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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Fair Access to Digital Content
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At the MHLS Board of Trustees December meeting the board passed a "Resolution in Support of Fair Access to Digital Content."
The full text of the resolution can be found below. The resolution declares the board's support of MHLS staff and member libraries to both raise public awareness about these issues and take active steps to advocate for publisher practices that respect readers' rights to equitable access to digital content through their local library.
MHLS Board Resolution in Support of Fair Access to Digital Content (passed unanimously 12.7.2019)
"WHEREAS public libraries have a duty to ensure access to information for all, and
WHEREAS publishers are increasingly imposing restrictions on library purchases of new and popular materials in digital formats, and
WHEREAS libraries are typically required to pay exponentially higher prices for copies of books in digital formats than consumers, and
WHEREAS these barriers are an impediment to the freedom to read, particularly for those who are most dependent on libraries and those with disabilities or learning issues, as well as a challenge to our long- held commitment to equity of access,
Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS):
- Supports all digital content being made equally available to libraries without moratorium or embargo and at fair prices
- Supports MHLS staff and member libraries raising public awareness of these issues
- Supports MHLS and member libraries taking active steps to advocate for publisher practices that respect readers' rights to equitable access to digital content through their local public library."
 As we all work to understand how we can ensure future access to digital content, the Macmillan embargo will be a watershed moment on this topic. For more information regarding updates on the Macmillan embargo please visit
https://ebooksforall.org/
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MHLS Announcements
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The
MHLS Advocacy Day Briefing Webinar will be held on Thursday, February 13th
at 10:00am.
This event is designed for all library advocates
- library directors, staff, trustees, Friends Groups, volunteers and patrons - who are interested in speaking up for libraries during the New York budget negotiation season.
Please register for this webinar through the MHLS calendar visit http://calendar.midhudson.org
 Don't forget to sign-up for
Library Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February 25th
in Albany! Join library advocates from across the state to meet with your legislators and come together with like-minded library supporters. We'll even give you a ride! Thanks to the generosity of area Friends Groups the ticket to ride the bus is just $5. To register for this event and learn more about Library Advocacy Day please visit
http://midhudson.org/library-advocacy-day/
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 The Red Hook Public Library has received a grant from Preserve NY to have a Building Condition Report done. Donald MacDonald, an architect specializing in historic buildings, is in the process of studying the octagon shaped structure. The report will detail building needs that will help the library plan for the future. Learn more, https://www.preservenys.org/
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 As part of the New York Community Trust Census Equity Fund grant program,MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin will be presenting 2020 Census workshops
that will provide an overview of the upcoming Census, tools and strategies for promoting the Census, and best practices for supporting community members in completing the Census questionnaire. There is still time to register for the following dates:
Civic Switchboard: Connecting Libraries and Community Information Networks
is an Institute of Museum and Library Services supported effort that aims to develop the capacity of academic and public libraries in civic data ecosystems. Libraries and library workers are well-suited to make important contributions around civic data, including helping people discover civic information, building data literacy and technical skills, providing technical assistance in data management and documentation, creating feedback mechanisms to data publishers, convening and hosting events, and connecting data users. However, many libraries have just started to play these roles in their local communities, and this program seeks to add momentum to that process. Learn more about the project and how to apply by visiting
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Administration & Management
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The Directors Association Workshop topic for March 5th is Paid Time Off
presented by Ellen Bach and Robert Schofield of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. In this workshop attendees will learn everything they need to know about the Family and Medical Leave Act, NY's Paid Family Leave Act, and the other leave-related legal obligations affecting your library and its employees. Ensure that your policies, procedures, and practices are in compliance, before you face an issue.
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