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Contact Us
The MHLS Bulletin welcomes submissions from member libraries.
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Governor Cuomo has proposed a 10% cut to library aid from 2019 aid levels and knocked back State Aid for Library Construction program funding to $14 million after it reached a high of $34 million pre-pandemic.
While New York State recovers from the economic impacts of the response to the pandemic, funding is tight for the state. The Library community understands this, however, after years of underfunding the cuts proposed disproportionately affect New Yorkers who rely on their library for essential services such as early literacy support, workforce development, access to broadband connectivity, and access to materials for lifelong learning - right when they need these services the most.
Libraries are experts at sharing, but sharing means being treated fairly during tough times.
It is time, once again to stand up and speak out for increased aid for libraries and public library systems in New York State.
- Save the Date(s)! Join us for the Mid-Hudson Library System's "Advocacy Week": February 22-26, 2021. We will be hosting online meetings with all area state representatives and issuing calls to action for a push on social media to draw attention to the value and importance of libraries to government officials at the state level. Watch the MHLS Bulletin and listservs for more information.
- To help you prepare for this work, MHLS is offering an Advocacy Briefing on Tuesday, February 16th at 3:00pm, please register online for this event.
- The #1 thing you can do right now is to fine tune your talking points about how your library has helped your residents during the pandemic and how MHLS has supported you in this work. This is where we want to focus our messaging to demonstrate to legislators that we are more than just books and that local libraries can do more, for less, thanks to their partnerships forged within the Mid-Hudson Library System.
- The New York Library Association (NYLA) is calling on all library advocates from library staff and trustees to library patrons and municipal leaders who understand how critical libraries are, particularly during the pandemic to help your state representatives understand the value libraries bring to help New Yorkers "build back better."
- Don't let the pandemic stop you from inviting your state representatives to your library or to offer to advertise virtual office hours. Citizens need a platform to connect with their representatives and their local library is still a place that can help to facilitate that access.
National Level Funding for Library Buildings: Library facilities are an essential part of our nation's civic infrastructure. But for too long, this has unfortunately been overlooked by Congress. The Build America's Libraries Act would provide historic federal funding to improve our America's libraries. Introduced on January 28th, the Build America's Libraries Act (S.127) would provide $5 billion in federal funding to repair, modernize, and construct library facilities in underserved and marginalized communities. Ask your Congressional Senators to invest in our library infrastructure, bring it to the attention of your Congressional representatives to let them know you support it, and ask your Senator to consider signing on as a co-sponsor.
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MHLS Announcements
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MHLS will be closed on Monday February 15th in observance of Presidents' Day. There will be no deliveries and the MHLS ticket system will not be monitored.
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REMINDER: The 2020 Annual Report Software is open. Each member library director should have received, via the delivery, a packet from the Mid-Hudson Library System of pertinent information to complete your report. A detailed email was sent via the MHLS-Notice List regarding changes and access to the report. For continuously updated information please visit https://midhudson.org/annualreporttips/. All reports are due by Monday, March 1st.
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 Morton Memorial Library and Community House in Rhinecliff adjusted their very popular Seed Swap program to accommodate social distancing guidelines by creating an online Seed Inventory List and a Seed Request Form. Once the request is placed the seed packets are pulled and are then scheduled for curbside pickup. The library also offers the option to mail seed packets if patrons are unable to make it to the library building. The seeds come from the Morton Seed Garden, Hudson Valley Seed Co., American Seed, Botanical Interest, Renee's Garden, and from local gardeners and seed savers.
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Professional Development
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The State Library is pleased to provide the webinar Virtual and In-Person Programming for Infants: Who, How, What, When, Where, and Why? on Tuesday March 2nd at 1:00 pm presented by recognized early literacy expert, Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen. Virtual and in-person library programs for parents and infants are most meaningful when a broad range of factors are taken into consideration. Join Dr. Diamant-Cohen, creator of Mother Goose on the Loose to learn all the factors you need for a successful program. For more information and to register visit, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra
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There are now two eMagazine collections featured at the top of the OverDrive home page. Your favorite magazines from RBdigital - now available on OverDrive and Libby! and Browse the Newsstand. You can also access the magazine collection page directly at the following URL,
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 The American Library Association's Sustainability Roundtable (SustainRT) is recognizing libraries going above & beyond to support staff wellness with the SustainRT Citation for Wellness in the Workplace. Please send nominations by March 15th to recognize a library that has advanced sustainability & encouraged employee wellness. For more information please visit the SustainRT Citation for Wellness in the Workplace webpage.
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 Wednesday, February 17th at 2:00 pm MHLS hosts Libraries Addressing Food Scarcity with Hunger Solutions NY. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented rise in food insecurity. Fortunately, librarians are no strangers to connecting children and families with resources they need; as trusted messengers and community hubs, libraries can help connect patrons with federal nutrition programs that alleviate hunger. Join Krista Hesdorfer, Child Nutrition Programs Specialist at Hunger Solutions NY, and participating MHLS member libraries to learn about the ways libraries can get involved, from serving summer meals for kids to sharing information about SNAP, WIC, school meals, and other vital supports. Please register for this event through the MHLS calendar.
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The ALA Trustee Citation, established in 1941 to recognize public library Trustees for distinguished service to library development, symbolizes and honors the best contributions and efforts of the estimated 60,000 American citizens who serve on library boards. Trustee service may have been performed on the local, state, regional or national level, or at a combination of levels. Equal consideration is given to Trustees of libraries of all sizes. Recipients of the Trustee Citation will be honored at the ALA Annual Conference in June 2021. Applications must be received by March 1st, 2021.
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Administration & Management
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The MHLS New Directors Forum will take place on Thursday, February 18th at 1:00 pm after the DA Business Meeting. The topic will be Sierra for New Directors. Sierra plays a significant role in the day-to-day operations of your library. Getting to know Sierra can be an essential step towards the success of managing your library. In this session, we will discuss Sierra from an administrator's perspective. We will review the areas where administrative policies and workflows are implemented in Sierra. You will begin to see the possibilities and the limitations of working within Sierra in our consortia environment, as well as gain insight on what reports and statistics are available to help move your library forward and tell your story. Please register for this program at https://register.gotowebinar.com/.
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The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) is looking for 30 people who are currently working in rural and/or small libraries throughout the country and from various backgrounds and ethnicities for the Outstanding in Their Field Leadership Institute. Participants, a.k.a. "Outfielders," will undertake 18 months of online and in-person interactive sessions. It is a big commitment but rewarding! All participant travel, materials, and instructional expenses (worth approximately $8,000) are covered by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). While there are no monetary costs for participants, they will outlay their time, consistent engagement, and dedication to growing themselves and others as leaders. Applications are due by February 24th.
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Library Director, Hyde Park Library District
The Hyde Park Library is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Library Director. The Hyde Park Free Library is a historic library built by Sara Roosevelt, mother of FDR, in honor of her husband, James. This history is an important cornerstone of our library mission and work. Community involvement and service are essential components of the library which delivers all aspects of library service, including circulation, information, programming and technical assistance to our community. Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Library operations. Community connections are a priority and the incoming director will carry on this work.
Minimum Qualifications: Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program required and 2 years of progressively responsible library administrative experience preferred. Experience should include a broad background in management, administration and human resources, operations, fundraising and finance, as well as knowledge of library services, operations and collections. Civil Service requirements for Library Director I are the minimum requirements.
Salary: Starting at $60,000, it will be commensurate with experience. Benefits are included.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Responsible for administering the safe and efficient operation of the Hyde Park Library, its programs and services, in compliance with all applicable laws, and policies and decisions of the Board;
- Oversee continuous development of relevant library materials and services; responsible for the development of the Library's collections in coordination with select staff;
- Plan and implement programs and services for patrons of all ages in collaboration with library staff and volunteers; with a focus on developing increased electronic programming and resources;
- Involvement in and implementation of the Library's Long-Range Plan;
- Exhibit a high level of administrative and supervisory skills including: recruiting and training of employees, supporting the continued training and development of staff members; balancing multiple priorities; administering personnel policies; preparing performance evaluations of staff members; record keeping; grant writing and preparing the annual budget, state and local reports; and works with the office manager and treasurer on reporting to the board;
- Work closely with the President of the Board of Trustees and other board and community members on committees and work projects, including our current renovation project and upcoming capital campaign and building project;
- Possess exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills;
- Exercise considerable professional skill, initiative and good judgment, and the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, the public and the Library Board to promote the library as an integral and vital component of the wider community;
- Strong computer skills: knowledge of databases, spreadsheet and word processing software, and library system software such as Sierra (or its equivalent);
- Fluency with current and emerging technologies and their application(s) in a library setting.
The Hyde Park Library is a Special District Library and as such follows Civil Service regulations for hiring. Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé , and contact information for three references to: Hyde Park Library, 2 Main St. Hyde Park, NY 12538 Attn: Lynn Ruggiero President of the Board of Trustees. The applications will be reviewed starting March 1, 2021.
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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