In addition to the libraries announced in the July 27^th edition of the MHLS Bulletin two more MHLS Member libraries will receive Discretionary Grants in Aid from the NYS Assembly. The Reed Memorial Library in Carmel will receive $25,000 and the Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library located in Milton will receive $10,000.

Register for Library 2.021 Mini-Conference: Libraries as Community Anchors. The Library 2.021 Mini-Conference will be held online on Thursday, October 21^st, 2021. Registration is free, and recordings of the events will be available following the conference. Community members look to public libraries to provide baseline, public, computer and internet access. In this way, libraries exist as important Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs), defined by the FCC “as schools, libraries, hospitals and other medical providers, public safety entities, institutions of higher education, and community support organizations that facilitate greater use of broadband by vulnerable populations, including low-income, the unemployed, and the aged.” Everyone is invited to participate in our Library 2.0 conference events, which are designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among information professionals worldwide. Each three-hour event consists of a keynote panel, 10-15 crowd-sourced thirty-minute presentations, and a closing keynote.

Register today for Circulation 101 with Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Assistant Director/Technology Operations Manager on Tuesday, September 7^th at noon. Become acquainted with the necessary skills and workflows needed to manage the primary tasks of circulation desk work. This workshop is intended for any new staff or perhaps experienced staff wondering if there are more efficient ways to do things while covering the circ desk.

ongoing efforts to activate various communities to engage in vaccine confidence work by providing vetted resources to equip, inspire, and inform the museum and library community as they develop and implement programs and activities to advance vaccine confidence in their communities. Recognizing the deep connections and trust libraries have in their communities, Communities for Immunity is seeking proposals that address COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake, with an aim to reach vaccine-hesitant populations. The program is seeking effective, innovative ways to engage vaccine-hesitant populations, so project design is only constrained by your creativity and what resonates with your community. Compelling proposals will include coordination with partners, such as local health officials, community organizations, or other libraries, museums, or cultural institutions. This FAQ page includes resources to help you determine which groups in your community might have higher rates of vaccine hesitancy. Funding awards will be provided to museums and libraries to leverage their deep relationships with local communities to improve vaccine confidence. Round 1 will range from $1,500 to $10,000. In Round 2, funding amounts will start at $1,500 and go up to $100,000. Applications and more info are available at the Communities for Immunity website.

The New York State Library is offering an online public program that libraries may want to share with patrons and community members. Are You Ready For Redistricting? Why It Matters To You will take place on Tuesday, August 24^th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. After each decennial census, every state and local government electing legislators from single-member districts must redraw district boundaries to comply with federal, state, and local laws governing population equality, minority voting rights, and other criteria. Find out more by joining Jeffrey Wice from New York Law School for an informative webinar to find out about redistricting in the state and in your communities.

Registration for this event is available through the New York State Library calendar or share this direct link to the calendar entry, https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/8099366

The New York State Library offers monthly public programming that is free, virtual, and open to the public.

ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office has published an updated tool, “How to Conduct an In-Person Library Tour,” for library advocates to meet with their elected officials during the month-long congressional recess throughout the month of August. The resource walks advocates through the best practices and steps needed for requesting and scheduling a library tour, things to consider when developing the content and points of interest, and how to publicize the tour to relevant audiences on social media. This guide could be used for legislators and representatives from any level of government.

Several important discussions and legislative opportunities for libraries are currently being negotiated, including securing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations funding increases for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant, and ensuring that funding for library facilities is incorporated in an infrastructure plan through the Build America’s Libraries Act. Now is the time to illustrate the significant impact that libraries have on communities to legislators and decisionmakers.

ALA encourages library advocates from libraries of all types to conduct a tour this August recess, and share their experiences, photos and/or videos with ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office.

There are still seats left for the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Anchor Institutions Solar Program webinar taking place on Thursday, August 26^th at 2:00pm. Joe Naroditsky and Joe Morris of Metro IAF Clean Energy Initiative will review the Metro IAF Anchor Institutions Solar Program which MHLS member libraries are now invited to participate in. This webinar will cover the benefits of participation in this program and how it works including leasing and purchasing models available to participating organizations, as well expectations and requirements for those organizations. There will be time available for questions at the webinar, and libraries are welcome to send questions to MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin ahead of the program at cconlin@midhudson.org.

Registration for this event is available through the MHLS Calendar.

The Brewster Public Library has an opening for a Circulation Clerk. This is a great opportunity to work with a great team of people in a newly renovated building! Duties include checking library materials in and out, helping patrons with a large variety of requests, including locating materials and computer assistance, and opening/closing the library. 15-20 hours per week; schedule is flexible. Must have a positive attitude, polished communication and technological skills, and great attention to detail. Fluency in Spanish a plus. Previous library experience is preferred, but not necessary. Starting salary $13.00-$13.50 per hour. Please send résumé to Gina Loprinzo at director@brewsterlibrary.org, with Clerk Position in the subject line.

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The Catskill Public Library, with its branch in Palenville, is seeking applicants for the position of Library Director. Our Catskill building is housed in a 1901 Carnegie Building in the village of Catskill, home to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Our Palenville Branch is located in Palenville, NY, known for being the first art colony in the USA. We are a School District Public Library, currently with an annual operating budget of $887,000.

The successful candidate will hold a Master of Library Science or a Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program. This position is Civil Service Library Director I or II (dependent upon experience) with a minimum of ten years of experience as librarian, five of these in administration/management. Your experience should include a broad background in management, administration and human resources, operations, fundraising and finance, as well as a thorough knowledge of library services, collection development and operations.

The ideal candidate will welcome the challenge of guiding the library through a strategic planning process, embracing principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and access. We are seeking a director committed to expanding the role of the library in our community and effecting positive change through collaborative programming with Catskill’s many cultural and civic organizations.

In addition to the above, the candidate should have a demonstrated interest in professional development through workshops, conferences and participation in continuing education.

Starting salary will be commensurate with experience. Individual health, vision and dental insurance, participation in the NYSLR retirement program, and a generous vacation, personal and sick leave allowance are included.

As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applications will be considered.

TO APPLY: Send a letter of interest and résumé to Gil Bagnell, President, Board of Trustees, Catskill Public Library, via email trusteebagnell@catskillpubliclibrary.org.

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The Woodstock Library has an immediate part-time opening (8-17.5 hours/week) for a friendly, patient, reliable, tech-savvy, flexible, detail, and customer-service oriented person excited to work with patrons in a busy community library.

Responsibilities include working with the public: assisting patrons, in-person at the Library and on the phone, with a wide variety of informational needs. Staff person will be responsible for sorting, shelving, and locating library materials; maintaining organization, general appearance of library, and cleaning per CDC guidance; and provide simple directional information; basic assistance on the use of the online library catalog, library resources, computers, and other technology or software. Sense of humor recommended. Computer and alphabetization skills, high school diploma or equivalency required. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.

Hours: weekday and some Saturdays, 8-17.5 hours/week. Wage: $15/hour, with paid vacation, sick, and personal time. To apply please email résumé and cover letter to director@woodstock.org.