Big Library Read is back!

New ‘Big Library Read’ Book Available March 17th!
We’re excited to announce the return of Big Library Read, the global digital book club where millions of people from around the world have the ability to read the same eBook simultaneously.
The Book:
Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates has been called “A powerful testament to how Shakespeare continues to speak to contemporary readers in all sorts of circumstances,” by Booklist.

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Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer Laura Bates thought she had seen it all. That is, until she decided to teach Shakespeare in a place the bard had never been before — supermax solitary confinement. In this unwelcoming place, surrounded by inmates known as the worst of the worst, is Larry Newton. A convicted murderer with several escape attempts under his belt and a brilliantly agile mind on his shoulders, Larry was trying to break out of prison at the same time Laura was fighting to get her program started behind bars.  Thus begins the most unlikely of friendships, one bonded by Shakespeare and lasting years—a friendship that, in the end, would save more than one life.

The book will be available starting March 17th until March 31st, 2015 and all OverDrive users will be able to request the book without any waitlists or holds.  Join the fun!  Over the past year, thousands of libraries and schools and millions of patrons have embraced the program.

Thank You, Library Advocates!

Thank you to all who spent Wednesday tirelessly marching from office to office in Albany for Library Advocacy Day 2015!

SALS would especially like to Thank:
Ike Pulver, Susan Foley, Jill Simoncic, Tim McDonough, Dan Hubbs, Kathy Naftaly, Annie Miller, Ken Bollerad, Jennifer Ogrodowski, Amy Carpenter, Dan Carpenter, Emily Wierzbowski, Susan Jennings, Debra Ford, Michael Sullivan, Jules Comeau, Robert Tatko, Mary Kim, Michol Tuttle, Karen DeAngelo, Carolyn Dufft, Christine Larocque, and Alex Gutelius

Your support was felt as we visited the offices of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, Senator Elizabeth O’C. Little, Senator Hugh T. Farley, Assemblyman James Tedisco, Senator Kathleen Marchione, Assemblyman Dan Stec, Assemblyman John T. McDonald, III, Assemblyman Steven F. McLaughlin, and Assemblyman Marc W. Butler.

“Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” –Anne Herbert

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Visit www.protectnylibraries.org to find ways to continue the effort!

TASC and Poverty Awareness Workshops for Library Staff and Volunteers

Please join me at the Greenwich Free Library on March 2nd beginning at 9:30 am. Krista Conrick, Program Manager for Adult Literacy at WSHWE will lead both presentations. Come for one or both sessions.

TASC:
Come have your questions answered about TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) aka the former GED test.
Please arrive around 9:15 am to settle in and talk to your colleagues. The 1 hour session will begin at 9:30 am.
All library staff and volunteers are welcome.

Poverty Awareness:
Hidden below their beautiful surfaces, our communities struggle with issues of poverty. This workshop examines the reality of poverty in our area and helps us learn effective responses to people of all backgrounds. Come to develop strategy and skill in showing that we value the worth of all individuals.
Session will begin at 10:45 am

RSVPs are appreciated; please email Jennifer Ferriss by Monday February 23, 2015 with the staff names and an email so that I can reach everyone in case of a snow cancellation. Please let me know which workshop you will attend or if you plan on attending both sessions.