2017 STLS Annual Meeting & Conference

Breaking Down Barriers: Rethinking Fines

Learn how Rochester- area libraries have worked to bring children and families back to the library by eliminating fines. In Rochester 54% of children lived below the poverty level. Director of the Rochester Public Library, Patricia Uttaro will lead a panel of her colleagues from the Monroe County Library System as they share information that led to the decision to eliminate fines for children and teens in mid-2016. They will discuss the climate and research that led to the decision, methods used to measure success, and they will share stories from the front lines demonstrating the real impact this decision has had on the library’s most vulnerable users.

Patricia Uttaro is the Director of both the Rochester Public Library and the Monroe County Library System. Her work as a Director of a library system that includes urban, suburban, and rural members, focuses on clearing obstacles so staff and directors can deliver high quality, valuable services to our community.

Tonia Burton is the Children’s Services Consultant for the Rochester Public Library and the Monroe County Library System. Cynthia Dana is the Circulation Supervisor for the Rochester Public Library. Dennis Williams is a Branch Manager for the Rochester Public Library.

Librarians Mending Fences in a Divided Country

Through discussion of different services and programs, and without specific political slant, Adult Services Librarian at Penn Yan Public Library Alex Andrasik will highlight how librarians can successfully address the pressing issues popping up more and more within our communities since Election Day.

Alex Andrasik is the Adult Services Librarian at Penn Yan Public Library, where he focuses on programming and outreach; he is also active in the community as a co-founder of an LGBTQ advocacy group and the county Young Democrats chapter, among other efforts.  He holds an MLS from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in French and creative writing from Lycoming College.  He loves board games, superheroes, epic fantasy, and Jon Snow’s curly hair.

Non-Profit Law for Libraries

Carrie J. Pollak is counsel at Hancock Estabrook, LLP. Her legal practice concentrates in the area of governance. Ms. Pollak regularly advises long term health care providers, companies and other tax-exempt organizations on diverse legal issues, including formations, taxation and tax exempt issues, governance, regulatory matters, and a variety of contracts and transactions. She has presented for the Library Trustees Association, and is eager to assist libraries in improving their effectiveness through sound governance.

A+ Customer Service

Customer service is a key skill for any position in a library. But many customer training programs fail to grasp the unique aspects of library service. The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library tackled this problem by creating and implementing its own set of guidelines and official training program: A+ Customer Service. This training program will go over the components of A+ Customer Service (Acknowledge, Assist, & Achieve) using interactive customer service scenarios and a variety of personal examples and reflections. Attendees will gain insight and skills that will help them deliver excellent customer service to their patrons and colleagues and also take away ideas for how to develop a customized customer service program in their own libraries.

Erin Weller is the Head of the Customer Service Committee at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

NYLA Conference Scholarships

• Nikki Gordon (David A. Howe Public Library, Wellsville)
• Kate Miller (David A. Howe Public Library, Wellsville)
• Melanie Miller (Alfred Box of Books Library)
• Phil Trautman (Cohocton Public Library)
• Justin Zeh (Avoca Free Library)

Outstanding Library Advocate

Hannah Little Waschezyn, Southeast Steuben County Library

Library Volunteer Award

Lynn Fulmer, Cuba Circulating Library

Best Use of Social Media Award-

Prattsburgh Free Library

Innovative Library Director

Heidi Robinson, Wimodaughsian Free Library (Canisteo)

Grass Roots Award

Alfred Box of Books Library

Jerry Lange, Volunteer at Penn Yan and Dundee Libraries

Mini Grant Recipients

Alfred Box of Books Library

Belfast Public Library

Cohocton Public Library

David A. Public Library (Wellsville)

Dormann Library (Bath)

Fred and Harriet Taylor Memorial Library (Hammondsport)

Prattsburgh Free Library

Richburg Colonial Library

Savona Free Library

Wayland Free Library

Whitesville Public Library

Working Together to Strengthen our Communities

Betsy has a Bachelor of Science in education degree from State University of New York at Oswego and a Masters of Library Science degree from Syracuse University. She is a managing partner for the Literacy Coalition of Madison County NY, a founding member of the Cazenovia Arts and Heritage Alliance, and a board member of the Greater Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce. Betsy was member library director liaison to the Mid York Library System Board of Trustees for several years.

The Cazenovia Public Library was selected Library of the Year by Central New York Library Resources Council in 2016.