ACLU First Amendment Conference – Registration Deadline 6/23/09

MONTPELIER-“ The First Amendment is being asked to do more as technology transforms the way thoughts and beliefs are expressed, and free speech lines are questioned.

“Thought and Expression in a Changing World”  is the topic of a day-long conference Monday, June 29 in South Burlington sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont.

Speakers will include Catherine Crump, an attorney with the National ACLU’s First Amendment Working Group, and Dan Barrett, staff attorney at the ACLU-VT. Other Vermont attorneys will participate on panels discussing specific cases and incidents, including recent controversies involving broadcast of the Al Jazeera-English channel on a local cable TV system and images placed on locally manufactured snowboards.

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NELA Annual Conference

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Camila Alire, ALA President-Elect, will be joining us at the next New England Library Association (NELA) Annual Conference in October 2009. Dr. Alire will be leading a special ALA Forum on Sunday, October 18. Share your thoughts on how ALA should focus its efforts in the next five years. As her presidential initiatives, Dr. Alire will also be sharing her expertise and innovative ideas about Library Advocacy and Literacy in a presentation on Monday, October 19. View initiatives, biography and more on her official website.

SAVE THE DATE

“IT’S HAPPENING IN HARTFORD”
NELA ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 18th 20, 2009
CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER
NELA Annual Conference Preview

For those of you on Linkedin, a new networking group for the New England Library Association was started thanks to Joe Fox. Just type in NELA in the Search Groups field and you will find us. Please consider joining Linkedin and this new group to network and stay in touch with your fellow New England library workers.

NELA Counterparts 2009

This summer, the New England Library Association (NELA) presents a unique opportunity for all library workers to attend a mindful and meaningful mini-conference in the New England region. This is NELA Counterparts.

Counterparts 2009 is a two-day educational event for NELA members, state library association members, consortia members and any other interested persons. Scheduled for Thursday and Friday, July 16-17, 2009 on the Connecticut College (New London) campus.

For information on our Speaker, conference details and registration forms, please visit this link:
http://nelib.org/counterparts

Registrations will be accepted until June 30th. Confirmation, agenda and directions will be sent upon receipt of registration.

Changes in services at Midstate and Northeast Regional Libraries

Current economic conditions and a series of budget cuts at the Department of Libraries have resulted in reductions to our general operating budget and in the elimination of four full-time positions. The positions were taken from: (1) Law/Reference at the State Library, (2) The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, (3) Midstate Regional Library, and the (4) Northeast Regional Library.

To cope with these position cuts, and the resulting staff shortages, I have made these changes in the operation of the two regional libraries:

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Round Four of Listen Up! Vermont

Hello all,

We’re gearing up for signups for Round Four of Listen Up! Vermont, the downloadable audio book service from the Green Mountain Library Consortium provided by OverDrive.

Round Four begins July 1 for staff training and access, with public access available on or about August 1. You can look at the current collection at http://www.listenupvermont.org; let us know if you would like to try and download a title, and we will send you a library card number.

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EFF Launches ‘Teaching Copyright’ to Correct Entertainment Industry Misinformation

New Curriculum Gives Students the Facts About Their Digital Rights and Responsibilities

San Francisco – As the entertainment industry promotes its new anti-copying educational program to the nation’s teachers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) today launched its own “Teaching Copyright” curriculum and website to help educators give students the real story about their digital rights and responsibilities on the Internet and beyond.

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EFF Launches 'Teaching Copyright' to Correct Entertainment Industry Misinformation

New Curriculum Gives Students the Facts About Their Digital Rights and Responsibilities

San Francisco – As the entertainment industry promotes its new anti-copying educational program to the nation’s teachers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) today launched its own “Teaching Copyright” curriculum and website to help educators give students the real story about their digital rights and responsibilities on the Internet and beyond.
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Notice About Movie Licenses for Public Libraries

I am pleased to announce that the Department of Libraries has successfully negotiated a new contract with Movie Licensing USA for Vermont public libraries. This license will permit the FREE public performance of movies (from selected Hollywood studios) in public library buildings. This new contract covers the period of June 1, 2009 – May 31, 2010.

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