December+2,+2013

Council Meeting #1 Date: December 2, 2013 Time: 12:00 – 3:00 Place: Office of Library Services, 333 7th Ave., NYC

**__Members in attendance__**: Arlene Dominguez (Chair), Christine Hatami (Secretary), Linda Cuff, Margaret Dennehy, Sally Young, Julia Chang, Jessica Hochman, Liz Basileo, Arlene Vaughn Johnson **__SLS Office Staff in attendance__**: Melissa Jacobs Israel, Elizabeth Naylor-Gutierrez, Lynne Kresta Smith, Leanne Ellis, Olga Nesi, Ric Hasenyager **__Documents at meeting:__** 2013-2014 Professional Development for Librarians PLUS-NY: Empowering Voices Scholarship Opportunity: Online Master’s Degree Program for Prospective School Librarians **__Agenda:__** Welcome and Introductions Nominations Budget & Annual Report CCD MyLibraryNYC Teacher Evaluations Professional Development Other Business Projects of Council Members Upcoming Dates Adjournment __ **Welcome and** **Introductions** __ Arlene opened the meeting as the new Council chair and members introduced themselves. __ **Nominations** __ Lynne reported that nominations for Vice-Chair and Secretary would need to wait until we have the necessary quorum. Melissa suggested that we amend the by-laws regarding terms for Council Members. A call for volunteers for these positions will be sent to all members by email. __ **Budget and Annual Report** __ Ric submitted the annual report to the state in October and it has been approved with minor editing. The number of schools that have been automated increased from 935 to the current 1048. Funding for this came from MyLibraryNYC and the DOE. Including Charter schools brings that number to 1500. This allows us to advocate using the data generated by Destiny. We have funding to automate 30 more schools and migrate 40 more to Destiny. We will only automate schools with library staffing, which is an incentive for principals to hire librarians. There are about 250 school libraries that have never been automated and another 200-250 using systems other than Destiny. The budget this year is $1.33 million, an increase from last year’s $1.29 million. In addition, the DOE provides staffing to support Destiny. Ric said that the official ATR list from the DOE includes only 9 librarians, which could indicate that some librarians are working under other teaching licenses. A discussion ensued regarding the misunderstanding of the important role that school librarians play and the need to communicate with the new Chancellor, when appointed by Mayor DiBlasio. Ric suggested that we send a letter of invitation inviting a representative from the new administration to our meeting. __ **CCD** __ Olga reported that there are 58 established CCD collections, 6 new collections and 8 enhancements.We need to review the status of the existing collections, revitalize those in need and start new collections. With the inclusion of more electronic materials, sharing citywide will be easier. Ric stated that we need an more effective delivery system and a greater focus on e-collections. The 535 MyLibraryNYC participants are currently conducting interlibrary loans. The CCD collections could complement that work with a similar delivery system. __ **MyLibraryNYC** __ Leanne reported that MyLibrary NYC has had a successful year on many levels. This program raises the profile of the participating libraries within their schools. __ **Teacher Evaluations** __ Ric reported that librarians who are teaching a fixed schedule 40% of the time, such as cluster librarians, will be evaluated under the new Advance system**.** Librarians with flexible scheduling will use the old S/U system. We want to use the APPR system approved by NYLA/SSL, as this best serves our needs. We will meet with the DOE teacher effectiveness team to discuss student achievement measures for the 20% local assessment that is required under the new system. The suggestion is for a 3rd party development of an evaluation tool such as TRAILS or one using Student Learning Objectives. __ **Professional** **Development** __ Elizabeth reported that the fall conference was held at Citifield at a cost of $53,000. There were 501 attendees and 109 vendors. In addition there will be many opportunities for librarians to attend PD sessions throughout the year. The spring summit in May will be different this year. PD will be tailored to meet the needs of librarians. Librarians will be more involved in planning the library program to meet the needs of their school. Also, Ross Todd from Rutgers will present workshops for cluster and network leaders and principals as part of an upcoming administrative summit. Leanne reported on the Uncommon Core, a state initiative focused on connecting 250 cultural organizations with schools. Librarians would have an integral role in curating partner resources and arranging field trips. __**Other Business**__ Arlene reported that 40 applications for the Library Reach grant have been received. Between 10-12 grants in the amount of $10,000 (more or less depending on the application) will be awarded. The Family Reading Nights program will provide 50 participating schools with books and workshops to promote reading in grades pre-K - 3. This includes booktalks, parent literacy skills, a copy of the Jim Trelease book for each parent, books and handouts for students and 10-12 books for the parent collection. Preference is given to schools with librarian/parent coordinator teams. Olga reported on the Library Advisory Council's three sub-committees: The Library Handbook Revising committee, the Sample Lesson Plan/IFC committee and the Technology and BETA group committee. The Sample Lesson Plan committee will be creating text sets and will hold its first meeting on January 15th. New members for all committees are welcome. Ric reported that the Plus-NY scholarship program had a low response rate and the deadline will be extended. __**Projects of Council Members**__ Sister Margaret reported that the St.Aloysius School had received a mini grant of $3,000 to purchase additional iPads. A special literacy event sponsored by RIF was held in November with guest Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who read excerpts from his new book __Sasquatch in the Paint__. All children received a signed copy of the book along with two additional books. An October event held at NYPL in conjunction with Sesame Street and the insurance industry was a great success as students interacted with digital materials and crafts to promote literacy. Andrea reported on the Brooklyn Public Library origami event celebrating the completion of 1,118 folded Yodas. Author Tom Angleberger visited in October to view the Yodas and talk about his Origami Yoda book series with students. BPL has hired an additional five children's librarians as a result of the MyLibraryNYC program. They will be piloting a loan program lending 1,000 new tablets to patrons. The Coney Island Branch has finally re-opened after Hurricane Sandy. STEM-based activities are expanding and an IMLS grant, Read Write Create, in conjunction with Columbia Teachers College has created the comic book project including 261 workshops for 600 students to promote literacy and encourage local branch usage. The NYPL will present an exhibit //The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter.// After-school programs include tutoring, tech projects and opportunities for high school students to earn credit for tutoring. Christine reported on the status of the request for a waiver by the DOE regarding staffing of school libraries. The state has made no comment as yet and the result of the NYC mayoral election will likely affect the decision. __** Upcoming Dates **__ Tuesday February 4, 2014 at the Brooklyn Public Library Thursday May 15, 2014 at the Office of Library Services, 333 7th Ave., NYC Wednesday June 4, 2014 at New Visions for Public Schools, 320 West 13th St., NYC __** Adjournment **__ The meeting was adjourned at 3PM. Next Meeting: Tuesday February 4, 2014 Brooklyn Public Library Respectfully Submitted by Christine Hatami