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Vol. 14-22                                                                                                                      6.3.14
New Resource for Trustees! 

To further enhance our support of member library trustees and organizational development of member libraries MHLS is launching access to

New York Libraries Trustees Online (NYLTO).

 

MHLS member library directors and trustees are invited to join NYLTO, "Essential Tools and Resources for Today's Public Library Trustees": NYLTO.org/ Originally developed with Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for nine public library systems, all 23 public library systems have now invested in this interface to keep it going. The site is managed by the Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS).  


What's included:   
  • Discussion Groups: NYLTO provides a place for trustees and library directors to ask questions, share success stories, and discuss issues that affect  public libraries in New York.   
  • Quick Tips: Trustees are busy people. This section of NYLTO will include short (less than 10 minutes) podcasts and videos on a variety of topics of interest to trustees.    
  • Policy Development Support: Setting policy is one of the most challenging trustee responsibilities.  This section will include a variety of templates and tools to help trustees identify the most effective policies for their libraries.    
  • Links to Resources: There are a wide variety of resources for public library trustees available on the web. This section will include links to the best of those resources.

To Register for NYLTO: Interested trustees should let their library director know they would like to join. Directors should then send the names of those trustees that would like access to Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Marketing & Program Assistant ([email protected]) who will create accounts for them. Please use the subject line "NYLTO" in your email message.   

MHLS Announcements

Robert Drake Named MHLS Technology Operations Manager: Robert Drake will be heading both Automation and IT Services at the Mid-Hudson Library System. Robert has worked for MHLS for more than 5 years, supporting and managing a variety of services. "Robert has both IT management expertise and excellent people skills," said MHLS Executive Director Tom Sloan, "A winning combination for providing outstanding services to MHLS members." Robert holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Software Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree.

 

Accessing MHLS Technology Operations Support:

 

Tech/Sierra/Encore Support:

[email protected] or [email protected] 845.471.6060 x240

 

Cataloging Support: [email protected] 845.471.6060 x252

 

Hosted Website Support: [email protected] 845.471.6060 x240

 

Contacting MHLS Tech Support: When possible, please lead with an e-mail. Email, which goes into our ticket system, allows us to prioritize issues, best delegate responsibilities to staff, keep more accurate statistics, build a training and support knowledgebase, and maintain open phone lines for emergencies that cannot be handled in other ways.

 

MHLS Assistant Director Merribeth Advocate and Red Hook Public Library Director Erica Freudenberger were featured on "Rotary Radio" a regional radio show with a listening audience of 20,000 in 8 counties "from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Sleepy Hollow." Merribeth and Erica spoke to the issue of 21st Century Libraries and all they have to offer. You can listen to their segment online . 

MHLS Libraries

The Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison Receives 3D Printer! A PrintrBot Simple, donated by Dave McCarthy and Tightrope Interactive was assembled with the help of parents and children from the Library's popular Project Code Spring computer science club. From the press release: "The 3D printer will help library users of all ages become more comfortable with this technology and build on our community's resource base for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, critical to our nation's economic competitiveness and prosperity." The printer will be shared with both local school districts, Haldane and Garrison, throughout the school year and library staff will help train teachers in using the printer at both schools.

 

What is 3D Printing? 3D printers differ from most traditional printers. Instead of using ink, a 3D printer uses plastic filament on spools. The 3D printer melts the plastic and forms it into three-dimensional objects; the library's unit can create items up to four inches high. The process is similar to a hot glue gun melting glue. The blueprints for the objects can be drawn using 3-D modeling software or found pre-made on sites such as Thingiverse.com. Projects can take as little as 10 minutes or as long as 18 hours or more to print. 

 

$50,000 Community Capital Assistance Grant for the Phoenicia Library! Assemblyman Kevin Cahill announced the state grant during a recent library fundraiser. "In rural landscapes like Shandaken, the services public libraries provide are crucial to the life of the community," Cahill said. "These locations are often the only place for miles where a person can obtain a book, check out a video or even access the Internet. More importantly, they serve as true community centers in a way that isn't seen elsewhere."
Reference & Collection Development

New Interface for GALE Kids InfoBits: The Kids InfoBits database has been redesigned! Revisit this database to check out the modern interface, improved navigation, updated content and additional tools. Kids InfoBits is designed specifically for students in kindergarten through grade five and address the way kids learn and conduct research. Elementary-aged students are clever information consumers and acquiring these skills at an early age has become the foundation for the Common Core. All MHLS libraries have access to this database, funded by NOVELny, through their county HOMEACCESS page.

Youth Services

App Recommendations: At the YSS Spring Conference, Marie Aspinwall did a great presentation about using technology as part of story time, pointing out that app selection is just another form of collection development. She has posted app recommendations as well as sources of online help for incorporating digital elements into story time, as well as a copy of the flyer she provides for parents with free and low cost app recommendations.

Job Openings

The Hudson Area Library is looking for a tech-savvy, customer service oriented Library Manager to work in our busy library. This is a full-time position, requiring some evening and Saturday hours. The Library Manager reports directly to the Library Director, and has the responsibility of assisting in library operations, including helping patrons utilize library resources, ordering and processing media, overseeing facility maintenance, and promoting library programs and services. The candidate must be reliable, organized, and have working knowledge of computer systems procedures. Experience with Sierra ILS and WordPress preferred. Salary in the mid-to-high $20,000 range, depending on experience. Please send a letter of interest and resume with references to: Hudson Area Library, 400 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534 or [email protected] Attn: Emily Chameides, Library Director. Applications will be accepted until June 10.

MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master's degree in the same community.

 

Member Libraries are welcome to submit items of interest and job openings to the MHLS Bulletin: [email protected]

The MHLS Bulletin is available online at http://midhudson.org/bulletins/main.htm.