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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Claverack Library Grand Opening
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After nearly a decade of planning and fundraising, the final phase of construction on the
new Claverack Free Library building was completed in October. By renovating and repurposing the former firehouse next door to the original library building the new space increases the library's footprint from 1,400 to 11,000 square feet. The new library provides a modern space with facilities to accommodate the community's growing demand for social, cultural and educational programs, and support and access to technology with full ADA accessibility. The entire project was paid for through donors and grants, at a total cost of $2.6 million.
(above)
Thea Schoep, Claverack Free Library Director cuts the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony on October 26th.
A few of the library's exciting new features include:
- Fully accessible facility
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Dedicated space for teens and young adults
- High-speed broadband connectivity
- Space for community meetings and educational and social programs
- Assistive technologies for people with limited vision and hearing
- Floor plan designed for efficient use of staff resources
Community members and honored guests joined the Claverack Free Library's staff and trustees for the library's grand opening ceremony on Saturday, October 26th. For a look inside the new Claverack Free Library building check out the video created by Lance Wheeler available at
(l-r) U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado, Claverack Free Library former Board President Stephen King, MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Claverack Free Library Director, Thea Schoep
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MHLS Announcements
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 MHLS SEEKS NEW TECH SUPPORT SPECIALIST (part-time): Works under the direction of the IT Operations Supervisor; provides phone, email, and in- person support to member libraries; analyzes and resolves hardware, software and networking/ communication problems; assists in managing library websites; provides documentation/ training on technical issues, assists in managing server and network equipment, provides technical advice to member libraries and System staff. To view the complete job description and to learn how to apply please visit
https://midhudson.org/job-postings/
Application Deadline:
Monday, November 30th.
MHLS Member Library Mileage Equalization Grant Program deadline: December 15th is the last deadline to take advantage of the 2019 MHLS Member Library Mileage Equalization Grant Program. Reimbursement is contingent on member libraries providing their staff reimbursement at the IRS rate for travel to attend training or to participate in meetings sponsored by and located at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie. For more information and to access the claim form directors should visit http://da.midhudson.org/
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Library supporters from Columbia, Putnam, and Ulster counties visited with their county legislators
to advocate for the continued funding of the important services libraries provide to residents. MHLS Board President Mark Wilson represented libraries in Columbia County, and Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin, attended meetings in Putnam, Ulster, and Columbia County. County dollars put towards libraries have a huge return on investment, support county goals, and go towards funding libraries and important services like eBooks and online resources and classes that residents rely on for educational and personal development. County library leaders meet in the second quarter each year to review best practices for meeting community needs with county funding and advocating for continued support of libraries at the county level.
(l-r) Stuart Auchincloss, Trustee of MHLS Board, Ulster County representative, Margie Menard, Kingston Library Director and Kara Lustiber, West Hurley Public Library Director
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The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for Library Census Equity Fund mini-grants
. ALA will provide 25 libraries with $2,000 mini-grants to bolster their service to hard-to-count communities and help achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census. Applicants may propose activities such as conducting community outreach activities or expanding the library's technology capacity for people completing the census questionnaire online. For more information and to access the application please visit,
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/govinfo/census/grants
Applications are due by November 22nd.
Funding is also available from the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
(
http://bit.ly/2NoU8QM
) for activities that support community-based education, outreach and assistance efforts for Hard-To-Count communities. Additionally, MHLS has applied for grant funding from the New York Community Trust to support outreach efforts to HTC communities and training for member libraries on supporting community members completing the Census.
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 In September,
MHLS member library staff met and learned about social media best practices at the first Social Media Roundtable
. Courtney Wimmers, Outreach & Engagement Specialist, shared the top eight tips for social media success, what libraries should talk about on social media, and explained the mystery of social media algorithms. Attendees also talked about how they use social media at their libraries and shared their social media frustrations and successes. Look for the announcement in the MHLS Bulletin of the next meeting date of the Social Media Roundtable taking place in the first quarter of 2020.
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Part-time Early Literacy Coordinator, Millbrook Library
The Millbrook Library is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, part-time Early Literacy Coordinator to work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (22.5 hrs./wk.), plus occasional evenings and Saturdays for special programs.
Pay: Competitive salary for the region; benefits include two weeks of vacation, sick time, and some paid holidays.
The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of early childhood development and children's literature. They should have the ability to design and implement quality programs for children ages birth - 9 yrs.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and coordinate children's programs
- Plan, coordinate, and create promotional material for children's programs in a timely fashion
- Operate within the program budget
- Record statistical information for monthly report
- Work in close coordination with Teen Services Coordinator, Director, and other library staff
- Maintain and develop children's collection: selecting, ordering, and processing material
- Maintain strong collaborative relationship with local schools
Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Public library and/or teaching experience preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with all age groups
Applicants may submit a cover letter and résumé to Thomas Finnigan at [email protected]
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Part-time Library Clerk, Pawling Library
The Pawling Library is looking for a part-time clerk to join our team by working at the circulation desk. This position will work every Wednesday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM and alternating Saturdays 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, multi-tasking, and most importantly strong customer service skills.
The library clerk performs the following functions:
- All circulation duties: included but not limited to checking items in and out, pulling holds, processing materials, registering patrons, collecting fines, shelving and shelf maintenance.
- Provides information to the public on library policies and procedures.
- Performs routine searches and updates of computer records.
- Contacts patrons to deliver messages or information on library materials.
- Provides reference and readers advisory when needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the library director.
We are looking for a candidate with the following skills:
- Interest in library materials (such as books, movies, and video games) and library events.
- A large degree of comfort with technology.
- Ability to answer questions about the library.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Position:
Part-Time: 14.5 hours per biweekly pay period
Pay:
$11.10 - $13.75/hr, depending on experience
Benefits:
After six months of employment, part-time employees accrue paid time off in proportion to their hours worked.
Instructions to Applicants
Deadline to apply
: Sunday December 1st
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Library Director, Saugerties Public Library
The Saugerties Public Library seeks enthusiastic qualified applicants for the position of Library Director. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) offering a competitive salary, health benefits, and enrollment in the New York State Local Retirement System. The Library Director shall be the executive and administrative officer of the library, acting on behalf of the Board and under its review and direction.
The Library Director or his/her designee is the official spokesperson for the library
The Library Director
oversees all aspects of library administration and operations including library finances, information systems and technology, buildings and grounds maintenance, human resources, library programs, collection development, public relations, and community outreach.
The Saugerties Public Library is a vibrant community resource serving a population of 19,192 residents in the Town and Village of Saugerties, and is a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System. This is a civil service position and applicants must possess the minimum qualifications for Library Director 1 in order to apply.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plans and implements library programs for patrons of all ages.
- Develops the library budget in coordination with the Finance Committee.
- Prepares, distributes, and compiles all materials for board and committee meetings.
- Maintains all business, financial, and personnel records for the library including filing all personnel actions with Ulster County Civil Service.
- Assumes responsibility for the maintenance of computers and the automation system.
- Applies for and administers grants.
- Administers the expenditures of library funds and the collection of library revenues.
- Recommends new services, policies, and personnel actions to the Board of Trustees.
- Recommends appointments, transfers, promotions and dismissals.
- Supervises the work of library employees.
- Conducts staff training meetings.
- Performs annual performance evaluations on all employees.
- Administers the purchase of library materials.
- Prepares state, local, and other statistical narrative reports as needed or required.
- Oversees collection development.
- Assumes responsibility for the development and maintenance of the local history collection.
- Creates relevant reports through the library systems ILS.
- Conducts studies and analysis of library operations.
- Oversees cash handling.
- Ensure that the building and grounds are properly maintained.
- Designs and produces public relations and library instruction materials.
- Represents the library before governmental agencies and community groups.
- Supervises the maintenance of library property and recommends repairs, alterations, and new construction.
- Keeps informed of professional developments through participation in professional organizations, system meetings, workshops, continuing education courses, and reading professional materials.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience in library management.
- High proficiency with library computer technology and electronic resources.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Experience working with volunteers and Friends group and a Board of Trustees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Masters Degree in Library Science and two (2) years of professional full-time, or its part-time equivalent, experience in a library of recognized standing.
Special Requirement: Possession of a New York State Public Librarian's professional certificate at time of appointment.
SALARY RANGE: $60.000-$75,000
TO APPLY:
Please email résumé and cover letter to Cindy Saporito, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, Saugerties Public Library Board of Trustees,
[email protected]
Deadline: November 22, 2019
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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