The Great Give Back, held on October 19th, is a day for library patrons to participate in meaningful service-oriented experiences. 2019 is a pilot year that expands this initiative from Long Island to the rest of New York, and MHLS libraries have the opportunity to participate this year for the first time.

Join MHLS Outreach & Engagement Specialist Courtney Wimmers for a webinar to learn more about the program and how your library can participate.

Thursday, May 23rd | 2:00 – 3:30 PM | Online
Register for this event through the MHLS calendar

More info on the Great Give Back can also be found at https://thegreatgiveback.org/

State Library Aid: $96.6 million
As you know, Governor Cuomo proposed a $5 million cut in Library Aid in this year’s Executive Budget. The legislature rejected this proposed cut keeping a flat funding level for State Library Aid at $96.6 million.

State Public Library Construction Aid: $14 million
The Governor proposed a $20 million cut in capital funding and the legislature followed the Governor’s lead and carried through on a cut to State Aid for Library Construction, slashing that budget line by $20 million (60%). Language in the Assembly’s one-house budget that would have amended the construction program to provide for a 90/10 matching category as well as making a reduced match option in the program permanent in law, were not included.

To read more about the finalized budget view this week’s edition of the Bulletin.

Library boards are trusted with public and private funds to provide quality library service to their community. Transparency and accountability must be at the forefront as a board makes decisions pertaining to the library’s finances. This course will focus on the financial and fiduciary responsibility involved with the library budget, library funding, financial policies, reports to the board and external audits.

This intermediate-level course is for trustees who have been on the board for at least a year.

Tuesday, May 7th | 9:30am – 12:30pm | Kingston Library
Register for this event through the MHLS calendar.

This intermediate workshop is a new addition to the MHLS trustee education series. There are a number of laws and regulations that directly and indirectly apply to and impact libraries in New York State. This program provides a primer on what you need to know about how libraries are governed in NYS.