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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Resources related to New York State COVID-19 Paid Leave and the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFRCRA)
are available on the
midhudson.org/COVID19
Resources page. The recently passed FFCRA requires employers, including libraries, to provide sick leave to employees that are unable to work because they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or under orders of quarantine or isolation directed by a public health agency or medical professional, as well as employees that are unable to work because they are caring for someone sick or under orders of quarantine or isolation or children whose school or daycare is closed due to COVID-19 related reasons. The new sick leave laws do not apply to employees that are unable to work because of stay-at-home orders.
During the
Director Briefing on April 17th
@2:00pm,
in addition to general announcements and answers to frequently asked questions that have emerged during this week, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin will do an overview of the intersections of the state and federal COVID-19 paid sick leave legislation with NYS Paid Family Leave and Family Medical Leave Act issues. At this event, MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager, Laurie Shedrick will provide an in-depth review of the Sierra and Delivery Steps for Reopening your libraries once we have the greenlight to do so. Directors are asked to please
register
in advance for this event.
We have added two new dates for Director Briefings.
Directors are reminded to please register for these events:
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MHLS Announcements
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MHLS has extended the temporary suspension of Delivery and ILL Services to April 29th
in line with the Governor's latest announcement. If your
closed dates
have changed please let us know. Member library directors should use
this online form
to update your closure dates and don't forget to put a ticket in to
[email protected]
to change your closed dates.
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The
midhudson.org/COVID19
Resources page has been updated with resources regarding programs in the CARES Act that libraries can explore for emergency funding and loans.
Paycheck Protection Program loans are available
to businesses and not-for profits to cover payroll costs, most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs, with the opportunity to have the loan forgiven based on employee retention and other factors. Funding through this program will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and libraries are strongly encouraged to work with their local bank and their accountant to put in an application for funding ASAP if they require this funding to meet costs due to funding shortfalls. Libraries are encouraged to examine their financial situation to assess whether staff layoffs are likely given predicted losses in funding before applying for a loan through this program.
Libraries with 501(c)3 status can apply to the Small Business Association for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which may include $10,000 of emergency advance grant funds that may be forgiven if spent on providing paid sick leave to employees unable to work due to COVID-19; maintaining payroll; meeting increased costs due to interrupted supply chains; making rent or mortgage payments; and repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses.
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Makerbot 3D Printers set up and running while the library facility is closed to the public. Picture Courtesy of PPLD
The Poughkeepsie Public Library District (PPLD) IT Department, led by Enda Ryan, have been assisting Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center (HVAMC) at SUNY New Paltz in producing 3D printed face shield components for healthcare workers on the frontline dealing with COVID-19. To learn how your library can participate please visit
https://www.newpaltz.edu/hvamc/covid19faceshields/
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Professional Development
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There are still spaces left for the webinar
Social Media Best Practices on April 15th from 10:00-11:00am
with MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Courtney Wimmers. Library staff involved with social media are invited to talk about best practices while library facilities are closed. At this program, we will discuss:
- Using social media analytics to determine the best time to post
- What types of posts the library should share at this time
- How to create quality social media posts
Please register for this session through the MHLS calendar.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Thomas O'Connell, MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor will be offering Sierra Lunchtime Webinars
beginning at 12:00pm all next week. Each day will cover a different topic:
You can register for any of these sessions through the
MHLS calendar
.
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We're Still Open Hudson Valley
is a resource for the community to have one place to go to find out who's open and how they are offering their services during these difficult times.
- Add your library to the "Education" section of this site to help more residents connect with your online and outreach services.
- Please help get the word out to your local businesses
Town of Ulster Public Library
is promoting Citizen Science Month and the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day while still keeping with the stay home, stay safe practice by encouraging patrons to use apps such as
iNaturalist
during family walks.
iNaturalist
is a crowdsourced identification system that provides important scientific data in a fun and easy way. Looking for more ways to promote Citizen Science Month, try
NASA's GLOBE Observer
app. Help NASA track changes in clouds, water, plants, and other life in support of Earth system science research.
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The theme for National Library Week 2020, "Find your place at the library," was chosen some time ago, before any of us could imagine the emergence of a global pandemic that would force most libraries to temporarily close their physical spaces. But you can still find your place at the library because libraries are open for business online, providing the virtual services and digital content their communities need more than ever. This year during National Library Week, let's celebrate by showing our appreciation for the many innovative ways libraries, librarians and library workers are continuing to serve their communities during a time of crisis and "Find the Library at Your Place." For free tools, graphics and ideas please visit
ala.org
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The newest Executive Order, issued on April 7th
(
EO 202.14
), has extended the EO 202.1 suspension of certain aspects of the Open Meetings Law until May 7, 2020. MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich has confirmed this interpretation with the NYS Committee on Open Government's staff.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby continue the suspensions and modifications of law, and any directives, not superseded by a subsequent directive, made by Executive Order 202 and each successor Executive Order to 202, for thirty days until May 7, 2020, except as limited below."
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Administration & Management
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Civil Service 101 presented by Geoff Kirkpatrick will be held online Friday, April 24th
from 10:00am-12:00pm. This workshop is appropriate for library directors, managers and human resources staff in municipal public libraries, special district public libraries and school district public libraries. Civil Service 101 is designed to introduce administering human resources in a public library in a civil service environment. In this workshop we will:
- Review the purpose and structure of Civil Service Commissions in New York
- What should be in place at your library to ensure compliance
- Best practices to ensure you are hiring great people, disciplining correctly and protecting the library when someone needs to be fired.
Geoff Kirkpatrick is the Director of Bethlehem Public Library in Delmar, NY. He is a former President of the New York Library Association (NYLA), co-creator for the NYLA Sustainability Initiative, and Vice-President of the Sustainable Thinking and Action Roundtable.
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Librarian II - Head of Youth Services, Mahopac Public Library
We will look to you to design informal learning opportunities that create magical experiences for babies, children and tweens. If you are a person with knowledge and experience with collections and innovative programming for babies through tweens, love working with children, have a friendly and approachable style, and are excited about the prospect of growing and learning in a changing environment, this job is for you.
Responsibilities include:
- Direct, supervise, and support the daily operations of the department. Assign appropriate tasks, projects, and additional duties as needed consistent with the library goals identified in the Long Range Plan.
- Assume responsibility for supervision of the library and staff as the Person in Charge (PIC), including intervening in patron/staff disputes and enforcing policy throughout the building as necessary.
- Oversee the formation, development, and implementation of goals and action plans, in conjunction with management and department staff.
- Give input into the department collection development activities. Participate in the maintenance and development of the picture book, board book, easy reader and parenting collections, evaluating the assigned collections for balance, and selecting items for withdrawal as necessary.
- Promote innovation by encouraging staff to identify new ideas and opportunities to improve existing or create new processes, programs and services.
- Network with community groups and participate in outreach to schools, daycares, preschools and other community organizations and agencies. Present programs and workshops for the local area and represent the library at town and county events.
- Establish and oversee the staffing and the scheduling of staff at the Youth Services Desk; work the Youth Services desk as necessary.
- Give input into the programming budget and regulate related purchases, and request the necessary maintenance for department activities.
- Hold regularly scheduled Youth Services meetings in coordination with the Teen Services staff.
- Provide reader's advisory for children and adults in Youth Services, market and educate customers as to our resources and programs, and instruct our library customers and staff how to use technology from e-readers to our online databases.
- Monitor and evaluate policies and procedures of the department, suggest policy revisions, implement changes, and train staff as necessary.
- Create, plan and execute innovative, engaging programs for babies to tweens, including special annual programs and events throughout the year; collaborate with other departments in thematic displays and programming.
- Establish and run the Summer Reading Club as well as coordinate summer programs for babies through children in grade 5.
- Conduct Library tours and plan special programming for Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Head Start groups as needed.
- Establish a welcoming, supportive, and functional environment for youth, their caregivers, and department staff.
- Compile department statistics and reports by providing regular written narratives to the Director and the Board of Trustees.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director.
Required Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university
- At least two years professional experience in a library environment with supervisory experience required
- Successful experience working with youth
Necessary Special Requirements
- Strong knowledge and understanding of basic library procedures, principles, and philosophy of service.
- Knowledge of print and online information, resources, computers, and software programs.
- Ability to direct, supervise, and manage department staff.
- Evidence of past community involvement.
- Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.
- Able to identify networking opportunities and communicate with others in the profession and in the community.
- Ability to plan and implement effective library service goals and evaluate effectiveness of service.
- Ability to enforce library policies and make sound judgments when necessary.
- Good communication skills - verbal, interpersonal and written.
- Ability to work under limited supervision, exercising latitude in judgement to determine work methods and results.
- Ability to conduct oneself with courtesy and tact.
- Physical ability to push fully loaded book carts and lift/carry materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and vary work schedule; must be willing and able to work nights and weekends.
Salary:
$27.00/hr. - $30.00/hr.
Email résumé and cover letter to Michele Capozzella, Library Director at
[email protected]
by Friday, April 24, 2020.
Note:
This is a civil service position. The chosen candidate will be provisionally appointed to the position. Permanent appointment is dependent upon a qualifying score on the Librarian II training and experience examination to be given in the Summer of 2020. A background check is also required.
MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master's degree in the same community.
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