December+1,+2009

NYCSLS Council Council Meeting #2 Date: December 1, 2009 Time: 12:00 - 3:00pm Place: New York Public Library, Stephen Schwarzman Building

__**Members in attendance**__: Kathy Steves, Christine Hatami, Beth St.John, Bernadine Lowery Crute, Sally Young, Linda Cuff, Andrea Vaughn, Susie Walker


 * __Office staff in attendance__**: Melissa Jacobs Israel, Esther McRae, Elizabeth Naylor-Gutierrez, Judith Schaffner, Lynne Kresta Smith, Barbara Stripling

__**Documents at meeting:**__ //"To Be of Not To Be? Re-imagining school libraries"// powerpoint //Collaboration 2.0// powerpoint //Teens and Social Media// article //A Tie for Third Place// article //The Unquiet Librarian// article Five Challenges worksheets

12:00 - 12:30 Eat, meet, greet, introductions - Kathy Steves, NYCSLS Council Chairperson 12:30 - 1:00 News and announcements from Council Members 1:00 - 1:30 "To Be or Not To Be? Re-imagining school libraries" 1:30 - 2:15 Work Groups on the Five Challenges 2:15 - 2:30 Discussion 2:30 - 3:00 New Business/Other Concerns
 * __Agenda:__**

News and Announcements//:// //Fall Conference// Melissa reported that the Fall Conference was a success. There were between 700-800 people in attendance as well as 70+ vendors, three jobbers, publishers, authors, and tech support. There were 82 concurrent sessions including brown bag lunch sessions and networking sessions on special topics in the afternoon. Participants and speakers provided positive feedback and the volunteers were tremendously helpful. The new purchasing workshop was offered four times! Kathy and others felt that everything went very smoothly. Elizabeth suggested that we consider having double sessions to cover larger topics. //New Yorkers Read Grant// Judith reported that the plan to send motivational materials (passports, etc.) went well. She needed to do a reprint of the passports so that each student could receive one. Macy's has requested a culminating event to be held in the spring. New York Liberty, the professional basketball team would like to partner with us. We need to find funding to help pay for tickets to a game. Judith will try to get Macy's and Liberty to meet. //Summer Reading// Judith reported that we are looking for a theme for the summer reading program to involve the NY Liberty team. Suggestions included: Got Game? Get in the Game! Brooklyn Public is prepared to do a gaming theme with their kick-off on June 10th. //Reaching-Up Grant K-12// Judith reported that the deadline for submission of grant applications was extended to Dec. 4th. This grant, which aligns with the DOE theme of college readiness, is designed to support the student inquiry process. //State Budget Cuts// Barbara discussed the impending budget cuts which have already impacted on staffing. SLS is required to have 6 professional and 6 support staff. One position has not been filled. Esther, our automation expert, will be retiring in December. That will be a big loss and efforts are being made to fill her position. Esther replied, "It was a good run. I spent some of my happiest years as a librarian." The Council members saluted Esther for her valuable accomplishments during her many years of service at SLS and to the entire NYC library community.

Discussion about the ATR librarians followed. Christine stated that she is aware of at least 8 librarians who have been excessed to the ATR pool. Some are working in their libraries and some have been assigned to fill temporary positions. The benefit to schools is that the DOE will continue to pay part of their salaries until they find a permanent position. There are few library openings posted on the Open Market.

Barbara reported on the new DOE initiative Teaching and Learning Partners. Communication has been an issue since the Regions were dissolved. Knowledge networks have been created. The office staff has been assigned to work with networks of 20 schools, some of which are not located in the same borough as the coordinators are currently assigned.