Mohawk Valley Library System

Blog

  • Grant Opportunity – Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Mini-Grants

    The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation offers 70 minigrants of up to $500 to public schools and public libraries for projects that foster creative expression, working together and interaction with a diverse community.  Great mini-grant programs are creative, collaborative, have the potential to become an annual/recurring event, and benefit children and their communities. The application is available beginning May 30, 2022, with a submission deadline of September 30, 2022. The online application form and complete guidelines are available on the Foundation’s web site.

  • Free Webinar – Grant Writing Kit Workshop

    Date: Thursday, June 09, 2022
    Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lCTlrTAzRGSPqCxz3BDoCg
    Presenter: Melissa Jadlos & Ron Kirsop
    Cost: Free (MVLS members select CDLC as your ESLN Council at registration)

    In this program, Melissa Jadlos and Ron Kirsop will outline a useful system for organizing, preparing, and staying current with all the critical documentation and information needed for efficient grant writing. They will also discuss common pitfalls to avoid and pro tips to include when completing grant applications.

    Project Outcomes:
    – Outline to create a collection of critical documents needed for efficient grant writing,
    – Increased confidence when approaching potential grant opportunities
    – Increased understanding of the grant writing process

  • Free Webinar – Training the Accidental Trainer

    Date: Wednesday, June 01 AND June 08, 2022
    Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Place: Online at https://cdlc.libcal.com/event/9193964
    Presenter: Community Tech Network
    Cost: Free

    Please note: When you register for this program, you are committing to attending TWO session: June 1 and June 8, 10:00 – 11:30 am.

    This training is prioritized for CDLC members who regularly assist others with computer-related questions such as setting up email, how to use a new tablet or mobile device, and how to access the internet.

    Do you regularly assist people with basic aspects of technology such as helping someone sign into or create an email account, navigate an online job application, or show someone how to use their new tablet? These ‘train the trainer” sessions will help make these interactions easier.

    In these two interactive sessions, library staff will more fully understand the needs of people with low levels of digital literacy and what can be done to assist them, including encouraging internet safety. They will also learn about low-cost internet options and how to help patrons access these options.

    When registering, please answer this question to better inform the trainers about your needs, “What are the top 1-3 challenges in providing tech support to your patrons?”

    This training is being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and will be taught by the Community Tech Network. Attendance for both sessions is required.

    This workshop is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

  • Free Webinar – Ready Access : Reentry Services for Decarcerated Populations at your Library

    Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022
    Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1039&reset=1
    Presenter: Akiliah Manuel Mills, Lara Mayelian, Allyson Jeffredo

    Data shows that once an incarcerated person is released from an institution, the rates of recidivism dramatically decrease if they receive support. Public libraries are uniquely situated to provide decarcerated individuals a wide range of supports because they are already providing these services to the community. 

    In this webinar the presenters will demonstrate a web-based toolkit that includes multi-layered mapping, a reading list, an introduction to initiating partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental agencies and tips for creating programming for decarcerated individuals.

    At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

    • Locate a carceral institution near your library
    • Initiate partnerships using the Ready Access partnership workflow and templates
    • Market already-existing programming or create new programming using the Ready Access programming workflow
    • Expand collections and professional development with materials related to incarceration

    This webinar will be of interest to: Public libraries: literacy, programming, adult, and youth services staff.

    Webinars are free of charge, you can pre-register by clicking on the Register Now button on the InfoPeople page. If registering with less than 30 MINUTES from the start of the webinar you can join directly from the thank you page by clicking the Join Now button. If you pre-registered you will receive an email with login link and a reminder email the day before the event. All webinars are archived for later viewing at http://infopeople.org/training/view/webinar/archived.

  • 2022 Velma K. Moore Award

    The Velma K. Moore Award was established to honor the memory of Velma Moore, one of the charter members of the of The New York State Association of Library Boards (NYSALB), now the Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of New York Library Association (NYLA), and wife of former New York State Lt. Governor Frank C. Moore.  Mrs. Moore worked actively for the improvement of library service in New York State from 1947 until her death in 1961.

    Mrs. Moore served two terms as president and was a member of the NYSALB Board from its establishment.  For thirty-three years Mrs. Moore was also a Trustee of the Kenmore Public Library near Buffalo, New York.

    The Award, to be given annually, was originally established in 1962 with a gift from the Moore family.  The Award—a $1,500 cash prize—-will be given to the recipient’s library or system of choice at the 2022 NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs NY.

    Any individual or group of individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the development of library services in New York State is eligible for nomination.  Nominees may include trustees, a community member, library boards, or any individual or group who supports libraries. Nominations can be made by anyone in the library community. 

    Nominations may be submitted by e-mail to: VKMAward.LTAS@gmail.com or by mail to:

    LTAS Velma K. Moore Award Committee
    Suzanne Stockman
    58 Clarkes Crossing
    Fairport NY 14450

    The letter of nomination should include:

    • Name and address of nominee.
    • Library affiliation.
    • A statement of not more than 500 words on the reason for nomination.
    • Name, address, contact information and library affiliation of the nominator.

    Deadline for receipt of nominations is Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

    Criteria for Evaluating Nominees

    1)     Measurable service to local, county, system or state libraries, advancing the effectiveness of these libraries.

    2)     Service in areas of legislation or other support that advance library causes with local or state government.

    3)     Promotional services through publishing, speaking or involvement in professional or lay library groups or organizations.

    4)     Service to state or national library organizations, e.g. Library Trustee Association Section, United for Libraries, New York Library Association, American Library Association or service on State study committees.