Monthly Archives: June 2015

Library Card Brochures

MHLS is proud to bring back the Library Card brochure for use in member library outreach efforts! Updated information combined with a bright design and a simple message – Saving you time and money! – brochures are designed to help you market the value of a library card to non-users.

Your Library Card Brochure

Copies of the brochure are available to member libraries upon request through this online request form

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Mileage Equalization Grant

 

driving

July 15 is the first 2015 deadline to take advantage of the MHLS Member Library Mileage Equalization Grant Program. Reimbursement is contingent on member libraries providing their staff reimbursement at the IRS rate for travel to attend training or to participate in meeting sponsored by and located at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie. For more information and to access the claim form directors should visit https://da.midhudson.org/

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Power Guide for Successful Library Advocacy

pow-imageUnited for Libraries, along with the Neal-Schuman Foundation, believe strongly that advocacy can and does work. They’ve seen evidence of it from coast to coast in all types of libraries at the local and the state levels. Developing an advocacy campaign, as you will soon see, is not rocket science but it does take dedication, hard work, a core group of people who are passionate about the cause and the support of many, many people in your community. This guide will take the mystery out of advocacy, provide you with an organized step-by-step approach, and allow you to develop a set of strategies that will motivate your community to pressure funders to support the library or in the case of a referendum or a bond issue – to vote “yes.”

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Let the Battle of the Books Begin!

It’s summertime and many students are eager to put away the books. However, there are more than 300 students in the Mid-Hudson Library System who are taking out the books and getting ready for a little friendly competition in the fall.

Right now, students from 26 member libraries are gearing up for the Mid-Hudson Library System’s Battle of the Books, a trivia competition for students in grades six through nine (as of Fall 2015). The 11th Annual Battle of the Books regional competition takes place on Saturday, September 12th, at the George Fischer Middle School in Carmel.

Students get ready for the competition by reading eight (8) previously selected books. Teams from participating libraries meet and practice at their libraries throughout the summer to prepare for the regional battle. Teams are also encouraged to participate in local battles with other libraries throughout the summer.

Battle of the Books is a nationally recognized literature contest where young people answer trivia questions based on specific books they have read. The program is designed to encourage young people to read good books, build team-working skills, and get together with other students in a friendly competition.

For more information about Battle of the Books, visit http://mhbattleofbooks.org/

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‘Vote Libraries’ Artwork

EveryLibrary, the first national political action committee for libraries, has announced VoteLibraries, an online gallery of “Vote Libraries” artwork available, free for use, for all public libraries.
votelibraries

VoteLibraries.org, features tools for voter outreach and constituent engagement as well as new, high¬-quality art and design from the Creative Action Network (CAN) for free use by libraries across the country.

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Friends Group Survey Due June 30

reminderThe Friends Group Survey, sent to all member library directors, is due on June 30, 2015. This survey is designed to benchmark Friends Group development, predict trends and help MHLS optimize support for area Friends Groups! Your participation is appreciated!

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Uncommon Approaches to the Common Core

UncommonApproaches

Registration for the 2015 New York State Education Department/Office of Cultural Education Uncommon Approaches to the Common Core Conference taking place August 11 & 12 is now open. Online registration is located at http://nysed.fluidreview.com

The Uncommon Approaches to the Common Core annual conference has a target audience of classroom teachers, school, public and academic librarians, public historians and representatives from museums, archives, public television, NYS historic sites, performing arts and other cultural institutions. The purpose of the conference is to develop an understanding of the Common Core with the goal to create collaboration among classroom teachers and cultural institutions.

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Oath of Office Reminder

Some library trustee terms begin on July 1. This is an important reminder that New York State Public Officers Law §10 requires all public library trustees (but not association library trustees) to take an oath of office within 30 days of beginning their term of office. Public library trustees are public officers and the oath

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Increasing eCirc!

Collection Development Through OverDrive Workshop: Best Practices for Increasing Digital Circulation – Presented by Jo-Ann Benedetti, former Outreach Consultant. Jo-Ann has over a decade of experience in selecting eBook and eAudiobook titles that circulate!

Many MHLS libraries are selecting and purchasing eBook and eAudiobooks for the shared OverDrive collection – all libraries are eligible to have their own account to do so. This workshop is designed for current content selectors as well as those who would like to start.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn:
• Selection tips and tricks to pick things you can be sure will circulate, and get the biggest return for your dollar
• The easiest & most productive ways to shop OverDrive and get the digital titles your patrons are asking for
• How to engage eBook readers in your community who are not currently using the library’s digital collection
• How your digital collection provides outreach support to your community

Two locations to choose from:
Tuesday, July 14 from 12:30 – 2:30pm @MHLS Auditorium

Monday, July 20 from 10:00am – 12:00pm @Saugerties Public Library (91 Washington Ave., Saugerties, NY 12477)

Please register online for either workshop.

100

Want $100 for eBooks? Read this week’s Bulletin (6.16.15) to learn about the MHLS Outreach Mini-Grant Program for OverDrive Collection Development!

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Three Open Seats on the MHLS Board

Candidates sought to fill three seats on the Mid-Hudson Library System Board of Trustees:

The election of MHLS trustees will be an item of business at the Mid-Hudson Library System’s Annual Membership Meeting, Friday, October 16, 2015.

MHLS is governed by a fifteen-member board, three trustees from each of the five counties served.

mhls

Nominations are due prior to July 1, 2015.

COLUMBIA COUNTY– (5-year term- 2016-2020) Send names and contact information of nominee(s) to Julie DeLisle, Chair of the Columbia County Library Directors Association: 518.392.3666

DUTCHESS COUNTY-(5-year term- 2016-2020) Send names and contact information of nominee(s) to Carol Rodriquez, Chair of the Dutchess County Directors Association: 845.724.3414

GREENE COUNTY-(5-year term- 2016-2020) Send names and contact information of nominee(s) to Sue Ray, Chair of the Greene County Directors Association: 518.943.4230

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