Millennium Users Group: May 22

Is Your Library Ready for the New Release of Millennium? Make sure your staff and computer equipment are ready for the new release:

Millennium Users Group (MUG)
Thursday, May 22nd
10:00am - 12:00pm
MHLS Auditorium
Presented and facilitated by Laurie Shedrick,
MHLS Automated Systems Manager

Laurie has recently returned from the 2008 Innovative Users Group (IUG) Conference in Washington D.C. where she learned all sorts of new stuff and brought back news to share with everyone - including information about the new release of Millennium. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Laurie and meet with others who work with Millennium in the System.

Register today at http://calendar.midhudson.org/.

Minimum specifications for staff computers to run the next release of the Millennium software will change. The next release requires:

• Intel Pentium 4, Pentium D, Xeob, Core or similar processor running at 3ghz or faster (2ghzi=or faster for the Core 2 Duo), or equivalent processor such as the AMD Athlon 64, Opteron 64, or Turion processors with comparable performance.
• You must have at least 1GB of RAM.
• You must also have at least 500mb of available disk space for the Millennium software
• Your screen resolution should be set to at least 800X600.
• When purchasing a new PC, you should consider your current receipt printers and scanners. It may be necessary to purchase adapters that will convert your serial and parallel jacks to USB.
  If you have questions about minimum specs contact Mohamed Toufali, MHLS Director of Computer Operations at x38.

MHLS Announcements
A BIG thank you to everyone who distributed the Barnes & Noble Bookfair vouchers! Even in these tough economic times our supporters showed how much they care about public libraries in the Hudson Valley. With over $13,000 in sales we achieved the 20% donation level from the 6 participating Barnes & Noble stores and have received a check for $2,590.08! A portion of this money will go to support the MHLS Battle of the Books program [http://midhudson.org/battle/].

The MHLS Trustee Success Story Recognition Awards annually highlight efforts by library trustees that resulted in positive outcomes for their library. The award consists of $200 to the trustee's library and a certificate of recognition for the trustee. (One in each county served by the Mid-Hudson Library System, five (5) in all). Entries will be judged on:

1) Which of the trustee roles is exemplified by this trustee:

• To regularly plan and evaluate the library's service program.
• To adopt policies and rules regarding library use.
• To secure adequate funding for the library's service program.
• Stewardship and accountability in the use of that funding.
• Maintain a facility that meets the library's and community's needs;
• To promote the library in the local community and in society in general.
• To select and hire a qualified library manager or library director.

2) What the result was for the library
3) How easily this can be replicated

Applications should be in the form of a letter, two pages maximum, to the Trustee Services Committee c/o Peggy Winn at MHLS (through the MHLS delivery or to 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601) stating:
· Name of the person being recognized
· Name and address of library, name of county, and director's name
· Description of successful effort
· Back-up documentation, if available, should also be submitted (i.e. news releases, published articles, pictures).
Deadline: June 30, 2008 (winners will be notified in early September). Awards will be presented at the 2008 MHLS Annual Meeting, being held Friday, October 3rd at the Culinary Institute of America.

Reference & Collection Development
Help Your Patrons Find Books They Will Love with Readers Advisory Presented by Sue Hermans (Head, Reference and Adult Services & Coordinator, Central Library Services at the Poughkeepsie Public Library District). This workshop is designed for all staff that interact with patrons. It will develop your ability to provide suggestions and guidance in finding interesting materials for readers even if you are not familiar with the topic, genre or author.

Learn new ways to get great results for your patrons through resources every library has (including the online catalog, Fiction Connection, NonFiction Connection and other online resources). Develop your expertise in finding:
· great reads for your patrons who love to read fiction or non-fiction
· the next book in a favorite series
· books by topic, genre, setting
· read-alikes, best-sellers, award-winners
· biographies and memoirs
· books about politics, science, religion, adventure

Register online for one of the following sessions:
· Monday, June 16 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
@ MHLS Auditorium (105 Market St., Poughkeepsie)
· Thursday, June 26 from 10:00am - 12:00pm @ Kingston Library (55 Franklin St., Kingston)
Register online through the MHLS calendar: http://calendar.midhudson.org

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
2008 Legislative Priorities: The New York Library Association (NYLA) urges you to contact your state legislators in support of our 2008 Legislative Priorities, which can be found at http://www.nyla.org under Headlines. Use NYLA's Online Advocacy Center (click on the Library Advocate button shown above at http://www.nyla.org) to send a fax/email in support of the top four priority bills, which are:

• Association Libraries Opt Into State Retirement (S.7507 Farley/A.10518 Paulin) The bill would allow association public libraries that meet certain criteria to join the NYS retirement system upon approval by their board of trustees.
• DormitoryAuthority Bonding (S.1684 Farley/A.6256 Eddington) The bill would allow NYLA to bundle small bonding projects together for submittal to Dormitory Authority to give libraries greater access to inexpensive financing and reduce their borrowing costs. Only projects below $5 million would qualify for this program. All other library projects would still need special legislation. Status: Passed Senate
• BOCES-Libraries Internet Partnerships (S.2082 Larkin/ A.6592 Gunther) Authorizes Boards of Cooperative Educational Services to enter into contracts with public libraries or library systems to provide internet access and communication services. Status: Passed Senate 3/28
• Sales Tax Exemptions for Book Fairs (S.1722A Lavalle/A.3463A Cahill) Bill would exempt book fairs held by school and library organizations (PTA's/Friends Groups) from collecting sales tax.

Note: You can only send one letter at a time, so if you want to send letter in support of more than one issue, you need to go back to the beginning of the process.

Job Openings
Part-time Library Clerk: Seeking part-time Library Clerk to begin immediately at Phoenicia Library near Woodstock in Ulster County. Requirements: a friendly personality to match the library's pleasant atmosphere, basic computer skills that include MS Word and Internet use; knowledge of library methods and materials. Desired (but not essential skills) include knowledge of Millennium and circulation desk procedures, ability to run or assist in running children's programming, advanced computer skills including debugging. Hourly pay $7.15-$10.00 per hour depending on education, skills, and responsibilities. 10-15 hours per week; must include a minimum of one Saturday per month. Must have some college education; current college students acceptable. Please submit resume to Nicole Holmquist, Personnel Director, via e-mail at phoenicialibrary@hotmail.com or U.S. mail to Phoenicia Library, PO Box 555, Phoenicia, NY 12464.

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.

Page 3: Around the System, April 2008

Page 4: May 2008 Calendar