MHLS Annual Membership Meeting |
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Please join us for our 62nd Mid-Hudson Library System Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, October 22nd. This event is online and free to attend!
During the business meeting we will report to the membership on the health of the organization, conduct board elections, vote on the MHLS bylaws amendment, and hear from MHLS' Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich. Following the business meeting Patty Wong, President of the American Library Association (ALA) will be our keynote speaker.
Please note there is a separate registration form for the Business Meeting and our Keynote Speaker. If you would like to attend both events, please make sure to register through both forms. Thank you!
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Patricia (Patty) Wong is the first Asian American to serve as president of the American Library Association (ALA). Her term began July 2021 and closes at the adjournment of the 2022 Annual Conference in Washington D.C.
An active ALA member for 37 years, Wong has served several terms as at-large councilor (1996–2007, 2012–2014) and as California Chapter councilor (2015–2017). Wong previously served as the Executive Board member from 2001-05. She has held numerous committee positions, including chair of the Budget Analysis and Review Committee. She is an active member of Association of Library Service to Children, Public Library Association, United for Libraries, Young Adult Library Services Association, the Social Responsibilities Round Table, Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table and the Rainbow Round Table. She is a member of the Freedom to Read Foundation and, as an ALA Executive Board member, has worked with the association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, Committee on Legislation, and the Conference Committee. She is a member of several ALA professional affiliates, including the American Indian Library Association, Asian-Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), Black Caucus of ALA, Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.
In addition to her service to ALA, she currently serves as a board member for the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (2014-present). She has served as a board member of the California Library Association (2015-17), president of APALA (1999), treasurer of United States Board on Books for Young People (1995-98), board member of CALA (1991-93) and president of CALA, California Chapter (1993).
Patty begins her new position as City Librarian for the City of Santa Clara in October. Ms. Wong was previously the City Librarian for the Santa Monica’s Public Library, where she oversaw the main library and four neighborhood branches.
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REMINDER: The 2021 Summer Reading Program Final Report is due form all member libraries by Friday, September 17th. Links to the online report form and a PDF of the questions are available at
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The Tivoli Free Library crafting group, Hooks & Needles, Yarns & Threads, is leading a communitywide Red Scarf Project. Participants can knit, crochet, weave, sew, etc. - a red scarf which will then be donated to Foster Care to Success, America's College Fund for Foster Youth. Foster Care for Success works with college-aged foster youth as they prepare for college and adult life. Finished scarves are being collected at the library through November 1 st. |
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2021 Library Journal Fall Summit: Don’t Call It a Comeback: Libraries @ the Center of Community Recovery. As communities across the country struggle to stay open during the protracted pandemic, they continue to look to libraries to help drive their economic and social recovery; provide essential services, convene crucial conversations about equity, and to help patrons find their feet amid changing circumstances. On October 21st Library Journal will offer a free, daylong virtual event to hear from public library leaders and staff who are reinventing their services and building on their best COVID-inspired innovations to better connect with and serve patrons and help their communities recover.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra |
The upgrade to Sierra 5.3 was completed on Thursday, September 9th. Please let the MHLS Tech Department know if you experience anything that is out of order or not working as you would expect by sending an email to techsupport@midhudson.org. To view the complete documentation of this latest upgrade please visit kb.midhudson.org.
REMINDER: Encore will be down for a brief instance before 7:00 am on Wednesday, September 15th for some minor updates that will address bug fixes. There are no enhancements in this release.
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There are still seats left for Sierra Data Entry: How brief is too brief? on Monday, September 20th at 2:00 pm with MHLS Data Operations Supervisor Nina Acosta. This online workshop is intended for any staff responsible for entering brief bibliographic or item records into Sierra. It will focus on the information to include in each field, and how that information may differ depending on the type of material being cataloged.
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Hunger Solutions New York is seeking feedback on library participation in the Summer Meals program from 2021, as well as gauge interest in participation for 2022. If your library is interested in assisting Hunger Solutions New York collect this information, please submit this brief 10 question survey by Friday, September 24 th.
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Reference & Collection Development |
New York Heritage has officially launched their new website! Their improvements include:
- Making navigation smoother through faster reloads
- Browse collections by Topics and Type
- Organizations' landing pages now include location maps
- Collection pages now have image captions and links to similar collections
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The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) needs your ideas! CSLP’s annual collaborative programming manual is looking for ideas for children, teens, and adults for their 2023 program. The 2023 theme will be friendship and kindness. If you submit original media with your program idea (such as a photo, worksheet, handout, or template that you have created), your idea will be prioritized for inclusion in the manual. Final submissions must be completed by October 29 th, 2021. If you have any issues with the submission form, please email alyssa.graybeal@cslpreads.org. |
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There are still seats available in our two upcoming sessions of Trustee Essentials and Core Values & Ethics.
Trustee Essentials presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director. This webinar provides a foundation of knowledge that other workshops in the MHLS Trustee Education Series will build on. This session is particularly for new board members, but open to all.
- Tuesday, September 21st | 5:30-7:00 pm | Register
Core Values & Ethics presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director and Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator. In this 90-minute online session 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.”
- Friday, September 17th | 10:00-11:30 am | Register
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Kristin O’Neill, Assistant Director of the Committee on Open Government, will be presenting a virtual Open Meetings Law training program on Thursday, September 16th from 10:00-11:30 am. The program will consist of an approximately one-hour overview of the statute, followed by 30 minutes of a question-and-answer period. Pre-Registration is required, however, all registrations, up to 500 participants, will be automatically approved. If you have questions that you believe would be of general interest, please submit them to Ms. O’Neill via e-mail: kristin.oneill@dos.ny.gov. |
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Administration & Management |
Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Designation of COVID-19 as an Airborne Infectious Disease Under New York State's HERO Act. At the direction of the governor, the NYS commissioner of health has designated COVID-19 a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under New York State's HERO Act, which requires private employers like association libraries to implement their workplace safety plans in the event of an airborne infectious disease. Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standards from the Department of Labor for workplace safety plans include health screenings for staff, masks for staff, and social distancing when possible, according to applicable guidance from the NYS Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. Public Libraries are not required to implement Health Emergency Plans at this point, which are triggered by the declaration, by the governor, of a public health emergency involving a communicable disease.
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Administrative Associate (part-time), Mid-Hudson Library System
This position provides assistance to the executive director and business office by coordinating activities related to the MHLS Board of Trustees and Directors Association; supports finance operations; special events planning; maintenance of member information; and assistance with general office duties. Strong candidates for this position are committed to good customer service, have a strong background with Microsoft Office products, are good writers and communicators, are highly organized, and enjoy working in a team environment.
- Critical skills: customer service, MS Office products, strong written and verbal communication, detail oriented
- Key qualities: organized, team player, problem solver, able to manage time and tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Educational Requirements: Two (2) years of experience as an administrative assistant or four (4) years of office administration experience
- Salary: $25/hour
- To read the full job description please click here.
MHLS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
MHLS offers a strong benefits package including PTO, paid holidays, 403B plan, professional development opportunities, access to the NYS Local Retirement System and an Employee Assistance Program.
To apply: Please email your résumé and a cover letter specific to the position you are applying for to the MHLS Finance Manager & Personnel Officer, Saran Camara at scamara@midhudson.org.
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Library Publicity / Clerk (part-time), North Chatham Free Library
This job requires attention to detail, ability to work independently and with others, multi-tasking, and most importantly strong customer service skills and writing skills.
It’s focus is two-fold: 1) to write and send out press releases and, 2) to perform clerk circulation duties.
General Duties:
- Performs publicity functions including:
- writing interesting correct press releases from material given;
- maintain an up-to-date contact list of publicity sources;
- maintain an up-to date list of publicity sent;
- develop flyers if needed;
- develop content for posting on webpage.
- Performs all circulation desk duties using computerized system, including:
- all circulation duties: included but not limited to checking items in and out, pulling holds, processing materials, updating patron registration, collecting fines, shelving and shelf maintenance;
- completes opening/closing procedures;
- attends to all circulation problems in a professional and timely manner;
- responds to general information requests by telephone and in person;
- utilize library resources such as databases, reference materials, and the Internet to supply needed information.
Any other routine tasks as assigned by the Library Director.
Qualifications Profile:
- Undergraduate degree preferred. High school graduate necessary with a strong aptitude in the written word;
- A large degree of comfort with technology;
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to work independently;
- Ability to use Dewey Decimal system, automated circulation system, and learn library circulation policies and procedures;
- Ability to establish good rapport with patrons creating a courteous pleasant first impression of library;
- Interest in library materials (such as books and movies) and library events;
- Physical ability to bend to floor level, stretch, reach, lift and carry books
Position: Part-Time: 10 hours weekly with a monthly pay period.
Pay: $13.00 - up, depending on experience. 3-month & 6-month raise.
Benefits: currently this position does not include vacation and sick time.
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