RAMAPO CATSKILL LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS
 
March 11, 2024

 
        KOHA ILS:
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
Koha offers a more intuitive and robust Advanced Item Search than Symphony provided. You can limit your search by Item Type, Shelving Location, or Collection in addition to your search query within any available search index.
And did we mention support for Boolean operators?
 

 ** Collection Inventory prep for the Koha ILS**
 Should you have questions, please contact RCLS:
Alex Carver (alex@rcls.org)
or Martha Sullivan (msullivan@rcls.org)
 If you were unable to attend the online training about conducting your library's inventory, please view the recording posted on NicheAcademy. Type "Inventory" in the NicheAcademy Search window to access the recording.
 

 To see the Bookwerm's latest reading recommendations, click on the picture below!

  APRIL EVENTS OF NOTE!
Click the links for more information...
 
 
Library Giving Day - April 3, 2024
 
  
 
National Library Week 2024 (April 7-13)
Ready, Set, Library!
National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and Newbery and Pura Belpré-award winning author Meg Medina will serve as 2024 Honorary Chair
National Library Week | Conferences & Events (ala.org)

2024 Banned Books Symposium:
Proactive, Reactive, Supportive
Saturday, May 4, 2024 ~ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Dutchess BOCES Conference Center Poughkeepsie, NY
 
This half-day conference will feature presentations in all capacities of banned and challenged books and programs. 
 The cost to attend is $25. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
  
REGISTER HERE
 
Questions regarding the Symposium may be posed to Jen Park, RCLS Government Relations Specialist, at jen@rcls.org. 
Attendance for this conference will result in 4 hours of continuing education for library staff and trustees.
 
This Symposium is in partnership with Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Mid-Hudson Library System, Mount Saint Mary College, SUNY New Paltz and BOCES School Library Systems of Dutchess, Orange-Ulster, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster.
 
 
COMMUNITY NEWS

 
 
Digital Navigators Information Session
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Register for the session here
 
The application for Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley Spring 2024 session, which will run from April 2024 to June 2024, is now open for individuals affiliated with libraries and organizations in the Hudson Valley. 
Applications are due by Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 pm.
 
Visit the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley website 
to view the program requirements. 
Funding for this program has been provided in part by the financial support of Southeastern NY Library Resources Council, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Mid-Hudson Library System, and Westchester Library System.

 
 

Books by the authors will be available for purchase during lunch by cash or check only. Proceeds from the luncheon support programs at Moffat Library. For additional information CLICK HERE
 

RCLS CONTINUING EDUCATION
 
For details on registration, click on
the session titles below
 
  Teen Summer Reading Workshop (online)
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 ~ 9:30am - 12:30pm
A collaborative presented by NYS Library Systems. 
This program will be recorded.
3 hours Continuing Education credit for Library Staff
(Workshop does not apply towards Trustee Education credit)
 
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Guide to Understanding and Requesting Funding Through the NYS Legislature (online)
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 ~ 11:00am - 12:30pm
Join RCLS and Christie Foster to learn about the different avenues for discretionary funding that your legislative representatives have the ability to access through the New York State Legislature.  Different programs, eligibility, timing, and how to best position your library to receive extra funding will be reviewed.
1.5 hours Continuing Education credit for Library Staff
(Session does not apply towards Trustee Education credit)
 
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RCLS Construction Aid Workshop - Review of Eligible Projects In-Person
Friday, April 19, 2024 ~ 10:30am - 12:00pm
RCLSHQ Main Meeting Room, RCLS Headquarters 619 Rte 17M, Middletown
 
An in-depth discussion on what types of projects are eligible for the New York State Public Library Construction Aid program.  Stephen Hoefer, Chief Financial Officer, will review previously funded projects, the new program timeline, new program developments.  A Q&A session will take place at the end.
[Note: The due date for applications for 2024 is August 1st.]
2 hours Continuing Education credit for library staff
 (Workshop does not apply towards Trustee Education credit) 
 
There is an RCLS Construction Aid Mandatory Workshop for applicants scheduled for June 14, 2024.
Please register separately for the June session HERE.
 
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Resilient Communities in a Changing Climate: The Library as Hub
Cohort Series
This cohort program includes four sessions (first session was held in February) designed to facilitate participants’ understanding of climate resilience needs and opportunities at and around their locations, and the participatory approaches to working with local stakeholder partners to capture these opportunities.
Teams from individual libraries are encouraged to attend.
2 hours of Continuing Education credit/session.
 
Session 2: March 20 | 10:00 am | Online  
What to Do: Technologies and Strategies for Ensuring Resilience in a Changing Climate
 
Session 3: April 15 | In-Person at Gardiner Library
(133 Farmer's Turnpike, Gardiner NY 12525)
How to Get it Done
 
Session 4: May 22 | 10:00 am -12:00 pm | In-Person at Howland Public Library 
313 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508 
(at the corner of Main St. & South Cedar St.) 
Putting it all Together

 
PLEASE NOTE: If you sign up for one or more of the many 
RCLS programs and/or continuing education opportunities,
save your registration confirmation email which will
contain the link for any ONLINE session.  
You will also receive a reminder email approximately 24 hours prior to the event.


MARKETING EDUCATION
 
For details on registration, click on the session title
 
MasterTHIS: SEO
 Wednesday, March 20, 2024 1:00 -2:00 PM
 1:00 PM - Handling a Decline in Website Traffic:
Strategies for Recovery
Seeing your website traffic suddenly decrease can be worrying. But with the right diagnostics and recovery plan, you can get things back on track.
1:30 PM  - The Simple But Strategic Approach to SEO
(And How To Measure It in GA4) 
Mixed signals. Conflicting advice. Strange suggestions.
Welcome to the world of search! The land where opinions rule and best practices are never prioritized …but what if it’s all simpler than it seems?
This session takes out the mystery.  
  
AI and Libraries:
Applications, Implications, and Possibilities
Thursday, March 21st, 2024 ~ 3:00-6:00 pm Eastern 
Free virtual conference to learn how libraries and library workers are engaging with artificial intelligence tools in their libraries from research support to information literacy to technical services. The conversations held in the conference will address the practical implications of these tools in the profession.
 
Outreach Service to Communities
Access the entire Ramapo Catskill Library System catalog effortlessly with RCLS Go, a free online app compatible with digital devices. Easily search, check out digital titles, and place holds—all within your account. Explore the extensive RCLS digital catalog, seamlessly integrating e-books and audiobooks, enabling requesting and renewing.
 
Navigate through your account with ease, manage preferences, browse categories, and set up notifications directly on your device. Enjoy the convenience of a scannable barcode for swift checkouts, either by snapping a picture or manually entering library card details—eliminating the hassle of physical cards.
 
Experience ultimate convenience by storing your library card barcode, managing family members’ cards, and scanning ISBNs to check book availability within RCLS. From accessing library hours to managing fine payments and discovering NYT Bestsellers through advanced search filters, RCLS Go offers a personalized experience for each user. Embrace knowledge, entertainment, and endless opportunities by downloading RCLS Go today!
 

 
RCLS Marketing Services LibGuide
Click the link above to view the Guide and schedule a meeting to talk about your marketing plans with Dave Cosco, RCLS Marketing Manager. Phone: 845-243-3747 ext. 245 or via email at marketing@rcls.org
 
 
 
A Closing Thought...
 
 Did you find something of note that library staff can relate to? Send us your submissions to end our newsletter with a smile.
 

Ramapo Catskill Library System
619 Route 17M 
Middletown, NY 10940
845-243-3747
www.rcls.org
 
   
 
 
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