Have you heard the news? MHLS member libraries will soon have an enhanced search interface through the online catalog to offer to their patrons that will improve results and enhance the "discoverability" of your print and electronic collections!

The "Encore Discovery Solution" from Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III), our current ILS vendor that also supplies Sierra, will be introduced later this Spring: "It's simple enough for new library users, and deep enough to satisfy exacting researchers."

In addition to improved search results patrons will experience one-stop shopping as the new catalog uses "federated searching" or "single search" technology which expands search results in the catalog to include the physical items on our shelves as well as full-text newspaper, magazine and newspaper articles from our HOMEACCESS databases and real time downloads of ebooks and audiobooks from OverDrive - all in one search interface!

Staff who work with Sierra will be glad to know the Encore catalog environment is more "Sierra like," reflecting the search facets you have come to know and love in Sierra.

MHLS staff, led by Eric McCarthy, MHLS Automation Coordinator, has created an Encore Implementation Process document recently shared with member library directors that schedules ample time for staff education in all member libraries prior to the public roll-out of the new interface. Coordinated promotional materials will be developed thanks to guidance from the MHLS Marketing Advisory Committee.

It is easier than ever to borrow MHLS Professional Collection titles and Big Books for your story times! Reserve them through the catalog! The MHLS Professional Collection contains books on a variety of topics, from library management, planning, policies, to programming for all ages, fundraising, Friends Groups and more! You can now place holds on these items through the MHLS online catalog. Holds will be filled through the MHLS ILL department.  

To generate a listing of MHLS Professional Collection titles use the Advanced Search feature in the catalog. Limit your search with the following parameters:

-Choose MHLS Collections Adult under Location 

To generate a listing of MHLS Big Books use the Advanced Search feature in the catalog. Limit your search with the following parameters:

-Choose MHLS Collections Children under Location
-Choose Material Type - Book
-Place an * in the Search Terms section

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding

With the time counting down to the end of the school year, you are likely already knee-deep in planning for your summer reading programs. With LibraryAware's new templates designed specifically for summer reading programs, your work just got a little easier!

Templates include the most popular sizes for print: posters, flyers, half flyers, quarter flyers, three different sized bookmarks; reading logs that can be customized for your library; reading lists in multiple formats; custom images created specifically for science themed programs; graphics from SRP such as CSLP!; widgets that can be posted to the web and Facebook.  

To access your free LibraryAware account through MHLS visit http://midhudson.org/libraryaware.htm

Library Circulation Technician: Friendly, energetic, detail oriented person to work at the circulation desk and assist with digital literacy programs at the Desmond-Fish Library (Garrison, NY). Library experience preferred. College education, strong computer skills, and public service orientation required. Twenty hours a week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), hourly rate $12 to $15 per hour depending on qualifications. Please submit resume and cover letter to Jen McCreery at desmondfishdirector@gmail.com or Desmond-Fish Library PO Box 265, Garrison, NY 10524.