Friends Support Group

The MHLS Friends Support Group will have their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, October 21st from 5:30 - 7:30pm in the MHLS Auditorium (105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601). Dinner will be provided.

Our main topic for this meeting will be to talk about how meetings can impact recruitment and retention efforts. Running effective and productive meetings can help keep people engaged, improve membership and draw new people into the core working team of a well-functioning Friends Group.
This support group has been created as a forum for member library Friends to come together and share information. Issues, problems and solutions will be on the table for all to learn from each other.
- Get ideas
- Hear from those who do what you do
- Discuss and share challenges and solutions

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

National Friends of Libraries Week: October 18-24, 2009

MHLS Announcements
The MHLS Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, September 16, in the MHLS Auditorium and:
- Presented its slate of officers for 2010;
- Were notified that member libraries and board presidents will have the option to complete an online version of the Member Library Assessment Form;
- Approved the Incentive Committees recommendations for Construction Grant Awards;
- Approved the following dates for its 2010 meetings: Saturday, February 6 (snow date: Tuesday, February 9); Saturday, March 27 (snow date: Tuesday, March 30); Wednesday, May 26 (location t/b/a); Wednesday, September 15; Wednesday, October 27; Saturday, December 11 (snow date Tuesday, December 14). The tentative date for the 51th Annual Meeting is Friday, October 1;
- Reviewed the 2009 Youth Services programs and projects.
The Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, October 2, at 9:45am in the Danny Kaye Theater in the Conrad Hilton Library at the Culinary Institute of America (registration is required). The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Saturday, December 5, at 10:00am in the MHLS Auditorium.

The Mid-Hudson Library System is featured in the new book, "Inside, Outside and Online: Building your Library Community," by Chrystie Hill. Published in 2009 by ALA Editions, Inside, Outside and Online provides practical advice and inspiration for building community with your library. MHLS is featured in Chapter 7: Sustain, for our work in supporting member library Friends Groups. This book will be made available through the MHLS Professional Collection: http://midhudson.org/mhls/professional_collection.htm
Author Chrystie Hill is Director of Community Services for WebJunction.org. You can follow her blog at http://librariesbuildcommunities.org/.

MHLS Libraries
The Catskill Watershed Corp. has approved a $250,000 grant for the Mountain Top Library and Learning Center, which will eventually be the new home of the Haines Falls Free Library. For over 100 years the Haines Falls Free Library has served the village of Tannersville and surrounding area from the 1,500-square-foot former Methodist Church in Haines Falls. It is moving to the long-vacant 8,000-square-foot Marian Center on Main Street, Tannersville. The estimated total project cost is $2.5 million.

Professional Development
Registration has opened for the 2010 Public Library Association (PLA) Conference being held in Portland, Oregon March 23 - 27. To learn more and to register visit http://www.placonference.org

Marketing, Advocacy & Funding
Libraries connect Americans with online government and jobs: With national unemployment topping 9% and many Americans seeking online information and new technology skills, U.S. public libraries are first responders in a time of economic uncertainty. Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2008-2009, an ALA report released September 15, says libraries are serving as crucial technology hubs for people in need of free web access, computer training, and assistance finding and using e-government and job resources. More people also are turning to libraries to file unemployment forms, apply for Food Stamps or find other government information or services. Eighty percent of libraries report helping patrons connect with government information and services online. "Libraries are part of the solution for Americans struggling to regain their footing in uncertain economic times. Most jobs, and many government services, require that people fill out online applications at a time when many people lack home Internet access and the necessary online search, software or even basic keyboard skills," said ALA President Camila Alire. "Investing in our libraries is key to ensuring every person has access to vital online information and resources." Read the full report on line at http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding

2009 Pimp My Bookcart contest: It's time for the fourth annual contest run by the library-themed comic strip Unshelved to see who can best pimp, trick, or otherwise improve a standard bookcart. Libraries often stage youth programs to generate entries. Submitted photos will be posted online as they arrive. The deadline for submissions is October 31. Learn more at http://www.unshelved.com/PimpMyBookcart/

Reference & Collection Development
"We the People" Bookshelf grant opportunity - Apply through January 29, 2010 for a collection of 17 titles on the theme "A More Perfect Union." The American Library Association's (ALA) Public Programs Office is partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the seventh We the People Bookshelf project. Part of the 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, "A More Perfect Union," invites reflection on the idea of the United States as a "union," a "One" as well as a "Many," and will complement library programs observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. To stimulate programming, the Bookshelf features a DVD edition of "The Civil War," the award-winning documentary by Ken Burns, including the rights to show the series to public audiences. Additional bonus materials provided are the companion book to the series and "Declaring Independence: The Origin and Influence of America's Founding Document," edited by Christian Y. Dupont. Apply online at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. In spring 2010, NEH and ALA will select 4,000 libraries to receive the 17 books for young readers, as well as bonus materials for readers of all ages, and the option to receive three titles in Spanish translation. Libraries selected will be required to use the Bookshelf selections in programs for young readers in their communities. The Bookshelf grants are part of the NEH's We the People program, which aims to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture.

Job Openings
Library Manager - Staatsburg Library District: The Library is located in the hamlet of Staatsburg, and emphasizes community involvement in a welcoming atmosphere. Approximately 25 hours/week, including some evening and Saturday hours. The Library Manager reports directly to the Board of Trustees, and has responsibility for all library operations, including supervising staff, overseeing budget, purchasing, and operation of the library's building and grounds. The Manager will initiate and oversee adult programs and work with a Children's/Youth Program coordinator. The position includes some circulation desk work. Library experience necessary. Job description available on request. Opening effective immediately. Respond by 10.16.09. Send resume to: Betsy Mark, President, Board of Trustees, C/O Staatsburg Library, P.O. Box 397, Staatsburg, NY 12580; bestweevil@optonline.net.

MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master's degree in the same community.

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.