By Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director – Southern Tier Library System Friday, May 29th, 2015
Jerry Keeler of Dorman Library receives the 2014 Outstanding Library Advocate Award from Judy Phillips, president of the Foundation for Southern Tier Libraries at last year’s STLS Annual Meeting and Conference.
“STLS has re-instated its NYLA Conference Scholarship Award Program. 2015 will make
available four scholarships to enable member librarians to attend this year’s NYLA
Conference in beautiful Lake Placid, NY.”
STLS is just a few weeks removed from its Spring CE hosted by Chemung County Library
District and STLS. We are excited about the great feedback we received from conference
participants. And, we are equally happy to use member library recommendations to
make future events even better. Click here to view 176 photos of this year’s Spring
CE. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/sotierlibsys/sets/72157650488657173]
In the spirit of continuing education and support to member libraries, I am happy
to announce this year’s Annual Meeting and Conference will take place on Tuesday
October 6, 2015. It will be another all-day event of learning and growing as a
System. We are in the process of setting up speakers and trainers based on member
libraries’ needs.
The keynote speaker this year will be Jamie LaRue. Jamie has appeared on NPR, been
quoted and highlighted in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Denver Post, and
has hosted a local author interview TV program [http://vimeo.com/tag:douglascountylibraries].
A newspaper columnist for over two decades, he also wrote “The New Inquisition:
Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges [http://www.abc-clio.com/product.aspx?isbn=978159158285]”
(Libraries Unlimited, 2007). From 1990 to 2014, he was director of the Douglas County
(Colorado) Libraries, widely known as one of the most successful and innovative
public libraries in the nation.
The Annual Meeting and Conference is also a time to celebrate member library accomplishments.
Below you will find a list of this year’s Award Categories and Scholarships. You
will notice I included the word scholarships. STLS has re-instated its NYLA Conference
Scholarship Award Program. 2015 will make available four scholarships to enable
member librarians to attend this year’s NYLA Conference in beautiful Lake Placid,
NY. This year’s NYLA Conference will mark the 125th Anniversary of the New York
Library Association, so there is much to be learned and experienced.
The deadline for STLS Awards and Scholarships is Friday, July 10th. Winners will
be notified July 30th in plenty of time to make participation arrangements for
both the STLS Annual Meeting and Conference and the NYLA Conference. We look forward
to reading about the great things member libraries have been accomplishing.
Award nominations only require a one page letter of support from the nominating
individual, and any letters of support from library community members. Scholarship
applications require a 1 -2 page letter of interest, and expression of why attending
the NYLA Conference will benefit your work in libraries. Nominations and letters
of interest can be sent to STLS via Delivery, or by US Mail:
Southern Tier Library System
C/O Public Relations Committee
9424 Scott Road
Painted Post, New York 14870
Outstanding Library Advocate Award
The Outstanding Library Advocate Award recognizes a person who has made extraordinary
contributions to the development, improvement or expansion of library service to
the residents of the Southern Tier Library System. The award also encourages and
rewards the fine tradition of citizenship and excellence.
Eligible Candidates: Trustees, Volunteers and Advocates for Member Libraries
Innovative Library Director Award
This award recognizes an STLS member library director that demonstrates an overall
commitment to the betterment of their public library based on current and innovative
practices.
Eligible Candidates: Library Directors of Member Libraries
Outstanding Promotional Video Award
This award recognizes an online video that inspires, encourages, informs, or promotes
library services of a specific STLS member library. Entries will be judged on originality,
creativity and overall video message. The content of the video can portray specific
library projects, or overall library services. All entries must be uploaded to the
member library’s individual YouTube web account for consideration.
Eligible Candidates: Member Libraries and Member Libraries’ “Friends Groups”
Best Use of Social Media Award
This award will be presented to an STLS member library, or member library’s “friends
group” that demonstrates an effective use of social media to promote library services,
engage library users, or disseminate information about library advocacy initiatives.
Nominations can be based on a single social media post that generated many “likes”,
“comments”, “shares” or “followers”. Nominations may also incorporate a string of
social media posts linked to a specific library project or initiative. The successful
entry will demonstrate a high-level of engagement with social media followers.
Eligible Candidates: Member libraries and member libraries’ “friends groups”
2015 NYLA Scholarships
STLS will offer four scholarships in 2015 to member librarians. Scholarships will
include a one year membership to NYLA, and provide expense reimbursement up to $1,200
for the 2015 NYLA Conference in Lake Placid, NY (October 21st – 24th). Scholarships
will cover hotel for 3 nights, mileage reimbursement to and from Lake Placid, and
conference registration. Scholarship winners are required to write a page blog entry
following conference that will be shared with STLS member libraries. The blog entry
will highlight lessons learned from conference.
Eligible Candidates: Member librarians.
Have a great weekend everyone. As always, thank you for your continued support and
many efforts. Please call or write with questions.
Kindest Regards,
Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System
Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner
