Christina Ryan-Linder Joins MHLS

MHLS is pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Ryan-Linder as the new MHLS Youth Services & Community Connections Coordinator. Christina will begin her work at MHLS in early July.

Christina is an enthusiastic youth services librarian who has worked for the Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley, NY, the Albert Wisner Library in Warwick, NY and the Monroe Free Library in Monroe, NY. While pursuing her Masters in Information Science from the University at Albany she served her internship at the Ramapo Catskill Library System developing a partnership with the local newspapers to publicize the summer reading program.

Christina also has a strong background in merchandising; she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Communications and worked as a "visual coordinator" for both Gap, Inc. and Sears. Christina has taught merchandizing theory and techniques at Marist.

Christina will be responsible for developing programs and practices associated with quality youth services and community-based programs that connect member libraries with their community; developing marketing strategies and materials to promote youth services in libraries in the Hudson Valley; and providing expertise, training, and consultative services for member libraries.

Christina's primary responsibility will be youth services with an emphasis in that area of integrating the marketing of the library into programming.

We look forward to Christina's arrival @MHLS and hope you will help us welcome her!

MHLS Libraries
The Pine Plains Free Library gets a new building! Seven years in the making but well worth the wait…The new building - right down the street from their old building - provides increased space for collections and programming along with six new computers for the community. The 2nd floor of the building is a Community Center which the library will have access to in order to expand their seating capacity at library programs. The library's new address is 7775 South Main St.

Resource Sharing & Millennium
Please check your library's ILL record: Many libraries have outstanding items and bills owed to other libraries. If you have program cards, like "children's story hour," you should check them too. You can find your library by looking it up as a name in most cases, or contact Laurie at x221 to find out your record number.

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
From Governor David A. Paterson's Council for Universal Broadband: New York State Broadband Strategy, released June 8, 2009:
"Public libraries are among the most ubiquitous community centers in the state, reaching far into rural areas and deep into urban neighborhoods. Libraries are an ideal end point for distribution of workforce development and other governmental services. With trained librarians to guide customers, and sufficient bandwidth, libraries can be important delivery vehicles."

"Increasing digital literacy and training programs is critical to achieving success. Private or public digital literacy training centers are viewed as important components to increase broadband demand and technology adoption in the households. The proliferation of centers, which can be a library, a school, a church, a senior citizen home, a prison, or recreation centers should be encouraged, funded, supported and sustained."

The American Library Association (ALA) files comments to the FCC on development of national broadband plan, June 8, 2009:
"Libraries are the premier public computing centers in America's communities, providing access to online education, job searching and skills training, government services and more. Further, libraries serve as information hubs for their communities, and in areas where a compelling business case for broadband deployment is difficult to make, libraries serve as "community anchor institutions," stimulating development that helps entire communities. The key role of libraries should be recognized and supported in the national broadband plan.

However, libraries face barriers to truly fulfilling their promise as key community broadband institutions. First, libraries are facing a capacity crisis. We urge the commission to support a "fiber to the library" program to help libraries get the future-proof connectivity they need. Second, libraries face decreasing budgets, so programs like the federal E-rate are more important than ever. The Commission should reopen the question of how best to streamline and simplify the E-rate program."

Reminder: Next week is the Friends Support Group meeting: Tuesday, June 23rd from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Our topic will be: Fundraising. Register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org/

Reference & Collection Development
Helping Patrons Who Are Looking for Jobs:
Two more sessions left! This program is designed for all staff asked for help from patrons who are searching for jobs. It will help you develop your ability to assist them, make it easier for you to quickly connect them with the resources they need and help you provide quality library service to your community.

- Wednesday, June 17th @ Kent Public Library (17 Sybil's Crossing in Kent Lakes)
- Monday, June 29th @ MHLS Auditorium (105 Market Street in Poughkeepsie)

The workshop will cover:
- Providing the answers patrons need about finding job listings, preparing for interviews, researching companies.
-Tips for helping patrons with templates for writing resumes and filling out online forms.
- Great resources to help patrons prepare for many tests (including GED, SAT, Civil Service, Vocational, Military and more) with the most current study guides and practice tests.
- Connecting patrons with support services in your community.
- Customer service tips that make it easier to answer hard questions

Presented by Deb Weltsch, Reference Librarian at the Adriance Memorial Library.

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

Save Space. Save Time. Make Your Collection More Appealing. The Texas State Library has posted their updated edition of the classic CREW Manual for weeding: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries. CREW stands for "Continuous Review Evaluation Weeding." http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/index.html
[This link is posted on the MHLS web site: http://midhudson.org then Reference & Collection Development then Weeding]

Administration & Management
TechSoupforLibraries.org: For several years now, libraries have been sharing technology challenges and solutions with one another via the MaintainIT Project. You may notice that if you type in the old web address http://maintainitproject.org, it now redirects to http://techsoupforlibraries.org. The popular "Cookbooks" series is still available, the Cookbooks are filled with tips and techniques on maintaining public computers:
- Planning for Success: The newest Cookbook provides all the details to keep your library's technology running properly, sustain its growth, and ensure its viability. Based on the real life experiences and successes of librarians across the country, the Cookbook is supported by a complete set of online tools.
- Recipes for a Five Star Library: This Cookbook provides easy to follow how-to-do-it tips on all the important library technology topics such as setting up and troubleshooting wireless, print management, and a comprehensive look at laptop checkout programs.
- Small and Rural Libraries: This Cookbook contains valuable information on basic technology fundamentals, including maintenance tasks, technology planning, and using volunteers in your library.

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.