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Vol.23-19 | 5.9.23

NYS Budget Finalized

The NYS Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 has been finalized. Thank you all for your advocacy work this year! Without your help to combat against the Governor's proposed cut the news could have been far worse for libraries. We were successful in restoring library aid for the coming year to last year’s numbers. This is a good news-bad news situation as while we were not cut, we were held flat, which is essentially a cut when you consider the rising costs and contractual obligations that go up each year. Here is the final budget breakdown: 

  • Library Operating Aid: $99.6 million
  • Library Construction Aid: $34 million


Please take a moment to say thank you to your state legislators for their support.

 

Our work is not done! Now that we have averted the Governor’s proposed cut in the State budget our next advocacy challenge is to advance the 414 Petition Signature Bill (S3594 / A5266). This bill would reduce the number of signatures from 10% of the number of voters that voted in the last gubernatorial election (which can be hundreds of signatures for some libraries – anywhere between 200 - 800 in our system) to 25.


We have a short window to move this bill before the end of the legislative session in early June. The Senate and Assembly’s library committees will meet soon, and we need this bill at the top of their legislative agenda. Please reach out to the chairs of these committees to express your support for these bills and urge them to act fast. Contact info and talking points are available here.


This is also your moment to request Grants-in-Aid from your state legislators. Both the Senate and Assembly have earmarked several million dollars to help support local projects in their district. Act fast, there is no stated deadline and no application form. Just give them a call or send them an email or letter. Contact info for all Senate and Assemblymembers can be found on MHLS’ web site: https://midhudson.org/topics/sustainable-libraries/advocacy/mhls-legislators/.

MHLS Announcements

We are 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 is 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 jobs@midhudson.org.

MHLS Libraries

April is National Poetry Month — celebrate by calling the Woodstock Library Poetry Hotline! Each day in April, the Woodstock Library will be posting a poem to their Poetry Hotline. Just dial (845) 217-4391 to listen in. If you want your poem to be featured on the hotline, wait for the beep, and record your own reading as a voicemail message. Voicemail recordings must be 3 minutes or less. Readers can share poems anonymously, but please credit the author of whatever you’re reading by giving their name, the title of the poem, and the book it came from, when applicable. Users are encouraged to read their own original family-friendly poetry. Check out their POEM-A-THON page for info on other Poetry Month activities going on at Woodstock Library.

Resource Sharing & Sierra

Register today for a 30 minute OverDrive Marketplace Refresher on Friday, June 23rd at 10:30 am - 11:00 am. This session is presented by MHLS OverDrive coordinator, Nina Acosta. It is intended for library staff who are already familiar with the Marketplace and want to make sure they are getting the most out of their library’s advantage account. It offers a quick refresher on the various Marketplace features, as well as several updates on recent changes.

Sustainable Libraries

Nominations are now being accepted for the Velma K. Moore Award. Offered by the Library Trustees Association Section (LTAS) of the New York Library Association (NYLA), the Velma K. Moore Award, is given annually, to any individual or group of individual volunteers who have made exemplary contributions to the development of library services in New York State. Nominees may include trustees, a community member, library boards, or any volunteer individual or volunteer group who supports libraries. Nominations can be made by anyone in the library community. 

Nominations may be submitted by e-mail to: VKMAward.LTAS@gmail.com or by mail to: LTAS Velma K. Moore Award Committee, c/o: Suzanne Stockman, 58 Clarkes Crossing, Fairport NY 14450. The letter of nomination should include:

  • Name and address of nominee.
  • Library affiliation.
  • A statement of not more than 500 words on the reason for nomination.
  • Name, address, contact information and library affiliation of the nominator.


Deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, June 30th, 2023.

Reference & Collection Development

MHLS Data Operations Supervisor, Nina Acosta has put together a curated collection of eBooks and audiobooks on OverDrive to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. The collections will be up throughout the month of May.

Programming

Register today for ALA’s Preparing for Program Challenges at your Public Library, Wednesday May 31st, at 3:00 pm. In this free webinar, learn best practices and strategies for supporting staff, board, and community members through program challenges. Are you unsure how to handle a program challenge in your library? Do you worry about having the right policies and procedures in place? Two public library directors will share their personal experiences with intellectual freedom challenges of programs. Learn best practices and strategies for supporting staff, board, and community members through program challenges. Resources to assist in responding to challenges and crafting appropriate policies, procedures, and training will be provided. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the origins and trends in program challenges
  • Prepare a Program Policy and Statement of Concern/Request for Reconsideration Policy
  • Prepare/revise the provided Toolkit of resources to assist with program challenges
  • Assess risks associated with different programs and which stakeholders to engage during planning (security, board, police, etc.)
Trustee Resources

Trustee Tip of the Month: 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 is designed to remind, reinforce, or introduce tips that are helpful to member library trustees. 

Job Openings

Part-Time Library Clerk, Kent Public Library

Kent Public Library seeks a Part-Time Library Clerk for 10 to 17 hours a week. Pay will be $14.50 to $15.00 per hour. Must have a high school degree, be experienced with computers, courteous, service oriented and able to work with the public at a busy circulation desk. Previous library experience preferred. Please send resume to cdonick@kentlibrary.org, and mention “clerk" in subject line.


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Library Adult and Teenage Program Coordinator, Town of Esopus Library

Pay type & rate: Hourly, $22.60 

Benefit eligibility: Eligible

Part time, 30 hours a week                                                  

Position close date: Open until position filled.


The Town of Esopus Library, located in Port Ewen, is looking for a creative and motivated person with event production experience as well as library experience to act as an Adult and Teen Programming Coordinator. This person will plan and implement programs that further the library’s long-range goals, respond to stated needs from library patrons, and enhance the Library’s partnership activities with other community agencies and groups. The library offers a large community room, materials storage space, Teen room, yard space, garden, fishpond and a second floor porch that overlooks the Hudson River as programming spaces. 

 

The Adult and Teen Programming Coordinator is primarily responsible for planning, marketing, conducting, and facilitating programs for patrons ages 13 – up. The Adult and Teen Program Coordinator would also be responsible for collection development of Adult and YA materials, including books, audiobooks, movies, and e-content. 

 

Adult Programming: This staff member would be required to coordinate adult events / workshop series and oversee the ongoing, daily adult programs. Programs include, but are not limited to, book talks, art and craft classes, history lectures, music, dancing, and exercise groups. 

Teen Programming: This person would initiate a Teen Volunteer program with the long term expectation of creating a positive Teen experience which would engender additional Teen events. Collaboration with the Children’s Programmer will be essential to this position. 


The work schedule will be adjusted in order to fulfill all responsibilities of the job. Most hours will be afternoon and evening hours. Saturdays and one evening a week are required hours. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Oversee and supervise ongoing programs while introducing new programs and special events that respond to customer and community demand.
  • Research, make contact and negotiate with potential program presenters and performers.
  • Perform outreach to schools and other organizations that require teen volunteer hours.
  • Collaborate with Children’s Programmer to create fun and educational Summer Reading Program incentives and opportunities.
  • Set up and clean-up program space, introduce and assist presenter(s), and ensure that both the presenter and customers have a pleasant experience.
  • Promote programs via social media, e-newsletter, websites, email, fliers, and off site visits to community groups.
  • Keep detailed records pertaining to agreements with presenters and performers. Assess programs by keeping records of attendance which are reported to the Director, monthly. 
  • Maintain programming budget, keeping a record of all expenditures and other receipts for all necessary materials for programs.
  • Processes patron requests for library materials or information using Sierra, an online database.
  • Speak to community groups as requested.


This person must be able to:

  • Independently plan, organize and coordinate programs.
  • Establish and maintain a positive working relationship with a diverse community of customers and library staff.
  • Communicate effectively in both oral and written form with customers and staff and have excellent public speaking abilities.
  • Engage community partners, customers and staff in the promotion of library programs.
  • Exhibit flexibility and a willingness to work in a dynamic, busy, and changing environment.
  • Work a flexible schedule that includes day, night and weekend hours.
  • Learn and adapt to new and changing technologies.
  • Utilize online databases, software for creating promotional material, social media, and Microsoft Office programs.

 

This is a Civil Service position.

Education Experience requirements: 

A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Library Science, English or Communications or closely related field and one year of experience in a library setting or performing duties related to the oversight, coordination and administration of programs for adults and / or teenagers. 

OR: An Associates Degree in Education, Library Science, English or Communications or closely related field and 3 years of experience in a library setting or performing duties related to the oversight, coordination and administration of programs for adults and / or teenagers.

OR: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and 5 years of experience in a library setting or performing duties related to the oversight, coordination, and administration of programs for adults and / or teenagers.

OR: An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated above.


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Part Time Library Clerk, Howland Public Library (Multiple Openings)

Howland Public Library in Beacon is hiring! The library has multiple part-time openings for the position of Library Clerk. We are looking for responsible, friendly, team-orientated individuals, who can join our staff in providing outstanding customer service to the vibrant and diverse patrons of the Beacon City School District. Interpersonal and communication skills are vital for this position, as are attention to detail, patience, tact, and politeness, while still being able to uphold the rules of the library. Comfort with computers and technology is crucial.  

Job Duties: 

  • Checks library materials in and out, places holds, and explains lending rules when needed 
  • Calculates and collects fees, makes change, and issues receipts 
  • Creates and updates patron records 
  • Assists patrons on the telephone and routes calls properly 
  • Performs shelving, hold retrieval, shelf reading, and general stack maintenance  
  • Assists patrons with copiers, faxes, computers, and the self-print kiosk 
  • Participates in rotation at the technology help desk 
  • Provides assistance with patron questions, particularly using the catalog and locating books in the library 
  • May assist Technical Services department in sorting, inspecting, or processing materials  
  • Participates in continuing education as assigned  
  • Does related work as required 
  • Flexibility is a plus. Possibility of adding more hours when shift coverage is needed or during special events, if desired 

Pay: $15.00/hr, paid on a bi-weekly pay period 

Benefits: Paid holiday and bereavement time. Staff scheduled for 12 hours or more per week are entitled to sick time and vacation. All staff members receive an Employee Assistance Program at no cost.


Howland Public Library participates in the New York State and Local Retirement System.  


Civil Service minimum qualifications: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma. Clerical work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis in lieu of a high school diploma up to a maximum of two years. Special requirement: Candidates must indicate ability to type, i.e., courses in typing or typing work experience.  


Preferred qualifications: Customer service experience or experience in a library setting.  

All available shifts are under 20 hours per week. Weekend or evening hours are required. This position involves standing for extended periods of time and lifting materials and packages that can weigh up to 25lbs.  


If you would like to apply, please send a cover letter and resume along with your schedule availability to Director Kristen Salierno at director@beaconlibrary.org by May 22, 2023.


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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