The first-ever Choose Privacy Week May 2-8, 2010.

I am very excited to announce the first ever “Choose Privacy Week” to be held May 2-8, 2010.   Choose Privacy Week is a new initiative started American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee (ALAIFC) and Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) to spark a national conversation about privacy.    Libraries are the natural centers for learning and talking about information issues so  they are the perfect place to invite users join the conversation about privacy rights a digital age.

ALA has developed a variety of resources to help libraries reach out to their communities.    The campaign gives libraries the tools they need to educate and engage users, and gives citizens the resources to think critically and make more informed choices about their privacy.  I hope you take time to explore the website www.privacyrevolution.org to learn more about what your library can do to spark thought and discussion around privacy issues today.  Whether you are considering creating a display, sponsoring a contest, hosting a program or workshop, or moderating a community dialogue about privacy, there are tools that can help.  

Help us spread the word about the importance of choosing privacy.  

Gail Weymouth

VLAIFC, chair

LYRASIS Opens Nominations for Two Awards

Atlanta, GA, April 1, 2010 – LYRASIS, the nation’s largest regional membership organization serving libraries and information professionals, announces that nominations are now open for two awards.

The LYRASIS 2010 Excellence Award will honor one individual who has made a significant and exceptional contribution in areas central to LYRASIS’ vision of strengthening libraries through collaboration, creative solutions, and leadership for libraries. The 2010 Award includes a $2500 award and a one-year free membership to LYRASIS for the recipient’s institution.

The LYRASIS 2010 NextGen Librarian Award will honor three librarians new to the library profession who demonstrate an innovative and fresh approach to the profession and are leaders in our rapidly changing world. They will receive an honorarium to cover registration and hotel accommodations to a library conference of their choice.

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IMLS Encourages Participation in America: The Story of Us Contests

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), together with HISTORYTM and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, invites libraries and students across the United States to flex their creative muscles and share their passion for American history by participating in HISTORYTM’s America: The Story of Us contests.  For libraries, the contest entails creating a special exhibit or media project about American history that will strengthen their communities’ interest in American history.  Students are asked to create a short video based on any topic related to American history and are encouraged to use the resources of local libraries, historical societies, and archives for information on their own local history or on the American history topic that interests them most.

These contests are exciting opportunities to promote learning about American history and explore our nation’s diverse heritage. IMLS is delighted that HISTORYTM is reaching out to the nation’s libraries to encourage a community dialogue about America’s past.

For more information and to see the flyers about each contest go to http://www.history.com/shows/classroom/articles/classroom-whats-new. Look for the Library Outreach Contest and the Student Video Contest .

National Library Week, April 11-17 (on WCAX)

Ready to promote National Library Week?

Vermont librarians Lorrie Colburn (Fletcher Free Library) and Amy Howlett (VT Department of Libraries) will booktalk some favorites for all ages on Monday, April 12 on “Across the Fence,” WCAX, channel 3, after the noon news. Pull out their titles (bibliography at http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/misc ) or feature your own staff picks and public hot titles.

Amy Howlett

Vermont Department of Libraries

Department of Libraries is Partner on e-Vermont Program

Vermont Library Community,

Good news! The Vermont Council on Rural Development received word last week that they have won a federal stimulus grant in the NTIA Sustained Broadband Adoption program. The Department of Libraries is a partner in this grant project which will help 24 rural Vermont communities develop and use online and e-services. The program includes funds for public libraries in these 24 communities. You can read the full press release below. The 24 communities will be chosen through an application process. Public libraries that want their communities to be considered for this program should contact VCRD at 802-223-6091 or by email at info@vtrural.org

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Town Meeting Survey 2010 Deadline for Public Libraries

Public Library Directors:

We have extended the deadline for responding to the annual Town Meeting Results survey and you have until the end of the day on Friday, April 2 to get the results to us.

We have heard from only 89 public libraries so far. If your library has not yet responded, please fill out the electronic survey this week even if your town has not yet acted on your town budget. (There is a question for that in the survey.)

To find the online survey, click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V7QNCB9 and follow instructions for completing and submitting the survey electronically.

If you have questions or need any assistance completing the survey, please contact Renee Ancel, Executive Assistant to the State Librarian at:  (802) 828-3266 / renee.ancel@state.vt.us

We are aiming for 100% participation this year. Thanks for getting this information to us!

Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Tel: (802) 828-3265
Fax: (802) 828-2199
martha.reid@state.vt.us

Vermont Humanities Council Presents First Wednesdays Lecture

Montpelier’s First Wednesdays Talk Includes Charlie Chaplin Film Seen Only Once in 77 Years – First North American Showing!

Susan Cooke Kittredge, daughter of the late journalist Alistair Cooke, will give a talk about her father’s life, which will include a rare screening of his 1933 short film on Charlie Chaplin, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier on April 7. The talk, “The Unseen Alistair Cooke,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and takes place at 7:00 p.m.

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