Category Archives: Uncategorized

Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey

Responses to our Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey have increased significantly in the last week – thank you for all of your efforts!
But we still would like to have a higher response rate, and we also need to allow some extra time for those libraries in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware program.  Right now, nationwide there is a 55% response rate overall. In Vermont, we have about a 20% response rate.  60% is the preferred minimum threshold, but the higher the response rate, the better the data.
As a result, the survey has been extended through Friday, November 13, 2009.
You can log in and complete the survey at: http://www.plinternetsurvey.org .
We know you’re completing your Annual Public Library Reports and Standards Applications, but hope you can see you way clear to participating in this nationwide survey, as well.
Thanks.
Rob Geiszler

Fiction Set in Vermont, Volume 3 now available!

The new publication of Fiction Set in Vermont 3, compiled and written by Ann McKinstry Micou. This resource joins Ann’s earlier two volumes, providing annotated and indexed listings of fiction set in our state. Because Ann has personally read every book that she lists, her annotations are especially rich and will delight readers across the state. Whether you give it to patrons for browsing, use it as a Readers’ Advisory tool, or use it to create your own personal reading lists, I encourage librarians to purchase a copy for library collections. The Vermont Department of Libraries has been a proud sponsor of all three volumes.

Association of Christian Librarians Conference

Association of Christian Librarians 54th Annual Conference, June 7-10, 2010
Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN.

Our theme is “True North: Illumination, Inspiration, Information” with keynote speaker Erin Walsh, National Institute on Media and the Family, presenting “Understanding students who are growing up in a media saturated culture.”  ACL is an association of librarians who embrace the Christian faith and has over 500 members! Contact April VanPutten,
conference@acl.org, or 937-766-2255; http://www.acl.org/conference.cfm

2009 Save America's Treasures Grants

Deadline is Friday, May 22, 2009 (in-hand deadline, not postmark)
SAVE AMERICA’S TREASURES grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and nationally significant historic structures and sites. Grants are administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
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)

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→

Reminder: DOL Survey

Dear Library Colleagues,

The Vermont Public Managers (VPM) program has received over 160 responses to the Department of Libraries survey and we are all very grateful for your feedback. The survey will close on Monday, February 23 at 4:30pm. If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a few moments and do so. Your information is confidential and critical to our efforts as we work to develop a new Strategic Plan.

Survey Link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228T28P8R9M

Thank you. I appreciate your help in this process.

Marty
_______________________

Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Tel: (802) 828-3265
Fax: (802) 828-2199
martha.reid@mail.dol.state.vt.us