Library Journal Index of Public Library Service

Congratulations to the five (!!) Vermont public libraries rated among the 256 best in the country in Library Journal’s new index of library service :

Stowe Free Library
Sherburne Memorial Library (Killington)
Fairfax Community Library
Craftsbury Public Library
The Lincoln Library

The “all star” ratings are based on per capita usage as reflected in circulation, visits, program attendance, and public internet usage, and are reported in peer groups based on operating budget. For the full article and to see how your library rated, see Library Journal, 2/15/09, pp. 26-33 and visit www.LibraryJournal.com/ljindex2009.

Y’all are an inspiration!

Amy C. Grasmick, Director
Kimball Public Library
Randolph, VT

New Primary-Source Database for Schools and Libraries

A new primary-source database, with on-site search, is now available for schools, libraries, educators and students. Its features include 15,000 images plus documents, narrations, video/audio clips and organized slide shows. Incorporated into the text are also secondary sources, such as links to Google Books.

Group access to the site is free for all schools, libraries, educators and students. Click here for access. http://www.awesomestories.com/newsletters/february-2009-highlights

Bill proposes ISPs, Wi-Fi keep logs for police

February 19, 2009 10:45 PM PST
by Declan McCullagh
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10168114-38.html?tag=nl.e703

Republican politicians on Thursday called for a sweeping new federal law that would require all Internet providers and operators of millions of Wi-Fi access points, even hotels, local coffee shops, and home users, to keep records about users for two years to aid police investigations.

The legislation, which echoes a measure proposed by one of their Democratic colleagues three years ago, would impose unprecedented data retention requirements on a broad swath of Internet access providers and is certain to draw fire from businesses and privacy advocates.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101

Want to know how your library will be are affected by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101? Â Look at this link! www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus

Good information on Stimulus Package with state-by-state totals.

Please complete survey on Department of Libraries services

Dear Library Colleague or other Department of Libraries â€œStakeholder,â€

Please help DOL by taking this short survey.

The Department of Libraries (DOL), in consultation with the Vermont Public Managers (VPM) program, is evaluating the overall organization and strategic direction of DOL. The information gathered by the VPM team will assist me by making recommendations on a design for a strategic plan for the DOL. Data gathering for this project will consist of the VPM team interviewing all DOL employees and conducting a survey of those people who are â€œstakeholdersâ€ in the services that DOL provides.

I encourage you to please take a few moments to click on this link and complete the brief survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228T28P8R9M

Please forward this to others in your organization that you think should participate in this survey, including library trustees.

House Passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)

The House of Representatives today passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with a final vote of 246-183, with members voting largely along party lines. No Republicans voted for the legislation and seven Democrats opposed it. The Senate is currently debating the bill and is expected to vote tonight before adjourning for the President’s Day recess. President Obama is expected to sign the bill next week.

Women’s Day Article on Libraries Changing Lives

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Beyond-Books-How-Libraries-Can-Help
.html

Has the library helped you save money? If the library has gotten you or your family out of a tough financial crunch, helping you save in unexpected ways, tell us about it in an essay of 700 words or less. Up to four women’s stories will be featured in an upcoming issue of Woman’s Day. Go to womansday.com/ala between February 17 and May 18 for official rules and how to enter.

Women's Day Article on Libraries Changing Lives

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Beyond-Books-How-Libraries-Can-Help
.html
Has the library helped you save money? If the library has gotten you or your family out of a tough financial crunch, helping you save in unexpected ways, tell us about it in an essay of 700 words or less. Up to four women’s stories will be featured in an upcoming issue of Woman’s Day. Go to womansday.com/ala between February 17 and May 18 for official rules and how to enter.

Jane Austen Society meeting March 1st in Burlington

Hello all,

Appended below is the text of our flyer about the upcoming Jane Austen Society of North America-Vermont Chapter meeting, Sunday, March 1, 2009 – a talk and sure-to-be lively discussion of Persuasion. I would appreciate you posting this information in your library â€¦ please email me directly and I will send you a proper poster in an attachment!]

Please visit our blog for more information at: http://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com ; I have also just set up a Facebook group for our Chapter and you can view that here [you need to be a member of Facebook to view the details and we welcome you to join our group!]: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=50565859210

Would love to have any of you in the area join us on March 1st!

Call for Nominations for Vermont Library Association Awards for 2009

There are so many fabulous librarians and trustees in Vermont that it is always hard to single out just one of each annually, but there are always ones who are extraordinary and deserved to be recognized statewide. Now is the time for you to think about who VLA should recognize this year at the Vermont Library Conference, and nominate those deserving colleagues.

VLA is now accepting nominations for two awards:

1) The 2009 Sarah C. Hagar Award which is for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. Nominees must be working in a Vermont library and a member of VLA.

2)The 2009 Trustee of the Year Award for achievement by a trustee on behalf of his or her library, either during the previous year or during his/her years of service.