Category Archives: Director-Home Page

Join MHLS Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich for the New Directors Forum

February 23rd from 10:00 – 11:30am. Registration is required.  This informal gathering of New Directors (in your role for 3 years or less) discusses relevant topics related to finding your path as a new director. Facilitated by MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, author of the Handbook for New Library Directors in New York State

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Update on 2023 Annual Reports

The 2023 Annual Report to the State is NOW open. Recently appointed directors/interim directors have received an email with the library’s login information to access the reporting software. The email is encrypted to protect the sensitive login information. If you have trouble viewing the message, please call Library Sustainability Coordinator, Laura Crisci, at 845-471-6060, ext.

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Get your Inclusive Internship Initiative Toolkit

Thinking about hosting a teen intern this summer and don’t know where to start? Check out the free, downloadable Inclusive Internship Initiative Toolkit developed by the Public Library Association (PLA). It has templates, best practices and case studies that can help make your program a success. Based on lessons learned from the Public Library Association’s

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Annual Report Season is Here!

If you are new to completing the New York State Annual Report for Public and Association Libraries or if you just need a refresher, please consider registering for the Annual Report Online Workshop on January 25th at 2:00pm. The workshop will provide a walkthrough of the report software, provide tips for completing the report, and

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New York State Minimum Standards Compliance

MHLS will be asked to authenticate if your library is in compliance with New York State Minimum Standards. Please review your compliance in advance of the Annual Report to the State in January-February. This includes ensuring all required info is posted to your website. · Title 8 NYCRR 90.2 Standards for Registration of Public, Free

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There is Still Time to Speak Up!

The New York Library Association (NYLA) is asking all Library Advocates to tell Governor Hochul that libraries need increased funding in this year’s Executive Budget! Governor Hochul’s FY2025 Executive Budget is a work in progress as the January 16, 2024, deadline draws closer. As Governor Hochul finalizes her FY2024-2025 Executive Budget, NOW is the time

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Updated Policy Resources

Check out our NEW Sample Public Library Policies & Policy Development Tips page! We’ve updated it with current policy examples, provided links to useful resources and reference materials and included the updated policy checklist found in the new Trustee Handbook. Special thanks to the many MHLS member libraries who authorized us to use their policies

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Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Reminder: all NYS employees and trustees must complete sexual harassment prevention training annually. For guidance on making sure your Library’s sexual harassment prevention policy and training meeting the requirements of the law, view the MHLS webpage on this topic.

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MHLS Annual Membership Meeting

Register today for the in person MHLS Annual Membership Meeting on October 27th at the Henry A. Wallace Center @ FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, NY.  Our Keynote speaker will be Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation.

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Access to Mango Languages Ends

REMINDER: Access to Mango Languages ends on July 31st. Transparent Language Online our newest language learning program is is already live so make sure your website is up to date with information and access for your patrons. Marketing materials, trainings and library specific URLs are available on the MHLS Knowledge Base.

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