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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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 This fall MHLS member libraries are invited to join libraries from all over New York State to connect patrons with opportunities to help their neighbors through donation drives, environmental clean-up events, and other community service projects as part of The Great Give Back (GGB) on Saturday, October 17th. Libraries are catalysts and conveners, working to respond to the needs of the people in the community and The Great Give Back gives us a chance to shine a light on this work and connect more people with what's going on at their local library. While a library can choose any community service project it would like - large or small - there are two themes emerging this year:
1) As many families and individuals continue to suffer from food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System have been stepping up to feed people through donation drives and partnerships with local pantries, food banks, and other support organizations and groups and GGB is a great opportunity to highlight this work.
2) Riverkeeper is partnering with The Great Give Back and NYS libraries to organize "sweep events" that will provide a day of opportunities for library patrons to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences through cleanup work around the Hudson River Estuary and Mohawk River watersheds. As part of the 9th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep libraries and organizers that partner with Riverkeeper for Sweeps will receive support for leading and publicizing events including targeted volunteer recruitment and event organization tools and resources. Sweep areas are not limited to Hudson River shorelines or riversides but can include inland areas and parks, and many Sweep areas have seen transformations through cleanup and planting events to sustainable community-supported recreation areas. Sweep activities can be carried out while maintaining social distancing including gathering trash and refuse - tires, car bumpers, snow blowers, and even kitchen sinks - from cleanup sites and planting trees and native grasses and removing invasive species to promote riverbank stability. Libraries interested in organizing Sweep events should contact MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin, cconlin@midhudson.org.
Visit https://thegreatgiveback.org/ for more info on The Great Give Back events. MHLS has assembled resources to help libraries promote The Great Give Back in their community. Visit https://midhudson.org/great-give-back/ to register your library's GGB event, and find templates for newsletter articles, social media images, captions, logos, and more to help promote the GGB in your community.
MHLS will host a GGB Program Promotion Idea Exchange on Monday, September 14th at 11:00am. This event is for the programming and outreach staff at MHLS member libraries that are hosting The Great Give Back events on October 17th. Whether you have settled on your library's 2020 GGB event or you're still developing it, it's time to start thinking about how you will promote it throughout the community including and beyond your library's social media and bulletin boards. Registration for this event can be found on the MHLS calendar.
Did you miss The Great Give Back Program Idea Exchange webinar held on August 26th? No worries you can watch the recording of the MHLS session at https://youtu.be/54fsLRFXkxc.
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MHLS Announcements
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MHLS will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored.
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The cataloging utility MHLS uses (SkyRiver) is undergoing a scheduled upgrade on September 8-11th. This will have an impact on the cataloging team's ability to load OverDrive records into the Encore Catalog and to provide improved Bibliographic records during and shortly after that period. Other services, like cart loading and support will not be interrupted. For more information or if you have questions please contact cataloging@midhudson.org.
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Parents are faced with more and more challenges with the imminent beginning of the school year and the many changes to the school environment both for their children and their families. The Beekman Library is helping parents of school-aged children get ready for back to school by offering a series of online programming to help parents gain a better understanding of Google Classroom. This program, presented by Terri Sudol, NYS School Media Specialist will explain the basics of using Google Classroom and help parents become more comfortable with the platform.
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Professional Development
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 The 2020 Computers in Libraries Conference will take place September 21st - 25th. After 34 years of hosting a successful annual event, the 35th Computers in Libraries is going virtual along with Internet Librarian. They have combined the planned programs around the themes Generation Next: Preparing for New Technologies and Futurizing: People, Technology & Communities which focus on exciting library programs and services that have taken place and that are being planned for the future by using new technology and building community partnerships. They will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the magazine, Computers in Libraries. There will be lots of networking opportunities as well interactions, discussions and chat with speakers, suppliers, and colleagues. This is the leading technology & internet event for libraries and information managers worldwide featuring the best thinking and practices from innovative and experienced speakers. For more information about the conference and to register, visit https://pheedloop.com/cilil2020/site/
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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In the third week of September the MHLS cataloging department will suppress all items that have a status of 'Lost & Paid', 'Discard' or 'Claims Returned', which have not been updated for 3 months. The items will not be deleted. Changing the annual report code to "n - suppress", simply keeps them from displaying in the public catalog.
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Sierra Lunchtime webinars will be held throughout September. Join MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor, Thomas O'Connell for an upcoming session. All events begin at noon. Please register through the MHLS calendar.
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The MHLS Reimagining Library Services Series begins on Tuesday, September 15th at 2:00pm with the webinar, Libraries Addressing Food Scarcity.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. To register, visit
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Reference & Collection Development
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A box set of literature, poetry & nonfiction books are available from the Poulin Project for free! The Poulin Project distributes the work of hundreds of contemporary writers and poets published by New York State independent presses to public schools, libraries, prisons, and alternative education centers throughout New York State, free of charge. Books are distributed in box sets of 50-75 titles to 50 public institutions each year to create new avenues of access between local communities, writers, editors, and publishers to bridge readers and students with resources they would not otherwise be able to acquire. Complete the order form to request the 2020 Poulin Project box set.
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 OverDrive is promoting a Diverse Reads Reading Challenge to encourage everyone to read more broadly this year. You can use this program to challenge your patrons to expand on their reading choices and read titles that represent a variety of cultures and people. MHLS Assistant ILP Operations Supervisor, Nina Acosta has curated a list of titles in the MHLS OverDrive collection for each of the categories in the reading challenge.
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Sign-up today to attend one or more of the MHLS Trustee Education Series events taking place in September!
Trustee Essentials | Thursday, September 10th | 5:30-7:00pm | Register
Presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director
Particularly for new board members, but open to all. Library board members looking for essential, basic information to increase their effectiveness in serving on a library board will benefit from attending this session. Attendees will develop a working knowledge of library funding and organization in New York State; receive a clear overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities and receive an introduction to Open Meetings Law and best practices for effective board meetings. This webinar provides a foundation of knowledge that other workshops in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will build on.
Core Values & Ethics (aka Policies 101) | Thursday, September 17th | 10:00-11:30am | Register
Presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator
Trustees have enormous influence in creating libraries that are relevant and responsive to community needs. From policymaking and fiduciary responsibility to strategic planning and advocacy work, the board needs a strong sense of the core values of librarianship and a commitment to ethical governance to support patrons' rights to access to information and resources while creating a viable, vital and visible library that their community is proud of. Attendees will develop a working knowledge of the Core Values of Librarianship and how those values translate to the work of the board, particularly in the area of policy making. This webinar will also review board ethics and use case studies to illustrate "values and ethics in action."
Legal Issues: New Minimum Library Standards | Tuesday, September 22nd | 5:30-7:00pm | Register
Presented by Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator
This intermediate-level course is for trustees who have been on the board for at least a year. There are a number of laws and regulations that directly and indirectly apply to and impact libraries in New York State. This program provides a primer on what you need to know about how libraries are governed in NYS. This workshop will provide an overview of new minimum standards for public and association libraries that will go into effect on January 1st, 2021. All MHLS member libraries will be required to meet these standards, which include updated requirements around library planning, staff training, library services, and community engagement.
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Administration & Management
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There is still time to register for the MHLS Directors Association Meeting on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 10:00am. Please register for this event through the MHLS calendar as soon as possible. Following the DA Meeting at 1:00pm MHLS will offer the New Minimum Public Library Standards for MHLS Directors webinar. This workshop will provide an overview of new minimum standards for public and association libraries that will go into effect on January 1st, 2021. All MHLS member libraries will be required to meet these standards, which include updated requirements around library planning, staff training, library services, and community engagement. Please register here for this event.
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Job Openings
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Children's/Youth Services Associate, Roeliff Jansen Community Library
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake, NY, is seeking an energetic and creative part-time Children's/Youth Services Librarian to develop and oversee the Library's children's and young adult collections and programs. The Children's/Youth Services Librarian, who reports to the Director of the Library, will also assist with circulation and reference duties, materials processing, and community outreach.
Specific responsibilities:
- Work with the Youth Team to plan, promote, implement, and evaluate programs for children, young adults, and families
- Maintain and develop the children's and young adult collections, selecting, ordering, processing, cataloging, and repairing materials
- Recruit, train, and work with youth-oriented volunteers including, perhaps, a youth advisory team
- Work with local schools and camps to introduce young people to the Library
- Identify opportunities to secure grants for programs geared to children and young adults
- Work the circulation desk, field reference questions, assist patrons with computer questions
- Maintain statistics and develop reports
- Take responsibility of the building in the absence of the Director
The candidate must have strong customer service skills and be able to work with people of all ages and temperaments, especially with children and young adults, be comfortable with computer and A/V technology and savvy with social media, and enjoy working as part of a team.
This is a 30 hour/week position. Candidate must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed.
Minimum qualifications: - Bachelor's degree, MLS preferred
Hourly rate dependent upon education and experience. The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is an equal opportunity employer. Please send résumé and letter explaining why you think you would be a good fit for this position, along with the names and contact information for three professional references, to Tamara Gaskell, Director, at director@roejanlibrary.org. Review of applications will begin September 8th. _________________________________________________________________
Children's Librarian, Putnam Valley Library
Putnam Valley Library is seeking a full time (35 hr/wk) Children's Librarian to lead our community with inspired programming, outreach, and collection development.
Responsibilities Include:
- Develops and presents programs for families and children ages 0-18
- Performs reader's advisory for children, teens, and parents
- Develops, maintains, and promotes the children's collection in the branch
- Maintains the appearance of the children's floor through shelf maintenance and appropriate displays
- Conducts outreach in the community, networks with local school system and childcare facilities
Qualifications: - Excellent track record of service to families and children with strong communication skills
- Experience developing and presenting dynamic programs including weekly storytimes
- A commitment to equitable and compassionate library service
- Demonstrated understanding of collection development for an inclusive and responsive collection
- History of good working relationships and positive team building
Education and Experience Required: - General experience working with the public and diverse communities, prior library service preferred
- Excellent customer relations and communication skills *
- Knowledge of children's literature and programming
- Basic understanding of current and emerging library technology, service and programming trends for children
- Familiarity with internet, electronic databases, social media, and basic computer applications
- Candidates must be flexible, able to handle multiple competing priorities and tasks
- Ability to bend, reach, sit and stand as needed
Salary commensurate with experience. Position includes PTO and 10 paid holidays. Position start date is early to mid-September.
_________________________________________________________________ Library Clerk, West Hurley Public Library
The West Hurley Library is looking for an enthusiastic, customer-service/detail oriented individual to join our team as a part time Library Clerk. Responsibilities will include: - checking patron materials in and out at the front desk
- assisting library users with information requests and locating materials
- answering the phone and directing calls appropriately
- explaining and enforcing all library policies and procedures with patrons as needed
- shelving/shelf maintenance as needed
- small projects as assigned
This position is 8 hours per week: Tuesdays 2pm-6pm, Fridays 2pm-6pm, plus at least one Saturday per month from 9:30am-3pm and the opportunity to cover other shifts as needed. Salary is $15 per hour.
Requirements: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED, strong customer service skills, computer proficiency, the ability to multi-task, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Must enjoy working with the public, have a good sense of humor, have an interest in books and movies, be able to function independently and as part of a busy library team, and maintain confidentiality of patron information. Prior library experience is a plus.
Please email a cover letter, résumé, and 2 references to director@westhurleylibrary.org, and indicate "Clerk" in the subject line. Paper submissions will also be accepted at the circulation desk.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 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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