State Librarian Position Input

The VLA and VSLA are hosting three meetings for library staff from all types of Vermont libraries. The purpose of these meetings is to provide input for the State Librarian position search committee. What do we need, hope for or expect from the State Library Leader position?

The first meeting was held at Middlebury College on January 4th, with David Brown, chair of the search committee, and twelve public and academic librarians.

The second meeting will be Thursday, January 17, 10:00 A.M. to noon at Brattleboro’s Brooks Library. All librarians and library board members are invited.

The third meeting will be held at St. Johnsbury Academy on Friday, February 8 (snow date February 15) in the Grace Orcutt Library on the Academy’s grounds at 10:30 A.M. A complimentary box lunch is offered to all who are attending – just let us know if you would like one. I have provided the link to the Academy web site to point you to directions to parking that is behind the gym. http://www.stjacademy.org

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Library Confidentiality Bill Introduced in VT Senate

We are delighted to announce that Senator Claire Ayer of Addison County has introduced S. 220, “An Act Relating to the Confidentiality of Library Patron Records,” in response to VLA’s request for a stronger and clearer law protecting the confidentiality of our library patrons. Read more→

Book Discussion: Creating the Customer Driven Library

Ever hear about a newer service model, but don’t know much about it? Want to make some changes in service at your library, but not sure how to do it? Need some other librarians to bounce around new customer service ideas with?

Join other librarians for a discussion of “Creating the Customer Driven Library: Building on the Bookstore Model” by Jeannette Woodward at Mid-State Regional Library on March 10 from 9:30-11 a.m. Coffee will be available at 9 a.m.

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Legislative Day for Vermont’s Public Libraries

Legislative Day for Vermont’s Public Libraries
Friday January 18, 2008, 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Statehouse in Montpelier

Come to the Statehouse on January 18th for an important kick-off to our state funding initiative! We will meet in the Card Room, on the second floor. (The Card “Room” is really the hallway before you enter the cafeteria.)

Arrange to meet with your lawmakers and ask them to support state funding for public libraries and the statute that enhances library patron confidentiality. The best way to do this is to contact your lawmakers in advance and set up a time to meet them in the cafeteria. Read more→

Hidden Gems Celebrated for Readers

University of Vermont Associate Library Professor Karl Bridges’ 100 Great American Novels You’ve (Probably) Never Read was recently published by Libraries Unlimited. Intended as a resource for both libraries and general readers, Bridges’ work features novels written between 1797 and 1997 by a diverse set of authors such as Francine Prose, Chester Himes, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Horatio Alger. More…

The book was written during Karl Bridges six-month sabbatical from the University of Vermont’s Bailey/Howe Library, where he works in the Department of Information and Instruction. “What really impressed me as I developed this book was the breadth and depth of American writing and reading culture,” Bridges writes in his preface. “I routinely haunted bookstores in a variety of cities. I was never in a bookstore, independent or chain, that was not packed with people all enjoying themselves immensely. The people who go on and on about the death of reading are wrong.” The 100 featured novels were chosen for their ability to represent the breadth of American writing. Some entries will introduce readers to obscure authors; others will acquaint them with lesser-known works of prominent writers. For each selection, Bridges provides a brief extract, a synopsis, a biographical sketch of the writer, a list of selected works by the writer, and recommendations for further reading.

Bridges_Book_Cover

ALA Library Workplace Survey

CHICAGO – The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is encouraging library employees to participate in its Library Workplace Wellness online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for library employees to share information about the availability of, and their participation in, work/life options in libraries around the nation. and will be available through Dec. 14.“Like many other professions, we know that library workers experience stressors of doing more with less, increasing expectations from users and information overload,” said ALA-APA Director Jenifer Grady. “We publish articles in Library Worklife about how employees can help themselves achieve work-life balance, but we want to know what library administrations and employees themselves are doing to help staff improve their health and reduce stress.”Read more→

Libraries urged to participate in national study of Internet use in libraries

October 16, 2007

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2007-2008 Public Library Funding and Technology Access online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information on computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and other uses of public libraries, such as providing public access technology centers in their communities. The current year’s online survey, available at http://survey.pnmi.com, will be available through Nov. 25,  2007.
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Deadline extended for National Library Week Grant

U.S. libraries of all types encouraged to apply for $5,000 to support
National Library Week activities

(CHICAGO) The deadline for the Scholastic Library Publishing National
Library Week grant has been extended to Monday, October 15, 2007.

U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for a $5,000 grant that
will be awarded to the best public awareness campaign that promotes the
theme “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library” during National
Library Week (April 13-19, 2008). Application forms and guidelines are
available on The Campaign for America’s Libraries Web site
http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrantRead more→

Next Generation Library Catalogs

Come and hear more about the “next generation” of library catalogs from some folks on the front lines.

This free program is sponsored by the Five College Library Directors, with support from Simmons College G.S.L.I.S. West.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007
1:00 – 4:00pm
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Campus Center Auditorium

Registration required: http://snipurl.com/nextgenRead more→