2016 Challenge Grant Recipients

The SALS Board of Trustees recognizes libraries in our region must keep up with change, incorporate new ideas and adapt both technology & space in order to provide and expand upon crucial library services.  For this reason, the Board initiated a competitive grant program to help member libraries continue to innovate and better serve their communities.


Congratulations to the recipients of our 2016 Early Adapter Technology Challenge Grants:

Town of Ballston Community Library:
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Project
Primary Community Partner: Town of Ballston Local Emergency Management Committee

Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library:
Digital Local History Media Lab Project
Community Partners: Halfmoon Historical Society, the Town of Clifton Park Historian & the Town of Halfmoon Historian

Greenwich Free Library:
Hands-On Computers: Hardware & Software from Breakerspaces to Troubleshooting Project
Community Partners: Greenwich Central School & Community Volunteers


Congratulations to the recipients of our 2016 Facility Upgrade (Construction) Challenge Grants:

Town of Ballston Community Library:
First Floor: Paint, Carpet, Tile Removal & Furniture/Shelving Updates

Galway Public Library:
Exterior Walkway Safety & Accessibility Improvements

Inlet Public Library:
Public Computer Relocation Project

Pember Library & Museum
:
Audio & Video Equipment Updates

View a list of previous recipients & projects

5-Year Strategic Planning Process Announcement

The Southern Adirondack Library System will soon commence work on its Strategic Plan for 2017-2021; consultants June Garcia and Sandra Nelson will facilitate the process.

On March 9th member library Directors, staff & trustees have been invited to join us to take part in the first stage of the planning process.  This invitation has already been shared with Directors.  We look forward to feedback from our members.

Library Advocacy Day Carpool: Seats Still Available!

Library Advocacy Day 2016 is quickly approaching: on March 2nd hundreds of librarians, trustees & other library advocates will flock to Albany to meet with their legislators.  

Why is it important to travel to Albany to talk with your legislators about library issues?

  •  Libraries need you to speak out for them.
  •  Libraries need more state money.
  •  Legislators need to learn what libraries do for citizens of New York State.

A car will be leaving SALS (22 Whitney Place, Saratoga Springs) on March 2nd at 7AM – please let Laurie Buckley know if you would like to carpool from the SALS parking lot, or if you plan to join us for our Advocacy Day visits.

Car parking is available under the Empire State Plaza in the Visitor Lot. You can get to this lot by taking the Empire State Plaza Exit off I-787. There is a fee to park in this lot and it usually fills up fairly early. In addition, the driver has to show a photo ID to enter the parking lot. Further information, directions, and additional information on downtown parking lots can be obtained by visiting the NYS OGS web site

View/Download the SALS Legislative Day Schedule

View/Download the NYLA 2016 Legislative Agenda

View/Download the 2016 SALS Advocacy Guide

As always, if you are unable to travel to Albany – please consider visiting our legislators in their home offices, or reaching out through NYLA’s Advocacy Page.  It only takes a few minutes to contact your elected officials to ask them to support libraries.

Check out our 2015 Library Advocacy Day Photos, and we hope you’ll join us on March 2nd: