The New York State Library, teaming up with more than 1,100 public libraries and neighborhood branches statewide, announced the launch of “Summer Reading at New York Libraries,” the 2013 New York State summer reading program. The annual program gives children the opportunity to access the vast resources of New York’s public libraries to support their summer reading.

Through participation in summer reading programs, children can receive reading lists and participate in activities at their local libraries. At the end of the program, participants receive formal recognition for their reading achievement.

According to New York State Library officials, 1.74 million young people statewide participated in last year’s summer reading program. It is the expressed hope of program coordinators at the New York State Library, Assembly and Senate that increased attention on the benefits of summer reading will result in expanded participation.

For more information about the importance of summer reading, please visit http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/research.htm.

State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. noted that summer reading programs allow students to maintain educational advances when not in school. “The Board of Regents and I encourage students across New York to participate in the summer reading programs at their local public libraries. As educators across New York work to implement the new Common Core Standards, it is important that students continue to read while school is not in session,” said Commissioner King. “The Summer Reading at New York Libraries program, supported by the

State Library in conjunction with our partners in the State Assembly and Senate, is a great way for students to work towards college and career readiness during the summer and stay academically sharp for the next school year.”

“Every parent and teacher knows how important reading is to the educational success of all students. It is the fundamental building block for every other subject and allows children to explore the world they live in. ‘Summer Reading at New York Libraries’ provides those who participate with a great opportunity to reinforce lessons learned throughout the school year while also having some fun. I hope all parents will visit their local library to take part in the summer reading fun,” said Senator John Flanagan, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

“The summer reading program is a great resource for students,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “I encourage both students and parents to take advantage of this wonderful program that will operate in many libraries across the state.”

“Libraries are wonderful resources for families and I encourage everyone to visit their library this summer,” said State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady), chair of the Senate’s Select Committee on Libraries. “The State Summer Reading Program is a great way for students to enjoy their summer while also improving their reading and comprehension skills. Many libraries also offer special programs and events that are both fun and educational. Please support and visit your local library this summer – you’ll be glad you did!”

“The New York State Library’s summer reading program is fun for the whole family. It gives parents and children a great excuse to explore their library, enjoy great events, discover new books and improve their reading comprehension,” said Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan), chair of the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology.

For more information about “Summer Reading at New York Libraries”, please visit www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer or http://www.summerreadingnys.org/.

The awards will be presented during the June 15 Bloomsday celebration at Le Moyne College’s Grewen Hall.

For information, contact Basil Dillon-Malone, chair, James Joyce Contest 2013, 4083 Sweet Gum, Liverpool or call 622-1132.

Deadline: Wed. May 29

Digital Book World has addressed this topic in a two part article.

Read Part One

Part Two

Written for librarians, library staff and administrators at libraries serving populations of 15,000 or less and may have little technical support.

Diversity in Youth Literature: Opening Doors Through Reading
Edited by Jamie Campbell Naidoo and Sarah Park Dahlen
ISBN: 978-0-8389-1143-3

Organizes titles into sections that range from familiar themes (African American, Asian, Latino, Muslim, and queer) to the lesser known such as, incarceration, transnational adoption, cognitive disabilities, and homelessness.

Library Services for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Lesley S. J. Farmer
ISBN: 978-0-8389-1181-5

This book introduces what autism spectrum disorders are and identifies the great need to build and manage programs for autistic youth.

CONGRATULATIONS to Utica Public Library as one of the libraries selected to receive a grant.

For more information on the program.

For a list of the 125 selected libraries CLICK HERE.

Digital Content: What’s Next? is the new American Libraries digital supplement with its main focus on eBook lending.

The supplement examines how libraries are evolving in response to the digital revolution, confronting challenges in licensing constraints and advocates for equitable access to ebooks produced by the large book publishers.

The digital supplement also includes “ALA, Future of Libraries, Digital Content, and Ebooks,” by Syracuse University iSchool professor and ALA president-elect, Barbara Stripling, and colleagues.

Read more about the release of this supplement.

EBSCO has scheduled the following webinar.

Primary Search and Searchasaurus for NOVELNY
Thursday, May 30
3:30-4:30 PM

In this session, Primary Search, a full-text database containing more than 80 popular elementary school magazines, and full-text reference works, will be reviewed.

Primary Search is accessed through the Searchasaurus interface which provides an exciting and easy way for primary school students to enhance and develop basic search methodologies.

Resources available to teachers through the Teacher Reference Center will also be explored.

To register CLICK HERE

If you have questions about the webinar please contact Joe Ceterski at EBSCO or call (800) 653-2726 ext. 3427.

Provided by the New York State Library, NOVELNY is a Statewide Internet Library connecting New Yorkers to 21st century information. NOVELNY is supported with temporary federal Library Services and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

For details and information on how to apply to take the examination, please visit:http://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/announcements/oc/28-297.cfm

The application deadline is June 17, 2013.

The Director of the State Library is a senior policy and leadership position within the Education Department. The Director is be responsible for leading a team of professionals that ensure the stewardship and access of a collection of over 20 million items that are in a variety of formats.

The Director is responsible for leading a team of professionals that collaborate and support over 7,000 libraries statewide and ensure every New Yorker has basic access to library materials.

Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute will be exhibiting The Prints of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again

The exhibit opens on June 9 and will run to September 8, 2013. Check out the MWPAI website for events and classes associated with the exhibit.

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region (NN/LM MAR) is offering a free online course on health information resources for veterans.

Combating Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans

May 28, 2013-June 21, 2013
Online – asynchronous

Presenter: Lydia Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator, NN/LM MAR

For more information and to register go to: http://nnlm.gov/training/schedule/class_details.html?class_id=479