Vol.23-13 | 3.28.23

The Pronoun Workshop

The Mid-Hudson Library System welcomes back Lori and Kayden from The SafeZone Initiative LLC for The Pronoun Workshop on Monday, May 8th from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. 


In this interactive webinar, participants will work through hands-on activities to practice utilizing pronouns in different contexts. Facilitators will guide the conversation around proper pronoun usage, what to do when you misgender someone, the history of pronouns, as well as practicing utilizing them in day-to-day conversations. This will help to build knowledge on best respecting all aspects of folks’ identities which includes their pronouns!

This online session is open to all MHLS member library directors, staff and trustees. Though this session will be held online it will not be recorded to help foster a safe space for participants to have an open dialogue.


The SafeZone Initiative LLC presented Fostering LGBTQ+ Inclusive Libraries for MHLS in September 2022. 


MHLS EDI in Libraries Series: MHLS is committed to working with member libraries to create space for discussion, self-reflection, and resources to aid in the development of more inclusive collections, programs, and partnerships with an overarching goal to build empathy, respect and understanding among neighbors, to activate civic engagement, and to build community resilience that will authentically uphold our core values of diversity, democracy, and social responsibility.

MHLS Announcements

Mid-Hudson is hiring! Mid-Hudson Library System seeks an experienced and well-organized individual for the position of full time Interlibrary Loan / Cataloging Specialist to join our team.


This position’s responsibilities include cataloging, management of interlibrary loan activities, support of correctional facility libraries, and general ILS and Technology Operations Team support. Strong candidates for this position are customer service oriented and are a strong team player. An understanding of MARC based cataloging is desired as is experience with the Innovative Sierra ILS. The successful candidate will require time management abilities as well as excellent communication skills. 


Critical skills: customer service, cataloging, MARC, OCLC 

Key qualities: organized, attention to detail, strong task management 

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree preferred, and two (2) years related experience and/or training 

Salary: $40,000-$45,000  

To apply: Please email your résumé and cover letter to job@midhudson.org.

Professional Development

Southeastern NY Library Resources Council (SENYLRC) invites you to the 8th Annual SENYCon on Friday, April 14th! SENYCon is a forum for presenters from the many organization types SENYLRC represents academic, public, school, and cultural heritage organizations. SENYCon 2023 will feature in-person presentations, one or two people presenting virtually, and options for attendees to watch either way. Register to attend in person at their Highland, NY office, or register to watch the presentations broadcast live online. 


View the program lineup for the day.  

Resource Sharing & Sierra

OverDrive will be discontinuing their OverDrive app as of May 1st, 2023. The company will instead focus on supporting the Libby app for mobile devices going forward.


Leading up to the transition, in-app messaging will remind any remaining OverDrive app users to switch to Libby. Once the OverDrive app has been sunset, users who attempt to use the OverDrive app will see the following message about upgrading to Libby:

Please note an exception for users of Kindle Fire devices, who may continue using the OverDrive app for the foreseeable future. Amazon has not yet accepted the Libby app to the Amazon Appstore, so the OverDrive app will remain available for Kindle Fire users to download and access until further notice. Alternatively, users with Kindle Fire devices may sideload Libby by following these steps.


Some concerns have recently been expressed by staff at our member libraries, that users might lose access to their reading history in the transition to Libby. After reaching out to OverDrive for clarification, it has been determined that the answer is not a simple yes or no but depends on the patron's usage and settings. Please refer to this knowledge base page for more information on reading history.


Here are some additional resources for library staff and patrons to help with the transition.


For library staff:


For patrons:

Sustainable Libraries

On Wednesday April 19th at 2:00 pm, join MHLS for Applying for Funds Through the State Aid for Library Construction Program. This one-hour webinar is designed for Mid-Hudson Library System member library directors and trustees who would like an introduction to the New York State Aid for Public Library Construction Grant Program and an orientation for how to take the first step to apply in the new grant cycle – the submission of the MHLS Action Memo reporting a library’s construction needs and intent to apply for a grant. During this session we will cover:

  • An introduction to the grant program
  • A review of the MHLS Board’s priorities for funding
  • Orientation to the MHLS Action Memo which serves as the first step to applying.
Trustee Resources

Register today for Trustee Essentials on April 13th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. This webinar provides a foundation of knowledge that other workshops in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will build on. Library board members looking for essential, basic information to increase their effectiveness in serving on a library board will benefit from attending this session.


Attendees will develop a working knowledge of library funding and organization in New York State; receive a clear overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities and receive an introduction to Open Meetings Law and best practices for effective board meetings. This session is particularly for new board members, but open to all.


Prefer to meet in-person? Join MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich on April 27th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm for a session of Trustee Essentials taking place in-person at the Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium in Poughkeepsie, NY. Reserve your seat

Administration & Management

The recording of the New York State Library (NYSL) February 14th webinar Understanding DASNY: A Primer for Library Construction Projects is now available on the NYS Library webinars page


This webinar was designed for public and association libraries and library systems to learn more about library construction projects and the review that they undergo by the staff of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). 

Job Openings

Library Manager, Red Hook Public Library

The Red Hook Public Library’s Board of Trustees is seeking a dynamic leader with a passion for exceptional library service and the ability to lead a talented team of 13 staff members to enhance the Library’s role in a continually changing environment. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated knowledge of sound public library management principles, innovative approaches, and current professional practices. The Manager will need to be an effective communicator among staff, patrons, community groups, and Board members. While not a requirement, it is the Board’s preference that the new Manager be familiar with the Hudson Valley community and knowledge of the operations of a library situated in an exurban environment. The new Manager will be expected to be highly organized, an innovative thinker, and successfully represent the Library in all areas of public relations. It is expected the new Manager will become familiar with and involved with the Mid-Hudson Library System and the library community at large. They will likewise maintain and foster close relations with area schools and other community partners. The RHPL is a municipal library chartered by the Village of Red Hook and serves 11,000 Town of Red Hook residents, all families residing within the Red Hook Central School District area and other regional residents who elect to participate in Library programs.  


The salary range for this position is $58,500 - 69,000, commensurate with experience. Vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays included. The Red Hook Public Library is an EOE. This position reports to the Board of Trustees. 


The principal duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following areas:


Operations

  • Manages Library staff comprised of professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff, and maintains a positive labor-management relationship
  • Recruits, hires, schedules, and oversees training of all new employees
  • Performs annual staff evaluations and sets goals for each employee’s annual review
  • Oversees all collection development by choosing and administering the purchase of Library materials and services that best meet the needs of the community
  • Supervises all staff engaged in programming activities
  • Collects data on usage of Library collections and programs
  • Produces or oversees production of monthly newsletter
  • Liaises or assigns staff to liaise with all governmental agencies and community groups
  • Supervises the maintenance of all Library property and recommends repairs, alterations and new construction projects; acts as “Owner’s Rep” on all construction projects
  • Is knowledgeable on the application of computer technology regarding Library systems including online databases, services, etc.
  • Possesses strong written and oral communication skills 
  • Maintains, updates, and ensures adherence to current policies and effectively distributes any changes to staff on a timely basis. Recommends policy reviews as needed
  • Posts all Library information publicly as required by law
  • Keeps informed of professional development through participation in professional organizations, Mid Hudson Library system trainings, workshops, and keeping up-to-date on professional trends and reading materials 


Financial

  • Provides oversight on all financial matters including supervising the work of the Library’s contracted CPA firm who is responsible for providing all financial reports including monthly and annual Balance Sheets, P & Ls, local, state and national filings, annual AUD, and intermittent audits. In addition, the Manager works closely with the CPA firm to administer the bi-weekly payroll. 
  • Monitors monthly expenditures and provides sound fiscal management of the Library
  • Develops and administers the Library annual budget and long range financial plans
  • Actively researches and pursues grant funding opportunities and works with staff to submit applications in a timely fashion
  • Represents the Library when seeking financial support from non-governmental sources such as private foundations


Board Relations

  • Prepares annual operating and capital budget for approval by the Board of Trustees and manages expenses in relation to established budgetary goals and long-range plan
  • Oversees maintenance of the facility and equipment and keeps the Board of Trustees informed of facility conditions and needed repairs
  • Is accountable to the Board of Trustees through its designated officers and committee chairs
  • Recommends policies and procedures and attends meetings of the Board of Trustees and its committees
  • Prepares monthly Director’s Report and monthly Board packages. Posts all materials in a timely fashion in advance of monthly Board of Trustee meetings
  • Keeps Board of Trustees apprised of all material issues or developments in a timely manner

 

Community Outreach

  • Collaborates and builds relations between the Library and the community
  • Serves as a liaison with the Mid-Hudson Library System and various organizations
  • Directs a public relations plan to ensure the community is aware of the library’s services, programs and collections
  • Oversees the maintenance and posting of timely material to the Library website
  • Maintains and posts to all social media accounts in a timely manner 

 

Requirements

  • At least 2+ years of public library (or similar library, nonprofit, or other relevant) administrative experience
  • At least 2+ years of significant personnel supervisory and management experience 
  • Demonstrated budgeting and financial planning experience 
  • Public Speaking experience


Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of 3 professional references (at least one from a supervisor/former supervisor) no later than April 30, 2023 via email to don.trustee@redhooklibrary.org, Board President – Red Hook Public Library. In the subject line please include “Manager Position.”  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

MHLS Calendar


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