Resource Sharing Standards Updated

The Resource Sharing Standards are the rules all libraries agree to in order to streamline frontline staff processes and patron's experiences at our libraries. It is important for all staff that work with Millennium to be familiar with this document. This document is updated quarterly.

You will find all recently approved changes made by the Director's Association in the current document, found online at midhudson.org Resource Sharing & Millennium then Resource Sharing Standards or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/resource/general/rsstandards.htm.
The newest updates are marked within the document with the "New" graphic shown below.

A new Delivery Procedures and Packaging Standards document has also been linked to a brand new section about Delivery (attached to this week's Bulletin.) Circulation staff should review this document to ensure that items leaving your building are being processed in the standardized form that promotes safe and efficient delivery.

Circulation
2. C. Material was lost, paid for, and then found |1.This situation is a local issue on whether the policy of the library is to accept the return of the lost item or not, or refund the money paid back to the patron or not. This also includes items paid for through ecommerce. ~Approved January 7, 2009 DA Meeting

3. Fines | section C. : Libraries should not waive fines on items checked out at other libraries. Because we use the loan rules of the checkout agency it is no longer necessary for "Free" libraries to use the 'Waive Fines' button in check-in. ~Approved February 5, 2009 DA Meeting

5. Checking in Items with Damaged Part(s) | Section B.: Do a visual check before check-in. If the item is missing pieces or damaged beyond normal wear and tear, do NOT check the item in. See Missing Components Procedure.
~Update to include description "beyond normal wear and tear" Approved February 5, 2009 DA Meeting

Holds
7.Paged item cannot be located-missing | Section A.: If an item is missing from your collection and it has a checked-in status, change the item status to missing within 36 hours, so the catalog status display will more accurately reflect its status and the item will no longer be eligible to fill a system hold. Once found and checked-in the status will change automatically from missing. If the material is not found, it is a local decision on when to manually move this item's status from missing to discard. ~Updated to include time line or 36 hours February 5, 2009 DA Meeting

Delivery Section added
1.Delivery Procedures and Packaging Standards Added as a section and linked document
1 | Section A.: The Directors Association has approved Delivery Procedures & Packaging Standards. Libraries are expected to follow the delivery procedures that are described in the document. Items damaged in delivery using other, non-standard packaging will be the responsibility of the owning library. ~Approved April 2, 2009 DA Meeting.

Management & Reports
2. Create lists |Section A|2.: Any review files 30 days or older will be deleted. ~Approved February 5, 2009 DA Meeting

MHLS Announcements
Reminder: The famous "three-hour tour" of MHLS headquarters will be held on Tuesday, May 19th from 9:30am - 12:30pm beginning in the MHLS Auditorium (105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie). Join in to learn about MHLS services that benefit your library and community and meet our staff. Register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org/

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Quick Answers: Smart Buying
In the May issue, Hudson Valley Magazine features several MHLS resources as money savers, including borrowing through the catalog, using the library to borrow DVD's and the 'Smart Buying' web site http://midhudson.org/answers/Buying.htm. 'Smart Buying' is a section of Quick Answers for You! (continued…) http://midhudson.org/answers/, a site made with the contributions of over 100 MHLS member library staff, that pools answers to frequently asked reference questions in several categories (including Smart Buying, Healthy Living, Personal Finance, Business & Legal, Find a Job, Find Colleges & Educational Programs). 'Smart Buying' has been added to the member web pages managed by MHLS, with the banner 'As featured in Hudson Valley Magazine'. Libraries that manage their own web pages will find the graphic and link at http://midhudson.org/admin/web/buttons.htm

Programming
Tips from the Adult Programming User's Group Topic: Programming Strategically (March, 2009)
- Define why your library does adult programming and what it hopes to accomplish through programming for the community. This can streamline program choices.
- Focus on patron interests and hobbies rather than their demographics (age, gender) when planning targeted programming.
- Board games are a hit for people of all ages! Libraries reported Family Game Nights and Scrabble tournaments have been very popular. A list of great board games for libraries is available through the Program Ideas page: http://midhudson.org Programming then Ideas for All Ages then Board Games
- Adult Summer Reading Programs were discussed. Two excellent resources to help your library plan adult reading programs have been linked on the MHLS web site: http://midhudson.org Programming then Ideas for All Ages then Summer Reading Programs then Adults or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/program/SRP/Adult_resources.htm:
- "Master the Art of Reading" Adult Summer Reading Program Manual from cslpreads.org contains everything you would need to run a SRP for adults - program ideas, publicity samples and much more.
- "Adult Reading Incentive Programs On a Shoestring Budget" by Colleen Knight provides a more general overview to help you plan an adult reading incentive program any time of the year.
The next meeting of the Adult Programmers User's Group will be on Thursday, June 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org/

Youth Services
Great Interactive Software for Kids (GISK): The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected its Spring 2009 list of Great Interactive Software for Kids (GISK), which recognizes high-quality computer programs and digital media for children 14 years of age and younger. The selected products are:
- Animation-ish, FableVision.
- Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo, Brighter Minds Media
- Crazy Machines 2, Viva Media
- Giggles Baby: Nursery Rhymes, Leveractive
- Goosebumps HorrorLand, Scholastic, Inc.
- Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy, Her Interactive, Inc.
- Pixton, Pixton Comics Inc.
- World of Goo, Brighter Minds Media
For the annotated list of Spring 2009 Great Interactive Software for Kids, including recommended age ratings, visit the ALSC Web site:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/childrensnotable/gisk/index.cfm

Trustee Resources
The 2009 MHLS Board Leadership Forum was held last weekend, this year's topic was The Role of the Board President. Top tips from the Forum:
- Meetings are where you spend the most time; evaluate them and re-evaluate them.
- Set targets that everyone understands; have a clear agenda
- Make sure everyone understands their responsibilities and what they are called to do
- Let the board members know the part that they play and the help that you need from them
- "Leadership is a choice, choose to lead, and then, lead."
Resources from the day are now available on the Trustee Resources section of the MHLS web site: http://midhudson.org Trustee Resources then Board Organization or get there directly at http://midhudson.org/trustee/organization/main.php

Administration & Management
Perk up for PILOT: A PILOT is a payment in lieu of taxes. These are payments made to compensate a local government for some or all of the tax revenue that it loses because of the nature of the ownership or use of a particular piece of real property. Usually it relates to the foregone property tax revenue negotiated to entice a business into your area. Special District, School District public libraries and Municipal libraries may be due funds through PILOT. Check with your local Industrial Development Agency (IDA):
Columbia County: http://www.chpartnership.com/ida.php
Dutchess County: http://dutchesscountyida.org/
Greene County: http://www.greeneida.com/
Putnam County: http://www.putnamida.org/
Ulster County: http://www.ulstercountyida.com/

PAGE 3: "Around the System - April 2009"

PAGE 4: May 2009 Calendar: http://calendar.midhudson.org/

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.