Book Banquets

Book Banquets - A Smorgasbord of Recent Terrific Books for Children and Teens

Don’t miss this chance to network with school librarians and teachers from your community.

Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster County public and school librarians and teachers will hear book talks about the 2007 ALA Notable Books for children (birth to 14), to help them make better collection development decisions and provide improved readers advisory services.
The workshop will cover:
· Book talks on the ALA 2007 Notable Books given by Randall Enos, RCLS Youth Services Consultant and Julie Baxter, Moffat Library Director and YS Librarian
· Examination of the books discussed
· Light dinner buffet with opportunity for networking with your local school librarians

Ulster County: Thursday, March 29th from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the Ulster BOCES Conference Center, Rt. 32S, New Paltz, NY 12561

Dutchess County: Thursday, April 12th from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the MHLS Auditorium, 105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Columbia & Greene Counties: Wednesday, May 16th from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the East Greenbush Community Library, 10 Community Way, East Greenbush, NY 12061

Registration:
For the Ulster Banquet, register directly with Ulster BOCES. Make $15 check payable to: Ulster BOCES Treasurer and write Ulster Book Banquet in the Memo line. Send to: Ulster BOCES School Library System, 175 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561-1019.

For the Dutchess Banquet and Columbia/Greene Banquet, 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 Send a $15 check, made payable to MHLS, to: MHLS Business Office, 103 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Mark Dutchess or Col/Greene Book Banquet on the check. You will be officially registered when your check is received at MHLS.


MHLS Announcements
MHLS Incentive Program Announcements:
· 2006 Incentive Grant Claims - Last Call: Please submit all Claims you have under the 2006 Incentive Grant Program before Thursday, March 15th. This is the last opportunity to have 2006 Claims processed.
· 2007 Incentive Grant Claims: Any Claims you have under the 2007 Incentive Grant Program may also be submitted before Thursday, March 15th.
*Please be sure to use Claim Forms for the appropriate year.
· ALA Conference Grant: Those libraries which have decided on Package C for this year and are sending staff to ALA will need to submit a letter to MHLS stating their intent to send staff. The letter must be received by MHLS by May 1st, 2007 and must be signed by the director.
· Claim Forms: If you need forms or have any other questions about the Incentive Program go to http://midhudson.org then Administration & Management then Budgeting & Finance or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/admin/budgeting/main.php or contact Doris Formby at x10 or dformby@midhudson.org.

Professional Development
New York Library Association Institute Coming to MHLS: Wireless Internet Access in Your Library, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 9:30am - 3:00pm, MHLS Auditorium. A growing number of medium and small public libraries in New York State have found the wireless solution that is right for them, enhancing both their services and technology infrastructure. What's the right solution for your library? Learn how to assess your site and your service needs. Learn about equipment, technical support issues, network security, and costs. Hear the specifics about several solutions for wireless, from build-it-yourself to vendor-provided. Ample time will be provided for a question & answer period. This workshop is appropriate for public library staff, managers, trustees, and anyone interested in wireless networks. Presenters: David Fulton, Computer Literacy Librarian at Liverpool Public Library (Liverpool NY), Geoffrey Kirkpatrick, Head of Computer and Media Services at Bethlehem Public Library (Delmar NY), and John Love, Technology Specialist at Bethlehem Public Library (Delmar NY). This full day workshop is $85 for NYLA members and $120 for non-members. Register online at http://www.nyla.org or using the flier enclosed in this week’s Bulletin. Questions? Call 1.800.252.NYLA or e-mail: education@nyla.org.

Reference & Collection Development
The first issue of the new The Central Library Bulletin is now available. The Central Library Bulletin features a question of the month, FAQs at the reference desk, training tips and recent Central Library acquisitions. The Central Library Bulletin is written for the staff at MHLS member libraries. Please send your suggestions for questions of the month, FAQs, and topics you would like to read about in future issues to Sue Hermans, Head, Reference and Adult Services/Coordinator, Central Library Services of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District (shermans@poklib.org). And, of course, your feedback is always welcome. To access this publication online go to: http://midhudson.org then Reference & Collection Development then The Central Library Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 1, under Reference Support or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/CL/enews/vol1_iss1.pdf

Youth Services
All MHLS libraries have the opportunity to purchase AWE Early Literacy Computers at a reduced rate, based on the number of libraries who buy them. The window of opportunity to order these machines is between February 27-March 27, each library will place their order directly with the AWE company. The machines are designed for use by children, preschool to grade 3. They require little maintenance or interaction by library staff, since the 26 award-winning programs are pre-loaded. Libraries may choose to accept the printer that is included in the package or not take one, which will take $50 off the purchase price. A variety of headphones may also be purchased so that children can use the computer without disturbing others in the library. An Early Literacy bi-lingual Spanish machine is also available and any of these purchased will be added to the total count. A 4th edition of the ELS machines will be coming out this spring at a higher price but those who order now and also purchase the New Release Subscription will automatically get the upgrade at no additional cost. For more information and order forms, go to either http://midhudson.org or the Youth Services site at http://midhudson.org/department/youth/main.htm. You can also find out general information about AWE at http://www.AWE-net.com.

HIP Helps Your Library Promote Nutrition Awareness Month (March). This observance provides an excellent opportunity to feature library materials and programs on food and related health issues. For teen-focused videos, nonfiction and fiction titles and related websites on this topic, a printable materials’ listing is available on the MHLS Health Information Project’s home page at http://hip.midhudson.org. To learn about future health observances, go to the Health Information Project website at http://hip.midhudson.org/hip_observances.htm

Trustee Resources
2007 Trustee Institute presented by the New York State Association of Library Boards (NYSALB) at the Crowne Plaza New York LaGuardia Hotel in Queens, NY will be held on May 4th & 5th. Session topics include: Critical Partnership between Library Boards and Library Directors; Library Design and Budgeting; Serve a Diverse Public: The Queens Model; Is Your Library Properly Insured?; Teens: Everything (Almost) You Wanted to Know About Our Future Taxpayers, But Didn't Know How (or Who) to Ask; and The Role of the Trustee in Protecting Intellectual Freedom. More information, registration and accommodation information is available at http://www.nysalb.org/institute/index.html.

Job Openings
The Stone Ridge Library has an immediate opening for a part-time clerk, Mondays 1-8, Wednesdays 1-8. We are seeking an individual who is able to work well with the public and with colleagues, is computer literate and detail oriented. Ability to substitute additional hours would also be a plus. $8 an hour. For further information contact Jody Ford at Jodykeeff@hvc.rr.com or 845.687.0094.

PAGE 3: "Around the System for February 2007"

PAGE 4: March 2007Calendar: 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.