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Volume 18-18 | 5.1.18
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Executive Director Search Opens
The Board of Trustees of the Mid-Hudson Library System is advertising for the position of executive director:
Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System: Lead an innovative and accomplished New York library system to continue outstanding levels of service and effective resource sharing. The Board of Trustees of MHLS (headquartered in Poughkeepsie, NY), seeks an experienced library leader-responsive to member, staff, and community needs and skilled in focusing the efforts of a team of talented professionals-as its next Executive Director. MHLS, a regional system of sixty-six public libraries in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, and Ulster counties, works in partnership with its member libraries providing access to excellent library services for 650,000+ NY residents. With a $3.4 million annual budget and 22 system staff, MHLS is a member-focused model organization with a stellar reputation for collaborative planning and process, resulting in the 5 Year Plan of Service (2017-2021).

The Mid-Hudson Library System seeks a leader who believes in visible leadership, listening to all stakeholders, empowers others to act and serve with accountability, understands the demands of the evolving nature of the modern library and has the skills to create teams for excellence.

Key opportunities for the incoming Executive Director include: implementing and enhancing the 5 Year Plan of Service with a smart, focused staff team and member directors; local and state advocacy opportunities; seeking additional funding streams; and continuing to innovate library services and programs to a diverse-yet cohesive and committed-library membership.

Responsibilities. The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Library System, and under the general direction of the 15-member Board of Trustees, has overall responsibility for general administration of System operations. The Executive Director supervises all managers and staff - and works with the Board, staff, member libraries, and major stakeholders to establish the strategic vision for the System, aligning its mission with member library and community needs and priorities. This is complex executive work planning, directing, managing and overseeing the activities and operations of the System.  Qualifications. Minimum qualifications include an ALA-accredited Master's Degree in Library Science; the ability to obtain and retain a New York State Public Librarian Professional Certificate; and a minimum of eight years of post-MLS experience, including two years which must have been in an administrative capacity. Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; superior written and oral communications skills; meaningful public library experience; flexibility; political acumen; collaborative and consensus-building skills; experience in recruiting, mentoring, evaluating and retaining an excellent staff; and a desire to continue the tradition of excellence and innovation within the System. Compensation. The hiring salary range is $125,000-145,000 (placement being dependent on experience and qualifications) with an attractive benefits package.

For more information , including the full job description, detailed qualifications and application information: https://bit.ly/2JqIjok 
This position closes June 10, 2018.
MHLS Announcements
The 2018 MHLS Turning Outwards Pilot Program kicked off in March with ten teams from member libraries who are going to be actively seeking community information to inform future strategic plans.

l-r: Michele Capozzella , Director, Mahopac Public Library; Debi Feiman , Administrative Assistant & Adult Programmer; Jen McCreery , Director, Desmond-Fish Library; and Stacy Morrison , Trustee, Desmond-Fish Library

Participants heard from a panel made up of representatives from two MHLS member libraries, the Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison and the Mahopac Public Library, who have done similar work in their communities called "Community Conversations." These conversations were guided by resources provided by the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities project to help gather "public knowledge." Public knowledge which comes from engaging in conversation with people in a community. These conversations seek to identify community aspirations, concerns and how people see different facets of their community. For the remainder of the day participants practiced conducting community conversations and worked on an implementation plan to help guide their efforts.
 
Participating libraries:
  • Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring)
  • Highland Public Library
  • Hudson Area Library
  • Kingston Library
  • LaGrange Library
  • New Lebanon Library
  • Putnam Valley Free Library
  • Starr Library (Rhinebeck)
  • Saugerties Public Library
  • Tivoli Free Library
Above: More than forty team members, representing ten libraries g athered together in the MHLS Auditorium to fine tune their plans to authentically listen to what their community has to say about their hopes for the future of their communities.
Sustainable Libraries
Interested in applying for funds through the State Aid for Library Construction program this year?
  • A recording of the recent MHLS webinar: Applying for State Aid for Library Construction Funds in the Mid-Hudson Library System is now available at https://midhudson.org/nysconstructiongrant/
  • Directors should submit MHLS Action Memo #18-03 by May 25th
  • First time applicants will want to make time to attend the technical assistance workshop scheduled for Monday, June 18th from 10:00 am-12:00 pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Registration is required: http://calendar.midhudson.org
Job Openings
Part-time Library Clerk (14 hours per week), Hyde Park Free Library

Summary: Under supervision of the Library Director and the Head of Circulation, performs a variety of library duties including circulation desk duties and interfaces with patrons in providing excellent public and technical services.
 
Minimum Requirements:  High school diploma or GED and recent experience in customer service.
 
Strong knowledge and comfort with modern technology, specifically with regard to PCs (Microsoft Word, printing, e-mail, troubleshooting, etc.) and print and electronic information resources.
 
Ability to perform detailed and routine work accurately and neatly.
 
Must be friendly and courteous.
 
Be able to stand for long periods of time, walking, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying moderately heavy bags / boxes up to 50 lbs. and/or using a cart to transport boxes.
 
Please send résumé to: [email protected] (note 'Library Clerk' in the subject heading).
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Children's/Youth Services and Programming Associate, Roeliff Jansen Community Library
 
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake, NY, is seeking an energetic and creative full-time (35-hours per week) Children's/Youth Services and Programming Associate to develop and oversee the Library's children's and young adult collections and programs and to help coordinate, with the director and board, the Library's adult programs. The Children's/Youth Services and Programming Associate, who reports to the Director of the Library, will also assist with circulation and reference duties, materials processing, and community outreach.
 
Specific responsibilities:
  • Work with the Youth Team to plan, promote, implement, and evaluate programs for children, young adults, and families
  • Maintain and develop the children's and young adult collections, selecting, ordering, processing, cataloging, and repairing materials
  • Work with Program Committee, as needed, to plan, promote, and implement adult programs
  • Work the circulation desk, with volunteers, and field reference questions
  • Assist patrons with computer questions
  • Maintain and expand the Library's social media presence
  • Recruit, train, and work with youth-oriented volunteers including, perhaps, a youth advisory team
  • Work with local schools and camps to introduce young people to the Library
  • Identify opportunities to secure grants for programs geared to children and young adults
  • Maintain statistics and develop reports
  • Take responsibility of the building in the absence of the Director
The candidate must have strong customer service skills and be able to work with people of all ages and temperaments, especially with children and young adults, be comfortable with computer and A/V technology and savvy with social media, and enjoy working as part of a team.
 
Must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed.
 
Minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree, MLS preferred
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation and sick time and health insurance contribution.
 
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Please send résumé  and letter explaining why you think you would be a good fit for this position to Tamara Gaskell, Director, at [email protected]. Review of applications will begin May 21.
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Part-time Children's Program Specialist (June-August), Roeliff Jansen Community Library

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake, NY, is seeking a Part-time Children's Program Specialist to help us over the summer. The specialist will create and run library's summer reading program in consultation with other library staff and will oversee the children's programming, including our farmer's market program, during the summer months.
 
We are looking for an individual who will bring energy and creativity to our summer reading program. The candidate should have the ability to design meaningful educational programs for the children of the Roe Jan community. This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, and the ability to connect to children and parents.
 
Responsibilities include:
  • Planning and coordinating children's programs.
  • Planning, coordinating and creating promotional material for children's programs.
  • Operating within a program budget.
  • Providing statistical information for the director's monthly report.
  • Performing other duties in support of children's department.
Minimum Requirements:
  •  Commitment to creative and effective targeted children's programming.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with children, caregivers, and colleagues.
Public library or teaching experience preferred, but not required.
 
Childhood education experience a plus. Teachers and Library students encouraged to apply.
 
Position: Part-time: 20 hours per week, late June through August. Must be available to work Saturdays.
 
Pay: $15/hr
 
Please send résumé  and letter explaining why you think you would be a good fit for this position to Tamara Gaskell, Director, at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
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