New Branch Library Opens in Poughkeepsie |
|
The Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Branch Library of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District officially opened to the public on Saturday, April 9th with live music and take and make crafts! This new branch is located in the Family Partnership Center at 29 North Hamilton Street. A ribbon cutting ceremony organized by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday, April 8th with Executive Director Tom Lawrence, City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison and community leaders in attendance. |
|
Community members celebrate at the grand opening event. Pictures courtesy of Poughkeepsie Public Library District.
The branch will have a particular focus on early literacy as an important developmental step for children. This new library is within walking distance of the area’s two elementary schools, Morse and Warring. The original African Roots Library collection that occupied this space is curated through a partnership between the Library Action Committee and the Poughkeepsie Public Library District.
The branch is named in honor of Sadie Peterson Delaney, who attended Poughkeepsie High School and was active in the Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church. She went on to serve as Chief Librarian at the Veterans Administration Hospital Library in Tuskegee, Alabama, where her work in Bibliotherapy received international attention.
Contact Info:
- Phone: (845) 485-3445
- Address: 29 North Hamilton Street, Room 224, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Branch Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sierra Location Prefix: SPD
Transit Slip Appearance: Sadie Petersen
Delivery: For now, there is no need for member library staff at other libraries to pre-sort items headed for this new branch library. All SPD items will be returning to MHLS for delivery to the Adriance Memorial Library.
|
|
Member libraries have been celebrating Earth Day all month long! Here are a few highlights: |
Pawling Library encouraged kids of all ages to help revitalize the library’s vegetable garden. They added an incentive by offering community service hours for participating. |
Philmont Public Library partnered with the Philmont Climate Smart Community Task Force for a light bulb exchange. Residents could swap out high energy incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs for low energy LED’s. |
Staatsburg Library held a Guided Nature Walk at Norrie Point led by Norrie Point Environmental Center Educator Jim Herrington. |
Mountain Top Library held a half-day event that included a Birds of Prey demonstration, live music, crafts for kids and Lego challenges, composting & invasive species discussions, and more. |
|
Resource Sharing & Sierra |
Reserve your seat for the MHLS Sierra Users Group on May 19th at 10:00am. At this online event our focus will be on the Vega Discover public access catalog bringing everyone up to date. We will also be taking a look at the new developments for Sierra. As always, we look to you and the staff of your libraries to make this a true user experience. Please send an email to Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager, lshedrick@midhudson.org, and we can discuss:
- Are there ways that your library utilizes tools in Sierra that others might benefit?
- Do you have projects or questions that we might discuss as a group?
|
|
If you’re interested in how becoming a resilience hub could help your library further its sustainability work or build up connections with your community, join Colin Battis, CREW’s coordinator for Climate Resilience Hubs for this info session and Q&A about the hub program! This event is open to MHLS member library directors and staff.
|
Local Champions is accepting applications now through May 2nd. Local Champions jumpstarts municipalities new to NY State’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program. The program is accepting 10 new CSC Task Force Coordinators and providing them with funding, technical assistance, and a cohort of peers with $8,000 fellowships available. This program is sponsored by Partners for Climate Action HV, see their page for more info. |
|
Reference & Collection Development |
A digital copy of the 2022 Women's History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties booklet is now available in the catalog. This booklet series compiled by Assemblymember Didi Barrett focuses on retelling the lives and deeds of extraordinary local women, ultimately ensuring they are remembered for their significance in history. Digital copies of all the booklets from this project (2014 – 2022) can be accessed through the catalog. |
|
In the MHLS Libraries Addressing Food Scarcity with Hunger Solutions NY webinar, Child Nutrition Programs Specialist, Krista Hesdorfer, shared resources, and programs libraries can employ to address food scarcity in their communities. Libraries have provided meals and food directly to community members through collection and delivery of food items, summer meal programs, and by promoting available resources. Summer meal programs provide libraries with an opportunity to address their communities’ needs around hunger, and Hunger Solutions NY can help libraries connect with partners and programs to bring nutrition to their communities. Programs that combine Summer Reading and free summer meals are a great way to get literacy and food to kids and families in need. To get started with summer meals, visit the USDA Capacity Builder Map or see the Sponsorship Directory to find a sponsor organization to provide summer meals at your library. Questions about sponsors and eligibility can also be directed to Krista Hesdorfer, MPA at Krista.Hesdorfer@HungerSolutionsNY.org.
|
|
Each month trustees are encouraged to read a chapter of the Trustee Handbook and send in questions that the authors will address live at these events. Each session will include a brief introduction to the chapter topic, answers to questions sent in advance by attendees, as well as address questions that come in live during the event.
|
|
Administration & Management |
The Federal Communications Center (FCC) announced a third application window in the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to help schools and libraries in the upcoming school year. The third application window will open on April 28th and close on May 13th. ECF is a $7.17 billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. ECF will help provide relief to millions of students, school staff, and library patrons and will help close the Homework Gap for students who currently lack necessary Internet access or the devices they need to connect to classrooms. |
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) will soon be accepting letters of intent from community organizations, including rural and Tribal libraries, who wish to expand digital services in their communities. NDIA will work with the selected organizations to provide funding, training, outreach and support in launching digital navigator programs. Digital navigation services include ongoing assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition, and technical skills. You can find an FAQ and more information about the grant opportunity here, and sign up for future updates about the grant, including announcements about application deadlines here.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is a community of digital inclusion practitioners and advocates working collaboratively to craft, identify and disseminate financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs. For any questions about the New York State Library’s Digital Inclusion programs, please contact Lauren Cardinal ( Lauren.Cardinal@nysed.gov) Library Development Specialist, Division of Library Development, New York State Library. |
|
Library Associate and Communications Manager, Roeliff Jansen Community Library
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake, NY, is seeking an energetic and creative part-time Library Associate and Communications Manager to oversee the Library’s communications and staff the circulation desk. The Library Associate and Communications Manager, who reports to the Director of the Library, will also assist in program planning, providing technology support, and maintaining and processing the Library’s circulating collection.
Specific responsibilities:
- Work with Library staff and program committees to promote the library and its programs
- Maintain and expand the Library’s social media presence
- Compile and edit the Library’s e-newsletter
- Write and send press releases on Library activities
- Help create and circulate flyers/posters for events
- Work the circulation desk, field reference questions
- Assist patrons with technology questions
- Process and catalog new materials
- Assist with program planning
- Take responsibility of the building in the absence of the Director
The candidate must have strong customer service skills, be comfortable with computer and A/V technology, and be savvy with social media. Experience with Constant Contact, WordPress, and Photoshop a plus. Must have strong writing skills, be able to work with people of all ages and temperaments and enjoy working as part of a team.
This is a 20 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 resume 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 May 19th. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Treasurer, Woodstock Public Library District
The Woodstock Public Library District seeks the services of an Independent Treasurer for 4-6 hours per month. The Independent Treasurer is responsible for depositing and disbursing library funds, maintaining appropriate accounting records, and providing a monthly Treasurer’s report to the board.
The Library is required by NY State Education Law 259(1)(a) to appoint an independent Treasurer who is not a member of the library’s Board of Trustees. This independent officer reports to the Board and is responsible for the receipt and disbursement of tax monies after Board approval. They are required to take an Oath of Office and perform their duties as defined in state law.
Duties:
- Reconciliation of bank statements
- Preparation of Monthly Report to the Board of Receipts & Disbursements
- Provide assistance with annual reports to the State
- Consult with the Library Director, the Board’s Fiscal Officer, and the Library’s bookkeeper as needed
The Independent Treasurer is not required to attend Board meetings and does not have voting rights on Board decisions.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Basic knowledge of record keeping, accounting systems, and financial reports
- shows an understanding of the needs of the Library, its services, funding, and personnel;
- willingness to learn applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and policies related to library finances;
- the ability to work with the Board of Trustees, library staff, and auditors virtually and in person;
- ability to keep financial records and prepare reports thereon;
- integrity, good judgment;
- proficiency in Quickbooks
Minimum Qualifications: (a) graduation from a high school and three years of financial record keeping experience; or(b) two years of post-high school education in financial record keeping and one year of financial record keeping experience; or (c) a Bachelor degree from a recognized college or university in business administration, public administration, accounting, finance, or a related field; or (d) any satisfactory equivalent combination of the foregoing training and experience
Schedule and Compensation:
- 4 - 6 hours per month, occasionally more as needed
- Can work remotely, although local availability for meetings is needed
- $25 - $30 per hour
- Reports to Fiscal Officer of the Woodstock Public Library District Board of Trustees
Start date: as soon as possible
To apply, send cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references to: Ivy Gocker, Library Director at Woodstock Public Library District, ivy@woodstock.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
