 |
Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reimagining Library Services Series
|
|  |
|
As the world struggles with the resounding and far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries have stepped up to support their communities in new and significant ways. We see libraries leveraging local partnerships and resources to battle food insecurity and close the digital divide, conditions in our communities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic and its effects on our schools and businesses. We also see libraries developing new ways to deliver traditional services as they adapt to safely connect users with materials and collections and opportunities to learn and grow alongside their neighbors through programming. MHLS library directors and staff are welcome to register and attend the following programs which will feature presentations from MHLS member libraries who are working to address these issues in their communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light food insecurity issues impacting people from children to seniors, and many libraries are stepping up to help feed their communities. At this program, we'll review resources and partners working to help address food insecurity in New York and hear from library leaders developing innovative ways to fight hunger locally.
Library staff who work on programming for all ages are welcome to attend this program where we'll hear from libraries that have found new ways to safely provide programming in the face of the pandemic and recovery, and how libraries can continue to provide experiences and opportunities for people to learn and grow and build connections with their neighbors. We will also hear from libraries that have built partnerships to reach more community members and maximize use of library resources.
Many libraries turned to technology solutions to deliver traditional library services safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many found these solutions helped increase the accessibility and visibility of these services. This program will look at the tools and solutions local libraries have found for meeting patron needs amid the pandemic and in the recovery.
Internet connectivity is not a luxury, but a necessity required for everything from applying for a job to accessing elementary school learning materials to connecting with loved ones. But many people in our community cannot access broadband due to a lack of coverage and high costs. As the pandemic shifts more of our lives online the digital divide has become more apparent. Libraries have stepped up and found new ways to help people connect to this essential infrastructure through large scale and targeted projects. This program will highlight local libraries doing this work and address issues around reaching out and connecting with people who are not online.
Registration for all events is available through the MHLS calendar. Questions? Please contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator Casey Conlin, cconlin@midhudson.org.
|
|
MHLS Announcements
| |
|
 Amy Smith recently joined the MHLS Library Sustainability Team as an intern. Amy will be supporting member libraries with The Great Give Back and other projects as part of the library sustainability team as she works toward her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Albany. Amy comes to MHLS by way of the Red Hook Public Library where she provides innovative and engaging library events for the community as Director of Programs & Youth Services, including an All Abilities Program Series for individuals with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities to gather and enjoy as part of a grant program from Dutchess County. She has presented and shared her work at the Public Library Association Annual Conference, the New York Library Association (NYLA) Annual Conference, Southeastern New York Library Resources Council Events, and local MHLS programs and meetings. In 2019, Amy received the L. Marion Moshier/Asa Wynkoop Award for Distinguished Librarianship from the NYLA Public Library Section. MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin, writes, "I'm really glad to have Amy join our team. She does a lot of great work at the Red Hook Public Library, and with her on board at MHLS we're expanding our capacity to help our member libraries support their communities." You can reach Amy Smith at
|
|
| |
|
 Congratulations to the Town of Esopus and Highland Public Libraries for achieving certification under the Green Business Partnership as part of the Sustainable Library Certification Program! This is the first part of the Sustainable Library Certification Program, which measures the library's policies and organizational commitment to sustainability, energy usage, materials management for waste and recycling and purchasing, land and water use. The Sustainable Libraries Certification program provides library leaders with a proven path forward to co-create libraries and communities that will thrive in the coming years, focusing leadership to enable the library, and ultimately the community, to become more environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible. Visit the Sustainable Libraries Initiative or contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin for more info.
|
|
Professional Development
| |
|
 The New York Library Association (NYLA) 2020 Conference & Trade Show will take place completely online! This two-day event will be a mix of broadcasted and on-demand programs. Broadcasted programs will only be available to view during their allotted time slot so please plan accordingly. On-Demand programs will be available to view during the duration of the conference and will also be available for viewing after the conference. The Virtual Trade Show will be available on Thursday, November 5th from 10:00am-4:00pm and Friday, November 6th from 9:00am-4:00pm. To access registration pricing, program schedule, Trade Show info and to register, visit https://www.nyla.org. Registration is now open. The Early Bird Registration Deadline is September 30th.
Are you interested in participating in the NYLA 2020 Virtual Conference, but have been furloughed, laid-off, or otherwise have challenges affording registration? NYLA is funding conference scholarships to help individuals in need. Apply for a NYLA 2020 Hardship Scholarship. Deadline is Monday, October 26th by 5:00pm.
|
|
Resource Sharing & Sierra
| |
|
Join MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor, Thomas O'Connell for the latest series of Sierra Lunchtime Webinars. All events begin at noon.
|
|
| |
|
The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced that it will now end field data collection by September 30th, 2020. This date is one month earlier than previously reported. Self-response options will also close on that date to permit the commencement of data processing. Under this plan, the Census Bureau intends to meet a similar level of household responses as collected in prior censuses, including outreach to hard-to-count communities, but shortening operations could mean millions of people are uncounted. You can advocate now for an accurate count by calling your Senator to have an extension to Census collection efforts included in the Senate COVID-19 bill
Check out the New York Counts 2020 script or call 1-888-374-4269 to be automatically connected to your Senator's office.
The Census Bureau began emailing households in low-responding areas last week to encourage people to respond to the 2020 Census. Millions of emails will be sent over the next few weeks and then grow in numbers and continue into September. These emails supplement a final campaign reminding people to respond to the 2020 Census. The email messages will come from
2020census@subscriptions.census.gov and will give recipients the option to opt out of receiving future messages. The emails will go to all households that the Census Bureau has contact information for in census block groups with a response rate lower than 50%. This will include households who may have already responded. In total, the Census Bureau expects to email more than 20 million households in these low-responding areas.
The Mountain Top Library in Tannersville put up a message for patrons who were picking up books or just driving by the library building: Get Counted!
|
Reference & Collection Development
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
 The 2020 Great Give Back event on October 17th may feel far away, but now is a good time to brainstorm ways to meet your communities' needs and help them to help each other. On Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00am all programming and outreach staff of MHLS libraries planning to participate are invited to The 2020 Great Give Back Program Idea Exchange. At this online session we will brainstorm creative program ideas and discuss COVID related challenges. Please register for this event through the MHLS calendar.
As many families sheltered in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital media for information, education and entertainment has skyrocketed. Now, more than ever, as parents and caregivers look to libraries for support, the work of children's librarians, serving as media mentors, is essential. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is offering free access to media mentoring tools and resources to support library professionals in all types of libraries. Resources include a variety of booklists with selections meant to assist children with understanding and healing from challenging situations like catastrophic illness, unexpected moves, the loss of a loved one, and much more.In addition, a compilation of web resources from expert sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide guidance on talking with children about sensitive topics, keeping children healthy while school is out, talking with children about COVID-19 and managing stress. For more information on ALSC resources, visit https://bit.ly/LookToLibraries.
|
|
| |
|
NEW DATE: The MHLS COVID-19 Trustee Briefing that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 12th has been rescheduled to Thursday, August 27th. If you are registered for this event you do not need to take any action. Your registration has automatically been moved to the new date. We apologize for any inconvenience.
|
Adjustments to Open Meetings Law are extended until September 4th. 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.
|
Administration & Management
| |
|
MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin, has been chosen to serve on the Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO) Subcommittee on Diversity to explore issues surrounding diversity and equity in New York libraries. PULISDO is seeking your help and kindly requests your response to this survey regarding civil service and a diversified workforce. Your input is important even if your library is not a civil service entity. The survey is brief and estimated to take less than 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be accepted until Friday, August 14th at 5:00pm.
 REALM Project Test 4 announced. Five items were selected for the fourth round of Battelle lab testing to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on materials commonly used in archives, libraries and museums. In response to feedback from the library community and discussion among REALM working groups, four of the five items in test 4 are similar book materials as were studied in test 1. In test 1, the items were laid flat and exposed to air; for test 4 they will be stacked to simulate their common storage configuration in bins, book drops, and on shelves. A fifth item, expanded polyethylene foam, has not been tested previously; the foam material will be exposed and open to air for this test, to simulate its more common configuration when used in archives and museums. The book and DVD case materials were provided to Battelle by Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the foam by the National Archives and Records Administration. Results from this round of testing are expected to be released in mid-September. The test items include:
- Materials studied in test 1, but in a stacked configuration:
- DVD/CD case (polypropylene)
- Hardcover book cover (buckram cloth)
- Softcover (trade paperback) book cover
- Plastic protective cover (biaxially oriented polyester film)
- Material commonly used in museums and archives for storage and shipping:
- Expanded polyethylene foam (1-in. thickness)
For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the "Happening Now" project update page.
The New York State Library is hosting a free live webinar REALM project overview Friday, August 14th at 12:00pm. Join this webinar to learn about science-based information and resources regarding COVID-19 being developed to support local decision making. Register here.
If you were unable to attend you can also access the recording, slides, chat, and related links for OCLC's REALM Materials Testing and Resource Overview webinar that was held on Tuesday, August 4th.
|
|
| |
|
Library Assistant, Pine Plains Free Library
SUMMARY: Under supervision of the Library Director, performs a variety of library duties, interfaces with patrons in providing public and technical library services, and supervises clerks and volunteers when necessary.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Interface with patrons in providing public and technical library services
- Provide excellent customer service both in person and over the phone
- Perform circulation desk duties; use an automated system (Sierra) to check out and check in library materials, register new patrons, generate reports, etc.
- Assist patrons with reader's advisory requests; furnish information about books, authors, and publishers; interpret and resolve questions regarding library circulation policies
- Collect fines and fees and reconcile cash using Square system
- Operate and assist patrons with a variety of electronic equipment including computer software, scanners, photocopiers, fax machines, cell phones, and printers. Provide one-on-one technology training sessions if requested.
- Shelve books, shelf read to ensure proper organization, and help keep library neat and organized
- Make regular social media posts on behalf of the library (Facebook, Instagram, website, etc)
- Assist librarian in cataloging, collection development, and interlibrary loan
- Provide general supervision for clerks and volunteers when director is not available
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Associates degree or Bachelor's degree preferred AND two (2) years of recent experience in customer service. Years of experience (4-5) can substitute for a degree. Experience in a public library would be ideal, but strong customer service, supervisory, and technology skills are desired from any field (bookstore, retail, office manager, educator.) Excellent decision making and communication skills. Ability to multitask and accomplish assigned tasks in a timely manner. Proactive personality that takes initiative on a daily basis.
Knowledge of:
- Familiarity with Dewey Decimal system used for cataloging inventory
- Basic supervisory skills
- Filing methods and record-keeping to maintain accurate information in alphabetical, chronological, and/or numerical order; and standard library clerical practices
- General awareness of a variety of books and authors, ability to recommend books to patrons and find books using sometimes limited information
- General computer literacy and comfort with modern technology, specifically with regard to PCs - Microsoft Word, internet browsing and searching, printing, viewing and printing PDFs, e-mail, simple troubleshooting, etc. This is REQUIRED.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a library setting and in close proximity to other workers and volunteers. Physical demands are moderate, consisting primarily of sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying moderately heavy boxes of books up to 50 lbs. and/or using a cart to transport boxes.
This position is for approximately 25 hours per week. Evenings and some Saturdays required. Ability to speak Spanish is a strong plus. Salary based on experience.
To apply, send résumé and a cover letter to director@pineplainslibrary.org. The Pine Plains Free Library is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made as required.
________________________________________________________________
Substitute Clerk Position, Woodstock Public Library District
Looking for a friendly, patient, reliable, tech savvy, flexible, detail and customer-service oriented person excited to work with patrons in busy community library. Responsibilities include working with the public: assisting patrons in person, and on the phone with a wide variety of informational needs. Also, responsible for sorting, shelving, and relocating library materials to ensure maximum availability for patrons. Helping to maintain organization and general appearance of library, light cleaning. In addition, provides simple directional information to patrons, basic assistance on the use of online library catalog, library resources, computers and other technology or software.
Hours per diem, evenings and weekends possible. Wage: $15/hour. To apply, email résumé and cover letter to director@woodstock.org.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
