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Volume 18-10 | 3.6.18
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National Attention for TBBL
National Television and Radio Campaign Promoting FREE Talking Book and Braille Library Services Launched: The Library of Congress National Library Service (NLS) has launched a national television and radio campaign launched on outlets including National Public Radio, the History Channel, and the Hallmark Channel. The commercials will run at three-week intervals through late 2019. New York State libraries public may receive questions from their community members about how they, a family member or a friend would apply for access to free talking book and braille library program services.
Information on eligibility and application for these FREE services are available from the New York State Library Talking Book and Braille Library:
And, just a reminder, the applications for service require certification of eligibility by an appropriate authority, which includes librarians, library directors and/or library managers-except for learning disabilities, which require certification from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.  Applications may be downloaded and printed from the websites.

The commercials will direct interested individuals to contact NLS via special toll-free numbers, and those calls will be forwarded to the appropriate regional Talking Book and Braille library through NLS's standing toll-free number, 1-888-NLS-READ. Commercials will also direct interested viewers/listeners to two specially designated websites- www.loc.gov/NLSReadAgain and www.loc.gov/NLSRead -that will redirect to the campaign website, www.loc.gov/ThatAllMayRead

Please keep in mind that callers, if they call their local library, may have very little familiarity with the braille and talking book program and therefore may need a bit of extra attention.

Libraries are encouraged to share the new commercial on their own social media channels. You can find a shareable 1-minute video at https://youtu.be/dnM_ZwMtC-8
MHLS Announcements
MHLS Executive Director Search Update: The Search Committee issued a request for proposals to national search firms and is currently interviewing those that responded. MHLS Board President Mark Wilson has been touching base with our stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of the process that will be used to find the next Executive Director for MHLS. Mark was recently welcomed to the Columbia County Library Directors meeting on February 16th:
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Thank you to everyone who came to Albany with us last week! Watch next week's issue of the MHLS Bulletin for a full report! If you were there and took photos at the event we would love to see them! Send them over to [email protected]
MHLS Libraries

Regina Johnson, Interim Director of the Hunter Public Library considers a "blind date with a book"! Books from all different categories were concealed behind a colorful paper wrapping. Patrons can select a book according to clues written on the wrapper. For example, the wrap may read, "Fiction"+"South Carolina"+"Summertime"+"Love". Sound good? Check it out, take it home, and only then peel back the covering to reveal the wonders inside.
Administration & Management
Getting Ready for the next State Aid for Library Construction Funding Cycle:

1)    Get the basics about the program through the upcoming State Aid for Library Construction webinar from the Division of Library Development on Tuesday, March 13th from 10:00-11:30 am: What It Is and How To Apply: Does your library need to upgrade its broadband service? Add programming space? Expand its teen room? Improve ADA access? Each year New York State makes millions of dollars in construction aid available to public libraries and library systems. This workshop will walk you through the application process. Learn what constitutes an eligible project and what documents are necessary to include with your application. Avoid pitfalls that can delay or disqualify an application. Life happens; learn how to amend a project once it has begun. Registration required:  http://bit.ly/2oGjT1o

2)    Get the particulars of applying for a State Aid for Library Construction Grant in the Mid-Hudson Library System on the MHLS webinar scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 from 10:00 am-11:00 am. This webinar, presented by MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, will help you understand how to best position your application for funding in this highly competitive program. We will discuss the MHLS Funding Priorities, timeline, and answer any questions you may have about the program. Please register online for this event at http://calendar.midhudson.org
 
 
NY GovBuy: May 2-3, 2018 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center and Albany Capital Center, Albany, NY. GovBuy is a statewide government buyers event, provides practical training that enables purchasing officials to stay informed about relevant procurement related issues and more effective ways to meet fiscal challenges. In addition, the NY GovBuy trade show will provide attendees an opportunity to visit exhibitors' booths to learn about the many goods, services and technologies they offer, as well as how they can help provide solutions for your program needs. This event is sponsored by the Office of General Services (OGS), New York State Association of Municipal Purchasing Officials (SAMPO), the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and the State University of New York (SUNY). Registration is free but you must register to attend: https://online.ogs.ny.gov/GovBuyRegistration/ .
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