The New York State Library announces its upcoming programming for April, including various webinars and onsite events relating to New York State history, small business development assistance, genealogical services, and other topics to enrich the lives of New Yorkers.

April 23-29 is National Library week. This annual observance provides an opportunity to celebrate the vital role libraries play in ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to lifelong learning opportunities. The theme for National Library Week 2023, "There's More to the Story," illustrates the infinite ways that libraries capture the imagination of the public, including through books, lectures, research assistance, technology access, and the convening of community conversations

The following upcoming free programming requires registration and is available in person or offered online, as indicated per each listing.

The Camp Abilities Story! (Webinar)
Wednesday, April 12
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

In 1995, Lauren Lieberman was an assistant professor with a dream: to form an educational sports camp for children who are visually impaired. Beginning with a small grant, Lieberman built a local program that grew into a worldwide movement. The Camp Abilities model has now been replicated all over the United States and in ten other countries. The Camp Abilities Story relates Lieberman’s journey—from her earliest experiences in sports, to her “aha moment” during college, to her Fulbright scholarship and starting Camp Abilities programs worldwide.

Lauren J. Lieberman, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Service Professor in the Kinesiology Department at The State University of New York at Brockport, (SUNY) in adapted physical education. 

Register for The Camp Abilities Story!

Digital Equity Roundtable (Webinar)

Friday, April 14
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The New York State Library's Digital Eq NEWS RELEASE: THE NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY ANNOUNCES APRIL PUBLIC PROGRAMS uity Roundtable Conversations is 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 between 10-11 AM on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend.

This Roundtable presenters will be Denise Camarillo - Make the Road New York's Apoyando Lxs Imigrantes Initiative; Shawn Lemieux - The New York State's Talking Book and Braille Library, Bringing digital accessibility and equity to people with disabilities in New York State; and Ryan Palmer, Maile Martinez, and Allen Kim - Microsoft's Digital Equity Dashboard.

Register for Digital Equity Roundtable

Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library
Friday, April 14
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The New York State Library is a treasure chest of resources for those tracing their family histories. Join us for an onsite tour highlighting published genealogies, local histories, church records, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) records, United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, city directories and more. Cara Janowsky, an Associate Librarian at the New York State Library, will lead the tour. The tour is limited to 10 individuals and registration is required. 

Register for Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

Trademark Basics (Webinar)

Wednesday, April 19

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Join us for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about trademarks. We will discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We will also talk about why it is so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. We will close out the discussion with a question-and-answer session and direct you to free resources from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Mariessa Terrell currently works as a trademark attorney advisor in the office of Trademarks Customer Outreach where she delivers to experienced practitioners’ educational content on advanced trademark topics. She earned her J.D from Howard University School of Law; her B.A., magna *** laude, from Pace University in New York City; and is admitted to the Maryland and District of Columbia bar associations.

Register for Trademark Basics

"Brave and Gallant": African American Military Men at Saratoga Webinar
Wednesday, April 26
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

This program looks at the nature of military service performed by African Americans in the Continental Army and militias during the American War for Independence (1775-1783). Focus is given to some of the outstanding heroes who served in the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. The 1777 Battle of Normanskill will also be discussed, as will the service of the famed Rhode Island Regiment in upstate New York at the war's end.

Eric Schnitzer has worked at Saratoga National Historical Park since 1997, becoming Park Ranger/Military Historian in 2000. An artist, Eric's drawings can be seen in various history books including Karen Cook Bell's Running from Bondage: Enslaved Women and their Remarkable Fight for Freedom in Revolutionary America (Cambridge UP, 2021).

Register for “Brave and Gallant": African American Military Men at Saratoga

Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

Friday, April 28

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The New York State Library is a treasure chest of resources for those tracing their family histories. Join us for an onsite tour highlighting published genealogies, local histories, church records, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) records, United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, city directories and more. Cara Janowsky, an Associate Librarian at the New York State Library, will lead the tour. The tour is limited to 10 individuals and registration is required.

Register for Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

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 (Americans with Disabilities Act), contact the Office of Cultural Education at least three business days before the program date by emailing [email protected] 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. The New York State library celebrated its bicentennial in 2018. The Library serves 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.