Mission

The mission of the MidYork Library System is to improve and expand library service in the counties of Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer. The System will accomplish this mission by...

• Lowering the cost of library service by centralizing tasks and activities common to member libraries.
• Providing services and coordinating activities which allow libraries to cooperate and share their resources and materials easily and efficiently.
• Providing expertise, services, and training that complement and extend the resources of the individual library.
• Providing direct service to persons or groups who are unable to use traditional public library service.
• Acting as a component of the global library network.
• Providing leadership and advocacy on a regional, state, and national level.

Vision

The MidYork Library system of the future is:

• A friendly supportive place
• Characterized by consistently excellent, responsive customer service
• Housed in a modern, efficiently designed, and well-located facility
• A leader in the provision of state of the art library service
• A regionally recognized authority on library issues
• A busy facility with constant interaction between System and member library staff
• Known as a great place to work

System Services

Acquisitions, Cataloging and Processing

All types and formats of materials are ordered, entered into the System's online database, then cataloged and processed. Significant discounts are obtained through volume purchase.

Automation Services

The System operates a shared computer system which provides online access to all member library collections, as well as e-mail, an intranet and individual library web pages for our member libraries. The public can access our online catalog and various databases, including NOVEL databases, through our website.

Business Office Services

Services and supplies are available to be purchased under New York State contract pricing and shipped to libraries via our delivery. Payroll and health insurance plans are available through our business office at significant savings to member libraries.

Collections and Audiovisual Services

Large print books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, story hour boxes, Bi-Folkal kits and equipment such as laptop PCs and projectors are available for use by our member libraries and interested community organizations.

Consulting Services

Professional advice is available to member libraries on services, programs, planning, budgeting, administration and management.

Continuing Education

MidYork offers a regular schedule of workshops, seminars and other training opportunities for professional development of member library staff and advancement of library trustees.

Delivery

System delivery vans visit every member library two to five times a week, transporting books and library materials and helping libraries to share with each other.

Interlibrary Loan

Through global online services and the willingness of almost all libraries to share their materials, MidYork can obtain almost any book, audio, video or magazine article if it is not owned by one of our member libraries.

Outreach Services

For those who cannot use traditional library services, MidYork provides Talking Books for the blind and physically handicapped, deposit collections of large print books to nursing homes and other institutions, as well as service to state and correctional facilities.

Reference Services

A professional reference librarian is available to answer questions on any topic and will locate resources not available at the local library, through the MidYork reference collection, the interlibrary loan system, various electronic databases and the Internet.

Board of Trustees