New Book Club in a Bag Titles

The MHLS Book Club in a Bag program continues to grow! Begun in 2006 as a brainchild of the MHLS Marketing & Program Advisory Committee, the program now boasts over 80 titles including fiction and non-fiction, adult and YA titles.
New this quarter:
- Atonement by Ian McEwanSupplied by: Grinnell Library Association (Wappingers Falls)
- House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III Supplied by: Howland Public Library (Beacon)
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Supplied by: Hudson Area Association Library (NEA Big Read Title)
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Supplied by: Plattekill Public Library
- A Painted House by John Grisham & Jewel by Bret Lott Supplied by the Mahopac Library
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Impulse by Frederick Ramsay & Silk by Alessandro Baricco Supplied by the NorthEast-Millerton Library
- Queenmaker by India Edghill Supplied by the Arlington Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District

The Book Club in a Bag kits consist of a tote bag containing at least 10 copies of a single title, discussion questions for the title, and discussion leader tips. Some bags have "extras" like audio book versions of the title, a music CD, recipes related to the title and about the author info.

Patrons can view the available kits within the online catalog or through local library web sites, but must request them through local library staff. A Staff Support Page is available to help streamline the procedure that needs to be followed, access the staff page through http://midhudson.org or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/program/BCB/staff.htm.

MHLS Announcements
2008 Director’s Association Meeting Dates:
· Wednesday, January 9 (snow date 1/10)
· Thursday, February 7 (snow date 2/8)
· Tuesday, March 4 (snow date 3/5)
· Thursday, April 10
· Tuesday, May 6
· Monday, June 9
· Friday, July 11
· Monday, August 4 (if needed)
· Wednesday, September 3
· Tuesday, October 7
· Thursday, November 13 (snow date11/14)
· Friday, December 5

Action Memo #07-13: Bulk Order of Delivery Slips is due December 17th. Return your completed order form to Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Public Service Team Assistant. Lost your memo? Print out a new one from the Pending Action Memos web page at http://midhudson.org/action_memos/main.htm.

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
The next Big Read application deadline is February 12, 2008, for communities wishing to host a Big Read from September 2008-June 2009. For more information on the Big Read, including program FAQs, the complete list of Big Read novels, and application deadlines, visit http://www.neabigread.org.

Reference & Collection Development
Every member library has access to Gale's Health & Wellness Resource Center through HOMEACCESS. The database now has a new look and some new features including:
· A new, updated, streamlined interface
· Video results under a new "Videos" tab
· Newspapers, newsletters and news feeds populating a just-added "News" tab
· Access to PDFs for many periodicals, reference, and pamphlets
· Many content updates
Note that the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine browse feature can now be found behind the newly named "Alternative Medicine" tab in the
navigation bar just beneath the product banner.
Need more Health Information database bookmarks? Use the MHLS Online Material Request form to request more for your library: http://midhudson.org/forms/material_request.htm

Youth Services
Ideas Shared at 2007 Youth Services Table Talks:
Lapsit Programs for Babies and Toddlers:
· Be flexible in ages allowed to attend (babies-toddlers), depending on demand in community; children any age learn something from exposure to stories, songs, rhymes.
· Model positive language w/very young children as first literacy development activities so parents continue it at home.
· Songs & nursery rhymes very important resources for language development; may not hear them anywhere else than the library.
· Crafts must be very easy; trace babies hands or feet to make ghosts, turkeys; parents are delighted with such keepsakes.
Music/Movement in Story Hours:
· Important to model singing with kids so parents will continue at home. Don’t avoid singing because voice is not great; young children are non-judgmental audience!
· Folk songs and nursery rhymes set to music are part of our heritage; children not learning these at home so libraries may be only place they hear them.
· Movement is very important for young children - to get “wiggles out,” to develop physically & to know it’s OK to move around while listening.
Book Discussions:
· Include other activities with book club (example: Jeopardy w/questions from books).
· Coordinate with school (English teachers, school librarian) to do discussion after school; leave flyers for upcoming library programs with your school contacts.
· Get kids to write poetry about the books read.
Teen Advisory Groups:
· BE FLEXIBLE! Let dynamics of group decide whether they will plan programs, do fundraising, help with library functions, decorate teen space, just hang out (which is OK).
· Do teen survey to see what activities they want; lets them know library is interested in them. Take TAB group on buying trip for books, DVDS, etc.; makes them feel connected to library’s collection.
Anime/Manga Programs:
· Difference in terms: anime = Japanese animation you watch; manga = Japanese comic books.
· These programs are great for attracting boys to the library; Manga attracts reluctant readers.
· Anime/manga program kids very loyal; often develop interests in other library resources & activities.
· Some anime/manga not rated so be sure to preview for overly graphic content; if limited to 9th-12th graders, may have fewer issues with parents over content.
· Program Scenarios: Meet bi-monthly; watch anime one week, write original scripts other week, using characters from various titles, integrate all in script; Hold manga drawing sessions w/art show in library.
· http://www.funimation.com/ - Request free anime films for review by library teens. Library keeps films, sends in reviews. Teens select films to request (w/librarian supervision!)
Video Gaming in Libraries:
· Gaming definitely brings kids into library! 80% of kids are gamers.
· Teens are library’s next voters; serve & cultivate them!
· Offer gaming programs as often as possible; to start, just provide space for kids to bring own equipment & challenge each other.
· Marlboro has weekly Senior bowling programs w/Wii bowling game; think out-of- box (example: family gaming programs)
· Gaming equipment not too expensive; neighboring libraries might coordinate to buy different equipment & share
[Handouts from some topics are available on the MHLS Youth Services site: http://midhudson.org then Youth Services then Dates to Save, or, get there directly at http://midhudson.org/department/youth/main.htm.]

Job Openings
The Kinderhook Memorial Library seeks an energetic, flexible and punctual person to fill an hourly library assistant position for roughly four hours a week. The schedule includes Wednesday afternoons and one weekend a month. Salary is between $8.75 and $9.50 per hour, dependent on experience. Position starts in January 2008. Work involves basic support services and services to patrons and a responsibility for routine circulation, shelf maintenance and clerical functions using an automated circulation system. Duties include charging books in and out, shelving library materials, data entry, and answering the telephone. The work requires computer proficiency and that the applicant has some knowledge, skill and ability in library clerical functions. Please send resumes and three references to: Julie H. Johnson, Director, Kinderhook Memorial Library, PO Box 293, Kinderhook, NY 12106; or oklibrary@berk.com. Deadline for applications is December 14, 2007.

The Dover Plains Library is seeking a part time library clerk. Applicants should possess computer skills, a high school diploma and strong customer service skills. Must be available for evenings and weekends. Send resume to Dover Library, Attention: Director, PO Box 534 Wingdale, NY 12594 or fax to 845.832.6616.

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.