The deadline for the Annual Report to the State is this Friday, February 19th.
Category Archives: Director-Home Page
Visitors to the MHLS Sierra Knowledgebase will now see an updated home page showing the brand new Sierra Users Guide!
This new resource, developed by MHLS staff, provides a listing of dozens of how-to guides arranged in the areas of:
- circulation
- cataloging
- acquisitions
- reporting
- reference
These can be viewed either individually or as a single lengthy PDF to assist with individual use and staff education. There is also a growing catalog of webinars at the bottom of the page. Speaking of which.. the next Sierra Questions Webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 23 at noon. Automation Coordinator Thomas O’Connell will lead this lunchtime webinar, which runs for about 45 minutes, will focus on the topic of Patron Data Entry. Registration is limited so register today through the MHLS online calendar: http://calendar.midhudson.org
The knowledgebase can be reached at http://kb.midhudson.org Please note: This site is password protected. If you have any trouble with your password, please contact techsupport@midhudson.org
Mental Health Issues in Public Libraries: Every library employee encounters difficult patrons from time to time. An estimated 1 in 4 American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder (the leading cause of disability in America). Mental health and substance use conditions often co-occur. The experience of dealing with unpleasant behavior is common for staff in libraries of just about all sizes and types.
This program is designed for all staff that work with the public. The workshop will cover:
• Common myths about mental illness
• Possible ways to deal with unpleasant behavior
• Tips and suggestions on the best way to work with mentally ill patrons
• Resources available to your library
This workshop, presented by Janet Caruso, Division Director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County and Marlene Taylor, MHLA Community Education Coordinator, will be offered in two locations:
• Wednesday, February 24 from 10:00am – 12:00pm in the MHLS Auditorium
• Friday, March 11 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at the Starr Library in Rhinebeck.
Please register online at http://calendar.midhudson.org
The Pawling Library was recently inspired by the aspirations of two teens who wanted to give something back to their community. The library started Project Do Something to bring together teens in grades 7 – 12 who wanted to have a positive impact in their community. Each week the group completes a different community service project.
More than 40 high school students attended the last two Project Do Something events at the Pawling Library!
The project list includes:
• Superhero Kits – creating capes and masks to give to kids in homeless shelters
• Planting Party – create packets of flower seeds that are full of honey bee flowers
• Color-a-Smile – create a drawing to give to people in need of a smile: seniors living alone, Meals on Wheels clients, nursing homes and more
• Pet PR – Meet a shelter dog and learn about shelters, adoptions and the myths surrounding the dogs. The kids will then pick pups to promote through the library’s social media channels to promote adoption!
Learn how teens in your library can Do Something
Roundtable for New Directors to meet after the February Directors Association Meeting: Friday, February 5th from 12:30 – 2:30pm in the MHLS Auditorium. Our topic: Sierra & Technology Simplified with special guest speaker Robert Drake, MHLS Coordinator for Technology Operations.
At this workshop we will cover:
- An introduction to the new Sierra User Guide
- Tools for managing technology in your library:
- Identifying key equipment, understanding equipment needs & creating a technology plan
- Helpful documentation, inventory and replacement best practices
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) Issues
This event is designed for library directors who have been in their position for three years or less.
Please register online for this event at http://calendar.midhudson.org
Outdated heating and/or cooling equipment, out-of-service bathrooms or elevators, over-crowding, water damaged ceilings or flooring… sound familiar? The New York Library Association (NYLA) is gearing up for Advocacy Day 2016, and we need your help!
The 2016 NYLA Budget Priorities include a push for an increased investment in the State Aid for Public Library Construction Program so NYLA is asking for photos from libraries that demonstrate the need for and increase to this aid program.
Select photos will be included in the packets for elected officials, to show them that New York’s libraries need more funding for long-overdue critical infrastructure repairs and updates. Submit all photos no later than January 31, 2016. Submit photos from your library facility to help NYLA make the case!
Now is a great time for directors and staff to review the MHLS Resource Sharing Standards approved by the Directors Association. These are the rules that all 66 member libraries agree to use to facilitate the amazing sharing network of the Mid-Hudson Library System: http://kb.midhudson.org
MHLS Delivery Services: As 2015 winds down we’d like to share some delivery numbers from the past year.
• A total of 23,700 individual delivery stops were made.
• Our delivery vans drove 200,750 miles this year, the equivalent of driving across the United States 58 times!
• 31,923 boxes came into MHLS headquarters which if stacked is equal to over 30 times the height of the Empire State Building!
• 1, 436,535 items were sorted and turned around at MHLS for delivery to member libraries.
This is all made possible by our member libraries generously sharing their resources among each other, the delivery drivers, and the material handlers at MHLS. Best wishes for 2016!
[MHLS Delivery Service’s Material Handler Staff are pictured above: John Barath, Chris McCann, Vinnie McCombs & Michael Tsahalis]
Governor Cuomo is currently crafting his executive budget for the coming fiscal year which means that now is the right time for library advocates to speak up for library aid! Take 3 minutes out of your day to send a message to the Governor through the New York Library Association’s Online Advocacy Center.
A message from Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director of the New York Library Association (NYLA):
We have not gotten any assurances that library funding is secure. In 2014, the last legislative election year, Governor Cuomo cut $4M in library aid as a negotiating tactic with the legislature. Now, with an upcoming election year, library aid is again subject to these same negotiating tactics. The $5M in extra funding we worked so hard to get during this year’s budget is uncertain at best. This is unacceptable.
TAKE ACTION NOW and tell the Governor that library aid should be INCREASED, not CUT. Use NYLA’s pre-drafted letter to voice your support for fully funding NYS Library Aid in the FY 2016-2017 Budget. After you submit your zip code you will have the opportunity to view and EDIT the pre-drafted letter. The NYLA OAC submits your message directly to the Governor’s inbox.
Productivity Webinar: Presented for MHLS by Ron Kirsop, Assistant Director, Pioneer Library System: Thursday, January 28th from 10:00 – 11:00am. This popular program from the 2015 New York Library Association Conference in Lake Placid is being brought to MHLS!
Designed for library directors and staff, in this presentation, Ron Kirsop will talk about shifting the way we think about our day-to-day priorities by highlighting methods, organizational tools, and habits that can be used to make us the most productive versions of ourselves. During this webinar we will cover:
• Become familiar with six existing productivity methods.
• Learn about the best habits to increase productivity.
• Talk about productivity tools that can be used to help with organization and task management.
Please register for this even through the MHLS online calendar
