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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DCF Committee Opening

Unexpectedly, one of the members of the DCF committee has had to resign, so we have an immediate opening on the committee.

We are looking for someone who loves to read and talk about books; someone who can’t wait to get to school or the library to share their latest finds with the kids; someone who doesn’t mind working hard for a good cause.

There is one three-year opening on the DCF committee beginning immediately.

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100 Ways to Make Your Library a Little Greener

Librarians need to be on the constant cutting edge in terms of technology, researching, web tools and even architecture and design. But libraries are also a great place to educate the public and your students about the environment, from eco-friendly lifestyle choices to organizations that promote green causes. Here are 100 ways to make your library a little greener.

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Conference Evaluations

First, thanks to everyone for such a great conference last week!  Without all of your help, wonderful presentations, and great attendance, it would not have been possible.

Please be sure to fill out a conference evaluation, available on the VLC website and at the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ILuNpEYUge3PeIpbevSX9A_3d_3d

Enjoy the summer!

Barbara Doyle-Wilch and Sara Goldstein
Co-chairs, Vermont Library Conference 2009