In October 2021 Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library and Queens Public Library became the latest and largest public library systems in the country to go fine-free. These are the most recent examples of a growing number of libraries and library systems instituting fine-free policies over the last few years. This trend is in part due to the American Library Association (ALA) passing a resolution in January 2019 on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Inequity stating, “The American Library Association asserts that imposition of monetary library fines creates a barrier to the provision of library and information services.”
The pandemic put these inequities into high relief for many communities. Tony Marx, president of the New York Public Library, stated in the organizations press release, “...Unfortunately, fines are quite effective at preventing our most vulnerable communities from using our branches, services, and books," adding that prohibiting library access would be "the antithesis of our mission." The three New York City systems have also cleared all prior late fines from patron accounts.
There are currently twenty-four MHLS member libraries that are completely fine free. This number has steadily increased over the last few years from twelve in 2019 and sixteen in 2020 (prior to the pandemic). Highland Public Library went completely fine free on November 1st after testing the model for two years with children under 18 and seniors 65 and older.
- Amenia Free Library
- Brewster Public Library
- Chatham Public Library
- Claverack Free Library
- Blodgett Memorial Library (Fishkill)
- Desmond-Fish Public Library (Garrison)
- Highland Public Library
- Roeliff Jansen Community Library
- Kinderhook Memorial Library
- Livingston Free Library
- Mahopac Public Library
- Marlboro Free Library
- Millbrook Library
- Olive Free Library Association
- Patterson Library
- Philmont Public Library
- Phoenicia Library
- Putnam Valley Free Library
- Starr Library (Rhinebeck)
- Morton Memorial Library and Community House (Rhinecliff)
- Stanford Free Library
- Valatie Free Library
- West Hurley Public Library
- Woodstock Public Library District
Eight MHLS libraries are currently partially fine-free. These libraries have eliminated fines for children and/or children’s items.
- Kingston Library
- Elting Memorial Library (New Paltz)
- North Chatham Free Library
- Pleasant Valley Free Library
- Red Hook Public Library
- Saugerties Public Library
- Staatsburg Library
- Town of Ulster Public Library
|
|
Image courtesy of Starr Library in Rhinebeck. Starr went fine free earlier this year.
|
|
REMINDER: MHLS will be closed on Thursday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored. |
|
Poughkeepsie Public Library District has curated a resource guide for November’s Native American Heritage Month. The guide has fiction & nonfiction print and web sources for adults, kids, teens, and educators that reflect accurate, authentic, and contemporary representations of Native Americans. |
|
There is still time to register for Let’s Move in Libraries on Friday, November 19th at 10:00 am. This 90-minute webinar focuses on how you and your library can get involved in local, regional, national, and even international efforts to transform cultures of health. With their impressive reach and great potential for impact, public libraries can and do support healthy communities through StoryWalks®, seed collections, Yoga classes, gardens, cooking classes, and much, much more. What public librarians do in particular places is a function of the partnerships and community connections they're able to establish and leverage. Join Dr. Noah Lenstra, Director of Let's Move in Libraries, to learn how your library can join the thousands of libraries around the world promoting healthy living!
|
|
Resource Sharing & Sierra |
Join MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager, Laurie Shedrick for Edit your Print Templates on Tuesday, December 7th at 12:00 pm. Making small changes to your notices or date due slip is something that you can do yourself. Take this one-hour lunchtime webinar, and you will have the tools to edit your own notices to include changes in hours, upcoming events and more. |
|
Raise Your Voice for the Build America’s Libraries Act! Congress is in the final days of making negotiations for the long-awaited budget reconciliation package, and libraries need your help! T ake action now to urge that libraries be included in the Build Back Better Act. As prominent voices in the Senate, it’s important that your Senators, Gillibrand and Schumer, hear from you and understand that funding for library construction must be included in the bill. Reach out to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer today and urge them to include funding for library construction in the final budget reconciliation bill!
|
Please note: The November 18th date reflects the international timetable for this event.
Libraries and Sustainability Seminar Wednesday, November 17th 6:30 – 9:30 pm. This online seminar will bring together international and national and local libraries to gain an understanding on how sustainability is a shared global experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A, hear from library directors who have completed the Sustainable Library Certification program and gain an insight into how sustainability is more than ‘green’ libraries.
|
|
Project ENABLE (Expanding Non-discriminatory Access By Librarians Everywhere) is continuing to collect impact stories, as part of their IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant. The purpose of these stories is to demonstrate how even small changes can have a big impact on your patrons with disabilities. Project ENABLE is looking for stories from library staff about a change you have made or helped make, within the past five years, to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in your library, whether during a lockdown, renovation or fully open. They are offering $100 for your story, if accepted by Project ENABLE team, and will add it to their Project ENABLE database and may even feature it in their newsletter.
To get an idea of what they mean by "impact story," go to https://projectenable.syr.edu and choose Resources from the top menu. Once in the Resources database, choose "impact story" from the pull-down Format menu and click search. There are already several examples in there from all types of libraries across the U.S. and beyond. Each impact story should include (1) your name, email address, the name of your library, and the location of your library; (2) what prompted your idea for change; (3) what that change was and its intended goal; (4) any barriers (if any) you faced when making that change; (5) any supports (e.g., people, funding) you had (if any) that helped enable that change; (5) evidence that you achieved your goal through impact, as revealed in an observation, a conversation, etc. of that change on at least one patron with a disability. Each story should be between 300-400 words in length. If you have any questions or are ready to submit your story, please send to Dr. Ruth Small, Director, Project ENABLE at drruth@syr.edu. |
|
Reference & Collection Development |
Reserve your spot for The Next Great Read: Readers’ Advisory on a Dime on Wednesday, November 17th at 10:00 am. Join a panel of your peers to learn about best practices and everyday tips. Readers' Advisory (RA) is a fundamental library service to connect readers with new titles they may not have otherwise known about. This 90-minute online event is designed by the Central Library/ Collection Development Advisory Committee of the Mid-Hudson Library System to ensure member libraries have the skills and resources to provide quality RA services and maximize collections that we already have. |
|
Help Shape the Field of Maker Programming in Libraries! In conjunction with a 2-year IMLS Grant Project, The New Face of Library Makerspaces, Makers in the Library is looking for libraries to serve as Charter Members to help lay the foundation for a national Collective and take a leadership role in the project. The libraries chosen will have their profile raised in the field and be featured on both the Makers in the Library and Nation of Makers websites. They will also be at the forefront of leading the direction the field takes on library makerspaces and help decide the priorities for this Collective, the questions we address, and the ways we learn and grow together.
Charter Members will receive a stipend for committing to the following through August 31st, 2023:
- Create systems and processes for how the Collective will be run such as: shaping the mission/vision, fostering communication channels, building systems to grow the membership, etc.
- Alert Collective leaders to important issues that arise in the field and help to lead activities (e.g., a survey of the field) to learn how libraries have modified services during the pandemic.
- Serve as a mentor for other libraries to help build their capacity to create community-centered maker programming.
The deadline to apply is November 15th, 2021. Visit their website for more information and details on how to apply.
|
|
There are still spots left for the Trustee Handbook Book Club session on Tuesday, November 16 th from 5:00-6:30 pm. Join co-authors of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State Jerry Nichols and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich to discuss Library Board Meetings.
|
|
Administration & Management |
NYS Commissioner of Health officially posted the extension of the designation of COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” through December 15th, 2021. The NYS Commissioner of Health originally issued the designation on September 6 th, 2021, prompting covered private employers in New York State including association libraries to activate their NY HERO Act airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans. The initial designation was effective through September 30 th, 2021. The latest extension will be reviewed December 15 th, 2021, and the circumstances surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic considered in determining whether to extend the designation at that time. Accordingly, association libraries should continue to operate under NY HERO Act plans in place. |
|
A new law signed by Governor Hochul provides for a charge-back of refunds of taxes levied by a school district to association, municipal, and special district public libraries. The purpose of this legislation is to provide clarification regarding which types of public libraries a school district may levy a charge-back of refunds. This law will go into effect January 1st, 2022.
|
|
Assistant Library Director I, Town of Esopus Library
The Town of Esopus Library, in Port Ewen, NY, is seeking an energetic, flexible and creative person to fill a part- to full-time (30-40 hours/week) Assistant Library Director I position. The work is performed under the general direction of the Director and involves the responsibility of assisting the Library Director in assigned phases of library administration and services. The incumbent is responsible for acting for the Director when delegated. Work is performed in accordance with prescribed policy allowing for considerable leeway for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The successful candidate will possess the ability and inspiration to develop innovative ideas for library services, and possess excellent skills with, and knowledge of, technology and the use and creation of social media. Strong computer skills are necessary.
Incumbents may perform the following, as well as other related activities not described: recommends policies and procedures to the Library Director, conducts studies and analysis of library operations, plans, recommends and promotes new types of programs and/or services, develops grants for library programs and services, participates in and/or supervises the selection of library materials, provides reference and reader’s advisory services to library users, instructs library users in the best use of library resources, conducts staff trainings, keeps informed of professional developments by participating in trainings and by reading professional material, participates in preparing the annual budget, prepares required state, local, and other statistical or narrative reports. Supervises the work of others.
Candidates should possess thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of library science, library administrative practices, library materials and their arrangement, computer technology for library operations, social media, ability to participate in the cultural and intellectual activities of the community, ability to carry out library policies, ability to comprehend users’ needs quickly and accurately, ability to train and supervise others, ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, show initiative in making constructive suggestions for the improvements in services and collections. The incumbent should display good judgment, tact and courtesy, as well as possess physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. Displays a positive and friendly attitude. The ability to interact positively with patrons is necessary, as well as an ability to reach out to the community. Does related work as necessary. Evening and weekend hours may be required.
Salary begins at $25.89/hour, and includes benefits: medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement, paid vacation, personal, and sick time, paid family leave.
Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or University with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, and one year of professional full-time, or it’s part time equivalent, experience in a library of recognized standing.
Special Requirement: Possession of a New York State Librarian’s Professional Certificate at time of appointment.
Please send résumé, meaningful cover letter, and three professional references to: Library Director, Town of Esopus Library, PO Box 1167, Port Ewen, NY 12466, or email to esopusdirector@gmail.com. Review of applicants as received, open until filled. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Adult Program Coordinator, Pawling Library
The Pawling Library is seeking a Full Time Young Adult Program Coordinator. The coordinator will oversee all aspects of library programs and services that target children between the ages of ten and eighteen. We are looking for a caring individual who will bring excitement and innovation to the Pawling Free Library’s programming. The candidate should have the ability to design meaningful educational programs for teens and tweens, and a willingness to foster partnerships with outside organizations in providing services to the children of Pawling. While the Young Adult Program Coordinator will principally be responsible (30 hours per week) for serving young adult patrons, he or she will also be expected to assist (7 hours per week) with children’s programs for elementary age children and their families.
This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, and multi-tasking. Most importantly, the candidate should possess excellent communication skills and the ability to connect to young adults.
Responsibilities include:
- Planning and coordinating young adult programs.
- Planning, coordinating and creating promotional material for young adult programs.
- Seeking alternative funding for young adult programs (e.g. grants and sponsorship).
- Maintaining young adult program and materials budgets.
- Coordinating young adult volunteers and adults who volunteer to assist with young adult programming.
- Providing departmental information for the director’s monthly report.
- Advising the library administration on library services.
- Collection development.
- Assisting the children’s department with programming for elementary aged children.
- Providing reference and readers’ advisory when needed.
- Assisting with circulation and other library functions as necessary.
Minimum Requirements:
- Commitment to creative and effective young adult programming.
- Interest in current reading, viewing and listening interests of adolescents and teens.
- A large degree of comfort with technology.
- Ability to provide reference service and/or guide teens toward materials in print and electronic resources.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Public library or teaching experience preferred, but not required. Regular evenings and weekends are required as is occasional circulation desk coverage
Position: Full-time: 37 hours per week
Pay: $30,000 – $38,000, depending on experience and qualifications
Benefits: Paid time off available on a rolling basis. Health and dental insurance available after three months.
Instructions to Applicants: Interested individuals should apply online. Visit pawlingfreelibrary.org/jobs to apply. Only candidates who apply through the library’s website by Sunday November 28 th will be considered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Clerk (part-time), Woodstock Public Library District
The Woodstock Library has an immediate part-time opening (8-17.5 hours/week) for a friendly, patient, reliable, tech-savvy, flexible, detail, and customer-service oriented person excited to work with patrons in a busy community library.
Responsibilities include working with the public: assisting patrons, in-person at the library and on the phone, with a wide variety of informational needs. Staff person will be responsible for sorting, shelving, and locating library materials; maintaining organization, general appearance of library, and cleaning per CDC guidance; and provide simple directional information; basic assistance on the use of the online library catalog, library resources, computers, and other technology or software. Computer and alphabetization skills, high school diploma or equivalency required. Sense of humor recommended. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.
Hours: weekday and some Saturdays, 8-17.5 hours/week. Wage: $15/hour, with paid vacation, sick, and personal time. To apply please email résumé and cover letter to director@woodstock.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
