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.
The NYS Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 has been finalized. Thank you all for your efforts to advocate for these funds! Despite our wishes for higher operating aid, this was still a successful advocacy year, resulting in around a 2% increase for categorical aid. Given that the Governor started higher than the previous year and both houses advocated for more than the Governor’s proposal, we should be proud of the work we have done to make the case for library systems and member libraries. We also gained back $10 million in Construction Aid which is a huge win!
Here is the final budget breakdown:
• Library Operating Aid: $106.325 million
• Library Construction Aid: $44 million
• Continuation of NOVELny: $3 million
Other items of note:
Say Thanks! If you have the opportunity to thank our state legislators, please do. TNYLA usually provides a thank you campaign through the Online Advocacy Center which we will be sure to share, but personal thank yous by phone would go a long way.
The New York State Archives has announced the 2025–26 Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) grant application cycle. DHP grants are designed to build a more comprehensive and equitable documentation of New York State’s history and culture by supporting projects that identify, survey, collect, arrange, describe, and make available records that relate to groups and topics traditionally under-represented in the State’s historical record. Grant funds support projects to improve access to records in New York State as well as projects to implement recommendations from DHPSNY Archival Needs Assessments.
Application deadline: June 5, 2025. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4isrHN7For assistance with the application or additional information, contact John Diefenderfer at DHS@nysed.gov or 518-474-6926.
Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a program of the New York State Archives and New York State Library to provide service and support for the state’s archival and library research collections.
Summer Reading is right around the corner – check out the following resources to help you wrap up your planning.
Summer Reading at New York Libraries
The New York State (NYS) Division of Library Development has a Summer Reading Resources web page. Access reading lists, activity ideas, statewide partners, NYS branded promotional materials and information about READSquared. READsquared, offered for free to all NYS libraries, is a customizable interface to support online registration and connect participants with activities, book lists, challenges, and more.
Summer Reading at New York Libraries is funded through the Federal Library Services and Technology Act, with funds awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
Get ready to advertise your library’s Summer Reading program with CSLP’s Public Service Announcement videos and Social Media Toolkit!
To access the free PSAs and Social Media toolkit, sign in to the CSLP manual on the website using your Access Code, then check out the following:
If you need the access code for the manuals and graphics, please contact kcruger@midhudson.org. If you have the access code but are having difficulty logging in, try typing in the code instead of copying and pasting.
REMINDER: Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) distributed one free 2025 Summer Reading Poster supplied by the Division of Library Development to Library Directors at the Directors Association meeting on 4/25. If you have branch buildings, the main library has been given one poster for each building; please check with the library director. If Directors were not able to attend, the remainder of the posters will be distributed through the delivery.
Hunger Solutions NY Summer Meals
Kids and teens ages 18 and under can get free, healthy meals at nearby places like parks, community centers and libraries. Meals vary, but all include healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. Many sites offer fun activities, too. There is no need to sign up.
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.
414 Votes – Kick-off Meeting | Tuesday, April 29 | 10 – 11:30 AM | Online | Register here
This is the kickoff meeting for the 414 Vote Libraries Meetups. At this meetup we’ll be conducting a review of steps and check in with MHLS member library teams going for a 414 vote this year. We’ll 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.
This workshop is part of the MHLS Sustainable Funding & Trustee Education Series and is intended for MHLS member library trustees 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
