New York

Comprehensive 5-year evaluation complete

reportcover2Another evaluation project successfully completed by AmaLat Consulting LLC!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) distributes more than $150 million in federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to 50 plus State Library Agencies each year. This is the largest source of federal funding for libraries in the United States.

In New York State, LSTA funds are used to support a wide variety of programming and services for libraries and library systems of all types, their staff…and of course, USERS! Some examples of LSTA-funded programs include NOVELNY (the statewide virtual library), Ready to Read at New York Libraries, and the Summer Reading Program.

Every five years, IMLS requires State Library Agencies to develop a new plan detailing their proposed use of LSTA funds, and this plan is based on a comprehensive, independent evaluation. I was hired by the New York State Library as an independent consultant to complete their 5-Year LSTA Evaluation for 2012-2017.

This report is now available on the IMLS website.

To learn more about LSTA and the IMLS Grants to States Program, click here.

Check out DHPSNY!

dhpsny-logoIn late 2016, I was hired to work on an exciting, new project of the New York State Archives and New York State Library, titled Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services of New York (DHPSNY). Because the program offers a variety of training/services to collecting institutions including libraries, I thought I would share it here.

The following is a description from the DHPSNY website:

Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a statewide program that supports the vast network of non-government, unique library, and archival repositories that safeguard New York’s historical records. DHPSNY provides a range of free services to eligible cultural institutions throughout the state, including archives, libraries, historical societies, and museums which operate programs to preserve and make accessible records of enduring value.

Please take a moment to browse the site for information about upcoming workshops and webinars, as well as deadlines to apply for planning and assessment services. All are free of charge.

Registration for the Spring 2017 Workshop: Essential Policies and Procedures for Cultural Institutions is now open!

Ready to Read at NYLA

PrintPlease join us on November 5, 2016 at 9:30 AM at the New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga Springs for a special session on Ready to Read at New York Libraries!

Karen Balsen, Program Director, and I will be introducing this statewide early literacy initiative, and discussing progress to date and next steps. Come and learn how your public library can participate!

Click here for the program website.

Click here for more about the conference.

A terrific group!

I just conducted a Basic Outcome-Based Evaluation Workshop at the Mid York Library System in Utica for library staff across the state. What a wonderful two days!

obe-workshop

The participants really make these workshops, as we do a great deal of team work/discussion. And this group did not disappoint. We covered a lot of ground and many topics facing libraries today.

I want to thank this group of terrific librarians for attending the workshop, and the Mid York Library System for hosting us! Happy planning and evaluating!

Ready to Read at New York Libraries

PrintA new year = a new project! I am happy to report that I am now working on the New York State Library’s Ready to Read at New York Libraries program. If you are not familiar with this project, I encourage you to check it out (especially if you are a public librarian working with young children and families!).

Here’s a description from the Ready to Read website:

Ready to Read at New York Libraries is an initiative of the New York State Education Department designed to improve and expand the availability of high quality public library early learning services in local communities across the State. Through this initiative, families and caregivers will be provided with the knowledge needed to prepare their young children for their school years ahead.

The priority component of Ready to Read at New York Libraries through 2019 is the Early Childhood Public Library Staff Development Program, a train-the-trainer program that will strengthen library staff skills to ensure that families and caregivers with young children receive the highest quality services at all of New York’s 1,000 public library outlets.

Also, be sure to check out the program’s Facebook page!

And the terrific family resource, DayByDayNY, with daily songs, stories, and activities families can do with their young children to grow early literacy skills. I posted a screen shot below:

Screenshot