCCA.. It is a small museum but has much to offer to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the visual arts. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12PM to 5M and there is a suggested donation of $5.00.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Save the NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign
Image via Wikipedia
The following message was sent to SLA-NY members by Leigh Hollingsby. If you haven't already sent in a postcard, please do so. Public libraries are essential elements of NYC communities. Public libraries and public librarians need your support.
From: Christian Zabriskie
First and foremost thank you all for your support and assistance with the Save the NYC Libraries Postcard campaign. The purpose of this email is to bring core stake holders and contacts up to date.
Queens Library issued 90 day notices to over 35% of its staff last week. We hope that the library will be able to retract ALL of the more than 400 letters that went out. The fact that Queens is doing this should be seen as the canary in the coal mine at other systems. If this budget goes through not only will we be forced to close dozen of libraries across the city but scores will be only open 2-3 days a week. The library will become one more inconvenience and the habit of usage will drop off.
Through your efforts the postcard campaign is going well. We have cards coming in from all over the city and people have been soliciting postcards in the community and at library rallies. CM Van Bramer and his office are pleased with how the campaign is progressing and have been great to work with throughout. We have a very active Facebook group with nearly 800 members and growing steadily:
http://www.facebook.c...
We are also trying to use Facebook as an organizational tool for events to support the libraries. We have photos from rallies up there as well as news about the budget fight. There has been increasing news coverage of the impact this budget will have on libraries, a trend we hope will continue. Clips follow this message.
This is a remarkable group of allies and I would like to commend and thank you for that. Currently this campaign has been endorsed at varying levels by Urban Librarians Unite, Local 1321 Queens Library Guild, Metro Library Council, ACRL/NY, SLA/NY, LLA/NY, The Desk Set, Rad Ref/NYC, and The Last Hire/First Fire Activist Council & Breakfast Club. Your members are our heroes and without your support and efforts this campaign would not be possible.
As layoffs become a reality people often shrug and say ?what can you do about it?. You are proving what we can do about it. We have over a thousand cards in already. Local 1321 has printed up thousands more which are out in the hands of membership, Desk Set will be creating silk screened postcards this weekend, we have people all over the city using them in children?s craft projects, it has been an amazing show of support.
I am asking you here to redouble your efforts. For all our success the budget question is only looming closer. Now is the time to remind any and everyone who will listen what is at stake and what they can do. It is as simple as dropping a postcard in the mail, then asking any and everyone who will listen to do the same.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts, together we can save our libraries.
Christian Zabriskie
Urban Librarians Unite
Press:
http://www.nytimes.co...
http://www.nytimes.co...
http://www.nydailynew...
http://thedeskset.org...
http://graphicnovelre...
http://thedeskset.org...
The Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign
WHAT IT IS: We are calling on all New Yorkers to write postcards to the New York City Council to show their love for and support of New York City?s public libraries. Any postcard will do! Possibilities include using NYC souvenir postcards, penny postcards, or make your own! Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to join you in writing postcards in support. Get your postcards in early, often, and in bulk!
AESTHETIC: We are encouraging non-uniformity. We want our voice to stand out and apart from mass-produced advocacy campaigns. We believe that personalized, mailed physical items carry greater weight with our elected representatives than a virtual petition or a Facebook group.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign is to unite library staff and community members in support for New York City?s public library systems (Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library) and in opposition to the proposed budget cuts for the next fiscal year. While we understand that New York City is facing a difficult economic climate, we believe that public library service must be strengthened, not dismantled, in order to serve the diverse educational and informational needs of New York City residents.
READ IN: We are currently exploring the option of holding a Save NYC Libraries Read-In as an awareness raising tool and as a feeder for the postcard campaign. We envision this as a 24 read-a-thon that will draw public and media attention to the postcard campaign. Please contact us if you are interested in planning or hosting a Read-In to Save NYC Libraries.
PARTNERSHIPS: We are actively working to partner with interested community groups to Save NYC Libraries. Please contact us if your organization would like to be a part of the Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign.
SEND ALL POSTCARDS TO
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer
47-01 Queens Boulevard
Suite 205
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Thank you for your support! Together we can raise our voices and make ourselves heard!
Contact us at: savenyclibrariesATgmail.com
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