Bulletin Header
Vol. 13-18                                                                                                                     4.30.13 
Reaching Readers

Duncan Smith, a nationally recognized trainer in the area of readers' advisory services, and the creator of NoveList, will be presenting an upcoming workshop at the Mid-Hudson Library System:  

Reaching Readers: Establishing and Sustaining Reader Relationships
Wednesday, May 29

10:00 - 12:00pm or 1:00 - 3:00pm

@MHLS Auditorium

 

Supporting the reading life of their community is the most important way that libraries add value to their communities. In a book discovery landscape that is increasingly fragmented, how do libraries position themselves and deliver the services that will make them the center of their community's reading life?

 

Duncan Smith is the creator of NoveList and Vice-President of the NoveList Division at EBSCO Publishing. He is a nationally recognized trainer in the area of readers' advisory services. Smith is also the author of several articles on readers' advisory services, his latest article "Books: An Essential Part of Essential Libraries," appeared in the December 2011 issue of Public Library Quarterly. In 1997, he received the Margaret E. Monroe Award for Library Adult Services from the American Library Association's Reference and User Services Division.

 

All member library staff with an interest in reading and learning how to recommend the perfect book for your patrons are encouraged to attend.

 

Learning Objectives 

  • 1. A reader centered approach to face-to-face work with readers.
  • Using videotapes of real readers, Duncan will guide participants through a readers' advisory transaction.  Participants will leave with strategies for working with readers that not only help them find their next book but increasing their understanding of what and how they read.

    2. Self-directed readers' advisory
    An overview of what are usually called "passive RA strategies"- book displays, booklists and shelving and their growing importance in this virtual age will be discussed.  A framework for assessing your library's self-directed RA program will be provided.

    3. Virtual readers' advisory
    Strategies for moving your RA efforts to the web and into social spaces will also be covered in this session.

    Register online through the MHLS calendar at http://calendar.midhudson.org  
    		•
    MHLS Announcements

    Hello Sierra! MHLS successfully migrated member library patron and collection data to a new product last week. While staying with the same vendor, Innovative Interfaces, Inc., we have switched from their Millennium product to their new offering, Sierra. Congratulations to MHLS team leaders Eric McCarthy, MHLS Automation Coordinator and Robert Drake, MHLS IT Coordinator!

     

    Farewell to Kit Kassel, our Cataloging & Database Maintenance Assistant. Kit had worked for MHLS Part-time beginning in 2004, and became full-time in 2006.  We wish her all the best in her next endeavor. Eric McCarthy, Kit's supervisor had this to say upon the announcement of her departure: "If you have worked with Kit, I'm sure you know all about her superhuman cataloging abilities. Kit will be missed without question."

     

    Thank you to the libraries who have generously donated VHS tapes to MHLS Correctional Facility libraries. Your donations have been so appreciated! This project was started in 2011 and at this point the facilities have developed good collections in this format, so MHLS will no longer be able to accept donations of VHS tapes on behalf of the correctional facility libraries.

     

    When you return Big Books or Kamishibai Card sets to MHLS please do not put tape on the covers of these materials, secure the label with rubber bands or a paper clip. Over the years placing tape on the covers has damaged the items and contributes to the overall wear and tear. Thanks for your help in preserving these resources so all libraries can borrow them! To see all of the programming materials available to your library go to http://midhudson.org/program/support/main.php 
    Reference & Collection Development

    Locating Old Newspapers: Itching to look back at past issues of the Hillsdale Harbinger, or the Palenville Zephyr? Want to know what else was 'newsie' the day the Titanic sank? Wondering which snake oil brands and other marvels of modern medicine were being hawked in the area papers?  Fear not - the past is within reach!! Check out the recent Tuesday's Tip from the Central Reference Library (Adriance Memorial Library) dated February 5, 2013, "Locating Old Newspapers": http://poklib.org/TuesdaysTips.htm  

    Programming

    Programming that targets hobbies can be a great way to build a new audience for library programs and services. Check out the Top Ten Most Popular Hobbies Around the World:

    1. Watching Movies
    2. Reading
    3. Gaming
    4. Watching TV
    5. Creative Work
    6. Listening to Music / Dancing / Playing a Musical Instrument
    7. Walking / Exercise / Gardening / Sports
    8. Internet Surfing
    9. Traveling / Adventure
    10. Photography
    Administration & Management

    Civil Service 101 Workshop: On Thursday, May 23rd from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium please join us for Civil Service 101 presented by Geoff Kirkpatrick, Director, Bethlehem Public Library & Chair of the New York Library Association's Civil Service Taskforce. This workshop is appropriate for library directors, managers and human resources staff in municipal public libraries, special district public libraries, school district public libraries and those association libraries considering a conversion to one of the district models. This workshop is designed to provide an introduction to administering human resources in a public library in a civil service environment. In this workshop we will:

    • Review the purpose and structure of Civil Service Commissions in New York
    • What should be in place at your library to ensure compliance
    • Best practices to ensure you are hiring great people, disciplining correctly and protecting the library when someone needs to be fired.

    Please register online at http://calendar.midhudson.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.

     

    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.