560 and counting…

Do a search on Google for "library programs" and the MHLS EZ Library Program Database comes up first! Now with over 560 programs this searchable database has become popular all over the country. [http://midhudson.org/ezprogram/]

Programs are submitted by library staff who have implemented the program or by system staff who have heard about a great program from outside the area. Programs are "cataloged" with information like topic, audience, cost, supplies needed, books and websites that would help with the planning of the workshop, etc.

You can search the database by topic, audience, program type, cost or a combination of the four. You can also search by keyword.

There are programs for all ages in the database - not just kids programs! Here are some examples:
For Adults: Conversation Salons; Poetry Café; Writing Group; New Residents - Connect with your community
For Families: College Night; Family Game Night
For Seniors: Housing Options for Seniors; Remembering the Fifties; Safety for Seniors
For Teens: Altered Books; CD Music Swap; Digital Photography Club; Food Fear Factor; Open Mic Night
This is just a (very) small selection of what you'll find when you search the MHLS EZ Library Program Database. Discover something perfect for your community today!

MHLS Announcements
MHLS will be closed Friday, November 10th. There will be deliveries. The full schedule of delivery holidays is available on the MHLS Delivery Department web site: http://midhudson.org/department/delivery/main.htm.

MHLS Libraries
Lynn Place is the new director at the Germantown Library. Lynn served on the Germantown board for the past three years, holding the position of treasurer for the past year and half.

The Philmont Library and Friends sponsored a Restaurant Crawl to the restaurants in Philmont. In less than a week after announcing the event registration maxed out (at 30) and almost 20 people were turned away. Learn more about this unique fundraising idea at
http://philmont.org/news0610_crawl.html.

The Clinton Community Library has made the first Tuesday of every month Patron Appreciation Day. They are providing free coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day.

Professional Development
Web 2.0 Tools for Collaborative Library Communication Workshop (SENYLRC): Monday, December 11, 2006 from 9:00am - 4:00pm at the Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, 21 S. Elting Corners Rd., Highland, NY. To learn more about this workshop and register go to http://www.senylrc.org/ce/.

Streaming video from the first 2006-2007 College of DuPage teleconference, Soaring to Excellence - "Best New Technologies: Keeping Up with the Storm" (October 27, 2006) is now available. Follow the "College of DuPage teleconferences" link from the DLD home page http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/ for more information on this as well as upcoming teleconferences.

This spring MHLS will be offering Spanish Language Outreach workshops in each county designed to increase awareness of cultural differences, behaviors and values of American culture and Hispanic/Latino culture and their impact on delivering library services. These workshops will help library staff:
· understand the perceptions and attitudes the community has about the library
· enable more effective communication with Spanish-speaking customers
· find ways to make the library more welcoming
The workshops will be held in March and April. Check the MHLS web calendar at http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp for dates and locations.

Right now we are in the process of collecting samples of Spanish magazines, periodicals and newsletters from the area. If you offer them in your library as community information, or see some for free in your community, please send a copy to MHLS Outreach & Education Coordinator Merribeth Advocate. Put your library's name on it so we can get a geographic idea of where it came from.

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Grant Opportunity for Promoting Health Careers in Your Library: The Catskill Hudson Area Health Education Center (CHAHEC) is offering funds for libraries to replicate a program awarded to the Kingston and Town of Ulster Libraries earlier this year. CHAHEC promotes and funds activities that encourage youth to pursue health careers. A CHAHEC-funded project "Exploring Careers in the Health Field" was implemented earlier this year through the MHLS Health Information Project (HIP), which featured a conference at the Kingston Library for 8th graders and the purchase of 57 books for the Kingston and Town of Ulster libraries. The focus was on employment opportunities requiring two-year post high school training and certification. [A description of the program held at Kingston is available in the EZ Library Program Database: http://midhudson.org/ezprogram/. Just enter keyword "careers"; A listing of the books purchased (all available through the online catalog) is available at http://hip.midhudson.org/hip_CHAHEC_HealthCareerMaterials.pdf ]
CHAHEC provides an opportunity for your library to replicate this grant, in part or in its entirety. Cooperation with community schools in a health career conference would encourage cooperation between your library, area schools and other local agencies, and acquisition of career materials would enhance your library's collection. HIP can assist you with ideas and grant procedures, contact project coordinator Bobbi Clapp at bclapp@midhudson.org or x23.

Programming
Four more new Book Club in a Bag (BCB) kits are now available!
The Mahopac Library has supplied:
The Rainmaker by John Grisham
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
The Saugerties Public Library has supplied:
Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
Complete with 10 copies of the title and discussion questions to help any book group get started. For a complete list of available titles visit one of these links:
BCB for Library Staff: http://midhudson.org/program/BCB/staff.htm
BCB for Library Patrons: http://midhudson.org/program/BCB/main.htm

Trustee Resources
Reminder: Register now for the MHLS Executive Committee / Directors Forum 2006: Legal Issues for Boards workshop being held on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00am - 1:00 pm in the Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium. (105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie. Directions at http://midhudson.org/help/directions.htm) There is no charge for this workshop but registration is required:
Register online or by phone: http://midhudson.org, then click on Calendar (direct link: http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp) or call 845.471.6060 x46.

Administration & Management
NYSERDA Energy Audit Program: As introduced at the MHLS Green Buildings Program, the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Energy Audit Program helps lower energy bills and improve the energy performance of a building. The cost of the audit depends on your energy bills: if your annual electric bill is less than $12,000 the Energy Audit Fee is $100. The fee is refundable if you implement suggestions made through your audit. If you are interested in the Energy Audit program fill out the online application at: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/energyaudit.asp.

PAGE 3: "Around the System for October 2006"

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

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.