Construction Awards Announced (MHLS Bulletin) 9.12.23

Vol.23-37 | 9.12.23

Construction Awards Announced

The FY 2022-2023 State Aid for Public Library Construction Grant Program Awards totaling $1,295,987.00 have been announced and eight MHLS Member Libraries and the Mid-Hudson Library System have been awarded funds.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “Libraries are a critical part of New York's educational infrastructure, ensuring that all New Yorkers have equitable access to lifelong learning opportunities. This capital investment keeps our public library buildings accessible and vibrant so that they can meet the evolving needs of our communities now and long into the future.”

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Thriving libraries are essential to thriving communities and to the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. Libraries give individuals the opportunity to learn, collaborate, gain new skills, and become active participants in their communities. This funding is not only critical to improving library infrastructure, but also to enriching the lives of New Yorkers in every region of the state.”

"We celebrate a resounding victory for knowledge, community, and progress. The allocation of over $500,000 in state grants to our local libraries amplifies our dedication to fostering spaces of growth and exploration,” Assemblymember Anil Beephan, Jr. (105th District) said. “These funds will renovate buildings and transform lives, providing avenues for learning, collaboration, and imagination. Our libraries stand as pillars of opportunity, and this investment ensures they remain beacons of enlightenment for all."

"Libraries are repositories of eternal knowledge. I am pleased to announce this critical state funding providing our Dutchess County libraries with the resources they need to continue their mission of literacy and community outreach,” Senator Robert Rolison (39th District) said. “By supporting community libraries, we invest in the next generation of educated readers and, therefore, well-rounded citizens.”

2023 Awards in the Mid-Hudson Library System

Beekman Library: $167,215

A renovation in the existing basement that will include a meeting room, equipment for presentations, storage, restrooms, and a staff break room.

Town of Esopus Library: $270,801

Strengthening disaster responsiveness, climate resiliency, and accessibility with generator installation, lighting upgrades, and photovoltaic upgrades.

Highland Public Library: $8,525

The project is to replace 2 outdoor sun damaged digital signs in order to increase public awareness and improve communication with our community.

Lagrange Association Library: $177,108

Renovation of the Children's Room to add a youth program room, toddler play area, staff office, more collection space and relocate the staff breakroom.

Mahopac Library: $168,987

Building Safety and Emergency Preparedness Upgrades.

Marlboro Free Library: $297,575

Efficiency and accessibility improvements to the public service desk area (circulation desk) and staff work areas of the existing Library.

Elting Memorial Library: $46,188

Increase accessibility and energy efficiencies in the 2006 library addition to the Elting Memorial Library.

Pawling Free Library: $151,377

Children's addition to library building.

Mid-Hudson Library System: $8,211

This project will install four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie.

MHLS Announcements

Register today for the in person MHLS Annual Membership Meeting on October 27th at the Henry A. Wallace Center @ FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, NY.

Our Keynote speaker will be Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation.

MHLS member library trustees will receive 0.5 credit hours for attending this event.

MHLS Libraries

Greenville Public Library is the latest member library to go fine free! We now have 57 libraries that are completely fine free and 4 libraries that are partially fine free.

If your library is interested in going fine free the MHLS Tech department is happy to help you explore the idea. The Tech department uses the opportunity to review the loan rules already in place for your library which require 1-2 weeks to turn around depending on the size of the library and the current state of your loan rules. Access resources about going fine free.

Resource Sharing & Sierra

REMINDER: In the third week of September the MHLS cataloging department will suppress all items that have a status of 'Lost & Paid', 'Discard' or 'Claims Returned', which have not been updated for 3 months. The items will not be deleted. Changing the annual report code to " w - MHLS staff suppress", simply keeps them from displaying in the public catalog.

Sustainable Libraries

National Voter Registration Day is September 19th! This nonpartisan civic holiday is all about celebrating democracy and ensuring that eligible voters in our communities have an opportunity to vote. Checkout the resources at the National Voter Registration Day webpage to access the tools libraries can use to help their patrons “Get #VoteReady.”

Programming

The STAR Library Education Networks SEAL initiative (with major funding support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation) is distributing approximately 5 million solar eclipse viewing glasses to libraries in all 50 states and all US territories and protectorates. Register now to receive free eclipse glasses for your public library and visit the American Astronomical Society site for reliable information on safe eclipse viewing.

There are two Solar Eclipses happening in North America:

Annular Eclipse, Saturday, October 14, 2023. Find out if your specific location is on the 2023 path using Eclipse Simulator.
Total Eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024. Find out if your specific location is on the 2024 path using Eclipse Simulator.

Staff at the Space Science Institute/STAR Net are looking for feedback and ideas to shape future proposals and projects, and to encourage partnership opportunities between public libraries and schools/school libraries, on events like the upcoming solar eclipses. Take the survey to share your input.

Trustee Resources

Trustee Tip of the Month: All libraries should engage the services of a Certified Public Accountant to provide third-party oversight of the library’s finances and internal financial controls. For more information visit: https://midhudson.org/topics/trustees/audits/.

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.

Administration & Management

New Directors Forum | MHLS Auditorium | September 28 | 10:00 am - noon | Register

Join us for an in-person informal gathering of New Directors (in your role for 3 years or less) to discuss relevant topics related to finding your path as a new director. Facilitated by MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, author of the Handbook for New Library Directors in New York State & co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees in New York State, this program will address questions submitted in advance by attendees, particularly in the areas of working with your board, planning, and project/time management.

Submit your questions!

In the News

National

US appeals court curbs Copyright Office's mandatory deposit policy | Reuters 8.29.23

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