Last call to register for the 63rd MHLS Annual Membership Meeting taking place on Friday! This event is online and free to attend! 

• 10:00 am | Business Meeting | Register 
• 11:00 am | Keynote Speaker, Michele Stricker, Deputy State Librarian of Library Development for the New Jersey State Library - Keynote Topic: From Disaster Preparedness to Community Resilience: The Long and Short of It | Register 

The LaGrange Library is temporarily closed due to significant flooding sustained from a burst pipe. Their collection will be put into storage while repairs are made. 

You will see LaGrange-Closed-no Pickup when scanned items need to be put into delivery. Please continue the process and send the item to LaGrange using the transit slip as it is. Items will be rerouted at MHLS to be picked up at Pleasant Valley Library, and the slip as it is, with that text will help us to keep the two library’s items separate throughout the process. Items returning home to LaGrange through your location should be sent as usual to LaGrange.

The staff at LaGrange are doing their best to manage this tough situation, and your patience will be greatly appreciated as some items may take a little longer when routing to or from LaGrange. The Pleasant Valley Library staff are stepping up as the alternative default pickup location, as LaGrange did for them after their catastrophic fire.  

Staff spend a great deal of time looking at screens which can lead to eyestrain or fatigue. Here are a few steps you might take to reduce the impact of eyestrain throughout your workday.

• Raise the contrast on your screen.
• Make text larger.
• Change the brightness of the screen. It shouldn’t be lighter or darker than your surroundings.
• Lower the color temperature of your screen. That means it will give off less blue light, which is linked to more eyestrain.
• Raise the device’s refresh rate. That will cause less flickering of the screen.
• Check if your application offers a dark mode.

Sierra unfortunately does not offer a dark mode but, you might try the higher contrast “skin” in Sierra called “Glacier Point.” Go to Admin/Options and choose the Display tab. Save settings at the bottom of the window.

Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Co-Author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State is a monthly installment where Rebekkah will answer your questions! Feel free to submit your question here or to contact Rebekkah at rsmith@midhudson.org with the subject line: AMA Trustee Question.

Q. Which types of libraries fall under the New York State Property Tax Cap?

A. Libraries that have had a public vote on their budget - special district public libraries, school district public libraries and those municipal public libraries and association libraries that have used the 414 municipal ballot or 259 school district ballot options fall directly under the new regulation. To learn more about the tax cap visit the Public Library District Toolkit from the New York State Library.

REMINDER: The MHLS Directors Association (DA) meeting for November 18th will be in person in the MHLS Auditorium. Directors are asked to register online for this meeting. The DA/Staff Appreciation luncheon will be held directly after the DA meeting. Please RSVP to Mary De Bellis, Director, LaGrange Library for this event. 

Library Director, Chatham Public Library 

Immediate full-time position for a very active library in a vibrant community. Public Librarian Certification, plus 3 years of library management experience required. If interested, please submit a letter outlining qualifications, resume and 3 reference letters, no later than October 31, 2022, to Dr. Sal DeAngelo, Superintendent, Chatham Central School District at deangelos@chatham.k12.ny.us or 50 Woodbridge Avenue, Chatham, NY 12037.  

Civil Service Job Description for PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR I 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An incumbent of this position has overall charge of the Public Library and branch library and is also a major provider of professional library services. This may be the only professional position in the Public Library. Supervision is exercised over other Public Library personnel. Works under general supervision of the Public Library Board of Trustees. Does related work as required. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only)

• Plans and implements Public Library programs for patrons of all ages;
• Develops the Public Library budget and may do grant administration; 
• Administers the expenditures of Public Library funds and the collection of Public Library revenues; 
• Develops long range plans for Public Library service development, evaluating the effectiveness of the library’s services and program in relation to the changing needs of the community; 
• Recommends new services, policies, and personnel actions to the Board of Education for approval; 
• Supervises the work of Public Library and branch library employees; 
• Administers personnel policies, prepares and/or reviews performance evaluations of staff members, hires support staff; 
• Prepares state, local and other statistical or narrative reports as needed or required; • Consults with Mid-Hudson Library System staff in developing, providing and promoting Public Library services; 
• Performs collection development by choosing Public Library materials in appropriate formats; 
• Provides reference and reader’s advisory services and instruction to Public Library users; • Performs original cataloging and classification and record editing; 
• Performs on-line database searches and search training; 
• Administers the purchase of Public Library materials; 
• Designs and produces relations and Public Library instruction materials; • Represents the Public Library before governmental agencies and community groups in seeking financial resources for the Public Library; 
• Supervises the maintenance of Public Library property and recommends repairs, alterations and new construction; 
• Keeps informed of professional developments through participation in professional organizations, system meetings, workshops, continuing education courses and reading professional materials; 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: 

• Good knowledge of the theories, procedures, materials and sources of library science;
• Good knowledge of library organizations, procedures, policies, aims and services;
• Good knowledge of the applications of computer technology to library operations;
• Good knowledge of library materials and collection development issues
• Good knowledge of on-line database systems;
• Ability to formulate questions, analyze problems, and carry out decision making process; • Ability to carry out library policies and procedures; 
• Ability to train and supervise library staff; 
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of others; 
• Ability to read and comprehend library literature and research studies; • Ability to interpret and respond to users’ needs quickly and accurately and prescribe information or materials accordingly; 
• Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to groups and individuals; 
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with community organizations, using tact and courtesy in dealing with staff and public. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Master’s of Library Science Degree and Public Librarian Certification, plus 2-3 years or more of library management experience.

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Youth Services Coordinator, NorthEast-Millerton Library

The NorthEast-Millerton Library is looking for a creative, energetic, and adventurous person to be their new Youth Services Coordinator. The Youth Service Coordinator plans, promotes, and runs in-person and virtual programs for ages birth to 19. Additional responsibilities include but not limited to: circulation, community outreach, and assisting with collection development.

Preferred skills: Library experience or experience working with children, Spanish language skills.

Required skills: tech literate, ability to work with people of varying age and diverse backgrounds.

Schedule: Full-time, 33 hours per week, Saturdays required, occasional evenings.

Salary Range: Starting at $18-$20, dependent on experience and qualifications. Paid vacation, sick and personal days, and some paid holidays.

To apply: Send your resume and at least two professional references to rleo@nemillertonlibrary.org.

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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