Small Libraries Roundtable

The Small Libraries Roundtable will meet at the Livingston Free Library on Friday, September 15th from 10:00am-12:00pm. This users group is designed for the administrators of small libraries (3FTE or less). The purpose of the group is to discuss the issues surrounding running a small library. This instance of the users group will address best practices for developing and implementing personnel policies and employee handbooks in a small library:

· Discuss solutions to the challenges of:
o Developing personnel policies
o Enforcing policies in a small library
· Share your questions, solutions and tips
· Learn from your peers

Join us and share your questions, solutions and tips while learning from your peers. This group is facilitated by Josh Cohen, MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information and Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Outreach & Education Coordinator. Register online through the MHLS Calendar by going to http://midhudson.org and clicking on Calendar OR get there directly at http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

 

MHLS Announcements
The New York State Library has announced New York's participation in the national WebJunction/ Gates Foundation Spanish Language Outreach Program. The State Library is partnering with MHLS, the New York Library Association (NYLA), NYS Association of Library Boards (NYSALB) and the Public Library System Director's Organization (PULISDO) to implement this statewide training program. Twelve NYS public library systems, including MHLS, will participate in the program which will train library staff and trustees how to effectively reach out to Spanish speakers in their communities. Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Outreach & Education Coordinator and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information will be among the participants. The program's goal is to increase and develop library use among Spanish-speaking populations and to increase the group's use of and access to library public-use computers. Training sessions will be held throughout the MHLS service area between October 2006 and May 2007. For more information about the program go to http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/gateslib/spanish/index.html.

 

Professional Development
Columbia, Greene & Ulster Youth Service Meeting: All staff from libraries in Columbia, Greene & Ulster counties who deal with library service to young people are encouraged to attend the next quarterly meeting of the Columbia/ Greene/Ulster Youth Services group on Monday, September 18th at the Palenville Branch of the Catskill Public Library. The format will be a roundtable to share resources, program, publicity, outreach & craft ideas and any other issues relating to serving young people. Margaret Keefe, MHLS Coordinator of Youth Services, will share new information from MHLS. This is the second gathering of this group who have decided to meet quarterly to network, share and support each other. The meeting will take place from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Register online through the MHLS Calendar by going to http://midhudson.org and clicking on Calendar OR get there directly at http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp.

WebJunction's E-Learning Clearinghouse, funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), allows you to search for online education programs and courses for library staff and information professionals offered by ALA-accredited graduate schools, undergraduate schools, community colleges, regional library networks, and WebJunction. Check it out at http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=11446

 

Reference & Collection Development
The American Library Association's (ALA) Guide to Best Reading in 2006, a co-production of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Booklist, Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), is available for the first time as a digital download. The guide is filled with annotated recommended and notable booklists such as "Notable Children's Books," "Notable Books," "Editor's Choice," and "Best Books for Young Adults." The materials are camera-ready and can be used to create brochures and bookmarks for unlimited distribution. New to the guide this year are appealing, patron-friendly graphics on bookmarks and brochures and a customizable option for brochures. A list of present and past Pura Belpré Medal winners also has been added. "What library wouldn't like to save some money while also providing classy-looking, professionally-selected, user-friendly booklists for their patrons?" said YALSA President Pam Spencer Holley. "I can't think of a better bargain than this new means of offering an old favorite. Best of all is that these selected and recommended lists of books, audiobooks and other media, appeal to all age ranges, from children to adults." ALA's Guide to Best Reading in 2006 is available from the ALA Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org/, click on "Digital Downloads" in the blue "Browse Catalog" section. The price is $22; $19.80 for ALA members.

 

Programming
Please review the Book Club in a Bag Staff Procedures with all staff who work at the front desk. A Staff Support Page for the program is available on the MHLS home page [http://midhudson.org] and on the Programming page [http://midhudson.org/program/main.htm].

 

Youth Services
Best Books for Young Adults Workshop with children's book expert, Kathleen Odean: Among the great tips learned:

· Display idea: Don't Judge a Book by Its Movie, featuring both books and DVDs/videos
· During Banned Books Week, put various banned titles on display and 1) surround with yellow police crime scene tape, 2) put them in padlocked pet cage or (for teen titles) call display, "This Is What Some Adults Don't Want You To Read".
· Put teen books on personal topics in dark corner, with sign, "Afraid to ask?"
· Orca, a Canadian publishing company, specializes in titles on topics of high interest to reluctant teens, with lots of white space on pages (less intimidating) and around 100 pages (http://www.orcabook.com/)
· Create handout for staff and put copies in teen section with Bettendorf Library link to series titles to answer that perennial question, "Which book is next?" (http://www.bettendorflibrary.com/bpl-bin/series.pl)
· Start a "First Read Club" to let teens be the first to read new library books and maybe review them.
· And our favorite: Put copies of various book covers up on the library's bathroom walls. Good way to feature some titles that have merit but may not have circulated much.

At this workshop (sponsored by the area BOCES School Library Systems), Kathleen Odean presented each workshop participant with a 100-page book which includes recommended titles in various genres (including graphic novels, poetry, books in verse, audio books), booktalking tips, reader's theater tips, ideas for book related activities to expand young people's experience with a title and links to many online resources. (Best nonfiction books for boys (pg. 46 of her booklet.) The book is available through the MHLS Professional Collection (Best New Young Adult Books: Resource Handbook).

 

Job Openings
The Catskill Public Library is seeking applications for a Director who is charismatic, organized, and committed to public outreach and service, with emphasis on children's programming. The successful candidate will build collaborative networks with local schools and other community groups, and will lead the staff and Board of Directors in a strategic planning process with intent to revitalize the library as the intellectual and cultural center of the community. Qualifications: MLS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program, plus several years' experience supervising people in a library or other setting. Ability to unify and inspire a diverse staff and public a must. The Catskill Public Library is a school district library, and this position is subject to Civil Service requirements. Salary starting from $37,521 commensurate with ability. Excellent benefits. Applications accepted
through Sept. 15 or until filled. Interested applicants should reply to:
Search Committee
Catskill Public Library
1 Franklin Street
Catskill, NY 12414

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.