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Volume 18-13 | 3.27.18
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MHLS Board Meeting Report
The MHLS Board of Trustees met on Saturday, March 17, in the MHLS Auditorium and:
  • Conducted the first live testing of providing remote access to a MHLS Board meeting via GoToWebinar;
  • Discussed the impressive MHLS and statewide attendance at Library Advocacy Day in Albany, NY on Wednesday, February 28, 2018; the current status of the proposed 2018 New York State Budget; and, the need for continued concentrated advocacy efforts on behalf of increased library funding, prior to finalization of the budget, in early April;
  • Reviewed the intent of the new awareness/advocacy Action Plan initiative of the MHLS Plan of Service - to provide programs on broad-based topics; heard a report on the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities model of libraries leading dialogue and deliberation efforts in communities; reviewed the MHLS sponsored regional forum on March 24, 2018, entitled: "Violence Against Youth - Listening to Our Community";
  • Reviewed the Executive Director Search Committee efforts and the current status and anticipated timeline for engaging a professional search firm to facilitate the search and hiring of a new Executive Director;
  • Approved the adoption of the MHLS' Environmental Sustainability Policy;
  • Approved the Incentives Committee's recommendations for "Funding Priorities" and the MHLS definition of "an Economically Disadvantaged Community" for the 2018 State Aid for Library Construction program;
  • Were presented an overview of member library Assessment and E-Resources fees, by Merribeth Advocate, Assistant Director;
  • Were presented updates by MHLS staff on the MHLS Workflow Consulting Service; Aerohive Router Year 3 Project; Spring 2018 Trustee Education Series; the 2018 Laboratory Project; and Book Drive Distributions to Benefit Youth.
All MHLS Board documents are available at  http://board.midhudson.org 
The next meeting of the MHLS Board of Trustees is Wednesday, May 9 @ 10:00 am at the Greenville Public Library.
MHLS Announcements
Update from the MHLS Executive Director Search Committee: The MHLS Board of Trustees has engaged the firm of Bradbury Miller Associates to conduct our national search for the System's next Executive Director. "The MHLS Board is pleased to work again with Bradbury Miller," said Mark Wilson, President of MHLS Board of Trustees (shown above). "This firm was used during the last search process in 2013 that brought Tom Sloan to MHLS. They have a national reputation and a good understanding of the System and its needs. We are sad to see Tom go, but wish him the best for his future endeavors."
The 2018 MHLS Laboratory Project kicked off on March 15th with a full day event of research, analysis and planning for a year's worth of experimentation! Five member library directors participated in this kickoff event:
  • Gillian Thorpe, Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring)
  • Gloria Goverman, East Fishkill Community Library
  • Emily Chameides, Hudson Area Library
  • AnnaLee Giraldo, Kinderhook Memorial Library
  • Daniela Pulice, Pleasant Valley Library
These directors are analyzing the activation and retention of cardholders at their libraries and will be experimenting with several tactics to measure their effectiveness over the next several months. Stay tuned for the results!
MHLS Libraries
The Board of Trustees of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library have announced that Tamara Gaskell has been appointed as the new director of their library. From a press release provided by the board: "Ms. Gaskell brings extensive administrative and management experience to the job. She was a reference librarian in Germantown, Tennessee and served as a board member for her local public library in Media, Pennsylvania, for the Pennsylvania Historical Association and the National Council on Public History. She has significant experience in program development and fundraising, both developing community events and writing grant applications to government, foundation and corporate funders. Ms. Gaskell also has had a distinguished career as a public historian, most recently at Rutgers University as public historian in residence and at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where she planned and developed projects and programs for varied audiences and supervised staff, interns and volunteers. Ms. Gaskell, who is known as Tammy, grew up in Rensselaer County and looks forward to returning to the area and living in Columbia County. She has a BA from Amherst College and a PhD from Brandeis University.
 
"Tammy shares the board's commitment to community engagement, inclusivity and accessibility," said Patricia Placona, president of the library's Board of Trustees. "I am confident that her extensive and varied experience, her enthusiasm and her love of libraries will be tremendous assets to our Library."
 
"Public libraries are the heart of their communities," Ms. Gaskell said, "and I look forward to working to strengthen both the Roe Jan Library and the Roe Jan community. I want to get community members even more involved in the work of the library and better ensure that we create programs that are relevant to them. They should have a feeling of ownership in the programs the library offers, and in the library itself."
 
Ms. Gaskell started work at the library on Monday, March 12. Carol Briggs, who is retiring after more than 45 years as RJCL director, will remain for a period to assure a smooth transition.
Programming
Makerspaces . Beekeeping classes. All-ages coloring. Glow-in-the-dark storytime. Reading aloud to therapy dogs. A Lego robotics team... What is your library doing? Libraries across the US are offering some incredibly cool programming - and yet it's been challenging to document the full range of what's happening. That's a core question that the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA) is trying to answer: How can we characterize and categorize public programs offered by libraries today? NILPPA would like to know what types of programs are being offered, who is offering them, and how. Down the line, this information will help us understand the impact of public programming . But first, we need a baseline. ... Continue reading and comment at http://nilppa.org/phase-1/the-wide-and-wild-world-of-programming/. The National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA) is a two-year research project of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with New Knowledge Organization Ltd., a social science think tank made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Job Openings
Librarian I - Children's Services | Marlboro Free Library

The Marlboro Free Library, a small public library (pop. 12,000) in New York's Hudson Valley, seeks a highly motivated, self-starting individual to fill the position of full-time Children's Services Librarian. This Civil Service position involves supervising children's programs and services in the context of the Library's overall educational mission. The work requires that the employee have considerable knowledge, skill, and ability in every phase of the public library field, particularly as it relates to children's library services.

Duties & Responsibilities:
* Plan, prepare, and present dynamic, age-appropriate educational programs for children.
* Conduct preschool and after-school programs and some weekend programs.
* Conduct program outreach, registration, and keep statistics.
* Assist with the selection and acquisition of books, toys, craft materials and other items specific to children's services.
* Maintain the children's collections (print, media, etc.).
* Develop, schedule and administer the annual summer reading program for children.
* Assist in preparing the annual report particularly as to it relates to children's services.
* Act as a liaison with the school media specialists in the Marlboro Central School District.
* Develop new programs for children and young adults.
* Assume responsibility and a leadership role for special projects.
* Hire performers for children's programming.
* Keep abreast of professional news and trends in journals and media.
* Present information about library services and programs to individuals and groups.
* Pursue continuing education opportunities.
* Work as part of a team with the other library staff.
* Assist with circulation services as needed.
* Assist with staff training as needed.
* Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications:
* MLS or MSIS degree from an A.L.A. accredited institution; coursework in education a plus.
* New York State professional certificate for public librarian or school media specialist.
Strong understanding of current & emerging library technology.
* Strong customer service skills including an ability to work well with children and young adults.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills.
* Ability to work in a team environment.
* Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
 
This is a competitive Civil Service position.

Benefits Include: Paid vacation, sick, personal, and holidays; NYS Retirement; single medical & dental benefits.
Schedule: Full-time (days, evenings, some weekends required).
Salary: Starting at $21.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter, résumé, and 3 references to mflnews@marlborolibrary.org by April 9, 2018 for consideration. No calls please.
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