The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is a cooperative library system chartered by the New York Board of Regents dedicated to strengthening local library service while saving local tax dollars.

Since 1959 MHLS has worked with its member libraries to insure:

• the public’s right to free access
• economical resource sharing
• professional library services

MHLS operates under a 5-year Plan of Service developed in partnership with our member libraries. Services can be categorized into two areas:

Resource Sharing 
By working together public libraries are stronger and able to provide more to their public. We support the infrastructure that enables partnership among 66 regional libraries.

• Online Library Catalog & Request-A-Title
  • Choose from over 2.25 million items in the shared online library catalog and have what you want delivered to your local library.
    

    Did You Know?
    Member libraries save their communities over $12 million annually by sharing items.

  • Renew and Reserve titles online
• Delivery Service for 66 member libraries
  

  Did You Know?
  MHLS Delivery = one seventh the cost of mailing items between libraries.

• Inter-Library Loan outside of the System’s service region.
• Coordination of Collective Purchasing, resulting in access to essential information for all residents of the Hudson Valley:
  • Ebooks & Audiobooks
  • Research Databases
  • Reader’s Advisory

Library Development 
There is no need for libraries to re-invent the wheel. By pooling knowledge about what works and what doesn’t at the System, libraries can learn from each other to provide the highest quality library service. MHLS serves as a clearinghouse of best practices, examples, and trend spotting:

• Consultations & Technical Assistance
• Professional Development & Continuing Education
• Technology Support

MHLS Basics & Core Documents

• MHLS Plan of Service, Central Library Plan of Service, and Direct Access Plan
• Document of Understanding Between the Mid-Hudson Library System and its Member Libraries – Not a binding contract, but a document written in 2000 to create a shared understanding of responsibilities and expectations.
• Automation Agreement – MHLS Automation Agreement is an understanding between MHLS and member libraries for the provision of automated library services delivered through library automation software and related electronic library services selected by MHLS member libraries and MHLS, and provided by MHLS.
• Library System: Establishment, Requirements, Funding & Roles (Shown at the 9/3/09 Directors Retreat)
• Policy for Cancellation of MHLS Sponsored System-Wide Events