News and announcements from the New York State Library http://www.nysl.nysed.gov http://www.nysl.nysed.gov http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/images/nysl140.jpg 120 50 News From NYSL The New York State Library, as well as the State Archives and State Museum, will close at 4 p.m. today, May 16, 2013, because of the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge race scheduled for this evening. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/closed.htm NYSL-ann/closed.htm-20130516 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:05:00 EDT The New York State Library is pleased to announce two free public programs to be held during June: a "Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the NYS Library" (June 8, 2013) and "Lawrence Van Alstyne and his book, Diary of an Enlisted Man," presented by historian Steve Trimm (June 22, 2013). http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#june RL-/programs.htm-201306 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:13:00 EDT The New York State Library has scheduled four free public programs for May: Author Russell Shorto Previews His New Book, "Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City" (Friday, May 3); Genealogy Online with HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library (Saturday, May 4, 2013); Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the NYSL (Saturday, May 11, 2013) and Civil War Medicine: Myth and Reality (Saturday, May 25, 2013). Please join us for one or more of these presentations! http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html RL-/programs.htm-201305 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:12:00 EDT Russell Shorto popularized the history of New Netherland, the Dutch colony in America, in his best-selling book "The Island at the Center of the World." In his newest book, due out later in 2013, Shorto has shifted his focus across the Atlantic to The Netherlands, specifically the city of Amsterdam. Join us at 7 p.m. on May 3rd, when Shorto will preview his soon-to-be-published book, "Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html#may RL/friends-/programs.htm-201305 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:50:00 EDT Some of our online and print resources are temporarily unavailable. Please contact the Reference Desk for assistance at 518-474-5355. We apologize for the inconvenience. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#apr2013 RL-/databases-20130410 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:13:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer six public programs in April: Author Marguerite Holloway will discuss her new book, "The Measure of Manhattan" (Thursday, April 11); The Civil War and Baseball (Saturday, April 13); State Capital Universe and Loislaw Online databases (Thursday, April 18); Finding Industry Standards and Specifications at the New York State Library (Saturday, April 20); Big Online and FoundationSearch databases (Thursday, April 25); and Elmer Ellsworth: The Most Talked About Man in the Country (Saturday, April 27). All programs are free, but registration is recommended, and in some cases, required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201304 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:42:00 EDT In celebration of Women's History month, the New York State Library's seventh-floor exhibit for March 2013 showcases some of the stories of New York women who left legacies in their respective fields. The stories of politicians, writers, athletes, suffragettes, and other leaders are featured in materials from the Library's holdings. RL-collections/women-2013mar http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/women/march2013.htm Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:17:00 EDT The winter 2013 issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. This issue features information on government podcasting. RL-libnews21.htm-201302 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews21.htm Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:05:00 EDT The New York State Library, as well as the State Archives and State Museum, will be closed on Saturday, March 9, 2013, because of an electrical shutdown in the building. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/closed.htm RL-ann/closed.htm-20130301 Fri, 1 Mar 2013 09:20:00 EST The New York State Library will offer five public programs in March: Big Online and FoundationSearch databases (March 2); Talking Book Services at the NYS Library (March 7); Christa Parravani Talks about Her New Acclaimed Memoir, "her" (March 7, co-sponsored by the NYS Writers Institute); Abstract Expressionism and the African-American Artist (March 13); and A Waking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at NYSL (March 16). Programs are free, but registration is recommended, and in some cases, required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201303 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST Due to the anticipated snow storm on Friday and Saturday, the NYS Library has cancelled the two programs that were scheduled for Saturday, February 9 -- "Lawrence Van Alstyne and his book, Diary of an Enlisted Man" and "Using BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download." We intend to reschedule both programs at a later date; when that has been arranged, we will post the information on our web site. NYSL-programcancelled-20130207 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ Thu, 7 Feb 2013 13:54:00 EST The New York State Library's Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL), which provides audio or braille books to upstate New Yorkers who cannot read traditional print, now has its own Facebook page. If you are a TBBL patron or are interested in learning more about TBBL, find us on Facebook to get information about services, events, books, and more. https://www.facebook.com/NYSLtbbl TBBL-facebook-201301 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:44:00 EST The New York State Library has a large selection of New York State tax forms available on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. Federal forms will be added as they become available. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/taxforms.htm Library-ann/taxforms.htm-2013 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST The Library's Web site will be unavailable for about three hours this evening (Friday, January 18, 2013), between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., while repairs are made to network equipment. NYSL-downtime-20130118 http://nysl33.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:47:00 EST The online journal Narratively's article, "Decoding the Dutch," published January 10, 2013, features the NYS Library's Charles Gehring, head of the New Netherland Project, and his decades of work translating colonial Dutch documents. RL-inthenews/gehring20130115 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/inthenews.htm Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:46:00 EST The New York State Library seventh-floor exhibit for January features winter-themed materials, from 'I Love NY' tourism annuals to large-format posters, including a run of bobsledding beauties from the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics and beyond. Most of the items come from the Library's collection of New York State documents. RL-collections/winter-2013jan http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/nyswinter/jan2013.htm Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:40:00 EST As part of C-SPAN's 2012 LCV Cities Tour, a team visited the Capital Region in November to film segments on Albany's cultural heritage for Book TV (on C-SPAN2) and American History TV (on C-SPAN3). C-SPAN will broadcast the Albany programs on December 8 and 9, 2012. RL-cspan-20120712 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/cspan.htm Fri, 7 Dec 2012 15:57:00 EST The twentieth issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. This issue features information on using social media in government. RL-libnews20.htm-201212 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews20.htm Fri, 7 Dec 2012 10:23:00 EST The New York State Library is seeking your help. We are asking for your feedback on the NOVELNY databases. This survey is composed of only 14 questions. The deadline for completing the survey is 11/20/2012. Your participation is important as your feedback is an integral part of the selection of NOVELNY content. Information on NOVELNY can be found at http://novelnewyork.org/. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NOVELNY2013 LD-NOVEL-/ann/novelsurvey.htm-20121107 Wed, 7 Nov 2012 10:28:00 EST The touring exhibit "First Step to Freedom: Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation" concludes in November. The exhibit, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the document, will finish with stops in Binghamton at the Roberson Museum and Science Center on November 1-2; in Utica at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute on November 6-7; and in Albany, at the New York State Museum/Library building on November 9-10. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/sed-announces-utica-exhibit.html RL-sed-press-rel-november-20121101 Thu, 1 Nov 2012 08:05:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer five public programs in November: Civil War Resources Available at the NYS Library and NYS Archives (November 3); Big Online and FoundationSearch databases (November 10); Using Braille and Audio Reading Download, or BARD (also on November 10); Genealogy Online with HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library (November 17); and The New Netherland Research Center: Promoting Scholarship and Knowledge of this 17th century Dutch Colony in North America (November 28). Programs are free, but registration is required for most of them. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20121101 Thu, 1 Nov 2012 07:55:00 EDT Advice from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force to museums, libraries, archives, and historical societies for protecting collections and records from wind and water damage. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/12storms.htm LD-/12storms.htm-20121029 Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT One of the NYS Library's treasures, the handwritten draft of Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, is currently traveling to cities across New York State as part of the exhibit "First Step to Freedom: Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation." The exhibit, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the document, is at the Tilles Center at LIU Post on Long Island today and tomorrow, October 15 and 16, and it it will be in Plattsburgh later this week, on the 19th. An additional stop in Utica, in early November, has also been added to the schedule. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/sed-announces-utica-exhibit.html RL-sed-press-rel-20121015 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:48:00 EDT The New York State Library is accepting applications for the 2013 Research Residency grants for research in New York State history. The 2013 program will include four Cunningham residencies of $1,000 and one Quinn fellowship of $2,500. Researchers interested in conducting original research at the New York State Library should submit an application by January 25, 2013. RL-researchres-20121015 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres.htm Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:58:00 EDT If you are planning to visit the New York State Library on Saturday, October 6, 2012, please be aware that the Race for the Cure will be taking place that morning and portions of Madison Avenue, including the section in front of the Cultural Education Center and the entrances to the parking lots on either side of the building, will be closed while the Race is taking place. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/saturday.htm RL-/saturday.htm-20121001 Mon, 1 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer a variety of public programs in October and November. Several focus on aspects of the Civil War, in keeping with the ongoing commemoration of its sesquicentennial; others highlight various resources available at the Library. Programs are free, but registration is required for most of them. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201210 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:55:00 EDT The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862. In comemmoration of its 150th anniversary, the Library's seventh floor exhibit for the fall of 2012 tells the story of how the State Library acquired Abraham Lincoln's original, handwritten draft of the proclamation - a priceless historic document that will be part of the touring exhibit "First Step to Freedom" over the next couple months. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/emancipation/fall2012.htm RL-collections/ep-2012fall Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:35:00 EDT One of the NYS Library's treasures, the handwritten draft of Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, will travel to eight cities across New York State this fall as part of the exhibit "First Step to Freedom: Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation." The exhibit commemorates the 150th anniversary of the document. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/PreliminaryEmancipationProclamationExhibit.html RL-SEDpressrelease-20120914 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:38:00 EDT Using resources drawn from the State Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit, Paul Mercer, senior librarian in the State Library, will tell the story of how New York acquired Abraham Lincoln's handwritten draft of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. This program, which is part of the New York State Museum's Civil War lecture series, takes place on Thursday September 20. http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/calendar/index.cfm#2456 OCE-/cwprograms-201209 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:25:00 EDT Access to the New York State Library's Digital Collections has been restored. If you were experiencing problems viewing documents (or accessing the catalog), please try again. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm RL-announcements-20120905 Wed, 5 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EDT The nineteenth issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. The August 2012 issue features information on the Talking Book and Braille Library and publications for sale. RL-libnews19.htm-201208 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews19.htm Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer four programs during September 2012: a "Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the NYS Library" (September 15); a hands-on training session on using the "Foundation Center Online Grant Resources" (September 22); a presentation on the 1970 and 1971 "Excavations of Fort Orange" (September 26); and a hands-on training session on using "Online Newspapers Available at the NYSL for Civil War Research" (September 29). Programs are free, but registration is required for most of them. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201209 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:29:00 EDT The New York State Library is experiencing intermittent difficulty with its online catalog. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm RL-announcements-20120822 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:05:00 EDT The NYS Library's August seventh floor exhibit features "The Tide of Advertising and Marketing," a trade journal with interesting content and rich graphics. The Library's collection includes issues of "Tide" published between 1933 and 1959 - as well as many other trade and industry magazines! http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/tide/aug2012.htm RL-collections/tide-201208 Thu, 2 Aug 2012 11:18:00 EDT Many New York regiments participated in the Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks, which took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia. As part of its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the NYS Library has created an online exhibit of illustrations depicting the battle. It is the latest in a series of exhibits featuring black-and-white Civil War illustrations published in magazines of the era such as Harper's Weekly and New York Illustrated News. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/sevenpines/ RL-mssc/sevenpines/-20120720 Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:28:00 EDT The Battle of Yorktown, or Siege of Yorktown, was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, in York County and Newport News, Virginia. As part of its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the NYS Library has created an online exhibit of illustrations depicting the siege, in which many New York troops participated. It is the latest in a series of exhibits featuring black-and-white Civil War illustrations published in magazines of the era such as Harper's Weekly, New York Illustrated News and Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/yorktown/ RL-mssc/yorktown/-20120711 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:41:00 EDT For June and July, the Library's seventh floor exhibit takes a look at Regents Exams, which have been a staple of New York secondary education for over 100 years. Information about the exhibit is also available online, as are many of the Regents Exams themselves. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/regentsexams/june2012.htm RL-collections/regentsexams-201206-07 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:33:00 EDT As of June 25, 2012, access to PsycBooks, PsycArticles and PsycInfo has been restored. We apologize for any inconvenience caused while we did not have access. RL-psycinfo-20120703 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#jun2012 Tue, 3 Jul 2012 10:335:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer four programs during July 2012: "Of Dartmoor Prison, I'll Tell All I Can: The War of 1812 Prison Songs of Thomas B. Mott (July 14); Mergent Online, a database of financial and directory information (July 21); A Sorry Tale: Natives, Settlers, and Salmon in New York, 1790-1890 (also on July 21); and a Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the NYS Library (July 28). Programs are free, but registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201207 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:28:00 EDT Our access to PsycInfo, PsycBooks and PsycArticles has lapsed. We are aware of the value of these databases and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in these databases, we may be able to provide it from other sources. If you have questions please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. RL-psycinfo-20120618 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#jun2012 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:12:00 EDT Our access to Project Muse has lapsed. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. If you have questions please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. RL-projectmuse-20120606 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#jun2012 Wed, 6 Jun 2012 13:38:00 EDT The eighteenth issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. The May 2012 issue features information on Library materials on display in Albany and on apps for tablet computers. RL-libnews18.htm-201205 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews18.htm Wed, 6 Jun 2012 10:40:00 EDT In order to correct a problem with the network that serves the 7th and 11th floor public computers, the Public Computing Center will be closed from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on both Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm RL-servicesdown-20120530 Wed, 30 May 2012 10:45:00 EDT Well before the "National Enquirer" and yellow journalism came the "National Police Gazette." Founded in 1845, "The Pinky" -- so called because it was printed on pink paper at one point -- was innovative, enterprising, and thoroughly scandalous. Currently on display at the New York State Library in Albany are several original 1862 issues from our collections, as well as reproductions from books published by or about the "National Police Gazette." Visit the exhibit at the State Library during May 2012 or 'read all about it' online. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/policegazette/may2012.htm RL-collections/policegazette-201205 Fri, 11 May 2012 14:08:00 EDT The New York State Library is offering a limited number of books and CDs for sale to the public. The books are unused, duplicate copies generally in excellent condition, with no significant defects. Many are State publications that focus on different aspects of New York's history and heritage. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/publications/forsale.htm RL-sale publications-20120427 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:60:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer five programs during May 2012, including a program on the John Boyd Thacher State Park and the Indian Ladder Region (May 16). There will also be programs that focus on using specific resources available from the Library, including genealogy resources, JobNow database and online resources, and some grants databases. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201205 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:50:00 EDT On April 15, 1912, while on her maiden voyage, the passenger ship Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg. The New York State Library's public floor exhibit for April commemorates the one hundredth anniversary of that tragedy with an exhibit of items - ranging from books to magazine articles to music - related to the sinking of the Titanic. The exhibit will be on display on the seventh floor of the Library through April 2012. Some images are also available online. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/titanic/april2012.htm RL-collections/titanic-201204 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:53:00 EDT The Civil War's Battle of Hampton Roads, fought on March 8 and 9, 1862, was notable particularly as the first confrontation between two ironclad ships. Although the battle between the ironclads - the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimac) - ended in something of a draw, the Virginia had easily defeated several wooden ships, leading one newspaper editor to conclude that naval architecture had reached a turning point and "for all purposes of war... iron-plated steamers [will] take the place of all the wooden constructions now in use." As part of its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the NYS Library has created an online exhibit of illustrations depicting this battle. It is the latest in a series of exhibits featuring black-and-white illustrations published in magazines of the era such as Harper's Weekly, New York Illustrated News and Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/merrimac/ RL-mssc/merrimac/-201203 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:57:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer seven programs in April 2012, including two history programs: "History Through the Land: Using 21st-century Technology and 18th-century Maps to Create New Maps of Rensselaer County Communities" and "1812 - Uncle Sam's First War." The other programs will focus on using specific resources available from the Library, including genealogy resources; the Talking Book and Braille Library's BARD program for downloading books; and online resources including Psychology Online, JobNow, and the Foundation Center databases. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201204 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:27:00 EDT The seventeenth issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. The Winter 2012 issue features information on Mergent Online (a business database) and on online books. RL-libnews17.htm-201111 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews17.htm Tue, 6 Mar 2012 15:50:00 EST The Friends of the New York State Library are cosponsoring an event with the New York State Writers Institute in conjunction with the Friends annual meeting. On March 22, 2012, at 8 p.m., John Matteson, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, will speak on his new book, "The Lives of Margaret Fuller" (2012), a portrait of the fiery 19th century social critic who was the most famous American woman of her time. All are welcome to attend this free event. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-friends201203 Thu, 1 Mar 2012 16:29:00 EST This month's public floor exhibit features some choice Adirondack Mountain items from the Manuscripts and Special Collections unit, as well as dust jackets from some books on the Adirondacks recently added to the collections. The exhibit will be on display on the seventh floor of the Library through March 2012. Some images are also available online. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/adkmaps/adirondack.htm RL-collections/adkmaps-201203 Thu, 1 Mar 2012 16:17:00 EST The New York State Library, as well as the State Archives and State Museum, will be closed on Saturday, March 3, 2012, because of an electrical shutdown in the building. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/closed.htm RL-ann/closed.htm-rem20120227 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:02:00 EST A special two-day exhibition, "From New York to the White House, New York Residents Who Became President," will open Presidents' Day in the lobby of the New York State Museum. It will feature some important artifacts from the NYS Library's George Washington Collection, including Washington's 1796 farewell address. On exhibit Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 20-21, 2012. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/washington.htm RL-announcement-20120217 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST The New York State Library will offer two programs in March 2012: a demonstration of the grants databases Big Online and FoundationSearch on Thursday, March 8, at 3-4 p.m.; and a demonstration of JobNow online resources on Wednesday, March 15, from 3-4 p.m. In addition, the Library will host Foundation Fundraising: an Introductory Course, an all-day course taught by Foundation Center staff on Saturday, March 10. Please note that there is a fee for the Foundation Center course. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201203 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:05:00 EST In honor of both African-American History Month and the NYS Library's status as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, our February exhibit features African-American inventors. It will be on display on the seventh floor of the Library through February 2012. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/inventors/feb2012.htm RL-collections/inventors-201202 Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:27:00 EST The New York State Library offers the following programs in February 2012: Foundation Center Online Grant Resources, a review of three online products from the Foundation Center (Thursday, February 9, 3-4:30 p.m.); What Happened to Solomon Northrup?, a discussion by David Fiske, author of Solomon Northrup: His Life Before and After Slavery (Saturday, February 18, 1-2 p.m.); and Genealogy: HeritageQuest and Ancestry Databases, a review of two genealogy databases (Saturday, February 25, 10:30 a.m.-noon.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201202 Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:10:00 EST On Monday, January 30, 2012 the State Library began a project to replace the lighting in its basement stacks. Each day during the project, which is expected to take about a month, certain sections of our basement stacks will be closed. As a result, staff will be unable to pull books from those areas for patrons. We will update this page regularly to let researchers know which collections are unavailable. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-ann/downtime.htm-lighting20120130 Mon, 31 Jan 2012 15:25:00 EST The New York State Library and the New York State Archives will be closed on Saturday, March 3, 2012, because of an electrical shutdown in the building. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/closed.htm RL-ann/closed.htm-rem20120125 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:16:00 EST The New York State Library is accepting applications for the 2012 Research Residency grants for research in New York State history. The 2012 program will include four Cunningham residencies of $1,000 and one Quinn fellowship of $2,500. Researchers interested in conducting original research at the New York State Library should submit an application by January 27, 2012. RL-researchres-rem20120123 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres.htm Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:25:00 EST Are you a library leader, or a part of the library community in New York? Does your library use any of the services, programs or resources of the New York State Library? If so, please share your opinions, via our online survey, about both current services and what you'd like to see the State Library offer your library in the future. Your feedback is essential to helping the State Library map future directions, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey. It will be available until 5 p.m. on February 1st. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/survey.htm LD-libdev/survey.htm-012012 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:47:00 EST This month's public floor exhibit rediscovers rebuses, which use pictograms and riddles to represent words or parts of words. Rebuses were popularly adapted to the writing of correspondence in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and this exhibit, which will be on display through January 2012, was inspired by a wonderful rebus letter found in one of our manuscript collections, the Chadwick Family Papers. View the letter onsite or online and try your hand at solving it! http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/rebus/index.html RL-collections/rebus-201201 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:58:00 EST The New York State Library has a large selection of New York State and federal tax forms available on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/taxforms.htm Library-ann/taxforms.htm-2012 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:43:00 EST The New York State Library will be closed to the public on Saturday, December 24 through Monday, December 26, due to the holiday. The library will reopen on Tuesday, December 27. The NYS Library will also be closed to the public on Monday, January 2, due to the holiday. The library will reopen on Tuesday, January 3. http://nysl33.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-library/ann/downtime-20111220 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:50:00 EST The New York State Library will offer four programs in January 2012: Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the NYSL (Saturday, January 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m.); Historical Newspapers Online at the NYSL (Saturday, January 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon); JobNow online resources (Wednesday, January 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m.); and Big Online and FoundationSearch online resources (Saturday, January 28, 10:30 a.m.-noon.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201201 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:13:00 EST The NYS Library has published a small online exhibit of illustrations of Christmas as celebrated by soldiers during the Civil War. This exhibit is the latest in an ongoing series, part of the Library's commemoration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the American Civil War, featuring black-and-white illustrations published in magazines of the era such as Harper's Weekly, New York Illustrated News and Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/cwchristmas/ RL-mssc/cwchristmas/-20111212 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST This month's onsite exhibit features vintage magazine covers from "The Modern Priscilla," a needlework and homemaking periodical published between 1887 and 1930; in keeping with the season, several of the covers on exhibit have a Christmas or winter theme. The exhibit will be on display on the seventh floor through December. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201112 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:07:00 EST The New York State Library will offer three programs in December 2011. On Tuesday, December 6 at 8p.m., the Friends of the NYS Library and the NYS Writers Institute welcome historian and biographer Willard Sterne Randall, who will read from and discuss his newest book "Ethan Allen: His Life and Times." On Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m., librarian Allan Raney will present Foundation Center Online Grant Resources, demonstrating Foundation Center resources available to grantseekers. And on Wednesday, December 14, at 3 p.m., librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate JobNow, an online job search service that can also provide help with writing resumes and cover letters. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201112 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:10:00 EST The sixteenth issue of "Library News For You," our quarterly electronic newsletter for State employees, is now available. The November 2011 issue features information on JobNow (a new job and career database) and on free online statistical packages. RL-libnews16.htm-201111 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews16.htm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:33:00 EST The New York State Library has just published an online finding aid to the Samuel Ludlow Frey Papers. Frey (1833-1924), a resident of Palatine Bridge in Montgomery County, New York, was an antiquarian and writer on the Mohawks and the Mohawk Valley from its early settlement through the revolution. This collection consists of genealogical materials related to the Frey and collateral families as well as documents (primarily deeds, notes, and writings) Frey used in his research on the history of the Mohawk Valley. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc9829.htm RL-msscfa/frey-20111122 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:35:00 EST Forty years ago, on September 9, 1971, inmates at the Attica Correctional Facility seized control of the prison, taking over 30 staff members hostage. The New York State Library has recently scanned and made available the report "Attica: The Official Report of the NYS Special Commission on Attica." Published a year after the riot, the document's main purpose was "to dispel the long-persisting doubts about what actually happened between September 9 and 13, 1971." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/attica/ RL-mssc/attica/-20111117 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:10:00 EST The book scanners, microfilm reader/printers attached to computers and the microfiche reader/printers attached to computers on the 7th floor of the New York State Library will be unavailable for use starting Tuesday, November 2nd at 3:00 p.m. through all day Wednesday, November 3rd because of electrical work. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-downtime.htm-20111031 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:55:00 EDT On Wednesday, October 26, the public access computers on the 7th floor of the New York State Library will be unavailable from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. because of a system upgrade. We expect that the public computers will be available for use after 1 p.m. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-downtime.htm-20111025 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EDT The New York State Library is accepting applications for the 2012 Research Residency grants for research in New York State history. The 2012 program will include four Cunningham residencies of $1,000 and one Quinn fellowship of $2,500. Researchers interested in conducting original research at the New York State Library should submit an application by January 27, 2012. RL-researchres-20111020 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres.htm Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EDT The NYS Library has published an online exhibit of illustrations related to the Battle of Ball's Bluff (also referred to as the Battle of Leesburg or Harrison's Island), which was fought on October 21, 1861. This exhibit is the latest in an ongoing series, part of the Library's commemoration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the American Civil War, featuring balck-and-white illustrations published in magazines of the era such as Harper's Weekly and New York Illustrated News. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/ballsbluff/ RL-mssc/ballsbluff/-20111020 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:50:00 EDT The New York State Library will offer four programs in October: Foundation Center Online Grant Resources on Saturday, October 8; JobNow (an online resource for job seekers) on Tuesday, October 18; An Elegant Wilderness (the evolution of the rustic style in architecture and decoration in the Adirondacks) on Tuesday, October 11; and Hammer Fantasy and Sci-Fi (films): Space Aliens, Dinosaurs and the Cold War on Saturday, October 15. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-201110 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:05:00 EDT New York State Assemblyman Jack McEneny will speak about cultural heritage in Albany and its environs at a lunchtime program sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library on September 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. A politician, author and former Albany County Historian, Jack McEneny is widely known as an expert teacher and speaker on local history. This program is free and open to the public. It will take place in the Huxley Theater on the 1st Floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110923 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:14:00 EDT As of September 21, 2011, access to HeritageQuest has been restored. We apologize for any inconvenience caused while we did not have access. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#sep2011 RL-newdb.htm-20110923 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:50:00 EDT The New York State Library, State Museum and State Archives will be closed to the public tomorrow, Saturday, September 24, due to a test of the emergency power system and preventive maintenance on electrical systems in the Cultural Education Center. The Office of Cultural Education (OCE) building is closed on Sundays. The State Library, Museum and Archives will reopen on Monday, September 26. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/ RL-20110923 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EDT JobNow, a product of Brainfuse, provides career information, résumé templates, and assistance in writing résumés and cover letters, as well as the interview process. It also provides job listings, sample GED and citizenship tests, and subject tests. A live tutor is available to assist with résumés, interviews, tests, writing and career assessments. Résumés can also be submitted for comments. JobNow is made possible through a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) award funded through the New York State Education Department/New York State Library. For more information please see http://novelnewyork.org/pressroom.php http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm#J RL-/remotedb.htm-20110916 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:35:00 EDT Our access to HeritageQuest has lapsed. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. If you have questions please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#sep2011 RL-newdb.htm-20110916 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:19:00 EDT From Tuesday, September 20th through Friday, September 21st, ALL of the public access computers on the 7th floor of the New York State Library will be unavailable for use, because of a system upgrade. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-downtime.htm-20110914 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:28:00 EDT Looking for help with your resume or job interview questions? Join Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett as she demonstrates JobNow, an online job search service from Brainfuse that is now available at the New York State Library. Sign up for either the session on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 2:00-3:00 pm or the one on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 from 3:00-4:00 pm. Seating is limited and registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110913 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:42:00 EDT The fifteenth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The August 2011 issue features information on online tools for organizing research and on historical New York State newspapers. RL-libnews15.htm-201109 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews15.htm Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:22:00 EDT In September, the NYS Library will offer a program on two grants databases: BIG Online America, which includes detailed information and profiles on 25,000 foundations, corporate donors, matching gift programs, in kind donations and government grant makers; and FoundationSearch, a leading source of fundraising information for non-profits and charities with information on more than 120,000 foundations and tools to locate grants by type, value, year, recipient, donor and historical giving trends, and much more. Because of the high demand for this program, the hour-long session will be offered at three different times: Tuesday, September 6 at 3:00pm; Saturday, September 17 at 10:30am; and Saturday, September 17 at 2:30pm. Seating is limited and registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110829 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:40:00 EDT As part of the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War, the NYS Library has been digitizing illustrations that were published in magazines of that era. The latest addition to the collection is a series of illustrations depicting the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), which was fought on July 21, 1861. The exhibit includes portraits of some of the prominent military figures involved; sketches depicting scenes from the battle itself; and sketches of related scenes, such as recruiting stations and camp life. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/bullrun/ RL-mssc/bullrun/-20110811 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:40:00 EDT On this Wednesday, August 10, 2011, there will be no access to any of the public computers on the seventh floor because of a system upgrade. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm RL-downtime.htm-20110809 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:55:00 EDT This month's exhibit is on the New York State Fair. The New York State Library holds a good deal of material on this venerable summer event and the early agricultural society that birthed it. The exhibit will be on display on the seventh floor through the end of August. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201108 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:55:00 EDT Our subscription to America's Historical Newspapers has changed. It now includes more historical New York state newspapers, but does not include any out-of-state newspapers. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#aug2011 RL-newdb.htm-20110803 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:40:00 EDT If you are planning to visit the Library this week, please note that there will be limited parking available on Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27, 2011 because the NYS Bar Exam is being given at the Empire State Plaza on those days. SL-limitedparking-20110726 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:25:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer three programs in July and August: On Saturday, July 30, 2011, Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will present 'Historical Newspapers Online at the New York State Library.' On Saturday, August 6, 2011, Shawn Purcell, subject specialist for genealogy and local history at the New York State Library, will lead 'A Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library.' And on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, Senior Librarian Allan Raney will demonstrate grants databases 'Big Online and FoundationSearch.' http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110713 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:20:00 EDT Fun in the sun magazine cover art, featuring vintage July issues of Collier's magazine, from the collections of the New York State Library. The exhibit is on display on the 7th floor through July. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201107 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:27:00 EDT The New York State Library, teaming up with the more than 1,100 public libraries and neighborhood branches statewide, today announced the kick-off of "Summer Reading at New York Libraries," the 2011 New York State summer reading programs. Through these programs, young people will have the opportunity to access the vast resources of New York's public libraries to support their summer reading challenge and to gain recognition for what they achieve. LD-pressrelease-20110624 http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SummerReading.2011.html Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:02:00 EDT Access to ScienceDirect has been restored. We apologize for any inconvenience caused while we did not have access. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm RL-newdb.htm-20110624 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:14:00 EDT You can now view digital copies of illustrations that were published in Harpers Weekly and the New-York Illustrated News at the time of the Battle of Fort Sumter. These illustrations depict some of the events that took place after Charleston seceded from the Union in December of 1860, culminating in the bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12-13, 1861. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/ftsumter/ RL-mssc/ftsumter/-20110608 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:05:00 EDT On Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 12:15 p.m., Peter Slocum and Kathy Schofield Zdeb will present "The Washington Park Spirit, Albany's Alternative Newspaper of the 1970s." The Washington Park Spirit combined a progressive political bent, investigative reporting, coverage of the emerging cultural scene and a little bit of community organizing to win a loyal following among city dwellers and state workers. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library. It will take place in the Librarians Room (seventh floor) and registration is recommended. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110601 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EDT The fourteenth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The May 2011 issue features information on Civil War Resources at the New York State Library and the Library's Facebook page. RL-libnews14.htm-201105 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews14.htm Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:17:00 EDT Our 7th floor exhibit for June pays tribute to the veterans of World War II, and to the tremendous sacrifices they made. The posters and materials on display are from the holdings of the Manuscripts and Special Collections unit of the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201106 Fri, 27 May 2011 15:15:00 EDT The New York State Library holds an extensive collection of material on the American Civil War in print, microform, and online formats. Civil War materials include: regimental and military histories, personal narratives, military records, annual reports of the New York State Adjutant-General (which include registers of New York regiments), rosters of Confederate and Union soldiers, numerous primary documents, and many other items. A new web page brings information about many of these resources together in one place. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/military/civilwar.htm RL-ref/military/civilwar.htm-20110527 Fri, 27 May 2011 15:14:00 EDT On Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 10 a.m. librarian Christine Beauregard and archivist Keith Swaney will discuss materials in the collections of the New York State Library and New York State Archives that can be used to research the Civil War. The class will take place in the Librarians Room (seventh floor) and registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110525 Wed, 25 May 2011 08:35:00 EDT The current exhibit on the 7th floor of the New York State Library displays eighty loose color plates from the first volume of the landmark 1925 publication North American Wild Flowers, by Mary Vaux Walcott. They will bloom there through the month of May. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/exhibits.htm RL-programs/-20110510 Tue, 10 May 2011 12:53:00 EDT Our subscription to Loislaw will change on May 10, 2011. Remote (off-site) access will include New York and federal materials; other states' materials, New York Bar CLE Publications and some treatises will no longer be accessible remotely but they will be available onsite. Our access to ScienceDirect lapsed as of May 5. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. If you have questions about either database, please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm#may2011 RL-gate/newdb.htm-20110509 Mon, 09 May 2011 16:48:00 EDT "The Internment of Japanese Americans: Records of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library" is a microfilm collection now available at the New York State Library. This collection consists of six rolls of microfilm with documents relating to the internment of American citizens of Japanese ancestry and resident aliens from Japan during World War II. Items in this collection are available for use on-site and can be borrowed. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/military/internment.htm RL-collections-internment.htm-20110425 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:50:00 EDT Access to the following databases has lapsed: BIG Online, Foundation Search, Techstreet standards (ASME, IEEE, and NFPA) and IHS standards (ANSI, ASQ, ASSE, ASTM and UL). We are aware of the value of these databases and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in these databases, we may be able to provide it from other sources. Please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm RL-gate/newdb.htm-20110411 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:12:00 EDT On Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. librarian Allan Raney will demonstrate three online products from the Foundation Center that are available at the New York State Library: Foundation Directory Online, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online and Philanthropy In/Sight, a new interactive mapping tool which combines the Foundation Center's data on grant makers and their grants with Google maps. Space is limited and registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110423 Thu, 7 Apr 2011 15:18:00 EDT Stop by the New York State Library's table at the 2nd Annual Empire State Book Festival! It's this Saturday, April 2nd at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Festival events begin at 10 a.m. with first keynote author Ann Martin, writer of the popular series – The Baby-sitters Club, and close after the 3:45 p.m. second keynote, by singer/author Rosanne Cash. In between, there will be 30 workshops, panel discussions and story-telling sessions presented by a host of writers, poets, illustrators and more. http://empirestatebookfestival.wordpress.com/ Library-offsitelink-20110401 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:06:00 EDT On Saturday, April 2, 2011 librarian Stephanie Barrett will present the program "Historical Newspapers at the NYS Library." She will discuss online databases available at the New York State Library that contain full-text of historical newspapers and demonstrate the effective use of America's Historical Newspapers and the Historical Newspapers (New York Times) databases with an emphasis on newspapers published in New York State. The program is free, but seating is limited so registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/index.html#programs RL-/programs.htm-201104 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST The Census Bureau will be releasing New York State's redistricting data from the 2010 Census this week, March 21-25. This data release shows the population from the State down to the smallest geographic area (blocks) and will be used to redraw the State's congressional, state senate, and assembly districts. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/census.htm RL-library/ann/census.htm-20100321 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:45:00 EDT The Library's exhibit commemorating the Capitol Fire centennial features rare original documents and photographs from the Manuscripts and Special Collections of the Library, including views of the fire and its aftermath, and other materials illustrating the virtual destruction of the library in 1911 and the salvage and recovery efforts that followed. On exhibit at the NYS Library, on the seventh floor of the Cultural Education Center, through April 2011. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-20100318 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:05:00 EDT Joseph F. Shubert, who served as New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries from 1977 to 1996, died on November 24, 2010 in Plano, Texas. His family has arranged a memorial service in Mr. Shubert's memory at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, New York on Saturday March 12, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/jfs.htm Library-libdev/jfs.htm-20100304 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:18:00 EST The NYS Library will offer two programs in March. On Saturday, March 12, 2011, from 10:30 am to noon, Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will present "Genealogy: HeritageQuest and Ancestry Databases." Learn how to access Census records, genealogy and history books, maps and the other resources included in these databases. On Saturday, March 26, 2011, from 10:30am to 11:30 Senior Librarian Bill Schilling will present on a program on Trademarks, covering unregistered trademarks as common law rights and registered trademarks at the State and Federal level. The program will include information on doing a federal trademark search on the United State Patent and Trademark Office's website. Both programs are free, but registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110303 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:01:00 EST The State Library and the State Archives will be closed on Saturday, March 5, 2011, because of an electrical shutdown in the building. The New York State Museum, which shares the building, will also be closed on that day. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/closed.htm RL-ann/closed.htm-rem20110303 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST The NYS Library will offer a class on Online Business Resources on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. In this class, participants will explore ways to obtain information on companies and industries, locate financial data, investment reports, journal articles and more. Registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/#programs RL-/programs.htm-20110214 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:35:00 EST Vicki Weiss and Paul Mercer of the New York State Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections unit have co-authored a book commemorating the centennial of the New York State Capitol fire, which occurred on March 29, 1911. "The New York State Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911," published on January 31, 2011 by Arcadia Publishing, combines dramatic photographs from Special Collections with eyewitness accounts of the 1911 fire, which severely damaged the western portion of the capitol, destroying virtually the entire collection of the State Library, as well as significant holdings of the New York State Museum. The new book tells not only the story of the fire and its aftermath, but also recounts the history of the building of the capitol, as well as the pre- and post-fire history of the Library. All royalties from book sales will go to the Friends of the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/publications/capitolfire.htm RL-publications/capitolfire.htm-20110210 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:42:00 EST The New York State Library has a new web page that highlights and links to digitized materials relating to the Census of the State of New York. The State Census volumes that have been digitized are the published statistical schedules compiled from the original returns under the direction of the Secretary of State which describe the population and economy of counties, cities and towns in New York State. Instructions for the enumerators taking the census have also been digitized, as well as, other related documents. These documents are freely available online as PDF documents on the State Library's website. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/nyscensus.htm RL-scandocs/nyscensus.htm-20110124 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:20:00 EST The New York State Library has a large selection of New York State and federal tax forms available on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/taxforms.htm Library-ann/taxforms.htm-20110119 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST The NYS Library recently learned of the death of Joseph F. Shubert, who served as New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries from 1977 to 1996. Mr. Shubert, who had also served as the State Librarian of Nevada and of Ohio, died on November 24, 2010 in Plano, Texas. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/jfs.htm Library-libdev/jfs.htm-20101231 Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:15:00 EST "Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and Related Papers and Documents" is a new CD available for sale for $20 from the New York State Library. To purchase a copy, contact Aimee Pelton via 518-474-7492 or apelton@mail.nysed.gov. You can also purchase a copy of the CD onsite at the New York State Library by contacting staff at the Manuscripts and Special Collection Desk or the Reference Desk. This CD features images of Lincoln's handwritten draft, the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, from the collection of the New York State Library, as well as a selection of related documents, images, and other materials that bring this remarkable period in America's history to life. Also included on the CD is "The Second Declaration of Independence: Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation," an essay by Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer. Among the rare documents reproduced on the CD are: Original Version of the John Brown Song, by H.H. Brownell; several souvenir printings of the Emancipation Proclamation; and "Writing the Emancipation Proclamation," an etching by Adalbert Johann Volck depicting contemporary events from a pro-Confederate viewpoint. RL-publications/proclamation.htm-20101230 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/publications/proclamation.htm Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:12:00 EST Access to 19th Century Masterfile has been restored. RL-newdb.htm-20101220 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:10:00 EST Do you use reports, publications or other documents distributed by the Federal government? If so, please consider answering a 16-question survey that the Federal Depository Library Program, a division of the U.S. Government Printing Office, is conducting to better understand what users think of the value and performance of Federal Depository Library services, access, and collections. Answers/comments you provide will be treated as strictly confidential. The period for which the survey will be available has been extended; users now have until February 28, 2011 to take the survey. RL-feddep-20101206 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/feddep/ Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:45:00 EST As of December 1, the New York State Library will no longer provide access to 19th Century Masterfile. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. RL-newdb.htm-20101130 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:17:00 EST The NYS Library will offer two programs in December. On Friday, December 3, author and photographer Jim Shaughnessy will present "A Look into the Evolution of Area Transportation Facilities, especially Railroads." On December 15, Cornelia Brooke Gilder, co-author of "Architects in Albany," will present highlights from some of the architect profiles she researched and wrote for the book. The authors' books will be available for sale after both events. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201011 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:55:00 EST Do you use reports, publications or other documents distributed by the Federal government? If so, please consider answering a 16-question survey that the Federal Depository Library Program, a division of the U.S. Government Printing Office, is conducting to better understand what users think of the value and performance of Federal Depository Library services, access, and collections. Answers/comments you provide will be treated as strictly confidential. The survey will be available through December 31, 2010. RL-feddep-20101123 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/feddep/ Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:38:00 EST In honor of Veterans Day, the "Freedom's Treasures" exhibit, a rare display of historical artifacts from the Revolutionary War era and early days of our nation, will be open to the public at the New York State Capitol's ceremonial Red Room, from 10 AM to 4 PM on November 10-11 (reservations required for tours on November 10). These treasures, held in trust for all New Yorkers by the New York State Archives, Library, and Museum, capture the distinctive history and enduring spirit of New York. RL-library/ann/freedom-20101102 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/freedom.htm Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:25:00 EST Access to federated searching on the NYSL website (searching our journals and databases using the search box or "Advanced Search" link at the top of many of our webpages) will cease as of Monday, October 25. We regret any inconvenience this might cause. Our databases and journals can be accessed from our homepage (www.nysl.nysed.gov) by using the "Electronic Resources" link. If you need further assistance please call the Reference Desk at (518) 474-5355. RL-fedsearch-20101025 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:10:00 EDT The New York State Library and New York State Archives will institute new Saturday hours beginning on October 16th. Saturday hours of operation at the two facilities, located on the 7th and 11th floor of the Cultural Education Center (CEC) at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free public parking will be available in the Madison Avenue parking lots adjacent to the CEC. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/saturday.htm NYSL-saturday-20101014 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EDT The New York State Library is accepting applications for the 2011 Research Residency grants for research in New York State history. The 2011 program will include four Cunningham residencies of $1,000 and one Quinn fellowship of $2,500. Researchers interested in conducting original research at the New York State Library should submit an application by January 29, 2011. RL-researchres-20101013 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres.htm Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:21:00 EDT There are just two more days to see the exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," which is on display at the New York State Library through October 14. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/lincoln/ RL-lincoln-20101013 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:20:00 EDT The catalog and web site for the New York State Library, including the Talking Book and Braille Library, will be unavailable on Saturday, October 9, between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. because of a data system storage upgrade. RL-downtime.htm-20101006 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:05:00 EDT On Thursday, October 28, the NYS Library will offer a workshop on grantseeking basics for nonprofit organizations. "Proposal Writing Basics with an Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online Professional," presented by Kief Schladweiler of the Foundation Center, will cover: key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation; gathering information to help you prepare the proposal; tips for writing and structure; and communicating with the funder after a decision is made. The workshop will also include a demonstration of the Foundation Directory Online, the Foundation Center's searchable database of grantmakers and grant records. Mr. Schladweiler will offer tips on how best to identify funding sources, highlighting the electronic and print resources available at the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs-grants-201010 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:05:00 EDT In conjunction with the exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," which is on display through October 14, 2010, the NYS Library will continue to offer programs that focus on the Civil War. Staff from the State Library and State Archives will present "Civil War Records at the NYS Library and NYS Archives," an overview of materials in the collections that can be used for Civil War research, on Saturday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m. Michael Aikey will present "Father Abraham's Boys: When We Sent Our Children to War" on Thursday, October 7 at 12:15 p.m. And the movies "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" and "Amistad" will be shown Sunday, October 10. All programs will take place in the Huxley Theater, which is in the NYS Museum on the first floor of the Cultural Education Center. Please join us for one or more of these events! http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201010 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:05:00 EDT Access to Reference USA will lapse as of October 1. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. Please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. RL-gatenewdb.htm-20100929 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:15:00 EDT On Sunday, September 19, 2010, the NYS Library will offer a rare, one-day only public exhibit of one of the Library's - and the nation's - greatest documentary treasures, a handwritten copy of President Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Issued on September 22, 1862, the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves within states still in rebellion against the United States on January 1, 1863 "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." This historic document has been part of the New York State Library's collection since 1865, when it was purchased by the New York State Legislature following the assassination of President Lincoln. It will be on display in the Huxley Theater of the New York State Museum on September 19, 2010, from 10 a.m. until about 3:00 p.m. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/EmancipationProclamation.html RL-lincolnpressrel-20100915 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:23:00 EDT At 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, September 14, the New York State Library will host a panel discussion on the Emancipation Proclamation. Assemblymember Jack McEneny will moderate the discussion, while panelists Allen Ballard and Amy Murrell Taylor, both from the University at Albany, and Bruce Eelman, from Siena College, will provide perspectives on Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, its effectiveness, and its connection to the formation of the USCT-Colored troops. The presentation, which will take place in the Huxley Theater of the NYS Museum, is part of a series of programs the Library is offering in conjunction with the exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," on display at the Library from September 3 through October 14. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/lincoln/schedule.htm RL-lincoln/schedule.htm-20100909 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:50:00 EDT On Sunday, September 5th, the New York State Library will host folk duo Magpie and independent scholar Amy Godine, who will offer a trio of presentations about abolitionist John Brown. From 2-3 p.m., Magpie will present "Battle Cry of Freedom," a concert of songs from the Civil War era; from 3:30-4:30 Amy Godine will address the way John Brown is portrayed by different groups in "John Brown Country: History Enshrined, History Betrayed"; and from 5:30-6:30, Magpie returns to present "Sword of the Spirit," a one-act play based on the life and letters of John and Mary Brown. These presentations will all take place in the Huxley Theater of the NYS Museum. They are the first of a series of programs the Library will be offering in conjunction with the exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," on display at the Library from September 3 through October 14. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/lincoln/schedule.htm RL-lincoln/schedule.htm-20100902 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:05:00 EDT As of September 1, the New York State Library will no longer provide access to Computers and Applied Sciences Complete. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. RL-gatenewdb.htm-20100901 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EDT The eleventh issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The August 2010 issue features information on the upcoming exhibit about Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation and about finding aids to some of the NYS Library's special collections. RL-libnews11.htm-201008 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews11.htm Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:42:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer a variety of free programs in September and October. In honor of the traveling exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," which will be on display at the Library from September 3 through October 14, 2010, all of the programs are related to Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, or the Civil War in general. Please plan to join us for one or more of these events. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-programs/-201009 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EDT The New York State Library has rescheduled the upgrade of its catalog. During the transition, the catalog will be unavailable for two days: on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, while we transition to the new software, and on Tuesday, August 26, 2010, while we update the catalog's web interface. Please note that the Library's web site, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/, will not be affected by this shutdown. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100811 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:25:00 EDT The New York State Library has postponed the catalog upgrade that was scheduled for today (Thursday, August 5). The catalog is therefore available for use as usual today. We will post a notice when we have a new date for the upgrade. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100805 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:56:00 EDT Between September 3 and October 14, 2010, the New York State Library will host "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," a six-panel traveling exhibit that re-examines Lincoln's thoughts about slavery. During the six weeks that the exhibit is on display, the Library will also offer a variety of programs about Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the other topics related to the Civil War. Please join us for one or more of these events! RL-library/lincoln/-20100802 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/lincoln/ Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:55:00 EDT The New York State Library will be upgrading to a newer version of its catalog software. Because of this, the catalog will be unavailable on Thursday, August 5, 2010, while we transition to the new software, and on Tuesday, August 10, while we update the catalog's web interface. Please note that the Library's web site, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/, will not be affected by this shutdown. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100802 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EDT Abraham Lincoln's original draft of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation has been cared for by the Library since 1864. A recently revised online exhibit showcases the Proclamation, which is in Lincoln's handwriting. New additions to the exhibit include an essay by Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer recounting the night Lincoln signed the document and a paper by the Library's Paul Mercer detailing how the Legislature purchased it for the Library. RL-library/features/ep-20100727 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/ep/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:55:00 EDT As of July 1, MLA will be temporarily unavailable. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. RL-gate/newdb.htm-20100702 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:25:00 EDT As of July 1, the New York State Library will no longer provide access to Books in Print, Government Periodicals Universe, and Oxford Reference Online. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. RL-gatenewdb.htm-20100629 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:45:00 EDT The NYS Library's online catalog is once again available. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100625 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EDT Beginning Wednesday, June 23, the NYS Library's online catalog will be down for system maintenance. Please note that the Library's web site, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/, will not be affected by this shutdown. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100622 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:15:00 EDT Access to the NYS Library's online catalog has been restored. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100611rev http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:05:00 EDT Beginning Thursday, June 10, the NYS Library's online catalog will be unavailable due to system maintenance. Please note that the Library's web site, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/, will not be affected by this shutdown. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100611 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:05:00 EDT The NYS Library has three upcoming noontime programs: "LoisLaw and State Capital Universe Online" (databases) on Wednesday, June 9th; "Tracing Your Ancestors to the Dutch Settlers" on Thursday June 17th; and "Social Security" on Wednesday, June 23rd. All programs will take place from 12:15 - 1:15 PM. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-press.htm-201006 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:25:00 EDT The tenth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The May 2010 issue features articles on grant information resources and online bibliographic tools. RL-libnews10.htm-201005 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews10.htm Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:15:00 EDT In a difficult economy, library patrons are seeking support for services from library staff more than ever. The State Library has launched the Information Lifelines website to help New Yorkers find high quality and relevant information for key services and as a supporting resource for library staff in a time of personnel cutbacks, library closures and the reduction of library staff available to prepare guides for patrons seeking guidance and support. The site links to outreach pages within the State Library and to many external resources, including information for families and children, older adults, veterans, career support, and municipal services. LD-libdev/lifeline-20100602 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/lifeline/ Wed, 2 Jun 2010 13:20:00 EDT The 2009 Update for the New York State Research Library, which provides a summary of the Research Library's activities throughout 2009, is now available online. Although under the shadow of an unprecedented deficit in the State budget and a declining economy, the Library has continued to provide quality information services to New Yorkers and access to an extensive array of 21st century information resources. Highlights of the past year include the launch of new digital audio technology in the Talking Book and Braille Library, the creation of the New Netherland Research Center following a visit from the Crown Prince and Princess of the Netherlands, and the arrival of a new State Librarian. RL-annual-20100518 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/publications/09update/ Tue, 18 May 2010 09:55:00 EDT Please note that all New York Gannett newspapers have been removed from the Newsbank database, America's Newspapers. The State Library no longer has access to the Elmira Star-Gazette, Ithaca Journal, Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton), Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Westchester Journal News, or Poughkeepsie Journal in any online database. Newspapers recently added to the State Library's subscription to America's Newspapers include The Evening Telegram (Herkimer), Indian Country Today, Long Beach Herald, Register-Star (Hudson), Saugerties Post Star, Suffolk County News, and others. RL-databases-20100303 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Mon, 03 May 2010 09:35:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer three free noontime programs in May. Medical librarians Ruth Clayman and Chris Szczerba will present "Medical Databases," an overview of three of the Library's subscription databases (PsycINFO, Medline and Biological Abstracts) on Wednesday, May 5th. On May 14th, Bill Greer, author and trustee of the New Netherland Institute, will present 'Sex and the City: The Early Years,' an examination of the Dutch culture of the colonial era and the libertine characters like Griet Reyniers who transplanted it to the Hudson Valley. And on May 26th David Chinery, a Senior Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension, will discuss 'Vegetables – Heirloom, Hybrid and Genetic Patenting,' with a special focus on heirloom tomatoes. All programs will take place from 12:15 - 1:15 PM. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-press.htm-201005 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:25:00 EDT The New York State Library has a new web page that highlights and links to materials relating to the New York State's colonial period that have been scanned from print copies in the State Library's collection, including a number of early maps. One of the early maps that has been digitized is "A Map of the Patent Granted [?]th of April 1673 to Bart. Petersen Coejemans: As Claimed by Abm. Lott Esqr. In Behalf of the Heirs of the Said Barrent Petersen Coejemans". This hand colored map was drawn and printed by Simon Metcalfe around 1770 and shows drainage, landmarks and names of some landowners. Another digitized map, "Plan of the Town and Fort of Carillon at Ticonderoga," is a reprint of the original, which was published in 1758 in London by Thomas Jefferys, geographer to the Prince of Wales; it includes information on the attack made by the British Army commanded by Gen. Abercrombie, 8 July 1758. "A General Map of the Middle British Colonies in America: viz Virginia, Mariland, Delaware, Pensilvania, New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island: of Aquanishuonigy, the Country of the Confederate Indians; Comprehending Aquanishuonigy Proper, Their Place of Pesidence, Ohio and Tiiuxsoxruntie Their Deer-hunting Countries; Couxsaxrage and Skaniadarade, Their Beaver-hunting Countries; of the Lakes Erie, Ontario and Champlain, and of Part of New-France: Wherein is Also Shewn the Antient and Present Seats of the Indian Nations" is a digital copy of a map that was published in Philadelphia in June 23, 1755 by Lewis Evans. This map is hand colored and includes text, tables of traveling distance, historical notes, and inset of "A sketch of the remaining parts of Ohio R. & c." RL-colonial.htm-20100415 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/colonial.htm Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:30:00 EDT The New York State Library recently added information to its Web site about the New Netherland Research Center (NNRC). Now in its initial stages, the NNRC will promote and support scholarship, research, and knowledge about the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland in North America, providing a place where scholars and students from the global community can explore the Dutch era of American colonial history. The NNRC evolved out of the New Netherland Project, which for over 35 years has been transcribing and translating Dutch documents in the collections of the State Library and State Archives relating to the seventeenth-century colony of New Netherland. Following a 2009 visit by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the Dutch government presented a three-year $280,000 matching grant to the New Netherland Institute to partner with the Office of Cultural Education to continue the work of the New Netherland Project and to create a New Netherland Research Center. RL-newnetherland-20100409 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newnetherland/ Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:40:00 EDT The New York State Library announces the awarding of four 2010 Anna K. and Mary E. Cunningham Research Residencies in New York State History and Culture. In addition, through support from the Doris Quinn Foundation, the New Netherland Institute and the New York State Library awarded a special grant in 2010 for research in the history of New Netherland and the Dutch Colonial Atlantic world. RL-researchres-20100402 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres/recipients.htm Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:05:00 EDT The New York State Library will no longer provide access to Readers' Guide Full Text 1983-present as of 4/1/2010. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. Readers' Guide Retrospective (1969-1982) will continue to be available. Alternative general periodical databases available through the New York State Library are Academic Search Complete and ProQuest Platinum. RL-readersguide-20100330 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in April. Senior Librarian Bill Schilling will present two programs: "U.S. Patents," an introduction to the patenting process in the United States (Thursday, April 15th) and "Trademarks," which will cover registered and unregistered trademarks, as well as trademark searching (Wednesday, April 21st). Senior Librarians Allan Raney and Mary Beth Bobish will present "Engineering Village," an introduction to one of the Library's newer databases, which includes Compendex, GeoRef, and NTIS. All programs will take place from 12:15 - 1:15 PM and are free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/programs/ RL-press.htm-201004 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EDT The "new" online catalog of the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is now available as a link on the TBBL website. This new and improved catalog is a result of the library's recent migration to a new system and offers more powerful searching tools for cassette, digital, and braille books in the TBBL collection. It also allows TBBL patrons to create an account, and place orders for books or place them on a personal request list, as well as view and/or change their service information, including subject preferences. If you have any questions about the new catalog or TBBL services, please call the library at 1-800-342-3688. TBBL-catalog-20100322 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/ Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:50:00 EDT New York State Librarian Bernard Margolis distributed his ninth update on library matters in New York State on March 17th. Topics covered include the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant, library charters, the New York State Comprehensive Information System, the Shubert Library Excellence Award and more. RL-SLupdate-20100317 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/about/updates/20100317.htm Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EDT The lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were updated on March 16. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Arts and Architecture to Military History to Transportation. RL-newbooks-20100316 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:15:00 EDT The New York State Library has a new web page that highlights and links to materials relating to the American Revolutionary War that have been scanned from print copies in the State Library's collection. One of the items recently digitized is "The Balloting Book and Other Documents Relating to Military Bounty Lands in the State of New York," which contains copies of several acts relative to Revolutionary War bounty lands and the payment given of officers and soldiers for service in the War. An alphabetical listing of the names of soldiers and officers in each regiment is provided and includes the rank and company of the soldier, the township number, the lot number, the acreage, and date of patent. Another item recently digitized is "New York in the Revolution as Colony and State," a compilation of papers that relate to the services performed by New York in the Revolutionary War, including muster and pay rolls of men serving in the Line, Levies, Militia, and Navy (Privateers). In addition, several manuscript documents have been digitized. For example, "A Representation of Major John Andrč, Adjutant General to the Kings Forces in North America, Going From the Vulture Sloop of War to the Shore of Havershaw [sic] Bay in Hudsons [sic] River the Night of the 23d. of September 1780, in a Boat Which Was Sent For Him [...]" is a digital copy of an engraving from a drawing sketched by Major Andrč on the morning on which he was executed. RL-historicdocs-revolution.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/revolution.htm Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST The New York State Library has received a Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) award, in the Public Computer Center category, as part of Round One funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Grant funds will be used for the creation of thirty Public Computer Training Centers and five mobile computer centers at libraries and library systems in upstate New York, enabling public libraries to extend hours, add more than 800 new public computer workstations, and provide access to 24/7 job search resources in economically distressed New York counties. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/btop/ LD-btop/index.html-20100308 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:55:00 EST Because of power shutdowns in our building, the NYS Library's online catalog will be unavailable for the next two weekends, from Friday evening, March 5 through Monday morning, March 8, 2010, and from Friday evening, March 12 through Monday morning, March 15, 2010. On both weekends, the catalog will be shut down at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and restarted at 7:30 on Monday morning. Please note that the Library's web site, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/, will not be affected by this shutdown. RL-catalogdown.htm-20100305 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/catalogdown.htm Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:55:00 EST The 1858, 1859, 1861 and 1862/63 editions of "Biographical Sketches of the State Officers and Members of the Legislature of the State of New York" have recently been digitized from paper copy volumes located in the New York State Library. Biographical sketches of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and State Engineer and Surveyor appear first in each volume, followed by the biographical sketches of the members of the Senate in alphabetical order and biographical sketches of the members of the Assembly in alphabetical order. These books also include a list of the officers of the Senate, a list of the officers of the Assembly, a list of the Senate standing committees and their members, and a list of Assembly standing committees and their members. These documents are full-text searchable and freely available online as PDF documents on the State Library's website. RL-historicdocs-nysgovernment.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/nysgovernment.htm Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:15:00 EST The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in March. On Wednesday, March 10th, librarian Stephanie Barrett will offer a hands-on session on "Education Online Resources" (registration required). On Thursday, March 18th, entrepreneur Maureen Werther will talk about how she turned her idea for a manufacturing business into reality in "Starting a Business: Easy as Pie? Well, Not Exactly." And on Thursday, March 25th, Leonard Gaines of Empire State Development will discuss the upcoming census, and how it differs from previous ones, in "2010 Census and the American Community Survey." All programs will take place from 12:15 - 1:15 PM and are free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-201003 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:50:00 EST The ninth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The February 2010 issue features information on a new online resource, Engineering Village, and on specialized internet search tools. RL-libnews9.htm-201002 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews9.htm Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:00 EST The exhibit 'Birds of New York and the Paintings of Louis Agassiz Fuertes' opened at the New York State Museum on January 30, 2010 and will be on display through September 6, 2010. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first volume of 'Birds of New York,' the exhibit features many of the original watercolor paintings that Fuertes created for the book. The New York State Library has digitized both volumes of 'Birds of New York,' so that all of Fuertes illustrations, plus author Elon Eaton's scientific research, are also available online. RL-birdsofny.htm-20100217 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/birdsofny.htm Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:15:00 EST This is the eighth in an ongoing series of updates on library matters in the state from Bernard A. Margolis, New York State Librarian. February's update includes information on State Aid, SnapshotNY, federal library support, broadband efforts, exclusivity in magazines, and other current issues. NYSL-SLupdate-20100212 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/about/updates/20100212.htm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:50:00 EST The New York State Library has recently digitized a number of items relating to the Native American experience in New York. One of these is the "Report of the New York State Joint Legislative Committee on Indian Affairs." The Committee was established in 1943 "to make a comprehensive study of the rights and obligations of the several tribes of Indians residing upon Indian reservations within the state; to inquire into all treaties, and the nature and extent of the title to lands granted to Indians." Reports were made annually to the Legislature from 1944-1964. The Library has also digitized several hearings held in the 1940s, including the "Hearing before the Joint Committee on Indian Affairs on Thursday, Jan. 4, 1945 ...," which considers federal legislation intended to end confusion over the extent of federal and state jurisdiction over offenses committed on Indian property within New York State. In addition, several manuscript documents have been digitized. For example, the "Agreement for the Purchase of Indian Lands, 1697 October" is an agreement for the purchase of land at Ramapo, Rockland County (New York) between Blandina Bayard and the following Native Americans: Zerickham, Mettissiena, Eghkenem, Onarkommagh, Kraghkon, Saeuwapigh Kim, and Nanawaron. RL-historicdocs-nativeamerican.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/nativeamerican.htm Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:15:00 EST Looking for tax forms? The New York State Library has a large selection of both Federal and New York State tax forms available on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. RL-taxforms-20100201 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/taxforms.htm Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:55:00 EST At this time, access to Reference USA has lapsed. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. Please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. RL-dbrefusa-20100129 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm#R Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:35:00 EST Finding aids, or collection guides, for some of the NYS Library's collections related to the Civil War have recently been posted online. The James B. Turner Papers (1859-1876) consist mainly of letters to his family from Turner, who served in New York's "Irish Brigade" during the Civil War and whose dispatches from the front were published in the New York City newspaper "Irish-American." The Sterling Family Correspondence (1861-1863) includes letters from Henry Sterling, who served in Company G of the 1st U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, to his fiance and, later, wife, Tillie Farquhar, as well as letters from Tillie to her mother. The Horace Tracy Hanks Papers (1861-1895) relate chiefly to Hanks' service as a surgeon in the army during the Civil War. And the Chamberlain Family Papers (1860-1890, bulk 1861-1870), which consist primarily of letters to William Chamberlain (also spelled Chamberlin), contain many letters which document brothers William and Orlando's service during the Civil War. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:50:00 EDT The New York State Library no longer provides access to CCH Internet Tax Research Network. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause. RL-databases-CCHTax-20100119 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:45:00 EST The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in February. On Monday, February 8th, author Keith Holmes will discuss his book, "Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years of Success," focusing in particular on the contributions of three inventors who hailed from New York State: Granville T. Woods, Lewis Latimer and Marc E. Dean. On Thursday, February 18th, Jennifer Lemak, Senior Historian and Curator of African American History at the New York State Museum, will present "Southern Life, Northern City: The History of Albany's Rapp Road Community," chronicling the history of African Americans who moved from Mississippi to the Rapp Road area in Albany in the 1930s and 1940s, and some of the challenges in preserving the community's history. And on Thursday, February 25th, Cordell Reaves, Historic Preservation Program Analyst at the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, will explore the impact of African-American publications on African-American life, primarily during the early to mid-1900s, in "African-American Newspapers: Catalysts for Social Change." All programs will take place from 12:15 - 1:15 PM in the Librarians Room on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-201002 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST Since 1818, the New York State Library has been a repository of official New York State publications. To make it easier to identify relevant NYS documents and related sources in this large collection, the Library has recently digitized some bibliographies, guides and indexes to NYS documents, including three guides by Robert Allan Carter, a former reference librarian at the NYS Library. "Sources of Published and Unpublished Administrative Opinions in New York State" identifies all known sources of administrative opinions (through June 1994, when it was published), including those that are not held by the NYS Library. The "Annotated List and Indexes of Reports of New York State Governor's Committees and Task Forces, 1925-1985" lists the reports of these committees in chronological order from March 1925 through August 1985, with indexes to the documents by keyword, subject and chairperson. And "The Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York and the State Register: Their History and Use," published in 1984, provides an informative history and description of both the NYCRR the State Register, and includes sample pages from them. RL-historicdocs-nysdocsguides.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/nysdocsguides.htm Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST Written in 1813, Aaron Hamton's diary is a small, 112-page manuscript journal that records details of a journey Hamton and several fellow Quakers took from Kingswood, New Jersey to a settlement near Lake Erie that is now in Erie County, New York. Hamton's diary provides detailed descriptions of frontier and pioneer life in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York State, as well as of the social life and customs of native peoples, particularly the Seneca Indians on the Buffalo Creek Reservation. The author also provides many details of the Quaker settlement situated along Eighteen Mile Creek in the Holland Purchase. A typed transcript of the diary, which includes an introduction and editorial notes, has also been digitized by the New York State Library. RL-historicdocs-hamton-20100104 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/53875583 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST The New York State Library's Charles Gehring, director of the New Netherland Project, was featured in a December 26, 2009 article in the New York Times. Since 1974, Gehring has been translating Dutch letters, deeds, journals, court rulings and other documents from New York's early colonial history. RL-newnetherland-20091228 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/nyregion/27dutch.html?_r=2&bl Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:10:00 EST The New York State Library is partnering in 2010 with the New York Library Association and OCLC's WebJunction to provide affordable online training for library staff through a statewide initiative entitled "Training On The Go." LD-onthego.htm-20091228 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST The NYS Library will offer two noontime programs in January. On Thursday, January 14th, Christopher Morton will present "A Banner Decade: Ten Years of the New York State Battle Flag Preservation Project." Morton, who is the Flag Project curator, will discuss the history of the Battle Flag Collection and highlight the Flag Project's accomplishments to date while showcasing a number of interesting and historic flags from the collection. And on Friday, January 22nd, historian Michael Russert will present "The Edward McPherson Farm and the Battle of Gettysburg." Russert will discuss how the battle, fought on the McPherson farm and on surrounding land on July 1st, 1863, had a life-changing effect not just on the family that lived on that farm, but on rural Adams County of Pennsylvania and its inhabitants. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-201001 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:53:00 EST The eighth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The November issue features information on America's Newspapers, a database of newspaper articles, and on the Talking Book and Braille Library. RL-libnews8.htm-20091207 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews8.htm Mon, 7 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST The NYS Library will offer two noontime programs in December. On Thursday, December 10th, Greg Vadney, director of The Stickley Museum will present "Stickley Furniture's Well Crafted Legacy," a whirlwind history, from the vision of five furniture-making brothers, through the American Arts and Crafts era, and up to today. On Wednesday, December 16th, Dr. Claire Puccia Parham will present "The St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project," a look at the largest inland waterway ever completed through the words of 53 workers on the project. All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-200912 Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST The NYS Library's Web site, along with other NYS Education Department sites, will be unavailable for part of the coming weekend because of electrical work. All SED web sites will be shut down between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2009; service should be restored by 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5. We apologize for any inconvenience. RL-downtime-20091201 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Tue, 1 Dec 2009 14:45:00 EST The New York State Library has announced the recipients of the 2009 Research Residency grants for research in New York State history. In addition, researchers interested in conducting original research at the New York State Library may now apply for the 2010 program, which will include four Cunningham residencies of $1,000 and at least one Quinn fellowship of $2,500. RL-researchres-20091113 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres/announce2009.htm Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in November. On Friday, November 6th, librarians Bill Schilling and Sheldon Wein will present a program on one of the Library's online resources, Mergent, which provides financial and directory information for companies. (This session will be held in the Computer Classroom, which has limited seating, so registration is required.) On Monday, November 9th, Lee Bennett from the Office of General Services (OGS) will present "Minority/Women-Owned Business and Community Relations" and discuss how this office assists businesses with procurement opportunities with the OGS and other agencies. And on Wednesday, November 18th, Christopher Myers from the Department of Labor will present "Career Management for Adults," which will include a demonstration of the NYS JobZone system. All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-200911 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:45:00 EDT The lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were updated on October 27. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Arts and Architecture to Military History to Transportation. RL-newbooks-20091027 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:05:00 EDT The New York State Library has a new web page that highlights and links to New York State Museum publications that have been digitized by the Library. These publications include links to the Museum Memoirs and Handbooks series, which have been recently scanned from print copies in the Library's collection. To make it easier to find the digital copy of a specific Bulletin, Memoir or Handbook, the titles in each series are listed in tables which can be sorted in several ways, including by by Memoir, Bulletin or Handbook number; title of the publication; author; date; or general subject (anthropology, biology, geology, history, and paleontology). You can also click on any of the thumbnail images, taken from several of the Museum publications, to get a full view of that image, along with information about it. RL-historicdocs-museum-20091021 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/museum.htm Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:35:00 EDT To provide improved access at reduced cost, the State Library will now offer NTIS and GeoRef databases through Elsevier's Engineering Village service. While migrating, there may be a brief period of time when remote access is not yet available. During the week of October 19th patrons may call the Library's Reference Desk at 474-5355 and request a search in NTIS or GeoRef mediated by a librarian through another service. Thank you for your patience. RL-dbchange-20091020 http://nysl32.nysed.gov/gate/newdb.htm Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:20:00 EDT The sixth update on on library matters in New York State from Bernard A. Margolis, State Librarian, includes information on State Aid, a new training calendar, broadband efforts, LSTA and other current issues. RL-SLupdate-20091009 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/about/updates/20091009.htm Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:05:00 EDT The National Braille Press has created a 20-panel traveling display, in print and braille, that takes a viewer through the highlights of Louis Braille's life, the braille production process, and why braille remains important today. This exhibit, which will be displayed in cities across the country, will be hosted by the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library in Albany from October 5-21, 2009. You can view the Braille Exhibit on the 7th floor of the Research Library from October 5-9, or on the 4th floor of the New York State Museum from October 10-21. TBBL-brailleexhibit-20091005 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/brailleexhibit.htm Tue, 6 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EDT In October, the NYS Library will offer three noontime programs. On Friday, October 9th, Scott Stoner, from the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, will present "Pharmaceuticals in our Waters: Addressing an Emerging Concern." On Friday, October 23, author Renee Mallett will discuss "Ghosts of the Capital District." And on Wednesday, October 28th, NYSL librarians Ruth Clayman and Chris Szczerba will provide a hands-on workshop on "Consumer Health - Online Resources." (Seating is limited and registration is therefore required for this program.) All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-200910 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EDT The New York State Constitutional Convention of 1967 (the last State Constitutional Convention) was held in Albany from April 4 - September 26, 1967. The proposed Constitution was submitted to the voters on November 7, 1967 at a general election. All of the 1967 Convention's proposals were rejected by the people. The State Library has digitized the following official publications of the 1967 Convention: Documents Nos. 1-60; Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York; Reports Nos. 1-16 (Temporary State Commission on the Constitutional Convention); and Rules of the 1967 New York State Constitutional Convention and Pertinent Resolutions and Statues. The Library has digitized information from earlier constitutional conventions, as well. RL-historicdocs-constitution-20090915 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/nyconstitution.htm Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:45:00 EDT The Dutch first laid claims to the lands that are situated in the Hudson River Valley in 1609, when Henry Hudson explored what became known as the Hudson River. The New York State Library's collection of the Van Rensselaer Manor Papers documents over two hundred years of daily life in the Manor of Rensselaerswijck, which was founded in 1630 when Killiaen van Rensselaer, a Dutch diamond merchant, negotiated a contract of sale with the Mohican Indians for land near what is now Albany, NY. This online exhibit includes images of that contract, as well as other documents and pages related both to the founding of the Manor and the daily life of its occupants. RL-mssc/vrm/-20090904 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/vrm/ Thu, 3 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT The summer 2009 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library's web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. The current issue includes information about the coming transition to digital books and equipment. TBBL-summer2009news-20090831 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/2009sum/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:50:00 EDT At this time, access to Reference USA has lapsed due to non-release of State money. We are aware of the value of this database and regret the problems not having access will cause our customers. We will do everything we can to have access restored. In the meantime, if you need access to the type of information contained in this database, we may be able to provide it from other sources. Please call the Reference Desk for assistance at (518) 474-5355. RL-dbrefusa-20090825 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm#R Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:50:00 EDT The seventh issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The August issue features information on getting help with research questions and on Twitter. RL-libnews7.htm-20090824 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews7.htm Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:10:00 EDT The problem with the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) automatic answering service has been corrected, and patrons can once again leave messages on the 800 number after hours. TBBL-phone-20090824 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/contacttb.htm Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT In September, the NYS Library will offer three noontime programs, all of which will be author talks and book signings. On Wednesday, September 9th, Mark Jodoin will discuss his book "Shadow Soldiers of the American Revolution: Loyalist Tales from New York to Canada," which tells the stories of ten young men and women who were forced to flee north, into what became Ontario and Quebec, because they remained loyal to the British government. On Wednesday, September 16, Dr. Margaret Lynch-Brennan will discuss her new book, "The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service in America, 1840-1930," one of the first books written on Irish servant girls. And on Wednesday, September 23, Michael Esposito, author of "Troy's Little Italy," will talk about the Italian immigrants who settled in Troy, beginning in the late 1880s, and the community they created there. All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090820 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:10:00 EDT The Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) has been experiencing problems with the automatic answering service for its toll-free number, and patrons have not been able to leave messages. You can still reach TBBL on the 800 number during the workday - Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - but cannot leave messages when the office is closed. Some options for contacting TBBL after hours: e-mail your message to TBBL at tbbl@mail.nysed.gov or call the local number, (518) 474-5935, and leave a message there (please note, however, that you will incur long distance charges if you are not calling from the Capital District area). TBBL-phone-20090819 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/contacttb.htm Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EDT Bernard A. Margolis, State Librarian, presented testimony on the methods libraries use to procure goods and services before the Assembly Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Assembly Standing Committee Libraries and Educational Technology on July 28, 2009. Mr. Margolis focused specifically on the acquisition and licensing of on-line information resources. RL-testimony-20090812 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/about/testimony.htm Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:45:00 EDT The NYS Library's Web site be unavailable for all or part of the coming weekend because the NY State Education Department (SED), our parent agency, is relocating its Computer Center. All SED web sites and e-mail will be shut down at close of business (5 p.m. EDT) on Friday, July 31; service will be restored to each site as equipment is moved and re-installed throughout Saturday and Sunday. All technology services will be restored by 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 3rd, at the latest. Please note that the Library's online catalog, at http://nysl.nysed.gov/, should not be affected by this shutdown. RL-downtime-20090729 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:05:00 EDT Two worlds collided in 1609 when Henry Hudson and the Dutch sailed up the "great river" and met the Native People of New York. A new exhibit at our sister institution, the NYS Museum, introduces visitors to information about Henry Hudson, Native People of New York, and the Dutch period in New York State by dispelling some commonly held myths and showing the legacy these groups left to the residents of the state and the nation. The Museum collaborated with the NYS Library, as well as with the Archives and Office of Educational Television and Public Broadcasting, on the 1609 exhibit, which opened July 3, 2009 and will run through March 7, 2010. RL-1609exhibit-20090710 http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/exhibits/special/1609.cfm Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:45:00 EDT The New York State Library's Division of Library Development continues to develop and update a new site, Job and Career Information in New York's Public Libraries. Highlights of the site include: examples of information and assistance patrons will find through many public library job information, career development, and employment testing programs and services; links to Public Library System job and career information web sites; links to statewide and national job information resources, including NYS Department of Civil Service and Department of Labor, and Veteran's Services sites; current news stories about libraries and job/career related services; and job search and resume assistance links. LD-careerinfo-20090701 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/outreach/careers.htm Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:45:00 EDT On July 5, 2009, CBS News Sunday Morning will feature the New York State Library's New Netherland Project as part of a story on the quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's first voyage up the river that now bears his name. The segment, which will be aired sometime between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 5th, will include an interview with Dr. Charles Gehring, director of the New Netherland Project. A program of the New York State Library, the New Netherland Project has been working since 1974 to translate and publish the official 17th-century Dutch colonial documents of one of America's earliest settled regions. RL-newnetherland-20090629 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/cbssunday.htm Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EDT The Spring 2009 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library's web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. TBBL-spring2009news-20090616 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/2009spr/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:55:00 EDT As you may have noticed, the NYS Library recently moved to a new site design, based on that of our parent institution, the New York State Education Department. Although most of the original content is still there, some of it has been reorganized, and there is additional navigation. We hope these changes will make it easier to find information on our site. Next time you visit the NYS Library site, please check out the new look; if you have any comments or questions about the redesign, you can share them with us via the "Feedback" link at the bottom of any of the redesigned pages. all-newsite-20090609 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/newlook.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in June. On Thursday, June 4th, Tod Ottman, Ph.D., will present "The Origins of the State University of New York," showing how World War II unleashed demographic, ideological, cultural and political changes which profoundly altered higher education policy in New York State, leading to the creation of the State University of New York. On Wednesday, June 17th, Bill Schilling, Senior Librarian, will conduct a hands-on class on "Trademarks," including doing a federal trademark search on the US Patent and Trademark Office's web site and a brief introduction to filing for a federal trademark electronically. (Registration is required.) And on Thursday, June 25th, Jean Nudd, Archivist at the National Archives in Pittsfield, will provide tips on how genealogists can find parental relationships when vital records don't exist in "Using Pre-1850 Census to Locate Family Relationships." All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090527 Thu, 27 May 2009 11:45:00 EDT The sixth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The May issue features information on MergentOnline and Mergent BondViewer, two new database resources available at the Library, and on podcasting. RL-libnews6.htm-20090515 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews6.htm Fri, 15 May 2009 08:40:00 EDT The NYS Library will offer three noontime programs in May. On Wednesday, May 13th, librarian Bill Schilling will present "Patents," an introduction to the patenting process in the United States, including how to conduct a preliminary patent search using the U.S. patent classification system. (Registration is required.) On Wednesday, May 20th, local authors Frankie Bailey and Alice Green will present "Wicked Albany," a look at the effect that the Volstead Act of 1919, which established Prohibition, had on Albany. And on Wednesday, May 27th, architect James Comegys and engineer Benjamin Marra from the NYS Office of General Services will discuss the State's efforts to achieve sustainable building and LEED certification in "Green Building." All programs are free and open to the public. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090428 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 9:55:00 EDT The New York State Library is participating in a nationwide project to find out how library users in the United States use computers and the internet at public libraries. If you use the public computers here at the NYS Library, or at your public library, please help us by filling out a survey. The information collected from this survey will be used to try to design better public-access computer services. The survey will be available for two weeks, from April 27 through May 11, 2009. LD-survey-20090428 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/using.htm Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:55:00 EDT The lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were updated on April 20. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Arts and Architecture to Military History to Transportation. RL-newbooks-20090420 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EDT The Sanford collection, which was donated to the NYS Library last summer, consists of nine manuscript journals, a small group of letters, and a manuscript recipe book. Nathan Sanford was Chancellor of NYS from 1823-1826, a NYS Assemblymember and Senator, US attorney general, and a US senator. The family was well connected and Nathan's descendants married into other prominent families such as the Gansevoorts, Stuyvesants, and Motts. Most of the journals were kept by Nathan's son, Robert; covering his days as a student at Union College to 1881, they provide a wealth of detail into the daily lives of New York's upper class. The other journals were kept by female family members. The recipe book is marvelously descriptive and comprehensive and would be of interest to anyone researching aspects of the domestic sphere in the 19th century. RL-historicdocs263068823-200904013 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/263068823 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EDT The Winter 2009 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library's web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. TBBL-winter2009news-20090325 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/2009win/ Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:25:00 EDT The New York State Library now has remote access to two CCH online databases: CCH Human Resources Management Network, which includes BenefitsAnswersNow and HRAnswersNow, and covers all aspects of human resources management, including wages, hours, taxation (state and federal), benefits, laws, OSHA regulations, pension, and compensation information; and CCH Internet Tax Research Network, which has Federal and New York State tax information, including Internal Revenue Code, Federal Tax Regulations, some journals, state laws and regulations, practice aids, commentaries and more. These online resources can be accessed from the State Library's website 24/7 with a NYSL Borrower's card (with a "P" number). If you have any questions about the Tax Research Network, contact Bill Schilling at 518-474-2274 or bschillli@mail.nysed.gov. If you have any questions about the Human Resources Management Network, contact Sheldon Wein at 518-474-2274 or swein@mail.nysed.gov. RL-newdatabases-20090317 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm#C Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:35:00 EDT The NYS Library's Web site, online catalog and digital documents collection will all be unavailable from 5 PM on Friday, March 20 through 11 AM on Sunday, March 22 because of maintenance and testing in the building that requires all electrical systems to be shut down. RL-downtime-20090317 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:35:00 EDT Beginning on Monday, March 23, 2009, electrical contractors will be working on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. This electrical work could take from three days to one week. The Library will remain open with no change in our regular hours or service, but visitors to the Library may note periodic disruptions in public access to certain parts of the floor, which may affect researchers using the 7th floor. RL-announcedisrupt-20090316 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/renov.htm Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EDT The New York State Library now offers a mediated fax service to the general public for a fee. This fax service will be available for both sending and receiving faxes. The NYSL fax service is located at the 7th floor Circulation Desk and is available to the general public. RL-announcefax-20090316 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/faxservice.htm Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EDT Two new databases will be added to our collection as of April 1, 2009: Grolier Online (includes Encyclopedia Americana, Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia and the New Book of Knowledge) and ProQuest Platinum. Some other databases, which cover similar material, will be discontinued. RL-noveldbs.htm-20090306 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/noveldbs.htm Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST The lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were updated on March 6. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Arts and Architecture to Military History to Transportation. RL-newbooks-20090306 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:20:00 EST The NYS Library's Web site, online catalog and digital documents collection will all be unavailable from 5 PM on Friday, March 6 through 11 AM on Sunday, March 8 because of maintenance and testing in the building that requires all electrical systems to be shut down. Similar testing may cause an additional service interruption the weekend of March 21. RL-downtime-20090302 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:15:00 EST The NYS Library will host three programs on Wednesdays in March. On March 4th, librarian Bill Schilling will provide an introduction to one of the Library's subscription databases, "Commerce Clearing House’s (CCH) Tax Research Network." (Note: this is a research database, not a tax preparation tool.) On March 18, Dr. Peter Neenan, Director of Research and Statistics at the Department of Labor, will discuss "On-Line Job Information YOU Can Use." And on March 25, Kwinn Doran will discuss her research of Lulu Stillman, who was very active in Native American affairs, in the presentation "Lulu Stillman, Iroquois - N.Y./U.S. Conflict, and Globalization, 1950-1966." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090227 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:20:00 EST The fifth issue of our quarterly electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The February issue features articles on customized training opportunities and the new State Librarian. RL-libnews5.htm-20090220 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews5.htm Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:15:00 EST The 1967 Convention was the last State Constitutional Convention held in New York State to date. (New Yorkers voted against calling a constitutional convention in 1977 and 1997.) All of the 1967 Convention's proposals were rejected by the people when the proposals were submitted to the voters. The twelve-volume set "Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, April fourth to September twenty-sixth, 1967" includes the Directory of delegates and staff (volume 1); Records (volumes 2-4); the Journal, the Calendar and the Resolutions (volume 5); Propositions (volumes 6-10); Documents no. 1 - no. 60 (volume 11); and an Index (volume 12). The New York State Library has also digitized other materials related to earlier New York State Constitutional Conventions. RL-historicdocs17455467-20090206 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/17455467 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST In 1895, Governor Morton appointed a state historian whose duties were "to collect... edit, and prepare for publication all official records... and data, relative to the colonial wars, war of the revolution, war of 1812, Mexican war and war of the rebellion." The New York State Library recently digitized the State historian's 1st Annual Report (1895), 2nd Annual Report (1896) and 3rd Annual Report (1897). The 2nd Annual Report includes Volume 1 of the Colonial Muster Rolls for 1664-1760 (Appendix H); the 3rd Annual Report includes Volume II of the Colonial Muster Rolls (Appendix M), as well as an index of names contained in the Colonial Muster Rolls (pages 899-1130). The annual reports of the State Historian are among the many historical documents that the New York State Library has made freely available online. RL-historicdocs10576268-20090126 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/10576268 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:15:00 EST The NYS Library will host three programs this month. On Thursday, February 5th, Harry Bradshaw Matthews, founding president of the USCT Institute for Local History and Family Research at Hartwick College, will present "Development of the African American Infrastructure and its Impact Upon Ending Slavery in the U.S." On Wednesday, February 11th, Paul Stewart, co-founder of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, will discus "The Liberty Minstrel," one of several books of antislavery songs written by George Washington Clark in the NY State Library's collections. On Friday, February 20th, amateur genealogist and family historian Aaron Mair will share his knowledge and experience in tracking down the facts, stories, and records of people of color in the Americas in "Practical Field Tools for Locating African Ancestors in the Americas." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090121 Mon, 5 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST The New York State Library's online catalog and digital documents collection will be unavailable from 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday evening, January 23 through 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, January 26 because of scheduled system maintenance. The rest of the Library's web site will not be affected. RL-downtime-20090121 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/downtime.htm Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:10:00 EST The NYS Library will host two programs this month. On Wednesday, January 14th, the Musicians of Ma'alwyck, with guest artists from the Metropolitan Opera and Glimmerglass, will perform portions of "The Poor Soldier," a comic opera from 1783 that is being revived locally. On Wednesday, January 21st, Maya Rook, a graduate student in U.S. History at SUNY Albany, will explore how L. Frank Baum incorporated the values of consumerism and mind cure into his children's novel in "Buying Happiness: Mind Cure, Consumerism, and The Wizard of Oz." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20090105 Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:10:00 EST Twenty volumes of papers and correspondence of Sir William Johnson have been released in a revised, second edition digital CD format by the New York State Library. The papers, which are part of the Manuscripts Collection of the NYS Library, are primary documents dating from 1738 to 1808 that provide a fascinating glimpse into the pre-Revolutionary interactions among the British, French, and Iroquois empires. The second-edition CD features several enhancements, including more digitized images, improved accuracy of scans, and electronic indexing allowing simultaneous searching of the entire collection. The CD is available from the New York State Library for $20. RL-annjohnsoncd.htm-20081209 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/johnsoncd.htm Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST The latest lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection have been posted. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. RL-newbooks-20081208 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:50:00 EST Compiled in 1981 by New York State Library staff members Marilyn Douglas and Melinda Yates, "New York State Census Records, 1790-1925" contains an inventory of federal and state census manuscripts and microfilm holdings in repositories throughout New York State. A list of the questions asked on federal population schedules (1780-1980) is included on pages 43-46 and a list of the questions asked on state population schedules (1825-1925) is included on pages 48-49. A survey of the data included on the federal census special schedules is also included. This publication contains additional information about statistical census records, a "Genealogy of New York State Counties" chart that shows when and how counties were formed, etc. Although some of the information in this publication is a bit outdated, such as the inventory of New York State Library federal and state census holdings, it is still a good reference source. This volume is one of the many documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. RL-historicdocs9643270-20081203 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/9643270 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:05:00 EST The fourth issue of our electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The newsletter, which is published quarterly, contains information on programs and services of interest to New York State agency employees. The November issue features articles on new information delivery services and digital collections. RL-libnews4.htm-20081201 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews4.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:50:00 EST "Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York," by Edgar A. Werner, was published in 1891 and includes lists of officers "connected with the public service of the State," a constitutional history of New York State and the history of development of each department that was part of New York State government. This volume includes the text of the Constitution of New York (1846) as amended and in force as of 1/1/1891 and an Index of Names that lists all names included in this work, along with the county or town of residence of each individual. This volume is one of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. RL-historicdocs09950165-20081126 http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/09950165 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST The latest lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection have been posted. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology, and each book listed includes a link to the catalog record for additional information. RL-newbooks-20081126 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST There will be two programs in December: "From Nickelodeons to Cell Phones: A Brief History of the Motion Picture" on Wednesday, December 3rd, and "Gutters and Street Paving: Elkanah Watson, the New England Migration, and the Improvement of Albany, New York in the Early Republic" on Wednesday, December 10th. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm RL-press.htm-20081121 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:35:00 EST The annual report for the Research Library provides background information on the varied collections, historical documents, and other resources available from the Library, including the Talking Book and Braille Library, highlighting in particular the Research Library's accomplishments in the past year. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/publications/annual08/annrpt08.htm RL-annrpt08.htm-20081112 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST The New York State Library announces the availability of grants for research in New York State history. The Cunningham Research Residency Program was established to benefit scholars using the unique collections of the New York State Library to study the history and culture of New York. The New Netherland Institute and the Library will also make a Quinn-Library grant for specialized research in Dutch-related documents and printed materials at the New York State Library. Four Cunningham residencies ($1,000) and at least one Quinn fellowship ($2,500) will be awarded in 2009. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/researchres.htm RL-researchres.htm-20081110 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST If you plan to visit the New York State Library in November, please be aware that work on the public floor (7th floor) of the Library is taking place from November 4 through November 14, 2008. The library will remain open with no change in our regular hours or service, but there may be periodic disruptions in public access to certain parts of the floor. We will try to keep disruption down to a minimum, but we hope you take this into consideration when planning your library use through November 14. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/renov.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/renov.htm Wed, 5 Nov 2008 15:05:00 EST Coming programs in November include: Researching Patent and Trademark Information, a free, full day seminar for inventors, entrepreneurs, educators and legal professionals, presented by representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office; Hidden Landmark - Saving Albany's Oldest House, presented by Bill Brandow, Associate with John G. Waite Associates; and Consumer Health - Online Resources, presented by Chris Szczerba, a Senior Librarian at the NYS Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:05:00 EDT On October 22, 2008 the Library marked Governor Paterson's declaration of the week of October 20 as the second Friends of Libraries week by celebrating the many volunteers, including the Friends of the New York State Library, who give their time and knowledgeable assistance to keep the Library running smoothly. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/volunteers.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/volunteers.htm Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:45:00 EDT On October 21, 2008, the Board of Regents announced the appointment of Bernard A. Margolis as the New York State Librarian. Mr. Margolis, who previously served as the President of Boston Public Library, will assume his new responsibilities in January 2009. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/nyslibr.htm Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT On October 15, 2008 the New York State Library went "live" with the IDS (Information Delivery Services) Project. The Library became the 34th member of this rapid resource sharing system, which is also used by various SUNY, CUNY and private academic libraries. The Library will begin lending materials first to customers at these institutions and will soon implement unmediated borrowing for NYSL customers who have a "P" borrower's card, allowing them to place online requests themselves. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/ids.htm Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:25:00 EDT With all of the media focus on the upcoming presidential election, you may not be hearing too much about more local races. One place you can now look for that information, however, is the Library's bibliography of web sites related to New York State elections. The sites on the list cover federal, state, and local representatives; New York State newspapers; political and citizens action groups; New York-based public opinion polls; and voter registration information. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/election.htm Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:50:00 EDT Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology, and each book listed includes a link to the catalog record for additional information. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:45:00 EDT Coming programs in October include: "The Most Electrifying Capital in the World: the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza," presented by John Egan, Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services, on Monday, October 6th (part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Rockefeller's birthday by the New York State Museum, Archives and Library, in conjunction with the Plaza Art Collection); "Newspapers Online," presented by librarians Mary Beth Bobish and Sheldon Wein on Thursday, October 16th; and "The Anti-Rent War of 1839 to 1869," presented by Michael Barrett, well-known Troy historian and Deputy Director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, on Friday, October 24th. All three Public Programs take place from 12:15-1:15 p.m. and are free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT In November, the NYS Library will host a free, day-long seminar, geared toward inventors, entrepreneurs, educators and legal professionals, on "Researching Patent and Trademark Information." Representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office will present sessions on intellectual property, conducting a patent search, conducting a trademark search, using the USPTO web site and dealing with invention promotion firms. The session will take place Thursday, November 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited, so registration is required. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:25:00 EDT Coming programs in September include Book Collections and Appraisal, with Diane DeBlois and Robert Dalton Harris, partners in aGatherin, a book and manuscript appraisal business on Thursday, September 18th; and Education Online with librarian Stephanie Barrett, on Wednesday, September 24th. All Public Programs are free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:25:00 EDT Due to scheduled maintenance, the NYS Library's Web site and online catalog may not be available for periods between 5 PM and 10 PM this evening, Wednesday, September 10, 2008. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/11th.htm Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:50:00 EDT Beginning on September 8th, electrical contractors will be working on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. This electrical work could take 1-2 weeks. The Library will remain open with no change in our regular hours or service, but visitors to the Library may note periodic disruptions in public access to certain parts of the floor, which may affect researchers using the 7th floor materials and computers. Thank you for your patience during this work period. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/11th.htm Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EDT Joseph E. Persico, bestselling author of 'The Imperial Rockefeller: A Biography of Nelson A. Rockefeller,' will speak about the former New York governor and later U.S. vice president. Prior to his career as historian and biographer, Mr. Persico was chief speechwriter for Mr. Rockefeller, whose 100th birthday is being celebrated in 2008. Cosponsored with the Friends of the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:35:00 EDT The third issue of a new electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The newsletter, which will be published quarterly, contains information on programs and services of interest to New York State agency employees. The August issue features information access to electronic journals and magazines, RSS feeds and readers, and new books in our collection. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/index.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:07:00 EST The Summer 2008 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library's web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/smr2008/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:53:00 EST This three-volume set, the seventh edition of the revised statutes, was the first of two commercially published editions edited by Montgomery H. Throop, who was the grandson of Governor Enos T. Throop and a member of the New York State Statutory Revision Commission from 1870-1878. This set includes statutes in force passed from the year 1778 to the close of the Legislative session of 1881, together with statues as altered by subsequent legislation. Annotations, explanations, and references to judicial decisions are also included. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/71303134 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT Orderly books are the companies' official record of all military orders, and include courts martial, disciplinary actions and promotions. These are the orderly books of Captain Amos Hitchcock's Connecticut provincial companies during the French and Indian War. The volumes also provide a record of troop movements in northern New York and Canada, and encampments at Albany, Fort Edward, Lake George, Crown Point and Fort Ontario. This is one of the many historical documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/71303134 Tue, 5 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EDT Beginning on Wednesday, August 6, electrical contractors will be working on the 11th floor of the Cultural Education Center. This work, part of on-going security upgrades, may affect researchers using the collections of the New York State Archives and/or the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections. The work may take up to 4 weeks and we will probably not know in advance when the workers will be in the Research Room. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/11th.htm Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:11:00 EDT "The Constitutional History of New York," a five-volume set by Charles Z. Lincoln, published in 1905, is a fundamental resource for NYS constitutional history from the beginning of the colonial period to 1905. Volume 4 includes the text of the Constitution of the State of New York as revised in 1894 with the amendments of 1899, 1901 and 1905. Volume 5 includes a general index, an index of persons and table of cases, and tables of statutes held to be constitutional and unconstitutional. Charles Lincoln was a member of the New York Constitutional Convention of 1894 and chairman of the Statutory Revision Commission from 1895 -1900. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/1337955 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EDT The Natural History Survey of New York, undertaken in the mid-1800s, covered zoology, flora, mineralogy, geology, agriculture and paleontology. The NYS Library has digitized the first three components of the survey so far. The "Zoology of New York", or the "New York Fauna," is a five-volume set published from 1842-1844. This pioneering study by James E. De Kay addressed both recent and fossil mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks and crustaceans. The hand-colored plates in part 1 (Mammalia), part 2 (Birds) and part 5 (Mollusca and Crustacea) can be found at the end of those volumes. "A Flora of the State of New-York," a two-volume set by John Torrey, was published in 1843; at the time, it was the largest single work of its kind published. The hand-colored plates are listed after each volume. "Mineralogy of New-York" by Lewis C. Beck was published in 1842 and provided detailed descriptions of minerals found in the state, with information on their uses in the arts and agriculture. These are some of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/5045324 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:20:00 EDT "A Set of Plans and Forts in America, Reduced From Actual Surveys," by John Rocque, was published in 1763 in London. The volume consists of 30 maps of forts in the British colonies in North America (what is now the northeastern part of the U.S. and Canada), including many in New York, such as Albany, Schenectady, the Fort of Saratoga, Fort William Henry and the Redoubts at Crown Point. The volume also includes a "Map of the British Dominions in North America according to the Treaty of 1763." This volume is one of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/1010245 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:55:00 EDT The Revised Statutes of the State of New-York, published in 1829, is a three-volume set which includes the statues passed during 1827 and 1828, as well as former acts which had not been revised. The Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New York State are included in volume 1 of this set. This set is one of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/NY200026559 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EDT Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. Books listed now include a link to the catalog record for additional information. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Mon, 7 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EDT The New York State Education Department (NYSED), which includes the New York Sate Library, is redesigning its web site. As part of the process, NYSED is conducting a brief survey to learn more about how visitors use the web site. If you use the SED and/or the Library site, please take a few minutes to complete our six-question survey and let us know what you like or dislike about the site, and how it could be more useful to you. http://www.forms2.nysed.gov/oms/survey/redesign.cfm Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EDT Due to the large number of registrations we have moved the June 25th program on "Using the Internet for Genealogy Research" to the Huxley Theater, which is in the same building, the Cultural Education Center, but on the first floor. As you enter the building from Madison Ave. you will be on the first floor of the Museum; the Huxley Theater is through the doors to the right. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EDT An entry from the New York State Library has been identified by the American Library Association as a 'Notable Government Document' for 2007. The document is a CD that contains the digital edition of the Sir William Johnson Papers. Johnson, who served from 1755 to 1774 as the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New York, is best remembered for his diplomatic achievements among the various Native American tribes and as a military leader during the French and Indian War. This set of primary documents from the colonial era provides a fascinating glimpse into the pre-Revolutionary interactions among the British, French, and Iroquois empires. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/johnson.htm Wed, 4 Jun 2008 08:35:00 EDT The findings of the New York State Indian Commission (1919-1922), whose purpose was to investigate the status of Indian welfare and land rights in NYS, are described in the Report of the New York State Commission to Investigate the Status of the American Indian Residing in the State of New York, commonly known as the Everett Report. Assemblyman Edward Everett was chairman of the Commission. The report was presented to the legislature on March 17, 1922 only to be rejected for filing. It wasn't until 1971 that the report was finally released. Lulu Stillman, a stenographer for Assemblyman Edward Everett, was credited for preserving the only remaining record of the report, from which the 1971 transcript was made. As Everett's stenographer, Stillman retained copies of most of the material produced by or related to the commission. (Many of the original documents are either missing or unavailable.) The published report released in 1971 and Stillman's annotated draft have both been digitized. These documents are some of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/indiancommission Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EDT Three classes will be offered in June: Childhood: An Endangered Experience?, with author and recently retired teacher, Chris Mercogliano on Wednesday, June 11th, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.; Horse Racing in New York State, with Allan Carter, historian and librarian at the New York State Racing Museum, on Wednesday, from June 18th, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.; and Using the Internet for Genealogy Research, with Jean Nudd, Archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration,on Wednesday, June 25th, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. All Public Programs are free, and you are welcome to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EDT The Annotated Lists and Indexes of the New York State Assembly and Senate Document Series, 1831-1918 and the Annotated List and Indexes of the New York State Legislative Document Series, 1919-1976 were both compiled by Robert Allan Carter, a former State Library reference librarian. These useful guides provide a list, by date, of the documents contained in the Assembly and Senate document series and the Legislative documents series. These guides also provide indexes to the documents by subject, keyword in titles, name of chairperson, geographical names, etc. These are some of the many documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/27658236 Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EDT Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. Most books now include a link to the catalog record, which has more information about the book. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Wed, 28 May 2008 08:45:00 EDT The Laws of the State of New York published in 1802 is a two volume set that contains selected early statutes and is the first consolidation of local law (county, town, city and village law), banking laws, corporation (turnpike and toll bridges) law, navigation law, etc. This set is commonly known as the "Kent and Radcliff Revision"; James Kent and Jacob Radcliff were judges of the NYS Supreme Count at the time. The text of the 1807 edition is almost the same as the 1802 version, but some errors in text and binding were corrected in 1807 edition. These sets of Laws of New York State are some of the many historic documents the New York State Library has made freely available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/newyorkstatelaws Wed, 28 May 2008 08:45:00 EDT The second issue of a new electronic newsletter, Library News For You, is now available. The newsletter, which will be published quarterly, contains information on programs and services of interest to New York State agency employees. The May issue features information on how to request a book, and the lifespan of electronic documents. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/index.html Thu, 15 May 2008 04:31:00 EST This class is an introduction to patent searching using the US Patent Classification System. It will include a guide to all of the resources available on the USPTO's web site and an introduction to PubWEST, a more sophisticated patent search system available only at the NY State Library, other Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries and at the USPTO Public Search Room in Alexandria, VA. Bill Schilling, Senior Librarian, will conduct the class. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EDT Trademarks are a valuable way for businesses to identify and market their goods or services. This class will cover unregistered trademarks as common law rights and registered trademarks at the state and federal level. It will also cover doing a federal trademark search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office's web site and a brief introduction to filing for a federal trademark electronically. Bill Schilling, Senior Librarian, will conduct the class. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EDT Speaker Leigh Davies, Coordinator of the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Russell Sage College, will offer a general overview of Art Therapy including appropriate populations and settings, its history, its benefits and how it is presently situated in the world of therapy. Art Therapy is best understood when experienced so an effort will be made to allow a mini-experience. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EDT The New York State Library, in cooperation with the Mid-York Library System, has scheduled a Basic Outcome-Based Evaluation (OBE) training workshop in May 2008. The workshop will be held at the Mid-York Library System on May 15 and 16. These OBE workshops are designed for staff from all types of library systems and central libraries who are engaged in training. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/obe/wrkshp08.htm Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:21:00 EDT Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were posted on April 4. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:25:00 EDT Philip A. DiGiorgio, a partner with the Pierro Law Group, will conduct this class on Estate Planning. He will provide a broad overview of wills, trusts, long term care planning, advance directives such as health care proxies and powers of attorney. In addition Mr. DiGiorgio will discuss estate and gift tax planning, and alternatives to Medicaid. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:16:00 EST Tom Shanahan, a registered lobbyist and head of the Shanahan Group, will explore the development of lobbying and the increasingly stringent regulations that govern it by using case studies going back more than 200 years. The talk also explores some proposed restrictions that may threaten the constitutionally guaranteed right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:16:00 EST Paul Rapp, Esq. will explore copyright law from its genesis in the 1600's to its applications today. Emerging problems with copyright in the digital age will be highlighted, including the tension between copyright law and "remix culture," the "Google books" controversy, and YouTube. He will provide an in-depth look at the music industry's attempts to stem online file-sharing by bringing mass lawsuits against consumers. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:16:00 EST The New York State Library is receiving $621,000 through the New York State Universal Broadband Access Grant Program for a statewide project entitled Bringing Broadband to New York's Libraries. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/broadbnd/ Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:15:00 EST Sponsored by The Right Move and the New York State Library. Games at 10:30, 11:40, 1:10, and 2:20. Trophies to the Top Three in each section; Medals to all who score 2.5 or more points in each section. Location: Student Center, 1st Floor of the State Museum, Madison Ave, Albany, NY. Register at www.maketherightmove.org, or call 212-729-7060. Play chess! Win prizes! Pizza lunch available for purchase! Free parking by the Cathedral and the Museum. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/chess08.htm Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:18:00 EST Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection were posted on March 4. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:40:00 EST The New York State Library's web site, catalog and digital collections will all be unavailable from Friday evening, March 7 through noon Sunday, March 9, 2008 because of scheduled building maintenance. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/power.htm Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:45:00 EST Susan Goodier, PhD, argues that the impact of the Great War in Europe on New York anti-suffrage women was overwhelming, a point few historians make. Virtually all the work of antis, and most of the funds they raised after 1914, went toward war relief or war preparedness efforts. Suffragists, conversely, were far more divided on the war issue. Acknowledging that suffragists were deeply divided in their support of the war belies the contention of the many historians who argue that women received the vote in gratitude for their support of American war efforts during World War I. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:35:00 EST Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has entered into a partnership with IBM and New York State to apply high-end computational modeling in areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology. Over the last year, this partnership has made the world's most powerful academic supercomputer operational. According to the Top500.org list, this supercomputer is the 12th most powerful overall. Building on the intellectual strengths in science and engineering modeling and the acquisition of this system, this partnership is poised to provide insights and new design and analysis tools that are essential for growth in several critical high-tech industries. John E. Kolb, Vice President for Information Services and Technology at RPI, will describe the work to date in establishing the Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI) and a glimpse into the future. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:34:00 EST Many have argued, with considerable justification, that the Hudson-Mohawk region was the "birthplace of the American industrial revolution." P. Thomas Carroll, PhD, Executive Director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, will review this interpretation and add another dimension. Upstate New Yorkers of the nineteenth-century cultivated infrastructure developments in transportation (including the Erie Canal), in education (including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), and in investment banking. Early on, they recognized that what they were doing would not improve the then-dominant rural-agrarian lifestyle, but would rather replace it with our "modern" urban-industrial way of life. Just as Silicon Valley enthusiasts breathlessly celebrate "postmodernism," yesterday's visionaries gushed about their millennial role and gave direction to some celebrated engineering innovations. Bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST The New York State Library is pleased to announce the first issue of a new electronic newsletter, Library News For You, for state agency employees. The newsletter, which will be published quarterly, contains information on programs and services of interest to New York State agency employees. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nyempnews/libnews1.htm Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:25:00 EST The Winter 2008 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library's web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/win2008/ Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:12:00 EST The infamous "Whipple Report," a report of the special committee appointed by the New York State Assembly of 1888 "to investigate the Indian Problem of the State of New York" has been scanned and made available online in PDF format. The Whipple Report contains a list of 18th and 19th century treaties and other important documents related to the cession, sale and partition of land held by members of the "Six Nations" of New York State. In 1815, for example, representatives of the Seneca Nation sold the islands in the Niagara River to the State of New York for $1,000 (see Volume 1, page 211). The report includes a complete chronological survey of land deals and reprints land grants back to 1629. The report also features hundreds of pages of testimony by Native American leaders before the committee. The Whipple Report is one of many historic documents the New York State Library has made available online. http://purl.org/net/nysl/nysdocs/4709377 Tue, 5 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Tue, 5 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST Senior Librarian, Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate the HeritageQuest and Ancestry online databases, both of which are accessible through the NY State Library. Through these databases learn how to access Census records, genealogy and history books, maps and more. Seating is limited and registration is required. This session will be held in the Library Computer Classroom on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. Registration is required. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST Paul Mercer, Senior Librarian in Manuscripts and Special Collections, will present a selection of songs from a unique manuscript songbook in the State Library's Collections. In December 1814, England and the United States signed the Treaty of Ghent marking the end of the War of 1812. For the 6,000 American Prisoners of War held in England's notorious Dartmoor Prison, the war did not end until well into the following year. The story of their captivity was told in a small manuscript song book kept by prisoner Thomas B. Mott "of the state of New York." Paul Mercer will perform songs from this collection, and discuss his extensive research into Mott's life and the experiences of the Dartmoor prisoners. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST Rick Tuers, Coastal Engineer for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, will share many stories of photographing and researching the Lighthouses of New York State. The history of New York State Lighthouses has been interwoven with the discovery, settlement, and industrialization of America, with their importance and construction increasing after the opening of the Erie Canal. Rick will discuss the many different types of construction used in towers and the fuels they use, as well as the physics and characteristics of the lenses that can project a beacon of light up to 22 miles. The 15 "Lost Beacons" will be included in the talk along with the 7 Hudson River Lighthouses and wonderful color photos of the 71 Lighthouses still in existence in New York. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:03:00 EST Darrell Welch, former Rare Books librarian with the NYS Library, will discuss the rare book collection at the NYS Library and highlight a representative selection of items. Among the treasures to be discussed and displayed will be the first English language description of New York - Daniel Denton's A Brief Description of New York Formerly called New Netherlands, 1670. Darrell will also talk about one of the first books printed in New York, Bradford's Laws, 1691, a book that marks the beginning of the modern legal system of government in New York. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:01:00 EST The Fall 2007 edition of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) newsletter, Upstate Update, is now available on the Library web site, in HTML, audio or podcast format. (Although the Library has been posting these newsletters in audio format for many years, with this issue the podcast was added so that users could subscribe once and then receive future issues automatically.) Upstate Update is published quarterly to keep TBBL borrowers informed of developments at State and national levels that affect their service. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/fall2007/ Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:50:00 EST Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/nbsubject.htm Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:55:00 EST Independent films, or "indies," are features and/or short movies made by individuals or production companies outside of the Hollywood studio system. Albany has a thriving indie filmmaking community, and two of its most prominent members, Bruce G. Hallenbeck and Jeff Kirkendall, will discuss the ins and outs of filmmaking on a shoestring, focusing on screenwriting, pre-production, casting and the entire process of making a film from conception to distribution. The filmmakers will also show clips from their productions to illustrate indie filmmaking techniques. This program will be held in the Carol Huxley Theater on the first floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST This class will teach participants how to use the LegalTrac and Loislaw databases to support legal research. LegalTrac is an index to over 1400 legal publications that includes law reviews, legal newspapers, and bar association journals. It also contains law-related articles from additional business and general interest titles. Coverage spans from 1980 and includes some full text articles. Training in Loislaw will focus on the Secondary Law section which contains Treatise Libraries and Bar Publications. This class will be held in the Computer Classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. Seating is limited to 12. Registration is required... http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:05:00 EST Due to planned Department-wide maintenance, the New York State Library's Web site and catalog will not be available from 6:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/intrup10.htm Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:22:00 EDT This report summarizes the results of a two-year pilot testing the application of WebFeat federated search software for the online collections of the New York State Library and the collections of the NOVELNY pilot project. (Federated search software allows users to simultaneously search across multiple online resources, including subscription databases and web sites.) While cost considerations may limit its widespread adoption, the findings of the pilot program may be of interest to other libraries using, or considering implementation of, federated search. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/news/portal.htm Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:05:00 EDT The New York State Library (NYSL) has recently updated the section of its web site that deals with patent information. NYSL has been a U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Library since 1871 and its collection includes nearly everything the USPTO has published and distributed. These materials can be used for both patentability searches and historical inquiries. New additions to the site include information on conducting a patent search and links to online patent tutorials. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/patents/ Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:50:00 EDT Lists of the newest books added to the Library's collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:30:00 EDT The New York State Library's web site, catalog and digital collections will all be unavailable from Friday evening, October 5, 2007 through Monday, October 8 because of scheduled building maintenance taking place throughout the Empire State Plaza. By 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2007 all systems will be back to normal. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/intrup.htm Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:00:00 EDT The period between 1790 and 1850 was a time of dynamic change in New York State. There were revolutionary changes in agriculture, transportation, finance, communications and demography that would ultimately make New York State recognizable to twenty-first century people. Bob Arnold, Historian and Archivist, will present this program. (Thursday, October 11th, 12:15-1:15 p.m.in Librarians Room, 7th floor of the New York State Library. Feel free to bring your lunch.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EDT This class is for grant seekers who want to learn how to write successful proposals. The class will focus on key components of a proposal, the overall proposal process and the best way to present the information. This class will be presented by Dr. JuWon Choi of the Foundation Center. (Thursday, October 18th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in 11th floor Conference Room.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:42:00 EDT This class is for beginning proposal writers who want to learn the nuts and bolts of budget preparation to support their project proposals. Learn the essentials of project budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including compiling both expense and income elements. This class will be presented by Dr. JuWon Choi of the Foundation Center.(Thursday, October 18th, 1:15-2:15 p.m. in 11th floor Conference Room.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:43:00 EDT Additional session scheduled for 10/2. (Sessions scheduled for 9/20 and 9/26 are full.) Big Online is an online database of grant-makers in the United States and Canada. It includes funding sources from private foundations, corporations and government programs. In this hands-on class on Thursday, September 20 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Chris Szczerba, Senior Librarian, will show participants how to use search techniques and targeted language to retrieve foundation profiles, contact information, funding preferences and recent grants awarded. This session will be held in the Library Computer Classroom on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. (No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:23:00 EDT 'The Great Railroad Strike of 1877' is an instructional packet on Labor History for teachers, particularly social studies and language arts teachers of grades 7, 8 and 11. The activities in the packet, which correlate with the New York State Learning Standards and Performance Indicators for the Intermediate and Commencement Levels, include seven student activities based on 15 newspaper articles from The Albany Argus and the Buffalo Morning Express. The packet was originally produced by The Friends of the New York State Newspaper Project as a loose-leaf book in 2001; it has now been made available online, in both HTML and PDF. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/teacherguides/strike/ Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EDT Are you trying to find out where your ancestors came from or where they went? Federal records can help. From places of birth listed on census records to payment records for Federal military pensions, information on migration is readily available in Federal records, if you know where to look! On Friday, September 14th, from 12:15 to 1:15pm, Jean Nudd, an Archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, will discuss strategies for researching family migrations. The presentation will be held in the Huxley Theater of the New York State Museum on the 1st floor of the Cultural Education Center. Feel free to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EDT Big Online is an online database of grant-makers in the United States and Canada. It includes funding sources from private foundations, corporations and government programs. In this hands-on class on Thursday, September 20 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Chris Szczerba, Senior Librarian, will show participants how to use search techniques and targeted language to retrieve foundation profiles, contact information, funding preferences and recent grants awarded. This session will be held in the Library Computer Classroom on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. (No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EDT Insatiable demand and record prices at auction for fine art and artifacts have fueled new interest in the creation of deceptive forgeries, willful misattribution of property, and provenance. But advances in technology and manufacturing processes over the last ten to twenty years have also equipped scientists with a new arsenal of tools to distinguish masterpieces from fakes and forgeries. Join the Library and presenter James Martin, founder of Orion Analytical (a firm specializing in the examination and analysis of cultural property) on Friday, September 28th, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. for this program, which will be held in the Huxley Theater of the New York State Museum on the 1st floor of the Cultural Education Center. Feel free to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EDT This virtual exhibit highlights items in the Fred B. Abele Transportation History Collections, covering the period from 1905-1985, which the Library acquired in 2001. Beyond that, however, it provides an intriguing look at what goes on behind the scenes when the Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections unit acquires a new collection, processes it, and makes it available to researchers. (August Feature) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:10:00 EDT A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the Melancton Smith Papers, 1767-1795, the Bratt Family Papers, 1689-1854, and the Veeder-Vrooman Family Papers, 1662-1925. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/ Tue, 7 Aug 2007 11:48:00 EDT The Summer 2007 issue of Upstate Update, the quarterly newsletter of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL), is now available online in HTML and MP3 audio. TBBL is a unit of the State Library that lends braille and recorded books and magazines to upsate New Yorkers who are unable to read standard printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/smr2007/ Fri, 3 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT On Friday, August 3, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public is invited to view "Freedom's Treasures," a unique exhibit from the New York State Museum, Library, and Archives featuring some of New York's most important Revolutionary War-era artifacts. This exhibit is part of "1st Friday," Albany's evening of arts and culture. The exhibit will be open on this date only. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/firstfri.htm Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:39:00 EDT The latest lists of books added to the collection are available. Lists are divided into 34 subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Law to Zoology (Animals). http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:50:00 EDT Governor Elliot Spitzer has invited the public to a free exhibit of Revolutionary War era documents and artifacts at the State Capitol, in Albany, July 4th-6th. The exhibition, entitled "Freedom's Treasures," features a collection from the New York State Library, Archives and Museum of some of New York's most important Revolutionary Era artifacts that have rarely been seen by the public. Items from the State Library's collection include some of George Washington's papers and personal items, such as the original draft of his Farewell Address, his dress sword, pistol (a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette), and his copy of the "Cloathing Book" (1742), a book of colored engravings of British military costume. "Freedom's Treasures" will be open to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM on July 4th in the State Capitol's ceremonial Red Room. The display will remain available for public viewing on July 5th and 6th through scheduled Capitol tours. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/freedom.htm Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:05:00 EDT The State Board of Regents is encouraging all children and teens to participate in the free New York State Summer Reading Program, Get a Clue @Your Library. Kids who join the summer reading program at their local public library have the opportunity to read and share books with others and to join in activities, events and celebrations related to the reading program theme. As Chancellor Bennet noted in the press release, reading during the summer is important because it helps children keep and even improve the reading skills they have developed during the school year. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SummerReading.2007.htm Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:40:00 EDT The General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Archives and Library Collection consists of 1,034 rolls of microfilm with information on the War with Japan, World War II, the Korean War and the allied occupation of Japan. It includes correspondence, official files, news clippings, speeches, memorabilia, reports, etc. Items in this collection are available for use on-site or can be borrowed via Interlibrary Loan or directly by individuals with a NYSL Borrower's card. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/military/macarthur.htm Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:00:00 EDT The Mexican-American War: Unit Histories and Personal Narratives is a collection of 460 microfiche. It includes general reference works, state and federal adjutant general's office reports, state histories of the war, compilations of unit histories and unit histories representing the contributions of specific cities and counties. Items in this collection are available for use on-site or can be borrowed via Interlibrary Loan or directly by individuals with a NYSL Borrower's card. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/reference/military/mexicanwar.htm Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:00:00 EDT The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) recently made their catalog of books available online. Now anyone can search the catalog on the Web, and those who are registered to borrow from TBBL can also add titles directly to their request list from the catalog. (TBBL, a unit of the New York State Library, administers a free program that loans recorded and braille books and magazines, and specially designed playback equipment, to upstate New Yorkers who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:10:00 EDT A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the papers of Charles C. Adams, which contain correspondence, reports, and printed works detailing the founding and administrative operations of the Roosevelt Wild Life Forest Experimental Station within the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse. Correspondents included many prominent individuals in the fields of natural history and sciences. These papers also detail the creation of Allegany State Park in western New York State. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc22108.htm Fri, 8 Jun 2007 16:29:00 EDT A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the Shaker Collection, 1784-1992. This collection of manuscripts and publications touches all aspects of the Shaker way of life. In addition to the better known Shaker principles--celibacy and separation from the world. It also includes information on their beliefs and actions regarding pacifism, charitableness, equality of sexes, and sanctity of labor. A selected bibliography is also available. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc20330.htm Fri, 8 Jun 2007 16:32:00 EDT Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) initiative did much to advance the stewardship of our nation's natural resources, and did even more to improve the profound socio-economic plight of the "greatest generation." On Wednesday, June 6th, from 12:15-1:15pm, join Craig D. Thompson, Director of NYS DEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, for an overview of the CCC program in New York State, which had the largest CCC program in the country with over 200 camps. The presentation will take place in the Librarians Room on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. Feel free to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 31 May 2007 10:00:00 EDT Are you trying to find out where your ancestors came from or where they went? Federal records can help. From places of birth listed on census records to payment records for Federal military pensions, information on migration is readily available in Federal records, if you know where to look! On Friday, June 15th, from 12:15 to 1:15pm, Jean Nudd, an Archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, will discuss strategies for researching family migrations. The presentation will take place in the Librarians Room on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. Feel free to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 31 May 2007 10:00:00 EDT On Wednesday, June 20th, from 12:15 to 1:15pm, Sheldon Wein and Mary Beth Bobish, librarians in the Public Services Unit of the New York State Library, will introduce Digital Sanborn Maps for towns and cities of New York State. Sanborn fire insurance maps are valuable historical tools for anyone who wants to learn about the history, growth, and development of American cities, towns, and neighborhoods. The maps include details such as the outline of each building, the size, shape and construction materials, heights, and function of structures, and location of windows and doors. Since this session will be held in the State Library's Computer Classroom (on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center), seating is limited and registration is required. Please note also that no food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 31 May 2007 10:00:00 EDT The lists of books added to the collection in the last couple months are available. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Wed, 30 May 2007 10:15:00 EDT The Catalog and Digital Collections will be unavailable from late Saturday afternoon, May 19, through 12:00 noon on Sunday, May 20, while the system is upgraded. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/intrup.htm Fri, 18 May 2007 13:30:00 EDT The Spring 2007 issue of Upstate Update, the quarterly newsletter of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL), is now available online in HTML and MP3 audio. TBBL is a unit of the State Library that lends braille and recorded books and magazines to upsate New Yorkers who are unable to read standard printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/sp2007/ Fri, 11 May 2007 15:00:00 EDT One of the requirements for obtaining a patent in the United States is that the invention must be new. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recommends that performing a preliminary patent search should be among the first things done when considering a patent application.This class is an introduction to patent searching using the US Patent Classification System. It will include a guide to all the resources available on the USPTO's web site and an introduction to PubWEST, a more sophisticated patent search system available only at the NYS Library, other Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries and at the USPTO Public Search Room in Alexandria, VA. Free session will be held in Librarians Room in the State Library, which is on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Madison Avenue, Albany. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 08 May 2007 14:52:00 EDT Trademarks are a valuable way for businesses to identify and market their goods or services. This class will cover unregistered trademarks as common law rights and registered trademarks at the state and federal level. It will also cover doing a federal trademark search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office's web site and a brief introduction to filing for a federal trademark electronically. Free session will be held in Librarians Room in the State Library, which is on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Madison Avenue, Albany. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 08 May 2007 14:50:00 EDT Paul C. Rapp, Esq., will discuss intellectual property law in the United States, including an overview of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. There will be an emphasis on copyright protection, its history and theoretical basis, the new challenges presented by new media and the internet. Particular attention will be paid to music downloading, appropriation art and the current lawsuits involving Google and YouTube. Free session will be held in Librarians Room in the State Library, which is on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Madison Avenue, Albany. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 08 May 2007 14:46:00 EDT Games at: 10:30am, 11:40am, 1:10, and 2:20pm. Location: The Student Center, 1st Floor of the State Museum, Madison Ave, Albany NY. Trophy presentation at 3:30pm. Special guest panel on Chess and Education at 12:00pm. Learn how to start your own chess club! Free lessons for beginners! Free movie- The Mighty Pawns: shown at 10:30am. Pizza available to order, or bring your own lunch. Co-sponsored by The Right Move and the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/chess07.htm Thu, 03 May 2007 10:21:00 EDT Sheldon Wein and Mary Beth Bobish, librarians in the Public Services Unit of the NYSL, will introduce ScienceDirect, a database for scientific research that contains more than 1,800 Elsevier journals in the life, physical, medical, technical, social sciences and business areas, offering approximately 8 million articles in full-text. In this program, they will demonstrate ways to search and browse journals, set up topic alerts, export citations and obtain cited by references to take advantage of the database's full suite of customizable features. (This hands-on session will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. Seating is limited to 12 people and registration is required. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:15:00 EDT A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the papers of Martin Henry Glynn, journalist and politician; Governor of New York State, 1913-1914. These papers contain an assortment of manuscript and printed materials related primarily to his political career as well as his role as editor and publisher of the Albany Times Union. The manuscripts consist chiefly of writings and speeches on a variety of topics, including Irish independence, Catholic patriotism, as well as speeches regarding foreign and domestic issues. Also includes research notes, newspaper clippings, periodical articles collected by Dominick Lizzi while working on his biography of Governor Martin H. Glynn. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc21255.htm Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:09:00 EDT Selected county and town histories from the State Library's collection have been digitized. These publications, online in PDF, were recently indexed and are now searchable. Included are Annals of Albany, by Joel Munsell, published between 1850 and 1859, and Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, a History, by Rutherford Hayner, published in 1925. (April Feature) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:50:00 EST Sheldon Wein and Mary Beth Bobish, librarians in the Public Services Unit of the NYSL, will introduce ScienceDirect, a database for scientific research that contains more than 1,800 Elsevier journals in the life, physical, medical, technical, social sciences and business areas, offering approximately 8 million articles in full-text. In this program, they will demonstrate ways to search and browse journals, set up topic alerts, export citations and obtain cited by references to take advantage of the database's full suite of customizable features. (This hands-on session will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. Seating is limited to 12 people and registration is required. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:30:00 EST Jack Dunn, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Water Supply Protection within the NYS Department of Health, will discuss and answer questions on the regulation of public water supplies across the state. The who, how and when of drinking water monitoring and regulation will be addressed, as well as a historical perspective on how drinking water oversight has progressed over the last several decades. Bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:30:00 EST Ward Stone, Wildlife Pathologist at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will discuss factors influencing the health of the bird population, ranging from pesticides and pollutants to mortality factors such as trains, windows, glass buildings and windmills. Additionally, global warming and the global economy have affected the health of birds, as well as our pets and our children. In 1999, Stone was involved in discovering the West Nile virus and will discuss what we can expect to happen in the future regarding that virus and the potential introduction of avian influenza. This session will be held in the Huxley Theater of the New York State Museum on the 1st floor of the Cultural Education Center. Feel free to bring your lunch. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:30:00 EST A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the papers of Sir William Johnson, who immigrated to the American colonies in 1738 and settled in the Mohawk Valley of New York. Johnson established strong relations with the native tribes and became a prominent military leader and negotiator with the Six Nations during the French and Indian War (1755-1763). Johnson acquired huge land holdings, much of which came as gifts from the Mohawks, and he became one of the wealthiest men in the colonies. In 1762 Johnson founded the city of Johnstown, N.Y. The Sir William Johnson papers in the New York State Library cover a period from 1738 to 1808 and constitute a rich vein of documents related to his private life as well as his career in business, the military and government. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc7005.htm Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:30:00 EDT A finding aid, or collection guide, is now available online for the William B. Elmendorf Papers, which are related primarily to Elmendorf's interest in the history of travel and transportation on the Hudson River via steamboats. He was particularly interested in the Hudson River Day Line Company, since he was the principle agent of Day Line operations at Albany from 1884 through the 1930s. The papers include correspondence and research notes along with photographs, timetables, tickets, and other memorabilia. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc11970.htm Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:30:00 EDT A finding aid (guide) is now available online for the Charles Hallenbeck, ca. 1860-1930 Annals of Steamboating on the Hudson River, 1807-1908. These papers provide a chronological history of steamboat transportation on Hudson River from 1807 to 1908. They include information on the design and construction of steamboats, firms operating steamboats, names of boat captains, and dates of sailing season, disasters, and other events. Many illustrations appear with the text as well as newspaper clippings. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc14824.htm Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:04:00 EDT A finding aid (guide) is now available online for the Sanger Family Papers, which focus closely on William Cary Sanger, documenting numerous facets of his professional and personal life. William Cary Sanger's political, military and business activities are documented primarily by correspondence, drafts of writings and speeches, and clippings. In 1894, Sanger was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican from the second district of Oneida County. Sanger served in the State Assembly from 1895 to 1897. As a member of the Assembly, Sanger was particularly concerned with civil service reform and ballot reform. Correspondence, invoices, and other papers document the management of Sangerfield House and Sangerfield Farm, Sanger's properties in Oneida County, New York. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc22786.htm Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:14:00 EDT Governor Spitzer has announced the upcoming display of Lincoln's preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, was held at the State Capitol for the public on Sunday, March 11 from noon to 4 P.M. The display has been extended through 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12. The Emancipation Proclamation, which some consider the third most significant document in the history of the United States (after the Constitution and the Bill of Rights), was issued on September 22, 1862 at the height of the Civil War. It declared that on January 1, 1863 all slaves held in confederate states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." The preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is one of the New York State Library's greatest treasures. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/ep.htm Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:08:00 EST Due to a power shut down, there will be an interruption in service from 5 p.m. Friday, March 16 through Sunday morning, March 18. The Library's Web site and catalog will not be available during this time. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/intrup.htm Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:02:00 EST Because the programs scheduled for March 21, March 26, and March 29 are already full, the Library has added another session of Online Business Resources on Monday, April 1 at 12:15. Mary Beth Bobish and Sheldon Wein will review the many online business resources available at the New York State Library and demonstrate ways to obtain information on companies and industries, locate financial data, investment reports, articles and more. (This session is limited to 12 people and will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Fri, 9 Mar 2007 14:53:00 EST Because the programs scheduled for Wednesday, March 21st and March 26 are already full, the Library has added a third session of Online Business Resources on Thursday, March 29th at 12:15. Mary Beth Bobish and Sheldon Wein will review the many online business resources available at the New York State Library and demonstrate ways to obtain information on companies and industries, locate financial data, investment reports, articles and more. (This session is limited to 12 people and will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:29:00 EST Governor Spitzer has announced the upcoming display of Lincoln's preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, to be held at the State Capitol for the public on Sunday, March 11 from noon to 4 P.M. The Emancipation Proclamation, which some consider the third most significant document in the history of the United States (after the Constitution and the Bill of Rights), was issued on September 22, 1862 at the height of the Civil War. It declared that on January 1, 1863 all slaves held in confederate states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." The preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is one of the New York State Library's greatest treasures. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/ep.htm Tue, 6 Mar 2007 03:45:00 EST Because the program scheduled for Wednesday, March 21st is already full, the Library has added a second session of Online Business Resources on Monday, March 26st at 12:15. Mary Beth Bobish and Sheldon Wein will review the many online business resources available at the New York State Library and demonstrate ways to obtain information on companies and industries, locate financial data, investment reports, articles and more. (This session is limited to 12 people and will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 6 Mar 2007 09:15:00 EST Since March is Women's History Month, the Library is featuring collections from our Manuscripts and Special Collections division that are related to women's history, particularly those listed in the finding aid, or guide, 'Selected Women's History Collections held by the New York State Library.' Browsing the list, which includes a brief description of each collection, will give you a taste of the size and scope of our collections, which may be as small as a few letters or a diary of an individual woman, or as large as 40 to 60 boxes of organizational records, included because they have information about specific women or because they give insight into women's activities, interests and lives in general during the time period covered by the collection. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Fri, 2 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST On Thursday, March 15th at 12:15 Bill Brigham, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), University at Albany, will talk about ways to get a business started as well as trends in small business. SBDCs around the state offer no-cost, one-to-one counseling to assist start-up and existing businesses in developing strategic business plans, identifying appropriate sources of funding, providing market research, management information and financial analysis. (The program will be held in the Librarians Room in the State Library, which is on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Madison Avenue, Albany.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:55:00 EST On Wednesday, March 21st at 12:15, Mary Beth Bobish and Sheldon Wein will review the many online business resources available at the New York State Library. This program will explore ways to obtain information on companies and industries, locate financial data, investment reports, articles and more. (This session is limited to 12 people and will be held in the computer classroom on the 7th floor of the New York State Library. No food or drink is permitted in the computer classroom.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:55:00 EST On Wednesday, March 28th at 12:15, Maurice Padula, Senior Consumer Frauds Representative with the NYS Attorney General's Office, will discuss how the Attorney General's Office mediates complaints and prosecutes businesses and individuals that engage in fraudulent, deceptive or illegal trade practices. Learn what steps need to be taken to file a complaint if you feel you have been the victim of unfair business practices. (The program will be held in the Librarians Room in the State Library, which is on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Madison Avenue, Albany.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:55:00 EST A finding aid (guide) is now available online for the State Library's collection of records from the Empire State Society of the Sons of The American Revolution (SAR), a lineage organization open to men who can prove themselves direct descendants of individuals who served the United States of America during the Revolutionary War. The New York State Library holds over 100 years of records of the SAR.  This collection is organized into seven series: Administrative Records, Financial Records, Correspondence, Membership Records, Ancestor Card Files, Chapter Records, and Awards, Newsletters, and Miscellaneous Files. Overall, this collection provides extensive documentation of the organization and administration of the Empire State Society. Information on member lineage and Revolutionary War ancestors also makes it a valuable genealogical resource. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc22749.htm Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:00:00 EST A finding aid (guide) is now available online for the Rufus Alexander Grider collection, which consists of albums of Grider's pen-and-ink sketches and watercolors. From 1886 to about 1900, whenever his school duties allowed, Grider traveled up and down the Mohawk Valley, with occasional excursions to the Cherry and Schoharie valleys and Lake George and Lake Champlain, in search of historic buildings, battlefields, the sites of ancient forts, and relics of Indians and early settlers, all of which he drew or copied and then arranged with explanatory notes on pages of albums. By the time of his death in 1900, Grider had compiled nine volumes containing 1,041 pieces, including 623 water color sketches, 42 water color portraits, 169 tracings of manuscripts, 81 original engravings, seven original manuscripts, 71 tracings of maps and plans, 23 photographs and 25 water color drawings of powder horns. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/vc22932.htm Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:00:00 EST Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? There is a bushel full of medical information available to health consumers today. This presentation will discuss how to find relevant health information on databases at the New York State Library and on the Internet. Reliable websites will be emphasized, including MedlinePlus and Health & Wellness Resource Center. Join librarian Chris Szczerba as she demonstrates various techniques to sort the wheat from the chaff in health information. Seating is limited and registration is required. Feb. 28, 12:15, in the Library Computer Classroom on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:16:00 EST Author L. Lloyd Stewart presents research from his book, A Far Cry From Freedom: Gradual Abolition (1799-1827): New York States Crime Against Humanity. This work clarifies some of the misleading facts about the history of the Holocaust of African enslavement and its abolition in New York State. In particular, Stewart will focus on a little-known period in New York history called Gradual Abolition (1799-1827) in an effort to explore the role of the State in the institutionalization of human enslavement and its politically corrupted attempts at abolition. Feb. 23, 12:15, at the Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:16:00 EST An exhibition of letters, written by former slave and prominent black anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass, has opened at the New York State Museum. The exhibition in New York Metropolis Hall, outside of the Harlem in the 1920's gallery, features six letters recently acquired by the New York State Library. They provide valuable insight into anti-slavery activities in upstate New York in the years just before the Civil War. Douglass wrote the letters between 1855-1857 to Miss Hannah Fuller, the organizer of the Skaneateles Ladies Anti-Slavery Society. The letters will be exhibited through March 9. A Virtual Exhibit of the letters is available on the Library's Web site. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/fd/ Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:15:00 EST A finding aid (guide) is now available online for this collection documenting the operational activities of the Society from the early 1950s until the late 1990s. NYFS's primary activities were holding annual and semi-annual membership meetings and folklore conferences, and publishing a folklore journal.The types of materials found in this collection include flyers, invitations, RSVP cards, programs and other materials connected to organizing, promoting, and holding membership meetings; correspondence, meeting minutes, and other materials documenting board business; financial records and reports; well-documented grant applications to the New York State Council on the Arts and the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, and subscription records to NYFS's publications. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc22879.htm Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:16:00 EST A finding aid (guide) is now available online for this collection, which consists of muster rolls, orders, returns and other records including requisitions, accounting records, inspection reports and appointment records of the regiment. These records contain information on individual soldiers such as date of birth, duty activities, and wounds received. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc161-222.htm Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:16:00 EST The lists of books added to the collection in November are available. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:16:00 EST Due to a scheduled hardware and software upgrades, the State Library's Web site and online catalog will experience several brief interruptions in service on Tuesday, February 6, 2007, starting at 6:00 p.m through 10:00 p.m. These interruptions will also affect the New York State Education Department's Web site. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/notice.htm Fri, 2 Feb 2007 08:45:00 EST On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that "all persons held as slaves...shall be free." The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is an earlier version which Lincoln read to his Cabinet on September 22, 1862. Handwritten by President Lincoln, it also contains annotations by Secretary of State (and former Governor of New York) William Seward. The unassuming appearance of this four page declaration in Lincoln's hand tends to mask the significance of what one source declared to be the "most important and far-reaching document ever issued since the formulation of this government." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Fri, 2 Feb 2007 08:45:00 EST What was musical life like in Albany in the 1820's and what did the music sound like? On Wednesday, January 31, from 12:15 p.m to 1:15 p.m., Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, Director and violinist of Musicians of Ma'alwyck, will discuss the formation of the Euterpean Club in 1823. This musical society, which typified amateur music in Albany, worked with professional music directors Richard Willis and Charles Gilfert and established a reputation as an outstanding musical organization. Drawing upon records of the Euterpian Club held at the NYS Library, Ms. Schwartz will discuss the diversity of its repertoire, the curious nature of its instrumentation, and amateur musical life in Albany. Musicians will perform several of the pieces. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 3 Jan 2007 09:10:00 EST On Wednesday, January 10, from 12:15 p.m to 1:15 p.m., John Pipkin, Professor of Geography and Planning at SUNY Albany, will present a program outlining the political and aesthetic struggles over urban space that raged in Albany at the beginning of the twentieth century. Republican Boss Billy Barnes, architects Marcus Reynolds and Arnold Brunner, Governor Charles Evans Hughes, the railroads, and many neighborhood and business organizations designed a series of projects that began as a clean-up of the riverfront. The plan was for Albany to be a "City Beautiful," but Barnes and the "City Beautiful" ideology were defeated by the Democrats and the "City Practical." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Tue, 2 Jan 2007 15:20:00 EST A finding aid (guide) is now available online for the State Library's Declaration of Independence Signers collection, which consists of original manuscript letters and documents containing autographs of men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Engraved portraits of many of the signers are also included. In addition, the collection contains the autographs of Robert R. Livingston and Thomas Willing, members of the Continental Congress who voted in favor of independence but did not sign the Declaration; John Dickinson, who voted against the measure; and Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress and signer of the Declaration, ex officio. The documents are organized alphabetically by state (colony) and then by surname of signer. The collection was originally assembled by Israel K. Tefft of Savannah, Georgia. New York State purchased it in 1868 and the Library has subsequently added to the collection. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/vc17270.htm Tue, 2 Jan 2007 14:15:00 EST The feature for January is one of the many historical documents the Library has recently scanned and made available online in PDF format. Final Report on the Battlefield of Gettysburg is a three-volume set that contains New York at Gettysburg by William F. Fox and includes regimental histories of the numerous New York State regiments that fought at Gettysburg. The report also includes the dedication of the monuments erected in honor of the New York regiments at Gettysburg; the location, dimension, construction and cost of each of the New York monuments at Gettysburg; and color maps of the battle. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Tue, 2 Jan 2007 14:55:00 EST Finding aids (guides) to the following special collections have recently been published online: the Holcomb Family Papers (1805-1889); the Sterling Iron And Railway Company Records (1740-1918); and the World War II Rationing Collection (1942-1946). http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/ Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:45:00 EST African American history and culture is broken into topics such as history, biography, literature, arts, culture, business, civil rights, politics, sports, education, science, and more in this full text database. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:05:00 EST Traveling around the state these days? New York State Transportation Federation's TravelInfoNY.com Web site can show you how traffic looks for your drive along the roads in New York State, any winter travel advisories, and lane closures. Traffic cams show you real-time traffic at many locations. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Tue, 5 Dec 2006 13:32:00 EST The New York State Museum has the most comprehensive collection of labelled and documented New York furniture in the nation. John Scherer, Curator of Decorative Arts, will present a survey of New York State furniture spanning the years 1680 to 1950 using examples from the collections of the New York State Museum. This collection contains prime examples by exemplary New York cabinetmakers such at Duncan Phyfe, Alexander Roux, and Gustav Stickley, as well as less sophisticated examples by country cabinetmakers from around the state. Among the pieces owned or used by famous New Yorkers are Governor DeWitt Clinton's writing chair, President Martin Van Buren's dining chair, Alexander Hamilton's parlor chair and a table that George Washington dined on. Wednesday, December 6, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m., in Librarians Room on the seventh floor of the New York State Library. Free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST Diana S. Waite, President of Mount Ida Press in Albany, New York, and co-author of Tweed Courthouse: A Model Restoration, will discuss how she and her staff approach projects on regional history and architecture for their clients. Mount Ida Press recently researched and wrote a commemorative history of the Fort Orange Club, an organization that has reflected the social, economic, and political culture of Albany for the past 125 years; Diana will highlight how materials at the New York State Library and the Albany Institute of History and Art, as well as the club's own archives, proved essential to that project. Thursday, December 14, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m., in Librarians Room on the seventh floor of the New York State Library. Free. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST The Friends of NYSL will present a lecture on William C. Bouck, who was governor of New York from 1842 to 1844. Edward A. Hagan, former Schoharie County Historian, meticulously researched Bouck over a period of twenty years and became an authority on Bouck, who was perhaps the most noteworthy individual Schoharie has produced. Although Hagan died before he could complete his planned biography, his widow, Stasia Hagan, published her husband's life-time work, William C. Bouck, New York's Farmer Governor, in 2006. Lester Hendrix, Editor, will discuss the book and the life of Governor Bouck on Tuesday, November 14, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m., in Librarians Room on the seventh floor of the New York State Library. (Doors open at 12:00 noon.) http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/ann/bouck.htm Tue, 7 Nov 2006 15:45:00 EST The Fall 2006 issue of Upstate Update, the quarterly newsletter of the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL), is now available online on the TBBL Web site in HTML and MP3 audio. (Note: MP3 audio files will play in many types of audio players, including Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, and iTunes.) TBBL is a unit of the State Library that lends braille and recorded books and magazines, as well as the equipment to play recorded books, to residents of the 55 upstate counties of New York who are unable to read standard printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/audio/fall2006/ Tue, 7 Nov 2006 15:45:00 EST "Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)" is a popular education Web site offering access to many learning resources including teaching ideas, learning activities, photos, maps, primary documents, data, paintings, sound recordings, and more. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Thu, 2 Nov 2006 16:11:00 EST Noontime classes for November include "Records of the Court Chancery," which will help untangle the complexities of these records through a discussion of the Court's history, changing jurisdiction, and records systems; "Doing Business with New York State," with representatives from the Small Business Division of Empire State Development and the Office of General Services (OGS); and "Newspapers Online," which will focus on the newspaper databases accessible through the New York State Library. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:20:00 EDT This database for scientific research contains more than 1,800 Elsevier Science journals in the life, physical, medical, technical, and social sciences. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:00:00 EDT Recently, the New York State Library expanded the types of materials it is scanning and making available online. Now, in addition to the recent publications of State agencies, the Library has also scanned and published a variety of frequently-used historical documents. These items are now available as PDF documents on the State Library's website. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandocs/historical.htm Wed, 4 Oct 2006 15:30:00 EDT The lists of books added to the collection in August are available. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/newbooks/ Wed, 4 Oct 2006 15:30:00 EDT View an online collection of scanned maps of parts of New York State dating from the 16th through the 19th century. Each map in the SUNY Stony Brook New York State Historical Maps collection is presented in various image sizes, with information about its origins and creator, plus related bibliographic references. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Tue, 3 Oct 2006 11:00:00 EDT Classes for October include "Wish You Were Here," the story of the picture postcard from its origins in the nineteenth century to the present time; A League of Her Own: with Carolyn Trombe, author of Dottie Wiltse Collins, Strikeout Queen of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League; and Tricks of the Trade: An overview of librarians'techniques used to locate information from online databases. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:08:00 EDT This month's feature is both a Library searching service and a Web site. OCLC's WorldCat uses the Open WorldCat program to allow users to search for books, music, and videos among 1.3 billion items in 18,000 library catalogs worldwide, and find articles and digital items that can be directly viewed or downloaded. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/features/nyslfeat.htm Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:30:00 EDT Classes for September include Genealogy: HeritageQuest and Ancestry Databases, Beyond the North Gate: The Rum Distillery on the Outskirts of Colonial Albany, and Pandemic Influenza - What in the world do YOU need to know? http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/press.htm Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:30:00 EDT The Library's subscription to Early American newspapers has been expanded to include those published between 1690 and 1922, including titles from all 50 present states. The over 150 New York newspaper selections include newspapers from Albany, Ballston Spa, Cooperstown, Hudson, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Schenectady, Sing-Sing, Troy, and Utica. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/remotedb.htm Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:00:00 EDT