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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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The Mid-Hudson Library System leverages funding from state and local sources to help member libraries focus on the people they serve and provide the best services to their communities. Behind every System service, whether it's delivery, construction and literacy grants, Sierra, cataloging, or even this newsletter, is an MHLS staff member, and usually more than one, working to make sure member libraries can get the support they need. MHLS staff are the greatest asset available to the System in carrying out its mission to strengthen local library service while saving local tax dollars. MHLS would like to congratulate the staff members below on their 2020 work milestones and for their commitment and professionalism in serving all MHLS member libraries.
Chris Herron, Facilities Manager & Assistant Delivery Operations Manager - 25 years
With Chris reaching this milestone it's a very special occasion for not only him but MHLS as it is a testimony of Chris's loyalty to MHLS over the years. Chris started at MHLS when he was in high school with a part-time position in the former AV Department and that has transformed into a career at MHLS where he is now the Facilities Manager and Assistant Delivery Operations Manager. Chris is a valued member of the MHLS team and his contributions are vital for MHLS to meet our needs and the needs of our members. Our facility achievements such as the MHLS Auditorium renovation have come to fruition because of his efforts. Chris's responsibility in Delivery Operations, where he started as a delivery driver, has been an asset to the service the department provides to our members. We are very pleased with Chris's longevity, thank him for his hard work and dedication, and look forward to his ongoing contributions and a bright and successful future together.
Joan Kay, Financial Assistant - 20 years
Joan's responsibilities have changed from when she started 20 years ago, but as financial assistant, Joan still provides support for many of the grants
member libraries receive each year including the State Aid for Library Construction grant, and she enjoys seeing the new spaces and programs that libraries are able to create for their communities using this funding. As part of MHLS's Sustainability Team, Joan's insights into purchasing and materials management are helpful in reducing MHLS's carbon footprint while keeping an eye on the costs associated with changing the way we work. MHLS's business office commends Joan and her 20 years of financial and administrative support, we couldn't do it without her!
Linda Vittone, Financial Manager & Personnel Officer - 20 years
Linda has provided excellent leadership to ensure the financial stability and integrity of our organization over the years, overseeing our budget, internal financial controls, and human resources compliance. Famous for being one of the few people who was happy when the Office of the State Comptroller came to audit our organization, Linda has held our organization to a high standard of fiduciary management, aiding the board and executive directors she has served with in their responsibilities as the financial stewards of the government and member funds entrusted to our organization. Linda will retire at the end of the year and will be missed greatly by her co-workers. Her care and compassion, love of dance, and great sense of humor have contributed to making the MHLS workplace a joyous place to be.
Chris McCann, Delivery Operations Clerk II - 10 years
Chris has been a dedicated employee of MHLS in the Delivery Operations
Department and is counted on daily to meet the needs of MHLS and our members. His devotion and impeccable work are admired, respected, and greatly appreciated by his fellow employees. Chris is a very important member of our Delivery Operations team and his abilities and contributions will be an important part of our continued success. Thank you, Chris for all that you do!
Michael Tsahalis, Delivery Operations & Facilities Associate - 5 years
Michael's dedication and commitment serves as a vital link in the chain which drives our facility and delivery operation. Michael's professional and consistent demeanor is very beneficial to MHLS and we congratulate him on his five-year anniversary and look forward to his continued contributions.
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MHLS Announcements
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 MHLS welcomes Kyle Carella to the Delivery Operations team! Kyle started working in the Delivery Department as a Material Handler in November.
| Delivery Operations Manager Tom Finnigan asks that you place any accumulated, extra delivery bins next to your regular outgoing bins for the driver to pick up and bring back to MHLS. For questions regarding MHLS delivery operations please contact Tom at tfinnigan@midhudson.org. |
REMINDER: MHLS will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored.
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MHLS Libraries
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Brewster Public Library now offers workshops in Spanish to assist parents and caregivers with Google Classroom to help support their children in an online school environment.
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The LaGrange Library will reopen at their new location on Monday, November 30th at 9:30 am. "We're almost ready but need just a little more time for the finishing touches. Many thanks to our fabulous MHLS team and fellow libraries for your good wishes and support throughout this process!" - Mary De Bellis, LaGrange Library director. If you have additional questions or need further information, please email the library at lagrangelibrary@laglib.org
while their phones are in transition.
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Professional Development
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The Digital Equity Webinar series continues with Broader than Broadband: Brooklyn Public Library's Digital Equity Strategy on Thursday, December 3rd
at 2:00 pm. Presented by Nick Higgins, Selvon Smith, Maya Wagoner, and David Giles from the Brooklyn Public Library as they discuss practical digital equity interventions and how they fit into a broader digital equity strategy that positions libraries on the front lines of universal access to knowledge and information. To register and to view upcoming programs in the series visit
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/digitalequity.htm. The Digital Equity webinar series is organized by the New York State Library and the New York State Education Department, in partnership with the METRO Library Council and the Northern New York Library Network.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Check out the upcoming Sierra Lunchtime Webinars with MHLS ILP Operations Manager Thomas O'Connell. All sessions begin at noon. Register through the MHLS calendar.
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Sustainable Libraries
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 To help facilitate virtual Thanksgiving celebrations during the pandemic,
Zoom will lift its 40-minute meeting limit. The extended service will be available starting at midnight on November 26th, Thanksgiving Day, through Friday, November 27th at 5:00 am.
Lifeboats HV presents a pilot program to support Climate Smart Communities Task Force Coordinators. The Local Champions Pilot program will provide funding, programming and peer-to-peer learning to people designated by their local government to serve as Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Task Force Coordinators to help their town, city, or village achieve CSC bronze certification. The Local Champions pilot will select six CSC Task Force Coordinators, enabling them to organize their municipality's filing for bronze certification through training and education, and networking and support events. The application deadline is December 14th. For more information
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Trustee Resources
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There is still time to register for the MHLS Trustee Education webinar,
Financial & Fiduciary Responsibility on Wednesday, December 2nd at 5:30 pm. Presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director this intermediate-level course is for trustees who have been on the board for at least a year. Library boards are trusted with public and private funds to provide quality library service to their community. Transparency and accountability must be at the forefront as a board makes decisions pertaining to the library's finances. Register online at https://register.gotowebinar.com/.
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Administration & Management
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The New York Library Association (NYLA) has partnered with the Reimagine New York Commission in the distribution of an online survey to gather information on libraries' current practices, capacity, and interest in providing telehealth services to their patrons. Your feedback from this brief five-minute survey will help shape the goals and trajectory of the Commission's work.
Please respond by Monday, November 30th.
The American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) will host an informational webinar at 6:00 pm on December 2nd aimed at current and prospective Spectrum Scholarship program applicants. The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and ALA. This webinar is aimed at Spectrum Scholarship Program candidates in the early stages of their application process, and those who may be hearing about Spectrum for the first time. Please sign up for the webinar before December 1st at 1:00 pm.
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REMINDER: Member library directors are asked to complete Action Memo 20-08: Construction Grant Funding Priorities by November 30th. The link to this Action Memo was sent out via the MHLS-Notice list on Monday, November 16th and is also available in the current DA Packet.
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