FYI,

CSLP Collaborative Summer Library Program Author Talks

CSLP is excited to partner again with the Library Speakers Consortium to bring summer author events to CSLP members! The Library Speakers Consortium (LSC) is a partnership of more than 400 libraries working together to bring high-quality online author talk programs to their patrons. CSLP member libraries will receive free access to TWO of the amazing live-streamed events. Katherine Applegate, award-winning author and our CSLP Summer Reading Champion, will host a 30-minute session on her novel in verse, Odder. Raúl The Third, Pura Belpre award-winning illustrator, author, and artist, will host two sessions - one in Spanish and one in English. Both sessions will be 30 minutes long, with discussion focused on ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. 

Along with access to the live-stream, members will also have access to the recordings and marketing resources to use for planning a special program around one of these fantastic author talks!

For dates, times, and registration information, please visit the LSC | Collaborative Summer Library Program Author Talks webpage. 

Bring Art to Life in Your Library with the New Mural Toolkit

To celebrate the 2025 Summer Reading theme Color Our World, the New York State Library has partnered with muralist, educator, and community impact strategist Jade Warrick to create an inspiring new resource: the Mural Toolkit for Libraries.
Designed to empower libraries to engage their communities through collaborative art, the toolkit includes a complete curriculum, materials lists, best practices, and curated links to additional resources. Ms. Warrick introduced the toolkit in a recent online session, sharing insight into the creative process and practical steps for planning and implementing mural projects. We’re excited to share this dynamic guide with the CSLP community and encourage libraries to explore how a mural project could enrich their summer programming—or spark a future community collaboration. Whether you’re a first-time muralist or looking to build on past projects, this toolkit is a valuable asset for bringing color, creativity, and connection into your library space.

The toolkit is now available through the New York State Library’s Digital Collections and can be accessed here: Mural Toolkit for Libraries.

All the best,