HeritageQuest Added to HOMEACCESS

Thanks to a cost-share made up of Central Library funds and member library funds, all MHLS member libraries and their patrons now have access to HeritageQuest through HOMEACCESS [http://gateway2k.midhudson.org:2048/login].

HeritageQuest is one of the most popular databases with patrons. It is a collection of unique material for both genealogical and historical researchers, with coverage dating back to the late 1700s. Patrons can use HeritageQuest to find their ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled. More information about HeritageQuest at http://il.proquest.com/products_pq/descriptions/heritagequest.shtml.

If your library manages their own web site and you’d like to advertise this new resource you can use the HeritageQuest button available at http://midhudson.org/admin/web/buttons.htm (and shown above) and link it to HOMEACCESS to help connect patrons with this great resource they can get online with their library card.

MHLS Libraries
MHLS welcomes three new member library directors:
· Christine Rappleyea, D.R. Evarts Library (Athens)
· Jeanne Bogino, New Lebanon Library
· Jessica Serrano, Saugerties Public Library

Children at the Saugerties Public Library have a new opportunity to enhance their literacy skills thanks to a donation from the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties, which enabled the library to buy an AWE Early Literacy Computer. The early learning computer has 26 top-rated educational titles perfect for children ages 2-8 and includes software programs such as Reader Rabbit and Sammy's Science House.


Professional Development
Millennium Cataloging Essentials, Wednesday, September 12th at the Chatham Public Library from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Get the basics in Millennium data entry from Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Automated Systems Manager and Karen O’Brien, MHLS Cataloging & Database Maintenance Supervisor:
· Data entry and the role it plays
· Searching –the best methods
· Creating bib records-What should you add and how?
· Item records-format and fields
· What to do about those exceptions
· Correcting the problems
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

Tips and Tricks for Front Desk Staff workshop to be held twice more this year:
· Tuesday, September 18th from 10:00am-12:00pm at Elting Memorial Library (93 Main St., New Paltz)
· Wednesday, October 17th from 1:00 – 3:00pm at East Fishkill Community Library (348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction)
Working at the front desk, you get asked a lot of questions by patrons. This session will provide tips and tricks that will make doing your job easier and faster, and save you time and effort. Learn easy ways to answer hard questions! All staff that work with patrons would benefit from attending this session. The workshop will cover tips and tricks with the online catalog and FictionConnection (readers’ advisory tool). This workshop is presented by Sue Hermans from the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. Sue is the Reference and Adult Services & Coordinator of Central Library Services. 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

Save the date! Tuesday, October 9th Natalie Weikart will be presenting Leading, Maintaining & Reinvigorating a Book Discussion Group in the MHLS Auditorium. Register now - registration is limited to 25 participants. Natalie Weikart is a consultant from Maryland with twenty years experience in facilitating book discussions and presenting statewide leadership training for library staff. Staff from MHLS libraries saw her at PLA and highly recommended this program be brought for you to attend here. This interactive workshop has helped launch successful and popular book discussion groups in libraries for more than a dozen years. It is designed for staff who have had some experience or no experience planning or leading a book discussion group for adult readers. Participants will learn techniques for:
· Starting and promoting a lively book club
· Selecting "discussable" titles for various audiences
· Planning and leading the discussion
· Handling problems and making everybody happy
Registration is limited to 25 participants. Cost of the workshop is $30 for MHLS member libraries. This is a 5-hour workshop and includes lunch. Actual start time TBA. Register now at http://www.midhudson.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Buttons & Graphics for Your Library’s Web Site: MHLS staff have pulled together a suite of graphics for libraries that manage their own web sites to draw from to promote the standardization of links to resources that can be jointly publicized – helping patrons to find resources they may hear about regardless of which local library they use. Graphics include buttons for the most popular databases in HOMEACCESS, “Free Wi-Fi Spot,” and NOVELny. Access the page at http://midhudson.org then Administration & Management then Technology or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/admin/web/buttons.htm.

Reference & Collection Development
Two fun sites to check out:
· Book Inscriptions: a collection of scanned in pages of book inscriptions [http://bookinscriptions.com/]
· With, Drawn: a collection and study of materials withdrawn from U.S. public libraries [http://www.deaccession.org/index.html]

Internet Use by Ethnicity
· 32%: Spanish-dominant Latinos
· 56%: U.S. Latinos
· 60%: non-Hispanic blacks
· 71%: non-Hispanic whites
Source: The Pew Hispanic Center and Pew Internet Project, http://tinyurl.com/255lob

Youth Services
The NYS Summer Reading Program Final Report must be submitted (electronically) by Friday, September 7th. You can find directions and a link to the online report by clicking on Final Report on the MHLS SRP webpage (http://midhudson.org/program/SRP/SRP07_main.htm) or get there directly at
http://midhudson.org/program/SRP/Final_report.htm.
The data from this report is used to determine the funding that MHLS receives next year to help support your SRP programs (Reach Out Challenge, Performer Mini-Grants, Incentive Kits, Crafty Carolyn Travers, etc.) Questions? Contact MHLS Public Services Assistant Kerstin Cruger at x50 or kcruger@midhudson.org.

Trustee Resources
Did you know that September is International Strategic Thinking Month? Does your library have an up-to-date long-range plan? Maybe now is the time to update yours. MHLS provides support for crafting your next long-range plan in the form of board consultations, web resources, and sample plans. Contact MHLS Coordinator of Member Information, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich for more information: rsmith@midhudson.org or x39.

Administration & Management
Save the Date: The next Small Libraries Roundtable meeting will be held on Friday, November 2nd from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Heermance Memorial Library in Coxsackie. The group will be discussing best practices for managing growth. 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

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.