NYLA Conference Highlights | |
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The 2024 New York Library Association (NYLA) Conference took place in-person in Syracuse earlier this month. Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) members were well represented!
Dover Plains Library Director Amy Smith (pictured below) presented Dinosaur Pizza: Learning Librarianship from Kids.
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Millbrook Library Director, Courtney Tsahalis (pictured left) presented Turning the Page: ADHD and Employee Policies.
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MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, presented a 3-hour Continuing Education session and joined three panels of presenters during the conference.
- Library Leadership for Crisis Response (CE)
- Empowered Libraries Tackle Climate Change Together!
- Trustee Handbook Book Club for Directors
- Activating Trustee Leadership: Beyond Board Meetings
MHLS Outreach and EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger (pictured below) joined a panel of presenters for a 3-hour Continuing Education session, Path to Belonging: Rural Libraries EDISJ.
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The NYLA Conference Scholarship from MHLS to help recipients discover new concepts in the library field and establish professional networks and relationships in the New York library community was given to five recipients this year.
- Alex Geller, Red Hook Library
- Reed Gillen, Julia Butterfield Memorial Library
- Crystal Middleton, Elting Library
- Allie Rapppleyea, Catskill Public Library
- Jason Vietta, Brewster Library
The Conference Scholarship helps provide new library directors and new library staff with the opportunity to attend the annual NYLA Conference by matching funds provided by the library to underwrite conference attendance.
Articles from our scholarship recipients about what they learned or how they benefited from attending the NYLA Annual Conference will be published in the MHLS Bulletin over the next few weeks!
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The North Chatham Free Library recently co-hosted a colorful Neighborhood Sign Making Workshop with two local nonprofits, Kinderhook’s Super-Stories and North Chatham Neighbors for Street Safety. The goal was to promote awareness for street and pedestrian safety.
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The recordings and resources from the accessibility in libraries series presented by Lauren Kehoe, the former NYU Libraries’ Accessibility & Accommodations Librarian, are now available on the MHLS Training on Demand platform on the Library Sustainability Academy.
If you aren't a registered user in Training on Demand, please contact your director to request access.
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REMINDER - Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant from the American Library Association (ALA) program is an initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. Applications are due December 11th.
ALA will make up to 250 awards of $10,000 to eligible institutions. For applicants interested in undertaking a more ambitious project, ALA will make up to 50 awards of $20,000. Applicants interested in receiving a larger grant must complete an extended version of the application. These proposals will first be considered for an award of $20,000; if not selected for funding at the higher level, the proposal will be considered for a $10,000 award.
Eligible expenses include:
- Library staff time
- Honoraria for conversation participants
- Payment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g., ASL interpreters, live captioners)
- Facility upgrades (e.g., automatic door openers, accessible signage, sensory space equipment)
- Tech equipment (e.g., Braillers, iPads, virtual meeting licenses, Assistive Technology)
- Adaptive equipment (e.g., modified tools, sensory tools)
- Books or other collection materials
- Training for library staff (e.g., disability inclusion training)
- Project supplies (e.g., markers, index cards, Post-its)
- Promotion and publicity
See here for more information and to apply.
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The New York State Library is launching an initiative to improve the best practices of working with vulnerable populations seen every day at libraries across the State. This work will begin with an outreach portion that will include interviews with all library staff interested in sharing their experiences working with individuals that may be experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, mental illness, substance use, and other challenges.
Library staff interested in this collaboration may schedule a 30-minute meeting to discuss the work they do, and the challenges they may face. All information shared will be anonymized in any reports.
Book time with Antonia Bruno: 30 minutes meeting
Antonia Bruno is the Excelsior Service Fellow for the New York State Library in the Office of Cultural Education. Antonia recently graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Stony Brook University and previously worked as a social services advocate at Lindenhurst Memorial Library.
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The New York Library Association’s (NYLA) Youth Services Section (YSS) is calling for award submissions for the 2025 Pied Piper Award. The Pied Piper Award recognizes excellence in the creation of an individual program that promotes service to the young people of New York State Libraries and that is replicable at other libraries. Submissions are judged on originality, program implementation, program content, and marketing. The winner will receive either a $200 reward or a gift card from Barnes & Noble and have the award presented at the annual YSS Spring Conference. Please review the criteria for submission and send all required information, including the submission form, to the Committee Chair: Beth Rienti, brienti@mvls.info. Entries must be received by December 6, 2024 before midnight for programs produced between December 1, 2023 and November 30, 2024.
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Administration & Management | |
The New York State Library is announcing a free E-Rate training session for libraries and library systems. Join Win Himsworth from E-Rate Central to learn about changes, updates, deadlines and more for the 2025 E-Rate cycle at a webinar on Wednesday, November 20 at 2 pm. Registration is not required, just follow this link at the designated time. The webinar recording will be posted on the E-Rate Central website for viewing afterward.
E-Rate Central will also be conducting four in-person E-Rate training sessions around the state in early December. These are not specifically targeted to libraries and library systems, but all interested parties are welcome to attend. The closest to our region takes place on Friday, December 6, 9 AM – 12 PM, CVES Conference Room, 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany, NY. Contact Elaine Hopper, 518-495-5730, elaine.hopper@neric.org for details.
Questions about E-Rate or other digital equity initiatives at the New York State Library can be directed to Lauren Cardinal, State E-Rate Coordinator for Libraries at Lauren.Cardinal@nysed.gov.
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Part-time Library Clerk – Blodgett Memorial Library (Fishkill)
Blodgett Memorial Library is located in historic Fishkill. The library is seeking a part-time (20 hours a week) Library Clerk to help with the front desk, administrative duties, and programming assistance. Bi-lingual proficiency is desired. Hourly pay is $20/hour with PTO. For more information or to send your cover letter, resume and three references, please email Library Office Manager, Joanna Aquafredda, at bmlaquafredda@gmail.com. This is a Dutchess County civil service job and will adhere to the civil service rules and regulations.
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Part-time Library Clerk – Marlboro Free Library
The Marlboro Library is hiring a friendly and detail-oriented, part-time substitute Library Clerk to join our fun team! Duties include providing excellent customer service and assisting with a range of circulation tasks. This position requires weekend and evening shifts, with flexible scheduling options. Previous library experience is preferred. Starting rate is $17 per hour. Participation in the New York State Retirement System is optional. Send a resume and any questions to cjennerich@marlborolibrary.org, with "Substitute Clerk” in the subject line.
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Head of Circulation – Millbrook Free Library
The Millbrook Library is excited to announce an opening for a full-time Head of Circulation. The Head of Circulation will be responsible for supervising library clerks and pages, managing daily circulation activities, resolving any issues related to late or damaged materials, training new staff, collaborating with the Library Director on circulation policies, overseeing collection maintenance, and participating in special projects. If you are an organized, service-oriented individual with a passion for creating a welcoming and efficient library environment, we encourage you to apply. Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (days, evenings, and some weekends required). Salary: $42,000 per year, with a generous benefits package including Vacation, Sick, & Personal time, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Life insurance, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan. To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and at least two references to Courtney Tsahalis, Director at director@millbrooklibrary.org. See the full job description here.
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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