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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Governor Cuomo has cut library aid in his budget proposal for the coming year.
From the Governor's Executive Budget Proposal:
Library Aid - $91.6 million (4% CUT)
The proposed funding is $4 million less than what was in last year's enacted state budget. This proposed cut fails to acknowledge the crucial role libraries serve in our communities, and the contributions they make to our state's education system. Libraries ARE Education! State Education Law requires that Library Aid should be $102.6 million for FY2017-18. Libraries should be fully funded under the law. Absent of that, library aid must at least increase each year in parity with increases in education funding.
Library Construction Aid - $14 million ($5 million CUT)
A
fter a decade of stagnation, the State Library Construction Aid program received a $5 million increase in last year's enacted budget. Governor Cuomo has proposed eliminating that additional funding. The State Division of Library Development estimates that library renovation and construction needs are $2.2 billion statewide. Over 48% of public libraries in New York State are 60+ years old, and an additional 33% are 30+ years old. Investment in the Library Construction Aid program must be increased to address aging infrastructure, energy inefficient buildings and the evolving ways people use libraries.
The increases received last year to library aid meant a stable budget for MHLS to carry out our plan of service and therefore resulted in additional advancements that might not otherwise have been possible, things like:
- Library Elf a web-based tool that allows patrons to manage loans and holds via email and/or RSS.
- Year 1 of Aerohive router program to ensure all libraries have up to date technology to manage their broadband connections, networks and statistics
- 350+ eBooks/eAudiobooks to support the collective e-library collection
- Funded information technology cost at $600 per member library for the integrated library management system shared by 66 member libraries to loan more than 3.8 million library items to our community residents.
The increase to State Aid for Public Library Construction meant an additional $187,695 in State Aid for Public Library Construction for MHLS member libraries in the last grant cycle. Under the Governor's proposal, this could be gone...
These are real benefits and savings to the local public libraries of the Mid-Hudson Library System that make a BIG difference!
We have time to turn this around but it will take all of us, working together, to reach out to our elected officials in Albany over the next few weeks.
Here's how:
Talk to Your State Representatives
- Write to them. The New York Library Association (NYLA) makes this easy through their Online Advocacy Center, they've even drafted a message for you! Take five minutes to send a quick message: http://bit.ly/1LwV3Ex
- Call them. Taking the time to call in the age of email and Tweets makes a big impression. Contact info for all MHLS area legislators is available: http://bit.ly/1MG5XwR
- Visit them. Face-to-face communication is the most effective thing we can do to help legislators understand how underfunded library aid and construction aid is. They need to hear your story, put a face with a name and get a real sense of what is going on in their district. Visit them in their local office, invite them to your library, come to Albany with us in March* - any or all three of these activities will go a long way!
What to Say
No one is born a library advocate but everyone has a story to tell. Brush up on the basics with these resources:
- 2017 Talking Points from the New York Library Association (NYLA)
- Tell Your Story: Persuading Decision Makers, a resource from the American Library Association (ALA)
- ttend the online Advocacy Day Briefing: Friday, February 17 from 10:00 - 10:00am. Presented by Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director of the New York Library Association and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability & 2017 Chair of the NYLA Legislative Committee, this event is designed for all library advocates - library directors, staff, trustees, Friends Groups, volunteers and patrons - who are interested in speaking up for libraries during the New York budget negotiation season. Between now and April 1st library advocates have the opportunity to influence a number of key issues such as library aid and state aid for library construction.
During this live online webinar we will discuss:
- Budget timeline and pressure points
- Budget & legislative priorities
- Effective talking points
- How, when and where you can speak up for libraries!
*Come to Albany
Be an activist. Join hundreds of library advocates from around the state on
Wednesday, March 1st in Albany. It's an experience every library supporter should have at least once in their life. March through the halls of the Legislative Office Building with like-minded community members, speak face-to-face with legislators and their staff, join the Rally at noon to make some noise and cheer on those legislators who are actively supporting libraries.
MHLS makes the day easy. We make the appointments with legislators for you. We organize bus transportation to Albany. We just ask that you join us in fighting to restore library aid. Your voice matters.
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Job Openings
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Woodstock Library - Two Open Positions:
Children's Program Assistant (Full-Time): Looking for enthusiastic and engaging person to organize Youth Programming at the Woodstock Library. Responsibilities include: Ordering, maintaining, and shelving materials for children and teens, answering questions in youth areas, running Summer Reading Program, maintaining contact and collaborating with local school librarians, parents, homeschoolers, and youth organizations, creating and distributing promotional materials for youth programming, adding to Library social media, some circulation desk duty. Full time at 35 hours a week, Saturdays and some evening hours probable. $31,000 plus benefits. To apply email résumé and cover letter to: director@woodstock.org
Page Position (Part-Time): Looking for a person excited to work with patrons in busy community library. Responsible for sorting, shelving, and relocating library materials to ensure maximum availability for patrons. Helping to maintain organization and general appearance of library, light cleaning. Some circulation duties. In addition, provides simple directional information to patrons, basic assistance on the use of online library catalog, library resources, computers and other technology or software. Assist in creating promotional flyers on computer. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Skills Required: Ability to sort material in alphabetic and numeric order; accuracy; mental alertness; and physical stamina; tact; willingness to follow prescribed routine; ability to get along well with others; duties will require frequent lifting and carrying of library materials; pushing and pulling of book carts; and frequent stooping and reaching. Hours available include weekday and weekend hours, evenings possible; approximately 17.5 hours per week. Wage:$12/hour. To apply email résumé and cover letter to: director@woodstock.org
Beekman Library serves a family-oriented community of approximately 12,000 people in southeastern Dutchess County. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and warm inviting atmosphere. We currently have the following opportunities available for customer service oriented individuals.
Youth Services Library Assistant
The primary responsibility of this position is to plan, promote, and implement programs for children from birth through age 5. Must have general knowledge of children's literature and an ability to work with parents and children with tact, humor and sensitivity.
Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in the education field or Associates Degree with 1-3 years of experience working with children in a library, preschool or similar setting.
12-14 hours per week including mornings, evenings and occasional Saturdays. Hourly rate dependent on experience. Starting at $13.55 per hour including paid holidays and vacation.
Library Clerk
The primary responsibility of this position is to assist patrons with the selection and check out of library materials. Candidate must possess basic computer literacy skills including experience with Microsoft Office. Must have the ability to multi-task; maintain a sense of humor and professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
Requirements: H.S. Diploma or equivalent, experience using libraries and employment experience working with the public. Knowledge of Sierra Circulation is a plus.
12-14 hours per week including mornings, evenings and up to two Saturdays a month. Hourly rate dependent on experience. Starting at $10.40 per hour including paid holidays and vacation.
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