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Volume 19-26 | 6.25.19 
Sierra Patron Record Training
Join Thomas O'Connell, MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor for Sierra Circulation: Getting to know you...This training is designed to help staff create best practices and workflows for updating and accessing patron information.

This workshop will be beneficial for any circulation staff responsible for creating and/or managing patron records in Sierra. Basic Create Lists knowledge will be helpful but is not required
 
Attendees will learn not only the "what" of their patron records, but the "why" as well. For instance, why certain fields are important for circulation. Special emphasis will be placed on developing best practices and workflows for maintaining and retrieving accurate patron information so you will know who is visiting your library.
 
The workshop will cover:
  • What patron record fields mean - even APATID
  • How to set up a customized patron record template
  • Best practices for cleaning up your patron records
Three sessions to choose from:
Please register for any of these workshops through the online calendar http://calendar.midhudson.org/
MHLS Announcements
MHLS will be closed on Thursday July 4th , in observance of Independence Day. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored.
MHLS Libraries
Kids on bikes
Photo courtesy of @bikefriendlykingston

Town of Ulster Public Library held Bike Fest on Saturday, June 8th. The library worked with the Kingston Elks Lodge 550 and Bike-Friendly Kingston to distribute and fit 206 free bike helmets to people in their community. The Ulster Police were in attendance to talk about traffic safety information, and Kingston Cyclery provided two children's bikes to raffle off. This is a great example of a library thinking creatively and building partnerships to meet the needs of their community.
Resource Sharing & Sierra
At the June DA meeting member library directors voted in favor of the Resource Sharing Committee's action item to utilize the Innovative User Group's Idea Lab. The Idea Lab is a web forum where Innovative's customers can view and post suggestions for software improvement. Ideas are discussed and voted on and the most popular concepts are then considered for development. The Resource Sharing Committee suggested using our system's size to our advantage and promote ideas that help us improve our services. This will be accomplished through system wide participation, facilitated by MHLS staff.
 
Member library directors should reply to the Idea Lab Action Memo # 19-04 (sent via email) by June 30th . If library directors would like more information about the Idea Lab and the system-wide initiative please contact Thomas O'Connell, ILP Operations Supervisor, [email protected]  
Sustainable Libraries
Call for Nominations to honor an active library supporter, Friend or Friends of the Library. The Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award is sponsored by the Friends of Libraries Section of NYLA. This award, given annually, honors a volunteer member or group from the library community whose efforts have contributed to the growth of libraries or Friends of the Library organizations.

To learn more about The Daniel W. Casey award and to access the nomination form, please visit www.NYLA.org/Friends The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, July 1st.
Programming
Logo There is still time for your library to sign-up to participate in The Great Give Back taking place on October 19th. The Great Give Back gives libraries the chance to create a community service event designed specifically for your patrons . This can range from holding a food drive for a local food pantry to organizing a community-wide clean-up event - the choice is yours! If your library is interested in participating, even if you're not sure what your program will be yet, please fill out the RSVP form by June 30th:
 
There will be two online meetups for libraries that have signed up for The Great Give Back. These meetings will help library staff brainstorm ideas, get some marketing tips, and feel prepared for their October event.         
  • July 17th | 1:00-2:00pm | Topic: Planning & Ideas          
  • September 10th | 2:00-3:00pm | Topic: Check-In 
Please register for both of these workshops through the online calendar http://calendar.midhudson.org/  Questions about The Great Give Back should be directed to Courtney Wimmers, MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist, [email protected]
 
logo Applications are now being accepted for the ALA Great Stories Club: Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Series. The ALA Great Stories Club is a thematic reading and discussion program that engages teens who are facing difficult challenges through literature-based library outreach programs. The theme for this series is " Growing Up Brave on the Margins: Courage and Coming of Age."
 
Participating libraries will work with small groups of approximately 10 teens; provide up to four theme-related books for each participant to keep as their own; and convene opportunities for exploration and discussion of relevant humanities content among peers.

Grantee benefits include 11 paperback copies of up to four books on the reading list; a programming grant of up to $1,200; travel and accommodation expenses paid for attendance at a two-day orientation workshop in Chicago; and additional resources, training and support from ALA's Public Programs Office. For more information and to access the application visit http://bit.ly/2FmZBDg Applications are due Monday, July 15th.
Job Openings
Circulation Clerk, Brewster Public Library
The Brewster Public Library has an opening for a Circulation Clerk.  Duties include checking library materials in and out, helping patrons with a large variety of requests, including locating materials and computer assistance, and opening/closing the library.  Candidates must be willing to work two evenings (2:00-7:00pm) per week and alternating Saturdays (9:30am-3:00pm), with flexibility to cover other shifts as needed. Must have a positive attitude, polished communication and technological skills, and great attention to detail. Fluency in both English and Spanish required. Previous library experience preferred, but not necessary.  Starting salary $11.50-$13 per hour. Please send letter of interest and résumé to   [email protected] , with Clerk Position in the subject line.
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Library Director, Clinton Community Library
The Clinton Community Library is accepting applications for the position of Library Director.  The Library has established a reputation for the provision of outstanding library services and award winning programming.  The Director reports to an eight member Board of Trustees and is responsible for all aspects of day to day operations including staff management, budgeting, and programming.   The Director will work closely with the Board of Trustees on governance, fundraising/ grant writing and long range planning while effectively representing the Library in the community and through participation in County and Consortia organizations.  Compensation package is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Please send a résumé  and cover letter to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2019.  No phone calls please.   

In the News 
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  • The Fix is In (Photos) | Desmond-Fish Library | The Highlands Current 6.24.19
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