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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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| Planning to UnPAUSE
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As we all anxiously await the library specific guidance that will hopefully make it clear what level of service is appropriate in each of the four phases outlined by the Governor when each region has been greenlighted to get those phases started, the Governor has
outlined safety precautions that each business must put in place upon re-opening
to help lower the risk of spreading the virus.
- Adjust workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace;
- Enact social distancing protocols;
- Restricting non-essential travel for employees;
- Require all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent contact with each other;
- Implement strict cleaning and sanitation standards. MHLS is recommending that all libraries adopt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)'s "Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes";
- Enact a continuous health screening process for individuals to enter the workplace. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has approved the following screening mechanisms if completed in a manner that is consistent with the EEOC guidance including confidentiality of medical information:
- Screening for Symptoms: Employers may ask employees entering the workplace about any COVID-19 symptoms identified by public health officials. Employers must maintain the confidentiality of any notes or documentation related to this screening.
- Temperature Checks: Employers may require all employees to have a daily temperature check before entering the workplace and may maintain a log of the results. Employers must maintain the confidentiality of any notes or documentation related to this screening.
- Please note: all medical information about a particular employee, including info related to COVID-19, should be stored separately from the employee's personnel file. It may be filed in existing medical files, no need to create a new file system just for COVID-19 info.
- Continue tracing, tracking and reporting of cases; and
- Develop liability processes. While not completely spelled out at this time, this is likely a reference to the need for a "proactive infection plan" that outlines protocols for what to do if an employee develops COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. A good resource for this is the CDC: "If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected. Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed. Employers should implement the recommendations in the Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace." Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
On Friday, May 15th at 10:00am
MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin will present a one-hour webinar on the Orientation to Stepped Reopening Plan Template for MHLS Member Libraries. The safe reopening of libraries will help save lives by reducing the exposure to library staff to COVID-19 and protecting public health by mitigating the spread of COVID-19. MHLS has compiled guidance from federal, state, and local authorities along with practices from libraries providing services outside New York into a template member libraries can use as a basis for planning their own reopening. This orientation will provide an overview of this template and how libraries can begin creating a plan to keep their staff and communities safe while providing the support their patrons need. At this orientation we'll review:
- Considerations for returning to the library
- Preparing your library facility for reopening
- Guidance for curbside pickup and returns
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MHLS Announcements
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Please note the MHLS weekly Director Briefing on Friday, May 15th will begin at 1:00pm
. Registration is no longer required for this event. Log-in information will be sent via the MHLS-Notice List the morning of each briefing.
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REMINDER:
All directors are asked to please fill out the
MHLS Action Memo #20-02: Construction Needs Update & Intent to Apply for State Aid for Library Construction
. Due date is Friday, May 29th. If you have any questions or need access to the form please contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator Casey Conlin,
cconlin@midhudson.org
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 The Marlboro Free Library recently mailed out postcards to residents in their service area with information on how to access library services, how to reach library staff and important county and state resources regarding COVID-19. They also included a heartfelt message from library staff.
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 Public Library Association's (PLA) free webinar series, Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19, is now available on-demand! Hear from library leaders across the country to learn how their library is handling the changing landscape, supporting staff and community needs during this time, and planning for the future. Watch the recordings now by visiting
http://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/ondemand
The second Library 2.020 mini-conference: "Small, Rural, and Independent Libraries," will be held online (and for free) on Wednesday, June 17th, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. This mini-conference will focus on innovation and innovative thinking in rural, independent, tribal, and other small libraries--as well as the many unique challenges that they face. A diverse array of keynote panelists and curated presenters. To learn more and to register visit,
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Thomas O'Connell, MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor will be offering Sierra Lunchtime Webinars
beginning at 12:00pm all next week. Each day covers a different topic:
You can register for any of these sessions through the
MHLS calendar
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 Friends organizations can use the United for Libraries Friends listserv for the months of May and June
, even if you are not a member of the American Library Association or United for Libraries. There are separate forums for Friends, library trustees, and library foundations. To get started please visit
http://www.ala.org/united/friends/forum
NYLA/YSS is currently accepting applications for the Ann Gibson Scholarship Award. The deadline for applications is May 31st.
This scholarship is given annually to honor the memory of Ann Gibson, a dynamic and dedicated librarian, storyteller, and teacher, in recognition of Ann's many contributions to the field of youth service librarianship. The purpose of the award is to provide financial assistance to a person who has chosen to pursue graduate studies that will lead to New York State certification as a youth specialist in a public library or school media center. For more information and to download the application, visit:
nyla.org
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Reference & Collection Development
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Access to Ancestry Library Edition has been temporarily expanded to library cardholders
working remotely, courtesy of ProQuest and its partner Ancestry. Remote access will be available until the end of May and will be re-evaluated monthly as needed. This link is the one set up for ALL MHLS member libraries. Statistics can be found in the monthly WAM reports.
Product icons, marketing materials and MARC records will be available from support.gale.com on May 29th. All existing URLs will continue to work; however, Gale recommends that you update your MARC records to accurately reflect the new product name. You can also visit gale.com/product-enhancement to preview the product and access guidelines for presenting product names alphabetically or by subject.
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 The Great Give Back Informational Webinar will take place on Thursday, May 21st at 2:00pm
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The Great Give Back is a day for library patrons to participate in meaningful service-oriented experiences coordinated by the library. The second year of this statewide program may look very different than last year. Join Courtney Wimmers, MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist to discuss basic elements of The Great Give Back, how your library can get involved and ideas for programs that can be adapted to meet the changing landscape of programming during the time of COVID-19. Please register for this event through the
MHLS calendar.
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The latest Executive Order (202.28) has extended the adjustments to Open Meetings Law through June 6th.
This has been confirmed with the Committee on Open Government. Please remember online meetings must be recorded and transcribed and that the public has a right to attend. Minutes will still need to be taken even with the recording and transcription.
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The second MHLS COVID-19 Briefing for Trustees was held on Tuesday, May 5th
. The recording of the event can be found at
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Administration & Management
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 Southeastern NY Library Resources Council
has acquired the services of an attorney to offer members timely input on intellectual property, digital rights management, vendor contracts, and other legal issues that can impact library operations. Questions sent to Ask the Lawyer will be reviewed by Southeastern staff and sent to counsel for responses. Southeastern members are eligible to participate as are member library systems and their member libraries. To submit an inquiry to the Southeastern's Ask the Lawyer service,
use this form
. Prior to completing the form, please check the
Recently Asked Questions (RAQ)
, as another library may have already asked the same question.
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On Friday, May 29th, Gale's Kids InfoBits, which is part of NOVELNY, will receive product enhancements and become Gale in Context: Elementary. For more info, visit
