The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is seeking an experienced professional to serve as our Financial Manager & Personnel Officer. This position reports to the Executive Director and directs the organization’s financial planning, banking, and government reporting; serves as the personnel officer; and manages general business office activities.

The person who is right for this position will have a commitment to fiscal integrity; experience in budget development, financial forecasting, knowledge of accounting principles and payroll practices; human resources management skills, including the administration of benefits and personnel policies. This position requires excellent communication skills; professionalism; the ability to problem solve and work within deadlines; to have a strong attention to detail; and the ability to be flexible.

A BA or BS degree in accounting, or equivalent, with five years related experience and/or training is required. Human Resources (HR) management certification is preferred, although not required.

MHLS is located in the city of Poughkeepsie and provides services to 66 member libraries across five counties. Our regular work week is Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The hiring salary for this full-time position will be between $80,000-$95,000, dependent on experience, with excellent benefits including New York State retirement, medical and dental insurance, and paid vacation and sick leave.

View the full job description. 

To apply please submit a cover letter and résumé to rsmith@midhudson.org Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Olive Free Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant that will help the library install a ramp to make the library’s main front door entrance accessible for wheelchairs. The grant will also allow the library to renovate the existing women’s restroom on the bottom floor to make it an all-gender, accessible restroom. 

“We’re excited to be able to welcome our patrons and community members with mobility issues and physical disabilities at the front door, the way we welcome everyone else,” said Chrissy Lawlor, the director of the Olive Free Library. “Expecting folks with walkers and wheelchairs to have to ring a doorbell at the back of the building so staff can let them in isn’t the kind of warm welcome we like to give everyone who comes into the library.”

The second Library 2.023 mini-conference: Banned Books and Censorship: Current Intellectual Freedom Issues in the Library, will be held online (and for free) on Thursday, June 8th, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm EDT.

Art Resources Transfer's Library Program provides free books on art and culture to public institutions nationwide. All public libraries, public schools, prisons, and reading centers are invited to place an order of free books.

To get started, create an account on Art Resources Transfer website. You can then browse the book catalog, which offers 300+ titles published by leading museums, galleries, and independent presses nationwide. Organizations can order as many titles as they like, at one copy per title, once per year. Books and shipping are entirely free of charge.

If you have questions about participating or placing your order, please contact 

libraryprogram@artresourcestransfer.org.

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. When do the minutes of our meeting need to be drafted?

A. New York State’s Open Meetings Law (OML) dictates that minutes must be drafted within two weeks of a board meeting. A 2021 amendment to OML now also requires the draft minutes to be posted the library’s web site in a publicly accessible location. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

• Thoughts of suicide
• Mental health or substance use crisis, or
• Any other kind of emotional distress

Help share this information with your community by downloading the Partner Toolkit. The toolkit includes logos, social media posts, posters, fact sheets and relevant resources.

Children’s Librarian (Librarian I), Saugerties Public Library

The Saugerties Public Library is located between the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains within the diverse, active and historical Town of Saugerties. The library is seeking a full time (35 hours a week) Children’s Librarian to create programming, engage in collection development, and provide a welcoming environment for the community.

Typical Work Activities:

• Plans and implements programs for children aged 0-12 years old.
• Plans and executes annual Summer Reading Program for children.
• Performs Collection Development for the children and juvenile sections.
• Processes new books and media.
• Provides information to the public on library policies and procedures.
• Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates.
• Meets with the programming committee to plan events and programs.
• Prepares and posts publicity related to program offerings.
• Conducts school visits to promote Library services and programs.
• Provides reading guidance for children and families.
• Maintains youth services statistics.
• Attends meetings, workshops, and conferences as requested.
• May assist and instruct the public in the use of public access computers.
• May perform other tasks as assigned.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

• Working knowledge of library services and practices.
• Working knowledge of the needs of children and families.
• An understanding of children’s materials and sources for appropriate materials.
• Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of others.
• Tact and courtesy in dealing with staff and the public.

Distinguishing Features of the Class The work involves responsibility for the performance of entry -level professional librarian duties. Incumbents in this class are often library school graduates who are learning the specific applications of professional training by performing professional level duties. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level professional librarian and are assigned more difficult work as their experience in the field broadens. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate non-professional employees. Does related work as required. Work is performed under the direction of a librarian (Library Director at SPL).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an ALA accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Masters Degree in Library Science.

Special Requirement: Possession of a New York State Public Librarian's professional certificate at time of appointment.

35 hours a week, Monday - Friday

Salary: $46,500

The Saugerties Public Library offers New York State Retirement, health insurance, vacation, sick, holiday and personal days.

Resume review begins immediately.

Interested candidates please email your resume, cover letter and three professional references to Library Director, Jennifer Russell, at director@saugertiespubliclibrary.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. 

National

• Libraries take to TikTok to build community and new cultural relevance | Mashable | 5.14.23

MHLS Calendar