Librarians from throughout New York state gathered at the 2019 New York Library Association (NYLA) Annual Conference and Trade Show in Saratoga Springs, NY
from November 13-16. MHLS staff was on hand to learn, teach and network with our library peers. More than a few MHLS member library staff and directors presented and received accolades at this year's conference.
Directors Gillian Thorpe from Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library, Gloria Goverman from East Fishkill Public Library District, Emily Chameides from Hudson Area Library, AnnaLee Dragon from Kinderhook Memorial Library, and Daniela Pulice from Pleasant Valley Free Library spoke on a panel facilitated by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director about their experience with the 2018 MHLS Lab Project. The year-long program focused on cardholder activation and retention. There was a lot of laughter and great information was shared to a very receptive audience.
(l-r) Gillian Thorpe, AnnaLee Dragon, Daniela Pulice, Gloria Goverman, and Emily Chameides pose after their session.
Carol Fortier, Director of the Beekman Library presented Tips for Engaging Friends as Partners
. Carol shared the journey of how she helped to revive a loosely organized Friends group with ten members and
moved them forward to establish a separate 501(c)(3) organization with a board of directors and a membership of more than eighty members and growing. The Friends of Beekman Library has increased their annual contribution to the library 178% in two years through dynamic fundraising events and strong partnerships in the community. MHLS member library directors attended Carol's session to show their support and learn about her experiences (pictured below).
(l-r) Brewster Library Director Gina Loprinzo, Carol Fortier,
East Fishkill Public Library District Director Gloria Goverman and Patterson Library Director Stephanie Harrison
Highland Public Library received the 2019 Public Libraries Building award conferred by the Public Libraries Section of NYLA. The focus of the award is the impact that a construction project has had on the library's ability to provide services to its community. In 2018 Highland Public Library finished construction on their new 10,250 square foot facility to replace their original 2,900 square foot building.
(l-r) Paul Mays of Butler Rowland Mays Architects, and Highland Public Library Director Julie Kelsall-Dempsey.
Amy Smith
(pictured left)
,Director of Programs & Youth Services at Red Hook Public Library presented a session on Library Programming for All Abilities with Jason Thomas from the Newburgh Free Library. Amy and Jason talked about how to create library programs for all age groups with cognitive disabilities. Attendees learned about how programs like these give families and caregivers opportunities for their loved ones, clients, and students, to socialize, learn and have fun in a public setting. Amy was also the recipient of the L. Marion Moshier/Asa Wynkoop Award for Distinguished Librarianship given by the Public Libraries Section of NYLA. The award honors a librarian who has given outstanding service to a community with a population of 7,500 or less.
Krista Miller of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District
gave a presentation on Pop Culture Programming for Adults with Chris Morgan from the Newburgh Free Library. The team shared how to make the most of popular culture's ability to connect patrons of different backgrounds through accessible media. They also provided examples of pop culture-inspired programs.
(left) Paul Agne, Assistant Director of Red Hook Public Library discussed Home School Science at the YSS Table Talks. (right) Chris Morgan and Krista Miller at their Pop Culture Programming for Adults session.
MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich
and Matthew Bollerman, Director of the Hauppauge Public Library presented Sustainable Thinking for Friends. This presentation was a continuation of their impactful work as creators and co-chairs of the NYLA Sustainability Initiative. Rebekkah also presented a session called "Hopepunk Sustainability: Libraries in the Lead" with TED science curator, and author of The Unnatural World, David Biello.
Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator
, presented a session on Data-driven Collection Management with Robert Drake, Assistant Director of Technology at the Nassau Library System to a standing room only crowd. They reviewed reports and data that can be harvested from inter-library loan software to focus library resources on what matters most to their patrons.
Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Library Sustainability Associate & Communications Specialist
, delivered a three-hour CE program on Marketing for the Youth Services Section Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership Academy (EALA). This is a 7-month program specifically designed for YS Providers who are interested in developing their leadership skills. This year Kerstin was also elected to the Friends of Libraries Section (FLS) Executive Board as a Member At Large.
