Workshops for Frontline Staff

Sue Hermans, the Coordinator of Central Library Services, is offering workshops this July to help frontline staff brush up on their Readers' Advisory skills and have the opportunity to attend Customer Service training.

Readers' Advisory
"Most of the people who visit the library come to borrow books - help your fiction readers know 'what to read next'. Designed for library staff who are asked to provide suggestions and guidance in finding interesting fiction. The workshop will cover how to:
· Establish an open and welcoming environment
· Conduct the Readers' Advisory transaction
· Identify the "appeal" characteristics of a book
· Suggest works that relate to what the reader considers important"
Register for one of the following sessions:
· Tuesday, July 18 from 9:00 - 10:30am at the Chatham Public Library (11 Woodbridge Avenue, Chatham) OR
· Thursday, July 20 from 1:00 - 2:30pm at the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff (82 Kelly Street, Rhinecliff)

Customer Service
"Organizations are realizing that a positive customer experience is the key to success. For customers to experience the benefit of service, all staff must understand the library's commitment to it. The workshop will cover:
· Three simple steps toward good customer service
· The importance of committing to a service culture
· Customer service as the essence of the job"
Wednesday, July 26 from 2:00 - 3:30pm at the Kingston Library (55 Franklin Street, Kingston)

Register online: http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

[To schedule a date and location for this training in other counties, please contact Sue Hermans, Coordinator, Central Library Services, at 845.485.3445 x 3321 or shermans@poklib.org]

MHLS Libraries
The Kent Public Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Kent Library are hosting an Open House to honor Kent Public Library Director Dona Boyer on the occasion of her retirement. The event is slated for Saturday, June 17, from 3:00 - 5:00pm at the library. Dona has served the residents of the Town of Kent and the wider community for twenty-five years, and the Open House will allow everyone who knows Dona an opportunity to share some memories, express their thanks, and wish her well. All are welcome! For directions, please call the library at 845.225.8585 or visit http://www.kentlibrary.org/hours.html

Congratulations to the Kinderhook Memorial Library and the Valatie Free Library, they will each receive a $1,000 grant from their local Hannaford supermarket.

Professional Development
Diversity Scholarship: The Palmer Leadership Diversity Initiative is a Long Island University scholarship program focused on recruiting minority students to serve our increasingly diverse library communities. Beginning in Fall 2006, each year three major scholarships of up to $26,300 will be awarded to newly entering students seeking the Masters degree in Library and Information Science through the Palmer School of Library and Information Science of Long Island University. This program is available on campuses in Long Island, Manhattan and Westchester. Information about the scholarship, including objectives, eligibility requirements and contact information is in today's delivery.

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Ezra-Jack-Keats Foundation: Minigrants to Libraries: The purpose of this initiative is to provide libraries with the resources for programs that encourage literacy and creativity. Previously funded programs include guest author and illustrator programs, puppet shows and plays. The Ezra-Jack-Keats foundation emphasizes community and parent involvement and programs should reflect that commitment. Eligible applicants include school and public libraries. Deadline: September 15, 2006
For complete program information and application guidelines: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrants.htm.

To stay up-to-date with current grant opportunities subscribe to the MHLS Friends & Fundraising Email List. For more information and to subscribe: http://midhudson.org/funding/fundraising/listserv.htm.

Youth Services
Connecting Boys with Books Workshop with Michael Sullivan: Alarming statistics show that boys are, on average, one and a half grade levels below girls in reading, get 70% of the Ds and Fs in school and constitute 80% of high school dropouts. To assist libraries in getting boys to make a positive connection with reading, MHLS and the School Library Systems of Dutchess and Ulster BOCES sponsored a workshop on Friday, May 19th featuring nationally recognized librarian, author, advocate for boys, Michael Sullivan. Seventy-six public and school librarians filled the MHLS Auditorium to learn that librarians should actively encourage boys to:
· Choose lower reading levels and their own reading materials;
· Explore fantasy, action, humor, gothic horror and sports materials;
· Read nonfiction.
Librarians should also:
· Create interesting displays of boy-friendly materials;
· Expose boys to story (read aloud - no matter what age, tell stories, get them to tell stories);
· Use competition to gain respect for mental activities (chess clubs, board game tournaments, electronic games-"engage hands, minds will follow");
· Do creative booktalks (one tantalizing sentence can be very effective). ["Booktalks" are a type of "commercial for books."]
Didn't have a chance to attend this workshop?
· Links to handouts from the program are on the MHLS Youth Services Department site under What's New? http://midhudson.org/department/youth/main.htm.
· Michael Sullivan's website: http://www.talestoldtall.com/.
· Michael's book, Connecting Boys with Books: What Libraries Can Do, can be borrowed from the MHLS Professional Collection: http://midhudson.org/MHLS/professional_collection.htm.

TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection which is used by over 4,000 public libraries and school across North America [http://www.TumbleBookLibrary.com]. This summer, TumbleBooks is offering public libraries a free subscription so their patrons can participate in the TumbleBook Summer Reading Program. They provide your library with a direct link for your web site. There is no commitment or obligation. E-mail info@tumblebooks.com with your contact info and say you are interested in the TumbleBook Summer Reading Program. Feedback to Margaret at MHLS [mkeefe@midhudson.org] would be helpful to determine if we want to pursue working with this company for a bulk purchase.

Job Openings
The Woodstock Public Library District is looking for a children's services technician who loves to create dynamic programs. As the Children's Services Technician, you would share desk and collection maintenance tasks with other library employees as well as: 1. Provide story times and programming throughout the year; 2. Create partnerships with schools and other organizations that serve children; 3. Provide children's reader advisory and some reference services; 4. Serve on System and local committees; 5. Make book collection decisions; 6. Embrace important library technology.
The Woodstock Public Library District supports the growth of its employees by encouraging attendance at Mid-Hudson Library System's continuing education opportunities and sending staff to professional conferences such NYLA. Requirements: BA or BS is required and some related work experience is preferred. Health insurance, vacation and sick leave, NYS Retirement. 35-hour work week, Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a six month training and probationary period prior to permanent appointment. Salary range starts at $27,000 depending on experience. Send resume and references by June 22, 2006 to Woodstock Public Library District, 5 Library Lane, Woodstock, NY 12498, Attn: Diana B. Stern, Director. No phone calls please.

Blodgett Memorial Library is looking for a part-time library clerk. Average of 15 hours per week, mostly evenings and weekends; duties include circulation (i.e., sorting, checking in/out, issue cards, reserve and overdue functions) $8/hr. Please respond by mailing a resume to Blodgett Memorial Library, 37 Broad St., Fishkill, NY 12524.

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: bulletin@midhudson.org. The MHLS Bulletin is available on line at http://midhudson.org/bulletins/main.htm.