Living in a Wired World: Can Personal Privacy Survive in the 21st Century?

Imagine waking up one day in your own personal terrarium, where everything you do and say can be seen by anyone passing by. Sound scary? In a world of Web cams, social networking sites, and GPS-equipped phones, your dorm walls may be more transparent than you realize.

The University of Vermont Libraries present a lecture and book-signing by Burlington-based attorney and computer forensics expert Frederick Lane, about the challenges emerging technologies pose to one of our most controversial rights, on Wednesday, November 18th at 4:30 PM, in Billings North Lounge.

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2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey

The 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey (available for completion at www.plinternetsurvey.org) conducted by the American Library Association (ALA – www.ala.org/plinternetfunding) and the Center for Library & Information Innovation at the University of Maryland (www.liicenter.org/plinternet) closes Friday, November 13, 2009.

Vermont libraries are responding. So far we only have a 52.1% response rate.  Last year’s response rate was 61%.  We know that you’re completing the Annual Public Library Report and Standards Application, but please take the time to complete all of these.

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2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey

The 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey (available for completion at www.plinternetsurvey.org) conducted by the American Library Association (ALA – www.ala.org/plinternetfunding) and the Center for Library & Information Innovation at the University of Maryland (www.liicenter.org/plinternet) closes Friday, November 13, 2009.
Vermont libraries are responding. So far we only have a 52.1% response rate.  Last year’s response rate was 61%.  We know that you’re completing the Annual Public Library Report and Standards Application, but please take the time to complete all of these.
Read more→

NMRT Shirley Olofson Memorial Award Announcement

Are you looking for funds to help pay for your trip to ALA Annual
2010 in Washington, D.C.? Apply by December 15, 2009 for the Shirley Olofson Memorial Award and you may receive a $1000 check to help defray the cost of attendance!

Applicants must:

  1. Be a member of ALA and NMRT
  2. Be active in the library profession
  3. Show promise or activity in the area of professional development
  4. Have valid financial need
  5. Have attended no more than five ALA annual conferences

To apply, please visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/nmrt/oversightgroups/comm/awolofson/Shirley_Olofson_Award.cfm

Action Needed Now on USA Patriot Act

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, the USA PATRIOT ACT is due to sunset this year and we need Congress to make much needed reforms.

The Senate has introduced a bill that does not meet the protections we seek, so we need the House to pass much tougher reforms. The ALA Washington Office reports that there is much opposition to these reforms, including from the White House, the Department of Justice and the House Intelligence Committee, so Congress needs calls NOW from library supporters and others.

PLEASE call Congressman Welch’s office to EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT for H.R. 3845 introduced by Rep. John Conyers of Michigan and ASK CONGRESSMAN WELCH TO CO-SPONSOR this USA Patriot Amendment Act. Call NOW. Bill mark-up is scheduled for November 4.
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Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey

Responses to our Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey have increased significantly in the last week – thank you for all of your efforts!

But we still would like to have a higher response rate, and we also need to allow some extra time for those libraries in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware program.  Right now, nationwide there is a 55% response rate overall. In Vermont, we have about a 20% response rate.  60% is the preferred minimum threshold, but the higher the response rate, the better the data.

As a result, the survey has been extended through Friday, November 13, 2009.

You can log in and complete the survey at: http://www.plinternetsurvey.org .

We know you’re completing your Annual Public Library Reports and Standards Applications, but hope you can see you way clear to participating in this nationwide survey, as well.

Thanks.

Rob Geiszler