Resolution to honor Judith Krug

The following resolution will be introduced at the VLA annual meeting tomorrow at 4:45 in the ampitheatre at the Sheraton.

Resolution Honoring Judith F. Krug (1940-2009)

Whereas Judith F. Krug was the public face of our profession’s every effort to preserve, protect and defend the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and the corollary right to receive ideas, information and images so essential to the functioning of a free and democratic society throughout her long and distinguished tenure as director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association since 1967 and as director of the Freedom to Read Foundation since 1969; andRead more→

“Vermont Reads” Grant Deadline May 30

Greetings, all,

I am forwarding the announcement (below) from the Vermont Humanities Council with the hope that many libraries around the state will participate in the Vermont Reads program this year. VHC has selected a wonderful book that will appeal to a wide audience. Information about the book, the program, and financial assistance is below. Deadline for applications is May 30, 2009.

Martha Reid
martha.reid@mail.dol.state.vt.us

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"Vermont Reads" Grant Deadline May 30

Greetings, all,
I am forwarding the announcement (below) from the Vermont Humanities Council with the hope that many libraries around the state will participate in the Vermont Reads program this year. VHC has selected a wonderful book that will appeal to a wide audience. Information about the book, the program, and financial assistance is below. Deadline for applications is May 30, 2009.
Martha Reid
martha.reid@mail.dol.state.vt.us
Read more→

Teen/Family Best Buy grants $5,000-$7,000

Through the Community Grants Program, each Best Buy territory across the United States annually selects non-profit organizations that apply for grants to support programs and services that provide opportunities for young teens related to education, life skills, leadership skills or relationship development. This year, Best Buy Children’s Foundation will give $1 million through the Community Grants Program.

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Position cuts at the Department of Libraries and Regional Library Closings

To: Vermont Library Community

I regretfully announce that, as a result of mandated budget and position cuts, the Department of Libraries is eliminating four positions: (1) full time clerk at Midstate Regional Library (previously announced); (2) full time clerk at the Special Services Unit/Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (3) full time clerk at the Northeast Regional Library; and (4) full time secretary position in the Law and Documents Division.

As a result of these cuts, I have made the decision to end services at the Regional Libraries as follows:

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2009 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Winner

Congratulations to Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, winner of
the 2009 DCF Children’s Book Award! Over 5,400 Vermont kids voted for theirfavorites from the DCF List. That means that those kids read a minimum of 27,000 books! Great job, everyone! Check the DCF website
(http://www.dcfaward.org) for upcoming details on the DCF Award Ceremony, as well as a list of the top ten vote-getters from this year’s tally.

Thanks to Steve Madden, DCF chair for the tabulating and reporting.

Grace
Vermont Department of Libraries

Urgent Call to Action! Ask your Senators to Support Library Funding!

Please contact your Senators and ask them to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter being circulated by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in support of funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Take Action

The deadline to sign the letter is Tuesday May 5! LSTA and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries are two of the most important federal programs for libraries today. The letter will not be taken seriously, and it will appear as if Members of Congress do not care about libraries if we don’t have 60 signers on the letter. Programs that don’t have a vocal support network are in danger of being cut.

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Judith Krug – Librarian, Hero, Mentor, Friend

I’ve struggled for words to describe Judith Krug’s influence on my life since her death April 11, 2009. I dare not aspire to do her legacy justice when so many others have paid tribute so eloquently. See: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/rememberingjudith.cfm
I attended her service driven by a desperate need to be among those who recognized how extraordinary Judith was, and felt the magnitude of her loss, not only personally, but for the country and the world. The tightly woven fabric of her family and their generosity of sprit was awe inspiring. I am forever grateful that they shared so much of her with us.

I sat surrounded by my family, not by blood, but a bond of love, common purpose and respect that Judith knowingly propagated, then carefully cultivated and nurtured. Her boundless love and compassion will carry us through these rapids of sorrow and grief. We will carry on and carry the flame. Thank you dear Judith, my hero, my mentor, my friend and most cherished- my surrogate mom.

Gail Weymouth   Sherburne Memorial Library   Killington

VLA IFC /ALAIFC

Sheraton Special Rate Deadline Extended for Conference

The Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center has extended availability of the Special Rate of $115.00 per room until April 24th. Hurry now to book a room at this great rate.

Looking for a roommate? Someone to carpool with? Try the VLA Travel Wiki. Simply sign up for an account and add your travel information. I have used it myself to coordinate rides and rooms at conferences and found it to be a great way to not only save money and stress, but meet wonderful folks I may never have met otherwise! Please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll sign you right up!

Thanks!
Helen Linda
VLA Advocacy Committee