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The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is excited to invite more libraries to join the Patron Mobile App roll-out! This innovative app is designed to streamline library services, making it easier for patrons to access resources, manage their accounts, and stay updated on library events. With user-friendly features and seamless integration, the MHLS Mobile App is set to transform the way libraries connect with their communities. We are gearing up for an official launch once we reach a critical mass of participating libraries. Get started now to be part of this new initiative!
To get started, Library Directors must open a ticket by emailing techsupport@midhudson.org requesting the login and password for the library, which will be emailed to them directly in an encrypted email.
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Features of the app:
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A customized library profile - examples of the profile are available in the Launch Kit. Your library’s profile is ready to launch as is or you can further modify and add more content points. MHLS has used existing library websites to gather images, brand colors, location information, and links to library social media. Branch profiles will be made available in the app when you are ready to work on it or share it.
Features included prior to customization include:
- Branded logos and colors
- Library logistics for all member libraries
- Location
- Hours
- Contact
- Link to search catalog
- Library calendar access
- Library resources
- Libby
- Job now
- Transparent Language
- Social media
- Facebook
- X
- Pinterest
- YouTube
Resources Available:
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The Launch Kit is now available, and includes:
- Talking points for staff to share with patrons
- FAQ's - which we will continue to add to as questions pop up
- Documentation in print format and access to self-paced Training on Demand
- Promo material - flyers, bookmarks, social media sized images
- QR code access to download the app
- Custom icons and button images
Like all of the products MHLS supports, we rely on you to inform us where the issues are and what enhancements would improve the experience. If you have a question, reach out to Laurie Shedrick, Assistant Director, Technology Operations Manager.
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Following up on last week’s message from Rebekkah Smith Aldrich regarding advocating for our libraries, keep in mind that we have limited time to influence the outcome of the state budget which is due to be complete by April 1st.
Please keep sharing the NYLA Call to Action for both state aid and to defend IMLS.
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Starting March 31, people applying for Social Security or changing banking information over the phone will be directed to use their My Social Security account at ssa.gov to verify their identity online. If they cannot do so, the Social Security Administration (SSA) says they will need to go to a local Social Security office and confirm their identity in person.
The loss of the phone option and the temporary closure of the Poughkeepsie Social Security Office, which serves Dutchess, Punam and Ulster counties will likely cause an increase in patrons turning to their local library for assistance in navigating the website and/or looking for available locations.
Please make sure all staff are aware of the potential increase in patron activity around this subject matter. This is also an excellent opportunity to review your policies and procedures on patron computer use and any software or hardware your library uses to protect patron privacy. Social Security information contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII), information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity.
MHLS will share resources we find or develop to help support this anticipated activity. If your staff have identified helpful resources already, please send them to Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist (kcruger@midhudson.org) who will be compiling information.
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The American Library Association (ALA) announced the third round of recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to help small and rural libraries increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.
The 300 funded proposals represent 44 U.S. states and the Northern Mariana Islands. Of the selected libraries, 73 percent serve communities with a population of 5,000 or less. 103 of the libraries also received funding in previous rounds of the grant initiative, bringing the total count of LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grantees to 662. Fifty libraries will receive grants of $20,000, and 250 libraries will receive grants of $10,000.
Congratulations to the following MHLS member libraries:
- Beekman Library (Hopewell Junction)
- D.R. Evarts Library (Athens)
- Hunter Public Library (Hunter)
- Pawling Free Library (Pawling)
- Pine Plains Free Library (Pine Plains)
- Tivoli Free Library (Tivoli)
The fourth and final round of LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will open in the fall of 2025. To be notified when applications open, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter.
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On March 6th, the Hudson Area Library History Room presented "Whaling in Hudson? What!?", a short film that offers a compelling glimpse into the themes and stories of "Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce," a 3-site exhibition focusing on the era of whaling and maritime commerce that created Hudson and built its wealth as well as its reputation as a whaling town. The Hudson Area Library site exhibition is on view in the Hudson Area Library Community Room through June 30, 2025.
Visit historyroom.hudsonarealibrary.org to learn more about this project, which partners the library with the Columbia County Historical Society, and the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution. The film is also available to watch on YouTube.
For this exhibition, the library partnered with local businesses as well:
- For the exhibit, Black Dome Press has reprinted Margaret Schram's Hudson's Merchants & Whalers with a new foreword by Carole Osterink, creator of the blog Gossips of Rivertown, which will be sold at Spotty Dog Books & Ale, the library, the DAR, and the historical society.
- Kim Bach of Verdigris Tea has designed a tea in honor of Hudson’s heritage: Proprietors’ Tea, which will be sold at Verdigris and at the three organizations.
- Hudson River Tattoo is offering discounted tattoos of Richard Kraham's original SPOUT logo from the 1970s with a portion of the proceeds going to the library.
- Talbott & Arding are donating their iconic and delicious chocolate whale cookies for the opening
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Braver Angels presents Skills for Disagreeing Better
Starr Library Community Room, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck | Tuesday, March 25, 6:30 – 8 PM
In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves – their core values and central concerns – but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested. When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.
We can learn to disagree better, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground. Register for this event through the Braver Angels Eventbrite page.
Goals:
• More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
• Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard
• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear -- even if they disagree
Questions? Contact twcofp@hotmail.com. Sponsored by Braver Angels.
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Library Communication Skills training:. Through a series of three webinars led by Alliance Research & Training, attendees will build and refine their personalized communication skills and styles. The webinar series will be held monthly on Wednesdays from 2pm – 3pm on Zoom Webinar. Attendees may pick and choose which webinars to attend based on their areas of interest or choose to complete the entire Library Communication Skills training series.
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April 23, 2025 – Mastering the Art of Difficult Conversations | REGISTER
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May 14, 2025 – Rooting Out Dysfunction and Creating Successful Teams | REGISTER
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June 11, 2025 – Articulating Value: Leveling Up Your Stakeholder Communications | REGISTER
This series is open to ESLN members and is free to attend. These webinars will be recorded, but you must register to receive the recording. RRLC Registration & Program Attendance Policies.
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Spring on the Hill: Advocacy for Every Season | Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 l 8 AM – 5 PM | Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street, Albany
Register for Spring on the Hill this May in Albany for a full day of educational programming focused on advocacy, which is vital in every season! There will be a wide array of presentations and something for everyone – even the most experienced advocates. Lunch will be served, and there will be plenty of opportunities for professional networking during this one-day mini-conference. Don’t miss the chance to develop your advocacy skills and help to strengthen the library profession’s grassroots efforts.
Questions? Registration form and event questions can be directed to events@nyla.org.
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WIC provides nutrition education tailored to the needs of families, offering practical guidance for healthy eating from pregnancy through early childhood. Through in-person and over-the-phone consultations with nutritionists and convenient online learning options, families can learn about essential nutrients, meal planning, shopping for WIC foods, kid-friendly recipes, creating positive food experiences for kids, and more. Hunger Solutions New York’s new social media toolkit, WIC Nutrition Education: Healthy Eating Made Easy for Families, can help you promote WIC’s nutrition education services, highlighting how it helps families develop knowledge and skills to make healthy eating easier and establish good nutrition habits that last a lifetime.
Visit the WIC Resource Center today to get these new resources and other materials to promote WIC to families in your community.
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Day of Dialog | April 17 | 9 AM – 6 PM | Online | REGISTER
Join in on April 17th for the Library Journal Day of Dialog virtual event! Spanning a variety of genres, this day-long program will offer an in-depth look at the biggest forthcoming books for summer/fall 2025. You’ll hear directly from top authors as they discuss their new titles, inspiration, process, and more.
And don’t forget the virtual exhibit hall! Visit the booths to download free resources and chat with representatives.
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Assemblymember Didi Barrett, has donated multiple copies of the 2024 volume of Women’s History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties to member libraries within the 106th district!
Assemblymember Barrett's office produced and distributed the Women’s History in the Hudson Valley booklet in partnership with the Mid-Hudson Library System as part of Women’s History Month. The 10 women highlighted in this year’s edition made significant strides toward equality, helped others in times of need and shaped the Hudson Valley communities we call home.
E-book versions of the 2025 edition, as well as past editions, are also available within the MHLS catalog.
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REMINDER: Member Library Benefit: Discount on HR Consulting Services | March 26 | 2 – 3 PM | Online | REGISTER
Most member libraries do not have professional human resources staff on the payroll. This is a significant liability given the rapidly changing landscape of labor laws and regulations. MHLS is in the same boat and has been working with Visions Human Resource Service for the past two years to ensure our personnel policies, personnel files, and responses to staff issues are in compliance. Visions' services are based on individual client needs, designed to deliver day-to-day HR help and compliance direction, as well as long-term strategy through improved HR management guidance.
MHLS inquired if there would be an opportunity for cost savings for member libraries to use this same service and we're pleased to share that there is. Options range from having an HR consultant on retainer for all manner of HR questions you may have to a fee-for-service model for review of your employee handbook, personnel files, training, or consulting on a particular aspect of this area of work.
Join us for this session with Janet Giannetta, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, the founding partner of Visions Human Resources Service, LLC to learn about this opportunity that could solve several challenges you may be facing as a library administrator.
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Full-time Head of Readers’ Services, Brewster Library
The Brewster Public Library has an immediate opening for the position of Head of Readers’ Services. Strong candidates for this position will have extensive experience with the Mid-Hudson Library System’s Sierra software, high attention to detail, a friendly disposition, and an excellent work ethic. Duties will include:
- Overseeing the daily activities of the circulation desk, maintaining a welcome environment for patrons
- Ordering and processing new library materials
- Assisting patrons with technology
- Processing inter-library loan requests
- Training new employees
- Maintaining files/keeping circulation desk organized
- Assisting with updating policies
- Providing routine reference services
- Performing in-depth searches
- Supervising Clerks and Pages as necessary
- Monitoring daily intake of funds/preparing bank deposits
The person in this position is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the library in the Director’s absence. Must be dependable and self-motivated, Spanish speaking a plus. Starting salary $45,000-$55,000, plus health benefits. Candidates must have a master’s degree from an accredited Library and Information Science program or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to Gina Loprinzo at director@brewsterlibrary.org.
MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master’s degree in the same community.
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