The Great Give Back @MHLS Libraries! | |
Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) member libraries participated in The Great Give Back this year! The Great Give Back highlights how libraries meet community needs by encouraging members to give back and engage with their local library. Here are just a few of the programs that took place:
Brewster Public Library collected snacks, toiletries, and sundries for the United for the Troops wish list.
Hunter Public Library participated in SOCKtober, collecting new socks for the Community Action of Greene County to distribute to the homeless and to women’s shelters.
Mountain Top Library held Cause 4 Paws – a Day of Adoption, Awareness, and Advocacy on October 19th. They shared information regarding efforts to build an animal shelter in Greene County and hosted Precious Pound Pups adoptions.
Reed Memorial Library collected personal care items to benefit Putnam Community Action Program (CAP).
Columbia County Libraries collected winter hats for Hatsgiving, a nonprofit who will distribute the new hats to pediatric cancer treatment centers around the country.
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Dutchess County Libraries collected non-perishable foods, cooking staples, baby foods, and personal hygiene items as part of Dutchess Libraries Care to support a variety of food pantries and local agencies who help individuals and families in need. | |
Ulster County Libraries created a healthy competition in the Ulster County Food Fight to collect food stuffs to help stock the more than 30 local food pantries in Ulster County.
To view all the programs that were held during this year’s program visit The Great Give Back web page.
The Great Give Back is a statewide community service initiative created by the Suffolk County Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, in conjunction with the Nassau Library System.
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The Putnam County Library Association celebrated Carol Donick, director of the Kent Public Library, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service in the library field. Carol has been the director of three MHLS member libraries over the course of her career: Pleasant Valley, Garrison, and Kent. At the event, MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, took time to thank Carol, not only for her service to the communities she has worked in but to the entire MHLS Community. Carol has regularly served on MHLS Directors Association Advisory Committees, providing input and leadership on important topics ranging from continuing education to the Central Library Services Program. Rebekkah noted that Carol has also been a stalwart library advocate, always making the time to speak with county and state legislators about increased funding for libraries and important issues of the day, such as equitable ebook licensing.
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Did you miss the Teen Services: Behavior, Programming, and Connection webinar on October 10? The recording is now available on the MHLS Training on Demand platform on the Library Sustainability Academy. Slides and a list of resources from the event are available on the Intro page of the course.
In this session with Connecticut State Library’s Children/YA Consultant Kym Powe learn about teen brain development and how it impacts teen connection to public libraries and how we, as library workers, move forward working with teens as we program, offer services, and enforce library rules.
If you aren't a registered user in Training on Demand, please contact your director to request access.
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In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week, Penguin Random House and United for Libraries announced new grants for Friends of Libraries serving rural and small libraries across the country. Grants of $500 and $1,000 (totaling $25,000), will be awarded to support libraries in need.
These funds will assist Friends of Library groups, or nonprofit groups that support and fundraise for libraries in their communities, with priority projects. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles.
Grants will be administered by United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, whose mission is to support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries. Grant funding is provided by Penguin Random House.
Applications for the program will be open from Feb. 3-17, 2025, and applicants will be notified by March 10, 2025. For libraries that are interested in applying but don’t know where to start, United for Libraries will present free virtual informational sessions beginning in December, including an overview of the process and tips on applying, a session on grant writing basics, and a session on how to start a Friends of the Library group (for libraries that do not currently have an active group); learn more and register.
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WebJunction is hosting a webinar series to provide training for library staff, featuring library and community experts from diverse sectors. Ultimately, the project aims to inform a comprehensive research agenda that emphasizes the vital roles libraries and community organizations play in enhancing public health and fostering sustainable practices. Through these efforts, Building Resilient Communities strives to raise awareness of and increase knowledge about how climate change impacts the environment, public health and social equity, and to disseminate information so that public libraries and their community partners can develop and strengthen STEM learning ecosystems that create new, or bolster existing, strategic collaborations and partnerships to address local impacts of climate change. Questions about the project can be directed to the project's Principal Investigator, Anne Holland, aholland@spacescience.org.
Building Community in a Changing Climate | November 21 | 3 – 4:00 PM | Online | REGISTER
Explore how public libraries and their partners are empowering communities to address climate change collaboratively.
Presenters:
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Kate Gomes, Library Director, Holbrook Public Library (MA)
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Brenda Harrington, Adult Services Librarian, Belfast Free Library (ME)
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Sarah Kirn, Participatory Science Strategist, NASA, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Climate Change Communication: How and Why To Do It In Libraries | December 5 | 3 – 4:00 PM Online | REGISTER
Explore effective climate change communication strategies to engage communities and inspire action.
Presenters:
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Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (MLS, LEED AP), Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System (NY), Co-founder/Current President, Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI)
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Matt Bollerman, CEO, Hauppauge Public Library, Co-founder/Vice-President, Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI)
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Rose Hendricks, Seeding Action Research Director, Association for Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
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Gen-Z-and-millennials researchers Drs. Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda invite you to share what kinds of information you would find most helpful in reaching and serving Gen Z & M patrons. For example, would more granular information about library visits & foot traffic aid you? Learning from librarians helps them discern what to measure. Many of their survey questions are longitudinal and about media behavior and identity, so that they can track behavior over time; but they are interested in adding a few questions that librarians might find useful. See the press release on some of their previous work. Contact the researchers at: kberens@pdx.edu and rnoorda@pdx.edu. | |
Part-time Youth Programmer – LaGrange Association Library
The LaGrange Association Library in Dutchess County has an immediate opening for a friendly, energetic, and creative Youth Programmer to provide services in our beautiful, newly renovated Children’s Room! Working under the direction and supervision of the Youth Services Coordinator, the Youth Programmer plans, coordinates, and conducts story times and programs for children from birth through age 12. This individual assists patrons in the Children’s Room with informational needs, reader’s advisory, locating materials, and use of the early literacy computers and tablets and online catalog. This position is 20 hours per week including one evening; occasional Saturdays as dictated by program and staffing needs. Salary is $17-$18 per hour, depending on education/experience, with three (3) flex days upon hiring; sick, vacation, and personal days upon one (1) year anniversary. Required: Associate’s Degree or higher in Education, Library Science, English or closely related field plus one (1) year of experience performing duties related to the supervision, coordination and administration of programs or curriculum development for youth OR a high school diploma or GED plus three (3) years of early childhood/elementary teaching experience or working with youth in a library, school, day care, or similar setting. Please send a meaningful cover letter, resume and two references to mdebellis@laglib.org with “Youth Programmer” in the subject. See complete job description.
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Part-Time Library Clerk/Passport Agent – LaGrange Association Library
LaGrange Association Library in Dutchess County is looking for an enthusiastic, friendly, customer service-oriented individual to join our team as a part-time Library Clerk and Passport Agent. Paid online training to become a Passport Agent will be provided. This position is 16 hours per week, including one evening, plus 2 Saturdays per month. Salary is $15.45 per hour with three (3) flex days upon hiring; sick, vacation, and personal days upon one (1) year anniversary. Requirements: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED or higher, United States Citizenship (mandatory for Passport Agents), excellent customer service and communication skills, basic computer proficiency, the ability to multi-task, and the physical ability to bend, stretch, kneel, and lift up to 40 pounds. The ideal candidate should enjoy working with the public, have a good sense of humor, have an interest in reading and movies, be able to function independently and as part of a busy library team. Prior library experience is a plus. To apply: Please email a meaningful cover letter, resume, and 2 references to lagrangelibrary@laglib.org and indicate “Clerk” in the subject line. See complete job description.
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Part-time Library Clerk – Claverack Free Library
The Claverack Library is looking for a part-time library clerk / children’s program person who is interested in helping families in the Claverack community. We need an individual with strong customer service skills and an ability to work well with others as well as independently. Previous experience working with children and families on any level is essential. A friendly demeanor and love of libraries is a must. The position is for Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and alternating Saturdays from 9:30 am – 2:15 pm, extra Saturdays are possible and there will be flex hours to help coordinate and lead children’s programs. This is a new position with a future for growth. Position: Part-Time: 16 – 26 hours per bi-weekly pay period, with possible extra hours on an as needed basis. Pay: $16.00 – $17.00 depending on experience. Interested individuals should apply by sending resumes to director@claveracklibrary.org. Deadline to apply: 11/14/24. See complete 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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