Introducing MHLS Lab Project Toolkits |
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MHLS Lab Projects are one-year projects undertaken by a select group of member libraries to learn about and test best practices for providing library services that address community needs and inspire our publics to become aware of, use, and find value in their local public library. To date, MHLS libraries have participated in three Lab Projects: Increasing Circulation, Increasing Active Account Holders, and Increasing Program Attendance. Each Lab Project worked with participating libraries to assess their existing situation, share, and discover best practices, develop, and implement action plans, and access outcomes. |
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To preserve the lessons learned from these projects and to share that information with other member libraries who might want to incorporate some of the tested practices in their own libraries, MHLS asked Tammy Gaskell (pictured left), MHLS intern and director of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, to develop several “toolkits” that would be available on the MHLS website. Tammy is completing an internship as part of her requirements for the MSIS degree at University at Albany.
Those toolkits are now available at https://midhudson.org/lab-project-toolkits/. Each toolkit includes a summary of the project and its goals; background readings on the topic; tools for collecting relevant data, such as instructions for running reports and spreadsheets for gathering and analyzing the data; sample action plans; sample materials generated, such as policies or promotional materials; and insights from participating library directors—both in the form of presentations made at the time as well as interviews conducted and recorded this spring.
In putting these toolkits together, Tammy reports learning a lot that she is eager to implement at her own library. At the same time, the project led her to think more deeply about the work we do and how we measure success. While each project used measurable statistics to test specific practices to improve one type of library service, she notes, collectively they point to the importance of strong community engagement to assess and address community needs.
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The adjustments to NYS Open Meetings Law to allow for online meetings have been extended until May 19th, 2021 by Executive Order 202.102. There were no alterations to the provisions that allow for online open meetings, meetings still need to be accessible to the public, recorded and transcribed.
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Congressman Antonio Delgado met with MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich; ALA/NYLA Key Legislative Contact for Congressman Delgado, Kinderhook Memorial Library Director AnnaLee Dragon; Margie Menard, 2021 Chair of the Ulster County Library Association and Director of the Kingston Library and members of the Ulster County Library Association including all three Ulster County representatives to the MHLS Board: Stuart Auchincloss, Ken Goldberg, and Lynne Ridgeway, to learn more about the benefits of the proposed Build America’s Libraries Act for area libraries. |
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Join MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, for COVID-19 Legal Issues with Ellen Bach & Robert Schofield on Wednesday, May 26th at 2:00 pm. This moderated online conversation with "The Library Lawyers," of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP will be based on questions submitted by MHLS member library directors, trustees, staff, and Friends groups.
To have your question included in the workshop please use the following online form. Questions must be submitted by May 19th. To register for this program please visit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The New York Library Association (NYLA) Library Skills Academy Registration is open. This program is open to individuals already working or newly hired in libraries, or people interested in working in public and academic libraries. Topics include: Reference; The Library in Your Community; Public / Customer Service; Outreach, Promotions, and Advocacy; Tech Services and much more. Each 90-minute session will take place on subsequent Wednesdays at 9:30 am over the course of eight weeks. To receive a certificate, the individual must complete the entire program. For more information and to register please visit https://www.nyla.org/events/library-skills-academy/. |
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Resource Sharing & Sierra |
Beginning May 3rd, the Material Type for Periodicals will be divided into more specific categories to make it easier for users to find materials in the OPAC. The new Material Types were approved by member library directors at the April 16 th DA Meeting. MHLS cataloging staff will update bibliographic records to reflect the following new Material Types: Travel Guides, Magazines/Journals/Newspapers, Study Guides, and Directories, that were once all under the generic Material Type Periodicals. Periodicals will still retain records that are released on a regular cadence that do not fit among the new Material Types. The new Material Types will display in the facets of both Sierra and Encore. Staff creating records for periodical material types should make their best estimate at the proper new material type when creating their brief records. MHLS Catalogers will determine the final Material Type designation in their review process based on the available LC subject headings of the final record. If you have any questions about this process, please direct them to the MHLS Cataloging Department, cataloging@midhudson.org.
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Idea Lab has launched a new challenge to get ideas for future Sierra enhancements. Tell MHLS about the little changes that can be made in Sierra that would make a big difference in the way you use the system. From everyday tasks that you do many times or features that you use occasionally that would be easier if only… Ideas will be gathered through April 30th. If you have an Idea and want MHLS to take it forward, please open a ticket by sending an email to techsupport@midhudson.org and use the subject line “it bugs me”. Describe the thing that bugs you in as much detail as possible. Include the function, the steps of the process that could be improved and share what impact it would have on your experience to have this fixed. Voting will continue through May 3 rd. The ideas with the most merit (and votes) will be reviewed by the experts and passed to Innovative. If you aren’t familiar with Idea Lab you can read all about it in the MHLS Knowledgebase,
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Two new programs will help low-income households connect to the internet. In NYS internet service providers (ISP) will be required to offer an affordable $15 per month high-speed internet plan to low-Income households, and the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBPP) will provide a $50 per month subsidy for broadband service, plus a one-time discount of up to $100 on computers and tablets. For more information including eligibility requirements and accessing these services, visit NYS's Find Affordable Internet Options in New York State or Next Century Cities article on the FCC's EBBP.
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An Introduction to the Clean Energy for Anchor Institutions Program: Join Joe Morris, Senior Organizer for the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation and MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, to learn about the new initiative: Clean Energy for Anchor Institutions on Thursday, May 27th from 2:00-3:00pm. Public libraries are trusted lifelong learning partners in our communities and library facilities are natural locations for demonstration projects related to decarbonization and energy efficiency.
Attend this webinar to learn if plans you have for your facility would make you a good candidate to join this initiative.
This initiative will:
- Target replacement of inefficient, high-emissions heating systems with electric heat-pump heating and cooling systems, along with additional energy-efficiency upgrades;
- Educate leaders from these and other institutions on strategies and technologies to reduce their buildings’ carbon footprint;
- Use completed retrofits as “demonstration projects” to assist in the ongoing development of a project pipeline;
- Identify institutions interested in cooperative solar development and create a model of more cost-effective energy-saving retrofits involving heat pumps and aggregated solar development;
- Identify owners or managers of 50 or more low- and moderate-income multifamily buildings who are interested in building electrification, and introduce them to program partners to explore retrofit opportunities;
- Develop a body of knowledge and experience in engaging and assisting institutions in these activities and use this knowledge to inform future efforts and provide guidance to others undertaking similar efforts; and
- Organize educational workshops or events on topics related to building electrification, energy retrofits, and how to mitigate COVID-19 risks and improve indoor air quality in buildings through heating and cooling upgrades and other measures.
Many of the buildings in this initiative will target energy efficiency retrofits – scalable solutions and processes that improve a building’s energy performance – and will be located in disadvantaged communities, which will benefit from the economic and environmental impacts of the projects. For more information: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/.
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The Friends of Libraries Section (FLS) is currently accepting applications for the FLS Randall Enos Conference Scholarship. This marks the second year FLS will offer a scholarship for 2 FLS members to attend the NYLA Annual Conference. Complete scholarship information and the application packet can be found at nyla.org/friends. The deadline for submission of the application is Tuesday, June 1 st, 2021. |
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NYS is offering a one-hour session on Thursday, April 29th at 12:30 pm to learn more about how to connect with your local 4-H offices and take advantage of 4-H resources and program materials for this year's Summer Reading theme Tails and Tales. Learn how you can tap into the expertise of 4-H educators and staff and learn how to connect with local 4-H offices to take advantage of programs and resources in animal science and other areas that can be adapted to your Summer Reading programs and activities this year and beyond. Explore online 4-H resources as well as resources and kits that can be borrowed from local offices to enhance programs in libraries of all sizes, whether rural or urban. To register please visit https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/. |
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Registration is open for Core Values & Ethics presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director and Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator. In this MHLS Trustee Education session attendees will develop a working knowledge of the Core Values of Librarianship and how those values translate to the work of the board, particularly in the area of policy making. This webinar will also review board ethics and use case studies to illustrate “values and ethics in action.”
Register for one of the following dates:
- Tuesday, May 25th | 5:30-7:00 pm
- Thursday, May 27th | 10:00-11:30 am
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Administration & Management |
Register now to learn all about the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1) at the Records Retention and LGS-1 for Libraries webinar on Wednesday, May 12th at 2:00 pm. At this webinar, representatives from the New York State Archives will review best practices for records management and provide an overview of relevant parts of the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1). Public libraries are required to use LGS-1 in managing records, and while the schedules prescribed in LGS-1 are not required for association libraries, they are considered best practice.
On January 1st, all public libraries (municipal, special district, and school district libraries) needed to adopt the revised and consolidated records retention schedule (LGS-1) developed by the NY State Archives. The new schedule supersedes and replaces the CO-2, MU-1, MI-1, and ED-1 Schedules.
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Library Associate and Communications Manager, Roeliff Jansen Community Library (Copake)
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake, NY, is seeking an energetic and creative part-time Library Associate and Communications Manager to oversee the Library’s communications and . The Library Associate and Communications Manager, who reports to the Director of the Library, will also assist maintaining and processing the Library’s circulating collection.
Specific responsibilities:
- Work with Library staff and program committees to promote the library and its programs
- Maintain and expand the Library’s social media presence
- Compile and edit the Library’s e-newsletter
- Write and send press releases on Library activities
- Help create and circulate flyers/posters for events
- Work the circulation desk, field reference questions
- Assist patrons with technology questions
- Process and catalog new materials
- Take responsibility of the building in the absence of the Director
The candidate must have strong customer service skills, be comfortable with computer and A/V technology, and be savvy with social media. Experience with Constant Contact, WordPress, and Photoshop a plus. Must be have strong writing skills, be able to work with people of all ages and temperaments, and enjoy working as part of a team.
This is a 20 hour/week position. Candidate must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, MLS preferred
Hourly rate dependent upon education and experience.
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is an equal opportunity employer.
Please send résumé and letter explaining why you think you would be a good fit for this position, along with the names and contact information for three professional references, to Tamara Gaskell, Director, at director@roejanlibrary.org. Review of applications will begin May 17 th.
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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