All MHLS member libraries can now offer their community an expanded service with a new digital collection website experience just for kids. The main MHLS Digital Download Collection now has a separate site to provide a safe and easy browsing experience for kids, the Kid's eReading Room!

We recognize the need to provide a safe environment for kids to browse library materials. Just as the children's section of the physical library has its own place, the same experience is now available in the digital collection for kids eBooks and audiobooks. Browsing can be done by subject, reading level or interest level. Check out the Kid's eReading Room.

MHLS congratulates the Red Hook Public Library for being just one of ten public libraries chosen nationwide as part of the community engagement training program that is part of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC) Initiative from the American Library Association (ALA). ALA's LTC initiative is a national plan to help librarians strengthen their role as core community leaders and change-agents. Learn more about LTC.

Through in-person training, webinars and coaching - valued at $50,000 - a team from the library will learn new community engagement techniques and apply them within their communities. Each library also receives an $8,000 cash grant to help cover the cost of their new community-engagement work. In partnership with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, LTC addresses a critical need within the library field by developing and distributing new tools, resources and support for librarians to engage with their communities in new ways. The initiative is made possible through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Libraries Transforming Communities is grounded in The Harwood Institute's approach of "turning outward," which emphasizes changing the orientation of institutions and individuals from internal (institutional) to external (community-facing). These practices will be shared at four "Turning Outward" sessions at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference and through webinars and digital resources, now available for free download.

Applications are now open for "Outside the Box" and are due by May 15, 2014! Developed and funded by Redbox, and managed by OCLC in partnership with Project for Public Spaces, Outside the Box is an innovative program that brings people together for free, fun entertainment events in their local community. "When people connect, communities benefit - and as trusted community anchors, public libraries are central to Outside the Box efforts." This year, up to 20 U.S. communities will participate in Outside the Box, with the local library driving community brainstorming and planning sessions and hosting events. Program participants will create a shared community space and hold an initial kickoff event at the site, to introduce it as a gathering place for the community. Some examples of this work:

• An unused, grassy stretch of land outside the library becomes a small park, with benches and shade umbrellas, where people can read or visit outdoors.
• A library parking lot is turned into a public market space for weekend use.
• A park adjoining the library is used for a community concert or public storytelling event.

Participants selected for Outside the Box will receive consultation and support from OCLC and Project for Public Spaces on event and space design, event planning and material selection as well as the selection of up to $5,000 in reusable materials provided by Redbox. Access more information or apply for a grant. Questions may be directed to the attention of Jennifer Pearson at pearsonj@oclc.org.

Scholastic FACE Literacy Initiative: Research shows that children achieve superior outcomes in school and in life when they receive literacy support outside of the classroom. This support consistently results in higher graduation rates, increased future earning potential, and improved quality of life. Having books in their home is key to enhancing literacy. Enrolling in this 'take home book program' will give you 55-80% discounts and free shipping for books that will be given to children to take home and keep. This program used to be called, "Literacy Partnerships," but now has evolved into "Family and Community Engagement" (FACE). Learn more!