IN THIS ISSUE
Access the
Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
Top
Volume 19-30 | 7.23.19
Summer Programmer Meet Up
On Monday, September 9th from 2:00-4:00pm, the Mid-Hudson Library System will be holding an End of Summer Get Together for Library Programmers! The goal of this program is to encourage programmers to discuss what went well at their libraries during the summer, and what problems they learned from in order to teach and inspire one another. This program is open to all library staff who work on programming for all ages. Snacks will be provided!
 
At this program, we will:
  • Share the results of our 2019 Lab Project which focused on increasing program attendance, as well as some best programming practices.
  • Library staff will share their best program from this summer, and one thing they would have done differently.

  • Library staff will have the chance to chat with other programmers about their work.
You can register for this event through the online calendar http://calendar.midhudson.org/ Please direct any questions to Courtney Wimmers, Outreach & Engagement Specialist | cwimmers@midhudson.org
MHLS Announcements
The MHLS Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, July 10th in the MHLS Auditorium and:
  • Reviewed and approved the 2018 Audit of the Mid-Hudson Library System's financial records conducted by RBT CPA's, LLP, as presented.

  • Received a report from Executive Director Aldrich that included updates/information on: the status of State Aid for Library Construction Program funding and pending related legislation; 2019 member library grants-in-aid; an update on a bill recently passed to create a report on areas double taxed by libraries; Implementation of the new delivery service and Integrated Library Services; member library participation in System and state library sustainability initiatives; the status of negotiations with the Town of Union Vale; in-house procedural changes for managing continuing education/professional development events; the deadline for board completion of Sexual Harassment Prevention Training; and the introduction of a MHLS trustee advocacy exercise called "Advocacy Bingo."
  • Approved the Incentives Committee's recommendation for NYLA Conference Scholarships which will be announced in next weeks' Bulletin!

  • Approved adoption of the revised Members Capital Fund Policy, as presented and approved by the Directors Association.

  • Were presented an overview of the State Aid for Library Construction Program by Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich that included information on: board/staff responsibilities; procedures for review of applications; requirements for eligibility; and the timeline for submission of grant proposals.
All MHLS Board documents are available at http://board.midhudson.org. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th at 10:00am, in the MHLS Auditorium.
MHLS Libraries
The Clinton Community Library's Board of Trustees extended their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Teresa McGuirk upon her retirement as Director of the Clinton Community Library effective July 6th. "Teresa agreed to become our Director at a time where we were facing significant challenges and the future existence of the library was uncertain. With her leadership, the library achieved its absolute charter, secured sustainable funding, and received the Shubert Library Excellence Award, but perhaps Teresa's greatest accomplishment is that the library is once again viewed as the heart of our community."
Two women smiling
(l-r) Teresa McGuirk and Carol Bancroft

The Board announced that Carol Bancroft has agreed to become the Clinton Community Library's new Director. Carol has a long and distinguished history of employment at the library working to coordinate the library's award-winning schedule of programs, and most recently she has served as Assistant Director.
Resource Sharing & Sierra
On July 26th, Gale will release an enhanced user experience for several resources to support accessibility standards, securely encrypt user data, incorporate customer feedback and promote user success. As part of this project, product names will also be modified to help end-users identify the resources that best suit their research needs. The New York State Library will distribute information to support website preparation for these updates, including product names and new icons. The MHLS Technology Operations Team has updated all websites managed by MHLS including member websites and the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to ensure continuity of access to these services and the best user experience possible for patrons. Libraries that host their own sites may want to update any URLs or icons for Gale products on their site. For more information on these enhancements please visit www.gale.com/product-enhancements .
Sustainable Libraries
Children who rely on school lunch during the rest of the year often go hungry during the summer months. To help combat this issue the Northeast Millerton Library, Kent Public Library, Kingston Library, Phoenicia Library, Morton Memorial Library (Pine Hill), Putnam Valley Free Library and Saugerties Public Library became Summer Food Service Program approved summer meal sites for 2019. This program allows children, under 18, a place to eat free lunch during the months of July and August. It was reported that fewer than one-third of low-income children had access to lunch during the summer of 2017. If your library would like to get involved next summer, please visit http://bit.ly/2XTzSxx
Programming
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office invite libraries to apply to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans' responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The special library exhibition will travel to 50 U.S. public and academic libraries from 2020 to 2022.
 
Selected libraries will receive:
  • The 1,100-square-foot exhibition on loan for five to six weeks;
  • A $2,000 allowance to support public programs;
  • Expenses paid for a library staff member to attend an orientation workshop at USHMM in January 2020 in Washington, D.C.; and
  • Publicity materials, programming support and more.
To learn more about the project guidelines and to access the application please visit http://bit.ly/30BPWB5  Applications are due August 9th.
Job Openings
Library Clerk, D.R. Evarts Library (Athens)
Clerks of D. R. Evarts Library are the face of the Library to our patrons and visitors. They  provide vital services including programs and support to our Library community. As such, D. R. Evarts Library Clerks need to be friendly and demonstrate to each patron a feeling of welcome. As a smaller community library, it also requires that each staff member be willing to work as a team and perform multiple tasks with ease.
 
Library Clerk skills required:
  • Provide courteous customer service/circulation duties including, but not limited to: book and equipment check-out, renewal, check-in;
  • Collect fines and fees;
  • Maintain accurate statistics;
  • Assist and answer questions about popular applications, technical issues including operation of copier/scanner, networked printers, and other electronics.
  • Research topics for patrons: books, online materials and a wide variety of additional sources;
  • Shelf books and other materials in accordance with library procedures;
  • Explain library policies to patrons;
  • Maintain a professionalism with a diverse patron community;
  • Confident and professional using social media including Facebook and Twitter;
  • Create and/or assist with programs for children, adolescents and/or adults;
  • Develop flyers and other advertising materials for library programs;
  • Perform opening and closing duties, ensuring the facilities are clean and operational, reporting any issues or concerns directly to the Library Manager/Director
  • Eager to learn and follows instructions;
  • Multitask at public facing computer workstation independently, without direct supervision;
  • Comfortable with technology including programs such as Adobe Photoshop and the Microsoft Suite of products (Office, Word, Excel, etc.);
  • Work evenings and weekends as part of a rotation;
  • Friendly and energetic;
  • Enjoy working with children and adolescents;
  • Lift a minimum of 20 pounds with ease;
  • Perform other duties as assigned;
  • Submit and pass a background check
Experience:
  • Relevant: 1 year (Preferred)
Education:
  • High school or equivalent (Required)
For more information about this position and to apply please visit, indeed.com or contact D.R. Evarts Library Director Sam Gruber at director@drevartslibrary.org
________________________________________________________________

Children's Librarian, Kinderhook Memorial Library
The Kinderhook Memorial Library is seeking an energetic, flexible, and creative person to fill a full-time (40 hours/week) Children's Librarian position.
This position includes one evening per week and one to two weekends a month. Salary is $36,000 per year, with benefits including health insurance and sick/vacation/personal paid time off. Position starts the last weekend in August 2019. Under general guidance of the Director, the Children's Librarian assesses, selects, and orders library materials suitable for children; is responsible for creating, preparing, implementing, and publicizing all children's programs; assists library patrons with reference questions, routine computer and Internet use questions; and provides circulation services as needed. The Children's Librarian may supervise volunteers. The work requires computer proficiency and that the employee has some knowledge, skill, and ability in library clerical functions. Enthusiasm and a sense of humor are highly valued in our customer-service focused organization.

Required Qualifications
1.       An M.L.S. or M.S.I.S. degree from an A.L.A. accredited program
 
Preferred Qualifications
1.        Experience with Sierra or other ILS
2.       Experience with programming/collection development
 
Please send résumé and three references to: AnnaLee Dragon, Director, Kinderhook Memorial Library, PO Box 293, Kinderhook, NY 12106; or info@kinderhooklibrary.org. Deadline for applications is July 31, 2019.
In the News
Local