Please review the recent updates to the Resource Sharing Standards. During the June 9th Directors Association meeting, the member library directors approved to update the policies and procedures to include:

Registration for Institutions
While libraries have long extended registration, it was done without policy and the record entry had not been codified. The Patron Registration section now includes field requirements and instructions for entry.

Claims Returned clarification
A misunderstanding of claims returned that has lingered for decades has finally been put to rest, in the Claims Returned section of the Resource Sharing Standards.

• The decision to apply the “claims return” process is determined by the owning location.
• A library may not place a “claims returned” on any item that they do not own.
• The number in the “claims returned” field in the patron record may be reduced by MHLS if a “claims returned” is located. The request for the reduction must come from the owning location and be submitted through the ticket system to MHLS

There is still time to register for the MHLS Sierra Users Group on Wednesday, June 23rd at 1:00 pm. Join MHLS Assistant Director / Technology Operations Manager Laurie Shedrick and your peers for the annual Mid-Hudson Sierra Users Group. This event is an opportunity to keep current with all things related to our Sierra ILS and the related products and services. We have plenty of exciting things to come in this calendar year with Sierra and Vega, and this session is all about you! Our hope is that you leave this session excited and ready.

The adjustments to the NYS Open Meetings Law have been extended to July 5th, 2021. The announcement by the Governor regarding the lifting of restrictions does not impact the July 5th extension of the adjustments to Open Meetings Law. The Executive Order remains in effect to allow that extension, as confirmed by the NYS Committee on Open Government.

Visit the Kingston Library on June 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm for The Library of Local Launch Party! Learn about The Library of Local and this year’s theme: Sow, Grow, Reap, Repeat! Gardening and Foraging for Resilience. Explore the collection and partake in some hands-on activities, enjoy refreshments and the company of friends and neighbors.

This event is free and open to all, but registration is requested.

The Library of Local is an initiative from Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and the Mid-Hudson Library System that offers library patrons in the Hudson Valley a collection of books, tools, and other resources that foster local self-sufficiency and community resilience including a robust monthly schedule of in-person and virtual educational events.