New York State Library Announces August Public Programs

The New York State Library announces its upcoming programming for August, which includes webinars and events related to genealogical services, walking tours, and other topics. The following free programming requires registration and is available in person or online, as indicated in each listing.

Higher Education Services Corporation Kick-Off Call (Online)

Friday, August 2, 2024 |10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Audience: All Library Workers, Advocates, and Supporters 

This presentation is an introduction to the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and its many available resources. They will introduce the new FAFSA Ready Page, designed to help counselors, students, and families through the FAFSA/TAP financial aid process. This program is intended for all library workers, advocates, and supporters interested in learning more about ways your library can assist patrons with their education needs. This session will be recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend live. To receive the link to the recording, please register, and it will be automatically sent to you. 

Register for the Higher Education Services Corporation Kick-Off Call 

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

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 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.  Associate Librarian Cara Janowsky and Senior Librarian Jane Bentley Turo will lead the tour.

Register for the August 7, 2024, Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library
Register for the August 22, 2024, Onsite Walking Tour of the Local History and Genealogy Resources at the New York State Library

Digital Preservation Planning (Online)

Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Successful digital preservation programs consider more than technical solutions. Good planning and documentation are critical to establishing and sustaining an organization's commitment to preserving digital content. This webinar will introduce digital preservation, focusing on the non-technical components of starting a digital preservation program. Topics covered include assessing organizational needs and capacity, creating a digital asset inventory, and developing digital preservation policies, plans, and procedures. This program is offered by the Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY). Jennifer Palmentiero, Digital Services Manager, Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, will be the presenter for this program.

Register for Digital Preservation Planning

Genealogy Research with Ancestry Library Edition (Onsite)

Friday, August 16, 2024 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Senior Librarians Stephanie Barrett and Jane Bentley Turo will demonstrate the Ancestry Library Edition 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 the Ancestry NYS page, which are freely available to all New Yorkers. This class will include search tips and strategies, saving records, printing, and creating a family tree via Ancestry.  

This program will be held onsite at the New York State Library in the Cultural Education Center, Albany.

Register for Genealogy Research with Ancestry Library Edition

Genealogy Research with FamilySearch (Onsite)

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have onsite access to digital microfilm data that is not available to researchers using FamilySearch resources from their home computer. The New York State Library partnered with the New York State Archives to become a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. Senior Librarians Stephanie Barrett and Jane Bentley Turo will demonstrate how to access genealogical records and online books included in this database. They will also demonstrate how to print and save records.

This program will be held onsite at the New York State Library in the Cultural Education Center, Albany.

Register for Genealogy Research with FamilySearch

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. Visit the New York State Library website for a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. 

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. Visit the New York State Library website for a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. 

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York’s State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York’s history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website. 

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program, history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more. 

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.