MHLS Receives Excellence in Community Engagement Award from Central Hudson

Central Hudson recently presented the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) with their “Excellence in Community Engagement” recognition award at the Energy Efficiency & Electrification Summit, an annual event connecting Central Hudson experts and community partners.

In 2025, MHLS played a vital role in extending the reach of Central Hudson’s weatherization efforts – collaborating with Central Hudson to launch the first in the nation DIY Home Energy Assessment Program via their non-traditional lending library – also known as the “Library of Things.” The organizations partnered to provide libraries with “HomeBoost Kits,” thermal imaging cameras that help patrons conduct their own energy assessment at home and obtain a free home energy assessment report.

“Their steadfast support and deep-rooted commitment to promoting sustainability and providing the community with resources to live a more sustainable life ensured that the program was launched and has grown sevenfold since then,” said Cory Scofield, Manager of Demand Side Management for Central Hudson, “The Mid-Hudson Library System exemplifies what it means to empower and uplift the Hudson Valley through meaningful, community-centered engagement.”

“We are grateful to the staff of Central Hudson for their hard work and true devotion to helping the residents of the Hudson Valley find ways to lower their costs,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System, “When they pitched the idea of libraries helping them create access to this free resource for residents we jumped at the chance to partner with them, it is a win-win-win!”

About the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS):

The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is a cooperative public library system chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and overseen by the New York State Education Department via the Division of Library Development (DLD). MHLS is dedicated to working together with sixty-six (66) member libraries in the Mid-Hudson region to strengthen local library services while saving local tax dollars. MHLS provides essential resources to member libraries and multiplies the funds that enable local libraries to continue serving patrons, keeping our communities strong, connected, and thriving well into the future.

For more information, visit https://midhudson.org/ or follow the library system on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.