Cut to Library Aid Avoided: The New York State Budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 is now finalized. The New York Library Association (NYLA) has provided this report for us:

• Governor Cuomo's Executive Budget Proposal cut Library Aid by $4 million to FY2012-13 levels of $81.6 million.

• The Assembly proposed increasing the Executive's proposal by $2 million to $83.6 million. [Please note: this is a correction to the information that had been reported in the 3.25 MHLS Bulletin]   

• The Senate proposed increasing Library Aid beyond the Executive's proposal by $8 million to $89.6 million.

As the three proposals were reconciled into a final budget, Library Aid has been set at $86.6 million, an increase of $5 million over the Executive Budget, and $1 million above FY2013-14. 

This is the largest Library Aid increase since 2007; yet, this still leaves library funding more than 15% less than what is required by law. In a year with a 5.3% increase in state education funding, the Library Aid increase of 1.2% results in libraries continuing to struggle with meeting the increasing educational and informational needs of our communities.

The FY2014-15 Budget also once again includes $14 million for the Library Construction Aid Program, and $1.3 million for an MTA Payroll Tax Rebate. The MTA rebate impacts MHLS and member libraries in Dutchess and Putnam counties.

"This victory in staving off Governor Cuomo's proposed cut belongs to every member of the library community that took part in this year's advocacy initiative. From sending e-mails, to making phone calls, or attending Library Advocacy Day, the efforts of each of you were integral to assuring that Library Aid continued to increase again this year."

-Jeremy Johannesen, NYLA Executive Director

Read NYLA's full reaction to this year's budget outcome.

Please take a moment to send a pre-drafted message of thanks to your elected representatives via NYLA's Online Advocacy Center.

Public Library Vote Toolbox Workshop @MHLS: Know-how for Your Library's Vote presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability on Tuesday, April 29th from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium.

This workshop is appropriate for library directors, trustees and Friends who are involved with proposing a public vote on a budget increase later this year. Rebekkah will introduce tips and strategies developed through the MHLS Getting to Yes Project and to review best practices of libraries who have held votes recently. In this workshop we will:

• Learn how to create a coordinated approach to achieve success.
• Help your library increase its win margin each year by using the "Magic Quadrant."
• Share effective organizational and communication approaches used by other libraries who have recently won their votes.
• Discuss best practices for explaining the Property Tax Cap to the voting public.  

Please register online.

Register now for the 'Family Programming & Gaming - Programming for All Ages' workshop on Monday, April 28th from 12:30 - 3:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. This session is targeted to library staff and volunteers that coordinate and provide programming for all ages at the library. Share what works best and get new ideas from others who do what you do.

Family programming is a great way to reach people in your community. Hear from a panel of practitioners about 6 programming events they have held that brought families in to enjoy the library together, with great results!

For many patrons, games have replaced the role that movies (and television) used to play in their lives. Well-designed gaming programs can target families with a variety of experiences that they can enjoy together. Games also contribute to literacy! Discuss with your peers how to run a successful gaming program.

Guest presenters Ellen Clancy ('New York Street Fair') from Patterson Library, Karen DeGennaro ('Family Carnival') from Pawling Free Library,
Jo Ann DiSalvo ('Lego Family Night' & 'Movie Night') from Beekman Library, Gina Loprinzo ('Family Food Program' & 'Secret Garden Family Book Club') from Kent Public Library. Facilitated by Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Assistant Director and Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Marketing & Program Assistant.

Upcoming Public Library / School Library Regional Partnership Events:

Putnam County - Library Partnership Dinner; Thursday May 1st from 4:00 - 7:00pm at Putnam / Northern Westchester BOCES Main Campus - School Services Building (200 BOCES Dr., Yorktown Heights 10589) Join us for conversation about school/public library collaboration and the importance of these two types of institutions working together. Dinner will be served. Register. $10 fee.

Dutchess County - School & Public Library Book Banquet, Wednesday May 14th from 4:15 - 7:15pm at Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium (105 Market St., Poughkeepsie 12601) Join us to brainstorm collaborative activities for school librarians and public librarians, and enjoy an overview (by Randy Enos and Julie Baxter) of the books from the American Library Association Notable Children's Books List (considered the cream of the crop from the titles that were published in 2013 for children and young adults from birth through age 14). Dinner is included. Register by April 30. Fee waived for public library staff in Dutchess County; $20 fee for others. For registration assistance call 845.486.4840 ext. 4531.

Ulster County - School & Public Library Book Banquet, Thursday May 29th from 4:00 - 7:00pm at Ulster BOCES Conference Center (175 Route 32 North, New Paltz 12561). Enjoy an overview (by Randy Enos and Julie Baxter) of the books from the American Library Association Notable Children's Books List (considered the cream of the crop from the titles that were published in 2013 for children and young adults from birth through age 14). Dinner is included. Register by calling 845.255.1402 x1220. No fee for public library staff in Ulster County; $20 fee for others.