The Mid-Hudson Library System Board of Trustees has appointed Tom W. Sloan its new executive director beginning on November 1.

Mr. Sloan currently serves as manager of library services for the City of Boca Raton, Florida. His prior positions include executive director of the DuPage (IL) Library System, executive director of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN, Inc.), and director of the State of Delaware's Division of Libraries.

"Tom Sloan brings an extensive background and broad experience in providing outstanding levels of library services and effective resource sharing to the Mid- Hudson Library System. Tom's expertise at directing member-focused organizations is an excellent match for MHLS", said Peter Hoffmann, President of the Mid-Hudson Board of Trustees.

Sloan is professionally active, having served as the president of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) of the American Library Association and on the executive boards of the Florida Library Association and the Delaware Library Association. He was named Florida Library Association Leader of the Year in 2009 and has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Florida State University's College of Communications and Information. Sloan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee with honors, a master's of library science from Florida State University, Beta Phi Mu honorary, and a master's of public administration from the University of Delaware, Pi Alpha Alpha honorary.

"I am honored to be joining the Mid-Hudson Library System," said Tom Sloan. "One of the main lessons I have taken from my years of service as a librarian is cooperation among libraries is essential to providing excellent library services. I look forward to working closely with the Board of Trustees, member libraries, and MHLS staff in advancing library and information services for all."

On Tuesday, October 29th MHLS is offering two workshops for member library staff who are new at their positions at the library:

In the morning, from 10:00am-12:30pm Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Assistant Director and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability will offer a workshop, "Orientation & Tour for New Staff." This workshop is designed for new library staff and volunteers but open to all who would like to attend.

Merribeth and Rebekkah will provide introductory, baseline information about working effectively in a public library and in the Mid-Hudson Library System. The event will also include a tour of the System headquarters which will introduce member library staff to the MHLS staff and familiarize them with available services.

The workshop will cover:

• The role of the public library in our communities
• How your library fits into the library structure of New York State
• Your role as a library representative
• Helping patrons find what they want
• Overview of the online catalog, HOMEACCESS databases and interlibrary loan
• System wide resource sharing concepts and issues

In the afternoon, from 1:30-3:30pm, Eric McCarthy, MHLS Automation Coordinator will present "Circulation Essentials." This workshop is designed for new library staff but is open to all library staff members who would like to attend. Eric will cover basic information about Sierra including best practices related to circulation and data entry including:

• Patron records
• Check-in
• Check-out
• Holds
• Fines and fees
• Notices
• Receipts
• Macros
• Resource Sharing standards

To register for one or both workshops please visit http://calendar.midhudson.org.

Mahopac Public Library Board of Trustees, Staff, and Friends of the Library, along with Town of Carmel Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt, will celebrate "Pat Kaufman Day" on Thursday, October 10th, from 10:00am to 8:00pm. "We hope all Library patrons will join us as we congratulate Pat on her retirement and thank her for 25 years of dedication and service to the Mahopac Public Library and to our community," said Frank Del Campo, president of the Library Board of Trustees. "Pat's goals and accomplishments at the Library have always been focused on serving the community. Therefore, it is fitting that we invite the Library's patrons to wish her well as she embarks on the next chapter of her life."

The Library's recognition of Pat on October 10th will commence at 10:00am, with a presentation of a proclamation from Town of Carmel Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt, officially declaring October 10, 2013 in Mahopac to be "Pat Kaufman Day." Pat will be available throughout the day in the Community Room on the 3rd floor to greet everyone. Light refreshments will be provided and a handmade book will be available for all visitors to sign and leave messages of congratulations. During Pat's tenure as Library Director, Mahopac saw the old Library building undergo a major renovation, the introduction of automation, computers, and Sunday hours, a successful bond vote, and a new 36,000 square foot building.

In Pat's farewell letter to the community, she writes, "Twenty-five years is a long time and much has changed. What has remained constant is the support that you, the members of this community, have shown the Library, allowing it to become a center of learning, imagination, and endless opportunity. I am proud to have been a part of what we built here and I thank you for letting me share the great ride!"

Jean A. Pallas, former director of the Valatie Public Library has passed away. During her tenure as director, she significantly increased the operating hours, saw the library through their first 414 vote and more than tripled the Library's circulation. Her time at the Library was truly a labor of love for her as many of the library users, her colleagues in Columbia County and at the Mid-Hudson Library System will attest.

New York's Health Plan Marketplace opened on October 1, 2013.  For more information about libraries' role in preparing for the Affordable Care Act please see the information below.

WebJunction has summarized their "Libraries Lead the Way in Preparing for the Affordable Care Act" webinar at http://webjunction.org/news/webjunction/libraries-lead-way-preparing-for-aca.html.  

The New York State Library/New York Library Association archived webinar, "What New York's Librarians Need to Know about New York's Health Benefit Exchange," is available through the State Library's website at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/webinars/index.html.

More information on New York State's Health Plan Marketplace is available at http://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/.