From: John Hammond <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 08:14:15 -0500 The NY 3Rs Association, Inc. is pleased to announce it has changed its name to Empire State Library Network. The new name – Empire State Library Network – better describes what the nine councils have been doing collaboratively since they collectively incorporated in 2003. Also, Empire State Library Network is a more meaningful name that better reflects what the organization is -- a network of library councils that service all of New York State. Empire State Library Network coordinates several important statewide services, including Empire Library Delivery, New York State Historic Newspapers, New York Heritage, and Empire State Digital Network. Additionally, Empire State Library Network provides a wide range of continuing education and professional development opportunities for libraries of all kinds, and works on special collaborative projects through its I2NY Initiative. To celebrate this name change, Empire State Library Network is pleased to initiate its first Researching the Empire State Writing Competition, the purpose of which is to encourage original research and publication around cultural, social, and political topics of New York history utilizing the digital collections developed by the Empire State Library Network: NYS Historic Newspapers and New York Heritage, as well as through use of New York’s many other scholarly resources. The winner of the competition will receive a $1000 award and the opportunity to present their research at the New York Archives Conference in June. For more information about the Researching the Empire State Writing Competition, go to: https://www.esln.org/researching-the-empire-state/ About the Empire State Library Network. The Empire State Library Network is a 501 (c) 3 educational corporation chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. It consists of the nine reference and research resources councils in New York State. They are: Western New York Library Resources Council, Buffalo; Rochester Regional Library Council, Fairport; Central New York Library Resources Council, Syracuse; Capital District Library Council, Albany; Northern New York Library Network, Potsdam; South Central Library Resources Council, Ithaca; Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, Highland; Metropolitan New York Library Resources Council, New York; and Long Island Library Resources Council, Bellport. John Hammond, Executive Director Northern New York Library Network, a member of Empire State Library Network 6721 US HWY 11 Potsdam, NY 13676