One-day conference empowering small libraries to improve operations, form partnerships, and meet the changing needs of their communities.

Registration required. See information below.

Conference Schedule

Check-in, light breakfast, and networking 9:00am - 9:30am

Welcome and Keynote 9:30am - 10:45am

Inclusive Libraries: Eliminating Barriers for Patrons with Disabilities
Anita O'Brien, Executive Director, Rochester Accessible Adventures

To truly make their programs, services, materials, and spaces accessible to all, libraries and library staff must understand disability, disability culture, and best practices for engaging and sustaining relationships with individuals with disabilities. Learn the importance of operating inclusively, from staff culture to adaptive equipment, and how you can begin to implement these shifts in your library community.

Session One 11:00am - 12:00pm

• An Introduction to Funding Your Library
  Brian Hildreth, Executive Director, Southern Tier Library System
  Ron Kirsop, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System

Brian Hildreth and Ron Kirsop will discuss the options small libraries have for funding libraries through municipal and school district tax levies. They will focus on terminology, strategy, preparation, and resources to help your team manage the entire process.

• Building Back After Disaster Strikes
  Tina Dalton, Director, Cuba Circulating Library Association

The Cuba Circulating Library Association suffered $50,000 in flood damage in 2021. Learn how they built back from the damage, including fundraising efforts, embarking on an unexpected construction project while in the middle of another construction project, and maintaining transparency with the public throughout the process. Tina Dalton will share new, proactive facilities procedures the library has implemented and how they utilized the Building Book template to help learn more about their building’s history and ongoing maintenance needs.

• Alternative Collections: What They Are and Why Your Library Needs Them
  Frank Sykes, Director, Livonia Public Library

Join Frank Sykes for an overview of the many types of non-traditional items that can be loaned from your library. Learn how to acquire these unique items, best practices for packaging and processing for easy and safe borrowing, and why alternative collections can be an important marketing tool for your library.

Lunch and Professional Headshots 12:00pm - 1:15pm (photographer will be available until 4:00pm)

Session Two 1:15pm - 2:15pm

• Small Libraries, Big Data
  Matthew Corey, Online Resources Consultant, North Country Library System

What can we do with all that library data? Join Matthew Corey for a session on creating and applying meaningful library statistics. Learn how to understand statistics and how they relate to libraries, analyze library performance data, and utilize statistics to help fortify your advocacy efforts.

• Unblinded: A Introduction to Hidden Diversity
  Kelly Deltoro-White, Director, Mount Morris Library

In this introductory workshop, attendees will learn the definition of neurodiversity, including terminology and culture. Common misconceptions will be discussed and how these misconceptions can cause barriers to library service. The session will conclude with brainstorming strategies library staff can employ to accommodate neurodiverse patrons, gain patron trust, and bridge the communication divide.

• Construction Success: Plan, Fund, Build, Celebrate!
  Angela Gonzalez, Director, Penn Yan Public Library
  Linda Nichols, Director, Dundee Library
  Barbara Radigan, Director, Pulteney Free Library

Learn how three different sized libraries (populations 1,200; 6,000; and 15,000) successfully planned construction projects including new construction and the renovation of historic buildings. Panelists will discuss the ways in which they obtained community input and support, how their projects were funded beyond State Aid for Library Construction, and the importance of flexibility in planning.

Session Three 2:30pm - 3:30pm

• The Beginner’s Guide to Being a Woman in Charge
  Suzanne Macaulay, Deputy Director, Pioneer Library System

Moving into a leadership role can be overwhelming and sometimes intimidating especially when these positions may be traditionally viewed as held by men. Participants will learn practical leadership techniques as well as the importance of creating a support network, investing in their personal and professional development, and recognizing the value, knowledge, and skillset they bring to their organizations.

• Beyond Younger Volunteers: Helping Friends Groups Survive and Thrive
  Lynne Madden, Chair, FLS/NYLA Task Force on Friends and Rural Libraries
  Lisa Wemett, Coordinator for Professional Development and Past President, FLS/NYLA

What are the distinct challenges to Friends groups that support rural and small libraries? Whether you want to start a Friends organization or strengthen an existing one, discover how the Friends of Libraries Section (FLS), a division of the New York Library Association, can guide your Friends in identifying best practices for membership-building, financial stability, leadership development, and volunteer advocacy for support of small libraries.

• OurStoryBridge: Connecting the Past and the Present
  Jery Y. Huntley, Founder, OurStoryBridge

OurStoryBridge, originally developed with the Keene Valley Library in the Adirondacks, provides free resources to create online, crowdsourced, local history projects through audio collecting and sharing. This interactive presentation will share how partnerships between small libraries and local organizations and schools can build community connections. OurStoryBridge’s robust free resources and tool kit will be introduced to help get you started!

Closing Remarks 3:45pm - 4:00pm

Registration

Registration for the Small Libraries Summer Symposium costs $35 and includes six Continuing Education Units, light breakfast, boxed lunch from Simply Crepes, and a beverage token for the Pre-Conference Mixer at Star Cider on Thursday, July 7 at 6:00pm. When registering for the symposium, please select one lunch option.

Attendees will have the opportunity to get a professional headshot taken with one complimentary digital download. Please select this option when registering.

Click here to register for the Small Libraries Summer Symposium

Space is limited. Please register early if you wish to attend. A wait list will be established if needed.

Preconference Mixer

Join us at 6:00pm Thursday evening for drinks and appetizers to catch up with library friends or make new ones. All Small Library Summer Symposium attendees will receive one drink token. Additional food and drink are available for purchase. 

Star Cider
3365 NY-364
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Please indicate if you plan to attend this gathering when registering.

Accommodations

• Holiday Inn Express
  330 Eastern Blvd
  Canandaigua, New York 14424
  585-396-3669
  
• Hotel Canandaigua, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
  205 Lakeshore Drive
  Canandaigua, New York, 14424
  585-577-3500
  
• Super 8 by Wyndham
  4450 Eastern Blvd
  Canandaigua, New York 14424
  585-412-2277
  
• Airbnb homes and suites in Canandaigua

Contact

Questions can be directed to programs@owwl.org.