Monthly Archives: December 2015

The MHLS Directors Association have voted to launch eMagazines for all member libraries beginning January 1, 2016! With the increasing popularity of library materials in downloadable format the MHLS Central Library/Collection Development Advisory Committee was tasked with exploring the possibility of offering eMagazines System-wide.

Based on the availability of funds, feedback to the subcommittee exploring this issue from product testers and the desire for member libraries to begin providing this service sooner rather than later, the Committee recommended that MHLS contract with Recorded Books to provide their “Zinio” for Libraries product System-wide. This proposal, along with the purchase of 90 initial magazine titles, was approved at the December 4th Directors Association Meeting.

Staff at member libraries have time to get a first look at this new product:

• Click here to browse available titles and familiarize yourself with the interface

Promotional materials, including bookmarks, fliers, posters, web buttons and more are available on the RBdigital web site

At their December 5th meeting, the MHLS Board was very busy! They started off the meeting by recognizing retiring board members by passing resolutions recognizing Roland Patterson, Carolyn Profera, and Janet Schnitzer for 10 years of outstanding service on the MHLS Board of Trustees

They also elected the 2016 slate of officers:
o President: Camilla von Bergen
o Vice President: Mark Wilson
o Treasurer: Regina Morini
o Secretary: Lisa Baker Brill
o Board Member: John Dax

For a full report of the December 2015 MHLS Board meeting check out this week’s issue of the MHLS Bulletin.

Putting Books into the Hands of Kids: Books make an important and lasting difference in the lives of children by shaping and expanding their imaginations and values. However, many kids have never owned a book to call their own. Your library has the chance to change that thanks to a collaboration between the Mid-Hudson Library System and the Empire State Center for the Book in January 2016.

Research shows that children achieve superior outcomes in school and in life when they have books of their own. This consistently results in:
• faster rates of literacy acquisition;
• higher grades and test scores;
• better adaptation to school and more regular attendance;
• higher graduation rates;
• increased participation in higher education; and
• improved quality of life.

Brand new books are collected through the Holiday Book Drive at Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble. Last year over 6,000 books were collected. The book drive calls attention to the importance of books to every child in our area, ages 1-18. In January 2016 MHLS will serve as a distribution hub for brand new books that can be picked up by your library to distribute to the children of your community. Public libraries, schools (and school libraries) and social service agencies/organizations are all eligible to sign-up for one of the distribution dates in the MHLS Auditorium: January 20, 21, 26, 27, 28. Registration is required through the MHLS online calendar