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Volume 19-16 | 4.16.19
Sexual Harassment Prevention Law
The state's most recent Sexual Harassment Prevention Law requires every employer in New York State, including all libraries, to adopt sexual harassment prevention policy and sexual harassment prevention training that meet or exceed the law's minimum standards. The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) has put together guidance, policy, and other resources to help ensure library staff and volunteers are protected and libraries are in compliance with this new law. The required training must be carried out for all library employees, trustees, and volunteers by October 9th, 2019.

Under the new law, every employer in New York State is required to establish a sexual harassment policy. This includes all libraries. The Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights has established a model sexual harassment prevention policy, which libraries can customize and adopt. Libraries may choose to draft a sexual harassment policy on their own, but must ensure the policy meets or exceeds the new minimum requirements.

The new law also requires every employer in New York State to provide employees. Trustees and other volunteers with sexual harassment prevention training, which includes an interactive component on an annual basis. This includes all libraries. This training must be completed by October 9th, 2019. Training must also be administered within 30 days for any new hires. Libraries that choose to create their own training programs should make sure they adhere to the training requirements set out by NYS. MHLS has put together a training and feedback form, which meets the minimum requirements, including case studies, an interactive component, and an acknowledgement of receipt of the library's sexual harassment policy. The training and feedback form can be used asynchronously or in a group setting, and trainees should be able to complete it in one (1) hour.

To access the model sexual harassment policy, model complaint form, the training and feedback form and a recorded webinar addressing the new sexual harassment law please visit https://bit.ly/2GgE3ZT
  • On June 11th, during the Directors Association meeting, there will be a panel of library directors discussing how their libraries have met the requirements in the new law. The panel will include Carol Fortier, Beekman Library; Sue Ray, Catskill Public Library and Margie Menard, Kingston Library.

  • On June 28th at 10:00 am MHLS will provide a one-hour webinar, Overview of MHLS Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Tools, to review the model policy, and implementing the MHLS training and feedback form in your library. Please register for this webinar through the MHLS calendar http://calendar.midhudson.org

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MHLS Announcements
The 2019 MHLS Turning Outward cohort met for the first time on March 1st. Over the course of the year, teams from participating libraries will conduct community conversations guided by resources provided by the American Library Association's (ALA) Libraries Transforming Communities project to help gather "public knowledge." Public knowledge comes from engaging in conversation with people in a community. These conversations seek to identify community aspirations, concerns and how people see different facets of their community.
 
During this full day event teams had the opportunity to learn from members who participated in the 2018 Turning Outward pilot project. Directors, Margie Menard (left) from the Kingston Library and Julie Kelsall-Dempsey (right) from the Highland Public Library shared their experiences with the group and answered questions. For the remainder of the day teams practiced conducting community conversations and worked on an implementation plan to help shape their efforts over the next few months.
 
(above) Team members practice conducting a community conversation.
 
2019 Participating Libraries:
  • Howland Public Library (Beacon)
  • Beekman Library
  • Putnam Valley Free Library
  • Roeliff Jansen Community Library
MHLS Libraries
Patterson Library has started a Patron of the Month program . The library is accepting 30-second video clips from patrons in which they describe what they like most about the library, or patrons can submit a photo with a caption. Patterson Library will feature the chosen promos on their website and social media platforms to help spread the word about Patterson Library through the voices of their patrons. Check out the recruitment video on the Patterson Library website http://pattersonlibrary.org/

(above) Image from the Patterson Library recruitment video.
Sustainable Libraries
Statewide Government Buyers Event | Tuesday, April 30th and Wednesday, May 1st at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center and the Albany Capital Center in Albany. This event gives procurement and purchasing professionals from state agencies, local governments, public authorities, public benefit corporations, public and private schools, and not-for-profit/volunteer organizations the opportunity to receive valuable procurement training all for free and the chance to connect with vendors and other purchasing professionals.
 
Sponsored by: New York State Office of General Services (OGS), New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), New York State Association of Municipal Purchasing Officials (SAMPO), State University of New York (SUNY), and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services of New York State (BOCES)
 
This event is free to attend but registration is required https://govbuy.ogs.ny.gov/

Job Openings
Full-time circulation supervisor, Pawling Library
The Pawling Library is looking for a full-time circulation supervisor to join our team by working at the circulation desk. This position will work Tuesdays through Saturdays every week:  Tuesday (12:00 PM - 8:00 PM), 
Wednesday (9:30 AM - 6:00 PM),  Thursday  (12:00 PM - 8:00 PM), 
Friday (11:00 AM - 5:00 PM), and  Saturday  (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM) This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, multi-tasking, and most importantly strong customer service skills.
The circulation supervisor performs the following functions:
  • All circulation duties: included but not limited to checking items in and out, pulling holds, processing materials, registering patrons, collecting fines, shelving and shelf maintenance.
  • Provides information to the public on library policies and procedures.
  • Performs routine searches and updates of computer records.
  • Contacts patrons to deliver messages or information on library materials.
  • Provides reference and readers advisory when needed.
  • Coordinates library circulation volunteers.
  • Maintains library supplies.
  • Oversees the processing of new library material.
  • Oversees shelving and shelf maintenance.
  • Advises the library administration on library services.
  • Assists in collection development.
  • Provides statistical information for the director's monthly report.
  • Provides reference, readers advisory and circulation services when needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the library director.
We are looking for a candidate with the following skills:
  • Interest in library materials (such as books, movies, and video games) and library events.
  • A large degree of comfort with technology.
  • Ability to answer questions about the library.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Position Full-time: 37 hours per week

Pay $24,000 to $34,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits Paid time off after six months, health and dental insurance after three months

Instructions to Applicants Interested individuals should apply online at  https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/jobs/

Deadline to apply Sunday April 21st
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Part-time clerk, NorthEast-Millerton Library
NorthEast-Millerton Library is looking for a friendly part-time clerk to work Saturdays and Fridays (12 hours). Responsibilities include but are not limited to data entry and assisting patrons with computers.  Position requires good customer service skills, comfort with various technology, attention to detail, ability to work independently and in a team; and the ability to multi-task. Library experience preferred, but not required. Résumés will only be accepted by email. Please send them to info@nemillertonlibrary.org
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