The Sierra software will be upgraded to version 2.1 the night of March 22nd. There will be approximately three hours of downtime beginning around 11:00pm and ending around 2:00am. No other disruptions are expected, however, clients may take longer than normal to start the morning of March 23rd. MHLS staff will be on hand to assist with reloading clients if necessary: techsupport@midhudson.org
Category Archives: Director-Home Page
Orientation for New Programmers: This program is designed for library staff and volunteers who are new to library programming, but open to all who would like to attend. Providing nuts-and-bolts information about making the most of programming at your library, the workshop will cover:
• The importance of year-round (including summer) programming for all ages
• Best practices for program planning, scheduling and reporting
• Making connections for community-based programming in the Hudson Valley
• Resources available to your library from MHLS
Presented by Merribeth Advocate, MHLS Assistant Director, and Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Marketing & Program Assistant.
● Tuesday, March 15 from 10am-12pm at the Germantown Library (31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown 12526)
● Wednesday, March 23 from 10am-12pm at the MHLS Auditorium (105 Market St., Poughkeepsie 12601)
Please register for the session of your choice at http://calendar.midhudson.org:
Trending on Facebook… member libraries are stepping up to the plate to get the word out about the high return on investment patrons receive by using their library. Phoenicia, Cold Spring, LaGrange, Millbrook, Beekman, Kinderhook, Olive… libraries all over the region are posting pics of patrons – young and old – who have calculated their annual savings through use of the library to inspire their neighbors to use the NYLA Online Advocacy Center to contact their NYS legislators to encourage them to increase State Aid for Libraries this coming year. Get into the act! For more info contact Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Sustainable Libraries
The deadline for the Annual Report to the State is this Friday, February 19th.
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
