County Funding Update

Library Supporter's Advocacy Efforts Pay Off at the County Level: After initially proposed decreases to libraries in some counties library advocates rallied the troops, made great showings at budget hearings and convinced county legislatures to either maintain - or in two cases - increase library funding for 2009.

-The Columbia County Legislature maintained library funding at the 2008 level: $65,000

-The Dutchess County Legislature restored a 64% cut that had been proposed by the county supervisor, maintaining the library funding line at $249,893

-The Greene County Legislature maintained library funding at the 2008 level.

-The Putnam County Legislature included a $16,000 increase brining the total county funds for libraries up to $368,116.

-The Ulster County Legislature passed a 2009 budget that included a $15,000 increase for libraries to bring their total county funds to $90,000 for next year. (Learn more about the Ulster County Library Association at: http://www.ulsterlibraries.org/budget.htm)

There will be a meeting for County Funding Advocates on Thursday, February 26th in the MHLS Auditorium. This will be the second meeting for people leading the charge with county legislators or for those that want to be more involved in county advocacy to discuss what works when advocating for county funds. We will discuss this current legislative season and strategies for 2009.Please register at http://calendar.midhudson.org/

MHLS Announcements
MHLS will be closed Monday, January 19th. There will be deliveries.

MHLS Libraries
Introducing three new member library directors:
· Rhiannon Leo, Interim, Hudson Area Association Library
· Laurel Coccio, Interim, Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library (Milton)
· Vicki Kurashige, Interim, North Chatham Free Library

Professional Development
Need money for library school?
o MHLS Incentive Program Scholarships: http://midhudson.org/mhls/incentive/main.htm
o The 2009 Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies Directory includes state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions and foundations that give some form of financial assistance for undergraduate and/or graduate education programs in library and information studies: http://www.ala.org/falis.
o ALA Scholarships: http://www.ala.org/scholarships
o NYLA Scholarships: http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=9
Find more opportunities on the Financial Assistance page of the MHLS Professional Development web area: http://midhudson.org/professional/assistance.htm

Resource Sharing & Millennium
Enclosed with this week's Bulletin are the Delivery Packaging Recommendations from the MHLS Delivery Department. For more information about sending items through the MHLS Delivery visit: http://midhudson.org/department/delivery/member_library_responsibilities.htm

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
New online tools available for National Library Week: New online materials and products are available to help libraries reach out to their communities during National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009) from the ALA Public Information Office and the Campaign for America's Libraries. Materials are available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2009 National Library Week theme, "Worlds connect @ your library." They include a proclamation, sample press release and letter-to-the-editor, as well as scripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). Libraries can download materials at http://www.ala.org/nlw.
ALA Graphics products supporting the "Worlds connect" theme are also available. In addition to traditional posters and bookmarks, libraries can also purchase mini posters, luggage tags and a banner. National Library Week themed products can be purchased through the ALA Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org/.
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use.

In the profession, it's called the "Librarian's Axiom," and it goes like this: "Public libraries prosper when the country is experiencing economic stringency." In an article published in the Fall/Winter 1986 Public Library Quarterly, Atlanta University SLIS Professor Stephen E. James noted that the relationship between library usage and economic conditions has been discussed within the industry for more than 100 years. The effect was observed as early as 1880 in the Annual Report of the Chicago Public Library and later during the Great Depression that followed the stock market crash of 1929. Fast forward 80 years, and the effect is manifesting itself again....
[Jacksonville (Fla.) Financial News and Daily Record, January 7, 2009]

Apply by January 30 for the 6th annual "We the People" Bookshelf: Part of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)'s We the People program, the Bookshelf encourages young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history. This year's theme, "Picturing America," explores the premise that a nation's literature, as well as its visual art, can be a window on its character, ideals and aspirations. Public libraries are invited to apply online now through January 30, 2009 at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. In spring 2009, NEH and ALA will select 4,000 libraries to receive the 17 books for young readers, plus three works in Spanish translation, as well as bonus materials for readers of all ages. Selected libraries will be required to use the Bookshelf selections in programs for young readers in their communities. To view the list of books included in the We the People Bookshelf on "Picturing America," or to access programming ideas for your application, visit http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf.

MHLS Friends & Fundraising List: Keep up with the latest grant announcements/ deadlines, fundraising tips, Friends Group successes, Form 990 info and more by subscribing to the MHLS Friends & Fundraising List. This list is devoted to helping library staff, trustees and Friends of member libraries learn about fundraising trends, ideas and opportunities. To subscribe send an email to Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information [rsmith@midhudson.org] with:
Your name | Library | Role at the library | Email address

The Mahopac Library has done a nice job of highlighting portions of their collection in their latest e-Newsletter:

"January is National Get Organized Month"
If one of your New Year's resolutions was to get more organized, then this month is for you - and the library has just the resources to help.
- Want to streamline your life and create more time? Check out the time management books on the second floor at 650.1.
- Want to decrease stress? Take a look at the stress management books at 155.9.
- And how about organizing those closets? We have a shelf of books on eliminating clutter at 648.8!"

Youth Services
Table Talk Handouts Available: In November youth services staff from MHLS and RCLS libraries gathered for Table Talks: Share the Knowledge Workshop. Six different topics were presented in half-hour segments, with participants able to sit in on four of the six. Among the subjects addressed were:
· Book Buddies
· Using Web 2.0 to Connect with Teens
· Discover the Science in Every Story
· From Lullabies to Literature
· 'Tween Programs that Work
· Goin' Green on the Red
Handouts from these programs are on the MHLS Youth Services site under What's New at http://midhudson.org/department/youth/main.htm.

StoryTubes Contest: Young people can be the star of their own video about their favorite book. This exciting contest for kids in Grades K-12 involves young people making their own creative 2-minute video about a favorite book. They can add music, props, costumes and any other dramatic touches they wish to convey how great they think the book is. Groups of 5 or fewer kids can also work together to make a video. Videos must be submitted between January 8 and February 15, 2009. The sponsoring partner libraries will choose Judges' Choice Awards in each age category and there will also be a popular voting process with the videos being posted either on YouTube or TeacherTube. Rules, publicity materials and more are available at http://www.storytubes.com. This contest is a great way to show the young people in your community that the library is a place where they can explore their creativity, use modern technology to have fun with reading.

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.