Vol.24-05 | 1.30.24

The Kinderhook Memorial Library (KML) recently earned the designation of being a “Certified Sustainable Library” through the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP). This award-winning program, offered through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, requires completion of a series of action items that demonstrate the library’s commitment to the principles of environmental stewardship, social equity and economic feasibility.

Following a major renovation and expansion project completed in 2018, the Kinderhook Memorial Library found opportunity in the Sustainable Library Certification Program to continue improving not only physical aspects of their building, but also their policies and philosophies. Kinderhook Memorial Library completed a wide array of remarkable accomplishments during their pursuance of certification. Perhaps most notably was their dedication to finding waste disposal solutions through a number of different recycling programs. Sustainably managing a collection can be a challenge, yet Kinderhook found results in donating unwanted materials to their Friends of the Library book sales, local schools and churches, community organizations, or Little Free Libraries. Materials too damaged for reusing were mulched and used on a local farm.

Kinderhook also participated in the popular NexTrex challenge: not only once, but four times. In total, the library has recycled over 2,000 pounds of plastic and earned 4 free recycled-plastic benches which they gave back to their community. The NexTrex challenge was reportedly very popular with patrons, along with their battery recycling program which has recycled over 950 pounds to-date, their CD recycling program on Earth Day last year which recycled over 20 pounds of CDs, and their gathering of recyclable electronics from the community which are refurbished by GE Elfun in the nearby city of Schenectady and gifted to local schools and organizations that cannot afford to purchase necessary electronics.

Other significant achievements included: creating a sustainability collection (ECO); planting a three-season pollinator garden and native trees; loaning out bicycle locks to patrons; inviting local firefighters to demonstrate how firefighting equipment works and read stories to children; partnering with a local supermarket to promote “Meatless Mondays,” an initiative that encourages people to reduce their meat consumption one day a week for their personal health and the health of our planet; installing three Little Free Libraries in local parks and along trails to ensure access to books and increase the visibility of the library throughout the community; changing signage to be bilingual in English and Spanish; and building their collection of Spanish language books for all ages -- among many others.

KML was supported through this process by MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator Laura Crisci who supports thirteen member libraries currently working through the certification program. “Hats off to the Kinderhook Library team that put such thoughtful work into achieving this milestone,” said Laura, “It was a pleasure to guide them through this process. I look forward to seeing how the Library builds upon this accomplishment and continues to foster well-being and resilience in the community.”  

Kinderhook Memorial Library is the second library in the Mid-Hudson Library System and the twentieth public library in the world to complete the Sustainable Library Certification Program! For information on how your library can participate in the program contact Library Sustainability Coordinator, Laura Crisci

REMINDER: MHLS Member Library Friends Group Meetup | April 16 | 3:00 pm | Kinderhook Memorial Library, 18 Hudson Street, Kinderhook | REGISTER

All MHLS member library Friends Groups interested in sharing their experiences, questions, and concerns for building and sustaining a Friends Group are welcome to attend. The Friends of the Kinderhook Memorial Library will give a brief presentation of what their group is working on and will have a fundraising sharing session. Bring your best ideas!

Putnam Valley Free Library and Hyde Park Free Library are 2 of 20 recipients of the Partners for Climate Action Building Decarbonization Grants program. The funding, totaling $650,000 assists municipalities and local nonprofits in the Hudson Valley that are reducing the carbon footprint of their buildings. Putnam Valley Free Library received $20,992 for new insulation and a heat pump to replace an old furnace, and Hyde Park Free Library received $12,000 for design, engineering, and grant writing for their historic building’s HVAC system. See climateactionhv.org/decarb-grant for more information.

Celebrate Smokey’s 80th Birthday by joining the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge! This challenge is meant to engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. It is also designed to complement the 2024 Collaborative Summer Reading Program theme of Adventure Begins at Your Library. READsquared the Summer Reading Program online registration tool provided by the NYS Library free to public libraries has incorporated the Smokey Bear Challenge into their platform. The challenge is geared for ages 4 to 10, but all ages are welcome.

The Mid-Hudson Library System has a limited number of stickers, stamps, and information cards for our members. Interested member libraries should complete this form to receive these materials to use in their program. First come, first serve!



Smokey Bear Challenge downloadable library toolkit. Digital toolkit items include: 

• Paper challenge log 
• Smokey’s Reading List 
• Printable posters, bookmarks, certificates, coloring sheets, games, and prizes 
• Promotional images for web platforms, digital displays, and social media. 

Participation requirements: The USDA Forest Service will be asking for feedback from libraries that used the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge program materials. Libraries should keep track of completed challenge certificates and report that number back to their systems in the fall. 

Additional information will be provided by the State Library when it’s time for libraries to report on their Smokey Bear Challenge activities. Questions? Please contact MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger. 

New York Library Association (NYLA) Membership Renewal Reminder – as NYLA is moving to a new fixed membership year, June 1^st – May 31^st, all joining members will be completing a 2024-2025 membership form to establish their new account and new renewal year. Everyone must join to establish their new member account even if your renewal is not up yet.

Members with previous memberships expiring after June 2024 will receive a prorate for the months they will not be receiving membership. All forms are being placed in a “pending” status for the office to review and provide any proration available. Please expect 2 - 4 business days for the office to review your form. Please note the organizational account included members will be sent a welcome email with their new username and instructions to create a password.

Anyone interested in re-establishing their account or joining as a new member please do so before May 31^st, 2024! For information about how to join or renew personal and organizational membership visit nyla.org/membership or contact Lauren Hoyt, Director of Association Operations, membership@nyla.org. 

Library Director (part-time), Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library (Milton)

The Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library is situated in the hamlet of Milton in the town of Marlborough/southern Ulster County and services a population of about 2,000. We have recently undergone a renovation, which included the creation of a beautiful new children's space. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the community is supportive of the library. The Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library is an equal opportunity employer. The library director is responsible for the operations of the library and development and implementation of its service programs. Hours: part-time position (20 hours/week), offering flexible scheduling. Salary: $28,000 - $31,000/year - commensurate with the candidate's education and experience; benefits include an employee assistance program; 2 weeks paid vacation; sick and personal paid time off accrue based upon hours worked. To apply: please send your resume and cover letter to Maribeth King, President, Board of Trustees at kingmaribeth@gmail.com. View the full job description.

Library Assistant (part-time), North Chatham Free Library

Position responsibilities include:

• Collaborate in the development and execution of library outreach and programs. 
• Staff the circulation desk and provide readers’ advisory, technology assistance and reference services to patrons.
• Work with the marketing committee and library publicist to promote library services and programs.
• Assist in the recruitment, training and supervision of library volunteers. 
• In the absence of Library Director, provide day-to-day management of the library to ensure excellent patron service and a warm, hospitable atmosphere. 

Hours: 15-20 hours per week. Salary: $18/ hour. To apply, see full description here.

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.