Training on Demand now available! | |
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Mid-Hudson Library System has launched Training on Demand, a web-based learning environment available to the staff and trustees of our member libraries. Partnering with Niche Academy, we have created three key areas of training to provide learners with opportunities to sharpen their skills, expand their knowledge, and to complete any educational requirements.
The three areas of training are:
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Trustee Education – This area provides access to training on topics essential to public and association library trustees and gives trustees a new option to complete the required hours of education, a new regulation that went into effect on January 1st of this year. Please note: MHLS is an approved provider of trustee education to meet the trustee education requirement in New York State.
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Library Sustainability – Focusing on building strong libraries into the future, that reflect the communities that they serve.
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Technology – Providing essential training to build staff skills and confidence to be successful in all areas of library technology with a focus on the ILS, catalog, and e-resources.
We have over 50 member libraries enrolled and are already serving over 750 learners across the three areas of training. Trustees or staff interest in Training on Demand should contact their Library Directors. Library Directors, or their designees, will be able to designate access to the learning environment and can manage their team, assign course work, and gather statistics at the library level.
The training available on this platform is designed to supplement MHLS’s current CE opportunities. MHLS will continue to provide these educational opportunities through our in person workshops and online webinars. You can find our current schedule by visiting https://midhudson.org/calendar/.
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Poughkeepsie Public Library District partnered with Oakwood Friends School to install a community fridge in the Adriance Memorial Library. The refrigerator, as well as shelves for nonperishable items, are located on the ground floor of Adriance Memorial Library at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. It is designed to build community and offers free food for anyone, with no restrictions, available whenever the library is open. The Poughkeepsie Community Fridge receives regular donations from groups like the Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP) and Kelly’s Bakery, but it is also supported by individuals. | Picture courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. | |
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The Youth Advocacy Committee (YAC) presents, We’ve Got Your Back: Librarians Supporting Librarians Against Censorship on Thursday, February 9th at 4:00 pm. In this turbulent time of book challenges, we need information, ideas, skills – and support from our teammates. Join your school and public library colleagues as we share the impact of this culture shift and build our skills and resilience. During this one-hour online event there will be brief presentations on policies, ordering practices, self-censorship, community pressure and isolation, and well-being during these hardships followed by a Q & A session and a chance to share.
Please register in advance for this online session. Due to the sensitive nature of the program, it will not be recorded. Questions should be directed to Derek Ivie, Youth Services Coordinator, Suffolk Cooperative Library System.
The Youth Advocacy Committee (YAC) is a joint committee of the New York Library Associations (NYLA) Youth Services Section (YSS) and School Library Section (SSL). The committee is dedicated to building bridges between public and school youth librarians.
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Resource Sharing & Sierra | REMINDER: Patron Record Purge! As per Resource Sharing Standards, patrons whose cards have been expired for 3+ years and fines less than $10 will be deleted. Information will be extracted to an excel sheet and stored. | |
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Please join us for the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library Informational Session on February 23rd at 10:00 am. In this one-hour online program New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) Senior Librarian Jane Bentley will provide an overview of services, focusing on institution membership and the important role public libraries play in connecting community members to accessible reading materials. There will be plenty of time for your questions. If you would like to send a question in advance of the event, please email your question to MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger with TBBL Information Session in the subject line before February 15th.
This session is open to all member library directors and staff.
The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free library service for residents in Upstate New York who have difficulty reading standard print due to a visual, physical, or reading disability. TBBL’s service includes free circulation of audio and braille books and magazines through the US Postal Service, long-term loan of playback equipment, and access to a free online downloading service called Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD).
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FINRA Foundation is now accepting applications for grants up to $50,000 to bolster financial education through public and academic libraries. The application deadline is March 1st, 2023.
The FINRA Foundation Library Grants Program supports public and academic libraries in their efforts to meet financial and/or investor education needs at the community level by providing high-quality education, service, and resources. The program also aims to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in access to personal finance education and information.
To download the application form and receive instructions on how to apply, visit the FINRA Foundation Library Grants website.
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Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Co-Author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State is a monthly installment where Rebekkah will answer your questions! Feel free to submit your question here or contact Rebekkah at rsmith@midhudson.org with the subject line: AMA Trustee Question.
Q. How can our board confirm the required number of trustees for our library?
A. While New York State Education Law allows for 5-25 trustees, regardless of what your bylaws say, your library’s absolute charter sets the legal number for your particular library. Can’t find your library’s charter? Contact Laura Crisci, MHLS’ Library Sustainability Coordinator.
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Administration & Management | Did you know registered nonprofits (501(c)3 designation only) with a mission consistent with a public or community benefit are qualified for Canva’s Nonprofits Program? The Canva for Nonprofits program gives you access to Canva’s premium features for free. Create social media posts, presentations, infographics, websites, reports, posters, flyers, and signage. View Canva’s eligibility requirements and information on how to apply. | |
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Circulation Desk Staff, Starr Library (Rhinebeck)
Starr Library is seeking a warm, friendly, customer-service oriented person for a part-time position of 16 to 20 hours a week. Hours may vary but a typical week would include daytime hours on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, with the possibility of additional hours. Candidates must be comfortable using computers: work will involve extensive use of library software, plus Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. We are looking for a reliable team member with a collaborative, open spirit, flexibility, patience, good judgment, and a sense of humor. Must be able to work quickly, accurately, and independently or with a team.
Responsibilities include: greeting patrons; checking library materials in and out; issuing library cards; answering questions regarding library information, materials, programs, and services; helping patrons with printing and basic computer troubleshooting; and operating a variety of standard office machines. Works under the general supervision of the Director, Assistant Director, and Adult Services Librarian.
This position involves standing, sitting, bending, stooping, light lifting, answering the phone, interacting with patrons in person, computer data entry, alphabetizing, and basic math calculations. Reasonable accommodations will be made if needed. Proof of Covid-19 vaccinations is expected. A love of reading is a plus! Pay: PT, $19/hr
Please send a cover letter and resume to Jaclyn Savolainen at director@starrlibrary.org.
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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Local
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No More Fines | Highlands Current | Howland Public Library | 1.13.23
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