IN THIS ISSUE
Access the
Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
Top
Volume 19-12 | 3.19.19
New York Reads: Drawdown
The New York Library Association [NYLA] Sustainability Initiative created the New York Reads: Drawdown Toolkit to supply libraries and community groups across the state with resources to help host conversations during the month of March around the essays found in the book, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming https://www.nyla.org/drawdown

New York Reads: Drawdown provides communities with the opportunity to come together in conversation around science-based solutions that can help them take purposeful action with focus. By prioritizing discussions around the 100 most impactful solutions for slowing down climate change, citizens and whole communities can spend their time, energy and enthusiasm on making a true difference for their future.

Participating Mid-Hudson Library System member libraries in the New York Reads: Drawdown program include:
  • Town of Esopus Library
  • Desmond-Fish Library
  • Kingston Library
  • Mahopac Public Library
  • Olive Free Library
  • Red Hook Public Library
  • Morton Memorial Library & Community House
  • Starr Library
  • Town of Ulster Public Library
  • Woodstock Public Library District
Next up, the Drawdown EcoChallenge! This is a fun and social way to take measurable action on the top solutions to global warming. The Drawdown EcoChallenge takes place from April 3rd - 24th. Learn more at https://drawdown.ecochallenge.org/
MHLS Announcements
The DA Workshop will be held on Friday, March 22nd from 10:00am - 12:00pm. This will be combined with a short business meeting directly before the workshop. Workshop Topic: The Director-Board Relationship. Directors are asked to please register for this event through the online calendar, http://calendar.midhudson.org
MHLS Libraries
There is a new craze sweeping the Mid-Hudson Library System: dance programs! A number of our libraries have been hosting dance classes, such as the Claverack Library, Clinton Community Library, Town of Esopus Library, Philmont Public Library and the Stone Ridge Public Library.

Jennifer Russell, Assistant Director at the Town of Esopus Library says, "We have talented people in our area who are experienced in leading line dancing or square dancing, and they offered to perform at the library. We are fortunate to have creative people who are willing to share with the community."
 
Clinton Community Library has been holding Contra dances monthly, for over a year. David Atcher, Clinton Community Library's local Contra dance expert describes the practice as, "a moderate form of exercise as well as a participatory art form and a thing of beauty when everyone is moving rhythmically together to the beat of a lively tune."
Above: The Town of Esopus Library offers a regular square dancing program to community members.


Left: Participants enjoy the Community Square Dance held in August. This event was a partnership between the Claverack Library and Philmont Public Library. Right: Thea Schoep, Director of the Claverack Library and Tobi Farley, Director of the Philmont Public Library.
 
Creative programs like this are a great way to show our communities how libraries bring people together in fun and collaborative ways.
Programming
National Library Week, April 7th-13th, is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. Tuesday, April 9: National Library Workers Day , a day for library staff, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.  

Visit  http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/national-library-week-tools for ideas and free tools to help celebrate in your community.

The next Big Library Read kicks off April 1st with Homes: A Refugee Story by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah & Winnie Yeung. This title will be available for unlimited access, no holds or wait lists, through OverDrive from April 1st -15th. http://mhls.lib.overdrive.com/
Job Openings
Young Adult Program Coordinator, Pawling Library
The Pawling Library is seeking a Full Time Young Adult Program Coordinator. The coordinator will oversee all aspects of library programs and services that target children between the ages of ten and eighteen. We are looking for a caring individual who will bring excitement and innovation to the Pawling Free Library's programming. The candidate should have the ability to design meaningful educational programs for teens and tweens, and a willingness to foster partnerships with outside organizations in providing services to the children of Pawling. While the Young Adult Program Coordinator will principally be responsible (30 hours per week) for serving young adult patrons, he or she will also be expected to assist (7 hours per week) with children's programs for elementary age children and their families.
This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, and multi-tasking. Most importantly,  the candidate should possess excellent communication skills and the ability to connect to young adults.

Responsibilities include:
  • Planning and coordinating young adult programs.
  • Planning, coordinating and creating promotional material for young adult programs.
  • Seeking alternative funding for young adult programs (e.g. grants and sponsorship).
  • Maintaining young adult program and materials budgets.
  • Coordinating young adult volunteers and adults who volunteer to assist with young adult programming.
  • Providing departmental information for the director's monthly report.
  • Advising the library administration on library services.
  • Collection development.
  • Assisting the children's department with programming for elementary aged children.
  • Providing reference and readers' advisory when needed.
  • Assisting with circulation and other library functions as necessary.
Minimum Requirements:
  • Commitment to creative and effective young adult programming.
  • Interest in current reading, viewing and listening interests of adolescents and teens.
  • A large degree of comfort with technology.
  • Ability to provide reference service and/or guide teens toward materials in print and electronic resources. 
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Public library or teaching experience preferred, but not required. Regular evenings and weekends are required as is occasional circulation desk coverage

Position:  Full-time: 37 hours per week

Pay:  $27,000 - $35,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits:  Paid time off available on an annual basis after six months. Health and dental insurance available after three months.

Instructions to Applicants
Interested individuals should apply online. Visit  pawlingfreelibrary.org/jobs  to apply. Only candidates who apply through the library's website by Tuesday April 2nd will be considered.
In the News
Local

National