Green Buildings Workshop

Green Buildings Workshop to be held on Tuesday, September 26th in the MHLS Auditorium.

Library directors, trustees and facility management personnel are encouraged to attend this full day workshop devoted to increasing awareness and interest in energy conservation and environmentally friendly facility issues.

The workshop will cover:
· Energy Efficiencies
· Renewable Energy
· Facility Maintenance
· Sustainable Design & Building Components (For both new construction and for buildings that are being renovated/expanded)
· Funding "Green" Initiatives

A dozen area experts are being tapped to speak at this event. Speakers from NYSERDA, Eco-Con Buildings Systems, Environmental Services, the Town of Rosendale and Landsberg Engineering have already been confirmed. More information will be forthcoming as more speakers are confirmed!

Register for the following session:
Tuesday, September 26th
10:00am - 4:30pm
MHLS Auditorium
105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie

Workshop fee includes lunch: please send checks, made out to MHLS, to the MHLS Business Office, 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
· $10 for MHLS member libraries
· $20 for others (when registering please choose 'Non-MHLS library' from the 'Select Your Library' drop-down list.)

Register online through the MHLS calendar.

MHLS Announcements
2006 Outreach Grant / Group Purchase Opportunity: Interpretype (also known as ITY) face-to-face communication system, demonstrated at the July Director's Association meeting, works with your circulation or reference computer to provide a means of communication without using speech. The patron keyboard (supplied) interfaces with your circulation or reference computer, enabling hearing (and/or speech) impaired patrons to communicate directly with library staff. It also simultaneously translates bilingual conversations between English and Spanish speaking individuals. Look for an Action Memo with information about the Outreach Grant / Group Purchase opportunity.

The MHLS Board of Trustees met on Thursday, July 20, in the MHLS Auditorium and:
· Reviewed the Budget Committee's recommendations for allocation of the Census and one-time grant funds received by the System;
· Reviewed and discussed the Basic Training for Trustees and RFID Self Check Technology topics presented at the New York State Association of Library Board's (NYSALB) Trustee Institute, and how this could influence the future of library service;
· Viewed a PowerPoint presentation on the System's Millennium Automation System, and reviewed the key terms associated with its operation and usage.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st, at 10:00am in the MHLS Auditorium.

Accessing the 2005 Statistical Annual Report: Last week all libraries, library board presidents and members of the MHLS Board of Trustees received a print copy of the MHLS 2005 Statistical Annual Report, comprised of information reported from all member libraries to the Division of Library Development. The full information contained in the report is available online at http://midhudson.org/annual_reports/2005/main.htm. At the bottom of that web page is access to five years of previous reports online and information on ordering additional print copies for $5. In addition, as requested, there is also a link where you can download a complete copy of the 2005 report with one click, and print yourself an entire copy (56 pages).

MHLS Libraries
The Saugerties Public Library has integrated a publicity component for their library into a summer reading program activity. Children who join the summer reading club get to design their very own t-shirt thanks to the generous donations of local businesses and library supporters. Each shirt has the name of the library on the back but the rest of the t-shirt space can be filled with their own designs.

Professional Development
Thirty-eight people representing MHLS libraries in 5 counties attended the Library Blog Creation & Management workshop given by Polly-Alida Farrington. Blogs are run by templates, an easy way to keep content on your library web site current. Several free software options were discussed, with WordPress.com being currently preferred for its features, including the ability to create static pages in addition to the typical chronological blog postings. When creating a blog to add to your library web site:
· Have a clear idea of who uses your library web site and target your blog messages to those users.
· Make sure the library contact information is displayed prominently.
· Spell check & grammar check!
· Use photos.
· Decide whether or not your blog will be a news service or a forum for public comment. The public comment feature will take more of your time as you will need to mediate postings. For a copy of the handouts, contact Merribeth at madvocate@midhudson.org or x54. Thank you to the MHLS Marketing & Program Advisory Committee for suggesting this workshop topic.

Trustee Resources
414 Panel Discussion: Wednesday, August 23rd
10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Library leaders experienced with 414 propositions will discuss their specific experiences with the process and take questions from participants. Featured panelists will include:
· Marilyn Macintosh, Director, Monroe Free Library
· Patti Haar, Director, Patterson Library
· Julie Johnson, Director, Kinderhook Memorial Library
· Mark Fuerst, former trustee, Starr Library (Rhinebeck)
Panelists will address:
· What happened when they presented to their town board.
· The public's reaction to their proposition.
· Best-practices and things to avoid based on their experience going through the process.
Target Audience: This program is designed for library directors, trustees, and friends who are familiar with the 414 proposition concept and planning to do one either this year or next. Register online.

Job Openings
Reed Memorial Library, a small Public (Association) Library in Putnam County, N.Y., is seeking candidates for a newly created position as Librarian. The Librarian will have mixed responsibilities including, but not limited to: circulation duties; editing quarterly newsletter; public relations; teen programming; collection development for items of interest to teens; interlibrary loans as well as other tasks as needed. Reed Library depends on its close-knit team of employees and it's quality user-friendly service. Full or part-time candidates may apply. Schedule is flexible but must include Saturdays. Librarian reports to the Director of the Library. Please apply to: Joy Wofse, Director; 1733 Route 6; Carmel, N.Y. 10512 or e-mail to: librarian@carmellibrary.org; fax to: 845.225.1436.

Part-time Library Clerk - $9/hr. 17-25 hours a week, Mon. 9-2, Tues. 12-5, Fri 1-8 and alternating Saturdays 9-5. We're looking for a highly organized, detail oriented, self-motivated individual who enjoys working with the public to handle interlibrary loan, circulation and data entry. Computer skills are essential. Apply to LaGrange Library, 488 Freedom Plains Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, fax to 845.452.1974 or email lagrangelib@hotmail.com.

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.