RED HOOK WINS '06 BATTLE!!

Battle of the Books 2006: Red Hook Wins!
On Saturday, September 16th, young people from 12 member libraries gathered in the Roy C. Ketcham High School Auditorium for the 2nd Annual MHLS Battle of the Books. This summer these 6th -9th graders read 10 books chosen by the planning committee, became familiar with the stories and took part in related activities at their local libraries. First place went to Red Hook Library who unseated one of the defending champions, Hyde Park Library in the Final Battle. Each team member received a prize and the winning library will house the Battle of the Books trophy until next year's competition.

Many thanks to the 2006 sponsors: Chazen Companies | Community Foundation of Dutchess County (Vassar Brothers Donor Advised Fund) | Friends of Heermance Library (Coxsackie) | Hannaford Supermarkets | IBM | Jean and Claudio Marzollo | Rhinebeck Savings Bank | Senator Stephen Saland/Assemblyman Joel Miller | Town of Esopus Library Foundation | Ulster Savings Bank | Wappingers Central School District

Planning for the 2007 Battle of the Books: Any library wishing to take part in the 2007 Battle of the Books, or find out more about it, should attend the Thursday, October 12th meeting at MHLS from 2:00 - 4:00pm. Please register online: http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

MHLS Announcements
Over 30 libraries and five NYS public library systems were represented at the MHLS Green Buildings Workshop. Attendees learned about steps towards making buildings more energy efficient, capital projects such as solar power and geothermal as well as the funding initiatives available from NYS to offset costs of projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. See a picture from the event on page 3 of this week's MHLS Bulletin. Resources from the workshop, including most of the presentations made by the 10 expert speakers on hand at the workshop are available on the MHLS web site: http://midhudson.org then Administration & Management then Facilities Resources. Direct link: http://midhudson.org/admin/facilities_resources/green.htm

Professional Development
Produce Statistical Reports & Presentations using customized, library specific data from Bibliostat Connect. Tuesday, October 17th from 9:30am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Presenters: Michael Ervin, Baker & Taylor and Maria Hazapis, Division of Library Development (DLD). Bibliostat Connect [http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/index.html] is a powerful web-based software program that lets users access and manipulate library-specific data. Through Bibliostat Connect, users have access to the New York's public library data and the latest national data. Participants will learn how to access information about libraries in NYS, finding "peer communities" of libraries that work with similar populations. Register online through DLD at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/wrkshp06.htm

Note: Some laptops will be available during the session for hands-on use, but if you bring a laptop with wireless card you will be able to perform your own searches during the session.

By The Book: Genre and Gender: A Readers' Advisory Conference. November 13-14, 2006 http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/readers/raconf/
This annual conference on readers' advisory services brings you two notable practitioners of the art of readers' advisory: Kaite Mediatore Stover, a readers' services librarian for Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and David Wright, a readers' services librarian for Seattle Public Library. In addition, attend an exclusive Book Tasting program, APL's newest, most popular readers' advisory program for adults. Enjoy an eclectic mix of food and fiction as we sample treats from a local restaurant while we chat about David Kamp's The United States of Arugula: How We Became a Gourmet Nation. Gain insight into the appeal of the romance genre as well as connecting with Gen X and Y readers in their late teens to mid-thirties. Stover and Wright will present a special "He Reads, She Reads" program based on their Library Journal column of the same name. Conference registration fee: $65 (student rate $25). Registration includes Book Tasting on 11/13, breakfast and lunch on 11/14. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006. For more information and registration forms, click: http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/readers/raconf/
Questions? Contact Amy Maurer McLaughlin at mclaughlina@uhls.lib.ny.us or 518.427.4349.

Administration & Management
A national report released last week, titled Public Libraries and the Internet 2006, revealed that 99 percent of all U.S. public libraries provide free public access to computers wired to the Internet, compared to 25 percent 10 years ago. Librarians overwhelmingly (71 percent) report that the most important impact of this service is providing Internet access to those who otherwise would not have it. This is the first time that impact has been quantified on a national scale. The report also revealed that despite increased demand for library computers, libraries typically have not seen a corresponding increase in budgets and many are challenged to provide enough computers or fast-enough connection speeds to meet demand. Future projection:

"23.1% plan to add wireless access within two years, which means that over 60.0% of public libraries would then offer wireless access."

The study was conducted by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University (FSU) and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association. To read the study go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/contactwo/oitp/2006_plinternet.pdf (PDF) or visit the Office for Information Technology http://www.ala.org/oitp.

Job Openings
Part-Time Shipping/Receiving Clerk: MHLS is seeking an organized, responsible, and detail oriented person to handle all aspects of a busy department. Experience with UPS, US Mail, FedEx a plus. Job involves sorting library materials and being able to lift 50lbs. 15 to 20 hours per week. Send resume with references to Mid-Hudson Library System, 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Attn: Shipping/Receiving Supervisor.

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Hillsdale, NY (Columbia County) is seeking a library technician to work 15 hours per week. Hourly wage $9.00. Candidates must be available to work Wednesday, Friday and other days as needed. The primary job responsibilities will include scheduling volunteers, working at the circulation desk and shelving on Wednesday and Friday, filling in for volunteers who can't meet their obligations, helping with book processing, data entry and other similar tasks. The ideal candidate will be dependable, detail oriented, able to multitask, enjoy working with the public and have strong computer skills. Please send resume and reference to: Library Director, Roeliff Jansen Community Library, PO Box 669, Hillsdale, NY 12529.

Vassar College Libraries' Interlibrary Loan department is seeking 2 Library Assistants. Please see the job announcements at http://www.vassar.edu/jobs/ for more information and instructions for applying. Vassar College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.

PAGE 3: "Around the System for September 2006"

PAGE 4: October 2006 Calendar:
http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

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.