The Center for Inquiry is an umbrella organization that provides services for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and the Council for Secular Humanism. The purpose of the Center for Inquiry is to contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of science and reason, and their applications to human conduct. Through education and advocacy, the Center for Inquiry continues to be a world-wide organization that teaches the use of critical thinking to all areas of human endeavor.
The Libraries have world-class collections in the areas of philosophy, skepticism, freethought, humanism, the paranormal, and the occult, in addition to periodical and journal collections, an archive, and many other resources.

Founded in 1983, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is one of the world’s leading independent environmental research organizations. We focus on understanding how ecosystems work. Special attention is given to resources important for human well-being: our staff are global experts in disease ecology, the ecology of freshwater and forests, and urban ecology. We have a deep understanding of the key drivers of ecological change, among them climate change, invasive species, and human influence on land and water. We seek to enhance the ecological literacy of students, decision makers, and the public, and to train the next generation of ecologists and resource managers.

The Cary Institute is one of the largest ecological programs in the world. More important than its size, however, is the quality of its output. Books and articles authored by Cary Institute ecologists influence scientists and policy makers. Cary Institute-generated curricula are building essential bridges between ecological thinking and classroom instruction. Conferences and workshops held onsite encourage dialogue and information exchange.

Globally relevant, Cary Institute research is truly science in the service of society. A society that understands and appreciates ecological systems is much more likely to protect them for future generations.

The images on this site are a small selection of materials from the archives of the Capital District Library Council (CDLC). The items chosen document the founding of CDLC in 1966, and the Council’s early days serving libraries in the region. We also chose images that show the staff enjoying their everyday work. CDLC, located in Albany, New York, is a regional multi-type library organization serving academic, public, school and special libraries and library systems in ten New York State counties: Albany, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Our purpose is to enhance access to information, encourage resource sharing, and promote library interests for all CDLC Members.

Founded in 1870, Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the nation. It is a private four-year university in Buffalo, New York. Canisius offers more than 70 majors, minors and special programs leading to bachelor and masters degrees through the College of Arts & Sciences, the Richard J. Wehle School of Business, and the School of Education and Human Services. Canisius provides many options for career preparation or higher-level educational pursuits.

Canastota Public Library, a beautiful Carnegie library located 30 miles east of Syracuse, hosts a great local history collection. Their collection includes contributed genealogies and family histories, especially of Italian families who settled in Canastota. Their materials on New York Heritage are mainly from the first half of the 20th century and reflect a vibrant trading town on the Erie Canal.

The Canal Society of New York State was formed in Buffalo in 1956 at the annual meeting of the New York State Historical Association. In that first year, membership was open to anyone interested in the history, folklore, and engineering of former canals and the present condition of the state’s remaining man-made waterways. This is still the primary focus of Canal Society members today.

DeWitt Clinton, a Buffalo lawyer who was a direct descendant of the famous Governor of New York, was the first president of the new society. Other officers included Secretary Treasurer Richard Wright of Syracuse, who was also president of the Onondaga Historical Society. In 1957, the group began offering two field trips per year to canal sites in different parts of New York State.

More than 50 years later, the Canal Society of New York State has an active membership and still organizes two field trips per year, as well as an annual symposium, regular tours of European Canals, and other, smaller events. The Society has compiled a Smithsonian-quality collection of canal artifacts, artwork, books and papers.

The Erie Canal Museum is celebrating over 50 years as the official museum of the Erie Canal by sharing their historic photograph and manuscript collections on New York Heritage Digital Collections. The only surviving weighlock of seven located along the New York State Canal System, the Museum building once housed the offices of weighmasters and New York State Barge Canal Engineers. The building continues its role today as steward of the rich history of New York’s canals. Come explore our collections at 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse, NY.

Library Services Mission Statement: The Buffalo School Library System believes that every student in the Buffalo School District shall have equal access to an array of information and that every member library will prepare its student population with lifelong learning skills necessary for the 21st century through a dynamic library program and a technology-rich learning environment.

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC) is a 501c3 not-for-profit, independent, community organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances, and ensures maintenance of Olmsted Parks and Parkways in the greater Buffalo area to guarantee Olmsted park experiences for current and future generations.

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (BNHV), is a history museum and educational institution in Amherst, New York. Our mission is to preserve, interpret, and exhibit the agricultural history and rural heritage of the Buffalo Niagara region. Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village is located on a 35-acre campus and our Historic Village contains ten historic buildings dating from circa 1840 to 1888. These buildings were moved to our campus when they were threatened with demolition during the Town’s rapid growth and development. A dedicated, on-going program of preservation and conservation has resulted in these buildings being restored to their 19th century appearance, so that visitors may experience what life was like in the Buffalo Niagara Region during an earlier era. Our indoor museum features rotating exhibits, the Niederlander Research Library, and a collection of 40,000+ artifacts. BNHV carries out its educational mission through exhibits, authentic agricultural and rural life practices within the Historic Village and on our working farmstead, programs, group tours, classes, artisan workshops, community outreach activities, and community access to a variety of artifacts and historic resources retained in our Collections and Research Library.