Category Archives: Outreach

Free Literature for New York State’s Underserved Readers

The Poulin Project is offering free box sets of literature to Literacy, GED/ESOL and Adult Education Programs, prison writing programs and other educational initiatives in New York State’s underserved communities.

The “Al Poulin Jr. Independent Publishers Development Project” is run by the DUC Library Program, in collaboration with The New York State Council on the Arts, in honor of the late poet, translator and founder of BOA Editions, Ltd.

The Poulin Project supports small and independent publishers in New York by introducing the work of hundreds of contemporary writers and poets to new audiences, and, in turn, helps reading centers to diversify their collections.  Poulin Project books are distributed as an annual boxed set containing an average of 50 different titles.  The DUC distributes these sets in June; there is absolutely no charge to participate. Continue reading→

Brainfuse JobNow

JobNow is an innovative online service that provides expert resume help, real-time interview coaching and career advice. There are services to help with every step of a job search. The Adult Learning Center features test preparation (including GED and U.S. citizenship preparation), writing assistance, and study tools for math, reading and writing. Live, online one-on-one interaction with a tutor or job coach is available as part of JobNow and the Adult Learning Center. Live sessions can be conducted in English or Spanish. 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, click here. JobNow is available through your library’s databases page; so, start exploring and promoting this great resource!

Update: Outreach to Schoharie County Hurricane Victims

If you or your library patrons are wondering how you can help with the Hurricane Irene relief efforts in nearby Schoharie County, check out this list Hurricane Relief Donation Sites.

The Schoharie Free Library and the Middleburgh Library in Schoharie County need your help to rebuild their recently damaged book collections. Schoharie Library lost the bottom three shelves throughout and Middleburgh lost the bottom one plus shelves due to Hurricane Irene damage.

Three local independent bookstores have established funds to help them purchase replacement titles. Your donations in any dollar amount will be greatly appreciated. Please call the Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady at 518-346-2719; Market Block Books at 518-328-0045 or Book House in Colonie at 518-489-4761 with a credit card to donate. Or, stop by any of these stores in person to donate.