Happy Holidays From MHLS

2006 Highlights

The Mid-Hudson Library System staff works hard everyday to help bring value to your library, enhancing the services you are able to provide to your local community and maximizing your local budget. Here are some highlights from 2006:

2006 Advocacy: This year the NYS Legislature broke the decade-old pattern of flat funding for libraries, although two* of the three funding bumps are temporary:
· Use of the 2000 Census in the library funding formula
· *Additional funds for library systems ($71,000 for MHLS)
· *$14 million bond for public library construction ($540,000 for member libraries)
We hope that 2007 will see the temporary funds for systems and library construction repeated - we need everyone to work together to help secure this funding for our communities - watch the MHLS Bulletin and listservs for ways to help.

Getting to Yes: This year the Getting to Yes (GTY) LSTA Project worked with member libraries to assist them in building up their ability to win votes.
· Twenty-eight out of thirty-one votes were successful this year.
· Fifty of our sixty-six member libraries now have their budgets voted on.
The GTY Project has generated some new tools in 2006:
· 5-Phase Campaign timeline and related resources
· Return on Investment Calculator
· Campaign Materials Gallery
All available from: http://www.midhudson.org/GTY/target.htm.
Coming in 2007: The GTY Toolkit

Book Club in a Bag (BCB) Pilot Program: BCB provides a self-contained bag with a minimum of ten copies of a title, discussion questions and discussion leader tips.
o 47 bags currently in circulation
o 24 participating libraries
o Over 115 requests (April - December)
o 13 more bags planned for early 2007
Learn more at http://midhudson.org/program/BCB/staff.htm.

Battle of the Books: The 2006 Battle was a huge success - we moved the event to a larger venue to accommodate all the teams and their supporters (representing 12 member libraries). Red Hook emerged as the winner and a great time was had by all. 2007 Battle Plans are already in the works!

Orientation for New Staff: In 2006 all Orientation for New Library Staff sessions were bundled with an optional companion session of Circulation Essentials.
· Begun in September of 2005
· Curriculum overseen by the MHLS Continuing Education / Professional Development Advisory Committee
· Over 50 people have attended Orientations for New Library Staff so far. Comments from participants include:
o So glad this was offered.
o Feel much more relaxed about this new adventure. There's lots of support! Great!!
o You did a great job! The program was extremely worthwhile and really gave the sense of what we're all about and that we're a part of a larger community.
o Overall wonderful workshop - well worth the time.

Plan of Service: This past year, MHLS staff met with over 200 member library stakeholders: directors, staff, Trustees and Friends to help craft our next five year Plan of Service.

The focus of the 2007-2011 Plan of Service is to assist member libraries in providing quality library service that meets the needs of our changing communities.

The plan retains what is working while addressing what is needed to ensure the healthy future of our member libraries. The potential for further growth and development of library service in our area is strong and by working together under the new Plan of Service we can continue to fulfill that potential.
The full plan is available on the MHLS web site: http://midhudson.org then Services then Full Plan of Service. [Direct link: http://midhudson.org/plan_of_service.htm