The third Library Assistants’ Day was held on November 3, 2009 in Syracuse.  Over 115 people came to this event that was co-sponsored by Nylink, CLRC, SCRLC, RRLC, and Upstate Medical.  It was a great turn-out and a wonderful opportunity to meet with colleagues from across the state and one from Canada.   Sessions included customer service based upon FISH!, social networking, creating library exhibits and displays, genealogy resources, an update on Microsoft 2007 and time management.   Thanks to all of the attendees and our speakers for a day well spent learning and networking.  Now it is onto the fourth annual Library Assistants’ Day, 2010.

Libraries, museums, archives, arts and historic preservation organizations across the nation will set aside May 1 to participate in MayDay, a national effort to prepare for disasters.  Sponsored by Heritage Preservation, AASLH and other members of the Heritage Emergency National Taskforce, MayDay encourages organizations to take one simple step to protect the art, artifacts, records, and historic sites they hold in trust.

Any type of organization can participate in MayDay.  For example CLRC sponsored a discussion on health and safety in archives.  Others have shared collection plans with outside organizations to learn from one another.  Perhaps you might bring together a committee to review and update your disaster plan.

Organizations are encouraged to share their MayDay stories and they will be entered in a drawing for disaster supplies donated by Gaylord Brothers.  You can submit your plans (in brief!) to taskforce@heritagepreservation.org by May 22.

National Volunteer Week is taking place April 19-25.  This year’s theme is Celebrating People in Action.  Is your institution having any events to celebrate the way that your volunteers dedication improves their communities?

Working with volunteers can be a very rewarding experience, though it does take work and skill.  Two upcoming training events will focus on volunteer management.  Nylink has a webinar scheduled for May 18 at 1:00 called The Great Challenge:  Successfully Managing Volunteers and Student Workers. CLRC is hosting Recruiting and Managing Your Volunteers Effectively on April 20 at the Fayetteville Free Library.  For more information go to clrc.org