Legislative Session Wrap-Up
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Thanks to the outstanding efforts of library advocates from the Mid-Hudson region and all over New York State, funding for library and system services was secured, construction aid was restored, and a record number of bills that are important to the library community were passed by the legislature.
Advocates this year should be particularly proud of their efforts to help legislators understand the importance of libraries, as this year’s Library Advocacy season was conducted entirely online through online meetings due to COVID-19.
Library Aid, Construction Aid, and Special Legislative Grants
The Legislative Session wrapped up with excellent news for the State Aid for Library Construction Program, both houses approved a bill to restore the $20 million the Governor cut from the program. This puts the program back to its high-water mark of $34 million. While state aid for library funding was held flat at $94.1 million, discretionary bullet aid of $3.5 million was provided for library projects.
In our region the following libraries will receive Discretionary Grants in Aid through the NYS Assembly:
- Howland Public Library (Beacon) $20,000
- Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring) $25,000
- Desmond-Fish Public Library (Garrison) $25,000
- Highland Public Library $10,000
- Kent Public Library $25,000
- Marlboro Free Library $10,000
- Poughkeepsie Public Library District $25,000
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On June 22nd at the Clinton Community Library Assemblymember Didi Barrett (pictured center) announced she had secured $85,000 to support the 16 Mid-Hudson Library System member libraries within the 106 th Assembly District. Barrett was joined by library directors and staff from Dutchess and Columbia Counties as well as Mid-Hudson Library System administration and board members for the announcement. The funding allows for all libraries in Assemblymember Didi Barrett’s District to receive $5,000 each. Assemblymember Barrett also secured an additional $5,000 for the Philmont Library to become a satellite location as part of The Library of Local Project. "I am pleased to be able to support our local libraries and allow these essential institutions to continue providing literary adventures and more for Hudson Valley residents of all ages and backgrounds," Barrett said.
As of this publication no Senators in our region provided special legislative grants to libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Legislative Priorities
Bills beneficial to libraries were passed in both houses and now await the Governor’s approval including bills addressing library trustee education requirements and fairness in access to eBooks for libraries. A bill signed March 7th, 2021 by the governor, provided a reduction in petition requirements for libraries engaging in 414 budget votes, which helped reduce the danger of COVID-19 transmission for libraries gathering signatures for 2021. A digital inclusion grant program of $15 million was established to support digital inclusion efforts by the state, with libraries and library systems listed as eligible entities. A seven-member Senate Libraries Committee was formed, which is led by former Assemblymember Sean Ryan, a staunch advocate for libraries.
Thank you to all our advocates, who each year raise their voices, and help secure the funding our libraries need to provide the services our communities count on. Thank you for your support and we look forward to next year.
We will keep you posted on the progress of the bills we have been advocating for. They have yet to be delivered to the Governor to be signed but we’ve got our eye on them!
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With news that Congress plans to proceed on a $3.5 trillion budget bill, our nation must find a way to include the Build America’s Libraries Act, which would dedicate $5 billion to libraries nationwide and an estimated $261 million for those in New York state.
Our 70 facilities in the Mid-Hudson Library System are equitable and inclusive hubs of education, digital access, and career readiness; gathering places that build community resilience. Yet:
- 54 percent of our facilities aren’t accessible to people with physical disabilities.
- 56 percent are 50 or more years old, requiring electrical upgrades and more space.
- 38 percent are 100-plus years old, ill-equipped for today’s wiring and plumbing needs.
In our member libraries, children's rooms, community rooms, and programming spaces are meant to welcome everyone, but these spaces are made inaccessible in many libraries by stairs and the absence of an elevator. Some libraries don’t have ADA-compliant restrooms. Many libraries are currently struggling with outdated mechanical systems that are inefficient and costly to repair.
The Build America’s Libraries Act addresses facility infrastructure, accessibility barriers, broadband capacity, natural disasters, and pandemics. Perhaps its strongest feature is preparing libraries for climate change, by prioritizing sustainable and resilient design to withstand flooding, extreme heat, severe storms, and extended power outages. This legislation’s funds are just 0.1 percent of the proposed infrastructure package, but would generate dividends for generations.
Thank you, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado, for cosponsoring the Build America’s Libraries Act. The federal government hasn’t supported public libraries since 1997, and it’s time. We urge your congressional colleagues to join you in support.
To help make the Build America's Libraries Act a reality and help build the facilities our communities deserve please call Senator Schumer’s office at (202) 224-6542. If you usually work with a particular staffer in their office, you might prefer to email them. Use the following talking points as a guideline:
- Give your name, title, and library/organization.
- I’m calling about the Build America’s Libraries Act, S. 127.
- We’re asking for the Senator’s support to include the Build America’s Libraries Act in the budget bill for 2022.
- Libraries are crucial to achieving digital and educational equity and expanding economic opportunity.
- The Build America’s Libraries Act would provide $261 million to repair and upgrade public library buildings across New York.
- This funding would make a huge difference for libraries in New York. [Briefly mention an example or two of needed upgrades in your library building.]
- In total, the Build America’s Libraries Act would provide $5 billion for library renovation and construction nationwide. We urge the Senator’s support to include this funding in the upcoming budget resolution and reconciliation instructions.
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REMINDER: Please remember to place any extra delivery bins that have accumulated in your library next to your regular outgoing bins for the driver to pick up and bring back to MHLS. Thank you!
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Kingston and Woodstock libraries are collaborating with No Kid Hungry, Hunger Solutions New York, and Family of Woodstock, to provide free lunch and to-go snacks to all kids 18 and under this summer. No registration or paperwork is required for kids to participate.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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Register now for Sierra Materials Booking on Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 am with MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager Laurie Shedrick. The Materials Booking feature will allow patrons to “book” (reserve) library materials for future use. Unlike holds, where a patron's request is placed and supplied as quickly as possible, Materials Booking requests provide a way for patrons to reserve an item to be used at a specified time, established at the time of booking the item. This webinar will introduce Materials Booking, how to make items "bookable" and the process for booking items.
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Safe Data Safe Families is University of Maryland's (UMD) Information School project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), that has published a set of public library staff resources and family resources on how to keep personal information safe online.
The website includes:
- Staff training
- Policy framework
- Privacy teaching moments
- Programming resources
- Privacy tips, games, and activities
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Reference & Collection Development
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Assemblymember Didi Barrett’s Women's History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties booklets are now accessible through the MHLS Catalog. Each issue from 2014-2021 can be downloaded through the OverDrive collection or accessed through Encore.
This booklet series focuses on retelling the lives and deeds of extraordinary local women, ultimately ensuring they are remembered for their significance in history.
This year in celebration of Women’s’ History Month Assemblymember Barrett partnered with Columbia County Youth Theatre (CCYT) to develop a ten-part video series based on the stories in the 2021 booklet. This videos series, available on YouTube has also been linked to the MHLS Catalog.
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Outreach Materials - print or download flyers and rack cards to display and distribute to families. Our newest flyer promotes grab-and-go meals, and can be customized to include site locations. Contact us for details.
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Social Media & E-News - Share information with your networks using sample posts and images like the ones below, which can also be used in e-newsletters, robocalls/texts, and other communication
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Property tax levy growth for libraries with fiscal years that close on December 31st will be capped at 2 percent for the 2022 fiscal year, according to the Office of the State Comptroller. All libraries that have their own board and their own budget vote – even if you did not hold a vote/don’t plan to hold a vote in 2021 for FY2022 – are required to file the online “tax cap form” with the Office of the State Comptroller by the end of the year. A primer on the Tax Cap for libraries is available from MHLS at http://bit.ly/2ceMNlO.
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Administration & Management
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In order to address Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) concerns unique to library applicants, the American Library Association (ALA), the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), and the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) recently co-hosted an open Q&A forum. The recording of the Q&A: Libraries and the Emergency Connectivity Fund forum held on July 16th is now available online, as are links to resources mentioned during the discussion.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7 billion opportunity that will allow schools and libraries to pay for off-campus connectivity and internet-enabled devices.
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REMINDER: The open enrollment period for the 15% discount on NYLA membership for 2021-2022 for member libraries ends on August 3rd, 2021. Information about how to participate was shared via the MHLS-Notice list and in the 7/13 edition of the MHLS Bulletin. If you have any questions about this program, please contact MHLS Financial Assistant, Joan Kay at jkay@midhudson.org.
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Teen Programming Coordinator & Clerk, Millbrook Library
Millbrook Library is looking for an enthusiastic and engaging person to organize Teen Programming at the Millbrook Library. The primary responsibility of this position is to plan, promote, and implement literacy and STEAM programs for teens and tweens from 6th grade through high school.
Other responsibilities include:
- Performs all circulation desk, including - Check materials in/out/renew materials and reserve materials.
- Performs all opening/closing procedures in work area/public areas.
- Assists patrons who want to borrow or return library materials.
- Issues library cards according to established procedures.
- Attends to all circulation problems in a professional and timely manner. This includes but is not limited to processing overdue notices, expiring patron records, and outstanding holds.
- Responds to general information requests by telephone and in person.
- Orders and processes materials for teens.
- Outreach to and collaboration with local school librarians, parents, and organizations within the community.
- Schedules and runs teen programs, including set-up and clean up.
- Assists with library outreach events as needed.
- Develop observations and understanding of community needs into effective library services and programs.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the Library staff, Board, and Friends group to generate program ideas and coordinate development.
- Evaluate program success.
- Any other routine tasks as assigned by the library director
This position takes direction from Library Director and Head of Circulation.
The right candidate is:
- Reliable
- Courteous
- Able to work effectively with adults and teens
- Self-motivated
- Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Has strong computer and writing skills
Hours: Approximately 21 - 27 hours per week including some evenings and bi-monthly Saturdays. These hours are Monday and Friday, 10:30 am - 6:15 pm, Wednesday, 11:45 am - 8:15 pm, and Saturday, 9:45 am - 4:15 pm.
Compensation: $16.00/ hr. This position includes vacation, personal, and sick time, and some paid holidays.
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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