Intellectual Freedom & EDI Workshop |
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The Mid-Hudson Library System and Southern Adirondack Library System have partnered to offer the upcoming event, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”: The Intersection of Intellectual Freedom & Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. This online event will be held on Friday, June 4th at 10:00 am.
In the aftermath of the recent controversy surrounding the decision by the Dr. Seuss estate to stop selling several of his books after concluding that the works contained racial and ethnic stereotypes they found “hurtful and wrong,” Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom & Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation and Dr. Emily Knox, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Associate Professor of School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will discuss the intersection of intellectual freedom and issues surrounding equity, diversity and inclusion as they pertain to library work, in particular, collection development.
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Outcomes of the program:
- Exploration of the intersection of Intellectual Freedom and issues surrounding social justice
- Examination of the core values of the library profession in context of current events
- Increased confidence of attendees to build and weed collections that meet the needs of their community
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There have been a lot of changes in 2021. Please join us in welcoming our newest member library directors!
- Kim Benjamin, Interim Director, D.R. Evarts Library (Athens)
- Jen McCreery, Director, Chatham Public Library
- Johanna Reinhardt, Interim Director, Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring)
- Donna Perolli, Director, Dover Plains Library
- Pam Read, Interim Director, Desmond-Fish Public Library (Garrison)
- Stephanie Pushman, Director, Hunter Public Library
- Michelle Hoffman, Director, New Lebanon Library
- Gillian Murphy, Director, Elting Memorial Library (New Paltz)
- Alexis Tackett, Director, Pine Plains Free Library
- Mary Collins, Interim Director, Town of Ulster Public Library
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The American Library Association (ALA) announced the recipients of nearly $1 million in funding for small and rural libraries, in the second round of grant distributions as part of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries initiative. Of the more than 500 grants distributed in this second round 7 MHLS member libraries were recipients. Congratulations to Claverack Free Library, Town of Esopus Library, Hudson Area Library, Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library, Olive Free Library, Patterson Library and Philmont Public Library!
The first round of grants announced at the beginning of this year included 3 recipients in the Mid-Hudson Library System - Marlboro Free Library, New Lebanon Library and Roeliff Jansen Community Library.
Through these two round grant cycles ALA gave 650 U.S. libraries in small and rural communities $3,000 to tackle issues ranging from media literacy to COVID-19 safety to unemployment. The initiative is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) defines small communities as those with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and rural communities as those more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area.
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There is still time to register for the MHLS Reimagining Library Services webinar Online Programming Like a Pro on Tuesday, May 11th at 10:00 am. Online programming started as a stop-gap solution to connect with patrons safely during the pandemic, but many libraries have found it’s an effective way to reach people who might not be able to make it to the library building and plan to continue providing programming online events as the risk of COVID is reduced and social distancing restrictions are lifted. Paul Thompson, Media Workforce Programs Manager at The Art Effect in Poughkeepise, will review best practice and technique for creating engaging and secure experiences for your participants whether it's storytime or your board meeting. The Art Effect (formerly Mill Street Loft and Spark Media Project) is committed to being a catalyst for youth empowerment and community engagement through the arts and media across the Hudson Valley. |
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Resource Sharing & Sierra |
Universal Class will become discoverable in OverDrive platforms on May 18th. This change is a result of OverDrive’s purchase of Recorded Books, which included RBDigital platform services. RBDigital was the vendor and distributor for our eMagazines as well as Universal Class. The MHLS Tech Ops Team are still working on establishing a better understanding about the user experience in the OverDrive and Libby platform, particularly for existing Universal Class users. OverDrive “expects patrons to have continued access to any previous activity in their Universal Class account”. Our custom link to Universal Class https://midhudsonlibsysny.universalclass.com/ will remain in place. Users who directly access that link should not experience any change. MHLS will follow up with more information when it is released from OverDrive and document as much as possible on the OverDrive and Universal Class webpages in the MHLS Knowledge Base. |
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The Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBPP) will open enrollment on May 12th. As of May 12 th, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or through the EBPP webpage, https://getemergencybroadband.org. The program will provide a $50 per month subsidy for broadband service, plus a one-time discount of up to $100 on computers and tablets. The FCC is looking for partners to help promote the program locally. To learn more about EBPP or to become a partner please visit http://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
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The American Library Association (ALA) released its State of America's Libraries Special Report: COVID-19, a snapshot of the library communities' resilience, determination, and innovation in unprecedented circumstances. The State of America's Libraries report is released annually, and this year’s issue focuses on the impact of the novel coronavirus on all types of libraries during the previous calendar year. Like many public institutions forced to close their doors, libraries worked to adapt to a new way of doing business. The report finds closures did not prevent library workers and libraries from serving their communities. Instead, closed physical space fueled significant innovation and opportunities to assist and support patrons and students by bridging the digital divide, connecting patrons online through programming, providing an unprecedented number of eBooks, fighting disinformation and structural inequities, and more. |
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The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Teen Video Challenge is back for 2021! Visit the Summer Reading at New York Libraries Teen Video Challenge page for all the details, including the submission form, contest rules, and to see the winning videos from 2020. Video entries will be accepted from June 1 st through August 6 th, 2021.
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Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is looking for people to volunteer for the 2023 Artwork Committee. Committee members will be expected to look at sketches for program year 2023 (Friendship and kindness, All Together Now, artist Frank Morrison) and evaluate them from a culturally authentic viewpoint and provide constructive criticism to ensure posters and spot art are inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities we serve. If you are interested in joining the Artwork Committee, please complete the Artwork Committee application by May 10th, 2021. Part of the application includes 2 images from children’s literature. What feedback would you give the artist if these images were submitted? What sticks out or resonates with you? What might a child take away from these images? This exercise is to help CSLP assess your thought process in evaluating the artwork and providing thoughtful and constructive feedback. |
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Join MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich for a COVID-19 Briefing for Trustees on Thursday, May 13th at 2:00 pm for COVID-19 related updates for boards including:
- June 1st deadline to meet NYS minimum standards for open hours
- Updated CDC guidance for disinfecting and cleaning facilities
- Updates on funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- Helping residents connect or reconnect with library services
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Administration & Management |
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Library Director, Desmond-Fish Public Library (Garrison)
We seek a dynamic Library Director with a passion for community service to oversee all activities and operations of the Library. The successful candidate will manage and expand library services and programs for community members of all ages to ensure that the Library effectively meets the cultural, informational and social needs of this vibrant Hudson Valley community that has valued and supported its Library for 40 years. The Director will be responsible for leading a dedicated staff of nine full- and part-time employees, working with a committed Friends group and an active 25-member Board of Trustees, overseeing extensive building and grounds improvements and other elements of the institution’s long-range plan for achieving sustainability, raising funds and managing the library’s finances, and innovating new programs and services to meet the changing needs of Library patrons. The Director is responsible for a $650,000+ annual budget.
Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Staff and Operations
- Supervising all library services, operations, activities, programs and outreach
- Selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating personnel while creating a harmonious team environment
- Developing and maintaining the Library’s collection in accordance with collection policies and best practices
- Controlling expenditures of funds and maintaining accurate financial records
- Supervising the purchase, utilization and maintenance of technology to deliver, monitor and enhance library services
- Preparing annual reports to the state and the community with extensive data tracking
- Working with Buildings and Grounds Committee to maintain all areas of the Library and its beautiful surroundings
Programs & Events:
- Working with the Development Committee on individual and institutional solicitations, fundraising events and campaigns; grant writing and reporting
- Overseeing year-round library events, programs and community outreach
- Preparing and distributing public relations and marketing materials
Board of Trustees:
- Developing, implementing and evaluating long- and short-term goals and objectives
- Working with the Board in an ongoing planning process that identifies and addresses community and library needs
- Making policy recommendations to the Board and implementing adopted policies
- Preparing annual budget recommendations for Board approval
- Preparing narrative and data reports for all and participating in all Board meetings
Essential Traits include but are not limited to:
- Ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for staff and library patrons
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
- A commitment to social justice and fostering an equitable community
- Thorough knowledge of current trends and developments in the library profession
- Ability to organize and prioritize work
- Proficiency with computers, popular library software, internet and digital communications
Minimum Qualifications: A master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program and five years of experience in library administration.
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include health care and 401K contribution. To apply, please send a cover letter, résumé and three references to: searchcommittee@desmondfishlibrary.org by May 25 th.
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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