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Volume 17-48 | 11.28.17
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Mini-Webinars for Trustees
New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis, announced today that nine brand new mini-webinars for Library Trustees are now available on the New York State Library's website:  http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/trustees/webinars.htm   
 
The mini-webinar curriculum includes modules to help ensure that all library trustees in New York State have the skills they need to govern their libraries. Available mini-webinars include:
  • Libraries in NY: Origin, Oversight & Organization
  • Open Meetings Law: Transparent and Accountable Governance
  • Role of the Board President
  • The Public Library Treasurer: Their Role and Legal Responsibilities
  • Board Evaluation: A Key to Your Library's Success
  • Director Evaluation: A Key to Your Library's Success
  • Hiring Your Library CEO: The Future of Your Library Depends on It
  • Strategic Planning Parts One & Two: Creating a Path for the Future
Expert presenters include Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Mid-Hudson Library System and Jerry Nichols, Palmer School of Library and Information Science, co-editors of the Handbook for Library Trustees in New York State; Grace Riario, Ramapo Catskill Library System, and Ron Kirsop, Pioneer Library System.
 
The nine Helping All Trustees Succeed (HATS) Mini-Webinars are a product of the collaborative efforts of the library community in New York State.  The Public Library Systems Directors Organization (PULISDO), the Library Trustees Association of New York State (LTA), the New York Library Association (NYLA), the New York State Library, trustees, and library directors from around New York State helped Team HATS to shape the curriculum, content and delivery of the HATS Mini-Webinar Series.
 
"I wish to thank the members of Team HATS for their leadership, expertise, enthusiasm and persistence," said State Librarian Margolis. "As a result of their work over the past three years, thousands of library trustees and their libraries and communities will benefit."
 
The creation of HATS Mini-Webinars for Library Trustees is one outcome of the New York State Library's participation in the 2015 ILEAD USA Initiative, a partnership project with the Illinois State Library, the New York Library Association and the Mid York Library System. One of the eightNew York ILEAD Initiative Teams, Team HATS members addressed the educational needs of public library boards and trustees in New York State with the goal of increasing trustee confidence and knowledge.  Team HATS members include Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (Team Mentor), Mid-Hudson Library System; Lisa Erickson, Nioga Library System; Jennifer Ferriss, Saratoga Public Library; Ron Kirsop, Pioneer Library System; Grace Riario, Ramapo Catskill Library System; and Amanda Travis, Onondaga County Public Library System. The 2015 ILEAD USA project was made possible by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
MHLS Announcements
MHLS Member Library Mileage Equalization Grant Program deadline : December 15th is the last deadline to take advantage of the 2017 MHLS Member Library Mileage Equalization Grant Program. Reimbursement is contingent on member libraries providing their staff reimbursement at the IRS rate for travel to attend training or to participate in meetings sponsored by and located at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie. For more information and to access the claim form directors should visit  http://da.midhudson.org/
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As reported at the November DA meeting and noted in the Phase III Action Planning aspect of the MHLS Plan of Service, the Book Club in a Bag Program will be decentralized, and the collection transitioned to member libraries who own kits. Multiple copies of titles for book clubs may continue to be requested by libraries via the Book Club Request Form http://bit.ly/2zAfkxf

Below is a reminder of the decentralization timeline:
 
November 2017: MHLS turns off the ability to make reservations after January 1, 2018. MHLS posts on the Book Club in a Bag webpage, and in the reservation software, that the program is ending January 1.

December 2017: MHLS notifies libraries of existing reservations that will be canceled in January. Any patron notification of holds being cancelled is the responsibility of the local library.

January 2018: MHLS turns off the ability for Kit Keeper to accept new reservations, which also cancels existing reservations.

January - February 2018: MHLS returns kits to owning library unless the library prefers for MHLS to give kit(s) to a correctional facility library. MHLS updates bib records.
Resource Sharing & Sierra
Upcoming Sierra Lunchtime Webinars , presented by MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor, Thomas O'Connell:
All Lunchtime Webinars begin at noon and run for approximately 45 minutes. Seating is limited for these webinars so register today at http://calendar.midhudson.org


Now live! Research Starters includes links to relevant articles, images, videos and audio clips in the online catalog. With content pulled from a variety of high quality sources, including Salem Press and Encyclopedia Britannica, your researchers will find information on their subjects at the top of the results list - right where they need it.  To learn more about research starters, please view the brief tutorial: https://vimeo.com/88200369 
Sustainable Libraries
ALA strenuously opposes FCC proposed order on net neutrality:  American Library Association President Jim Neal released the following statement regarding the proposed order on net neutrality released by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: "Preserving net neutrality is essential for equitable access to online information and services and thus a vital concern for our nation's libraries. Now that the internet has become the primary mechanism for delivering information, services and applications to the general public, it is especially important that commercial Internet Service Providers are not able to control or manipulate the content of these communications. Libraries, our patrons and America's communities will be at risk if the FCC repeals all protections contained in its 2015 Open Internet Order with no plans to replace with any enforceable rules. We strenuously disagree with the FCC's actions and will continue to advocate for essential net neutrality protections." The FCC Commission will vote on the proposed order at the December open Commission meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2017.  
 
Concerned about the fate of net neutrality?  
ALA has provided a form to help you communicate with your federal elected officials: http://bit.ly/2AaIl2g 
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