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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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COVID-19 Annual Report Questions
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Member libraries will be asked to report on 15 new yes or no questions to measure the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on public libraries and public library services such as answering calls, emails, or texts with answers to information requests from the public; hosting virtual programming or recorded content; offering "curbside," delivery (mail or drop-off), or drive-thru circulation of physical materials; managing IT services to ensure external Wi-Fi access; and providing other types of online and electronic services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and State Data Coordinators have collaborated on the content of these questions, which will be included on the national Public Library Survey (PLS) to measure the national impact of the pandemic on libraries across the country.
The New York State Library has recommended that libraries collect data on the services provided during the pandemic in order to report this important activity to their governing boards and their communities and share the data with researchers in future surveys. In response to requests, the State Library will be adding three additional optional questions to the 2020 NYS Annual Report for Public and Association Libraries which will measure the number of live virtual programs and attendance at live virtual programs, and the number of recordings of program content. These questions will be optional the first year and will be asking for the total numbers not broken down by age group. For a full list of new questions, visit https://midhudson.org/annualreporttips/
If you have questions please contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin, cconlin@midhudson.org
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MHLS Announcements
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Restricted Services for Town of Union Vale Residents: After more than a year of negotiations between the Town Board of Union Vale and the Mid-Hudson Library System on behalf of the libraries neighboring the town - Beekman, Millbrook, LaGrange, and Dover - the town has chosen not to renew an agreement to fund library services for Union Vale residents for 2020.
As a result, systemwide restrictions will be put in place on September 1st, 2020 which limit the borrowing privileges of Union Vale residents for the following library materials: DVDs, CDs, video games, audiobooks, museum passes, kits and special collections, and locally-funded eBooks and downloadable audiobooks.
These restrictions are not put in place lightly and were done so only after extensive negotiations with the town, a formal request from the Beekman and Millbrook libraries, and authorization by the MHLS Directors Association and MHLS Board of Trustees.
While restrictions could have been put in place earlier in the year due to the lack of a contract, the neighboring libraries chose to maintain Union Vale residents access during the early stages of the COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders from New York State. However, with libraries now reopened and access to physical materials restored, the restrictions will now go into effect.
Frontline staff will notice a pop-up message in Sierra should a Union Vale resident look to borrow a restricted item after September 1st. Libraries can also access bookmarks with talking points about the restrictions, which can be printed and given out to Union Vale cardholders to help them understand why the restrictions are in place and who they can contact regarding the restrictions.
Union Vale patrons will be notified in advance and see a message in Encore related to the restrictions.
Background: The Town of Union Vale does not have its own library but thanks to New York State Education Law residents still have the right to access library services at other libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. However, given that this means other towns taxpayers are subsidizing Union Vale residents use of their libraries, that same law allows for restrictions to library usage by those residents to be put in place when two conditions are met: (1) a town is not providing "equitable funding" to help subsidize library services and (2) 5% or more of an impacted library's circulation of library materials is attributed to the residents of a town without their own library. These conditions were met for both the Beekman and Millbrook libraries thereby authorizing the restrictions.
Telephone Notification System for patron calls has been upgraded! The new i-tiva system replaces Teleforms and offers better compatibility with modern and developing telephone voice systems and improved customer experience and information delivery for library materials on hold or overdue, as well as an option for patrons to check their record for holds and renewable items by phone. The MHLS Tech Ops team implemented this change as part of the renewed contract with Innovative. Check the MHLS Knowledge Base for more info on the new i-tiva telephone notification system, or contact Technology Operations Manager, Laurie Shedrick, for information on TNS systems for your library.
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 The Town of Esopus Library recently held a live radio performance of Ray Bradbury's Zero Hour on Radio Kingston. The project was supported with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson. You can listen to the complete broadcast at https://www.esopuslibrary.org/post/live-radio-play.
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On September 24th at 10:00am join us for our next MHLS Programmers Forum. The topic will be Serving Homeschoolers and Families Schooling at Home. This event is designed for MHLS member library staff involved in programming for children and teens who are interested in learning about the creative programs and services their peers have developed to meet the needs and interests of families choosing to homeschool, as well as, families opting for remote learning while remaining in their districts.
At this workshop we will cover:
- Popular programs for homeschoolers offered by MHLS libraries.
- How some MHLS member library staff have shifted some of their programming model to reflect how many families are doing school from home/ have children home during the day given current hybrid models of public schooling.
 The American Library Association's (ALA) Executive Board announced that the 2021 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits scheduled for January 22nd-26th in Indianapolis will take place virtually. The preliminary roster of speakers, which is set to include some of today's most highly regarded keynoters and authors, will be announced early this fall along with ongoing announcements of programs, sessions, meetings, and exhibits. Registration will open in November. To stay up-to-date with ALA's conference announcements, visit http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Join MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor, Thomas O'Connell for one or all of the upcoming Sierra Lunchtime Webinars. All events begin at noon. Please register through the MHLS calendar.
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The Conservation Preservation Discretionary Grant application is now available. The Conservation/Preservation Program provides State funding for libraries and other organizations engaged in efforts to preserve deteriorating library research materials. The purposes of the program are to encourage the proper care and accessibility of research materials, to promote the use and development of guidelines and technical standards for conservation/ preservation work, and to support the growth of local and cooperative activities within the context of emerging national preservation programs.
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 Get ready for National Voter Registration Day 2020! Your library can help activate citizens throughout your community by participating in National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 22nd. Learn more about how social distancing prevents many voters from getting registered in their communities, at DMVs, and more and figure out how to get your community Vote Ready by signing up to be a 2020 partner by visiting
https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/. Partners have access to toolkits, webinars, and resources and can add their own events to the nationwide map.
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NEW DATE: The MHLS COVID-19 Briefing for Trustees will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 1:30pm. This custom online event designed for member library trustees will cover the latest info about funding considerations, restarting library operations as well as share answers to frequently asked questions. Please send questions in advance to MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich at rsmith@midhudson.org.
Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4551101137145948685
The reimagined 100% online MHLS Trustee Education Series will be kicking off on Thursday, September 10th with Trustee Essentials at 5:30pm. Particularly for new board members, but open to all this 90-minute session is for library board members looking for essential, basic information to increase their effectiveness in serving on a library board. Attendees will develop a working knowledge of library funding and organization in New York State; receive a clear overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities and receive an introduction to Open Meetings Law and best practices for effective board meetings. This webinar provides a foundation of knowledge that other workshops in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will build on. Please register for this event by visiting https://register.gotowebinar.com/. A second session of Trustee Essentials will be offered on Tuesday, October 13th at 10:00am.
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Administration & Management
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REMINDER: The next MHLS Directors Association Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 10:00am. Directors, please register for this online event through the MHLS calendar. Following the DA Meeting at 1:00pm MHLS will offer the New Minimum Public Library Standards for MHLS Directors webinar. This workshop will provide an overview of new minimum standards for public and association libraries that will go into effect on January 1, 2021. All MHLS member libraries will be required to meet these standards, which include updated requirements around library planning, staff training, library services, and community engagement. Please register online.
 The Board of Regents appointed Dr. Betty A. Rosa as Interim Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York, the State Education Department announced. The Interim Commissioner will lead the Department and assist the Board of Regents and Department in carrying out its mission to raise the knowledge, skill and opportunity of all the people in New York. Dr. Rosa, who will resign her position as Chancellor of the Board of Regents, assumed this position with the Department on August 14th.Vice Chancellor Brown shall act as the presiding officer and shall perform all the duties and have all the powers of the chancellor by operation of Education Law §203 and Regents Rule 3.1(a). Recognizing the amount of time, the search has already taken, and the paramount tasks ahead for the Board, the search for the next permanent Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York has been extended to October 1st, 2020.
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Library Assistant (Part-Time), Mahopac Public Library
The Mahopac (NY) Public Library seeks an energetic, enthusiastic individual for the position of part-time Library Assistant. The successful candidate will have at least two years' experience working in a public library and be willing to perform a wide range of tasks. Some of the duties associated with this position include: providing in-person and telephone reference service, technical help and reader's advisory to patrons of all ages; locating requested items and placing holds in the library catalog; basic computer, copier, scanner and fax machine assistance; covering the Reference Desk and Learning Lab as needed. There may also be an opportunity to assist with special projects and book displays. Candidates must have a genuine desire to work with the public. Excellent computer and communication skills are a must; knowledge of the Spanish language is a plus. The salary will be $15-18 per hour commensurate with experience; approximately 20-25 hours per week, mainly afternoon/ evenings, Saturdays and Sunday shifts. This is a competitive civil service position; candidate must be willing and able to complete the exam for Library Assistant after hire.
Please send résumés to Hilary Albert, Head of Reference at halbert@mahopaclibrary.org by Friday, August 28th, 2020 and put Library Assistant in the subject line.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Excellent judgement and professionalism
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
- Minimum technical competencies including knowledge of Microsoft Off, G Suite and basic file management
- The ability to multitask, follow complex instructions and work with minimal supervision
NOTE: This is a civil service position. Permanent appointment contingent upon the candidate's completion of the Library Assistant test and their score.
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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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released the latest data from its 2018 Public Libraries Survey. The Public Libraries Survey collects information on key indicators of public library use, financial health, staffing, and resources. Explore the 
