Vol.24-17 | 4.23.24

The NYS Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 has been finalized. Thank you all for your efforts to advocate for these funds! Despite our wishes for higher operating aid, this was still a successful advocacy year. Given that the Governor started higher than the previous year and both houses advocated for more than the Governor's proposal, we should be proud of the work we have done to make the case for library systems and our member libraries. We are also grateful to the New York Library Association for their leadership in Albany.

Here is the final budget breakdown: 

• Library Operating Aid: $103.852 million

• Library Construction Aid: $44 million

• Library Materials Aid: $6.25/pupil

• Inclusion of NOVELny: $3 million

Please take a moment to say thank you to your state legislators for their support.

There's also $500,000 for 50% matching grants available to eligible entities participating in the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. As more information is made available, we will share accordingly.

Seed Libraries are sprouting up in four MHLS local libraries—Staatsburg, Pawling, Pleasant Valley, and Beekman – thanks to an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCEDC) Dutchess County Master Gardener Volunteers. CCEDC Master Gardener Volunteers are working with the libraries to provide educational materials and programming, along with offering vegetable and pollinator seed packets to gardeners. Community members will learn about seed starting, planting dates & when to harvest, and seed-saving techniques. 

A dedicated resource page on the CCEDC website will guide people towards growing hints and educational fact sheets to help on their gardening journey. 

REMINDER: Please clear your holdshelf every day the library is open. Clearing the holdshelf purges the holds table of more than the items on your physical holdshelf it also removes cancelled and expired holds. Please do your part in keeping this very critical process running smoothly by making this a priority task every morning. 

You can find instructions and a video tutorial under holds at https://kb.midhudson.org/circulation/

Part-time Programming Assistant, Brewster Public Library

The Brewster Public Library is seeking an energetic and creative part-time Programming Assistant to help develop and implement programs for patrons of all ages. The Programming Assistant will also assist with circulation duties and community outreach. The successful candidate will have experience working with children in a group setting and demonstrate strong customer service, organization, and communication skills. Library experience preferred but not required. Fluency in Spanish is a strong plus. To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to director@brewsterlibrary.org. See complete job posting here. 

Library Clerk/Passport Acceptance Agent, Grinnell Library (Wappingers)

Grinnell Public Library District in Wappingers Falls seeks a positive, customer service-oriented part-time Library Clerk/Passport Acceptance Agent. The position would include circulation desk duties and tasks associated with passport acceptance services. Regular shifts: include 9 am - 2 pm Monday and Wednesday and two (2) 9 am - 5 pm Saturday shifts per month starting at $16.00/hour with PTO. If interested, please email your resume and two professional references to director@grinnell-library.org. View the full job description.

Part-time Youth Program Assistant – LaGrange Association Library

The LaGrange Association Library in Dutchess County is seeking an energetic, flexible, and creative Youth Program Assistant to work in our beautiful, newly renovated Children’s Room! Working with the Youth Services Coordinator, under the general supervision of the Library Director, the Youth Program Assistant creates, coordinates, publicizes, and conducts library programs for children from birth through age 12. This person assists patrons in the Children’s Room with informational needs, reader’s advisory, and use of the early literacy computers and tablets and co-coaches our middle school team in the annual Mid-Hudson Library System Battle of the Books competition. Hours: 25 hours per week. Salary: $17-$18 per hour. To apply, see full job details here.

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.