MHLS Home Trustee Resources: MHLS Support
On-Demand Consultations & Training

All consultations are free of charge, customizable and can be brought your library at your convenience.

Smart Growth for Your Library
See where your library falls in the Public Library Growth Cycle and find out how to evolve your library to prepare for change.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17 or Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Local History Materials
Learn how to make the right choice for your library and community about your library's involvement with local history materials.
Contact: Merribeth Advocate, Outreach & Education Coordinator madvocate@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x54

Advocacy 101
Learn the ropes of being a strong advocate for your library. This presentation is suitable for trustees, Friends of the Library and other individuals interested in helping the library. The presentation will be customized for your situation.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Budges & Finance
Help with budgeting and financial record keeping.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Bylaw & Policies Review
Send in your bylaws or policies for review or have us come out to help you review these essential documents.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Community Presentations & PowerPoint
For library staff and trustees: Learn the basics to pull off an effective community presentation and learn to use PowerPoint in this hands-on session. Using a templated presentation designed for MHLS member libraries, participants will have the opportunity to customize a presentation for their own community.
Contact:
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Capital Campaigns
Building or renovating your library can be a costly project. Learn how to plan effectively and fundraise strategically. Information and consulting on hiring a fundraising consultant is also available.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x39 OR
for graphic design assistance Deborah Begley, Print Services Manager dbegley@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x22

Electronic Resources @ your Library
Learn about the Online Public Library Catalog (including Request-a-Title) and the HOMEACCESS databases (where patrons can read thousands of magazines and newspapers for free!). This session will give you an overview of what your library is offering electronically to patrons.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Focus Group Facilitation
Learning what your community wants from your library is a vital component to the planning process. If you would like to do a focus group MHLS staff can help.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17
or Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Friends Groups
What are they? How do they work? How to start one and best practices.

Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x39

Fundraising
Fundraising basics and best practices.
Contact:
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Introduction to the Mid-Hudson Library System and its services
Overview of services and programs offered to member libraries by MHLS including the value of consortia services to the local library.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Library Policies
Library policies are required by the Commissioner’s regulations as part of the public library minimum standards. Learn what policies you should have and get help in the development of them.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Library Programming
Learn how to strengthen public programming in your library.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Long-Range Planning (includes Community Analysis)
How to go about the long-range planning process.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17 or Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Personnel
Policy issues and best practices for library boards.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Role and Responsibilities of Trustees and the Director
What are the roles and responsibilities of the board of trustees; understanding the relationship between the board and the library director.

Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17 or
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x39

Running Effective Meetings
Concise, effective meetings that fit contemporary busy lifestyles are appreciated by board members and may increase the pool of people interested in being on the library board. Well-run meetings also increase the power and scope of what the board can accomplish.

Contact: Merribeth Advocate madvocate@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x54

Space Assessment/Planning
Running out of space? Planning a new building? Take the time to do it right.

Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17 or
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Sustaining Your Library / Getting to Yes
Communities that vote on library budgets support public libraries at a higher per capita than libraries relying on the kindness of constituents. Learn about your options: Special Districts, School Districts, 259 Votes and Chapter 414 Votes. Follow-up help is available.
Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17 or Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Technology in Libraries
How does technology fit in at your library?
How do you plan for and pay for the technology your library needs?

Contact: Josh Cohen jcohen@midhudson.org  |  845.471.6060 x17

Volunteer Management
Looking for new volunteers? Need to organize your current volunteers? Let's have a conversation about how you can improve your situation.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Your Library's Message
Communicating effectively with your community is essential. Learn how to create the right message for the right audience along with techniques for getting your message out.
Contact: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich rsmith@midhudson.org | 845.471.6060 x39

Last updated: June 2007

 

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