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Vol. 13-10                                                                                                                     3.5.13 
Today is the Day!

 

Library advocates from around the state will be in Albany today to talk with legislators about the need for state aid to be restored to full formula funding.

 

As demand for services increase in our local communities the cuts from 2008 keep on echoing. Since the massive 23% cut to library funding library visits in New York State have risen by 11%. New York Libraries now serve 52% of New Yorkers, a percentage that continues to rise.

 

Despite the increase in usage and the continued local support of libraries, the absence of full formula funding from the state has had dire consequences on the System infrastructure in New York.

 

Lest we forget, MHLS and member libraries have suffered under these cuts - the loss of 30% of the System staff and keystone services such as graphic design and printing mean that member libraries now pay more locally than they would if the System received full formula funding from the State.

 

While we know not everyone can join us in Albany physically, we are asking that you find 10 minutes to call your legislators' office today or sometime this week to convey your support of full formula funding for library aid.

 

Visit midhudson.org for:

  • Contact information for legislators
  • A link to the NYLA Online Advocacy Center
  • NYLA's Budget and Legislative Priorities

Did you know? The amount of funds it would take to put library aid back at full formula funding is less than 4% of the increase amount the Governor has already proposed for school aid?
MHLS Announcements

Annual Report to the State: The software is now live and directors should be working to input their information. The due date for your report to be fully submitted to MHLS is no later than the end of the day on March 26. User names and passwords are the same as last year. If you need yours, please email MHLS Assistant Director, Merribeth Advocate at madvocate@midhudson.org. Please check the center of midhudson.org for updates to the MHLS Tips for Answering Questions. There you will find tips for answering specific questions to help make the process of completing your 2012 Annual Report easier. New tips will be added there as they are uncovered. Contacts for Annual Report support:

There is one more Annual Report Workshop for New Directors scheduled for Wednesday, March 13th from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Please register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org/   

MHLS Libraries

Dutchess County libraries, led by the intrepid Terry Sennett of the Clinton Community Library, worked with local fabric artists to produce 75 black and gold scarves for the Hudson Valley region's Special Olympians who were traveling to Rochester, NY recently to compete! A great example of libraries making community connections!

Youth Services

Books for Kids Distribution Days: Libraries are the perfect place to get books into the hands of children, especially kids from disadvantaged homes. All MHLS member libraries have an opportunity to receive brand new books for their collection from the Books for Kids program! An additional pick-up day has been added on Monday, March 11th from 2:30 - 5:00pm. Please RSVP to Ellen Rubin at erubin@frontiernet.net and let her know if you will be coming for the first time or again so she knows who to expect. About Books for Kids: Books for Kids is a national organization promoting early literacy among all children with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Additional information can be found at http://www.booksforkids.org/ 

 

2013 Book Distribution: The Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble held a book drive for Books for Kids in November and December of 2012. Over 10,200 new books were donated by B&N shoppers in the drive (the Poughkeepsie B&N came in first in the region for a holiday book drive and third in the country!), were picked up by Poughkeepsie City Schools, stored at the Circle of Courage building and sorted into age groups by volunteers.

 

Books for Kids pick up Location:The Circle of Courage building's address is: 160 Union St., Poughkeepsie which is right off of the 44/55 arterial. Coming across the Mid-Hudson Bridge, you would take the first left at the light onto Jefferson St. Ext. and the parking lot and building are on the right.  Going towards the bridge, you would take the last right onto Jefferson St. Ext. The building faces the arterial, with the back of it on Union St., so it's a little confusing finding it on Union St. if you don't know the area.

 

Early Literacy Training Webinar:
The New York State Library is developing a coordinated statewide early literacy training plan for public library staff. The first step in this initiative, a webinar with Saroj Ghoting (http://www.earlylit.net) is titled "Helping Every Child Enter School Ready to Read - Understanding Early Literacy as a Foundation for School Success," and will provide an introduction to early literacy library services for public librarians and library staff  as well as a professional development opportunity. 

Webinar Dates and Times:

Wednesday, March 13: 12:30 - 2:00pm

Thursday, March 28: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Tuesday, April 23: 10:00 - 11:30am

 

For complete information please see: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/earlylit/index.html 

 

Technical questions: Caitlin Sbiroli at csbiroli@mail.nysed.gov 

Program and content questions: Karen Balsen at kbalsen@mail.nysed.gov 

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.

 

Member Libraries are welcome to submit items of interest and job openings to the MHLS Bulletin: bulletin@midhudson.org. 

The MHLS Bulletin is available on line at http://midhudson.org/bulletins/main.htm.