News & Updates from the Rural Libraries Round Table
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News:
NYLA Friends of Libraries Section Seeks Small Rural Library Participation in 2021 Survey!
FLS is gathering data that will help them better assist Friends groups serving small rural libraries throughout New York State. They want to help ensure the long-term success of these volunteers, and your input will help them accomplish this goal!
FLS defines “small” in relation to the population of the library’s potential service area (generally 10,000 or fewer residents) and/or libraries that are distant from an urbanized area. The size of the Friends group roster is unimportant as far as survey participation is concerned. FLS welcomes any library or Friends group that identifies as rural and/or small to complete the survey.
The survey is available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BHL389H; it is also posted on the FLS homepage, www.nyla.org/friends, where people can also read more about their work. If you prefer a paper copy of the survey, it can be downloaded from the FLS homepage.
All Friends groups that respond to the survey will be entered into a drawing for a free one-year organizational membership in FLS/NYLA, a $50 value! Multiple survey replies from various group members are acceptable and would be appreciated, but the group’s name will only be placed in the drawing once. Responses are being accepted through Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
FLS’s mission is to create a network to connect and inspire Friends groups in all types of libraries to support the New York library community. Thank you for assisting them in their work by taking the time to participate in this survey and by encouraging your members to do so as well!
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About Rural Libraries Round Table
This roundtable is designed to be of interest to libraries of all types including public, school, rural libraries, special and corporate, and small academic libraries.
Defining characteristics of “rural libraries”:
- Limited service population
- Limited budget
- Minimal staff
- Geographically isolated
The roundtable is able to serve these functions:
- Create a network of people who work, volunteer or are interested in rural libraries.
- Provide a forum for the smallest of NY state libraries to exchange ideas and experiences.
- Provide an opportunity for continuing education relevant to rural libraries.
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Hello RLRT members. I'm Vince Sperrazza, the RLRT member working on up dating this NYLA web page. There is also an idea for "Rural Libraries Virtual Visits" with an aim to increase networking and hopefully increase membership.
Any members interested in working on an ad-hoc committee for this project please contact me at vksperr@gmail.com, with RLRT in the subject line.
I hope to hear from you.
Please note that the RLRT is in the process of updating this web page. For comments, suggestions, or questions contact RLRT member Vince Sperrazza at vksperr@gmail.com.