Saland: 27 Libraries to Receive Grants

Last week, Senator Steve Saland announced $349,000 in grants to libraries from his district for technology and capital improvements.

"In addition to our homes and schools, libraries provide a strong foundation for learning for our communities," said Senator Saland, "For many years to come, students and adults who utilize [these] libraries will reap the benefits from these centers of lifelong learning."

Grant amounts were announced at two separate press conferences held last week one in Columbia County at the Claverack Free Library, the second in Dutchess County at the Adriance Memorial Library of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District.

Michael Borges, director of the New York Library Association, noted that Senator Saland is a "true friend of the library community in New York State," citing the Senator's role is securing the increase in state aid for libraries, including $14 million for construction this year, in addition to the grants announced last week.

Saland Grant Amounts:
Columbia County:
Chatham Public Libraries (includes Canaan) - $12,603
Claverack Free Library - $10,529
Germantown Library - $9,258
Roeliff Jansen Community Library (Hillsdale, Copake & Ancram) - $9,132
Hudson Area Association Library - $13,696
Kinderhook Memorial Library - $11,701
Livingston Free Library - $8,562
New Lebanon Library - $9,458
North Chatham Free Library - $8,731
Philmont Public Library - $9,012
Valatie Free Library - $9,118

Dutchess County:
Howland Public Library (Beacon) - $20,219
Clinton Community Library - $10,171
East Fishkill Community Library - $20,059
Blodgett Memorial Library (Fishkill) - $13,118
Hyde Park Free Library - $16,118
LaGrange Association Library - $15,174
Millbrook Free Library - $10,506
Pleasant Valley Free Library - $12,488
Poughkeepsie Public Library District - $41,622
Red Hook Public Library - $9,160
Morton Memorial Library (Rhinecliff) - $8,474
Staatsburg Library District - $10,005
Stanford Free Library - $9,957
Starr Library (Rhinebeck) - $11,890
Tivoli Free Library - $8,866
Grinnell Library Association (Wappingers Falls) - $20,373

MHLS Announcements
MHLS will be closed on Monday, September 4th. There will be no deliveries.

Due to time constraints the Print Services Department will not be accepting any new design jobs until October 1st.

Inmate Requests: Sometimes public libraries receive direct requests from inmates for information. This is a reminder that we are advised to never directly respond to an inmate. Their request, and relevant info you can provide, should be sent to their facility librarian when possible. Then the librarian will pass on to the inmate the info they are able to have and help them use facility library resources to answer their questions. If you do get a letter, the MHLS Outreach Department can provide the contact info for their facility librarian.

Resource Sharing & Millennium
Busy Records: While Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III) staff were monitoring our system for broken holds they noticed that 1-5 holds a week are broken because staff are freeing busy records that are legitimately in use elsewhere on the system. This is most commonly happening with staff freeing busy patron records. It could potentially cause other types of circulation updates to be lost. So wait and retry your transaction if a record is busy. In some cases it is reasonably in use and will be free soon.

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Friends Support Group: Recruitment & Retention, Friday, September 22nd from 3:00 - 5:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium, 105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie. Facilitated by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information. This support group has been created as a forum for member library Friends to come together and share information. Issues, problems and solutions will be on the table for all to learn from each other. The plan is for this group to meet quarterly. This instance of the support group (our first!) will address best practices for recruiting and retaining members for your Friends Group. Discuss challenges and solutions, share your questions, solutions and tips and learn from your peers. Registration is required. Register one of 2 ways:
1. http://midhudson.org, then click on Calendar
2. call 845-471-6060 x46
Directions to MHLS are available at http://midhudson.org/help/directions.htm

Youth Services
Promote your library's resources for the new school year: One easy way to promote the value of your library resources to the community is to offer the Health Information Project Resource Guide at the start of school in September to your local high school and middle school health teachers, guidance counselors and PTA representatives. The guide contains a complete listing of teen-recommended Project videos and websites and of current nonfiction book titles, all covering a wide variety of relevant teen issues. Single copies of the guide may be ordered through the online MHLS Material Request Form (http://midhudson.org/forms/material_request.htm). Also available on the Materials Request Form are Health Information Project postcards. These promote the Project website which provides the most comprehensive list of available materials. They may be ordered in packets of ten and may be made available to for distribution at community functions - again, a good way to promote some of the many helpful offerings provided by your library.

Job Openings
Children's Programmer, Starr Library, Rhinebeck. Responsibilities involve creative programming for children, as well as general library duties. Present weekly enrichment programs to children. Develop themes, select and read stories, prepare and present suitable crafts, projects and activities. Story times include: Toddler Time (18 Months-3 years), Pre-School Storytime (3-5 years), Summer reading program, Special seasonal programs throughout the year. Experience working with children. Bachelor's degree preferred. Strong organizational skills, creativity, ability to communicate with children. Ability to understand and communicate in English. Library experience preferred, not required.Reports to: Library Director. Hours: 11 hours per week, including weekend rotation. Salary: $11/hour. Benefits: Paid vacation. Position available September. Applications accepted until position filled. Apply to: Steven Cook, Director, Starr Library,68 West Market St., Rhinebeck; 845.876.4030; starrdirector@hvc.rr.com.

The Reed Memorial Library in Carmel is seeking applicants for a Library Assistant. The starting salary for this position is $9 per hour for a 31-hour workweek (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 to 5, and Tuesday 5 to 8 pm). The position requires providing circulation, informational and basic reference services to library patrons as well as the shelving of materials. Applicants should be flexible, reliable and enjoy working with the public. The position includes paid training and vacation time. Please submit resume and three references to the Reed Memorial Library, 1733 Route 6, Carmel, NY 10512.

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.