Monthly Archives: January 2022

MHLS New Directors Forum

The MHLS New Directors Forum will take place on Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 pm after the DA Business Meeting. The topic will be Grant Writing for Libraries. In this webinar, participants will learn how to incorporate grants as a part of a well-balanced basket of revenue streams; develop grant projects using community needs; identify library grant funding

Continue Reading →

Affordable Connectivity Program

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a multi-agency initiative led by the New York State Department of Public Service to encourage eligible New Yorkers to sign up for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, a newly-launched program that provides discounts of up to $30 a month toward internet service for low-income families. The Department of Public Service, in

Continue Reading →

Ask Me Anything with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich!

Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Co-Author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State is a monthly installment where Rebekkah will answer your questions! Feel free to submit your question here or to contact Rebekkah at rsmith@midhudson.org with the subject line: AMA Trustee Question. Q. Does

Continue Reading →

Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley

Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley (DNHV) applications are due by Friday, January 21st. The DNHV program will prepare library workers with new skills and resources to perform the duties of a Digital Navigator including, connecting community members to resources and services to secure affordable broadband, computers, and devices, and providing basic digital literacy training

Continue Reading →

Discussion Leaders wanted!

Discussion Leaders wanted for the 23rd annual Fall into Books Conference! The Fall Into Books (FIB) Conference is an annual Children’s & Teen’s Literature event with a full day of discussion groups and speakers. This year the FIB will take place on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 at the Best Western Plus Kingston Hotel and Conference

Continue Reading →

MHLS Board of Trustees

The MHLS Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, January 11th. Highlights from the meeting included: Appointment of Peter Carey to fill the seat representing Putnam County recently vacated by a resignation. Review of the board’s 2022 Priorities; A review of the new gender-neutral protocols for the board’s minutes; Approval of the annual fiscal designations; Approval

Continue Reading →

Continuing Education in Library Youth Services

The Youth Services Section (YSS) of the New York Library Association (NYLA) Spring Conference Scholarships encourage continuing education in the field of library youth services through participation in the annual YSS Spring Conference. Two awards are given annually. The New Member Spring Conference Scholarship is given to a new member of our profession. The Lisa C. Wemett

Continue Reading →

Digital Equity Act

What libraries need to know about the Digital Equity Act: Signed into law by President Joe Biden on November 15th, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes an historic investment in advancing digital equity and an opportunity for libraries to leverage and expand their digital inclusion roles. The Digital Equity Act (DEA), a

Continue Reading →

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources: As the COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise we wanted to remind you that MHLS staff continues to monitor state and federal guidance on behalf of member libraires. Routine COVID-19 updates are posted to the MHLS-Notice List and are archived at https://midhudson.org/covid19updates/

Continue Reading →

Mask Mandate Extended

Governor Hochul extended the NYS “mask or vax” mandate from January 15th to February 1st, 2022. The new measure, part of the Winter Surge Plan 2.0, is intended to bring added layers of mitigation following the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations. New Yorkers are encouraged to upgrade

Continue Reading →