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.
Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) has secured a group discount for a physical media license with SWANK Movie Licensing USA (MLUSA) for member libraries. New this year SWANK also has a streaming license. These are two separate licenses with different pricing models. Your library can purchase one or both licenses through this opportunity.
Libraries that wish to purchase a new license (physical media and/or streaming) or renew (for physical media only) an existing license from SWANK Movie Licensing USA through MHLS should complete this form by July 25. MHLS will invoice your library for the cost of the license or licenses based on the rates provided by MLUSA. Please contact Kerstin Cruger to receive the price for your physical media license discount. Streaming license pricing is listed below. Licenses take effect in September.
SWANK Movie Licensing USA (MLUSA):
NEW – SWANK Streaming Service
| Service Population | 1 Year Streaming Cost |
| 1-45k | $400 |
| 45k-100K | $500 |
| 100k+ | $600 |
To screen movies at library programs and other library events in compliance with copyright regulations, the library must secure the necessary public performance license. In some cases, more than one license may be required to secure the rights for all the movies and programs the library plans to screen. There are two commonly used companies that provide this type of license, SWANK Movie Licensing USA (MLUSA) and Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC), and libraries should be sure that the licenses they’ve purchased secure the rights needed.
Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC)
Governor Hochul recently announced the 2025 Regional Economic Development Initiative. Up to $60 million in Regional Council Capital Funds will be made available in the 2025 Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to facilitate projects that advance each region’s strategic plan and state priorities.
The New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is now open for 2025. Apply to dozens of New York State grants by July 31, 2025.
The Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) will hold CFA workshop and information sessions – see the list of events here.
HVRC staff is also available to discuss municipal CFA applications that fall within their various program areas (economic development, water resources, clean energy, and Climate Smart Communities), and can assist with discussing project ideas and confirming eligibility.
Please reach out to the relevant staff member for assistance. If you are not sure who to contact, Eleanor Peck can help direct your question.
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:
414 Meetup
Tuesday, June 17 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Online | Register here
At this meetup we’ll check in with MHLS member library teams going for a 414 vote this year, share best practices and ensure your team is on track to hit all of the required milestones for a successful vote. This is an opportunity to learn from your peers also working on 414 vote campaigns this year.
MHLS Sustainable Funding Series: Finance for Trustees Part 1: The Basics
Tuesday, June 17 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Online | Register here
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:
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.
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
