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Volume 18-41 | 10.9.18
Construction Awards Announced 
The State Education Department has announced $923,909 in State Aid for member library and MHLS construction projects for FY2017-2018. These funds help libraries construct new buildings, create additions, update electrical wiring and computer technology, improve broadband infrastructure, meet energy efficiency standards, renovate facilities to provide full accessibility to library users with disabilities, and provide meeting spaces to accommodate community needs.

"New York's libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading to meet the increasing needs of the children, families and adults they serve every day," said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. "These funds are not just investments in our public libraries but investments in our communities."

"Public libraries support communities in many ways - from providing early childhood programs, summer reading programs and afterschool activities to helping job-seekers find employment and offering internet access to the community," said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. "That's why it's so important to invest in our libraries across the state. The Board of Regents and I thank the Governor and the State Legislature for committing these funds so libraries across New York can improve and update their facilities to better meet the needs of students, adults, and families."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Chair of the Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee said, "The increase in construction aid funding that we were  able to secure in this year's budget will enable libraries to make critical structural and infrastructure improvements to grow their services, increase accessibility and offer the highest quality educational and technological services. Libraries, our most democratic of institutions, support lifelong learning in a safe environment and we must maintain our commitment to them and to our communities."

2018 Awards in the Mid-Hudson Library System
 
Reed Memorial Library (Carmel): $25,453
New energy efficient windows and HVAC system
 
Claverack Library: $209,072
Continued work to expand library into former firehouse next door.
 
Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring): $48,355
Creation of a dedicated children's space
 
Highland Public Library: $62,292
Interior work on new building to include technology installation and custom millwork
 
Hudson Area Library: $39,935
Interior renovations to create office and classroom/ meeting room
 
Kinderhook Memorial Library: $99,750
Construction of an addition to the library
 
Kingston Library: $95,547
New outdoor perimeter fence

Olive Free Library: $25,268
Upgrade elevator, construction of machine room, and further interior renovations
 
Red Hook Public Library: $22,259
New roof and renovation of front porch
 
Saugerties Public Library: $13,112
Expansion of parking lot, addition of ADA parking and creation of outdoor programming area
 
Stanford Free Library: $115,275
New library building: excavation, foundations, and exterior walls and roof
 
Town of Ulster Public Library: $64,117
Addition of a multi-purpose quiet space/program space
 
Mid-Hudson Library System: $103,474
 Renovation of the MHLS Auditorium to support public and online meetings and presentations 
MHLS Announcements
MHLS Delivery Operations will finish transitioning to new delivery bins on all routes on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The new bins were a cost effective solution to replace our deteriorating custom made bins that had a high replacement cost. Routes 1 and 4 currently use the new bins which are economical, nest for space issues, and have lids to provide protection from various weather conditions. We appreciate your help and patience as we switch over the remaining routes 2, 3, and 5 to the new bins. Please place any old bins in your pickup location so the drivers can gather them for return to MHLS as we begin to deliver materials to your library using the new bins.
 
Donations for Correctional Facility Libraries
If you are weeding your collection MHLS is looking for paperbacks of interest to men and medical books published within the past 6 years. These donations are of great interest to our correctional facility libraries. If you bring them to a MHLS meeting or workshop (please do not use the delivery for donations) we will be pleased to pass them on. Thank you in advance for giving your materials a second life and for helping to contribute to the literacy, information seeking and recreational reading of many people.
MHLS Libraries

September 25th was National Voter Registration Day and member libraries across the MHLS region helped community members get registered to vote. Brian Miller, Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE said the 2018 nationwide event broke the previous record with more than 800,000 voter registrations. This non-partisan event has been celebrated annually since 2012 on the fourth Tuesday of September. 
Professional Development
Introduction to Fundraising Planning | Friday, October 19th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the  Adriance Memorial Library of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. Does your library or Friends Group need help to direct its fundraising efforts? Planning focuses your organization by setting fundraising priorities and helps give staff and board members a roadmap to success. Susan Shiroma from the Foundation Center in New York will teach this introductory class and provide you with the basic steps for developing a fundraising plan for your organization.  Registration is required. To register visit http://bit.ly/2QiiFWt
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