Mohawk Valley Library System

Category: Outreach

  • Free Webinar: Going Beyond Captions: Creating Accessible Instructional Videos

    Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
    Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://tinyurl.com/mr2sr589
    Presenter: Melissa Wong
    Cost: Free

    Many libraries offer instructional videos for use on their websites.

    Unfortunately, research shows that oftentimes these videos are inaccessible to patrons with disabilities. For example, Clossen and Proces (2017) found that only 52% of the videos they examined were properly captioned, and many had additional accessibility problems.

    In this webinar, Melissa Wong will help participants learn to create fully accessible instructional videos. The webinar will begin with a brief overview of disability that puts accessibility practices into context, then introduce design practices that support accessibility, including planning, narration, typography, and graphic design. Finally, the workshop will introduce standards and practices for captions, transcripts, and descriptive audio.

    If you’re interested but not able to attend the live webinar, go ahead and register. We’ll send a recording to all registrants after the fact.

  • Free Webinar – Creating Accessible Digital Content

    Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2023
    Time: 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
    Place: Online at https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/10288264
    Presenter: Sarah McFadden & Al Oliveras
    Cost: Free

    Please plan to join us for the next online Summer Reading Lunch & Learn session scheduled for Thursday, March 23 on “Creating Accessible Digital Content.”

    Accessibility is especially important as you plan for Summer Reading programs and other events, and create promotional materials to share information within your communities and library networks.  You want to make sure the content is inclusive and accessible for ALL members of your community!

    This session will cover the basics of web accessibility and some simple practices for creating accessible digital content across the library organization, with an emphasis on creating inclusive and accessible materials to support Summer Reading at your library.

    Presenters are Sarah McFadden and Al Oliveras, of the New York State Library Digital Services Unit.

    The program will be recorded and available for future viewing.  Questions?? Contact Sharon Phillips at nyslyouth@nysed.gov

     

  • Free Webinar – Reading Buddies

    Date: Thursday, March 02, 2023
    Time: 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
    Place: Online at https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/10277306
    Presenters: Katie Barker, Joe Burke
    Cost: Free

    This is the second in a series of Summer Reading Lunch & Learn sessions that will be presented.

    Over the past two summers, Altamont Free Library has teamed up with Literacy Coaches at Altamont Elementary School for their Summer Reading Buddies Program. Summer Reading Buddies (SRB) pairs rising first grade students who struggle with literacy skills with high school students who have been trained in early literacy instruction skills. Throughout the summer the students and tutors meet weekly to play literacy games, read to one another, practice sight words, and browse the library shelves for books of particular interest to the students. Students in the SRB program have shown improved literacy test scores and demonstrated an increased interest in reading, while tutors have gained teaching skills and increased senses of empathy, leadership, and responsibility. SRB is a low-cost, high-impact program that can work in nearly any library. We hope to see SRB expand to additional libraries and school districts in the coming summer.

    Contact person: Sharon Phillips, Youth Services Program Manager, nyslyouth@nysed.gov

  • Free Webinar – Native Stories, Native Peoples : Opportunities for Library Engagement

    Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
    Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00PM
    Place: Online at https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/native-stories-native-peoples.html
    Presenter: Naomi Bishop, Health Sciences Librarian, University of Arizona’s Phoenix Biomedical Campus, and Akimel O’odham (Pima) from the Gila River Indian Community

    The history and current experiences of Indigenous peoples and Tribal Nations are complex, rich and diverse. Libraries can play an important role in counteracting damaging myths and narratives about Native peoples, as well as exploring contemporary struggles and joys. This webinar will highlight opportunities for libraries to connect their communities to accurate and respectful information, fostering understanding and support of Indigenous peoples past and present. Resources for learning about treaties, Tribal Nations and lands, as well as insights into the experiences of Native communities today will also be shared. With a better understanding of these distinctive histories and cultures, library staff can promote learning and knowledge, support engagement with Native issues and peoples, and better serve all individuals in their community.

  • Free Webinar – How to Make the Most of Virtual School Visits

    Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
    Time: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
    Place: Online at https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/10282537
    Presenters: Tamelee Young, Deborah Kinirons
    Cost: Free

    This is the first in a series of Summer Reading Lunch & Learn sessions that will be presented. Join librarians Tamelee Young and Deborah Kinirons of the Uniondale Public Library on Long Island as they explain how they organized and conducted visits to the seven elementary schools in their library district and the positive effects of that outreach. Learn how to carry out a similar initiative, leading to lasting relationships with teachers and administrators in schools in your community.

    Contact person: Sharon Phillips, Youth Services Program Manager, nyslyouth@nysed.gov

    This webinar is supported in large part with Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds that were awarded to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).