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Volume 18-42 | 10.16.18 
Legal Issues Course
As part of the 2018 MHLS Action Plan member library directors were surveyed about which legal issues they wish they knew more about. As a result MHLS will be offering a full day course on Legal Issues in conjunction with the New York Library Association's Leadership & Management Academy.

Thursday, November 29th | 10:00 am - 3:30 pm  |  MHLS Auditorium
Register online at
http://calendar.midhudson.org
No fee for MHLS Member Library Directors

This course will provide an overview of New York State Laws and Regulations that impact the governance of association and public libraries in New York.
The course will cover a variety of issues including:
  • Education Law
  • Commissioner's Regulations
  • Public Officers Law
  • Open Meetings Law
  • Bidding & Procurement
  • Nonprofit Revitalization Act
  • Privacy & Confidentiality Issues
  • Equal Access
  • Free Speech
If you are enrolled in the NYLA Leadership & Management Academy and need this course to complete your certification please let NYLA know you will be attending this instance of the course.
MHLS Announcements
The 59th MHLS Annual Membership Meeting takes place on Friday, November 2nd @ Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY. The registration deadline for this event is Wednesday, October 24th. Visit http://bit.ly/2LZfLDo to reserve your spot today!

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Member library directors participating in the 2018 MHLS Lab Project presented their preliminary findings at the 2018 MHLS PR Exchange in September. Participating libraries have been experimenting with best practices for cardholder retention and activation . Research shows that the largest opportunity for engagement with a cardholder is within the first 90 days they have a card, this is one of the best ways to ensure a long relationship with your patrons: help them get off to a great start! To that end Lab Libraries have been focused on efforts such as:
  • Welcome emails for new cardholders that briefly point out what you can do with your library card both online and in the library.
     
  • "Rack Cards" handed out to new cardholders that spotlight "5 things" you can do with your library card that might surprise you.
     
  • Email messages to cardholders whose cards are about to expire with both a courtesy message to help a patron avoid a card's expiration and a short list of links of cool things you can do with your library card which may be new since the cardholder last used the library.
Rack Card designed by Gillian Thorpe, Director,
Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring, NY

Lab libraries have also been focused on improving the user experience in additional ways: fine tuning customer service training for staff when it comes time for issuing new cards and providing tours of the library; creating postcards for kids who get their first library card, experimenting with online patron registration and more! Stay tuned for the final findings of these five intrepid library directors to be shared in early 2019!
MHLS Libraries
MHLS welcomes New Member Library Directors:
  • Jeff Schiller, Director, D.R. Evarts Library (Athens)
  • Kristen Campbell, Director, Hurley Library
  • Catherine Benson, Director, Heermance Memorial Library (Coxsackie)
  • Stephanie Harrison, Director, Patterson Library
  • Gisi Vella, Director, Morton Memorial Library (Pine Hill)
  • Dede Farabaugth, Interim Director, Putnam Valley Free Library
Resource Sharing & Sierra


The ILS working group came together for one last ILS review on September 20th.The group has been given an overview of the features, functions, and road maps of both the Innovative Sierra platform and the SirsiDynix Symphony/Blue Cloud system. Their impressions and opinions will contribute to the whitepaper document that the DA will receive for review at the November 15th Business Meeting. 
Job Openings
Library Director, Millbrook Library
The Millbrook Library is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Library Director.  The Library is an active community center serving a vibrant, rural community.  Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Library operations.
 
Minimum Qualifications: Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program preferred and 3 years of progressively responsible library administrative experience.  Experience should include a broad background in management, administration/human resources, operations, fundraising and finance, as well as knowledge of library services, operations and collections. 
 
Salary: $50,000+ commensurate with experience and benefits. 
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Responsible for administering the safe and efficient operation of the Millbrook Library, its programs and services, in compliance with all applicable laws, and policies and decisions of the Board;
  • Oversees continuous development of relevant library materials and services; responsible for the development of the Library's adult collections; plans and implements programs and services for patrons of all ages in collaboration with the Youth Services staff;
  • Exhibits a high level of administrative and supervisory skills including: recruiting, hiring and training new employees, as well as coordinating the continued training and development of staff members; administering personnel policies; preparing performance evaluations of staff members; record keeping; grant writing and preparing the annual budget, state and local reports; and oversees the annual audit;
  • Possesses exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills;
  • Exercises considerable professional skill, initiative and good judgment, and the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, Friends of the Library, patrons, the public and the Board to promote the library as an integral and vital component of the community;
  • Strong computer skills: knowledge of database, spreadsheet and word processing software, as well as familiarity with current and emerging technologies and their application(s) in a library setting.
Qualified applicants should submit cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references no later than October 26, 2018 to:
 
Kerry Weller, Chair   Board of Trustees Personnel Committee
Millbrook Library
PO Box 286
Millbrook, NY 12545
 
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Library Director, Putnam Valley Free Library
The Trustees of the Putnam Valley Free Library seek a highly motivated professional to manage the daily operations of the sole library in this Town 50 miles north of New York City of approximately 12,000 residents.  We wish to hire a leader who will work with a staff of varying experience, and who has direct supervisory responsibilities.  The Director will be expected to, along with the Board of Trustees, formulate short and long-term goals for the growth of the Library, and will be responsible for their institution.
 
The Director is reportable to the Board of Trustees and is charged with:
  • Promoting the Library and its services
  • Fostering an institution that welcomes all patrons
  • Managing the Library's programs and services and seeking new programs and services to serve Putnam Valley's populace
  • Seeking and managing grants
  • Managing all personnel matters, budgets, collection and services, and facilities
  • Partnering with the Town, its schools, elected officials, and other entities to expand the Library's reach
Minimum Qualifications:
  • MLS or MLIS from an ALA accredited institution
  • NYS Public Librarian's Professional Certificate by time of employment
  • Minimum four (4) years professional librarian experience, with at least one (1) year managerial experience
This position is full-time, exempt, with some evening and weekend requirements.  Salary Range: $50,000-$53,000, depending on experience.
 
Send cover letter, résumé and references to: trustees@putnamvalleylibrary.org
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