DOL Information about federal stimulus funds

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Libraries

Even before the “stimulus bill” was signed into law in February, librarians in Vermont and across the country were hard at work trying to make sure that some of this money gets to libraries. There are still many unanswered questions about this funding package and new information trickles in each week. DOL is in regular contact with State officials and also with the ALA Washington Office and other state library agencies and I will pass along news as it comes our way.

Some of the biggest money will come to the State of Vermont, in the “Stabilization Funds.” Most or all of that money that comes directly to the state will be directed to projects other than libraries. But there are other ARRA funding programs that are potential sources for us to tap. Read below for tips:

Public Libraries: make sure you are in communication with your town officials. Municipalities will receive a portion of the stabilization money and libraries could be eligible public projects.

Read more→

Public Library Statistics now available for 07-08

Public library statistics are available for Vermont on this page. There’s no summary page, but here are a few statistics that might be interesting. Feel free to use the comment section to pull out your own noteworthy statistics.

  • Vermont has 182 public libraries, the largest number of libraries per capita in the US.
  • 174 of these libraries have Internet access; 160 of these have high speed access. Do the math, that’s 14 libraries with dial-up and eight with nothing.
  • Half of the public librarians in the state have MLSes or the equivalent.
  • 73% of Vermont library funding comes from local taxes; 27% comes from other local sources (grants, fundraising)
  • Eleven public libraries filter internet access on all terminals (as opposed to some libraries that offer a children’s filtered option)

Conference Scholarships

Don’t forget, scholarships for the cost of attending the conference in May are available. Don’t let the cost of attending keep you away; last year there was scholarship money left over! Click here for details.

The Beatles Had It Right

Sometimes we just need a little help from our friends.  You may be a new librarian who feels at sea.   Or you may have a library project or issue that you would like to talk with another professional about.  The Vermont Library Association can help you connect with people who can help you out.  Over a dozen VLA members from all over the state have agreed to act as a mentor for public librarians.  Contact Lucinda Walker 802-649-1184 lucinda.walker@norwichlibrary.org if you would like to find a mentor in your area.

National Library Week April 12-18

How are your plans coming for celebrating National Library Week this year, April 12-18? WCAX/ Channel 3 is broadcasting Vermont librarians Debbie Landauer and Amy Howlett booktalking some public library favorites on Monday, April 13 following the noon news. Their annotated list is online at http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/misc/natlibwk09.pdf . Feel free to use this list any way you like—for bookmarks, local articles, handouts, etc.

For more ideas, free radio PSAs and model letters to the editor, check out the American Library Association at http://www.ala.org/nlw . New York Times best selling author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis is the Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2009.

Amy Howlett
VT Department of Libraries
(802) 463-0142
amy.howlett@mail.dol.state.vt.us

Digital Information Management (DigIn) Certificate Deadline Extended!

University of Arizona Digital Information Management (DigIn) Certificate program admission is open for 2009-10. Scholarships are available. Review of applications for admissions and financial aid for Summer 2009 has been extended to April 15.

The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science is pleased to announce that openings are available in the school’s graduate certificate program in Digital Information Management (DigIn), and that scholarships are available for students entering the program in Summer and Fall 2009.

Read more→

Snelling Center Offers Leadership Workshops

Library Colleagues,

I want to bring your attention to a series of professional development workshops presented by the Snelling Center: “Leadership in a Connected Age.”

Several half-day workshops are scheduled this spring around the state and a full-day workshop will be held in Burlington in June.

For detailed information about dates, locations, costs, workshop agendas, and registration information, go to: http://www.snellingcenter.org/

This is a time when we need strong leadership in the Vermont library community – and we need to build strong connections with our community partners.

Read more→

New Listerv for Librarians Who Work with Children and Young Adults!!

Hello, all:

Vermont now has a listserv especially for librarians who work with children and teens! We are calling it VTYAC to keep in line with PUBYAC, a long standing listserv for children’s and young adult librarians. This list will be a great way for us to communicate about programming, policies, issues, room set-up, stumpers, book selection, in fact anything that you want that has to do with youth services.

How do you join? Ask me to add you to the list! Just reply to this email, and you will be magically added!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Grace Worcester Greene
Children’s Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-6954
Fax: 802-828-1481
grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us