Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Library Administrator Honored with SAANYS Leadership and Support Award

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Jim Belair, Coordinator of School Library Services at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES

ALBANY, NY (04/01/2026) (readMedia)-- James C. Belair, coordinator of school library services for the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 SAANYS Leadership and Support Award. This award recognizes the outstanding leadership efforts of those members whose responsibilities require leadership through support services to fellow administrators across and between school buildings and/or districts.

Belair has served Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES since 2010. He previously served as the library media specialist for Monroe One BOCES and for Rush-Henrietta High School. His many leadership roles, he says, "include over a decade of working with library and media vendors as a contract and pricing negotiator for more than 35 library systems." He adds that he takes "pride in leading the effort to continuously improve library and media services to the component districts within the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES region."

As a result of his work, Belair says, "our SLS has created a supportive community for library staff where they feel heard, valued, and respected, which in turn fosters engagement in regional initiatives and trainings."

Belair has launched a shared NY Statewide eBook/Audiobook platform called NY Reads and NY Reads LOTE. He serves as the chair for the School Library Systems Association's (SLSA) Annual Learning Symposium, contributed to the SLSA Intellectual Freedom Statement as one of the primary authors, and currently serves as the 2025-2027 NYLA/SSL conference chair. He has received both the SLSA and the Educational Media Technology Association of NY (EMTA) Distinguished Service Awards.

District Superintendent Thomas K. Putnam, Ed.D., says that "the activities and achievements of Jim Belair strongly align with the purpose of the SAANYS Leadership & Support Award. His collaborative leadership, commitment to equitable access, policy contributions, and sustained service are exemplary." Dr. Putnam says that Belair's "influence is evident in-the shaping of library programs statewide, including the creation of a shared eBook library, working to update board of education policies for libraries, chairing statewide librarian conferences, and collaborating with vendors to bring new electronic resources to the state."

Kristi J. Beedon, president of the New York State Educational Media Technology Association and School Library System Director for the Hamilton-Fulton Montgomery BOCES, points to Belair being "generous with his time, approachable in his manner, and deeply committed to mentoring colleagues as they step into leadership roles." She adds, "his guidance builds leadership capacity across districts and exemplifies leadership through service."

Belair received his master's degree from the University at Buffalo and his bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport. He also received a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) from SUNY Brockport. In addition, he works as an adjunct professor at both UB and St. John Fisher University in their graduate library media programs.

Belair and fellow 2026 award winners will be recognized at SAANYS' annual awards celebration, taking place Friday, May 1, at The Desmond/Crowne Plaza in Albany.

SAANYS represents nearly 22,000 school administrators, supervisors, and retirees. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).