FLLS Bulletin July 2026
Member Library Monthly Bulletin | July 2026
Table of Contents:
Announcements
In case you missed it… Public libraries are playing an increasingly important role in helping communities navigate today’s complex information landscape. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, the Public Library Association’s latest research report, News Access and Media Literacy in Public Libraries, explores how libraries are expanding access to trusted news, supporting media literacy, and responding to evolving community needs.
Did you know? American Library Association Council introduced a resolution to establish the Librarians’ and Library Workers’ Bill of Rights at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The council also officially adopted “Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries,” a new resource designed to help libraries develop and revise policies for the ethical, human-centered use of AI.
From the Director
Here are a few updates on what we’ve been working on and what’s coming up:
FLLS Board of Trustees – Our July Board meeting brought a few leadership changes. Following the resignation of Board President Priscilla Berggren-Thomas, the Board elected Stevan Knapp to serve as President and Kasia Maroney as Vice President for the remainder of the year.
We’re also looking for three new trustees to join the Board: a representative from Cortland County, a representative from Tioga County, and one At-Large trustee. If you know someone who is passionate about libraries and interested in helping guide the future of FLLS, I encourage you to share the opportunity. More information will be sent to directors and trustees next week.
NYALS Symposium – Next week FLLS and the South Central Regional Library Council will welcome colleagues from across New York State as we co-host the biennial New York Alliance of Library Systems Symposium. Directors from the state’s 72 public library systems, school library systems, and regional library councils will gather to share ideas and discuss issues affecting libraries statewide, with a special focus this year on federal library advocacy.
Polaris Upgrade Complete – Thank you for your patience during the Polaris upgrade on July 13. Although libraries experienced a temporary interruption to circulation services while the work was completed, the upgrade provides important improvements to stability and functionality that will benefit both staff and patrons. Special thanks to Rex Helwig for helping make this major project a success.
ILS Administrator Search – Our search for a new ILS Administrator continues to move forward. This position is critical to the success of our shared Polaris system, supporting the catalog, circulation, patron accounts, reporting, and many of the behind-the-scenes services that our 33 member libraries rely on every day. We have completed our initial review of applications and are conducting first-round interviews now, with finalists expected to visit FLLS over the next few weeks.
Library Construction Aid – If your library is considering a construction project, please contact me as soon as possible. Site visits with Jenny and me must be completed by August 21 for projects to be eligible this funding cycle. Applications are due September 8, the Board will consider funding recommendations on September 23, and approved applications will be submitted to the State on October 14. Even if your project is still in the planning stages, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Out of the Office – I’ll be on vacation August 10–14. As always, the FLLS staff will be here to assist you while I’m away, and I’ll look forward to catching up with everyone when I return.
Sarah
Member Library News
Museum of the Earth Visits Phillips Free Library
The Phillips Free Library had over 60 adults and kids participate in The Museum of the Earth program last month. Rob was great with the kids and the program was a big success!
Dinos in the Stacks at Port Byron Library
Erin and Annie at the Port Byron Library put these pop out dinosaurs into the J non-fiction section, what a fun way to draw in younger readers!
Submissions are always welcome! Do you have something to share? Please email jshonk@flls.org.
Continuing Education
From Commitment to Action: How Libraries Support Immigrants, Refugees, and Newcomers (ALA)
Tuesday, July 28 | 1:30pm-2:30pm | FREE
In 2025, the American Library Association (ALA) and Welcoming America launched a new national partnership to strengthen libraries’ role in building inclusive, connected communities. This collaboration highlights how libraries, both public and academic, serve as vital anchors for belonging by fostering cross-cultural understanding, supporting immigrants and refugees, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.
This session will introduce the ALA–Welcoming America partnership and share how it connects to the broader Welcoming America network of cities, nonprofits, and institutions. Participants will learn practical ways libraries can engage in welcoming work, from programming and resource development to coalition-building with local partners. Examples will highlight scalable approaches, including language access initiatives, community celebrations, civic engagement, and academic library support for international students. Attendees will leave with strategies to strengthen their own library’s welcoming efforts, ideas for building partnerships across sectors, and an understanding of how this national initiative can translate into local impact.
Highlight Your Local History with Fully Funded Historical Markers (CLRC)
Tuesday, August 4 | 2:00pm-3:00pm | FREE
Every community has a story to tell. In this webinar, hosted by CLRC in collaboration with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, you’ll discover how libraries, archives, and museums can preserve and share their unique stories while strengthening a lasting sense of place through fully funded historical markers.
Historians from the Pomeroy Foundation will introduce participants to the Foundation’s historical marker grant programs, including Historic Transportation, Hometown Heritage®, Hungry for History®, and more. Attendees will learn how Pomeroy Marker grants help communities nationwide recognize their shared past, foster civic pride, educate the public and engage residents and visitors alike. The session will also highlight the Pomeroy Education Program for students.
Webinar attendees will learn about the process of researching and selecting compelling marker subjects, navigating the application process at wgpfoundation.org, and drawing inspiration from real-world examples of libraries and communities that have celebrated their heritage in meaningful, visible, and lasting ways.
Expert Voices Together: Basic Digital Safety for Library Staff (ESLN)
Wednesday, August 26 | 1:30pm-2:30pm | FREE
Join the Empire State Library Network and Expert Voices Together (EVT) for an interactive training with tools to lower online risk, protect your digital footprint, respond to harassment or doxxing, and continue your important work safely, confidently, and without fear. EVT is a broader support program for journalists, academics, researchers, and librarians providing safety, care, and connection so critical voices can remain in the public sphere.
Programming & More
eContent
OverDrive Reciprocal Lending Agreement Updates
We’re excited to announce that the Four County Library System will be joining our OverDrive lending partner network in late August. Also known as the OverDrive Reciprocal Lending Agreement (RLA), this ‘digital interlibrary loan’ allows library patrons to use their home card to borrow at any partner library. (Our current partners include the OWWL Library System and the Southern Tier Library System.)
There are limitations on the content available to visitor patrons. For example, patrons of other systems cannot borrow FLLS cost per circ titles or place holds on metered access titles.
OverDrive is working to make it easier for patrons to add partner libraries. While currently in beta-testing, this upcoming release will make many actions involving partner libraries—like finding them in Libby and getting access to borrow—happen automatically. At this time, patrons can follow these steps to add partner libraries to their account.
Once the new release is live and the addition of our new partner is finalized, we’ll send out help articles, training videos, and promotional materials.
Do you or your library staff field questions from patrons about our OverDrive collection?
Our recent blog Eight Things to Know About Ebooks explains why certain titles may not be in our collection or why wait time seems so long. (We currently average a respectable 31 days wait time.)
For other technical questions, OverDrive’s Staff Training Library provides on-demand training webinars for your library.
Save the Date: Hoopla Lunch and Learn
At this virtual Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, September 16th from 12:00-12:45pm, meet Christine Garrow, our service area’s Hoopla rep to learn more about this service. Come with your questions about this platform. More details, including Zoom link will be sent out in an upcoming email.
(Please note: FLLS will not be adding Hoopla to our digital services. However, several FLLS member libraries currently subscribe for their patrons as a supplement to OverDrive/Libby.)
Summer Reading
Summer Reading is in full swing! Share your favorite photos with Jenny for our future FLLS Bulletins!
The NYS Library just released its Summer Reading Survey to systems this week. (Which we then adapt and send out to member libraries to complete.) Look for the FLLS Summer Survey in your email the week of August 3rd.
Youth Services
Save the Date: Science Fair and Program Share at FLLS on October 21st!
This spring at focus groups and on our survey, we heard that you want more chances to network in-person with other member libraries. We’re excited to continue our IMLS grant work with the Sciencenter and the Tompkins County Public Library to host a second in-person professional learning community session this fall where you can meet up with your fellow library workers from around the System and share program ideas. Watch for more details and registration for this interactive workshop later this summer.
Grants
FLLS Family Literacy Grant Report and Spending Reminder
If your library received a 2026 FLLS Family Literacy Grant this May, please make sure your purchases and completed reimbursement forms are submitted by October 1, 2026.
Reporting for your grant is due by September 30. Your original award email (Subject: News About Your 2026 FLLS Family Literacy Grant Application) sent on May 18th contains more information, including the link to the report as well as the reimbursement forms.
FLLS Aunt Flow Mini-Grants
Congratulations to our 2026 Aunt Flow Mini-Grant recipients: Seymour Library (Auburn), Aurora Free Library, Berkshire Free Library, Cortland Free Library, Groton Public Library, Phillips Free Library (Homer), Lodi Whittier Library, and Weedsport Free Library!