Great Partners for 2020

Summer Reading at New York Libraries partnerships bring resources to all public libraries and families.

• New York Folklore
• New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc
• National Library of Medicine
• New York Council for the Humanities
• New York State 4-H Youth Development
• New York State Reading Association
• Hunger Solutions New York

New York Folklore

Founded in 1944, New York Folklore (NYF) is New York’s only statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding of and support for the folk culture of New York State. NYF programs serve the scholarly community as well as artists and community based organizations that represent all of New York’s diversity. The mission of New York Folklore is to foster the study, promotion, and continuation of the folklore and folklife of New York’s diverse communities through education, advocacy, support, and outreach.

With a focus on the diverse and dynamic communities which comprise New York State, New York Folklore shares the stories, art and culture of all New Yorkers and encourages an understanding of the history, people, and cultures of New York. Our mission is to sustain vital and diverse living cultural heritage in communities through identifying and bringing to the forefront the diverse and dynamic cultural expressions found in New York State. Programs of New York Folklore act on the intersection of humanities and the arts and include publishing, advocacy, and professional development and technical assistance activities for community based organizations, artists, and scholars.

New York Folklore has published folklore and folk cultural material for 75 years. Its publication, Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore is written in an accessible style and can be found in libraries worldwide.

New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

The New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. has served more than 134,504 youth at 126 club sites in 52 cities. Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those most in need to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They help make sure all club members are on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
New York Fact Sheet

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides freely available resources on a variety of topics related to health and wellness for Public Libraries to use in their communities.  Resources include webinars, upcoming training opportunities, articles, and useful links.  Topics include K-12 health resources, teen health and wellness resources, and a consumer health toolkit for library staff. Some of the resources are available in both Spanish and English.

NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES

Through the Communities Conversations program, The New York Council for the Humanities provides libraries, public schools, and other tax-exempt organizations with the resources and training to bring together locals of all ages to engage in thoughtful dialogue over central themes in American life. “Do-it-yourself” toolkits, available for free when you apply on our website, contain everything necessary to lead a conversation including discussion questions and tips for building and sustaining inclusive communities.

This year’s themes include:

• Environmental Stewardship
• Immigration
• Democracy
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
• 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance;
• and one specifically for children only: Friendship.

Each series has age-appropriate materials designed for children, young adults, and adults.

Hosts select their own facilitators and may include librarians or educators. The facilitator introduces thought-provoking questions and encourages each and all to participate by reflecting on the issues presented in the reading and their impact on our communities. Facilitation training is offered for free by the New York Council for the Humanities and is done through short, easy-to-access webinars: all you need is a phone and computer with Internet access.

This summer apply to host a Community Conversation! To find answers to common questions about hosting a Community Conversation click here.  To learn more about the Council’s other programs and grant opportunities, such as their Adult Reading and Discussion series, visit their website: www.nyhumanities.org.

NEW YORK STATE READING ASSOCIATION

The New York State Reading Association (NYSRA) has a little more than 1,300 members that support public libraries in many ways, including promoting participation in Summer Reading at New York Libraries. The Board of the NYSRA encourages local councils to connect with their individual public libraries. NYSRA welcomes classroom teachers, librarians, reading specialists, parents, college educators, and researchers to join as members of our organization. To find out more information about visit the NYSRA web site.

Learn More about the Charlotte Award and Cast Your Vote!

What is the Charlotte Award?  It is an award made by the NYS Reading Association that was named for the main character in E. B. White’s Charlotte‘s Web. The purpose of the Charlotte Award is to encourage students to read outstanding literature and ultimately become lifelong readers. Amy Merrill, Co-chair and five other NYS Reading Association members read many books from many publishers and have come up with the 10 best books in 4 categories.

The categories are Primary, Intermediate, Middle School, and High School. Please share the book titles and ballot information for the Charlotte Award and help to get the word out to children and teens. The voting process is to have students read these books and then give their vote either individually or by library or school class.

The Google form survey to submit votes can be accessed at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k6L7uGdi6XkTUFHfrlb3OrdhUicND7htLN-EM9lnUuY  All votes need to be submitted by April 15, 2021.

PARTNERSHIP

New York State 4-H Youth Development
NYS 4-H Youth Development is a community for all youth to thrive. NYS 4-H has projects and activities that complement the public library summer reading program. They were developed with 4-H’s non-formal, fun, and active approach to science and are designed for non-scientists to lead. Check out 4-H resources for this summer’s program and contact your local CCE 4-H office to learn how you might work together. For more information or assistance in developing partnerships, please contact Alexa Maille, NYS 4-H STEM Specialist.

In early July the NYS 4-H STEM Program Work Team met with NYS Youth Services Consultants and Librarians from across the state and with Sharon Phillips, Summer Reading Program Manager, to see what our partnership would look like this year for the Summer Reading program. One of the outcomes from that meeting is the creation of a brief survey and map on Survey123 to report on 4-H STEM/Library Summer Reading Program activities. This map can help showcase what is happening in libraries and the creative work going on around the state, as well as be a way for youth to tell their story and share with others. Please share this information in your library communities and encourage young library users to complete the survey by September 30. Young people can share information and photos of virtual and other STEM library activities for 2020 Imagine Your Story, as well as help show the partnership between 4-H and NY State libraries. Find the brief survey at https://arcg.is/1qreT4