The New York State Library Announces Upcoming Public Programs

The New York State Library announced its upcoming programs, including webinars, events, and onsite genealogy walking tours. The library routinely provides many program opportunities for the benefit of the public, supporters, and various stakeholders, covering a variety of topics.

“Programming offered by the New York State Library enriches our community by providing valuable access to information and resources about the history of New York, New Yorkers, and other issues relevant to understanding our world today,” said Lauren Moore, Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and State Librarian. “Furthermore, these public programs allow us to reach a wide range of audiences across the state, creating a forum for discussion and lifelong learning.”

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

Ladies' Day at the Capitol: New York's Women Legislators, 1919-1992 (Webinar)

Speaker: Lauren Kozakiewicz, Ph.D.
Thursday, February 2
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST

Historian Lauren Kozakiewicz places New York’s elected women officials squarely at the center of the state’s politics and political history. Based on extensive research and interviews, she shows how these women’s careers expand our understanding of what it means, and has meant historically, to be a woman in politics. She will cover some well-known names and ones that may be new to the audience. She will also look at these women’s efforts to create their own political organizations and exert leadership on issues.

Register for Ladies' Day at the Capitol: New York's Women Legislators, 1919-1992

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

Friday, February 3
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST

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 the February 3rd Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

“Liberty or Death”: Enslaved People Fighting for Freedom and Nation in the Antebellum United States (Webinar)

Speaker: Dr. Matthew Clavin
Thursday, February 16
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST

In a nation born in blood and revolution, enslaved people repeatedly proved their worthiness of membership in the nation’s body politic by using force and even violence to win their freedom. An analysis of antebellum slave revolts, conspiracies, and escape attempts provides irrefutable proof that enslaved people found inspiration in the language and symbols of American freedom. Though denied a place in the United States as persons and citizens, they fought, killed, and died for the ideas and principles upon which the nation had been built.

Register for “Liberty or Death”: Enslaved People Fighting for Freedom and Nation in the Antebellum United States

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

Friday, February 17
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST

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 the February 17th Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

Pain and Shock in America: Politics, Advocacy, and the Controversial Treatment of People with Disabilities (Webinar)

Speakers: Jan Nisbet, Ph.D., and Nancy Weiss, M.S.W.
Friday, February 24
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST

This online presentation will provide an overview of the debates over the use of aversive interventions (such as electric shock) like the ones used at the Massachusetts-based Judge Rotenberg Center. Advocates and lawyers have filed complaints, and lawsuits to both use aversive interventions and ban aversive interventions, scientists have written hundreds of articles for and against them, and people with disabilities have lost their lives and, some would say, lived their lives because of them. There are families who believe deeply in the need to use aversives to control their children’s behavior. There are others who believe the techniques used are torture. The overwhelming majority of these families have children who have been excluded from numerous educational and treatment programs because of their behaviors. For most families, placement at the Judge Rotenberg Center appears to be the last resort.

Register for Pain and Shock in America: Politics, Advocacy, and the Controversial Treatment of People with Disabilities.

For a complete list of upcoming programs, including webinars, events, and onsite genealogy walking tours, visit the State Library’s website. Additional programs will be added to the website as they are confirmed.

If any reasonable accommodation is required (Americans with Disabilities Act), at least three business days prior to the program date by sending an email to NYSLTRN@nysed.gov or calling (518) 474-2274.