Marybelle Singer, Alburgh Public Library

Marybelle Singer, director of the Alburgh Library, passed away last week. It could most certainly be argued that she made the library what it is today. Her obituary can be found at http://www.kiddermemorialhome.com. You can also see a piece WCAX did on her at the beginning of the year: http://www.wcax.com/story/17009463/super-seniors-marybelle-singer. She was very proud of her work at the library and she will be missed dearly by her community.

Jeremiah Kellogg
Library Development Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries

Vermont Digital Collections Survey

Dear Vermont Librarians,

I am a student at Southern Connecticut State University and a staff member at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vermont who is completing a research project for a Masters of Information and Library Science degree.

My thesis is titled “CREATING DIGITAL COLLECTIONS IN VERMONT’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES” and it investigates how small, rural cultural organizations, specifically public libraries in Vermont, can create effective and low-cost digital collections.

I am asking for your participation in a quick survey I have developed and posted online. The survey should take you no more than 15 minutes to complete.

Thank You from a Recipient of Librarian Relief Funds

The following thank you from Heather Grev, a recipient of Librarian Relief Funds, was printed in the VLA News – May 2012, which is a member only publication. We are printing it here to be sure everyone who contributed can have a chance to receive it.

Dear Librarians, Support Staff, and Friends,

I wanted to take a minute to thank all of the wonderful people that donated to the Vermont Library Relief Fund. Words cannot convey how thankful I am to be surrounded by such generosity and compassion. As some of you know, it has been a struggle for me to get back on my feet, and adjusting to my “new” normal has been a difficult process. This wonderful gift will help me to be able to purchase a bed, couch, and other important items that I lost from Tropical Storm Irene. I can only one day hope to thank everyone individually. There are truly no words for how grateful I am.

Sincerely,

Heather L. Grev

Head of Youth Services

Sherburne Memorial Library

Pictures Heather supplied of her house during and after Tropical Storm Irene

The Draw of Darkness in Young Adult Fiction

Check out today’s Vermont Edition program (VPR) that will be repeated again this evening at 7 p.m. Podcast available at: http://www.vpr.net/episode/53435/draw-darkness-in-young-adult-fiction/

Today’s topic is “The Draw of Darkness in Young Adult Fiction” and Grace Greene (DOL’s Youth Services Consultant), Janet Ketterer (Mark Skinner Library, Manchester), and Uma Krishnaswami, author and teacher at the Montpelier’s College of Fine Arts, did an outstanding job. Lots of interest via phone calls and web postings at VPR.

In-state tuition rates for Out-of-state Master of Library Science (MLS) students at Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University is pleased to announce In-state tuition rates for Out-of-state Master of Library Science (MLS) students

Prospective students who begin classes this summer with one or more courses and enroll full-time during the fall and spring semesters can complete the ALA-accredited MLS degree by next summer for as little as $14,159 for tuition and fees. Students can complete the degree studying online.

Vermont Librarians in the News

Check out Vermont State College’s own Larraby Fellows on Across the Fence:

Finding Reliable Information in the Digital Age

Vermont Libraries in the News! National Library Week

Sarah Lawton of the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury joined me to booktalk favorite titles for “A Salute to National Library Week.” The broadcast will air Monday, April 9 at 12:10 on channel 3, WCAX. The annotated list is available now at http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/misc. Feel free to use as a news release, bookmark, or display inspiration.

Amy Howlett
Vermont Department of Libraries

Library Snapshot Day (Any Day April 10 – 16)

Taking place during National Library Week (April 10 – 16), Library Snapshot Day is a great way of documenting all the vital services libraries provide to the citizens of Vermont. For more information, please visit: www.vtlibraryday.wordpress.com
The more libraries we have participating, the better our final statistics will be! So be sure to join us for this exciting initiative! We look forward to getting a vision of Vermont libraries!

Vermont Library Conference 2012

This Ain’t Your Mama’s Library
Creating a New Generation of Library Services for a New Generation of Library Users
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
St Michael’s College, Colchester, Vermont

This year will feature a keynote address by Michelle Gorman and a Book Cart Drill Team Competition. For more information on programming, visit the Conference Website at http://www.vermontlibraryconference.org/

Librarian Relief Fund – Now Accepting Applications

The Vermont Library Association is now accepting applications for the Librarian Relief Fund. The deadline to apply is February 15th, 2012. Please contact VLA President Joe Farara with any questions, Joseph.Farara@jsc.edu.

Librarian Relief Fund Application (PDF)
Librarian Relief Fund Application (DOC)

The Vermont Library Association Librarian Relief Fund assists librarians who suffered personal property damages as a result of Hurricane Irene. Many of our colleagues need support beyond what is offered them by governmental agencies, so please donate generously to their cause.