The Top State Library Award Goes to the Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Westchester County: The New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries has announced that the 2016 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award has been awarded to the Hendrick Hudson Free Library for their being the first library in Westchester County to be certified as a Green Business. In mid-2013, the Hendrick Hudson Free Library began what would be a year and a half process to become the first library to achieve Westchester Green Business Certification. Westchester Green Business-Certified (WGBC) is the region’s only green business certification program that provides the tools, training, and expertise for organizations to become true green business leaders within their industries. Certification is achieved through visionary leadership, organizational commitment and the successful integration of environmental sustainability into all areas of operation. The Library was part of the pilot group of businesses (both for profit and not for profit) who undertook the challenge and they received their certification January 21, 2015. Participation in the WGBC allowed them to be a model for the community and it gave them the opportunity to showcase what they were already doing right while helping to find ways they could do more and advance the need for sustainable thinking as something that everyone must incorporate into their daily lives.
Blog Archives
Social Media Tune-Up: Little Tweaks That Make a Difference webinar
Tuesday, December 6th
10:00 – 11:30am
Presented by Sophie Brookover, Program Coordinator & Social Media Manager for LibraryLibraryNK.
This workshop is appropriate for library staff and Friends Groups.
Has Facebook’s algorithm got you down? Want to get to the next level on Instagram? Thinking about how to really connect with your library’s community in social spaces? Join library social media omnivore and inveterate tip-giver Sophie Brookover for a session that’ll help you capitalize on your successes, address your challenges, and get you thinking about where to go from where you are right now.
For more information and to register please use the MHLS Online Calendar.
E-rate Application: We are once again entering the e-rate application window. An overview of the process can be found here: http://bit.ly/2f66oD7 Please note that internet filtering and an internet security policy are required for e-rate reimbursement. E-rate Central provides a checklist that can be reviewed around meeting these requirements: http://bit.ly/2eUK3YL If you have any questions about these feel free to contact Robert Drake, MHLS Technology Operations Manager at rdrake@midhudson.org
Over the past decade more than 650 member library trustees have gotten off to a strong start on their library board thanks to a custom Essential Trustee Duties & Responsibilities workshop offered through the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Workshop designers and presenters Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Assistant Director & Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability walk trustees (and prospective trustees) through the basics. “Our goal is to help trustees feel more confident and comfortable in their role as library trustees,” says Rebekkah, “it’s tough to know what you don’t know when you first start out on a board.”
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich & Merribeth Advocate
“We feel a sign of our success is not only the 100% approval rating we’ve received through workshop evaluations,” says Merribeth, “but also the fact that prospective board members attend and still decide to go for it!”
MHLS will be closed on Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. 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
The New York State Library and Library Trustee Association of New York State are pleased to announce that the recording and slides for the September 8 webinar, “Sustainable Thinking for the Future of Libraries,” are now available on the State Library’s website
Read all about it! Check out this week’s Bulletin to find out why more than 150 people attended the 57th MHLS Annual Membership Meeting!
Sierra Q&A Webinar: MHLS Automation Coordinator Thomas O’Connell will once again offer the topic of Updates to Create List in Sierra 2.2 given the popularity of this topic last month. This is an online session that is scheduled for Friday, October 28th at noon. The session will last for 45 minutes. Seating is limited so register today through the MHLS Online Calendar.
Last week MHLS staff successfully worked with Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III) to migrate our Sierra data and installation from California to an upgraded data center facility here in New York.
This change allowed Innovative and MHLS staff to upgrade the underlying operating system, improve the system’s security, and put support and library staff within the same time zone.
Final quirks are being ironed out, but the transition appears to have made the system faster for staff and patrons alike. Any lingering issues should be reported, as always, to techsupport@midhudson.org
Trustee Essentials Workshops all this week! Great for new trustees the MHLS Essential Roles & Responsibilities workshop for trustees helps demystify the library infrastructure in New York, answers funding questions and makes clear the role of a library trustee in New York State. Offered in multiple locations throughout the System, MHLS Coordinator for Library Sustainability, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and MHLS Assistant Director Merribeth Advocate, bring this event to where you are to make things easier for you. Don’t miss out, it will make your job as a trustee easier and make you feel more confident at the board table:
- Tuesday, October 18th from 10:15am-12:30pm @Germantown Library
- Wednesday, October 19th from 5:30-8:00pm @MHLS Auditorium
- Thursday, October 20th from 5:30 – 8:00pm @Heermance Memorial Library in Coxsackie
- Saturday, October 22nd from 9:30 – 11:45am @Kingston Library
All attendees will receive a free copy of the brand new edition of the Handbook for Public Library Trustees in New York State!
Please register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org
