Connecting Boys with Books

Michael Sullivan returns to the Hudson Valley to speak about Connecting Boys with Books: Tuesday, July 1st from 12:30 - 3:30pm at the Dutchess BOCES BETA site at 900 Dutchess Turnpike/Rt. 44 in Poughkeepsie. The fee is $20. Register online: http://calendar.midhudson.org/.
This program is co-sponsored by MHLS and Dutchess BOCES School Library System.

In order to help boys achieve reading success, we need to create a culture in libraries, schools and families where reading is shared, self-driven and nurtured as a life-long habit. Michael Sullivan, librarian, author, and storyteller, will discuss the troubling statistics about boys’ failure to excel and the ways this national dilemma can be resolved by working together in creative ways.

The following areas will be covered during the presentation:
· Statistical evidence that our libraries and schools are failing boys
· How schools and libraries can create an environment where boys’ love of reading will be nurtured
· How librarians can use practical, proven, even off-beat ways to help turn boys into life-long readers

For those who have not heard Michael speak on this topic, you will not want to miss his dynamic presentation; for those who already heard him several years ago, it may be time to be re-energize yourself and your library to tackle this issue and get boys involved in reading.

MHLS Announcements
Win $200 For Your Library: Is there a great trustee on your library’s board? Nominate them for the 2008 Trustee Success Story Award. Nominations are due June 30, 2008: http://midhudson.org/trustee/success_story.htm

In Passing…
Three people who have had a positive impact in the MHLS community over the years passed away recently:
· Terry Sparks was the Electronic Services Librarian of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and a trustee on the Hyde Park Free Library board. Terry came to librarianship later in life, getting his degree in 2000 while living in Connecticut. After commuting to Poughkeepsie from CT for a few years Terry moved to Hyde Park and fulfilled a lifelong dream – to become a homeowner. Good friend and Director of the Hyde Park Free Library, Greg Callahan says "Terry was always the one who had all the information you could possibly need. He won the admiration and respect of all the board members." A dedicated librarian, Terry really cared about providing good reference and helping to make electronic access to databases work successfully. In doing so Terry helped all member libraries and their patrons get access to reliable information.
· Paul Sanker, 84, had been the MHLS Public Relations Consultant from 1976 to 1989. Paul was well respected not just in our area but nation-wide, winning the American Library Association’s John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations award for a slide presentation and booklet called “The Libraries’ Library” which helped explain library systems and how they support small libraries in the region. MHLS Print Services Manager Deb Begley remembers Paul: “Paul was the press liaison, giving libraries a high profile throughout the region. He wrote sardonic sketches about libraries and the System that were acted by staff at annual holiday parties; a good time was had by all.”
· Helen Savoit, 83, former trustee of the Mid-Hudson Library System and the Howland Public Library in Beacon. Until the end Helen was still active in libraries, running the afternoon book club for Howland Public and working in Beacon Reads, the Howland Public Library Friends' bookstore.

MHLS Libraries
MHLS welcomes Carol Rodriguez as the new director of the Beekman Library. Carol previously worked for the Poughkeepsie Public Library District.

The Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison received a $35,000 grant from Senator Vincent Leibell for security and technology. The library has already purchased equipment to speed up the internal connections in the library, will so replace many of their old computers and will work to improve the security of the children’s room.

The D.R. Evarts Library (Athens) received news they will receive a $5,000 grant through Senator James Seward to cover the costs of resolving a drainage issue along the front of the library's foundation.

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library (Hillsdale) has received a $3,000 grant from the Hudson River Bank and Trust Company Foundation in support of the library’s community programs for children and adults.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced that seven MHLS member libraries will receive NEH’s Picturing America Awards. The Highland, Hyde Park, Hudson, Kent, Mahopac, Saugerties and Grinnell (Wappingers Falls) libraries will receive 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art and a comprehensive resource book to facilitate the use of the works of art in core subjects. Delivery of these materials is scheduled for August 2008. Learn more at http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/.

Resource Sharing & Millennium
Reminder: Millennium Data Entry Workshop
Learn about the top 10 mistakes you might be making! Presented by Laurie Shedrick, MHLS Automated Systems Manager and Karen O’Brien Cataloging & Database Maintenance Supervisor.
The workshop will cover:
· Most common errors made and the best practices to avoid making them; Common misconceptions
· Best methods for searching
· What goes where
· Item records - format and fields
· Movies, magazines, audios and other oddballs
· What’s new in your cataloging / data entry world!
Upcoming Dates:
· Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:00am- 12:00pm Catskill Public Library | 1 Franklin St. in Catskill
· Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:00am- 12:00pm Elting Memorial Library | 93 Main Street in New Paltz
· Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00am- 12:00pm Mahopac Library | 668 Route 6 in Mahopac
Register online through the MHLS calendar by going to http://midhudson.org and clicking on Calendar OR get there directly at http://calendar.midhudson.org/

Reference & Collection Development
Many Adults Left Behind: A new report released last week by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning - "Adult Learning in Focus" – is trying to put more focus on adult learners. The report argues that many state policies may discourage those older than traditional college age from obtaining any higher education. This group of students, the report argues, is particularly in need of higher education to get good jobs, and these students´ states depend on having more highly trained workers. Read the full report: http://www.cael.org/adultlearninginfocus.htm

Public Libraries have been called the “people’s college” since Andrew Carnegie’s time – how can your library help with this situation?
· Provide copies of the local community college course offerings.
· Highlight the “Find a Job & Education” section of the Quick Answers for Patrons on the Go! web site in your newsletter: http://midhudson.org/answers/
· Do a display in the library: “Think You’re Too Old for College? Think Again!” Feature books on selecting a college, paying for college, study skills, writing manuals, careers, self-improvement, etc.
· Offer library programs for adults on office productivity products (MS Word, Excel, etc.), basic Internet skills, resume writing, and job search skills.
· Advertise the Practice Test database available through HOMEACCESS. Request more Practice Test bookmarks, free of charge, through the MHLS online Material Request Form: http://midhudson.org/forms/material_request.htm

Programming
Big Trucks Program @Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring: The “big rigs” returned to the Butterfield Library over the weekend. “Children are invited to climb on the trucks including backhoes, cranes, emergency service vehicles donated by local businesses and organizations.” The library combines this event with other great activities at the library the same day and time: face-painting, a “jumpy-castle,” Safe Child I.D. cards from the Sheriffs Dept., and for the older kids the Friends of the Library set up a tent where kids checked out the new gaming equipment purchased for the library by the Friends (Wii & PlayStation 3).

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
The 2008 report of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the Board of Regents on the needs of New York’s libraries and library systems is now online at
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/2008rept.htm.
The report highlights the Council’s discussion of the impact of the two percent across-the-board cut to New York State’s Library Aid Program and outlines the Council’s recommendations to the Board of Regents for 2009 budget and legislative priorities for libraries. This includes:
· $5 million in state funding for the New York Digital Collection Initiative
· $20 million for the Public Library Construction Grant Program
· $10 million in Aid to Library Systems
· An increase to $10 per pupil in School Library Materials Aid
· $7 million for the Statewide Summer Reading Program, Early Literacy Programs, and English as a Second Language Programs
· $12.05 million in State funding for Library Book Aid, Statewide Trustee Training and Support, Library Services for the Disabled, and Saturday hours for the State Library and State Archives
What is the New York Digital Collection Initiative (DCI)? The Initiative is a collaborative project involving libraries, archives, historical records repositories, museums, public broadcasting, and other partners. It will incorporate the NOVELNY pilot project/Statewide Internet Library. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote the use of digital technologies to broaden and enhance access to information available from local, regional, and NYS cultural education institutions. More information about DCI is available at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/index.html

Administration & Management
Wicks Law Change: The thresholds for triggering Wicks Law mandates, which require State and local governments to issue multiple construction contracts for most public works projects, will be increased to $500,000 for our area. This will mean a 10-fold increase of the threshold. The prior $50,000 threshold, which was in effect before these reforms were adopted, dates back to 1961 for state contracts and 1964 for local government contracts, and had never been adjusted for inflation. This affects three of the four types of libraries in NYS: municipal public libraries, school district public libraries and special district public libraries.

Job Openings
The Woodstock Public Library District is looking for a children's services technician who loves to create dynamic programs. As the Children's Services Technician for the Woodstock Public Library, you would share desk and collection maintenance tasks with other library employees as well as:
1. Provide story times and programming throughout the year.
2. Create partnerships with schools and other organizations that serve children.
3. Provide children’s reader advisory and some reference services
3. Serve on System and local committees.
4. Make book collection decisions.
5. Embrace important library technology.
The Woodstock Public Library District supports the growth of its employees by encouraging attendance at Mid-Hudson Library System's continuing education opportunities and sending staff to professional conferences such NYLA. Requirements: BA or BS is required and some
related work experience is preferred. Health insurance, vacation and sick leave, NYS Retirement. 35-hour workweek, Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a six month training and probationary period. Civil Service provisional status applies prior to permanent appointment status. Salary range starts at $28,500 depending on experience. Send resume and references snail mail by June 24, 2008 to Woodstock Public Library District 5 Library Lane Woodstock, NY 12498 Attn: Diana B. Stern, Director. No phone calls please.

Part-time Library Clerk: Seeking part-time Library Clerk to begin in early August at the 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.

PAGE 4: "Around the System for May 2008"

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.