What Members Are Saying About MHLS, a message from MHLS Executive Director, Tom Sloan: The findings of the 2013 MHLS Annual Member Survey are very helpful in understanding the needs and views of members. 73% of Library Directors and 59% of Board Presidents responded to the survey.

Responses included:

• 90% replied YES to the statement - In the last 12 months, I or members of my board met or consulted with a member of the MHLS staff whose assistance influenced a decision or action taken by my board.   
• 95% replied YES to the statement - In the last 12 months, I or members of my board received a communication from MHLS that led to a useful discussion among my board members on an issue of importance to my library.

The MHLS Board has adopted Priority Themes based on topics being reported multiple times in the survey by Library Directors and Board Presidents. 

• Priority areas for MHLS Staff are:
  • Provide software/online applications to support meeting and training participation by remote users
  • Reduce the fees paid by member libraries
  • Enhance advocacy efforts to promote libraries to local and State elected and appointed officials
       
• Priority areas for the MHLS Board are:
  • Improve MHLS Board outreach
  • Recognize MHLS staff for the outstanding services being delivered

We look forward to working with the MHLS community on addressing these Priority Themes.

MHLS Announcements

All member library directors have now received their library's Essential Documents  Inventory Version 2.0. Over the past year the inventory project has been expanded and optimized to help library directors and boards work towards a complete set of documentation to help govern, manage and grow your library.

What's new?

• Facility Plan: This is a new item on the inventory and one that we think will help your library extend the useful life of your building and its many components, prepare for the replacement of major systems with predictable replacement schedules - like your roof or HVAC system - as well as to begin the long-term planning necessary for renovation or expansion plans.A sample outline is available from MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich:rsmith@midhudson.org

• Itemized internal financial control policies/ procedures, partially based on recommendations from the New York State Office of the State Comptroller

• Nineteen components of a solid Personnel Policy

• Policies such as:

  • Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
  • Vulnerable Adults
  • Removal of a Trustee
  • Board Meeting Procedures
  • Business Continuity Plan

Training on NOVELny databases from GALE CENGAGE, Presented by Stacey Knibloe, MLS, Implementation and Training Specialist, Gale Cengage Learning: Thursday, February 13th from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium.

Designed for all staff that work with patrons, this comprehensive training from the vendor on the NOVELny databases from GALE CENGAGE covers the databases pictured:

NOVELny offers a wealth of content from Gale - from The New York Times to Opposing Viewpoints; Censorship to Market Share Reporter, you'll find resources for support for a second grader's animal report on up to a graduate student's industry analysis.

 

This workshop will explore resources you might need for everyday research like General OneFile, with thousands of periodicals, to resources that are more specialized, like Business Insights: Essentials, Gale's premiere business resource. We will also take a special look at how you can use NOVELny resources to help meet common core standards. Register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org

The New York State Library is pleased to announce the 2014 School Library Partner Manual and the 2014 Early Literacy Partner Manual: A Resource for Childcare Providers.

The 2014 School Library Partner Manual contains complete information for school libraries and schools to partner with a public library, or public library system, to help all students gain the full advantage of summer reading. It also includes full resource lists for books, recordings, and websites related to the 2014 theme, Science, and slogan, "Fizz! Boom! Read!"

The 2014 Early Literacy Partner Manual: A Resource for Childcare Providers contains complete information for child care providers and schools to partner with a public library, or public library system, to help children and young families gain the early literacy skills needed for children to succeed in school in the years ahead. It also has early literacy resource lists for books, recordings, and websites.

These partner manuals can be downloaded from the Summer Reading at New York Libraries website, http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/. Also available on this page are other promotional materials, such as flyers and brochures, which can be used to promote summer reading.    

Looking for opportunities to connect with your school librarians? Please save the date for the following school & public library collaboration events, more details and registration information are available at http://calendar.midhudson.org:

• Thursday, May 1st from 4:00 - 7:00pm: Library Partnership Dinner at Putnam / Northern Westchester BOCES (200 BOCES Drive, Yorktown Heights 10598)   

• Wednesday, May 14th from 4:15 - 7:15pm: Dutchess Notable Books Banquet @ MHLS

• Thursday, May 29th from 4:00 - 7:00pm: Ulster County School & Public Library Book Banquet  @ Ulster BOCES Conference Center (175 Route 32 North, New Paltz 12561)

Job Openings

The Dover Plains Library has a position open for a part-time desk clerk to work two nights a week from 3:00 - 8:00pm and two Saturdays a month from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Candidates must be friendly with strong customer service skills, have basic computer and Internet experience, and be organized and detail oriented. Library experience a plus. Please forward resume by email to director@doverlib.org or fax to 845.832.6616.