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July 10, 2026 – July 11, 2026
As libraries are increasingly referenced as "third places," it's important to have policies in place to guide the use of meeting rooms and other spaces within our buildings. Article VI of the Library Bill of Rights states that such facilities should be made available to the public served by the given library "on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use." Developing these policies will help library staff and volunteers uphold the First Amendment and the Library Bill of Rights, while ensuring that access to library spaces is provided in a fair, equitable, and consistent manner.
Presenters:
Erika Jenns, she/her
Erika Jenns is the Assistant Director - Director of Librarianship at the Southern Tier Library System (STLS) and has been working in libraries for over 10 years. At STLS, she provides support to 48 public libraries across a five-county region in Upstate New York. Erika works with libraries on policy development, library administration and governance, and funding. She also coordinates professional development opportunities for all library system members. A passionate library advocate, Erika attends NY Library Advocacy Day annually, champions the work of rural public libraries year-round, and works with libraries to uphold the Library Bill of Rights, ALA Core Values of Librarianship, as well as Constitutional First and Fourth Amendment rights. #LibrariesAreForEveryone
Brian M. Hildreth, he/him
Brian Hildreth has been the Southern Tier Library System Executive Director since 2013, and worked as a public library director for a decade. He got his start in libraries in 1997 where he served full time in an academic library throughout his undergraduate business studies. Library work and family are his passions. He is particularly drawn to directorship and rural, small and mid-sized libraries. His areas of interest are governance, leadership, funding campaigns, and digital equity.
Brian is a proud team member of the Trustee Handbook and New Library Director Handbook Book Club enterprise, which was formed in 2021. He served on the editorial teams for both publications’ current updates. In addition to THBC and DHBC, he has maintained a monthly eNewsletter for the STLS membership titled, Libraries in the Lead since 2020, and he recently kicked off a quasi-podcast for his cooperative named, A Meeting with STLS.
Brian’s professional mission is to foster and maintain a high-level of care for all the amazing stakeholders who make up the New York State library community.
This public program is offered by the New York State Library and made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.