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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Calls to Action for Advocates
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There are two active calls to action for library advocates this week:
- The American Library Association is calling on all library advocates to assist with outreach to U.S. Senators to call for additional emergency funding for libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The funding would be available through the Library Services and Technology Act grants to states program, ensuring that libraries everywhere will have access to support.
- On April 21st, MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich issued a call to action for all member library advocates to help raise the profile of public libraries with the agency tasked with producing guidance related to COVID-19 Executive Orders. Please use this form to request specific guidance, for all types of libraries (association and public libraries), to help guide a sensible reopening of our libraries on the topics of:
- Handling library materials
- Curbside service
- Staffing levels in libraries
- Public access to library facilities
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MHLS Announcements
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Limited Delivery Run:
In response to requests from directors, Sierra data analysis at MHLS and with an eye towards testing our modeling for re-opening plans we will be facilitating a limited delivery run today and tomorrow.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Will the normal Tuesday and Wednesday route schedule be used?
Yes.
2. Will Valley Courier drivers practice socially distancing best practices?
Yes. Drivers will all be wearing masks and gloves. For the most part, they will arrive at libraries well before any staff may be there. However, if they do overlap with staff they will practice social distancing
3. How will drivers know what to pick up?
Drivers will follow the usual procedure of picking up any boxes left in their usual pick up spots as well as any overflow items with outgoing transit slips.
4. Should we pre-sort items if that is our normal practice?
Yes, pre-sorting is always appreciated to facilitate forward sorting.
5. What should we do with items dropped off at our library?
You are welcome to check them in, shelve your items, place items on your holdshelf OR leave them sitting in the bins until your staff has returned.
6. Should we run notices?
No. Please do not run any notices.
Please note that MHLS currently recommends using masks and gloves if processing items that have been in your facility for less than 72 hours. We strongly encourage regular hand washing after handling library materials.
If you have any questions regarding delivery please direct them to Tom Finnigan, MHLS Delivery Operations Manager,
tfinnigan@midhudson.org
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Weekly Director Briefings have been extended through the end of May
. Registration is no longer required for this event. Log-in information will be sent via the MHLS-Notice List the morning of each briefing.
- Friday, May 1st from 2:00-3:00pm
- Friday, May 8th from 2:00-3:00pm
- Friday, May 15th from 2:00-3:00pm
- Friday, May 22nd from 2:00-3:00pm
- Friday, May 29th from 2:00-3:00pm
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Due to the recent cuts in funding to library aid, and the uncertainty over funding in the future, MHLS has made the difficult decision
to suspend both the Outreach Mini-Grants and the NYLA Scholarship for 2020
. We hope that funding can be restored to library aid and that these important grant programs can return in 2021. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
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MHLS Libraries
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 Hurley Library and
Roeliff Jansen Community Library
have both started food drives to collect non-perishable food items to donate to local food banks in their communities. Both libraries are providing drop-off locations and collection sites that still maintain the protocols for social distancing and keep library staff and community members safe.
Feeding America, the nation's largest network of food banks, reported a 98% increase in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic began. If your library is interested in starting a food drive or finding out how to spread the word about existing food drives in your community please visit
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
or
Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
for more information.
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Professional Development
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The following upcoming conferences and events have been cancelled or postponed:
You can switch your ALA conference registration to the new ALA Virtual - Community Through Connection online event taking place June 24-26. New registrants are also being accepted through May 11th. For more information visit,
https://2020.alavirtualevent.org/
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Thomas O'Connell, MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor will be offering Sierra Lunchtime Webinars
beginning at 12:00pm all next week. Each day covers a different topic:
You can register for any of these sessions through the
MHLS calendar
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 La Voz magazine serves the Spanish-speaking communities of the Hudson Valley
, which represent some of the populations most in need of reliable information and resources for support during the pandemic. Libraries looking to support and provide resources for the Spanish-speaking populations in their community can share La Voz's website and latest issue which can be found at
https://lavoz.bard.edu/
The NYS Parenting Portal
provides parents and caregivers with multiple tips, tools and resources to enhance the roles of parent and caregiver. Resources within the portal include: a downloadable Parent Guide that provides tools for a successful first five years of the parenting journey, a Multiple Systems Navigator that provides information on how to access and navigate multiple human service, health, education, and disability services and now includes COVID-19 resources for parents including tips, activities and information on how to talk to your children about the Coronavirus. To access these resources, visit
https://www.nysparenting.org/
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The
Everyone Serves Families with Young Children
webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 6th from 1:00-3:00pm. This early literacy online training is for member library staff who work or interact with children from birth to school entry and their families. At this early literacy training, member library staff will learn about:
- How different types of stress can affect brain development in young children.
- How to better serve families with young children at the library.
Please register for this session through the
MHLS calendar
. If you have questions about this program, please contact Courtney Wimmers, MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist at
cwimmers@midhudson.org
MHLS libraries that do not currently have a license with Movie Licensing USA (MLUSA) and are interested in receiving the MHLS discounted group-buy should contact Courtney Wimmers, MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist before May 8th. The license term will be in effect from 6/16/20 to 9/15/21.
MLUSA has generously offered to extend the license for an additional three months for no extra charge.
Vidcode is offering Virtual Coding Clubs.
These remote clubs are designed for students (10 years old and up) who want to learn to code. The clubs are also a resource for extra coding projects that parents and kids can do independently, or librarians can incorporate into existing virtual club activities. Clubs are led by Vidcode coding experts and are held each Tuesday at 3:00 pm for coders of all experience levels. For more information visit
https://about.vidcode.com/virtual-coding-club
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The next COVID-19 Briefing for Trustees will be on Tuesday, May 5th at 3:00pm
. Join MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, for this custom online event designed for member library trustees. Rebekkah will cover the latest info about funding considerations, restarting library operations once NYS PAUSE has been lifted as well as share answers to frequently asked questions. Please feel free to send questions in advance to Rebekkah at
rsmith@midhudson.org
. Please register online for this event at:
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Administration & Management
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The Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) has announced a COVID-19 Research Partnership
to inform safe handling of collections and reopening practices for libraries. This builds on the initial steps IMLS took to help identify and respond to the needs of libraries and museums several weeks ago when they hosted a webinar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the recording is available on the
IMLS website.
You can now view the recording of The ADA at Work: Considerations for COVID-19 webinar. Hosted by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) this webinar featured a discussion about balancing guidance on COVID-19 containment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). During this webinar presenters examined implications of the pandemic on disability-related inquiries, medical examinations, and interpreting direct threat. Access the recording and transcript at
https://askearn.org/
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