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Friends of Libraries Section — A Network of Library Advocates in New York State
Volume 1, #4, September 2015
New York LibraryAssociation
Annual ConferenceNYLA 125, 1890-2015Explore. Learn. Grow.
Conference Center at Lake PlacidLake Placid, NY
Friends DayJust $30 for the day!
Friday, October 23
9:00 a.m. - noon NYLA Trade ShowVisit the exhibits. Exclusive showtime: 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.Painting in Plein Air(co-sponsored with LTA)
12:30 p.m. YSS Empire State AwardLuncheonWe hope you have your ticket for the25th Award Ceremony – FLS willhave tables reserved. This event hassold out!
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.Friends and Foundations, a Merger(co-sponsored with LTA and PLS)
3:45 - 5 p.m.Friends of Libraries Showcase /Membership MeetingA brief FLS membership meeting willbegin the session.
Saturday morning, October 24($30/day)
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.Accounting for Nonprofits(co-sponsored with LTA and PLS)
The mission of theFriends of Libraries Sectionis to promote and inspire
local Friends groupsin libraries of all typesfor the betterment of
New York State's librarycommunity.
Inside this issue:Fresh Vision................................. page 2The Social Library......................... page 2Consultant Hours......................... page 2FLS Elections............................... page 3A Community Celebration.............. page 3Literary Landmark™..................... page 4Hot Topic: NPRA........................... page 42015 NYLA Conference Update..... page 5FLS Board Contact List ................. page 6
The 2015 FLS Daniel W. CaseyLibrary Advocacy Award Goes to...
This year marks the first time that the Friends of Libraries Section willhonor a library volunteer with the Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award.This recognition has a 22 yearlong history with the Empire Friends Round-table, now FLS.
The Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award, sponsored by FLS, honors avolunteer member or a group of the library community whose efforts havecontributed to the growth of libraries or Friends of the Library organizations.We are pleased to announce that this year's award will be givenposthumously to Don Riplinger of the Friends & Foundation of the RochesterPublic Library (FFRPL).
Don began his volunteer career upon retiring from Eastman Kodak in 1998 –he was just shy of 15 years of service with FFRPL at the time of his death.While Don began volunteering with the intention of assisting with clericalduties in the office, he took up several different roles throughout the years.In every corner of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County,evidence of Don's dedicated service is visible.
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Quarterly Newsletter of the Friends of Libraries Section of the New York Library Association
Fresh VisionA Message from FLS President Lisa C. Wemett
We are welcoming new Board members to our group laterthis fall. It will be an exciting time as Sarah Sachs of thePotsdam Public Library becomes the second President ofFLS. The FLS Board has made incredible progress thisyear, providing a firm foundation for future Sectionactivities. Author Henry Miller put it this way: "Ourdestination is never a place but rather a new way oflooking at things." As our new officers begin their journeywith us, their fresh approaches will help us remain focusedon our over-arching agenda and mission, to help ourmembers be the best Friends they can be. (Yes, BFFs!)
Be sure to contact the FLS Board with your ideas of newservices we should develop and continuing educationtopics to consider for our return to Saratoga Springs atNYLA's annual conference in November 2016. FLS willcontinue to grow and wants to assist you as the needs ofFriends groups change to meet the roles of 21st centurylibraries. Way beyond fund-raising, Friends provide social
interaction, underwritespecial collections, and helplibrary staff purchase newmaterials and technology asthey are integrated into"traditional" library services.Your help and support isalways needed andappreciated by your libraryand community.
I'll be moving on to head theFLS Nominations Committeeto search out our next slate of officers and Members AtLarge. Think about it—you have much to offer us. Ifyou've been working hard in your region of the state, youhave many skills to bring to our table, prepared to workon Friends issues statewide. Be ready to say YES when Icall! Thank you for a great year!
The Social Library
Does your Friends of the Library group have a Facebookpage? Whether you "like" it or not, Facebook allowsFriends the opportunity to spread the word about theiractivities far and wide. But sometimes someone iswatching besides your "followers," but in a good way!
WebJunction has aweekly featurecalled "The SocialLibrary" thathighlights amazingprograms fromlibraries thatWebJunctionfollows onFacebook. Thesereports will give you
fresh inspiration for library services to your community.
Head over to the WebJunction website and follow the linksto read the current Social Library highlights or its archives.Some examples: in Colorado, patrons can make anappointment to meet with a "Download Coach" for help ingetting ebooks, digital magazines, and more on theirdevices. A series called "Do It Together" (DIT) in Idahohelped patrons learn gardening over several weeks in thespring.
Take a tour of this social media resource – you'll gleantons of ideas for programs Friends could offer at yourlibrary! See the June 2015 issue of "Friends News andNotes" (p.7) for further details on WebJunction's freelibrary-specific courses for staff, Friends, and trustees(www.webjunction.org).
Consultant Hours in Lake Placidby Lisa C. Wemett
Over the course of my presidency, I have consulted withmany NYLA members and non-members about concernsand questions related to Friends. Topics have includedNYLA's administrative support services to library Friendsgroups; how to create or revitalize a Friends group;confidentiality of patron records; merging Friends andFoundations; financial requirements to file annually withthe IRS; updating by-laws; the NYS NonprofitRevitalization Act and "conflict of interest" statements;and the benefits of a Junior Friends group.
I am excited to tell you about an opportunity, "ConsultantGive Back: Open Office Hours," at the Lake Placidconference. Along with several FLS Board members, I'llbe offering hours this year to "Focus on Friends ofLibraries." When NYLA sends out information on how tochoose a time to meet with us (sign up is online only),please select a time to get together with us for a20-minute consultation. I am confident these "consultantoffice hours" will be helpful to you and will allow for longerchats about Friends topics. This format will give us achance to provide more in-depth assistance than we canreally offer at our booth during NYLA's trade show. Wewant to help—and heh, we're friendly! And of coursethere is no charge. Hope to see you there!
FLS Newsletter, Volume 1, #4, September 2015 page 2
Friends of Libraries Section Election Resultsby Randall Enos, FLS Immediate Past President; Chair, Nominating Committee
Thanks to all FLS members who voted in the Juneelection. Apparently 30% of the membership cast ballotswhich is exemplary for our first online voting experience.It is gratifying and beneficial to have a good level ofsupport for our FLS officers.
It was helpful to the Nominating Committee to have suchenthusiastic candidates, each with a set of sterlingqualifications, to volunteer for service on the FLSExecutive Board. All of the candidates were goodnaturedabout the nominating process, submitted their backgroundinformation in a timely manner and ran good, cleancampaigns. I am predicting a productive session in theupcoming year with our new Board of Officers.
And the winners are…..New to the Board:
Janet E. Kreason, Clifton Park,Vice President/President-Elect(Term: 2015 – 2018). Janet isa librarian with the Clifton Park- Halfmoon Public Library in theSouthern Adirondack LibrarySystem. Janet has served onthe NYLA Council previouslyand brings much NYLAexperience to the FLS Board.
Lynne Madden, Victor, Secretary(Term: 2015 – 2017). Lynne is alibrary assistant with the VictorFarmington Library in the PioneerLibrary System. She is very activein her local Friends group which isnot a requirement to serve on theFLS Executive Board, but is alwayshelpful.
Incumbent officers who ran for re-election (all will beserving in the capacity of Member At Large):Vicki N. Kosovac, Hudson (Term: 2015-2016). Earlier thisyear Vicki was appointed to fill out a vacant term as aMember At Large and now has been elected to a one-yearterm.
Marie Orlando, Valatie; Susan Swanton, Rush; BetsySywetz, Richfield Springs; and Frank Van Zanten,Poughkeepsie. Vicki, Marie, Sue, Betsy, and Frank are allvery active in their community Friends groups and haveserved in many capacities locally. We appreciate theirwillingness to continue service on the FLS ExecutiveBoard.
Other board members who will be serving out their termof office are:Sarah Sachs, Potsdam (President-Elect); Lisa Wemett,Macedon (Immediate Past President); Terry Mulee,Rochester (Second Vice President); Marcia Elwitt, Brighton(Treasurer); Randy Enos, Middletown (PresidentEmeritus); Elizabeth Olesh, Baldwin; and Ristiina Wigg,Corning (both Members At Large). The Executive Board isalso assisted by Joyce Laiosa, Slingerlands (Coordinator ofthe Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award) and byRebekkah Smith Aldrich, Hudson (FLS Representative toNYLA's Legislative Committee).
Leslie Riley, Cornwall, will be leaving the FLS Board afterserving as a Member At Large. We are extremelyappreciative of her service and hope to have theopportunity to work with her again after her term ends inOctober. We are also grateful to Betsy Sywetz who hasbeen our intrepid secretary for several years. We arepleased that Betsy, a former President of the EmpireFriends Roundtable, is willing to continue in a new role asMember At Large.
Special thanks go to Rebekkah Smith Aldrich who, as thePatron Saint of FLS, could easily rest on past laurels, butreadily agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee andalways (as per usual with Rebekkah) stepped up to theplate as needed.
I am happy to turn the nominating duties over to LisaWemett as she becomes Immediate Past President andsteps into the role of Nominating Chair. Lisa is alreadylooking for volunteers to serve on the Board and probablyhas your name on the list, so when she comes calling justsay "yes" to FLS! Serving on the Board can be alife-changing experience.
A Community Celebration
The Friends of the Goshen Public Library and the HistoricalSociety held their annual Big Band Sound Concert and IceCream Social in August. A record crowd enjoyed hits fromthe swing era by Big Band Sound. What's the Scoopowners Betty and Joe Gerasole were on hand to dish outfree ice cream that they generously donated. It was anappreciative crowd that gathered on the library lawn forthis special event. Five members of the Junior Friendswere also there to offer a helping hand.
FLS Newsletter, Volume 1, #4 September 2015 page 3
The farmhouse in Burke whereAlmanzo Wilder lived from
1857 to 1875.Photo credit: Sara Kelly Johns
left to right: James Mason Wilder(volunteer Jim Lusk),
historian William Anderson,and FLS President Lisa C. Wemett.
Photo credit: Terry Mulee
Fourth grade students who won theHomestead's essay contest portrayedLaura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder forthe day. Volunteer Jim Lusk, acting asAlmanzo's father James Mason Wilder,assisted the students as they unveiledthe plaque. Timberly Garland was theHonorary Laura and Ryan Duquette
was the Honorary Almanzo.Photo credit: Sara Kelly Johns
Welcome to the Wilder Homestead,boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder!
Photo credit: Lisa C. Wemett
Literary Landmark™ for Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder
Saturday, July 11, was a perfect dayfor a summer festival in Burke, NY!The Almanzo and Laura IngallsWilder Association were notifiedearlier this year that the WilderHomestead had been designated aLiterary Landmark™ by United forLibraries in honor of author LauraIngalls Wilder. The bronze plaqueunveiled by the farmhouse notesNYLA, the Empire State Center forthe Book, and HarperCollinsPublishers as supporters of thisnational honor.
Among those attending the dedica-tion were FLS President Lisa C.Wemett and FLS Second VicePresident Terry Mulee, as well asNYLA Past President Sara KellyJohns, a North Country native.Wemett submitted the application toUnited for Libraries on behalf of theHomestead and worked with all eightsections of NYLA to raise funds forthe plaque. "It seemed fitting togive northern New York a gift inrecognition of NYLA's 125thanniversary year. FLS was pleasedto partner with all these groups toprovide this legacy, which bringsnational recognition to the museum,with its strong connection toliterature for young people," saidWemett.
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867 – 1957)first wrote about her childhoodgrowing up on the American frontierin Little House in the Big Woods(1932). She then immortalized theboyhood home of her husband,Almanzo, in Farmer Boy (1933),chronicling one year on the farmwhere Almanzo lived and workedfrom his birth in 1857 until 1875,when his family moved to Minnesota.This original homestead is on theNew York State Register of HistoricPlaces and was named to theNational Register of Historic Places inDecember 2014.
The Museum planned a day ofcelebration in conjunction with theirannual art event for children.Museum volunteer Jim Lusk, who
portrays Almanzo's father JamesMason Wilder, served as master ofceremonies and helped to unveil theplaque. Homestead Vice PresidentKen Carre had constructed apedestal of locally quarried stonewhich holds the plaque, surroundedby the kitchen garden at thefarmhouse's entrance. Historian andaward-winning author WilliamAnderson of Lapeer, Michigan, spokeabout the "Little House" series andthe significance of the Wilder familyand Homestead to northern NewYork.
The Homestead is the first LiteraryLandmark™ in northern New Yorkand the sixteenth in New York State.It is the only "Little House" site toreceive this recognition from Unitedfor Libraries.
Visit “Almanzo Wilder Farm” atwww.facebook.com to learn more.
Hot Topic: NonprofitRevitalization Act
New York State's NonprofitRevitalization Act of 2013 (NPRA) hasput "conflict of interest" (COI)policies front and center for501(c)(3) organizations. Every NYSnonprofit must have a written COIpolicy that complies with these newstatutory requirements. NYLA addedthe page "Nonprofit Revitalization Act& Libraries" on their website.(www.nyla.org) The page includesNYLA's Whistle Blower Policy, theirConflict of Interest Policy for theNYLA Council (the Association'sBoard of Directors), and a link to theDivision of Library Development'sWeb page about the NPRA.
If your Friends group completes anIRS 990 form annually, you havealready answered questions on thatform about having a written COIpolicy and the process your groupuses to manage conflicts. Often
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FLS Newsletter, Volume 1, #4 September 2015 page 4
Left: FFRPL volunteers run aninternet book selling program;several community partnerssend books to the office foronline listing. When the bookssell, the profit is split betweenthe Foundation and thepartner. Color-coded cards areused to identify each book.Don simplified the process ofstoring these cards by buildingthe "House of Cards." Thetower holds the cards, witheach cubby hole labeled withthe corresponding partnercode.Right: The "Moby Don" – Dondesigned this wheeled cart tohold his handmade categorysigns for the annual used booksales. Each compartment hasa specific purpose and the carteven has working lights.
2015 Dan Casey Award from page 1
Don donated his time, tools, and materials to severalcarpentry projects for FFRPL; he built customized cartsand shelving units from scratch, printed and laminatedsigns and labels at his own expense, and repaired brokencarts, bookshelves, and furniture. He also used hispersonal vehicle to pick up regularly scheduled discardsfrom another library and deliver them to FFRPL.
Don often worked behind the scenes, straightening booksin the storage area and keeping things in neat and tidyorder. He rarely mentioned when he had taken care of
something; one would simply notice the finished task afterhe had slipped away quietly. Wherever he saw a need, hefilled it. Don was a private creature that didn't ask forpraise for his work, but he was truly worthy of it. Don'strue baby at the Central Library was the Doris CarlsonReading Garden. The reading garden is a serene alcovefor library-goers, only accessible from inside the building.Patrons and staff alike enjoy the comfort of the readinggarden on warm days as a place to read a book, chat witha friend, enjoy a quiet break, take a lunch, or communewith a bit of nature in a downtown setting. Don was an
integral player in theupkeep of the garden, fromdesigning the layout andplans for the garden, toordering the flowers andvarious plants, planting,weeding and pruning,cleaning the furniture,sweeping the pathways,and even hanging uptwinkle lights.
Above and beyond thedonation of his time andtalents, Don was a devotedannual supporter. He alsoleft a heartfelt bequest ofapproximately $100,000 to
FFRPL in his will. FFRPL intends to use this money for theupkeep of his beloved reading garden and will install aplaque in his memory there later this fall.
Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Weekwith FLS at the NYLA Annual Conference!!
Opening CeremonyJoin members of FLS on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. inthe parade. We’ll represent Friendlandia where everyoneis a Friend of the Library! Join us to carry FLS signs andthe section banner. (Wear Red!)
FLS Member-Only Perks at the BoothVisit the FLS booth on the trade show floor to collect yourFLS section ribbon to attach to your name badge ANDreceive our first ever conference attendee FLS membergift.
“Party Like it’s Friendlandia” Gift BasketGet your raffle tickets for this great gift basket, everythingyou need to have a great time with friends or Friends! Allproceeds benefit the Friends of Libraries Section. Raffletickets are $1.00 each or 10 for $7.00. Current NYLAmembers may add FLS to their membership with thepurchase of a $7.00 ticket pack! Bring pre-printedaddress labels to make it easier to fill out raffle tickets and
special offers throughout the trade show.
FLS First Annual MeetingJoin us for the Friends of Libraries Section annualmembership meeting. Hear a recap of the section’saccomplishments in its first year, meet board members,and witness the installation of the 2015 - 2016 ExecutiveBoard. Then stay on for an exciting “showcase” featuringvolunteer projects in northern NY libraries.
FLS Programs at the 2015 NYLA Annual ConferenceFLS will be offering four programs at the conference, threeof which are co-sponsored by LTA (the Library TrusteesAssociation). These programs take place on Friday andSaturday during the conference and cover a wide range oftopics. More information about our programs is availableon our website www.NYLA.org/Friends and in our June2015 newsletter (also available online). For generalconference information visit www.NYLA.org and click on“News and Events.” See you in Lake Placid!
FLS Newsletter, Volume 1, #4 September 2015 page 5
Nonprofit Revitalization Act from page 4
people may be unaware that their activities, business, orpersonal interests are in conflict with the best interests ofthe nonprofit. "A goal for many organizations is to simplyraise awareness, encourage disclosure, and discussion ofanything that may be a conflict, and constantly encouragea ‘culture of candor'." (www.councilofnonprofits.org)
Personal financial gain is the most common conflict ofinterest we know about. But Jan Masaoka published athoughtful article, "Nonprofit Conflict of Interest: A3-Dimensional View," on www.blueavocado.org. Whathappens when a board member serves on two nonprofit
boards in the same community? Sometimes there may bea "benefit of interest" from personal connections or a"conflict of loyalties." Masaoka's article would be a gooddiscussion starter to get a dialogue going with your boardmembers.
Beyond a COI policy, it may also be time to review yourby-laws for language about standing committees, whichnow should be called "Committees of the Board" (e.g., theExecutive Committee, the Finance Committee). Does yourBoard ever transact any business or motions betweenmeetings by e-mail? If so, the NPRA has stipulationsabout the use of new technologies and communications. For additional guidance on the provisions of the NPRA,
including information on grossrevenue thresholds and CPAreviews or adult reports, filingannual financial reports, andmore, visit the NYS AttorneyGeneral's Charities Bureau page,www.charitiesnys.com/nonprofit_rev_act.jsp.
Ask a local attorney knowledge-able in nonprofit law to reviewthe NPRA with your group to seewhat your organization shouldbe doing to be in compliance. Another valuable resource is thePro Bono Partnership(www.probonopartner.org), anorganization that specializes innonprofit law. Their PowerPointpresentation and handouts fromthe NYLA 2014 AnnualConference can be found atwww.nyla.org/friends under"Events."
This newsletter is a publication of theFriends of Libraries Section of the
New York Library Association.
Terry Mulee, Newsletter EditorRegional Reporters: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich Susan Swanton
Newsletter printed since 1996 byGeneral Code Publishers781 Elmgrove RoadRochester, NY 14624
NYLA leads, educates, andadvocates for the advancement ofthe New York library community.
United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees,Advocates, Friends and Foundations, adivision of the American LibraryAssociation www.ala.org/united
Friends of Libraries Section Board Contact Information:Lisa Wemett, President, 315-986-3949 [email protected] Sachs, Vice President, Conference Programmer, [email protected] Mulee, 2nd V. P. (Membership), 585-328-6658 [email protected] Betsy Sywetz, Secretary, 315-858-4321 [email protected] Marcia Elwitt, Treasurer, 585-271-5535 [email protected] Randall Enos, Past President, 845-243-3747, ext. 240 [email protected] Members At Large:Vicki N. Kosovac, 518-567-6106 [email protected] Elizabeth Olesh, 516-223-6228 x25 [email protected] Orlando, 518-784-2548 [email protected] Leslie Riley, 845-534-2431 [email protected] Susan Swanton, 585-226-3734 [email protected] Frank Van Zanten, 845-473-1464 [email protected] Wigg, 607-937-5040 [email protected] Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award Coordinator:Joyce Laiosa, 518-439-7839 [email protected]
Call or write to us anytime. To visit the Friends of Libraries Section website, goto www.NYLA.org/friends
