New York State Library Announces December Public Programs

The New York State Library announces its upcoming programming for December. The following free upcoming Webinars require registration and are available online.

Digital Equity Roundtable Conversation (Webinar)
Friday, December 8, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

The New York State Library's Digital Equity Roundtable Conversations are a series of webinars that offer an opportunity for digital equity practitioners across New York to connect and communicate with one another. Roundtables occur on the second Friday of every other month from 10 AM to 11 AM on Zoom, and everyone is welcome to attend. 

The December Roundtable will include presentations by Christopher White of the New York State Department of Labor, Christine Carr-Barmasse of MISSION:IGNITE, and Jeff Bostic of Rochester Public Library’s Central Library.

Register for the Digital Equity Roundtable Conversation

Historical Newspapers Online at the New York State Library
Date: Friday, December 8, 2023
Time:  2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Newspapers can serve as useful primary sources for historical research. They reflect the period in which they were created and provide a glimpse into society at the time. Senior Librarians Stephanie Barrett and Jane Bentley will discuss online databases available at the New York State Library that contain full-text historical newspapers. They will demonstrate the effective use of America's Historical Newspapers and the New York Times online databases with an emphasis on newspapers published in New York State. They also will demonstrate how to find and access New York State digital newspapers freely available on the Internet.

Register for Historical Newspapers Online at the New York State Library

Genealogy Online with Ancestry Library Edition
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate the Ancestry Library online database which is accessible at the New York State Library. Learn how to access Census records, genealogy and history books, maps and other resources included in this database, as well as the resources on Ancestry New York State page which are freely available to all New Yorkers. Stephanie will also demonstrate search tips and strategies, how to save records, printing and how to create a family tree via Ancestry. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Register for Genealogy Online with Ancestry Library Edition

Quilts, Plows, And Munitions: The Northern Homefront Supports Civil War Troops (Webinar)
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

With the first salvo of cannon fire at Fort Sumter in April 1861, northern civilians sought to help the nation and the war effort. This support included creating national soldiers’ aid societies. Additional support came from the need for women to do “men’s work” when fathers, sons, and brothers went off to war. This talk will cover how northern women helped to keep the country running and support the war effort during the Civil War.

Susan Carver has been a member of the 125th New York Regimental Association, a civil war reenacting group, since 2006. Susan’s interests in the US Civil War era include the roles of women during the war and making 1860s apparel and food.

Register for Quilts, Plows, And Munitions: The Northern Homefront Supports Civil War Troops

Visit the State Library's website for a complete list of upcoming programs, including webinars, events, and onsite genealogy walking tours. Additional programs will be added to the website as they are confirmed. If any reasonable accommodation is needed (complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act), contact the Office of Cultural Education at least three business days before the program date by emailing NYSLTRN@nysed.gov or calling (518) 474-2274. 

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department and celebrated its bicentennial in 2018. The Library serves the following three major constituencies. The Regent Joseph E. Bowman Jr. Research Library, established by law in 1818, collects, preserves, and makes available materials that support State government work. The Library's collections, now numbering over 20 million items, may also be used by other researchers onsite, online, and via interlibrary loan. The Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) lends braille, audiobooks, magazines, and special playback equipment to residents of the 55 upstate counties of New York State who cannot read printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. The Division of Library Development works in partnership with 72 library systems to bring library services to millions of people who use New York's academic, public, school, and special libraries. Library Development also administers State and Federal grant programs that provide aid for library services.