Library Journal, the premier professional journal for libraries, has released the eighth edition of their Index of Public Library Service, also known as “America’s Star Libraries, 2015: Top Rated Libraries.” Six of this year’s Star Libraries are right here in the Mid-Hudson Library System! That accounts for 15% of all of the Star Libraries in
Monthly Archives: November 2015
December 15th is the deadline to take advantage of the 2015 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 meetings sponsored by and located at MHLS headquarters in Poughkeepsie. For more information and
The Philmont Library is set to defend their title as the MHLS Thanksgiving Challenge Champ! Library Director Karen Garafalo revealed her “Grateful/Thankful Tree” on Facebook last week, “…can’t remember a challenge I didn’t want to win!” said Karen!
State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis has announced the release of the 2015 edition of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State. The new handbook is now available:
- online through the New York State Library
- in print through MHLS: order form
Highlights of the new edition:
- New chapter on Board Development
- Overhaul of chapters on Technology and Public Relations & Advocacy
- Explanation of the need for an independent treasurer for public libraries (municipal, school district public libraries and special district public libraries)
- Clarification about committee meetings and NYS Open Meetings Law
- Information about the NYS Property Tax Cap
- Clarification of audits and necessary internal financial controls, including information about OSC audits of public libraries
- Promotion of competitive salaries and benefits for library personnel and the importance of investing in continuing education for both staff and trustees
- Emphasis on the importance of thinking sustainably about the library’s future; specific information about sustainable library facilities
- Links to recorded webinars for Trustees available through the New York State Library’s web site embedded throughout.
- New items in the Appendix:
- Working Together: Roles & Responsibilities Guidelines
- Civil Service 101 for Trustees
- Updated list of essential policies
- Updated Public Library Glossary
MHLS will be closed on Thursday, November 26th. There will be no deliveries or tech support.
MHLS will be closed on Friday, November 27th. There will be no deliveries. Technology staff will be available via the MHLS ticket system (techsupport@midhudson.org) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to support system-wide Sierra Encore problems only. During these hours, tech support staff will be checking the ticket system periodically each hour and will address system-wide Innovative issues, sending tickets as necessary to Innovative, and posting to MHLS lists. Please note, phone and general issue support will not be available during this time.
Will your library take the MHLS Thanksgiving Challenge? The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are an ideal time to encourage library stakeholders in your community to speak up for your library by writing letters to the editor of local papers and sharing posts on their Facebook pages expressing their thankfulness for the library.
The MHLS Thanksgiving Challenge asks each member library and Friends Group to:
- Find at least two people to write a letter to the editor or an editorial about how your library adds value to the community.
- Encourage your Facebook fans to share their love of the library through their Facebook posts – generating electronic word-of-mouth is just as valuable as good old fashioned word-of-mouth! Check out our special supplement, “Quotables, Graphics & Inspiration,” to this week’s MHLS Bulletin for ideas and a headstart!
Challenge accepted? Then let’s get started! Prepare yourself to help others help your library:
- Use the Library Value Calculator from the American Library Association (ALA) to provide dollar figures and talking points that help translate a community’s return on investment. This provides eye catching statistics that your supporters can use in their letters and posts.
- Make good use of the brand new Libraries Transform Toolkit from the American Library Association Check out their “10 Ways to Engage” tip sheet http://www.librariestransform.org/toolkit/
Last time around the Philmont Library “won” the challenge with close to half a dozen letters to the editor and fantastic levels of engagement on their Facebook page by asking why people were thankful for their library. Think you can beat that? We bet you can!
Be sure to send in links to letters that appear (or copies) and screen captures of your patrons Facebook declarations to Rebekkah @MHLS: rsmith@midhudson.org
The New York State Library has announced a webinar presented by Jerry Nichols, co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State which will be held on Wednesday, November 18th from 10:00 – 11:00am.
The Role of Trustees in Planning and Evaluation: Effective Strategies to Utilize All Your Resources for Success
If you can’t make it on the 18th the webinar will be recorded and archived at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/webinars/index.html
Now patrons can check out eBooks and eAudiobooks for their choice of 7, 14 or 21 days through the MHLS Digital Download collection.
The 21-day loan is a new option, which was approved by the MHLS Directors Association at their October 6 meeting. This is a feature that patrons have asked for, especially the eAudiobook listeners, so spread the word!
Patrons can set their own lending period preference for each format by:
1. Going to https://mhls.overdrive.com/
2. Log into their account
3. Click on Settings
More information on how to change lending period options is available at http://tinyurl.com/ptxvtcb
Patrons, in many cases, can also return a title early, before the loan period is over (to free up space on their card for another download!) using the software or app that they used to download it. Learn more about returning titles at http://tinyurl.com/o3efh5r
This ‘help’ information is also available by going to https://mhls.overdrive.com/ and clicking on Help.
MHLS will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th. There will be no deliveries. Technology staff will be available via the MHLS ticket system (techsupport@midhudson.org) from 8:30am – 4:30pm to support system-wide Sierra Encore problems only. During these hours, tech support staff will be checking the ticket system periodically each hour and will address system-wide Innovative issues, sending tickets as necessary to Innovative, and posting to MHLS lists. Please note, phone and general issue support will not be available during this time.
Essential Trustee Duties and Responsibilities workshops begin next week throughout the MHLS region:
●Saturday, November 14
10:15am – 12:30pm at Town of Esopus Library
128 Canal St., Port Ewen 12466
●Tuesday, November 17
5:30 – 8:00pm at Desmond-Fish Library
472 Route 403, Garrison 10524
●Thursday, November 19
5:30 – 8:00pm at Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium, 105 Market St., Poughkeepsie 12601
●Friday, November 20
10:15am – 12:30pm at Germantown Library
31 Palatine Park Rd., Germantown 12526
Please register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org or by clicking on the session of your choice above.
