Category Archives: Director-Home Page

Public Library Administrators Certificate Program This Spring in Middletown, NY: The challenges faced by today’s public library administrators require a solid foundation of training and experience. Long Island University’s Palmer School’s post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Public Library Administration is designed to develop and enhance the management skills and credentials of professional librarians working within the public library sector and to train the leaders of tomorrow.

This program is being held in Middletown, NY at the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) in Spring 2018. This first of 5 courses required for the certificate will be held over 4 days (March 15, April 19, May 24 and June 14, 2018) from 9:00am-5:00pm. This cost of this first course is $1,350. If you are interested, please contact Grace Riario at RCLS (griario@rcls.org) by November 17, 2017.

ILP Operations Supervisor Thomas O’Connell will offer a lunchtime webinar of training and conversation at noon on Friday, November 17th. The topic will be Circulation 101 and is intended for any new staff, or perhaps experienced staff wondering if there are more efficient ways to do things while covering the circ desk. This will be a good time to ask those questions that you have been wondering about…

The session will take place via a GotoMeeting session and last about 45 minutes. There is a 15 person attendance limit, and pre-registration is required. Log-in information for the webinar will be sent to your email address in advance of the event.

Did you know? There is a Better World Books drop box available at MHLS headquarters on Market Street in Poughkeepsie for use by member libraries!

• Donation guidelines
• More info about Better World Books

Member Library Directors are invited to a free, full-day course on Budget & Financial Management on Monday, December 11^th from 10:00am-4:30pm in the MHLS Auditorium.

Presented by Lauren Moore, Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System & Tom Lawrence, Executive Director of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District, this course highlights fundamental skills required for effective budgeting and financial management:

• Budgeting basics
• Interpreting monthly financial statements
• Developing a budget
• Community-based planning
• Budget modifications
• Audits
• Budget votes
• Tax cap issues
• Capital finance

A complimentary lunch will be provided. Member library directors are asked to register online for this event

New Service from MHLS: Ever wonder if you are using the best process for regular tasks in Sierra? Ever wonder if there is a better way? When it comes to Sierra, we think we can help.

If you are a new director looking to make sense of it all, or a seasoned pro looking for a reboot, this service can help to realign processes, so staff make the most of their time and Sierra.

MHLS’ Workflow Consultations are designed to provide an evaluation of your Sierra-related procedures as well as the provision of best practice guidance for library directors and their staff.

Strengthening Communities Through Libraries Minigrants applications are due October 20, 2017. These $5,000 grants are made possible through a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Proposals should include programming that strengthens community opportunities for STEAM learning during school breaks. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/2vPZ0ma

The Southeastern NY Library Resources Council has recently made some changes to their bylaws that will positively impact staff from MHLS member libraries. Individual public libraries that are members of a public library system are considered an affiliate and their employees are eligible for certain Southeastern benefits under this membership category. You can now become involved in Southeastern committees or other networking programs and special interest groups (a benefit previously reserved for governing members only), and you will no longer pay a higher cost for professional development programs as there is now one price, regardless of member, or library type. Additional benefits are outlined on the benefit chart on their website.

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The latest recording in the MHLS Engage! Webinar Series features a presentation by Gillian Thorpe, Director of the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring, NY who shares her top tips for creating a strong relationship with your local school district.

Sierra Circulation 101 Webinar: Over the next three months, MHLS ILP Operations Supervisor Thomas O’Connell will offer three lunchtime webinars of training and conversation on the topic of Circulation 101. This webinar is intended for any new staff at member libraries, or perhaps experienced staff, wondering if there are more efficient ways to do things while covering the circ desk. This will be a good time to ask those questions that you have been wondering about…you’ve got three dates to choose from:

• Friday, September 22
• Thursday, October 12
• Friday, November 17

The Active Shooter Preparedness Program from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides an Active Shooter Preparedness Program Fact Sheet which includes information about a 1-hour online course. DHS also provides an 8-minute training video appropriate for use for staff: “Options for Consideration Active Shooter Preparedness”