Category Archives: General News-Home Page

New App for MHLS E-Magazine Collection

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:

  • Introduction to the new mobile app – RBdigital
  • User Experiences – based on what RBdigital media collections your library offers
  • Marketing Tools – what logos, marketing pieces, communication tools will be available for your local promotion
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Instagram Rock Star

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

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MHLS Trustee Elections

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

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OverDrive Reading History

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.

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Research Starters

MHLS will be implementing a new feature in the online catalog, Research Starters, on November 15th. 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

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Sustainable Library Certification Program Announced

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.

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Didi Barrett Named Chair of Library Committee

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.”

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2017 Battle of the Books Results


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!

 

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MHLS Board Candidates


The election of MHLS trustees will be an item of business at the MHLS Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, October 27th.
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.

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58th Annual Membership Meeting

Libraries: Essential to an Informed Citizenry will be the theme of the MHLS Annual Membership Meeting and you are cordially invited to join us!

The event will be held on Friday, October 27th, 2017 at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY. Registration is required

Our Membership Program Keynote Speaker will be Paul Grondahl, Director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany. His presentation is entitled: News Literacy, Fake News and the Job of an Informed Citizenry.

Special Event! Following the Membership Meeting, you are invited to the Women in Politic Symposium. Speakers will include Dr. Eve Waltermaurer, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Assemblymember Sandra Galef, and Dr. Sandra Opdycke. The symposium is free of charge but registration is required through the same registration form you use to register for the general annual meeting.

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