Nylink, in partnership with NYSHEI, will submit candidate academic libraries to participate in a study of return on investment (ROI) being conducted by the University of Tennessee (Carol Tenopir), Syracuse University (Bruce Kingma), the University of Illinois (Paula Kaufman), and the Association of Research Libraries (Martha Kyrillidou).  This study, funded in large part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will result in: 1) a fact-based articulation of the value and ROI for university libraries, and 2) a model for determining ROI and tools to implement the model.

The study as funded by IMLS will involve four academic libraries: University of Tennessee, University of Illinois, University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University.  A limited number of institutions within New York can be added to the study under the following conditions:  a willingness to collect LibQual type data as well as additional survey data as specified by the project research team, and the ability to fund the marginal cost of adding their institution to the project (estimated at $5000 per institution).  The duration of the project will be approximately 2.5 years.

For more information on this opportunity, contact Dave Penniman, Executive Director, Nylink at pennimand@nylink.org or at 518443-5444.

Albany, NY – February 18, 2010 – Nylink is pleased to announce a new partnership with Amigos to offer True Serials™, a comprehensive serials holdings maintenance service, to information organizations, to their member libraries.

Amigos will offer billing to its members in the Southwest, while Nylink will host and administer True Serials.

Read more »

The Conference on New York State History is calling for papers.  The deadline is December 31.  If your library, museum, or organization is involved in any local or New York State history projects, this is a great venue to present at.   They are especially interested in hearing from first time presenters, graduate students and local government historians.

Below is the press release:

The Conference on New York State History
Ithaca College June 3—5, 2010
Sponsored by New York State Historical Association
in collaboration with New York State Archives Partnership Trust
Cosponsored by New York Council for the Humanities

Call for Papers Deadline

December 31, 2009

Individual paper abstracts, panel proposals, workshop plans, and other program suggestions are invited for the 2010 conference to be held in the Ithaca area. Presentations may consider any aspect of the history of New York State over the past 400 years. Diverse theoretical perspectives and innovative methodological approaches are welcomed.

■ What is the Conference?

The Conference on New York State History is an annual meeting of academic and public historians, librarians and archivists, educators, publishers, and other interested individuals who come together to discuss topics and issues related to the people of New York State in historical perspective and to share information and ideas regarding historical research, programming, and the networking of resources and services. Ten to fifteen presentation sessions, workshops, and a keynote address permit more than fifty individuals to take part in the formal program.

Special consideration is accorded first-time presenters, graduate students, and local government historians. The conference is self-sustaining and is organized by a committee of historians from a variety of institutions across the state.

Interested parties are encouraged to discuss proposals and any conference-related ideas with Field Horne, conference chair (e-mail preferred). The Program Committee will meet to consider proposals in mid-January. Applicants will be notified immediately thereafter.

■ What to submit:

All proposals must be received by December 31, 2009 at 5:00 PM. If at all possible, submit an MS Word document by e-mail to conferencechair@nysha.org. A proposal should be a one-page description of each presentation—not the full manuscript—and must include the following information at the top of the page: paper and/or session titles, names, postal addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all participants, and all equipment needs and scheduling requests. It should also briefly discuss sources, methodology, and argument.

All program participants are required to register for the conference.

■ Commentators sought:

Qualified commentators for sessions are needed. Please indicate your willingness, with your areas of expertise, in an e-mail to the conference chair.

■ How to submit:

Send proposals to:

Field Horne, Conference Chair

Conference on NYS History

Box 215

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866¬0215

(518) 587-4962

conferencechair@nysha.org

The deadline for nominations for 2010 Coming Up Taller Awards is January 29.  This award focuses on program excellence in after school, out of school, and summer arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth.  Winners receive $10,000 for their efforts in creating dynamic programs that positively impact program participants.

More info below:

Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) invites nominations for the 2010 Coming Up Taller awards, which honor excellence in afterschool, out-of-school, and summer arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth. Coming Up Taller is an initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
(PCAH) in partnership with IMLS, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). IMLS and its partners encourage programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government entities to participate. Click here for the nomination form:
http://www.pcah.gov/cut/2010CUTNominationApplication.pdf

Each year, the Coming Up Taller awards recognize and reward exceptional programs that cultivate character development and life skills in young people, in addition to presenting high-quality arts and humanities learning opportunities. Award recipients receive $10,000 each, an individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference.

On its continuing quest to provide members with the best opportunities available to libraries, Nylink, a multitype library consortium serving libraries in New York state and surrounding areas, is pleased to announce a partnership with The Library Corporation (TLC), a proven company with creative solutions for library needs.

Nylink will act as a distributor, offering ITS.MARC databases, BiblioFile software, and other automation services provided by TLC. This partnership will offer Nylink members expanded cataloging service options to complement its existing offerings.

David Penniman, Executive Director of Nylink, said that this partnership is an outstanding example of how Nylink intends to offer more choices in the future. ”We have an obligation to our membership to provide a range of options involving cost reduction as well as alternative functional solutions to library activities.”

“TLC is well known for excellent cataloging software, and our MARC data collection has been expanded over the years into a well organized, comprehensive source. We are delighted that Nylink is shining a new light on cataloging services that are priced well for these times,” added Jimmy Thomas of TLC.

About Nylink
Nylink, a membership organization of all types of libraries and cultural heritage organizations in New York state, facilitates collaboration and cooperation among its members and supports access to high-quality, cost-effective resources that enable member institutions to enhance the services they provide to their constituents. A program of the State University of New York System Administration under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office, Nylink is based in Albany. For mor information, please visit http://nylink.org.

About The Library Corporation (TLC)
TLC is owned and operated by the family that founded the company over 30 years ago. The company’s automation solutions include library automation, cataloging and authority control solutions, automated material handling systems, and RFID.

A recent IMLS press release announces the issuance of a new report:  “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to State Program and the Transformation of Libraries Services to the Public”.  Below is the announcement.

Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

IMLS Report: Libraries are a Vital Community Resource in the Information Age

Washington, DC-The character of library services has changed dramatically with the advent of new information technologies, the continuous development of locally-tailored services, and the expectations of the 21st century library user, according to the first analysis of the Grants to States program by the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS). The report, “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to State Program and the Transformation of Libraries Services to the Public,” focuses on services provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to State Library Agencies, the single largest source of federal funding for the nation’s libraries and the only library grants that require state-wide planning. IMLS conducted the study to inform the American public, the Administration, Congress and the library community about the program’s contributions.

To address the growing demand for online services, libraries have added computer workstations, increased available bandwidth, and provided training in communities where they are often the sole provider of free access to the Internet. Some State Libraries Agencies are incorporating technology investments into their statewide strategic plans while other states manage such investments on a local or regional basis, according to the new report.

“The program’s flexibility is its greatest strength because it allows each state to tailor program services to the specific needs of its citizens. The unique nature of each state’s approach can present real challenges for evaluation because no two state programs are alike. It is like comparing apples, oranges, kiwis, and kumquats. But a common thread that connects these programs is a dedication to providing state-of-the-art programming and information services that meet a clear and compelling local need,” said Carlos Manjarrez, IMLS Associate Deputy Director for Research and Statistics.

To underscore this state-by-state variability, the report provides a two-page snapshot of immediate challenges, program goals for 2008-2012, and an exemplary project for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The report draws on the December 2008 analysis of 9,000 state program reports from the Grants to States Program between FY 2003 and FY 2006 by Ethel Himmel and Bill Wilson, a library consulting firm, and the annual State Library Agency Surveys collected by the National Center for Education Statistics and IMLS between 1998 and 2007.

Based on the data, IMLS identified three broad strategies advanced by Grants to States programming: human capital development, library service expansion and access, and development of information and technology infrastructure. The report also provides:
* a description of the Grants to States program also known as the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA);
* a discussion of the local factors that affect state program plans;
* a review of program activities submitted in state program annual reports; and an
* an analysis of program expenditures.

“Libraries build community in many ways,” noted Laurie Brooks, Associate Deputy Director for Library Services. “Whether through preparing children for school, helping small businesses thrive, providing technology training for seniors, or imparting a new language, libraries are essential community resources in the information age. The Library Grants to States program provides an important opportunity to plan and support these vital community-building initiatives.”

This was just announced by Heritage Preservation.  It seems Historic Cherry Hill located here in Albany, NY has been selected for the Award For Outstanding Commitment to Preservation and Care of Collections.  Congratulations Historic Cherry Hill!

Here is the press release…

HISTORIC CHERRY HILL AND THE SHELBURNE MUSEUM RECEIVE NATIONAL PRESERVATION AWARD

(Nominations invited for 2010 award)

Historic Cherry Hill in Albany, New York, and the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, have been selected to receive the 2009 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections.  This annual award is selected by a panel of distinguished conservation experts from across the nation and is presented jointly by Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
The two recipients have shown a sustained and exemplary commitment to preserving America’s heritage enriching their communities by caring for their unique and varied collections through dedicated planning and effort.
The presentation of the award to Historic Cherry Hill will take place on September, 17, 2009.  The presentation of the Shelburne Museum’s award will be on September 25, 2009.

Historic Cherry Hill

Historic Cherry Hill is the home of the Van Rensselaer-Rankin family. Built in 1787, it was lived in continuously by the family until 1963. Containing a wealth of information for scholars of social history and material culture, Cherry Hill is an invaluable cultural resource because of the well-documented provenance of its varied collection. The museum was founded when the entire estate, including 20,000 objects, 30,000 manuscripts, 7,500 textiles, 5,000 books, and 3,000 photographs, was donated by Catherine Putman Rankin.

Historic Cherry Hill’s programs and publications provide an unprecedented view into one family’s life and the community in which they lived. The size and richness of the collections literally had the house bursting at the seams−a structural engineer hired to review the site after staff members noticed severe cracking in the walls of the home in 1996 discovered floors that should have carried 30 pounds per square foot were discovered to be carrying 100 pounds.

Assertively responding to this crisis, the board and small staff successfully conducted a half million dollar campaign to design and construct a 3,500 square foot, state-of-the-art storage facility, which was completed in 2003. To date, more than 20,000 objects and 30,000 documents have been moved to the new facility and are being cared for in accordance with the latest advances in preservation.

In addition to this remarkable accomplishment, Historic Cherry Hill has researched and adopted many sound conservation practices to maintain its collection. From installing ultra-violet filtering and blackout shades throughout the house to obtaining grants and developing and executing a long range conservation plan, Historic Cherry Hill is a superb example of what the dedication and hard work of a few people at a small institution with limited resources can accomplish. And, in fact, they demonstrate that example at every opportunity by holding training sessions that share their acquired knowledge with outside institutions and the community at large.

Lawrence L. Reger, President of Heritage Preservation, said, “Historic Cherry Hill is a remarkable institution, and we are fortunate to have such a valuable collection in our national cultural history cared for with such close attention and thoughtful planning. The awarding committee was especially impressed by Cherry Hill’s ongoing work to refine its conservation plan and its collaborative relationship with other groups and the Albany community.”

June 25, Albany NY. Multi-type New York State library consortium Nylink is pleased to announce a partnership with Maryland-based library services company Library Dynamics to market and support their collection analysis suite of tools including the Spectra line of services.

Spectra Web services provide collection overview to individual title analytical capability, leveraging the time and talent of a library’s human resources. Spectra services use definitive bibliographic and circulation data from a library’s local system – mining it for copy level intelligence and normalizing it to achieve reliability and consistency. Using Spectra services, a library can analyze its collection, compare it to other libraries, library groups, or recognized sources such as titles reviewed in Choice. In reporting and working with results, Spectra’s quantitatively based visualization techniques and database management tools allow a user to work flexibly – to copy and paste plots and tables; select, sort, save, download, and e-mail title results; and link to enhancements like tables of contents, chapter titles, annotations, reviews, etc.

Dave Penniman, Executive Director of Nylink, said, "We are pleased to be working with Library Dynamics and Howard Harris to make the Spectra collection analyses and development tools available to New York libraries. Nylink is committed to offering choices to our members and implementing trusted partnerships with organizations and individuals whose products stand out as exceptional in their functionality. Spectra is such a product." Howard Harris, President of Library Dynamics, remarked, "Nylink not only by charter but by choice and by practice over time has remained closely focused on the current and evolving needs of its members; we at Library Dynamics are very pleased to be in partnership with Nylink to work to meet those needs."

About Nylink

Nylink, a membership organization of all types of libraries and cultural heritage organizations in New York state, facilitates collaboration and cooperation among its members and supports access to high-quality, cost-effective resources that enable member institutions to enhance the services they provide to their constituents. A program of the State University of New York System Administration under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office, Nylink is based in Albany. http://nylink.org

About Library Dynamics

Since 1998, Library Dynamics has offered innovative tools for visualizing, developing, managing, and interpreting library and library consortia collections. Its services include Spectra CRC, Spectra Dimension, Weedlist Plus, Bibliographic Diagnostic and Repair Services, and Consulting Services related to its services. http://www.librarydynamics.com

The NYS Archives is sponsoring a student research contest.  This is a great way to work with teachers and students in incorporating historical records in research projects.  Maybe you are working with students or know of a teacher who might have interested students.  Help spread the word!

NYS Archives Sponsors 19th Annual Student Research Contest
To encourage students to use historical records, the New York State Archives is sponsoring the 19th annual Student Research Awards. The deadline for entry is July 1, 2009 and the contest is open to all New York students in grades 4-12 who use historical records in their research projects. Three awards are presented each year: grades 4-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. The awards consist of a framed certificate, a check for $100, an invitation to an award ceremony, lunch with the Board of Regents in Albany, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Archives. Eligible projects are computer-based entries, such as websites or PowerPoint presentations; exhibits; documentaries; performances; research for a historical marker, property or district; and traditional research papers. For information about this year’s program, visit http://www.archives.nysed.gov/education/ed_awards.shtml or email archedu@mail.nysed.gov.

True Serials - Nylink

Nylink is pleased to announce the launch of True Serials, a hosted serials management service developed and managed by Nylink staff. Built on a knowledgebase that includes over 425 database and serials aggregation packages (representing thousands of individual titles), True Serials can work for your library.

Dave Penniman, Executive Director of Nylink, says “True Serials, the first of several new services Nylink will be introducing over the next year, represents a major step in fulfilling our commitment to bringing Nylink members low-cost, high-efficiency solutions and choices.” True Serials offers a branded A-Z list, an innovative optional Local Holdings Record service, and a robust Electronic Resource Management platform which allows tracking of licenses, subscription renewals, and administrative data for journals, databases, and more.

Demos are now being held; the next scheduled True Serials webinar is July 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM. For more information about True Serials, or to request a demo for your library, please see the Nylink website at http://nylink.org/cts/trueserials.cfm.

About Nylink
Nylink, a membership organization of all types of libraries and cultural heritage organizations in New York state, facilitates collaboration and cooperation among its members and supports access to high-quality, cost-effective resources that enable member institutions to enhance the services they provide to their constituents. A program of the State University of New York System Administration under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office, Nylink is based in Albany.

Nylink
True Serials Support
Lauren Pinsley or Luke Williams
trueserials@nylink.org
State University of New York
SUNY Plaza
Albany NY 12246
518-443-5444/800-342-3353
http://nylink.org