2022 Outreach Mini-Grants Spotlight | |
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This year 36 member libraries received Outreach Mini-Grants of $1,100 from the Mid-Hudson Library System to help provide programs, collections, and services to members of the community that are part of Outreach target populations [as defined in Education Law §273 (1) (h) (1)] which include people who have educational disadvantages, developmental or learning disabilities, physical disabilities including people who are blind, members of ethnic or minority groups in need of special library services, unemployed or underemployed, aged, geographically isolated, confined in institutions and at risk youth from birth to age 21.
Member library programs this year included:
- free one-on-one and small group tutoring classes for those learning English as a new language with free participant childcare
- esports program in the library for at risk teens
- social emotional learning books in English and Spanish delivered to local organizations for kids under 8
- LGBTQ+ partnership with local high school Gay-Straight Alliance Club (GSA) to create programs and build collection development
- American Sign Language (ASL) collection development and interpreter for programs
- increased large print collections
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion staff training
- Oaxacan exhibit, programs, and indigenous presenters
- increased Spanish language collections and programs
- bilingual (English/Spanish) take and make kits with supporting community programs
- community food access programs
- library services outreach to senior centers and teen facilities
- programs for individuals with varying cognitive abilities and physical challenges
- arts workshops for adults with developmental disabilities
- programs for Seniors that promote movement, balance, and socialization
- programming for residential groups visiting the library
- bringing geographically isolated kindergarten groups to the library
These funds are provided through NYS Outreach Categorical Aid, received from the NYS Library Division of Library Development, and administered by MHLS to fund mini grants for MHLS libraries to develop programs and services to attract and connect to outreach target populations and form relevant community partnerships at the local level.
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Catskill Public Library’s On the Go Program | |
One of Kent Public Library’s bilingual community workshops | |
Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s Spanish language flyer for free English Language Tutoring sessions | |
Rosendale Library’s Senior Art and Music Series | |
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A reminder from the MHLS Delivery Department: Just a reminder that if walks leading from the street to your library are not shoveled after a snowfall, delivery drivers may not be able to make a delivery to your library. If weather is predicted to be severe, the drivers may deploy the night before to ensure delivery keeps running smoothly. In these cases, a message will be sent to the MHLS-ALERTS list to let you know.
For questions regarding MHLS delivery operations please contact Tom Finnigan, Delivery Operations Manager.
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MHLS will be closed on Monday, January 2nd. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored. | |
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The following was submitted by Corinne Carolan, Youth Program Coordinator at Tivoli Free Library. Corinne was one of five recipients of the 2022 New York Library Association (NYLA) Conference Scholarship from the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS).
I am so grateful for my experience at the NYLA conference, which was made possible by a grant from MHLS. While there I took every opportunity I could to learn, grow and meet others in the library field. As a Youth Program Coordinator my favorite sessions were Beyond Baby and Me, Picture Book Neighborhooding, and Think Outside the Box. These sessions gave ideas and lesson plans for programming and collection development for ages 0-17 which is where I focus my attention within the library. I also attended other informative sessions like Building a Seed Library and the Author Luncheon that made me consider ways to partner with other staff to include programming for all ages. As soon as I arrived back at work following the conference I sat down with staff and talked about what I learned and shared ideas for big changes and small changes that could happen at the Tivoli Library in the near future.
This opportunity not only let me better myself, but I feel it will enrich the library and its community members. As I plan for the next year, I am sure the foundation and advice given at this conference will come into play, and I have already started to use what I learned after just a week of being back. Look out, because as a result of this small-town programmer being able to attend NYLA this year, there’ll be a lot going on at the Tivoli Free Library in the next!
The NYLA Conference Scholarship from MHLS helps provide new library directors and new library staff with the opportunity to attend the annual NYLA Conference by matching funds provided by the library to underwrite conference attendance.
This concludes our NYLA Conference Scholarship article series!
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There is still time to submit your proposal for SENYCon! Southeastern NY Library Resources Council (SENYLRC) 8th Annual SENYCon is happening on Friday, April 14, 2023. If you have a unique idea, clever work hack, best practice, or want to practice your presentation skills, you are invited to submit your proposal using the form here. Submissions will be reviewed and selected by SENYLRC’s Continuing Education Committee. The deadline for proposals is Thursday, January 5th, 2023. | |
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In response to discussions by the MHLS Directors Association (DA) related to the DA’s commitment to topics related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), the System Services Advisory Committee (SSAC) was charged with drafting an EDI Statement for the DA. At the November DA Meeting the following EDI Statement was approved as a first step towards a visible commitment to the tenets of EDI to help influence operation and best practices at the DA level.
“The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) Directors Association (DA) is committed to cultivating a professional environment that is open, representative, respectful and equitable to all.
This professional statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion, developed by the System Services Advisory committee, is provided as a framework to acknowledge our goal to be an association that values differences and creates a welcoming environment that is comfortable, inclusive, and empowering while opening the door for innovation, increased participation and an elevated sense of community and belonging for all.
We broadly define diversity to include ability, age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
The MHLS DA is committed to supporting our members to be leaders in their communities and our profession. To this end, we strive to:
- ensure that our DA leadership, policies, and practices are inclusive
- promote and nurture an environment in which diverse perspectives and experiences are respected and valued
- celebrate diversity in our professional development opportunities
- recruit and retain association leaders from traditionally underserved groups
We acknowledge that there is much work to be done by both individuals and institutions in pursuing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we are committed to continuous, proactive growth and action to counter oppression as we strive to ensure that all constituents can see themselves reflected in their libraries and in their communities.”
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The recordings from the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s (CSLP) “All Together Now!” Summer Symposium are now available, including the powerful keynote address from American Library Association (ALA) Executive Director, Tracie D. Hall.
Along with the recordings are links to the handouts, slides, and chatbox information. Please go to the CSLP Summer Symposium website for access and details.
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Administration & Management | |
Compliance with Minimum Standards: MHLS will be asked to authenticate if your library is in compliance with NYS Minimum Standards. Please review your compliance in advance of the Annual Report to the State in January-February. This includes ensuring all required info is posted to your website.
So, what happens if you are unable to comply with one or more of the minimum standards by the deadline for your annual report to the state in February? You will go through what is called the "variance process." This requires a form to be filled out to explain which standards you didn't meet, a meeting with MHLS staff to determine a compliance path, and approval of that compliance path by the MHLS Board and the Division of Library Development. You would usually have 12-18 months to come into compliance.
If you have questions about your library’s compliance with minimum standards, please contact Laura Crisci, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator.
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