Caitlin Kenney

The meeting included updates on committee funding, a review of the committee orientation handbook, and discussions on committee guidelines, including term completions and event fees. WNYLRC updates covered the Ask Services, Ask Us 24/7, Ask the Archivist, and membership services, including an application from the Niagara Aerospace Museum. Continuing education opportunities, advocacy initiatives, and staff updates were also discussed. Committee accomplishments were shared, including updates from the Committee for Health Information Access, Continuing Education Committee, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDIAr), High School to College, Library Education, Advancement, and Partnership (LEAP), Preservation Committee, Resource Sharing Committee, and WNY Library Support Staff Committee (WNYLSS).

The meeting included a committee funding update, discussions on committee chair responsibilities, and a demonstration of Discord. Committee charges were reviewed and aligned with WNYLRC's strategic principles. Updates were provided on Ask Services, Ask Us 24/7, Continuing Education Offerings, ESLN Digital Services, Advocacy, Health Literacy Initiative, Digital Inclusion/Broadband, Internship/Mentoring Program, and Social Work interns. Committee accomplishments were shared, including updates from the Committee for Health Information Access, Continuing Education Committee, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism, High School to College Continuum, Preservation Committee, Regional Advisory Committee, Resource Sharing Committee, and WNY Library Assistants Committee.

The meeting included discussions on committee membership, funding updates, and recruitment ideas. WNYLRC updates were provided, including changes to committee guidelines, WNYLRC awards, the WNYLRC move, and the 5-year plan. Updates were also given on AskUs 24/7, membership services, continuing education, ESLN digital services, and advocacy initiatives. Committee accomplishments were reviewed, including updates from the Committee for Health Information Access, Continuing Education Committee, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism, High School to College Continuum, Library Education, Advancement, and Partnership, Preservation Committee, Resource Sharing Committee, and WNY Library Support Staff. The meeting also covered other business, new member introductions, and committee breakout rooms.

This document outlines the WNYLRC Strategic Plan for 2021-2026, serving as a crosswalk between its Member Strategic Plan and the State's five-year Plan of Service. The plan is guided by five strategic principles: facilitating collaboration, embracing experimentation, cultivating learning, advocating for libraries, and building community. Key focus areas include enhancing resource sharing, fostering diversity and inclusion, expanding digital services, providing professional development, promoting library value and funding, and strengthening community engagement and support for information professionals, all aimed at connecting libraries, users, and the larger community.

The Five Year Library System Plan of Service for the Western New York Library Resources Council outlines a strategic roadmap to enhance connections among libraries, users, and the community. Key focus areas include resource sharing, specialized services for client groups, professional development and training, consulting and development services, coordinated member services (virtual reference, digitization, and innovative services), awareness and advocacy, communications among member libraries, and collaborative efforts with other library systems. The plan aims to expand programs, promote digital equity, provide expert assistance, foster professional growth, advocate for libraries, improve communication, and cultivate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism principles across the region.