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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Today is Election Day in the United States.
Libraries across the Mid-Hudson Library System have done an admirable job to educate citizens about their voting rights, encourage civic participation through voting, and clear up confusion around voting procedures in the time of COVID-19.
An entry from the Red Hook Public Library's
"This is Why I Vote..." social media series
MHLS' Library Sustainability Associate & Communications Specialist, Kerstin Cruger, has kept up a steady stream of voting information and encouragement through the MHLS social media presence.
Democracy is a core value of the library profession and our quest to contribute to an informed citizenry that understands what civic participation looks like and how best to evaluate factual information from misinformation and disinformation is one of the most important roles we play in the communities that we serve.
The 2020 Election is historic for many reasons, not the least of which is the fevered pitch of partisan politics and the public health and financial crisis brought on by COVID-19. The aftermath of the election, regardless of the ultimate outcome, will once again be a call to action for libraries throughout the Hudson Valley. Information and digital literacy skills will be called for. Civic and civil discourse that enables citizens to work together to address issues of common concern locally will be called for. Continued support for citizens as they confront the realities and hardships of COVID-19 will continue to be a part of our daily lives for the foreseeable future.
I say this not to add to the weight you may be feeling in the face of uncertainty but to remind you that we - the Mid-Hudson Library System and its membership - are a part of an important tradition, the American public library. We have individually chosen to be a part of our communities in a way that puts education, empathy, and empowerment at the center of our work. Every day we have the opportunity to provide beacons of hope to those we serve and that will be the case come rain or shine.
Be well and please take care of yourselves and one another,
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director
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MHLS Announcements
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MHLS will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no deliveries. MHLS staff will be available via the MHLS ticket system (techsupport@midhudson.org) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to support system-wide Sierra/catalog critical issues.
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MHLS Libraries
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The Phoenicia Library is featured in the new book from ALA Editions: Libraryland: It's All about the Story edited by Ben Bizzle and Sue Considine. Described by the editors as a "Chicken Soup for the Soul book for the library community," the chapter on the Phoenicia Library is entitled: "Fire and Flood, Philippe Petit, and a Pork Chop: The Story of the Phoenicia Library."
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Professional Development
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 Southeastern New York Library Resources Council presents Planning for Extended Electrical Outages with Timothy Hayes, Senior Director of
Central Hudson. There is never a good time for an extended electrical outage, regardless of the reason: ice storm, tropical storm, or a wayward squirrel. In the middle of a pandemic, fewer patrons are able to shelter in our libraries, but patrons' ability to access online resources and services from the library is just as important as being able to use the library space. This webinar will explore how a critical piece of our infrastructure, the electrical grid, prepares for emergencies and how libraries can adopt and adapt those planning strategies. The presenter will discuss the impact of different weather events and the role libraries can play in preparation and recovery. This webinar will take place on Monday, November 9th at 1:00 pm. This program is free and open to all library workers. Register at: https://www.senylrc.org/.
In the third installment of MHLS's Reimagining Library Services series, Tech Tools for Library Service, member libraries shared tips and tricks for
connecting with their communities and providing library services safely amid the pandemic using accessible software solutions. The webinar included best practice for making sure your library's info is up-to-date for people trying to access the library, and tools and strategies to make library services more accessible including free chat reference services, a virtual craft fair with local sellers, digitized local history resources, and a readers advisory form. Panelists
included Gina Loprinzo Director, Brewster Public Library, Matt Pavloff Teen Librarian, Kinderhook Memorial Library, Chrissy Lawlor Director, Olive Free Library, and Jaki Elmo Librarian, Mountain Top Library (Tannersville). You can view a recording of the webinar here. The final session in the 2020 MHLS
Reimagining Library Services series will be Dealing with the Digital Divide on Tuesday, November 10th at 10:00 am. Register at:
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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As part of the next stage of the Sierra Road Map, the Mid-Hudson Library System is now implementing the Sierra Serials module. The MHLS Cataloging Department have begun the process of converting magazine records to the new serials format. Starting with any magazine issues that have a cover date of 2021, libraries will begin using a new process to attach their items. As part of the new Serials workflow, libraries will check in each issue using a check-in card that is attached to the newly converted records. For any of your remaining issues with a 2020 cover date, please continue to attach these items without the check-in card as you've always done. To learn more about the new Serials functions and the process you will use to add your magazine issues to the catalog, please view the MHLS Serials Training webinar recording on the Knowledge Base page for Serials documentation.
In January 2021, MHLS will move to a new, streamlined Inter Library Loan (ILL) experience for both patrons and staff, making keeping track of your patron's requests much easier. Please join us at 10:00am on Wednesday, December 16th or Thursday, December 17th for a MHLS ILL Workshop. This session 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 request. Please register for either session through the MHLS calendar.
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 Based on user feedback and testing, OverDrive has decided to discontinue support for the Libby app for Windows and focus development resources on the more widely used Android and iOS platforms. Windows users will still be able to use Libby on their device in-browser at libbyapp.com and OverDrive will provide in-app messaging to help impacted users with this transition. Libbyapp.com offers the same great features as the app-store version of Libby, except the ability to download books for offline use. To access this functionality, users can download Libby for iOS or Android on a compatible device.
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The first session in the New York Library Association's (NYLA) six-part Advocacy Fundamentals series From Education to Action took place on Tuesday, October 27th. Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NYLA, Briana McNamee presented on advocacy through audience engagement and message development and delivery. The recording is now available along with a PDF version of the slide deck at the Series Event page. Those wishing to contribute their stories or advocacy messages are encouraged to do so through the Advocacy Fundamentals Folder. The next program in the series, Building People's Self Advocacy Skills: An Introduction to the Right Question Strategy, will be on November 24th at 9:00 am. For more information and to register for next month's session as well as the remainder of the series, visit NYLA's website.
 The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world-both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. The 19th annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field-and those helping serve their communities in new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic-Movers & Shakers 2021 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead. Deadline to submit the online nomination form is December 2nd, 2020
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 Join the 2021 MHLS Battle of the Books! The 2020 Mid-Hudson Battle of the Books tournament was cancelled for the first time in 15 years, but members have been hard at work behind the scenes preparing for the future (and whatever that may bring)! Believe it or not, now is the perfect time to get your library involved in the battle, whether you are interested in the middle school program, high school program, or both. The COVID-19 pandemic has given the committees the chance and the reason to restructure the programs' formats, which will help maintain this growing event for years to come. By joining now, your library can get started under the new structure, which will allow for shorter days, more exciting tournaments, flexibility for families, and social distancing as needed. Battle of the Books is a fantastic way to keep middle and high-school aged patrons interested in your library despite their increasing responsibilities by providing a fun, social, and competitive reading program throughout the summer. For more information, please contact Battle of the Books President Jenn Gay, ysc@pattersonlibrary.org or Vice President Matt Pavloff, matthew.pavloff@kinderhooklibrary.org.
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The next program in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will be 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. This course will focus on the financial and fiduciary responsibility involved with:
- The library's budget
- Library funding
- Financial policies
- Reports to the board
- External audits
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Administration & Management
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REMINDER: Directors, please register for the next MHLS Directors Association Business Meeting taking place on Thursday, November 12th at 10:00 am.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance related to the definition of "close contact" and the spread of COVID-19. If your library used this definition in any of your policies, you will want to note this update.
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Part-time Material Handler, Mid-Hudson Library System (Poughkeepsie, NY)
The Mid-Hudson Library System is seeking a part-time Material Handler for 15 to 18 hours per week to unload boxes from delivery vans, sort materials to appropriate library bins, and organize delivery operations area. Requirements of the position include but are not limited to; strong attention to detail, ability to follow directions, work within a team environment, sort library materials, meet the physical demands of the position such as being on your feet, walking, bending, crouching, using hands, reaching, ability to lift 50lbs, and assist with unloading cargo vans. Position is Monday through Friday with hours beginning between 9:45 am and 10:30 am to mid-afternoon. Hourly wage is $14.00hr. Send résumé with prior or present employment references to delivery@midhudson.org or US mail to Mid-Hudson Library System, 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Attn: Delivery Operations Manager. No phone calls please.
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.
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