Home

Posts not found

General News

MHLS Annual Membership Meeting

The 65th Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Friday, October 25th at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, New York. 
During the business meeting we will report to the membership on the health of the organization, conduct board elections, consider amendments to the MHLS Bylaws, and hear from MHLS’ Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich. We will bestow Outstanding Accomplishment Awards to our member libraries who have achieved sustainable funding, completed the Sustainable Library Certification Program, and the Public Library Administration Certification from Long Island University. Following the business meeting and awards we will hear from our keynote speaker, Lisa Varga, Executive Director of the Virginia Library Association and Library Journal’s 2024 Librarian of the Year. Ms. Varga will be presenting on the topic of Opening Minds, Closing Doors: The Threat of Censorship in Libraries.

AGENDA
• 8:30 am: Registration & Breakfast Buffet  
• 9:00 am: Business Meeting & Awards 
• 10:45 am: Keynote Speaker

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
• Registration Fee: $37
• Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 16th at 5:00 PM
Register Here

Questions about this event can be directed to ateal@midhudson.org. Please include MHLS Annual Membership Meeting in the subject line.

0 comments

Nominate an Author for Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards

The Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Bravery in Literature honors living authors and books that advance human rights in the face of an alarming rise in book banning and censorship.


During her life, Eleanor Roosevelt fought passionately for literacy, the role of libraries in a democracy, and the universal right to intellectual freedom. For the 2025 Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Bravery in Literature, the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill (ERVK) invites everyone to nominate an author and book that embodies the spirit of the award. This is an exciting opportunity for our library community to help identify who should win the awards this year. The deadline for nominations is September 30, 2024.


The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) will once again partner with the ERVK on the 2025 Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards ceremony which will take place April 5, 2025 at The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie. See highlights from the February 2024 ceremony here.

0 comments
See Previous General News

Director Resources

Counsel for the Committe on Open Government sessions

Kristin O’Neill, Deputy Director and Counsel for the Committee on Open Government, will be presenting a virtual Freedom of Information Law information session and a virtual Open Meetings Law information session, both on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. You are welcome to sign up for one or both programs.Pre-registration is required.

The programs will consist of a one-hour overview of the statute, followed by 30 minutes of a question-and-answer period. If you are unable to attend live, the programs will be recorded and available on the Open Government NY website within a week of the program.

Freedom of Information Law Information Session: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 10:00 AM

Registration link

Open Meetings Law Information Session: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 1:00 PM

Registration link

0 comments

Let’s get Connected

Let's get connected! Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley

The application for Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley Fall 2024 session, which will run from October 2024 to December 2024, will be accepted until September 30th at 12:00 pm. Participation is limited.

Digital Navigators are trusted guides who assist community members in accessing and using technology. The formal program will provide you with resources to provide client service in assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition, technical skills, and application support.

The program is open to anyone who works at a library or a community-based organization that would like to offer Digital Navigator services to their patrons. Applications are available to individuals who work at libraries and nonprofit organizations in the following counties: Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. This cohort is open to individuals who have previously trained as a Digital Navigator and those new to the program. Visit the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley website to view the program requirements. Navigators who meet the requirements by December 31, 2024 will receive a $500 investment incentive payable to their organization.

Access the application and view the program requirements and timeline of events.

Want to know more? MHLS recorded an Information Session on June 17, 2024 for the Summer Cohort with program details and a Q&A.

0 comments
See Previous Director Posts
Additional Director Resources

Trustee Resources

What’s new in the Trustee Handbook? Technology

The Technology chapter was greatly changed from the last edition to address issues surrounding digital equity, inclusion, and justice as well as the importance of staff training in light of the new minimum standards for association and public libraries. Also discussed in the chapter are the realities for budgeting for technology in a way that does not leave it to change but makes the necessary investments in this important aspect of library infrastructure.
Trustee responsibilities are small in number but broad in scope. This monthly Bulletin feature is designed to point out sections that are new in the updated version of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State.
Purchase a bound copy of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, 2023 edition from the Mid-Hudson Library System. Order Form.

0 comments

What’s new in the Trustee Handbook? Governing an Accessible Library


The Access to Library Services chapter was completely overhauled to help trustees view their governance work through the lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. It provides clear examples including facility, service development, and board recruitment considerations.
Trustee responsibilities are small in number but broad in scope. This monthly Bulletin feature is designed to point out sections that are new in the updated version of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State.
Purchase a bound copy of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, 2023 edition from the Mid-Hudson Library System. Order Form.

0 comments
See Previous Trustee Posts
Additional Trustee Resources

Upcoming Events