June 6th through October 18th, we are inviting everyone to visit as many MHLS Member Library locations as they can – learn about the different programs and services each library offers & earn souvenirs along the way!
Check out the details and how to participate.
Staff information is available here.
Great news to report – on Friday, June 27th, the Supreme Court upheld the funding mechanism for the $9 billion Universal Service Fund, which distributes money annually under the E-rate program to connect schools and libraries to the internet. By providing significant discounts, the program helps bridge the digital divide in our communities.
American Library Association (ALA) President Cindy Hohl said, “Since the program was established in 1996,” Hohl said, “E-Rate has transformed and revolutionized access to information. Virtually all libraries in the country now have high-speed broadband, which powers modern library services that range from online tutoring and employment assistance to telehealth appointments.”
Want to know more about Erate? Is this the year you start? We have an Introduction Eratewebinar coming up on August 5th. We also have an Erate series on MHLS Training on Demand: Technology. If you are not sure how to begin, reach out to Laurie Shedrick at extension 220, or email lshedrick@midhudson.org.
The MHLS cataloging team is here to help get your records cataloged and your items circulating. If you are not finding a perfect record match for the item you want to add, no need to add a brief record. Instead, open a ticket by emailing cataloging@midhudson.org. Please send us details about your item, including a UPC# if you have one, the title you would like it to display in our catalog, a list of contents if it is a multi-part set, and any other info that would be important for your patrons to know. If you have a link to a website where you purchased the item, please include that as well. We may follow up with additional questions to help us customize the record to best suit the needs of your staff and patrons.
This year, the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is producing a series of events for library trustees and directors to help strengthen the financial future of your library.
This series is designed to meet directors and board members where they are, providing assistance for a range of developmental activities such as:
All events for trustees count toward the NYS Trustee Education Requirement for 2025.
Next in the series:
Multi-Year Financial Planning | Wednesday, August 13 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Roeliff Jansen Community Library, 9091 NY-22, Hillsdale | REGISTER
Multiyear financial planning is a vital tool for library boards and directors, particularly those struggling with difficult financial conditions. It can aid decision-makers to set long-term priorities and work toward goals, rather than making choices based only on what funds are available today. This is important when resources are limited and can also be beneficial to avoiding future stress. Join Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Co-Author of the Handbook for Library Trustees in New York State to review the Office of the State Comptroller’s multi-year financial planning process and helpful data sources to help strengthen your library’s financial position and ability to meet community needs.
This workshop is part of the MHLS Sustainable Funding & Trustee Education Series and is intended for MHLS member library trustees and directors only. Attendance at this event can be applied toward the NYS Trustee Education Requirements.
Facilities for the Future | Friday, August 15 | 10 :00 – 11:30 AM | Online | REGISTER
A key responsibility of directors and library trustees is to maintain a facility that meets the community needs. Library facilities across the Hudson Valley are faced with all sorts of challenges – from managing 21st century library operations in historic buildings never designed to be a library, to communities who have outgrown their buildings, and the everyday issues of maintaining a building that is accessible, safe and healthy for library workers and library users. Join Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, MHLS Executive Director, for this introductory level webinar to learn more about assessing your current facility, planning for the future, and considering where the funds will come from to make it all happen.
New York State Public Officer’s Law §10 requires all public library trustees (but not association library trustees) to take and file an oath of office within 30 days of beginning their term of office. Public library trustees are public officers, and the oath of office is required to officially undertake and perform the duties of a public library trustee. If a public library trustee does not properly complete and file an oath of office, the trustee’s position may be deemed vacant. See Public Officer’s Law §30(1)(h). For more information about how and why the oath of office is administered, and where to properly file an oath of office, please see the Oaths of Office FAQ on the New York State Library website https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/trustees/oath.htm
