There were numerous thought provoking sessions by SUNY Librarians including an excellent session co-presented by Sue Ann Brainard (SUNY Geneseo), Dr. Emilye Crosby (Geneseo History Department), and three Geneseo students (Claire Ruswich, Chris Basso, and Ryne Kitzrow). The session was titled, “Hands-on History: Using College Archives to Teach History Research Skills.” Dr. Crosby in conjunction with Librarian Sue Ann Brainard were able to allow students into the college’s closed archives to use the materials to better understand the college’s history. It was a great example of collaboration, an interesting use of materials, and a creative solution to using the normally closed space.

In “Collaborative Digitization in College Archives and Special Collections: The North Country Digital History Pilot Project,” Plattsburgh Librarian Debra Kimok discussed their libraries contribution to the North Country digitization project (http://history.nnyln.org/g/). The North Country 3R’s council had purchased a licence for CONTENTdm (http://www.nylink.org/digitize/contentdm.cfm) and member libraries can contribute content. There was a lively discussion that followed about CONTENTdm and what is can do for your library and to assist in collaborative projects. Jean Currie from the South Central Regional Library Council is eager to start their CONTENTdm project.

Beyond attending the various sessions, Nylink was able to exhibit at the vendor area and enjoy spending time with our members on the Sunset Cruise Thursday night. For anyone who was at the conference last week, yes- Ann, T, and myself still have our sailor hats, and yes we did wear them at work on Monday.

For more photos check out our flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/groups/nylink/