New Kids Catalog

MHLS unveiled the new Kids Catalog in September to member library staff. Member library staff have shared that they love the new, brightly colored interface. So now it’s time to tell the world!

Posters and bookmarks to advertise the new Kids Catalog will arrive at member libraries with today’s Bulletin. The link is already live in the main online catalog: http://gigcat.midhudson.org, which is linked on every member library’s web page. The press release going out later this week points patrons to your library’s web page so be sure it is clear how to access the Kids Catalog from your site. Libraries with MHLS managed sites will see the Kids Catalog featured in the center of their site for the month of October. If you manage your own web site and want to use the green Kids Catalog button you can get that from: http://midhudson.org/admin/web/buttons.htm.

The Kid Picks readers’ advisory page within the Kids Catalog is already a big hit. Not only are member library staff, kids and parents we’ve tested the site with reporting they love it, Innovative Interfaces Inc., the vendor that makes Millennium and the back end of our online catalog liked it so much they are featuring Kid Picks in their next national newsletter!

Send feedback on the new Kids Catalog to Margaret Keefe, MHLS Youth Services Coordinator or Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Automated Systems Manager or to the Marketing & Programs Advisory Committee: http://midhudson.org/MHLS/committee/advisory.htm

MHLS Announcements
Two New Delivery Stops! MHLS delivers items to all member public libraries, the seven correctional facility libraries served by MHLS and to Newburg Free Library as a hub of exchange with the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS). As of October 1st MHLS has added 2 stops to this delivery list - SUNY New Paltz and Vassar College. These newly added stops are subsidized by SENYLRC to facilitate the delivery of interlibrary loan items from the "heavy" lending academic libraries in the region to the public libraries in the Southeastern region. MHLS member libraries will still receive ILL’s from these two institutions by mail or UPS; it is only the return of the items that will be done by truck delivery.

PLEASE REMEMBER: The only items that can be returned in the MHLS delivery box are items that the MHLS ILL Department has brought in for you through OCLC, and those belonging to:
- MHLS libraries
- RCLS libraries
- SUNY New Paltz
- Vassar College
Any other items (including SEAL items from libraries not on this list, items dropped off by patrons from libraries not on this list and items from the New York State Library) must be returned directly by your library through mail or UPS.

WebJunction.org released their new "Library Services for Incarcerated Spanish Speakers"; guide last week. This guide is based on the work of WebJunction's national Spanish Language Outreach (SLO) Program workshops and local SLO trainers Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Outreach & Education Coordinator and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information. The SLO Program and associated online clearinghouse are landmark resources for public libraries who work to reach out to Spanish-speakers in their community.


MHLS Libraries
The New York Library Association's Reference & Adult Services Section (RASS) has selected Frank Rees of the Howland Public Library in Beacon as the 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Public Service Award. The award provides full registration for the annual conference, and $200 toward conference expenses. Congratulations Frank!

Professional Development
There’s something for everyone in October! Here are a few reminders about upcoming events (all events are held at MHLS unless otherwise noted):
· 10/9: Training for Book Discussion Leaders
· 10/10: Advanced Create Lists
· 10/11: Advanced Training for Front Desk Staff @Rhinebeck
· 10/11: Learn how to provide Early Literacy Training for Parents
· 10/12: Marketing Made Simple
· 10/16: Endowing Your Library
· 10/17: Tips & Tricks for Front Desk Staff @East Fishkill
· 10/24: FRIENDS MATTER Recognition & Leadership Development Dinner
· 10/27: Advanced Trustee Education @Kingston
· 10/29: Director’s Series: Financial Management
· 10/29: Advanced Trustee Education
· 10/30: Millennium Cataloging Essentials
To find out more and to register go to http://midhudson.org then Calendar.

Reference & Collection Development
Central Reference Library Update: The Poughkeepsie Public Library District’s main branch, the Adriance Memorial Library, has officially closed for renovation. Their temporary location on Bancroft Road in Poughkeepsie will open on Monday, October 29th. As Adriance is the Central Reference Library (CRL) of the Mid-Hudson Library System here’s what you need to know to connect with CRL services during their construction project:
During October 2007:
· Central Reference Library services will be significantly curtailed during the month of October. Limited reference services will be offered at the Arlington Branch Library at 845.454.9301.
· Adriance has been moved to the bottom of the routing list for holds.
· Materials on hold and destined for Adriance will be delivered to Arlington. Patrons should continue to use Adriance as a pick-up location as their holds may become available after they re-open at Bancroft Road.
· If anyone needs to contact Library District staff, the phones will continue to ring. However, the message will instruct the public with specific information on how to make contact with staff.

Beginning October 29 through the completion of construction:
· Once they reopen at Bancroft Road, their hours and phone numbers will remain the same. Some staff extensions will be different.
· Collections Information:
- The fiction collection will be placed in storage for the duration of the construction and will not be available. Their status will be STORAGE in the OPAC and WILL NOT be available for holds.
- The non-fiction collection will be split and the more used areas will be available. The lesser used materials will also have an OPAC status of STORAGE.
- The magazine collection back file has been changed to CURRENT 12 MONTHS.
- Do not place holds on items unique to Adriance with a status of STORAGE. Those requests cannot be filled.
· Directions to the temporary library at Bancroft Road are available on the Library District’s web site: http://www.poklib.org/.
All dates are tentative, except the closing of Adriance on September 30. Updates will be posted to the MHLS listserv, as necessary.

Job Openings
The Board of Trustees of the Kent Public Library in Carmel, New York seeks to hire a qualified professional to serve as our new Library Director. The Town of Kent is a growing community located approximately 60 miles north of New York City in the picturesque Hudson Valley region of New York State (close to the Connecticut border) with a population of over 14,000 residents. The Kent Public Library celebrated its 40th anniversary in December of 2004 with the opening of a new, highly functional 10,500 sq. ft. library that provides active community programs for all ages. The Director will be responsible for leading a staff of 14 employees in the management of our library's daily operations in addition to personnel administration, budget planning and oversight. The competitive candidate must possess, at a minimum, a Masters of Library Science degree, in addition to practical library management experience of at least three years in a supervisory capacity. This is a competitive position with a provisional appointment pending Civil Service approval. Salary will be commensurate depending on qualifications and experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to: P. Donald Haney, President of the Kent Public Library Board of Trustees, c/o Kent Public Library Board of Trustees, 17 Sybil's Crossing, Kent Lakes, NY 10512. Information may also be sent electronically to Mr. Haney at pdhaney@comcast.net. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2007.

PAGE 3: "Around the System for September 2007"

PAGE 4: October 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.