Tech for Youth Workshop

Tech for Youth: Connecting to Children and Teens through Technology Workshop
Early Bird registration now open!

This month the Web turned 16. What that means for the teens and children you serve is that technology is an everyday experience for them and they are keeping up with it. What that means for library staff is that we need to keep pace as well.

On Tuesday, September 25th from 9:00am – 3:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium, librarian, author, and professor, Linda Braun will address a variety of issues libraries face in keeping up with technology and applying it efficiently to provide better service to young people.

In this workshop Ms. Braun will talk about how others are connecting with youth via technology and how you can do it, too. Topics covered will include social networking (including microblogging and social sites like MySpace), wikis, blogs, and podcasts. She'll also speak about programs and services that use these technologies and how to market what you do using current and emerging technology.

In order for libraries to be attractive and relevant to young people and to provide quality youth service, library staff must be familiar with the latest technology and how it can be put to use in libraries. In many cases, the new technologies will make the job of serving local youth easier and more efficient.

Early Bird registration is available until August 1st at $20 for member libraries, $25 for non-members. After August 1st, the price goes to $25 for members; $30 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. Register through the MHLS calendar at
http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp [This workshop is being co-sponsored by MHLS and RCLS.]


MHLS Announcements
Pay Fines Online Promotion: Help patrons connect with this new feature of their online library account with two new publicity items developed by the MHLS Marketing & Program Advisory Committee. In today’s delivery each library building will receive a package containing two stand-up signs and a starter pack of promotional bookmarks designed to let patrons know they can now pay their fines and fees online. Additional bookmarks may be ordered, free of charge, through the online Material Request Form: http://midhudson.org/forms/material_request.htm

The next MHLS System Tour will be held on Wednesday, August 15th from 9:30am – 12:30pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Directions: http://midhudson.org/help/directions.htm. The tour introduces member library staff and trustees to the MHLS staff and familiarizes them with available services. The tour will cover:
· An introduction to the MHLS organization, web site and electronic resources (the online library catalog and HOMEACCESS)
· Technology: Automated Services, Data Entry, AV Services, and Computer Operations
· Public Services: Youth Services, ILL, Print Services, Member Information, Outreach & Continuing Education
· Administration: Business Office, Shipping & Delivery
There will also be built-in time to talk one-on-one with department staff. Facilitator: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information
Register today at: http://midhudson.org then Calendar or get there directly at http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp or by calling 845.471.6060 x46.

There will be no Director’s Association meeting in August. The next meeting will be Monday, September 10th beginning at 9:30am.

Professional Development
Location: Public Library Administrator's Certificate Program in Rhinebeck this Fall: MHLS has partnered with the Palmer Institute of Public Library Organization and Management to make this certificate program available at the Starr Library in Rhinebeck. The Palmer School's post-Master's Advanced Certificate program in Public Library Administration is designed to develop and enhance the management skills and credentials of professional librarians working within the public library sector and to train the leaders of tomorrow. This certificate program is a five-course, fifteen-credit graduate-level public library management training program. This program is recognized by the New York State Education Department. You will receive an Advanced Certificate in Public Library Administration from Long Island University upon completion of the full program. Each course will be offered in 7 to 8 half-day sessions. The first course will begin in October 2007. Fax your application ASAP to secure your spot. Applications must be received by August 1. Information, FAQ's & Contacts, Application & Deadlines, Map available at http://www.midhudson.org/PLAC/rhinebeck/main.htm

Youth Services
ROC Winners Announced: Twenty MHLS libraries submitted applications for the Summer Reading Program Reach Out Challenge, indicating how they had promoted their summer reading programs locally. Five of those libraries showed outstanding initiative and creativity in promoting programs throughout their communities and have been chosen as this year’s ROC Winners:
· Germantown
· Patterson
· Plattekill
· Valatie
· Grinnell (Wappingers Falls)
Their applications demonstrated how widely they promoted their summer reading programs, not only through the schools, summer schools and PTAs, but also through: Town recreational programs; Daycares/nursery schools; Youth organizations and agencies like Scouts, Astor Centers & Head Start; Local media outlets including public access channels; Town and library newsletters; Tables at community fairs; Posters in local stores and restaurants; Creation of summer reading websites; and working with school personnel to create new summer reading lists. The 5 grand prize winners will choose one of two poster stands which will help them further promote not only summer reading but library events all year.


Programming
Three new Book Club in a Bag (BCB) titles are now available:
The Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring) has supplied a non-fiction title, The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan.

The Saugerties Public Library has supplied two juvenile titles: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord.
BCB kits come with at least ten copies of a title, discussion questions and discussion leader tips. Kits can be reserved up to a year in advance. Check out the full list of titles and booking instructions on the BCB Staff Support page: http://midhudson.org/program/BCB/staff.htm.

Administration & Management
Technology Donations for Libraries: Is your library in need of low-cost software? TechSoup Stock [http://www.techsoup.org/stock/] distributes donated and deeply discounted technology products to eligible U.S. public libraries. Your library can save 80-96% on brand-new software donated by top companies such as Microsoft and Intuit. There is no membership or registration fee. See handout included with this week’s Bulletin for more information.

Job Openings
The Grinnell Library Association of Wappingers Falls, NY is seeking a part-time weekend reference librarian to work approximately 10 hours every other weekend (Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm and Sunday, 1:00 - 4:00pm) at the Library's reference desk. Applicants must possess an MLS degree or be enrolled in an ALA accredited MLS program. Please send resume, cover letter and references to Grinnell Library Association, 2642 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, Att: Weekend Reference, fax, 845.297.1506 or e-mail glsearch@gmail.com

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.