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Vol.24-52 | 12.24.24

NYS Free Workshops Available

The New York State (NYS) Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection provides free workshops on Fraud Prevention, Identity Theft Prevention, and Online safety. Each workshop is about an hour long and all services are free. If you would like to schedule any of these training courses for your patrons in 2025, please contact Kim Maercklein, Consumer Education Community Liaison via email kimberly.maercklein@dos.ny.gov, or by phone, 518-474- 9941.


Courses include:

Online Safety – Our digital footprint is growing as we become more and more online. While it is convenient to pay bills online and book doctor’s appointments, it also leaves our personal information more vulnerable to fraudsters and data brokers. Join NYS Division of Consumer Protection to learn how to minimize your digital footprint and protect your data when interacting online.  


Fraud Prevention – It’s not all in your head. Fraud has increased exponentially over the past few years. Fraudsters are getting better at their jobs, have better technology, and are taking more money than ever. Join the NYS Division of Consumer Protection to learn how detect the signs of fraud, what the latest trends are, and how best to avoid becoming victim of fraud. 


Identity Theft Prevention – Join the NYS Division of Consumer Protection to learn how to protect your personal information both online and off. This workshop has important tips on how to protect your identity, your money, and your credit.


Fraud Prevention for Young Adults – Did you know that 18–25-year-olds are the most susceptible age group to fraud? Join NYS Division of Consumer Protection for this workshop to talk about Online Safety and Fraud that is targeted toward this age. Learn how to protect your data online, the signs of fraud, and how to prevent becoming victim of fraud.


Credit Management for Young Adults – It’s important to learn how credit works and how to manage it properly before taking out credit. This workshop is meant for parents and teens that may be ready to apply for their first credit card or take out student loans.


To learn more about the NYS Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection visit https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

MHLS Announcements

MHLS will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th in observance of Christmas Day and Wednesday, January 1st in observance of New Year’s Day. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS tech support ticket systems will not be monitored.

MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger recently received a thank you gift for her years of volunteering with the Friends of Libraries (a Section of the New York Library Association)! You can read the announcement in their November/December newsletter, Friends News and Notes.

MHLS Libraries

On Friday, December 13th MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich joined Red Hook community members to celebrate the grand reopening of the Red Hook Public Library after their façade and front entrance renovation project. The library looks “good as new” if not better!


Captions: Director Alex Geller received certificates of achievement from both Senator Michele Hinchey and Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. Shown in the photo with Teddy Artschwager from Assemblymembers Shrestha’s office and Isabel D. Kroeger from Senator Hinchey’s office. 


Resource Sharing & Sierra

MHLS has now completed Sierra Release 6.3. The release keeps us up to date with current software bug fixes and delivers a few enhancements. 

  • Add Record to a Create List: Staff members can now easily add any open record in Sierra to a review file. When viewing or editing a record, staff with permission 18 (Create Lists) will see an option to add the record to a review file. Selecting this option opens a window showing existing review files of the same record type, allowing the user to choose the desired file. The record can be added if the review file’s status is ‘complete’ and the file is owned or accessible to the user. If the record can’t be added, an error message will appear, and the user can select a different file or cancel the operation. The system remembers the last selected review file for convenience, but users can choose a different one if needed. If a staff member doesn’t have permission 18, this option won’t be available.
  • Reduce Time for Patron Record Payment Lock: Sierra shows a lock message when a staff member tries to open a patron record that’s locked due to a fine payment process. The message tells you which user has the record locked and when the lock will expire. You can either clear the lock to complete the transaction or wait for it to expire automatically.
  • Log Fines Paid through Vega Discover with "e" Payment Type: The fines paid report in Sierra will now show transactions paid through Vega Discover with the payment type ‘e’, just like it does for fines paid through WebPAC or Encore.
  • Update "Title Paging List" in Saved Notice Jobs List: To make things clearer, we’re changing the notice type for Title Paging Lists from ‘Bib Paging List’ to ‘Title Paging List’ in the Notice Type column of your saved notice jobs. The term ‘Title Paging List’ is already widely used in Sierra.
  • Delete Items: It went away for a bit, but now it is back. You can now scan a barcode and click delete to remove items from your collection.
  • Note: Closing pop up messages can no longer be done with the "Enter" Key. You must use the mouse or press the spacebar to close the window.
Sustainable Libraries

United for Libraries will hold a free training session on Grant Writing Basics for Small/Rural Libraries and Friends Groups | January 15 | 2 PM ET | REGISTER 


Learn how small and rural libraries can get started with grant writing–including identifying grant opportunities, customizing applications, working with library staff, and crafting a narrative. This session is free to all.

Programming

Frontline staff in member libraries are welcome to complete the Collaborative Summer Library Program Summer Reading Theme and Slogan Survey requesting input for 2028's slogan and 2029's theme. Reminder, 2028's chosen theme was mythical creatures. Come up with a brilliant slogan pairing! 2029 is wide open for theme ideas. Review past slogans and themes here. 


Complete the Survey

This survey will be open through Sunday, February 2, 2025. Look for more online input sessions in 2025.

Trustee Resources

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 contact Rebekkah at rsmith@midhudson.org with the subject line: AMA Trustee Question.

Job Openings

Library Director - Town of Ulster Public Library (Kingston)

The Town of Ulster Public Library is seeking a conscientious community-oriented leader to be our next Library Director. The Library Director, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, shall have charge of the operation of the library and all its facilities; shall direct and control the activities of the assistant librarians and the custodian of the building and shall render such professional and technical services as are generally incidental to the Library Director. The Library Director shall also attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall render monthly reports to the Board and required reports to the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) and New York State (NYS). The Library Director shall also grow community connections, participate in and oversee training, and interact with MHLS and NYS. Salary Range: $62,000 - $65,000 annual salary is commensurate with experience. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to directorsearch@townofulsterlibrary.org or mail to Town of Ulster Public Library, 860 Ulster Avenue Kingston, NY 12401.


Minimum Qualifications: Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program preferred and 3 years of progressively responsible library administrative experience. Experience should include a broad background in management, administration and human resources, operations, fundraising and finance, as well as knowledge of library services, operations and collections. View the full job description.


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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