Month: October 2017

SCLA’s position on the NYS Constitutional Convention

Posted onAuthorsingram

Suffolk County Library Association advises its’ membership to vote No on the back of the Ballot to a NYS Constitutional Convention this November 7, 2017.

A constitutional convention could allow for the weakening of:

  • NYS Pension Funds
  • Collective Bargaining Rules
  • Benefits for injured workers and social welfare programs.

Additional reasons SCLA supports a No Vote

  • The cost to tax payers.
    • It cost about $6.5 million to stage the last constitutional convention in 1967. The estimated price tag for a Constitutional Convention in 2017 ranges from a conservative $30 Million to $100 Million.
  •  Sitting Legislators and Judges may serve as elected delegates.
    • Many delegates will receive double salaries from the state.
    • Delegates must engage in political campaigns that can be financed by wealthy special interests.
    • Three delegates from each state senatorial district will be elected in November 2018, along with 15 at-large delegates who will be elected statewide. In 1967, of the 186 delegates to the convention, 154 held public office.
  • Lawmakers can amend the Constitution without a Constitutional Convention.
    • The NYS Constitution has been amended over 200 times.
    • Most recently in 2015, an amendment was made to the New York State Constitution to create an independent commission on redistricting, and to allow the Legislature to save money by going paperless for proposed bills.

-SCLA Executive Board

Long Island Reads Pick 2017

Posted onAuthorsingram

THE 2018 PICK IS IN!

Spaceman

by Mike Massimino

Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, is the spellbinding true story of the Long Island boy who became one of our best-known living space travelers. Despite daunting challenges and numerous setbacks, Mike never gave up his dream of becoming an astronaut. His book brings the reader into a rare, wonderful world where nerdy science meets thrilling adventure, and pulls back a curtain on just what it really means to have “the right stuff.”

“Every generation of astronauts needs a storyteller — a person with wit, humor, and passion who has lived our collective dreams of space exploration and returned to tell us all about it. Mike Massimino is that person. He’s that astronaut. And this is his story.”—Neil deGrasse Tyson 

Why Spaceman?

  • Mike Massimino was born in Oceanside and grew up in Franklin Square. In Spaceman, he lovingly recalls his Long Island childhood, school, family, and neighborhood.
  • Mike is a true local hero and his inspirational life story will appeal to readers of all ages.
  • He is a natural communicator with a large social media presence, widely known from multiple appearances on The Big Bang Theory, ideally suited for sharing his love of science and technology to a general audience.
  • Spacemanoffers a wide variety of topics and themes that lend themselves to related programming for children, teens, and adults, including astronomy, STEM education, and innumerable science and adventure tie-ins.
  • Spacemanis currently available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audio download. It is soon to be a Talking Book from the National Library Service.
  • Long Island Reads will honor Mike in person at an award ceremony and author talk at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

 

Long Island Reads takes place annually throughout the month of April.  Many Nassau and Suffolk County libraries feature Long Island Reads programs and book discussion during National Library Week (April 8-14, 2018).

For more information contact:

Nassau chair: Janet Schneider ·  jschneider@peninsulapublic.org

Suffolk chair: Beth Gates ·  beth@myrml.org

SCLA Annual Dinner: Friday, November 17th, 6:00 – 10:00 PM

Posted onAuthorscla admin

The Brentwood Country Club

100 Pennsylvania Ave, Brentwood, NY 11717

Friday, November 17, 2017 6:00p.m. -10:00p.m.

Join your colleagues for dinner, dancing and mingling! $45 for members and students $55 for non-members and on-site registration

Kindly register no later than Monday, November 6th

Please bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

Register online at: www.nyla.org/scla

Payments will be accepted by credit card, check made payable to NYLA/SCLA or library purchase order. All fees are non-refundable.

For questions or special accommodations contact: Lissetty Thomas at lthomas@pmlib.org or call 631-654-4700 ext.224

RASD Health Concerns Breakfast- Nov. 6

Posted onAuthorsingram

Did you know….? 
 
Most cardiovascular disease is preventable by addressing risk factors such as smoking, diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol use. 
 
To learn more, please join the Health Concerns Committee of SCLA for our annual breakfast featuring dynamic speakers on the important topic of Vascular Disease. 
Click here to register
 
Speakers will include: 
Dr. Gasparis, Director of the Stony Brook Vascular Center 
Dr. Tassiopoulos, Director of the Stony Brook Center for Vein Care. 
 
2 CEUs will be awarded.
 
Date: Monday, Nov. 6, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
627 North Sunrise Service Road
Bellport, New York 11713-9000
 
For further information, please contact: Sal Filosa (Port Jefferson Free Library) 631-473-0022 or sfilosa@portjefflibrary.org
More details to come!

CARE Committee meeting November 16, 2017

Posted onAuthorsingram

Please join the CARE (Career and Resource Exchange) Committee of RASD for our November 16 meeting at Suffolk County Library System.

Dave Sullivan from Family Service League will join us to talk about the Flexible Employment Program. This program provides vocational services to individuals with disabilities and is sponsored by the NY State Department of Education ACCES-VR. The program offers diagnostic evaluations and teaches computer skills, interviewing, job search skills, development skills, and placement. The organization also offers aftercare support and vocational counseling. Family Service League serves people with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, legal histories, and physical disabilities.

Please join us for coffee at 2:00 pm and the presentation at 2:30 pm.

Professional development hours will be awarded.