2022 Executive Budget Announced |
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For the first time in over six years, Governor Kathy Hochul broke a long-standing trend with the Executive Budget with a proposed increase to General Aid for libraries. The proposed number is $96.1 million, a $2 million increase over 2021. However, this number is still well below full formula funding in Education Law, which is $106.2 million, and those formulas have not been adjusted to allow for inflation over the past several decades. The New York Library Association (NYLA) is calling for an investment in library aid at the level of $123.1 million.
For the second year in a row, the Executive Budget proposes a reduction to the State Library Construction Aid Program by $20 million to $14 million. This is the same pattern the former Governor used of rolling back the legislative add-on. We successfully advocated for this to be restored last year and we will work to do the same again this year. NYLA is calling for an investment in the State Aid for Library Construction Program at the level of $45 million.
With the legislature's support, libraries can receive the investment they need to ensure our communities thrive. NYLA is calling on all library advocates from library staff and trustees to library to help our state representatives understand the value libraries bring to help New Yorkers. Let your legislators know how critical libraries are by sending a letter today to our representatives in Albany through NYLA’s Online Advocacy Center!
Save the Date(s)! Join us for the Mid-Hudson Library System’s “Advocacy Week”: February 28th - March 4th, 2022. We will be hosting online meetings with all area state representatives and issuing calls to action for a push on social media to draw attention to the value and importance of libraries to government officials at the state level. Watch the MHLS Bulletin and listservs for more information.
Register for NYLA’s Social Media Member Training webinar on February 23rd at 3:00 pm. In this 90-minute session, representatives from the New York Library Association will review “ social media training” (primary focus on Twitter) led by Christina Romeo, NYLA’s Communications & Marketing Manager. This session will also be recorded and posted on the LAD22 subpage for those that cannot attend.
Fine tune your talking points about how your library has helped your residents during the pandemic and how MHLS has supported you in this work. This is where we want to focus our messaging to demonstrate to legislators that we are more than just books and that local libraries can do more, for less, thanks to their partnerships forged within the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Don’t let the pandemic stop you from inviting your state representatives to your library or to offer to advertise virtual office hours. Citizens need a platform to connect with their representatives and their local library is still a place that can help to facilitate that access.
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The Council of the New York Library Association (NYLA) has announced that they have unanimously chosen AnnaLee Dragon as their new executive director! That is a familiar name and face to us here at MHLS as AnnaLee has served with distinction as the director of the Kinderhook Memorial Library in Columbia County for the past 10 years and has been an active member of the MHLS Directors Association (DA) during that time, holding a variety of leadership positions including Chair of the DA. We couldn’t be more excited at this news! From NYLA Councils press release: “She has demonstrated a passion for libraries, advocacy, and for NYLA that is contagious and inspiring. AnnaLee is ready to face our current challenges head-on – from taking a fresh look at finances to fostering a positive culture among staff, Council, and membership.” We wish AnnaLee all the luck in the world but know that if her past performance is any indicator, the New York Library Community is in very good hands! |
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All libraries in Columbia County have added NewsBank to their online resources. Now residents throughout the county will have online access to current and back issues of local newspapers such as the Register-Star, Times Union, Berkshire Eagle, and Chatham Courier, as well as to news sources throughout the county though their library’s website. In addition, residents with an interest in genealogy will also have access to HeritageHub, which includes hundreds of years of obituaries and death notices from thousands of newspapers across the United States, as well as to Black Life in America, a digital archive of news media on African American history, offering balanced coverage from diverse sources published from 1704 through present day. This new resource is provided thanks to funding from Columbia County to the Columbia County Libraries Association. |
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Resource Sharing & Sierra |
Sierra upgrade 5.4 was installed on January 26th. All checklists for testing of Sierra, Encore and all the connected processes and services have been completed by the MHLS Tech Ops team. For a list of upgrades and fixes in this recent release please visit the MHLS Knowledge Base. Any questions or issues can be directed to techsupport@midhudson.org. |
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There is still time to register for the upcoming Library of Local Information Session on February 4th at 10:00 am. The Library of Local (LoL) is expanding in 2022, and MHLS libraries have the opportunity to sign up to be part of the program as Micro-Hubs. Join Matt Stinchcomb and MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator Casey Conlin of the LoL Project Team for a look at what to expect from the Library of Local in 2022, and how your library can become part of this program and help build resilience in your community. This session will review the expectations for and benefits of participation in the LoL program. |
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The next OverDrive Together We Read title is The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade. The Five Wounds will be available for use on the MHLS OverDrive website from February 7 th to February 21 st. The title, along with a promotional spotlight will appear at the top of the page. Check out these free marketing materials to get the word out to your community about Together We Read and The Five Wounds! Get readers talking with this discussion guide designed to encourage conversation and be sure to join the discussion with #togetherweread on social media. |
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Your library’s charter dictates how many trustees you have on the board. The library’s bylaws should be in compliance with the library’s charter in order to continue to operate legally.
Trustee responsibilities are small in number but broad in scope. This monthly Bulletin feature, Trustee Tips is designed to remind, reinforce, or introduce tips that are helpful to member library trustees.
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Administration & Management |
Governor Hochul extended the NYS "mask or vax" mandate through February 10th, 2022. Hochul indicated the mask rule will be considered every two weeks for an extension. New Yorkers are encouraged to upgrade to KN95 masks. KN95 masks have most recently been distributed to local organizations through state legislators.
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The Annual Report software is now open, and libraries can begin working on their annual reports. All member library directors should have received an email that includes information for logging in and accessing the annual report. Each library is required to complete the annual report by February 25th, 2022, at 5:00 pm.
Each year, MHLS distributes a packet with information on your library’s circulation and holdings from the previous year to help in completing your annual report. Information for accessing this packet was emailed to library directors directly and via the MHLS Notice List. Please note: this year’s annual report packet will not be distributed through MHLS delivery as in previous years. You can download your library’s information packet from the provided URL and print it out if you prefer a hard copy of the information.
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Librarian I - Youth Services, Marlboro Free Library
The Marlboro Free Library, a small public library (pop. 12,000) in New York’s Hudson Valley, seeks a highly motivated, self-starting individual to join our enthusiastic, supportive team and fill the position of full-time Youth Services Librarian. This Civil Service position involves supervising youth programs and services in the context of the Library’s overall educational mission. The work requires that the employee have considerable knowledge, skill, and ability in every phase of the public library field, particularly as it relates to youth library services.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Plan, prepare, and present dynamic, age-appropriate educational programs for youth.
- Conduct preschool and after-school programs and some weekend programs.
- Conduct program outreach, registration, and keep statistics.
- Assist with the selection and acquisition of books, toys, craft materials and other items specific to youth services.
- Maintain the youth collections (print, media, etc.).
- Develop, schedule and administer the annual summer reading program for youth.
- Assist in preparing the annual report particularly as to it relates to youth services.
- Act as a liaison with the school media specialists in the Marlboro Central School District.
- Provide reference and reader’s advisory guidance to children, parents and teachers.
- Assume responsibility and a leadership role for special projects.
- Hire performers for youth programming.
- Keep abreast of professional news and trends in journals and media.
- Present information about library services and programs to individuals and groups.
- Attend community events to promote Library programs and services.
- Pursue continuing education opportunities.
- Work as part of a team with the other library staff.
- Assist with circulation services as needed, including occasional evening & weekend CD shifts.
- Assist with staff training as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills & Qualifications:
- MLS or MSIS degree from an A.L.A. accredited institution; coursework in education a plus.
- New York State professional certificate for public librarian or school media specialist
- Strong understanding of current & emerging library technology.
- Strong customer service skills including an ability to work well with children and young adults.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
This is a competitive Civil Service position.
Benefits Include: Paid vacation, sick, personal, and holidays; NYS Retirement; single medical & dental benefits.
Schedule: Full-time (days, evenings, some weekends required).
Salary: Starting at $22.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter, résumé, and 3 references to mflnews@marlborolibrary.org by March 1 st, 2022 for consideration. No calls please. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Librarian II – Poughkeepsie Public Library District
The Library District seeks an individual to join the Library District’s Youth Services department. Primary responsibilities include programming, collection development, evening and weekend public desk assignments at the Youth Services Desks (one evening per week and Saturday rotation), and community outreach.
Qualifications: Candidates must meet these minimum qualifications:
- ALA MLS recognized by the NYS Department of Education,
- Minimum of two (2) years professional library experience subsequent to the MLS
- Eligibility for a NYS Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate at the time of application for appointment; possession of certificate at time of appointment
This is a Civil Service appointment. For permanent appointment, the selected candidate will serve a probationary period of up to six (6) months and must be reachable on an appropriate Civil Service List of Eligibles, once the examination is given and the List established.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics: In addition to the above minimum qualifications, the Library District seeks an individual with the following attributes:
- A desire for civic engagement with the local community and interests and a passion to bring the Library District’s mission and vision outside the building and to the community at large,
- Thorough knowledge of Innovative’s Sierra system preferred but not required,
- Youth Services experience highly preferred,
- Leadership and a willingness to actively support the Library District’s management team,
- Thorough understanding of contemporary public library standards and practices,
- Ability to effectively work with a diverse staff serving a diverse population
- Willingness to participate in state and national library organizations
- Ability to effectively use library data to analyze Library District operations to effect positive change, as needed
- Willingness to work with the other managers in the development of Library District policies and procedures as well as service plan implementation
About the Poughkeepsie Public Library District: The Library District (www.poklib.org) is an independent special library district serving the residents and businesses of the City and Town of Poughkeepsie with a chartered population of 75,000 and an annual budget of $9.7 million. The Library District operates the Adriance Memorial Library and the Boardman Road Branch Library along with a bookmobile service. In February 2022, the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Branch Library will open at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie.
Compensation: This is a Civil Service, represented appointment with the annual salary determined by collective bargaining. Current salary upon appointment will be between $59,192 (Step 1) and $65,136 (Step 5), depending on experience and qualifications. 35-hour work week. Standard benefit package applies including medical and NYS Retirement System pension plan. Other benefits may be elected. Standard leave package applies.
To Apply: Interested candidates should apply with cover letter and résumé via email to Library Director Tom Lawrence at tlawrence@poklib.org. All applications will be kept confidential. References will be requested of finalists, only.
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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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