NORTH COUNTRY LIBRARY SYSTEM

Years of Service 1948-2008

Delivering books from the Regional Library Service Center (RLSC) to the Black River Free Library.

Designed by Paulette Roes with the assistance of Dawn Vincent. Edited by Meg White and Linda Lawler.

Table

of

Contents

1948-1958 Regional Library Service Center: The Experiment................................. 1 - 3

1958-1968 A Decade of Change........................................................................................ 4 - 5

1968-1978 A Decade of Building and Expanding Services............................................ 6

1978-1988 A Decade of Laying the Foundation for Automation.............................. 7

1988-1998 A Decade of Technological Advances........................................................ 8 - 9

1998-2008 A Decade of Community Connections..................................................... 10 - 11

STATE LIBRARIAN VISITS NORTH COUNTRY

In April of 1948, Dr. Charles Gosnell

(pictured second from right), New York State Librarian, made an inspection tour

of the North Country in connection with a proposal to set up the first regional library service center in New York State.

Shortly after the visit from Dr. Gosnell, Mr. Raymond Williams, then President of the New York State Library Association (NYLA), became the first Regional Librarian of the RLSC. He and two other staff members organized temporary headquarters at the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library in Watertown.

1

19481948--19581958 Regional Library Service Center: The Experiment

THE CHALLENGE

The original staff of RLSC was challenged to lay the groundwork for supplying books and other library materials to supplement local collections, developing cataloging and processing as well as delivery services, and providing advisory assistance for local librarians and trustees.

1948

$300,000 APPROPRIATED FOR RLSC

1949

ADAMS FREE LIBRARY FIRST TO RECEIVE RLSC DELIVERY

RLSC ON EXHIBIT AT NYLA CONFERENCE AND STATE FAIR

BEGINNING OF AUDIOVISUAL (AV) SERVICES

1948 1950

RLSC’S FIRST CHILLY HOME The RLSC moved into a refurbished garage with non-insulated outer walls at 446 Cross Street , Watertown, in 1948. The nineteen staff members were often seen in coats, gloves, and boots as they worked during that first winter. NCLS had grown to thirty-five staff in 1987. Currently NCLS is back down to twenty-two staff.

In 1953, the need for more adequate quarters was addressed. The new 7,500

square-foot $50,000 building on Arsenal Street (later to become Benny’s Steakhouse)

celebrated its opening with 500 guests, including officials from Albany and other libraries.

BOOKS TRANSPORTED In 1948, a State-owned, three-quarter ton truck and a one-half ton Ford chassis with a special station wagon body were used to transport books to the libraries. Each library received one delivery per week, except during the winter months when materials were mailed. In 1951, a new truck, with its gold lettering on a green background, went into service providing deliveries, as well as serving as a traveling advertisement of the RLSC on its 700-mile weekly circuit. It was on display at the NYLA Conference in Rochester.

1951

FIRST LIBRARIAN AND TRUSTEE WORKSHOPS PRESENTED AND WELL RECEIVED

FIRST ILL STATS RECORDED AND LATER TELETYPED IN 1958

1954

2

VISITORS COME FROM NEAR AND FAR IN RECORD NUMBERS The RLSC, being the only library service center of its kind in the world, was often visited by librarians from the U.S. and abroad, who came to learn about this new development in library service. The first recorded visitors were the Assistant State Librarian and the Head of Extension Division of the State Library of Illinois, followed by 70 librarians, trustees and friends of libraries across New York State. The first foreign visitor gathered information to start a system of libraries in his home country of Poland. During the RLSC’s first decade, they greeted visitors from Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, Italy, South Africa, and Columbia. Some visitors stayed a day or two, while others stayed a week or longer, to gather information to meet their needs.

1957

PRINTING AND PUBLICITY In 1955, a multilith machine for card duplication and other printing

work was acquired. This marked the beginning of printing services provided by the RCLS.

As the years progressed, the need for publicity materials for member libraries grew. RLSC staff with artistic inclinations helped meet this

need by designing, printing and hand-painting publicity items such as posters, flyers and brochures. In 1960,

a staff position for a multilith printer was created to meet these needs.

ADVANCES IN PRINTING SERVICES

Over the decades, technical advances have enabled NCLS to continue offering quality printing and design services to its’ member libraries, an invaluable service that helps promote the libraries’ services and programs.

RLSC RECEIVES ATTENTION IN NYS PUBLIC LIBRARIES EVALUATION

RLSC CREDITED WITH HAVING POSITIVE EFFECT ON COMMUNITIES

3

19581958--19681968 A Decade of Change

NCLS ESTABLISHED In 1958, a new State law allowed for the establishment of State-supported cooperative library systems, each under the administration of a board of trustees composed of representatives from the area served. The North Country Library System (NCLS) was established by the libraries of the area to continue the services of the Regional Library Service Center under the provisions of the new State Law. Mr. John B. Johnson, Sr. was elected as President of the Board of Trustees. NCLS received a provisional charter from the State in October of 1958 and later an absolute charter in 1963.

NCLS Board Members (from left) Edgar Newell, John Moroney, Mrs. William Tyler, and Charles Turner examine the provisional charter granted to NCLS by the NY State Education Department.

1959

NCLS BEGINS PURCHASING BOOKS THROUGH THE CENTRAL BOOK AID PLAN FOR USE BY MEMBER LIBRARIES

1960

OSWEGO COUNTY ADDED TO NCLS CHARTERED AREA TO SERVE

4

STATE SERVICES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND OUTREACH SERVICES In 1967, Talking Book services were made available to visually impaired persons in the NCLS area through the State agency now known as The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library. In 1971, the NCLS Board of Trustees approved a project to identify the locations of disabled persons in the NCLS area and developed and implemented a program to meet their library needs. This was the beginning of the NCLS Outreach program. One year later, a mail order service was initiated under the Outreach Department to provide persons living in remote sections of the region with the opportunity to request, borrow, receive, and return books by mail. In 1989, the Outreach Department added a new collection of closed-captioned videos, as well as decoding devices, which allowed descriptions of

sounds and dialogue to appear across the bottom of the viewing screen.

MEMBER LIBRARIES GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ORDER BOOKS THROUGH NCLS AT DISCOUNTS

1964 1965

NCLS PURCHASES FRAMED ART PRINTS FOR MEMBER LIBRARIES TO LOAN TO THEIR PATRONS

5

OUTREACH CONTINUES TO REACH OUT

Staff in the Outreach Department currently serve more than 400 patrons.

19681968--19781978 A Decade of Building & Expanding Services

NCLS ON THE MOVE In 1969, NCLS Purchased land on Outer West Main Street in Watertown. NCLS moved into its new 14,725-square-foot building in 1971. Two Open Houses were held to introduce everyone to the new facility - one for library staff and trustees of the member libraries and local, State, and Federal legislators, and the second for the public.

1969 1975

SUCCESSFUL COUNTY FUNDING CAMPAIGNS LEAD TO APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO LIBRARIES IN THE SYSTEM AREA TO HELP THEM MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR PATRONS

INCENTIVE PROGRAM STARTED WHICH REWARDED MEMBER LIBRARIES FOR IMPROVING PATRON SERVICES

6

19781978--19881988 A Decade of Laying the Foundation for Automation

THE FIRST COMPUTERS In 1980, an IBM 5110 was purchased to automate the payroll process and a MINI MARC computerized cataloging system was introduced to automate the in-house printing of catalog cards and labels for new library materials. In 1984, multi-user PC systems were cooperatively purchased by NCLS, the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, the Ogdensburg Public Library, and the Massena Public Library to be used to automate interlibrary loan and acquisitions procedures. One year later, a special grant from the New York State Library enabled NCLS to purchase computers, printers, and modems for member libraries in Canton, Chaumont, Lowville, and Potsdam, thus making it possible for them to take advantage of automated interlibrary loan and acquisitions procedures.

CONVERSION OF THE CARD CATOLOG The monumental task of converting the system-wide union catalog of books, from catalog cards to computer format, was initiated in 1981. A year after the conversion was completed in 1989, a plan was implemented for the disposal of the card catalog; the Automation, Central Services, and Audiovisual

Departments were reorganized as a result. Catalog card became scrap cards and member libraries were given first dibs on the cabinets, thus freeing approximately 224 square feet of space.

BOOK MEETINGS BECOME ACTION (AREA COUNCIL TRAINING & IN-SERVICE OPPORTUNITY NETWORK) MEETINGS

TELEPHONE INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICE INTRODUCED

NCLS UNION CATALOG PUT ON CD - THESE CDs REVEAL LOCATIONS OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

1979 1983 1987

7

1985

FIRST PC GRANT

19881988--1998 1998 A Decade of Technological Advances

FIRST CIRCULATION SYSTEM PURCHASED In 1988, NCLS, in cooperation with Watertown’s Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library and Ogdensburg Public Library, agreed upon an online circulation system from Data Research Associates (DRA) and formed a Joint Automation Board (JAB) to govern the online system. NCLS and Central Library funds purchased the online system. The NCLS Technical Services Department began putting barcode labels on NCLS books for automated circulation..

LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED In 1989, one year after the purchase of the DRA Circulation system, the Ogdensburg Public Library became the first NCLS member library to begin circulating materials using the automated system. Several other libraries followed suit shortly after. Today, more than half of the NCLS 65 member libraries are automated.

THE SWITCH TO SIRSI

In October of 2003, the six month task of migrating from the old DRA circulation system to a new SIRSI circulation system was completed.

1988 1989

ANNUAL REPORT SPREADSHEET DESIGNED

MASSENA PUBLIC LIBRARY BECOMES AUT0MATED

1991

NORTH COUNTRY CONNECTIONS ILL/ACQUISITIONS SOFTWARE DESIGNED FOR NCLS MEMBER LIBRARIES

8

OGDENSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY BECOMES AUTOMATED

Members of the Technical Services team assist the member libraries in the automation process by providing training, answering questions, and processing the library’s additions and deletions.

The Joint Automation Board (JAB) continues to meet regularly to voice questions and learn about updates to the online system.

MORE COMPUTERS In 1992, NCLS delivered computers to the last six “non-computer” libraries enabling them to electronically submit book orders to NCLS. All libraries were then also able to send interlibrary loan requests to NCLS or other libraries via the NC3R’s (now the Northern New York Library Network) Electronic Mail Service, HOBO. Two years later, the first NCLS matching grants for Public Access PCs were awarded to member libraries in Canton, Carthage, Gouverneur, Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Potsdam and Theresa. From 1985 through 1998, a total of 167 computers were placed in member libraries. These PCs were provided by NCLS through funding by many grants.

NORTHERN NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CONNECTS MEMBER LIBRARIES TO THE WEB In 1997, The Northern New York Community Foundation Awarded grants to twenty-eight libraries in Jefferson and Lewis Counties, totaling $91,628, to provide free Internet access. Each library received a computer, printer, modem, software, dedicated telephone line installation, and funds to cover the cost of a separate telephone line for one year.

OPPORTUNITY ONLINE GRANT PROGRAM

In 2008, NCLS member libraries received a total of 150 computers and other hardware through a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Northern New York Community Foundation provided the matching funds for the grant. The Public Access PCs provided by the organizations enabled libraries to better serve their patrons without having to strain their budgets.

1992

POTSDAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BECOMES AUTOMATED

1995

ROSWELL P. FLOWER MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN WATERTOWN BECOMES AUTOMATED

HAWN MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN CLAYTON BECOMES AUTOMATED

NCLS STAFF GETS ONLINE ACCESS

1997

NCLS COMPUTER TRAINING CENTER ESTABLISHED

9

THREE LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (CAN, CAR, COL)

19981998--20082008 A Decade of Community Connections

10

2000

THREE LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (FUL, GOU, PUL)

2001 2003

THREE LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (CAV, MEX, PHI)

THREE LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (CHA, DEX, LOW)

2002

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT For the past several years, the staff at NCLS have been involved with community organizations such as the United Way, Habitat For Humanity, North Country Community Cup, Literacy of Northern New York, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Heart Association In 2005, NCLS was Heart Walk and the Snowflake Rally. awarded the United Way Community Spirit Award.

INCENTIVE GRANT REVISED AND SIMPLIFIED - NEW EMPHASIS PUT ON TRUSTEE ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING

Literacy-themed sleds at the Snowflake Rally.

NCLS Staff is recognized for their efforts in helping Habitat for Humanity build homes.

.

NCLS Staff team up to compete in the North Country Community Cup - a series of “Corporate Olympic” events that promote healthy lifestyles.

2005

SIX LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (ALB, HAN, HEN, MAD, ORW, SCR)

NCLS WEBSITE REDESIGNED

DOUBLE DELIVERY FOR 28 LIBRARIES

AUTOMATION FEES REDUCED

19981998--2008 contd2008 contd

11

2005 2006 2007

IMPROVING SERVICES WITH BETTER FACILITIES

In 2005, it was determined that NCLS could no longer serve the needs of its member libraries without undergoing major renovation. While there were immediate needs that had to be addressed, such as a new roof and heating system, the main impetus of the Capital Improvement Project was the need for better training facilities that reflect a new emphasis on continuing education and Consultant services. The following year, construction began and the service center became transformed. The $900,000 project was supported by grants from Senator James Wright and Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine. Today, the service center is home to a large, state-of-the-art, 24-PC training center and a meeting room that doubled the previous seating capacity. A new roof, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit), flooring, windows and ceilings bring increased energy efficiency. Accessibility has improved with a redesigned driveway and restructured parking area.

FOUR LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (ADC, MAR, MTN, PAR)

INCENTIVE GRANT SIMPLIFIED TO FOUR BASIC CATEGORIES

SIRSI START-UP FEE IS REDUCED FROM $6,000 TO $5,000

DELIVERY LINK WITH ONONDOGA COUNTY IS ESTABLISHED

THREE LIBRARIES BECOME AUTOMATED (ADM, HEU, PLY)

DELIVERY LINK WITH CLINTON-ESSEX-FRANKLIN LIBRARY SYSTEM ESTABLISHED

NCLS INITIATES INTENSIVE “CERTIFICATION” COURSES THAT REQUIRE PARTICIPANTS TO PASS TESTS

OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVES FROM PC-BASED CIRC SYSTEM TO SIRSI

TWO LIBRARIES SIGN SIRSI AGREEMENTS (BLR, WAD)

NCLS HOSTS WEB SITES AND PROVIDES SIMPLE TEMPLATES FOR MAINTENANCE

The new front loop allows Outreach patrons and other visitors to park closer to the building..

WILLIAMSTOWN LIBRARY BECOMES CHARTERED

NCLS Employees Through the Years

Linda Lawler (28 years)

Leonard Meinhold (25 years), and Erma Hover(37 years)

Linda Dygert (26 years)

Karen (Hare) Creenan

(21 years)

Dawn Vincent

(21 years)

Marcia Gray (22 years) and

Ruth Bonner (13 years)

Emma Burrows

(29 years)

Susan Charley (30 years)

Barb Hess

(29 years)

Glenn Mallison (25 years)

Mary Bidwell (15 years), Rocky Marra,

(24 years), Lia King, (25 years)

Nancy Dodge

(18 years)

Joan VanAlstyne (17 years)

Steve Bolton

(29 years)

Ron Roberts

(11 years)

Pam Rajner (16 years)

Regan DeFranza

(21 years)