Holds on the Rise

The first half of 2009 saw a 12% increase in holds through the MHLS automated system compared to the same period of time in 2008.This mid-year statistic reveals that patrons are using our libraries at what seems like an ever-rising pace in our System. Holds grew by 15.8% between 2007 and 2008, an increase library patrons are on track to duplicate again in 2009. An analysis of the 2008 Annual Report data shows circulation growth in all areas:

2008 Statistics: 2007 compared to 2008
Total Circulation: up 6.5%
Holds: up 15.8%
Adult Books: up 6.8%
Children's Books: up 7.2%
Non-Print (all): up 5.9%

Check out the growth we've seen over the past 5 years:
Total Circulation: up 33%
Holds: up 320%
Adult:
- Fiction: up 27%
- Non-fiction: 26.3%
- Non-print: 57.3%
Children:
- Books: 24.5%
- Non-print: 44.5%

These increases have significant impacts on our staff, budgets and system resources. Take a moment to reflect on all the hard work behind the scenes that keeps our patrons happy: the staff in our libraries, System staff in the automation and delivery departments, trustees and Friends that fight for adequate local funding, our drivers, the directors and System staff that work on the Resource Sharing Advisory Committee and the Directors Association all make the reality of keeping up with demand possible. Great job everyone!

MHLS Announcements
Behind the Scenes - MHLS Delivery Department: MHLS Delivery Supervisor Tom Finnigan (shown left), Delivery Assistant Chris Herron (shown right) and a team of sorters - Jim Lind, Rob Beeble, Sean McLaughlin, Bob Shupinski and Jeffrey Croshier - are working hard to keep up with the steady increase in demand from member library patrons. They sort all boxes - every item, every day - to achieve a next-day delivery system for your community. So far this year the staff sorts 5,300+ items a day on average. That number spikes in the summer, our busiest time - July 21st, 2009 saw the staff sorting over 7,100 items - a 42% increase from the same date in 2006.

Between 2004 and 2006 there was a sharp increase in delivery volume (54%) which triggered a space crunch at the System headquarters. In response the System wrote a NYS Construction Aid grant to help pay for an expansion of this area - more than doubling the space - and funding the creation of custom made sorting carts designed by Tom and Chris that aid the sorters in packing more items into each delivery box. Between the expansion in 2007 and the present day this new space is approaching capacity with growth observed every month this year.

Resource Sharing & Millennium
On Thursday, July 23rd, Millennium's bib temp file became too full to hold incoming transactions. While this problem was corrected the same day we'd like to alert you to a potential customer service issue. In the interim between noticing that there was a problem and when you moved to Offline Circulation, you may have had transactions that did not process completely.
Therefore your patrons may have returned items or checked them out without it actually being reflected in their record. It is recommended that in the next few weeks you make an extra effort to check the shelves before sending out overdue notices and bills.

Youth Services
Reminder: Early Bird Registration Deadline for Fall Into Books is August 7th!
What: 11th Annual Fall Into Books Children's and Teen Literature Conference
When: Friday, October 23, 2009
Where: Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY.
Who: Speakers: John Grandits author of Beatrice Black Bear, a monthly cartoon for Click magazine & Marsha Howard, Coordinator for Poetry in The Branches for Poets House.
Why: Come and participate in two book discussion groups and have a chance to meet John Grandits! Networking with colleagues, meeting new people and reading some great books are just a few of the benefits of attendance.
To Register: Early bird registration price: $60 if you register by August 7; fee is $70 thereafter, with registration ending October 2nd. Register early to not only save money but also be assured a place in the discussion groups of your choice. Registration form can be found at the link below.
Getting There: Bus transportation leaving from three locations; Kingston, New Paltz or Newburgh. Bus fee: $18.
Registration and transportation forms are online at http://midhudson.org/department/youth/fall_into_books.htm

Job Openings
The NorthEast-Millerton Library is seeking a creative, energetic, and enthusiastic person to fill the position of Youth Services Coordinator. This is a part-time position requiring 15 hours per week @$12.00/hour. Job Description: Planning, promoting and implementing programs for children and teens. This includes 3 regular story hours (newborns to 24 month-olds, 2 and 3 year-olds, 4 and 5 year-olds); leading and supervising our Teen Advisory Group; book discussion groups, and the summer reading program. Please send resume and letter of interest to Margaret Quick, Director, NorthEast-Millerton Library, P.O. Box 786, Millerton, NY 12546 or by e-mail: nemlib@fairpoint.net.

The Stone Ridge Library is currently seeking applications for a Saturday Library Clerk. Applicant will be required to work every Saturday from 9:30am - 5:30pm and fill in as needed for staff vacations. Applicants must be cheerful, reliable and have excellent customer service skills. Strong computer skills are also required and a working knowledge of Millennium is preferred. Salary: $9 an hour. Please send resumes to Asst. Director Sandi Zinaman at P.O. Box 188 Stone Ridge, NY 12484 or szinaman@earthlink.net.

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