Mohawk Valley Library System

Blog

  • Free Webinar – Rekindling from Burnout : Lessons and Strategies for Public Library Workers

    Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2021
    Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1009&reset=1
    Presenter: Abigail Garnett, Alicia Pritchard, Lawrence Fiorelli

    Library workers provide support for patrons in distress on a regular basis. A hard and busy day might leave us depleted. Though we feel the effects of secondary trauma, we may not have the tools to describe and process the experience, leading to our own emotional distress. Without a practice of self-care and a network of support and solidarity, the stress of service work can evolve into guilt, cynicism, numbness, chronic exhaustion, and diminished creativity–legitimate responses that contribute to burnout.

    In this webinar we will discuss: Trauma exposure at the library, how our library’s “Rekindling from Burnout” project came about, and strategies & actions you can try at your library to build resiliency and networks of support. Additionally, we will share several resources created and curated by the Brooklyn Library staff.

    We consistently put in the effort and energy to make our libraries welcoming spaces that connect our communities to the resources they need. As we all recalibrate to new strictures and shift our service model accordingly, we are witness to the increasing challenges children, teens, families, adult learners, and job seekers face. An informed approach embracing a variety of self-care strategies can shift staff culture towards resilience, preventing burnout and elevating patron services.

    At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:

    1. Recognize and define signs of secondary trauma and burnout
    2. Receive resources to address burnout and learn strategies for self-care
    3. Brainstorm actions steps they can take at their library, either free or funded

    This webinar will be of interest to: All library staff who want to revitalize and remember why they started, learn practices for resiliency, and bring more communication skills to their work.

    Webinars are free of charge, you can pre-register by clicking on the Register Now button on the InfoPeople page. If registering with less than 30 MINUTES from the start of the webinar you can join directly from the thank you page by clicking the Join Now button. If you pre-registered you will receive an email with login link and a reminder email the day before the event. All webinars are archived for later viewing at http://infopeople.org/training/view/webinar/archived.

  • Job Posting – Executive Director, Schenectady County Public Library

    Schenectady County seeks an energetic leader with vision who has executive experience and is
    a proven collaborator, communicator and creative problem solver. The successful candidate will
    promote the library’s mission with compassion, joy, innovation, flexibility and a belief in the
    transformative power of public libraries. Our new director will possess financial foresight and an
    in-depth understanding of how the business of the library works and how strategies and
    decisions impact financial and operational results. The successful candidate will also recognize
    the changing role of libraries as gateways for digital literacy, knowledge and culture in our
    diverse community and the need to respond to increasing demands to fill a critical community
    role.

    Background:
    The Schenectady County Public Library (SCPL) is comprised of one Central Library (KBJ) for
    the Mohawk Valley Library System and eight branches including locations in Duanesburg,
    Glenville, Niskayuna, Rotterdam, Scotia, and the City of Schenectady. The SCPL’s partnerships
    with the County leadership and the Friends of the Library continue and they remain important
    supporters of our Library system. The SCPL receives critical support from Schenectady County,
    with an operating annual budget of approximately $5.8M, and numerous capital projects.
    Additionally, the Friends of the Library provides resources of all types and are a vital part of our
    mission, with a significant contribution to funding for programming, capital projects, educational
    materials and staff development.

    The mission of the Schenectady County Public Library is to satisfy our community’s educational,
    informational, cultural and recreational needs by providing free and open access to a
    comprehensive range of materials, services and programs. The SCPL is committed to improving
    the quality of life for County residents by making programs, services and resources a top
    priority. Literacy is a core component of the nearly 1,382 programs for children offered by the
    library in 2019, with 36,810 children in attendance and 815 adult programs with 14,945 in
    attendance. Library staff members are dedicated to promoting its programs to the public and
    providing outreach into the community.


    Distinguishing Features of the Class:
    This is an administrative position in the library system
    which serves a population of approximately 155,000 residents. The Executive Director of
    Library System is responsible for the overall operations of the Schenectady County Library
    which is comprised of nine (9) branch libraries and will carry out broad policy as determined by
    the Library Board of Trustees. The Executive Director of Library System is responsible for
    stewardship of the library and its resources and exercises supervision over the work of the other
    library personnel. The Executive Director reports to a 15 member Board of Trustees with
    administrative coordination by the County Manager.


    Qualifications
    ● Master’s degree in Library Science or Information Services from an ALA-accredited
    program, or its equivalent, in accordance with the New York State Education Department
    Division of Library Development; and
    ● At least eight (8) years of library experience including three (3) years in an administrative
    position over complex operations and showing a progression of increasing responsibility.
    Other training or experience can substitute for professional library experience;


    Attributes and Skills.
    In addition to the qualifications listed above, the successful candidate should have excellent
    verbal, writing and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and to
    represent the library within the community. The successful candidate should also have strong
    budget and financial management skills with the ability to manage civil service employees and
    knowledge of the fiduciary regulations and library “best practices.” Moreover, the successful
    candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, a history of commitment to Diversity, Equity and
    Inclusion and the ability to manage library staff and delegate duties and responsibilities where
    appropriate.


    Job Duties and Responsibilities:
    Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
    ● Manage the full range of library services and all aspects of the library system;
    ● Develop long range plans for the library including the evaluation of effectiveness of the
    library’s services and programs in relation to the changing needs of the community;
    ● Provide leadership to the entire library system and its services to all personnel;
    ● Prepare and administer operating and capital budgets;
    ● Supervise expenditures and negotiate competitive costs for services and materials;
    ● Perform ongoing management of the budget;
    ● Oversee maintenance and improvements of the library buildings and grounds;
    ● Supervise and work collegially with staff and conduct staff meetings;
    ● Oversee staff recruitment, training, evaluations and management;
    ● Coordinate and be responsible for staffing operations, including administering policies,
    supervision, appointments, promotions, training and performance evaluations;
    ● Attend Board and committee meetings;
    ● Report current activities and measurable results to the Library Board of Trustees;
    ● Make recommendations for new services, initiatives and policies;
    ● Review and/or develop policies and procedures for new services, initiatives and the
    operation of the library;
    ● Ensure the effectiveness of services and the allocation of appropriate resources;
    ● Represent the library in public, and at community and group meetings;
    ● Promote the library by interacting with patrons, supporters, local schools, government
    bodies and community organizations;
    ● Initiate and supervise the development, recommendation and management of programs
    and library services;
    ● Interact with governmental agencies and community groups in seeking financial
    resources for the library;
    ● Interact with and maintain representation within the Mohawk Valley Library System;
    ● Maintain positive and collaborative relationship with Board of Trustees, Schenectady
    County and the Friends of the Schenectady County Public Library;
    ● Recommend and administer public relations programs;
    ● Advocate at the State and local level for funding and policies that benefit the Library;
    ● Perform related work as required.


    Compensation:
    This is a full time, salaried position which includes an excellent fringe benefits package including
    family health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, tuition assistance, as well as participation
    in the New York State Retirement System. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications,
    training and experience.


    Schenectady County is an equal opportunity employer and committed to ensuring diversity,
    equity and inclusion of all ethnic, racial and gender groups in our practices.


    Application Details:
    Apply via email with a cover letter and resume as .pdf attachments to
    SCPLSearchCommittee@gmail.com. Application deadline is January 1, 2022.

  • Online Training for Trustees – Trustee Handbook Book Club

    Join co-authors of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State Jerry Nichols and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich for this fun and informative series! Each month trustees are encouraged to read a chapter of the Trustee Handbook and send in questions that the authors will address at live events later this year. Trustees from all public library systems in New York State are welcome. Library Directors from across the state are welcome to attend as well.

    Program details can be found here. https://midhudson.org/trusteebookclub/ And, participants can submit their questions ahead of time by clicking here.

    Sessions will be held as follows:

    Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 5:00-6:30pm: Library Board Meetings  |  Register Here

    Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 5:00-6:30pm: Personnel  |  Register Here

    The first session, focusing on Duties and Responsibilities, was held on Tuesday, October 19. A recording of that session, along with a post-session tool kit for followup, is available here.

    Ron Kirsop, Pioneer Library System executive director, and Brian Hildreth, Southern Tier Library System executive director, will be co-moderating these events.

  • CLSP Summer Symposium

    Date: Thursday, December 02, 2021
    Time: 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
    Place: Online at https://www.cslpreads.org/summer-symposium/
    Cost: Free

    Save the date for the first annual CLSP Summer Symposium! If you or your staff are interested in programming ideas, outreach and partnerships, or promotion and marketing of your library’s summer programming, then this day is for you! Sign up at the link above.

  • Grant Opportunity – Penguin Random House Grants for Small & Rural Libraries

    Penguin Random House and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) today announced a rolling grant program to recognize rural, small and tribal libraries that support underserved communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

    The program will award grants of up to $2,500 to libraries that demonstrate a true need. Grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. In-kind donations will also be considered.

    Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries said, “Our nation’s small and rural libraries already faced so many challenges pre-pandemic. Those challenges have only become more urgent during the past year and a half. ARSL cannot thank Penguin Random House enough for recognizing the essential place our libraries hold in our communities, and stepping up to show real, practical support.”

    “The past couple years have been incredibly challenging for everyone, and we know rural areas have been especially hard-hit,” said Skip Dye, Senior Vice President of Sales Operations and Library Sales, Penguin Random House. “In these communities, libraries have been lifelines in countless ways, from serving as trusted sources for reliable information to providing access to important services and resources. We are honored to partner with ARSL to help elevate their impact.”

    Penguin Random House and ARSL have worked together to ensure the application process is simple and straightforward to remove as many barriers to applying for a grant as possible. For the award application and more information about the program, please visit the info page: https://www.arsl.org/prh-grant.