IN THIS ISSUE
Access the
Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
Top
Volume 20-49 | 12.8.20
2020 NYLA Conference on Demand
The 2020 NYLA Conference has wrapped up, but the programming from the best virtual conference ever is now available on-demand including the sessions below from MHLS member libraries and staff. Conference attendees can access the recorded sessions for free, and those that did not attend the  conference but wish to view the sessions can purchase an archive access pass.  
 
Check out the following programs presented by Mid-Hudson Library System member library directors, staff and MHLS staff:  
  • Beyond Thunderdome: Regenerative Thinking for Libraries presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director
     
     
  • Creating and Sharing Meaningful Messages presented by Courtney Tsahalis, Millbrook Library Director and Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator 
  • When YOU are the HR Department presented by Carol Fortier, Beekman Library Director and Julie Kelsall-Dempsey, Highland Public Library Director 
     
     
  • The Comeback Kids a panel discussion featuring Julie Kelsall-Dempsey of Highland Public Library and facilitated by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich
  • Holistic Librarianship presented by the Red Hook Public Library with Director Dawn Jardine, Assistant Director Paul Agne and Head of Programs & Youth Services Amy Smith 
MHLS Announcements
MHLS is pleased to announce the hiring of Saran Camara to fill the Financial Manager & Personnel Officer position that became available upon Linda Vittone's announced retirement. Saran has spent the past 13 years working as an auditor for the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), one of our regulatory agencies. Saran is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA). Saran began work at MHLS on Monday, December 7th. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
On November 19th, MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich was invited to testify before the New York State Assembly's Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. In addition to driving home the need for restored and increased state aid for the Mid-Hudson Library System, 
Rebekkah focused on conveying the dedicated and exemplary work of MHLS member libraries over the past several months to meet the needs of their communities during the pandemic. During her testimony Rebekkah focused on the work of our libraries in four areas: 
  • Information Literacy 
  • Combatting Social Isolation 
  • Bridging Food Scarcity Gaps  
  • Digital Inclusion Challenges  
A recording of the hearing is available through the NYS Assembly's website 
MHLS Libraries
In November AnnaLee Dragon, Director of the Kinderhook Memorial Library was appointed to the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries for a five-year term beginning December 1st, 2020. AnnaLee holds an MSIS from SUNY Albany, has worked at Albany Public Library and the New York State Libraryhas served as President of NYLA-LAMS (Leadership & Management Section), and Chaired both the Mid-Hudson Library System Directors' Association, and the Columbia County Library Association. During her time as the director at Kinderhook Memorial Library AnnaLee has led the library through a successful $2.3M capital campaign and building expansion and renovation. The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries works with the officers of the State Education Department in developing comprehensive statewide library and information policy and makes recommendations to the Regents concerning the implementation of the program. The Council is broadly representative of libraries and statewide constituencies served by the New York State Library. For more information about the Regents Advisory Council, visit the State Library's website.
 
 
The NorthEast-Millerton Library collaborated with the libraries in Amenia, Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, Rhinecliff, Staatsburg and Stanford to co-sponsor a sold-out virtual author talk with Ibram X. Kendi on Monday, November 30th 
Professional Development
Dutchess BOCES, Orange-Ulster BOCES, Rockland BOCES, Sullivan BOCES, Ulster BOCES, Ramapo Catskill Library System and Southeastern NY Library Resources Council are proud to present a 5-month course (January 2021-May 2021) for school librarians, educators, and others interested in improving their knowledge about race and racism, racial equity, and culturally sustaining pedagogy to be prepared for difficult conversations. The primary focus of the Project READY curriculum is on improving relationships with,  
services to, and resources for youth of color and Native youth. The project will be led and taught by Dr. Evangela Q. Oates. The program will consist of a mix of ten live webinars, regular engagement with the trainer and other students, and dozens of on-your-own modules using the Project READY curriculumThe entire course is worth 30 CTLE credits and costs $225. If you are a member of any of the above School Library Systems, please register on your My Learning 
Plan site. All other school librarians, educators, public librarians, and interested parties can register at https://www.senylrc.org/ProjectReady 
Resource Sharing & Sierra 
Please make sure your library's Closed Dates are in place in Sierra. It is important that your holidays are entered well before January 18th, 2021, 
Martin Luther King Jr. DayYou can update the Sierra Closed Dates Table yourself or request that MHLS enter the information for you. Please submit the Days Closed Form for 2021 indicating whether you wish MHLS to enter the information or if you plan to enter it yourself. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In January 2021, MHLS will move to a new, streamlined Inter Library Loan (ILL) experience for both patrons and staff. Please join us at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 16th or Thursday, December 17th for a MHLS ILL Workshop that will provide workflow and best practice procedures to get your library in the flow of our new comprehensive ILL process. This webinar is for MHLS member library staff who submit and manage your library's ILL  requests. Please register for your preferred session through the MHLS calendar. 
Sustainable Libraries 
The Mid-Hudson Library System has extended their partnership with Bard College and La Voz for another year! La Voz is a monthly magazine covering culture and news from the Hudson Valley for the Spanish-speaking community. This partnership will bring copies of La Voz directly to libraries through the MHLS delivery bins and promote libraries through in-kind ads that will run in the magazine each month. La Voz seeks to empower its Hudson Valley readers through actionable information featuring columns on health and legal affairs, an English learning worksheet, advice on personal finance, and a resource guide announcing local events and activities. This partnership enables libraries to provide current resources for the Spanish-speaking members of their communities and highlight the services libraries are currently providing for new audiences. For more information about La Voz, visit https://lavoz.bard.edu/. For questions about this partnership please contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin,  
Reference & Collection Development
The New York State Library (NYSL) is pleased to announce that the current collection of NOVELNY (New York Online Virtual Electronic Library) statewide e-resources will be extended for an additional year through June 30th, 2022. NOVELNY is an electronic resource access project that enables libraries across New York State to give their communities online access to the full text of thousands of journals, newspapers and other referencesThe databases are freely available to over 5,900 public, school, academic and special libraries currently registered for NOVELNY. If your library is not registered please see the For Librarians link on the website or contact the NOVELNY Help Desk at NYSLNOVEL@nysed.gov
The databases are also available through geoIP authentication (also referred to as geolocation) to allow a user access to a database based on their  geographic location as determined from their IP address. If a patron is accessing the databases through a library website or the NOVELNY portal while in New York they will be able to enter the database without entering a username/password, library card number or a driver license number.  New York State residents may also access the databases through the NOVELNY portal from anywhere in the world. 
Programming
The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the inaugural Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant supports meaningful programs in libraries with limited programming budgets. Up to three grants of $2,500 will be awarded annually. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant will support a different type of library programming each year. This year, libraries are invited to submit applications in support of humanities-based programming. The funding may be used to continue an existing program or create a new one. All library types including public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries in the U.S. or U.S. territories are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either ALA or the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Applications for the 2021 award will be accepted from December 1st, 2020, to February 5th, 2021. Read the grant guidelines and apply online by visiting Peggy Barber Grant website
Administration & Management 
With the passage of Executive Order 202.79, the adjustments to NYS Open Meetings Law to allow for online meetings have been extended to January 1st, 2021. 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. 
Job Openings 
Library Clerk, Millbrook Library 
Performs a variety of library circulation and clerical procedures with a strong customer service focus. 
 
General Duties: 
  • Performs all circulation desk duties, including 
  • Check materials in/out/renew materials 
  • Reserve materials 
  • Collects fines and tallies daily 
  • Performs all opening/closing procedures in work area/public areas 
  • Assists patrons who want to borrow and return library materials. 
  • Issues library cards according to established procedures. 
  • Attends to all circulation problems in a professional and timely manner. This includes but is not limited to processing overdue notices, expiring patron records, and outstanding holds. 
  • Responds to general information requests by telephone and in person. Utilize library resources such as databases, reference materials, and the Internet to supply needed information. 
  • Performs basic cataloguing functions. 
  • Any other routine tasks as assigned by the library director 
Supervised by: Takes direction from Library Director and Head of Circulation. 
 
Qualifications Profile: 
  • Ability to learn Dewey Decimal system, automated circulation system, online meeting software, and library circulation policies and procedures 
  • Ability to create courteous pleasant first impression of library 
  • Ability to establish good patron rapport 
  • Computer skills (Familiar with Microsoft Word, Gmail, Zoom, etc.) 
  • Physical ability to bend to floor level, stretch, reach, lift and carry books 
Hours: Mondays, 11:45 am 6:15 pm., Tuesdays, 9:45 am - 6:15 pm, and Thursdays 9:45 am 6:15 pm and regular Saturday rotations, 9:45 am - 4:15 pm 
 
Compensation: $13.00/ hr. This position includes vacation, personal, and sick time, and some paid holidays.  
 
Please submit a résumé and cover letter to Courtney Tsahalis at 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Director, Elting Memorial Library (New Paltz) 
Elting Memorial Library is an association library located in the heart of the Village of New Paltz, New York. It serves the Town and Village of New Paltz (combined population of 14,000) and is a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System. Encompassing a historic stone building and three extensions completed in 1962, 1978 and 2006, the Library celebrated its centennial at 93 Main Street in 2020. Its Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection is recognized as one of the best repositories of local history and genealogy in the Hudson Valley, visited by researchers from around the world. 
 
The Library employs 17 staff members including four full-time positions: The Director, the Children's Librarian, the Historic Collections Coordinator, and the Circulation / Operations Manager. The annual operating budget is approximately $670,000. 
 
New Paltz was founded in 1678 by French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution. Many stone houses built by settlers in the early eighteenth century are still standing on land that was deeded by the Esopus peoples. Today, New Paltz is a progressive community situated between the Hudson River and the Shawangunk Mountains, which are a world-renowned rock-climbing destination. The Library is within walking distance of SUNY New Paltz. 
 
Duties and Responsibilities: 
  • Recruit and oversee staff to carry out the mission, vision, and values of the library 
  • Create and administer an operational budget and participate in fundraising activities including grant writing, donor relations, and other strategic funding initiatives 
  • Oversee the development of programs and services 
  • Oversee the maintenance of the library physical plant, including historic facilities 
  • Exercise strong, cooperative leadership and communication with a diverse range of stakeholders including the staff, community organizations, volunteers, and Board of Trustees 
  • Provide leadership in the use of technology for library operations, programs, and services 
  • Be the face of the library in the community and proactively engage in advocacy for the mission, vision, and values of the library See the full list of duties: http://www.eltinglibrary.org/about-elting/director-job-description/ 
Qualifications: 
  • MLS from an ALA-accredited institution 
  • New York State Public Librarian Certification 
  • A minimum of three years senior-level leadership or administrative experience in the operation of a library 
  • Demonstrated experience with public library operations preferred 
  • A thorough knowledge of current trends, technologies, and best practices in public libraries 
  • Commitment to professional development as demonstrated by participating in continuing education opportunities 
Desired Personal Attributes: 
  • Resourcefulness, enthusiasm, and flexibility, with the ability to motivate others 
  • Strong commitment to ensuring equal access to resources, tools, information, and programming in a diverse community 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills valuing diversity, empathetic listening, conflict resolution, positivity, and collaborative problem-solving 
  • Ability to communicate effectively in different modalities and settings 
  • Ability to make connections to local business, government, and community leaders 
  • Ability to envision, articulate, and realize a future for the library consistent with its mission, vision, and values statements     http://www.eltinglibrary.org/about-elting/elting-mission-values-vision-statements/  
Salary and Benefits: 
  • Full-time position 
  • Salary comparable to similar libraries and commensurate with experience 
  • Health insurance and retirement 
  • Two weeks of vacation 
  • Personal days and sick days 
Anticipated start date is mid-March 2021. 
 
How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, résumé, and at least five references with contact information. References must include supervisors and colleagues. 
Send to Robert Miller, Chair, Elting Search CommitteeElting Memorial Library,
93 Main StreetNew Paltz, NY 12561 or email to millerr@newpaltz.edu.  
 
Applications received by January 11th, 2021, will receive priority. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 
 
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.