The State budget was finalized on April 2nd. Library advocates efforts helped to fight the odds in this challenging economic climate, with a result that helped the starting spot for library aid land above the Governor’s proposed cut thanks to a legislative add of $2.5 million. We will start the year with an estimated 3%
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The MHLS Leadership Circle webinar will take place on Tuesday, April 7th from 12:30-2:30pm. The topic will be Project Management 101 presented by Ron Kirsop, Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System. This event is open to all MHLS member Library staff. Project management is the practice of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work
Check Out Your Community’s Response Rate Do you know how many households in your community have completed their Census? This map is updated each day with self-response rates to give you a quick look at how many people have responded to the Census. Many towns in our area are near a 20% response rate currently. If you want
Last week the Directors Association (DA) passed a policy to allow for business continuity in the face of the declared pandemic. This policy allows for the DA to meet online for their regularly scheduled meeting on April 7th as well as enables special meetings and online voting as necessary. Directors will need to register online
In response to efforts to increase social distancing to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 the Governor, through an Executive Order, has suspended the requirement for library boards to hold “in-person meetings.” Both videoconferencing and conference calls are allowable as long as: the public has the ability to view or listen the meeting is recorded and transcribed Public notice measures, quorum requirements, minutes, executive session rules all
MHLS staff has compiled a list of ways to engage with your patrons online. This includes information on virtual storytime and copyright, online learning, live cameras and events, virtual visits, and ideas for online interactive programs. For instance, Red Hook Public Library has started an online community-wide craft project. You can view the list at https://midhudson.org/covid19. This resource page will be updated
COVID-19 has delayed field operations for the Census, but libraries’ key role in a complete count, to let people know about the importance of completing the questionnaire, is unchanged. The Census can be completed online and by phone whether you have received your Census ID number or not. Libraries can find electronic promotional materials and
Open Meeting Law & Executive Order 202: The Governor has suspended the requirement of Open Meeting Law which required in-person or videoconferenced open meetings allow for the attendance of the public during the pandemic: “Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, to the extent necessary to permit any public body to meet and take such
MHLS is suspending all in-person continuing education and professional development events for the remainder of March. We will be either rescheduling events or converting them to online events. If you are registered for anything on the calendar during this period, expect to receive a direct message as to what the plan is for that event.
With lots of misinformation around COVID-19, libraries and library staff should regularly check for trustworthy and up-to-date information from the New York State and county health departments, as well as information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Columbia County Health Department Dutchess County Health Department Greene County Health Department Putnam County Health Department
