Secure Your Library's Future

Register now for the workshop on Securing Your Library's Future, Friday, March 6th from 1:00 - 5:00pm in the Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium (105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie).

This program is designed for directors and trustees of libraries that have done a 414 or who want to go to a public vote to insure reliable funding. Community members and local government officials are also welcome to attend.

This workshop will provide attendees with:
· A general overview of various funding and governance options available to public libraries in New York State, including the rationale, legal requirements, governance changes, tax implications, and community concerns regarding the creations of a new library district, and
· A general overview of the benefits and process for placing propositions on school district and municipal ballots and the process for establishing a public library district.

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

Presented by Libby Post, President and CEO of Communication Services in Albany, New York. The State Library has engaged her services of to assist with the implementation of the Regents Public Library District Initiative.

MHLS Announcements
MHLS has created a second edition of the classic Chapter 414 handbook: Inch by Inch, Row by Row: Implementing Chapter 414 of New York State's 1995 laws, the "local votes law" for public libraries: http://midhudson.org/trustee/414mhls.pdf
Chapter 414 of the laws of 1995 in New York State allows municipal and association libraries the opportunity to put their budget up for a public vote. History has shown that when the public votes on how much to tax themselves for public library service, public libraries are funded better.
New for the 2nd Edition:
· Expanded Q&A section
· Timeline & Suggested Activities tied to the MHLS Getting to Yes Project's Public Library Vote Toolbox [http://midhudson.org/vote/default.htm]
· Municipal Communications
· Petition Tips
· Sample FAQ list for the public
· Challenges to the Law & Outcomes

There is a new web button available from MHLS to promote HOMEACCESS on your library's web site. Language on the button matches the tagline on all the database bookmarks: "Stop Searching. Start Finding."
Download the button from the MHLS "Buttons and Graphics" page: http://midhudson.org/admin/web/buttons.htm

MHLS Libraries
Congratulations to the LaGrange Association Library's director Lisa Karim and the LaGrange Board of Trustees - they are the first member library to score 100% on the MHLS Essential Documents Inventory! The Essential Docs Inventory touches on the basics each library should have in place to meet NYS Minimum Standards for Public Libraries including a current long-range plan, report to the community and a full compliment of both internal and external policies.

"A library newsletter will be distributed quarterly to all households. It is the Library's goal to provide the public with information outlining how their tax dollars are being spent." - Butterfield Library (Cold Spring) Program Guide/Winter Newsletter 2009

The Pawling Free Library conducted a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony in December for the 24 new computers purchased with a grant obtained through the office of Senator Vincent Leibell.

Resource Sharing & Millennium
Upcoming Millennium Training: Register online http://calendar.midhudson.org/ for these upcoming sessions with MHLS Automated Systems Manager Laurie Shedrick. All events are from 10:00am-12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium:
· Create Lists for Beginners: Wednesday, January 21
· Advanced Create Lists: Tuesday, February 3
· Millennium Users Group: Thursday, February 12
· Millennium Customized Notices: Friday, March 27
· Millennium Statistics & Web Management Reports: Wednesday, April 8

Youth Services
Registration is now open for YALSA's third annual Teen Tech Week, March 8 - 14. TTW 2009 is about connecting teens with different technologies, especially those available through the library. Be creative and take the theme in a direction that works for your library and teens! To register, learn more and to find out about grant opportunities visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw09/home.cfm

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Economic Value of Libraries
Investing in libraries is an investment in education and lifelong learning.
· Libraries are among the most effective of all public services, serving more than 2/3 of the public with less than 2 percent of all tax dollars.
· Public libraries are a bargain. Nationally, the average cost to the taxpayer for access to this wide range of public-library resources is $31 a year, about the cost of one hardcover book.
Return on investment examples:
· Seattle, WA - Visits to the new public library have increased King County tourism. Increased tourism of one percent yields $1 billion in new economic activity statewide over 25 years.
· In Maryland, 90 percent of the state's citizens say public libraries are "a good investment." More than 40 percent of the citizens think of public libraries as an economic anchor, potentially attracting "good businesses" to their area.
· In Florida, for every dollar of public support spent on public libraries, income or wages increases by $12.66, and returned $6.54 for every dollar invested.
· In South Carolina, the total direct and indirect return on investment for every $1 spent on the state's public libraries by South Carolina state and local governments is $4.48 - nearly 350 percent.
From the Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit from the American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/tougheconomytoolkit

Administration & Management
Personnel Resources Area of MHLS Web Site Expanded by over 100%: The Human Resources/ Personnel section of the Administration & Management area of the MHLS web site: midhudson.org à Administration & Management à Human Resources/Personnel has be greatly expanded. The additions provide:
· More comprehensive coverage of state and federal regulatory law
· More samples linked: policies, employment handbooks, employment applications, counseling letters, written warning
· Best practices added: benefits, ergonomics, background checks, workforce development, orientation of a new director, performance plans
Highlights include links related to:
o Summary of federal employment laws
o Retirement plan info
o Interviewing
o Evaluating staff
o Disciplining staff
o Health & Safety
Get there directly using this link: http://midhudson.org/admin/personnel/main.php

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.