Outreach programs and services are offered free by the Mid-Hudson Library System through local public libraries. Outreach Services are mandated by the New York State Department of Education as a way to provide library services to target populations who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. This includes service to the following groups:
Blind / Physically Handicapped:
- Blind or Visually Handicapped
- Talking Book Service - offered in conjunction with the State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL). Free player and taped materials are available to eligible patrons by application from your local library. Applications for adults and youth, and instructions on how to join the TBBL are available online.
- Information about TBBL cassette players and tapes
- Information about the new TBBL digital players and flash cards
- The TBBL collection is similar to that of a public library and includes fiction and non-fiction for all ages. The collection includes many books that could be used for literature classes, book reports, research assignments, and recreational reading. They do not have textbooks.
- Sources for textbooks in alternative formats (cassette recordings, Braille and large print).
- Large Print: There are over 17,500 Large Print books in the MHLS Public Library Catalog. You can view just the Large Print materials by choosing Advanced Search, then select Large Print from the Material Type drop-down list.
- Additional resources for people with vision problems:
- Deaf or Hearing Handicapped
- TTY - also known as a Text Telephone - is a keyboard-like device that a deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired person can use to communicate over the phone, through a relay service, by typing instead of speaking.
- Bell Atlantic has donated TTYs with a call alert (flashing light) and instructional videos to the Mid-Hudson Library System. If you are a resident of the Mid-Hudson Library System area, you can borrow a TTY through your local library for up to two weeks. This gives the opportunity for you to try one before you buy it or to get a temporary replacement while yours is being serviced.
- This service is also available through an Internet based relay service at IP-RELAY.com
- ADA Information
- Independent Living:
Aged:
- County Aging Departments serving the Mid-Hudson Library System area:
- Large Print: There are over 17,500 Large Print books in the MHLS Public Library Catalog. You can view just the Large Print materials by choosing Advanced Search, then select Large Print from the Material Type drop-down list.
- Bi-Folkal Kits - Thematic multimedia kits that focus on a time or topic which has touched most people's lives: school days, automobiles, fashion, etc. Kits include audio and videocassettes, booklets, slides/tapes, shapes, textures, etc. Available through Interlibrary Loan through your local library.
- Association for Senior Citizens
- US Administration on Aging
Residents of Institutions:
- Correctional Facilities
- State facilities - MHLS provides service and support comparable to those given to public libraries to each of the seven state correctional facilities in our region.
- County Jails - MHLS provides paperback book collections to each of the five county jails in our region.
- Resources:
- Reentry Resources:
- NYS Offender Reentry Initiative
- The Prime Objective: A Guide to Preparing the Job Seeking Ex-Offender (from the NYS Department of Labor)
- How To Get and Cleanup Your New York State Rap Sheet
- Federal Bonding Program: a unique tool established to assist a “high risk” job applicant in obtaining and retaining a job.
- National Reentry Resource Center - NY State: Covers Bronx, Buffalo & Erie Counties, Capital District, Crown Heights, Dutchess County, Monroe County, Upper Manhattan, Ulster County, Westchester County
- National Reentry Resource Center - People Returning Home
- National H.I.R.E. Network, Know Your Rights: Understanding Juvenile & Criminal Records and Their Impact on Employment in New York State
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - A Guidebook for Reentry Veterans in New York State
- Law Help/NY: Directory of organizations that help with employment and criminal records
- Credit Reports
- Regional Guides:
- My Sister's Keeper: A Book for Women Returning Home from Prison or Jail
- Connections: A Guide to Transitional Services in Erie County. 2010
- Community Connection - Ontario & Wayne Counties. 2010
- Community Connection - Livingston & Wyoming Counties. 2010
- Coming Back to Ulster County: A Guide and Resource List for Those Returning From Prison or Jail. 2009-2010
- Westchester Connections: A guide for persons incarcerated, persons formerly incarcerated, and others similarly in need, to assist their re-entry back into society
- Hudson Valley Connections: A resource guide for ex-offenders returning to Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam or Ulster counties in New York State. 2010
- Making Moves: A Handbook for Ex-Offenders Returning to the Rochester, NY and Monroe County Area. 2009
- Albany & Capitol District - On Your Own: Information and Resources for Persons Formerly Incarcerated, the Convicted, and their Families in the Capital District. 2010-2011
- Connections & the Job Search. A guide for formerly incarcerated people to information sources in
New York City. From New York Public Library. 2010
- Finding Your Way: A Resource Guide for Ex-Offenders Returning to
Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins
Counties in New York State. 2010
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Meet the changing needs of your community with resources for our diverse future
A free, confidential multi-lingual service, in operation 24 hours-a-day, 7days a week. Dial 2-1-1 when you don’t know where else to turn. (For 2-1-1 Service in Columbia and Greene Counties, call: 1-800-899-1479)
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Educationally Disadvantaged:
- Literacy provides in the Mid-Hudson Library System area:
- America's Literacy Directory: search for the following services by zip code: Programs for Adults & Young Adults, Programs for Children, Learning Disabilities & Volunteer Opportunities.
- National Institute for Family Literacy: helping parents help their children to succeed
- National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) is an independent federal organization focusing a national effort toward a fully literate nation in the 21st century.
- ProLiteracy Worldwide
- National Head Start: a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to low-income children and their families
Developmentally or learning disabled:
Unemployed & in need of job placement assistance:
- Find a Job & Education
- Workforce Development Satellite Centers - contain specialized employment, training, and business related resources that can be accessed any time the library is open. The enhanced career resources available within these libraries allow patrons to quickly and easily locate information services specific to jobseekers and employers. MHLS Libraries presently acting as these "satellite centers" include:
- Columbia County: Chatham Public Library, Hillsdale Public Library, Hudson Area Association Library, Kinderhook Memorial Library, Philmont Public Library.
- Dutchess County: East Fishkill Community Library, Howland Public Library - Beacon, Pine Plains Library.
- Greene County: Catskill Public Library, Greenville Public Library, Heermance Public Library, Hunter Public Library, Palenville Branch, Windham Public Library.
- Putnam County: Brewster Public Library, Reed Memorial Library - Carmel, Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library - Cold Spring, Alice Curtis & Hamilton Fish Library - Garrison, Kent Public Library, Mahopac Public Library, Patterson Library Association, Putnam Valley Free Library.
- Ulster County: Highland Public Library, Hurley Library Association, Kingston Library, Marlboro Free Library, Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library - Milton, Elting Memorial Library - New Paltz, Phoenicia Library, Morton Memorial Library - Pine Hill, Plattekill Library, Rosendale Library, Saugerties Public Library, Stone Ridge Library, Town of Ulster Public Library, Town of Esopus/Port Ewen Library, West Hurley Public Library, Olive Free Library Association - West Shokan, Woodstock Public Library.
The following libraries within the Ramapo Catskill Library System also participate: District Cragsmoor Free Library, Ellenville Public Library & Museum, Gardiner Library, Wallkill Public Library.
- Education / Job Information Center: Mahopac Public Library provides individualized assistance to people with education, career, and small business needs. The center is open Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm, call ahead to (845) 628-8139 for an appointment.
Living in area underserved by a library:
- MHLS consultation services are available on an as needed basis.
Members of Ethnic Minorities in need of Special Services:
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