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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Assemblymember Barrett Awards Grant
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A $30,000 Special Legislative Project Grant sponsored by Assemblymember Didi Barrett will support summer reading programs in sixteen public libraries in Assembly District 106.
 Assemblymember Barrett (left) issued the following statement in response to the announcement of the grant. "Our local libraries play a critical role in our communities. For children of all ages, our libraries are the gateway to new information and new worlds. They encourage imagination and intergenerational sharing. I am pleased we could provide support to our outstanding libraries in the 106th district with funding for their Summer Reading Programs. I hope it will help launch new lifetime readers."
"We thank Assemblymember Barrett for her support of the summer reading program in her district," said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System. "Assemblymember Barrett's support is critical to ensure the students in her district develop a lifelong love of reading and learning, complementing the excellent work of our teachers and school librarians during the school year."
Research clearly shows students who participated in summer reading programs score higher on reading tests and don't experience summer learning loss. Public libraries throughout the Hudson Valley are providing summer reading programs, which will expose children and youth to a wealth of information, a wide variety of reading materials, and opportunities to build stronger vocabulary.
Grant funds will be distributed to:
- Amenia Free Library
- Boardman Road Branch of Poughkeepsie Public Library District
- Chatham Library
- Claverack Library
- Clinton Community Library
- Germantown Library
- Hudson Area Association Library
- Hyde Park Public Library District
- Livingston Free Library
- NorthEast-Millerton Library
- Philmont Public Library
- Pine Plains Free Library
- Pleasant Valley Free Library
- Roeliff Jansen Community Library
- Staatsburg Library
- Stanford Free Library
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MHLS Announcements
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The New York Library Association (NYLA) Conference Scholarship from the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS)
helps provide new library directors and new library staff with the opportunity to attend the annual NYLA Conference by matching funds provided by the library to underwrite conference attendance.
MHLS is proud to announce the following library staff members have been selected
as recipients for this award, which will help them discover new concepts in the library field and establish professional networks and relationships in the New York library community.
- Danielle Argentieri - Brewster Public Library
- Carly Doyle - Chatham Public Library
- Lindsay Jankovitz - Marlboro Free Library
- Brian James - Town of Esopus Library
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The 2019 Mid-Hudson Library System Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Friday, October 25th at The Henry A. Wallace Center @ FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, NY. Our keynote speaker will be Miguel Figueroa, Director of the ALA Center for the Future of Libraries discussing the role of libraries in the context of Trends, Signals and Changes.
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The Highland Public Library held another successful Comic Fest this July! Patrons went to the library to meet special guests like Scott Lobdell of Happy Death Day and Teen Titans fame, and Bill Diamond who worked with Jim Henson, and brought some Fraggles and puppets from Dark Crystal. Library director, Julie Kelsall-Dempsey said, "We also were very fortunate to get Archie Comics memorabilia from the CEO of Archie Comics, Nancy Silberkleit, which we will have on display, in locked cases, until the end of the month. at which point Nancy has given us permission to pass on to another library if there is anyone interested." The library also purchased a green screen (pictured below) for the event, for patrons to take fun photos with and it was a huge hit! Local game stores like Alterniverse Comics and Kirwan's Gaming Store were also in attendance. Overall, about 150 people attended the Comic Fest, up 50% from last year.
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Reference & Collection Development
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 The Consumer Reports subscription will end on Saturday, August 31st.
MHLS Tech Support will remove links from all Mid-Hudson hosted pages on that date. The Central Library Collection Development Committee made the recommendation to the Directors Association that the usage of Consumer Reports was too low to renew the product. The DA approved the recommendation during the business meeting held on November 15, 2018.
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The Yiddish Book Center's "Coming to America" Reading Groups for Public Libraries is a
reading and discussion program to engage teens and adults in thinking about immigrants' experiences
encountering America. Participants will receive training and resources to help them lead a reading group that will explore three books of Yiddish literature in translation, as well as one book related to an immigrant community served by their library. Up to 30 public libraries will be selected. Learn more about the program and apply online at
https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/public-libraries
Applications are due by August 16th.
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Administration & Management
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The MHLS Leadership Circle will meet on Friday, September 6th after the DA meeting to discuss Leading Meetings that Matter. Your time and the time of your stakeholders is one of the most valuable assets you have to create a relevant and responsive library. This workshop will provide an overview of strategies for conducting efficient and effective meetings and making the best use of the "people power" available to help your library meet its goals. Library directors will develop skills for planning and organizing meetings and facilitating discussions at meetings.
At this workshop we will cover:
- Best practices for structuring and running an effective meeting
- Facilitation and discussion skills for library leaders
This event is designed for MHLS member library directors to provide an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges of being a library leader.
Please register for this event through the MHLS online calendar
http://calendar.midhudson.org/
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Director, Amenia Free Library
The Amenia Free Library Association is seeking an energetic, career minded Library Director to lead our Library into the future.
The Amenia Free Library, as a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System, serves the Town of Amenia, New York, a community of 4,000 residents bordering Connecticut in the Foothills of the Berkshires. A former farm community which had a large NYS institutional employer, Amenia is evolving into a community that includes not only the local workforce, but also has become a magnet for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty and lifestyle of an up and coming rural destination. The luxury Silo Ridge Field Club, Troutbeck Inn & Conference Center, and the Wassaic Project Art Center are among the recent additions to the fabric of Amenia. The Library Board has engaged a Design Engineering firm and an Architect to facilitate expansion from our present 880 sq. ft. WPA built library to a modern 3000- sq. ft. facility, while maintaining the charm that has served us so well since the 1930s.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate from her/his previous positions, education, and experience the ability to be the face of the Library and to assure the effective utilization of Library resources.
The candidate will desire to meet and serve the public as well as have knowledge of computers and data communications in regards to Library Applications and needs.
Responsibilities are to:
- Lead and supervise the day-to-day operations of a small library staff, services, and facility.
- Ensure policies and procedures developed in conjunction with the Board of Trustees are maintained.
- Prepare monthly reports to the Board of Trustees including statistics and summary of projects and activities.
- Attend training and conferences within the Mid-Hudson Library System.
- Maintain a positive environment for both the Public and Staff and be responsible for the Facility.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and direct a program of library service.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of library services in relation to the changing needs of the community.
- Manage, procure and evaluate the library's diverse collections to reflect the community needs.
- Recommend and administer public relations programs.
- Represent the Library at community activities and events.
- Participate in planning a sustainable funding strategy including all annual fundraising efforts.
- Identify and seek grant opportunities that may benefit the library.
- Serve as the library's public face in the community, expand the library's community outreach, and promote the library's visibility and connections with the community.
- Oversee and maintain library website.
- Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement the library's long range plans and goals.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience in library management.
- Experience with computer technology and electronic resources.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Experience working with volunteers and Friends group and a Board of Trustees.
- Knowledgeable of principles and practices of library functions, and open to new trends and innovations in field of library management.
- While a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited library school is preferred, NYS education law CR 90.8 requires at least two academic years of full time study in an approved college or university, or its equivalent for a Library Director within the Amenia service population.
Salary and benefits are negotiable and competitive with area libraries of like size. A regular work week of 35 Hours is anticipated.
To apply:
Please send cover letter and
résumé
electronically to Alan Gamble, President, Board of Trustees
agamble48@gmail.com
. Hard Copy application may be mailed to Amenia Free Library, PO Box 51, Amenia, NY 12501, and marked "Director Search". Applications are due by August 9, 2019.
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Library Security Guard- Part-time, Howland Public Library
The Howland Public Library in Beacon, NY has a part-time position open for a Security Guard, at an hourly rate of $16.50 for 8 hours per week, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:30pm-5:30pm. There may be an opportunity for more hours if shift coverage is needed or for special events. The Library is a member of the New York State & Local Retirement System.
We are looking for a responsible, experienced, proactive individual. Experience working with people of all ages is strongly preferred. Under the supervision of the Library Director, the Security Guard enforces library policies and the patron code of conduct while maintaining a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the library. The incumbent will have the following duties:
- Warns patrons of rule infractions and escorts violators out of the library if necessary
- Prevents acts that could be harmful to library property, employees, or the general public by observing suspicious activity or items and taking appropriate action
- Patrols library property (both physically and using security cameras) to detect vandalism, theft, illegal entry, fire, equipment failure, and any other hazard and reports it to appropriate staff
- Takes control of serious situations until the arrival of law enforcement or emergency response personnel
- Assists in investigating complaints and suspicious situations
- Responds to non-criminal activities such as personal injuries and missing persons
- Prepares reports and completes incident reports as required
Please submit a résumé and two references to Director Kristen Salierno via email at
director@beaconlibrary.org
by August 26, 2019. The Security Guard position is a civil service provisional appointment pending future examination. Applicants must meet all Dutchess County Civil Service minimum qualifications for the position and be reachable upon exam for permanent appointment including graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma. Applicants must have a NYS security license at time of application. Applicants must also meet all training and registration requirements as established under NYS General Business Law Article 7-A for security guards.
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Library Clerk- Part-time, Pawling Library The Pawling Library is looking for a part-time clerk to join our team by working at the circulation desk. This position will work three days on alternating weeks: Tuesday (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM), Saturday (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM), and either Monday or Friday (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, multi-tasking, and most importantly strong customer service skills.
The library clerk performs the following functions:
- All circulation duties: included but not limited to checking items in and out, pulling holds, processing materials, registering patrons, collecting fines, shelving and shelf maintenance.
- Provides information to the public on library policies and procedures.
- Performs routine searches and updates of computer records.
- Contacts patrons to deliver messages or information on library materials.
- Provides reference and readers advisory when needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the library director.
We are looking for a candidate with the following skills:
- Interest in library materials (such as books, movies, and video games) and library events.
- A large degree of comfort with technology.
- Ability to answer questions about the library.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Position:
Part-Time: 11.5 hours per biweekly pay period
Pay:
$11.10 - $13.75/hr, depending on experience
Benefits:
After six months of employment, part-time employees accrue paid time off in proportion to their hours worked.
Deadline to apply
: Sunday, August 18th
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