Category Archives: General News-Home Page

ALA strenuously opposes FCC proposed order on net neutrality: American Library Association President Jim Neal released the following statement regarding the proposed order on net neutrality released by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: “Preserving net neutrality is essential for equitable access to online information and services and thus a vital concern for our nation’s libraries. Now that the internet has become the primary mechanism for delivering information, services and applications to the general public, it is especially important that commercial Internet Service Providers are not able to control or manipulate the content of these communications. Libraries, our patrons and America’s communities will be at risk if the FCC repeals all protections contained in its 2015 Open Internet Order with no plans to replace with any enforceable rules. We strenuously disagree with the FCC’s actions and will continue to advocate for essential net neutrality protections.” The FCC Commission will vote on the proposed order at the December open Commission meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

Concerned about the fate of net neutrality? EveryLibrary has provided a form to help you communicate with your federal elected officials: http://action.everylibrary.org/netneutrality

On December 12 from 3:00-3:30pm member library staff have an online opportunity to learn more about the new mobile app for the MHLS E-Magazine Collection (RBdigital). This overview will cover the following:

The Pleasant Valley Free Library has one of the most engaging library Instagram accounts in our System. With over 1,500 followers, their posts routinely receive over 100 engagements and local businesses and nonprofits tag them regularly.

Wondering what their secret to success is? Make some time to watch the latest MHLS Engage! Webinar Series installment and learn from social media maven Courtney Wimmers and her library director at the Pleasant Valley Free Library, Daniela Pulice as they explain their strategy and best practices. Watch this webinar at your convenience at https://midhudson.org/engage

Four trustees were elected to the MHLS Board at the 58th Annual Membership Meeting of the Mid-Hudson Library System:

Rajene Hardeman, representing Dutchess County, was elected to a 5-year term

Robert Culp, representing Putnam County, was elected to a 4-year term

Priscilla Goldfarb, representing Putnam County, was elected to a 5-year term

Lynne Ridgeway, representing Ulster County, was elected to a 5-year term

To read the full Annual Meeting report check out this week’s MHLS Bulletin

New! Reading History now available in Overdrive! Patrons have been asking for this for years! Reading History is now available through the MHLS Digital Download page (powered by OverDrive).

With your history, you can see which titles you’ve already read from a certain author or where you left off with a series! Detailed support with this new feature is available on the OverDrive Help site at https://help.overdrive.com/, just type ‘Reading History’ in to the search box.

MHLS will be implementing a new feature in the online catalog, Research Starters, on November 15^th. Research Starters includes links to relevant articles, images, videos and audio clips. With content pulled from a variety of high quality sources, including Salem Press and Encyclopedia Britannica, your researchers will find information on their subjects at the top of the results list – right where they need it. To learn more about research starters, please view the brief tutorial

The New York Library Association (NYLA) has announced a one-of-a-kind opportunity for New York’s public libraries to step up as sustainability leaders in their communities: The Sustainable Library Certification Program.

The NYLA Sustainable Library Certification Program’s benchmarking system is designed to help libraries improve their “triple bottom line” as environmental stewards, economically feasible institutions and as community leaders that place great stock in social equity.

To learn more visit the NYLA Sustainability Initiative web site.

To sign up for an introductory webinar, register here.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has named Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) to chair the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology.

Assemblymember Barrett has been a longtime advocate of libraries, including working to secure funding in the state budget, and has also worked with the Mid-Hudson Library System to create an annual Women’s History booklet.

“Assemblymember Barrett has provided outstanding support for libraries,” said Tom Sloan, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System. “She promotes libraries as essential educational services which advance the importance of reading and learning. Libraries in the Hudson Valley will greatly benefit from her position as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Libraries & Education Technology.”

High School Battle of the Books Winners:

• 1st place: Howland Public Library (Beacon)
• 2nd place: Beekman Library
• 3rd place: Kingston Library

Middle School Battle of the Books Winners:

• 1st place: Patterson Library
• 2nd place: Staatsburg Library
• 3rd place: Howland Public Library (Beacon)

Read the full report in this week’s MHLS Bulletin!

The election of MHLS trustees will be an item of business at the MHLS Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, October 27^th. MHLS is governed by a fifteen-member board made up of three trustees from each of the five counties served. To learn more about the candidates read their bios in this week’s MHLS Bulletin.