IN THIS ISSUE
Access the
Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
Top
Volume 19-09 | 2.26.19 
Advocate from Anywhere!
Wednesday is Library Advocacy Day! We know there are hundreds of library supporters that will be with us in spirit as we march the halls of the Legislative Office Building in Albany!

Here are two easy ways you can help from your home or office on Wednesday:
  • Use the New York Library Association (NYLA) Online Advocacy Center to send a custom message to your legislators. Already done that? Get 3 people to use the OAC: http://bit.ly/1LwV3Ex 
  • Call the Albany office of your legislators to express your support for library aid and the State Aid for Library Construction Program.
Legislator
Albany Office
Senator Skoufis
518.455.3290
Senator Harckham
518.455.2340
Senator Serino
518.455.2945
Senator Metzger
518.455.2400
Senator Jordan
  518.455.2381
Senator Amedore 
518.455.2350
Senator Seward
518.455.3131
Assemblymember Byrne
518.455.5783
Assemblymember Galef
518.455.5348
Assemblymember Tague
518.455.5363
Assemblymember Cahill
518.455.4436
Assemblymember  Jacobson
518.455.5762
Assemblymember Lalor
518.455.5725
Assemblymember Barrett
518.455.5177
Assemblymember Ashby
518.455.5777
Not sure who your legislators are? Check out the 2019 MHLS Advocacy Guide: http://bit.ly/2XiNSwX 

For those of you joining us in Albany the schedule, bus stop times and tips for the day can be found at https://midhudson.org/library-advocacy-day/     

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to help get the word out to our legislators in Albany!
MHLS Announcements
The Outreach Mini-Grant Intent to Apply Form is now available for member libraries interested in pursuing the 2019 grant cycle. The Outreach Mini-Grant is administered by the Mid-Hudson Library System using NYS Outreach Categorical Aid funds from the NYS Library Division of Library Development. These funds will be used to award up to $2,000 each to member libraries who wish to develop programs and services to connect to target outreach populations at the local level.
 
Outreach target populations are those who are educationally disadvantaged, members of ethnic or minority groups in need of special library services, unemployed, blind, physically disabled, have developmental or learning disabilities, or who are aged or confined in institutions. As stated in Education Law ยง273 (1) (h) (1).
 
This mini-grant is contingent on 2019 funding by New York State. At this time, we are seeking a simple intent to apply form from member libraries who are interested. Applications will be sent to libraries that have filed an intent to apply form. Intent to apply forms, information, requirements and ideas of previous successful projects available at www.midhudson.org/outreach-mini-grants-2019/ 
MHLS Libraries
On January 4th the Kingston Library hosted a special information and training session for Hudson Valley non-profits to learn about the Foundation Center database available for free at a number of Mid-Hudson Library System member libraries including Kingston Library and the Poughkeepsie Public Library District (PPLD) . The information session was co-hosted by Non-Profits TALK (http://susanjragusa.com/nonprofits-talk/ ), an organization whose goal it is to strengthen the nonprofit community in the Hudson Valley through monthly workshops and training.

The training on January 4th was led by Jessica Sherman, Adult Services Librarian and Foundation Center Liaison at PPLD (pictured above).

Programming
The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering  funding for public libraries  to implement consumer outreach and education activities around health insurance and health information. In this second round of funding for the Promoting Healthy Communities: Libraries Connecting You to Coverage program up to 70 U.S. public libraries will be awarded $500  mini-grants. Grant-associated activities must be completed by  May 1st , 2019.
 
The application process is open through March 5th, 2019. Learn more about this initiative and access the application: http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/connectingyoutocoverage 
 

Growing Summer Meals with Innovative Community Partnerships Webinar Tuesday, March 5th from 1:00 - 2:00pm Sponsored by Hunger Solutions New York
 
More than 1.1 million New York State students rely on healthy school meals to fuel their learning; however, when the school year ends, access to nutritious meals becomes limited. Statewide in 2017, less than one-third of children who ate free or reduced-price school meals ate a summer lunch through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
 
Last summer 127 New York libraries provided Summer Meals and snacks. Learn how schools and organizations in low-income communities may be eligible to offer free, nutritious meals and/or snacks through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and how sponsors across New York State are growing participation through community partnerships. Join us and learn ways to engage your community to promote and serve summer meals in 2019 and beyond.
 
To register visit http://bit.ly/2EbXJ0a 
In the News