Fall 2009

The Northern New York Library Network and Documentary Heritage Program continue to provide free on-site consultations to libraries and archival institutions.

During the site visit a qualified consultant goes through a collection or department of interest to the repository, writes a report, and then reviews the recommendations with the institution’s personnel. These are only suggested modifications, and not subject to mandated follow-up. No institution is too large or small to participate in the on-site program.

A site visit was made to the Carthage Free Library on March 17, 2009. The consultant suggested completing the inventory that has already been started; creating a collections policy and additional forms needed for the heritage room; including the heritage room in the Library’s mission statement; and considering applying for a DHP arrangement and description grant in the future.

A site visit was made to the Lawrence Historical Organization on May 7, 2009.

The consultant suggested the creation of a greeting/reception area, and a display space for historical records and artifacts; a window should be cut into the current solid door so attendants may see approaching persons; and volunteers be sought to beautify the grounds.

A site visit was made to Flower Memorial Library on June 2, 2009.

The consultant suggested space be made in the local history room for the Library’s one-of-a-kind archival material; a collections policy for the archival collection be created; and a formal accession process be established and forms be created for staff usage.

During all site visits, comments made by the consultants were advisory in nature; facilities were encouraged, but not required to act on the recommendations.

Additional content from these institutions, as well as information from new entities is highly encouraged.

While the contributing groups are responsible for organizing their collection, the Network staff is ready to then step in and scan the items, enter the data for item descriptionsm and load it online.

For those institution wanting to scan their own items, scanners are available at the NNYLN building in Potsdam for use on-site.

The North Country Digital History site is an exciting and informative avenue for researches, and the more content, the more useful the site will be.

In an effort to try and provide more educational opportunities in an accessible fashion, the NNY Library Network is pleased to announce its 2009 Conference: "Choices & Challenges."

Mark those calendars for Monday and Tuesday, October 5 & 6, 2009, Cheel Center, Clarkson University, Potsdam.

Some of the sessions being held during this day-and-a-half event are targeted to help in substituting the Regional Roundtables, which have been indefinitely suspended due to cuts through the NY State Archives.

Some of the highlights for archival interests will include "Digitizing Historical Photographs" with presenter Raymond LaFever, New York State Archives Archival Advisory Services Coordinator; and "Digitizing: Best Practices" with presenter Suzanne Preate, Associate Librarian at Syracuse University Library.

The special pricing for all attendees is $40.00 for the entire conference, or $25 per day. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a number of classes from a list of programs being offered. Participants are also invited to take advantage of the luncheon and guest speaker Dr. R. David Lankes’ discussion on "They Named the Building After Us: The Library as Conversation," which will conclude the conference.

Be on the lookout for the conference brochure to arrive in the mail!

In an effort to increase communication to the public, the NNY Library Network and NYS Archives have both launched news feeds using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology.

Subscribers will be among the first to find out about archival updates and news through the Library Network, including classes, programs and press releases. The State Archives will share information on new records brought into the Archives, resources for state agencies and local governments, and any major changes to the website - such as new guides to records, new educational sites for teachers and students, and award and grant opportunities.

RSS technology enables users to view updates from organizations through an RSS Reader such as an Internet Browser, e-mail, or a third-party reader. RSS Readers provide a brief summary of news updates from an organization and then link to the full article on the organization’s website.

The centrally located Disaster Depot will be moving from the St. Lawrence University campus in Canton to the NNY Library Network’s office building in Potsdam.

Anyone in need of supplies following a disaster in their repository is asked to contact the Network directly at 315-265-1119.