Member Item Money for Libraries

State legislators from around the Mid-Hudson region chose libraries as beneficiaries of their discretionary funds again this year, demonstrating a commitment to libraries and the good work we do. Grants called "member items" or "legislative initiatives" were announced earlier this month:

Howland Public Library (Beacon): $5,000 towards their renovation project from Assemblyman Tom Kirwan.

Claverack Free Library: $8,000 for capital expenditures from Senator Stephen Saland.

Roeliff Jansen Community Library (Hillsdale): $5,000 towards the drilling of a geothermal system for the new "green" library building from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro.

Hudson Area Association Library: $12,000 for a burglar alarm system and laptop computer from Senator Stephen Saland; $3,500 from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro towards the burglar alarm system.

Kinderhook Memorial Library: $10,000 to replace the roof from Senator Stephen Saland.

Kingston Library: $10,000 for the purchase of books, computers and a copier from Senator Bill Larking.

LaGrange Library: $4,000 to purchase equipment for the children's room from Senator Stephen Saland.

Livingston Free Library: $10,450 to replace windows from Senator Stephen Saland.

Marlboro Free Library: $5,000 for the purchase of computers from Assemblyman Tom Kirwan.

New Lebanon Library: $28,000 for improvements to the library from Senator Stephen Saland.

NorthEast-Millerton Library: $2,000 towards the summer reading program from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro.

Red Hook Public Library: $7,200 for the purchase of computers from Senator Stephen Saland; $3,300 for the purchase of children's computers from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro.

Morton Memorial Library (Rhinecliff): $40,000 to replace their heating system from Senator Stephen Saland.

Stone Ridge Public Library: $5,000 towards the implementation of a books-on-CD mailing program for the legally blind in Ulster County from Assemblyman Kevin Cahill.

Ulster County Libraries: $25,000 for the summer reading program from Assemblyman Kevin Cahill.

MHLS received four grants:

• $5,000 for the development of a kid's web site for member libraries from Senator Vincent Leibell
• In support of the Battle of the Books program:
  · $1,800 from Senator Stephen Saland
  · $1,000 from Assemblyman Joel Miller
  · $1,000 from Assemblyman Marc Molinaro

MHLS Announcements
MHLS will be closed Monday, May 26th. There will be no deliveries.

MHLS Libraries
The Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison now has a sustainability committee, which is looking in to how they can save energy and "become better stewards of [the] natural world. From their latest newsletter: "The basic work of libraries is as "green" as can be. The best kind of recycling is to continue to use things over and over for the purpose for which they were created." - From the Library Director, Carol Donick

Resource Sharing & Millennium
SAM Users Group: New SAM Products and Services presented by Laurie Shedrick and Comprise's Tricia Curtain on Thursday, June 12 from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Recommended for library staff where SAM is currently installed or those interested in implementing SAM. (SAM is software that manages your public computers. Patrons are limited to a determined session time and /or daily time limits. Patrons pre-pay for printing through their patron accounts using SAM.) This session will cover:
· SAM upgrade 8.5
· Outstanding Issues
· New Products & Services
· Open discussion
Register online

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Supporting Adult Literacy: Tours of the Library
To begin: Introduce the learner and/or tutor to library staff as a new borrower.
1) Demonstrate browsing. Where are materials for fun and learning?
· Magazines and Newspapers (especially pop culture, like People Magazine)
· Videos and DVD's (subtitles and closed-captioning help develop reading skills and vocabulary)
· Audio books for enjoyment (adults may have problems reading, but not understanding)
· Book/cassette sets to practice reading
· Music
· Oversize books
· Literacy collection (reading, writing, GED, job skills)
· Children's section (Be sensitive. Some learners may not want to use this section. Others with children will enjoy it. ESOL students often are interested.)
2) Feature your free access to technology. Where are the Public Computers for email and Internet? Explain:
· How to ask for help
· When computers are available and for how long
· Computer skills classes offered by the library
3) Reveal the skills of your helpful and knowledgeable staff
· If a large library, show where to go to ask questions
· Offer examples of the types of questions the staff can answer
· Tax forms (in season)
· Point out your tutoring space. What are your policies for use?
End: Demonstrate how to borrow an item from the collection. Encourage the learner to borrow an item, but do not insist. Some learners may need to feel more comfortable in the library before they are willing to borrow materials.
[From the Southern Adirondack Library System's "Making Connections" toolkit]

Trustee Resources
Did you know? There are seven broad types of library space:
1. Collection space
2. Public electronic workstation space
3. User seating space
4. Staff work space
5. Meeting space
6. Special use space
7. Non-assignable space (including mechanical space)
[Whole Building Design Guide, National Institute of Building Sciences]

Job Openings
Poughkeepsie Public Library District Job Opening: Librarian I: Children's Services. Full time. MLS and Public Library Certification required. Strong background in youth services. Responsibilities include all aspects of children's service including multi-media and online services, collection development and other duties as assigned. Includes evening and weekend hours. Competitive Civil Service position; salary as per Library District contract plus benefits. Contact Lauren Muffs, Assistant Director, Poughkeepsie Public Library
District, 93 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; 845.485.3445 x 3310 or lmuffs@poklib.org.

Part Time Technical Assistant, Library II at Columbia-Greene Community College: This is a part-time public services supervisor position beginning September 2, 2008. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. (15-23 hours per week) This is a 15-hour per weekday time position with additional 4-8 hours for evening/weekend rotation, from September through May. $11.70 per hour. This position reports to the Chairperson of Library and Media Services. Responsibilities include:
· Managing the Circulation Department
· Reference work
· Guiding patrons with the use of the OPAC, online databases and equipment
· Supervision of student workers
· Providing quality customer service
· Opening/Closing of Library
Requirements: Associate's Degree; Previous experience working in libraries or is currently seeking an M.L.S.; Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of students, college and public personnel; Basic computer skills.
Please respond to the Office of Human Resources, room 207A or via email to HR@sunycgcc.edu.

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.