Get Ready for National Voter Registration Day | | |
Held this year on September 15, 2026, National Voter Registration Day is dedicated to getting every eligible American registered to vote ahead of the various state deadlines and seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities during a single 24-hour democracy blitz to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise. Every eligible citizen should have the option to exercise their right to be heard at the ballot box, and with well over 6.3 million registered voters to its name since 2012, National Voter Registration Day is the perfect day to start getting America #VoteReady for Election 2026 on November 3rd. Libraries can celebrate this civic holiday by hosting a nonpartisan voter registration event or partnering with another organization to bring voter registration to the library.
The civic holiday’s website, NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org, lists National Voter Registration Day events across the country and includes comprehensive and state-specific resources on voter registration and voting more generally. See this link for communications resources to share with your library patrons. Use #NationalVoterRegistrationDay and #VoteReady on social media to spread the word! Please contact info@nationalvoterregistrationday.org with any questions.
The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) will be receiving a package of materials related to National Voter Registration Day, including posters and stickers in English and Spanish. If you didn’t receive any or need extra, we can forward some over to member libraries on a first-come, first-served basis. Reach out to Stephanie Werskey at swerskey@midhudson.org to request these items.
Additional resources include:
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WebJunction has shared a “Library guide to civic engagement,” that includes a curated selection of resources, tools, and ideas to help inform your library’s approach to this important work.
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Join the American Library Association’s (ALA) campaign to get every community Reader, Voter, Ready! Use and share resources and get your community mobilized to vote. For additional information on ALA's voter engagement resources, contact: Gavin Baker, Deputy Director, Public Policy and Government Relations, gbaker@alawash.org.
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The online report form is now open for all member libraries to enter statistics from their 2026 Summer Reading Program (SRP).
Every member library is required to submit an online Summer Reading Program Final Report. This information is sent to the Division of Library Development and assists your library with needed statistics for the Member Library Annual Report to New York State. If your library did not hold a Summer Reading Program this year, you will still need to fill out the first portion of the report.
Due Date: September 11, 2026
One report per library. If you have branch buildings, information for all buildings should be included in one report. Links to the online report form and a copy of the questions are also available at midhudson.org.
Questions about the SRP Final Report should be directed to MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger.
| | Summer Reading 2026 highlights from across the system! | |
The Cairo Public Library connected their Lego Challenge to the Unearth a Story theme with a challenge to create a Dinosaur. This spotlight Dino was created by Laurie Ehrlich.
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The Grinnell Public Library had an amazing Summer Reading Kickoff with a visit from Two By Two Animal Haven. The rain didn't stop the 205 patrons from enjoying meeting a variety of indoor animals.
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The Kinderhook Memorial Library disguised the library as a prehistoric paradise for their Summer Reading Kick-off Party.
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At the Catskill Library’s Palenville branch, every week throughout the summer there is a new "Window Question", I-SPY game, "Would you Rather" question, and "Guessing Jar" game. Library staff learned the general consensus was that kids plan on reading A WHOLE LOT of books this Summer!
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The Putnam Valley Library’s Summer Reading kick-off had party bubbles, crafts and Legos, chalk, incredible face painting, and innovative creating from the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, where participants built houses for the three little pigs using cardboard, pipe cleaners, and clips. The big bad wolf was a hair dryer who "huffed & puffed" to see if the houses would move or fall off the table.
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The Town of Ulster Library asked patrons to help name their Summer Reading plushie mascot – Eliza’s winning name submission is "ROARIE SHORT-ARMS!"
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There is still time to register for The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Partner TRAIN Workshop: Library Marketing Makeover Reveal on Thursday, August 6 at 2 PM.
Join Trenton and a panel of marketing experts for an inside look at the Library Marketing Makeover, a national initiative that helps libraries strengthen outreach and community engagement. This session will showcase recommendations developed for four ARSL member libraries: Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, Algoma Public Library, Jackson Parish Public Library, and Lake Wales Public Library.
Through real-world examples, the team will share practical ideas for improving branding, social media, program promotion, community partnerships, and overall marketing effectiveness. Attendees will gain actionable strategies that can be adapted for libraries of any size and budget.
Presented by:
- Trenton Smiley, Director of Customer Messaging, Hoopla
- Katie Rothley, Marketing & PR Librarian, Northville District Library, Northville, MI
- April Jo Harder, Communications & Marketing Supervisor, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL
- Peter Velikonja, Researcher, Koios
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MHLS Programmers Forum | Thursday, September 17 | 10 AM – 12 AM | Beekman Library, 11 Town Center Boulevard, Hopewell Junction
This two-hour in-person event will start with a 30-minute presentation followed by 90 minutes of sharing and discussion by attendees. Come with your questions and get ready to share with your peers about all things programming in your library!
This event is open to all MHLS member library staff who work on programming for all age groups.
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Quality Over Quantity: Reimagining Library Program Planning | Monday, September 21 | 2 – 3 PM | Online
Join Justice McCray, Programming Librarian at the Desmond-Fish Public Library to discuss Quality over Quantity with regard to your library's program planning. This is a continuation of the in-person event that was held in June. Justice had a lot more to share, so we decided to do a 60-minute bonus event. If you were unable to attend the session in June, this webinar is still for you. All are welcome!
We will discuss ways to adapt to community needs as they change, how less can sometimes be more, when to sunset programs, and how to lean into the unique opportunities your library and area have to offer.
| | The Love Your Library State formula funds allocated under Education Law §273 Apportionment of state aid are intended to strengthen and support public library system and member library programs and services for the Summer Reading Program. There are multiple ways for library patrons to show their support, including getting a specialty license plate! Read more about the Love Your Library program details, promotional materials, and funding information at https://nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/lylplate. | | |
REMINDER: Libraries in Motion – Inspiring Communities to Ride | August 10 | 10 – 11 AM | Online
Join us for an online discussion on how public libraries can promote bicycling through innovative programs, community partnerships, and engaging events.
Speakers:
- Staff of The New York State Department of Transportation’s Statewide Mobility Services (NYSDOT SMS)
- Briana Moore, Librarian, Programs and Community Engagement, Nyack Public Library
- Alex Geller, Director of the Red Hook Public Library
| | Administration & Management | |
A reminder from the MHLS Delivery Department: Please help delivery run as smoothly and efficiently as possible by providing a clear path to your library’s incoming and outgoing bin location, notify us of any lock and key changes in advance, and provide any feedback on the service and drivers.
For questions regarding MHLS delivery operations please contact Chris Herron, Operations Manager.
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Part-Time Clerk – LaGrange Association Library
LaGrange Association Library has an immediate opening for an enthusiastic, friendly, customer-service oriented individual to join our team as a part-time Library Clerk. This position is up to 11 hours per week, Wednesday evenings and rotating Saturdays with opportunities to fill in additional shifts. Salary is $16.00 per hour with paid sick, vacation, personal days, holidays, and a retirement savings plan. Graduation from high school or possession of a GED or higher is required. To apply, please email a meaningful cover letter, resume, and 2 professional references to Lisa Sassi, Head of Circulation, at lsassi@laglib.org and indicate “Clerk” in the subject line. Read the full job description here.
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Library Director – Rosendale Public Library
The Rosendale Public Library is seeking an energetic, community-focused leader to serve as its next Library Director. This is a unique opportunity to guide a vibrant rural library dedicated to fostering opportunities for growth, lifelong learning, creativity, and community engagement. Priority will be given to those applying before August 21, 2026. Starting Salary: $65,000 annually. To apply please see the full job description on the library's website.
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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