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Volume 19-04 | 1.22.19
Annual Report Software Open
The 2018 NYS Annual Report software for Public and Association Libraries has been unlocked and is ready for libraries to begin entering information. The Annual Report is due from each member library by  Friday, February 15th at 5:00pm.

The software can be accessed through  http://collectconnect.baker-taylor.com:8080/login.aspx  (Please note the new URL)  Usernames and passwords remain the same as last year.
 
This year Baker & Taylor has released a new version of the Annual Report software called CollectConnect which all libraries will use to enter their 2018 data. With enhanced features based on user feedback, the new version is more intuitive, is ADA-compliant, and is compatible with major browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer. CollectConnect is supported on both MAC and Windows operating systems. 
 
This week each member library director will receive, via the delivery, a packet from the Mid-Hudson Library System with the following information to use in your library's report:
  • Sierra data for answering Collection, Library Use, Transaction and Borrower questions
  • Financial information from the MHLS Business Office regarding funds that passed through us
  • Count of use of your website if it is hosted by MHLS
  • Count of wireless sessions for Aerohive routers if it is managed by MHLS
At  https://midhudson.org/annualreporttips/  we are posting 'MHLS Tips for Member Libraries for Completing the Annual Report'. There you will find tips and information to help make the process of completing your 2018 annual report easier, regardless of how many times you have done the annual report. For example: 
  • Responses to new questions, those which have not been included in the annual report in previous years, may be estimated for the first year.
     
  • In order to save data, users MUST hit the 'Save' button at the top or bottom of every page before proceeding to another section of the report. Failure to do so may result in lost data. Please note that calculations in many of the calculated fields may not appear until the page is saved.
     
  • Please remember to add to your February or March Board meeting agenda the 'review and acceptance of the library annual report.' 
Resources to help get you started:
MHLS Contacts for Annual Report support:
  • General questions, usernames & passwords, software functionality issues: Casey Conlin, [email protected] | ext. 260
There are still a few spots available in the hands-on Annual Report Workshops for New Directors being held at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie. 
 
This program is designed for Directors who are new to submitting a NYS Annual Report but is open to all.
Please register through the MHLS Online Calendar at   http://calendar.midhudson.org
MHLS Libraries
After nineteen years of faithfully serving his community as the Plattekill Library director, John Georghiou will be entering a well-deserved retirement at the end of this month. As the longest-tenured director in Plattekill Library's history, John played an immeasurable role in making the library the special place it is today.
 
Staff tribute to retiring Director John Georghiou:
Those of us who worked closely with John are eternally grateful to him for the leadership and support he has given us over the years. Like a true librarian, he was always able to point us in the right direction to get us the information and resources we needed to do our jobs. He 
gave us room to be creative in developing programs while always focusing on what was best for our community. His ability to recognize the talents of others and to lead without ego or overwhelming authority helped all of us grow in our jobs.
 
The dedication John showed to his colleagues matched the dedication he demonstrated towards the community he served. His silent generosity, amazing sense of humor, and imaginative creativity (as evidenced by his efforts building a dragon, school bus, and other props for some of our programs) all helped make him excellent at his job. He was incredibly empathetic to the needs of the community, and he was always willing to go the extra mile. There's no doubt that his contributions will be sorely missed by everybody.
Programming

Join this free webinar hosted by Project Outcome, Starting Small with Project Outcome, Wednesday, January 30th from  2:00-3:00pm (Eastern).
 
Libraries may feel too overwhelmed with limited staff and resources to take on something new like measuring outcomes, which is why starting small and scaling up is the best method for success. Starting small helps libraries increase their staff's comfort with and expertise in outcomes measurement; capitalize on trial-and-error learnings; and build a structure for peer support of data collection and use. 
 
Participants in this webinar will hear from a veteran Project Outcome user  on their experience starting small by evaluating the library's Small Business series and scaling up to library-wide programming. Register for this event at http://bit.ly/2QRYoXx
Job Openings
Part-time Delivery Operations Clerk, Mid-Hudson Library System

The Mid-Hudson Library System is seeking a part-time Delivery Operations Clerk for up to 15 hours per week to receive, distribute, and prepare all incoming and outgoing items for shipment. Requirements of the position include but are not limited to; strong attention to detail, ability to follow directions, work within a team environment, sort library materials, meet the physical demands of the position, ability to lift 50lbs, assist with unloading cargo vans, process and distribute internal and outgoing USPS mail, check in shipments against purchase orders, nightly building lock-up as needed.

Position is Monday through Friday with hours from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Hourly wage is $14.35hr. Send r ésumé with prior or present employment references to  [email protected] or US mail to Mid-Hudson Library System, 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Attn: Delivery Operations Manager. No phone calls please.
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