Library Services for 50+ Adults are Focus of New England Institute
Dear Public Library Colleagues,
I am including (below) an announcement for an upcoming Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute focusing on Library Service for 50+ Adults to be held December 1-2 in Newton, Mass. Attendance is limited; interested libraries can apply to send a library director, library trustee or adult services librarian. Winning applicants will receive funding to cover travel, meals and lodging for one night. Details, and a link to the application form, are below. Application deadline: November 14, 2008.
The demographic projections for Vermont tell us that our population of older citizens will grow more rapidly than other age group. Services to seniors, including enrichment programming, will be more important than ever in our state’s public libraries.
I encourage all interested libraries to learn more about this opportunity and to consider submitting an application.
Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Tel: (802) 828-3265
martha.reid@mail.dol.state.vt.us
2008 National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access – UPDATE
Hello everyone,
We’re getting close to the 60% response rate for this survey, but aren’t quite there, yet.  We’re really getting down to the wire, though.  The survey closes NOVEMBER 7, 2008, which is less than 2 weeks, now.
A minimum of 60% is required for the team to be able to analyze the state individually. It is important to receive as many responses as possible from sampled libraries, as they were chosen for the sample specifically based on the proportionality of the various metropolitan areas and poverty levels in the state. Go to http://plinternetsurvey.org to complete your survey.
We’re doing much better than in past years. Thank you to everyone who’s completed or nearly completed the survey. Great job.
Thank you again for all of your help, and please contact me with any questions you may have.
Rob Geiszler
Vermont Department of Libraries
Salary Increases for VT Public Librarians
In October 2008, the Executive Board of the Vermont Library Association approved the following recommended minimum starting salary:
For a public library director with the Vermont Department of Libraries “Certificate of Public Librarianship,” the recommended minimum starting salary is $40,300, with a complete benefits package. For directors who work less than full time, the hourly wage is $19.38, with a pro-rated benefits package.
“Increasing Public Library Compensation: A How-To Guide for Vermont Libraries†is available at https://vermontlibraries.org//compensation5.07.pdf.
The Personnel Committee of the Vermont Library Association can help you review and study your library salaries and job descriptions. Contact committee chair Amy C. Grasmick at kimball_acg@hotmail.com or (802) 728-5073 for more information.
Vermont Library Trustee Association Conference
Hello-
A reminder that the Vermont Library Association Annual Trustee Conference is scheduled for November 8th at the Rutland Free Library. The agenda for the day will be an address from our new State Librarian, Martha Reid, presentation by Gail Weymouth, Chair of the VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, and a special presentation by library consultant Lawrence Webster. Lawrence, as some of you may know, is an independent public library consultant specializing in communications, public relations, Friends, board development and strategic planning. Lawrence’s presentation will provide trustees and librarians with practical advice on securing strong community and financial support for their libraries. Advice especially critical in these tough economic times.
Please remember that this is the one annual event that VLA sponsors for public library trustees and we encourage as many trustees and library staff to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you
Michael Roche
Northeast Regional Library
23 Tilton Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
748-3428
Michael.roche@mail.dol.state.vt.us
Help Wanted: Vermont Library Conference
Check out the call for volunteers for the Vermont Library Conference that includes details about a range of ways to get involved, each with differing levels of commitment.Â
Please consider volunteering since the support of many VLA members is a critical component of mounting our conference. By volunteering you make an important contribution to a major in-state continuing education opportunity for people who work in and provide support to Vermont libraries. Your work also creates a great opportunity to connect with other library staff, build your professional network, and learn about what’s happening at the state and regional level. If you’ve not been involved with VLA at the committee, planning or leadership level, participating in the planning and implementation of the Vermont Library Conference is a great way to start. Just do it!
Judah Hamer
The 2009 Vermont Library Conference Needs Your Help!
Volunteers are needed to support work on the May, 2009 Vermont Library Conference. Conference proposals are coming in, and we are lining up some great speakers and exciting events for May 12 & 13, 2009. Our keynote, Marshall Keys, is ecstatic to speak to the librarians of
Director of Cultural Activities
802-352-9315
802-238-7608 cell
Blogging at NELA
Vermont librarians Helen Linda, Debbie Gadwah-Lambert, and Nancy Wilson are blogging at NELA! Our posts and lots of others can be found at http://nelib.wordpress.com/
2009 ProQuest/SIRS State and Regional Intellectual Freedom Award – Call for Nominations
Nominate a defender of intellectual freedom for a prestigious award!
The ProQuest/SIRS State and Regional Intellectual Freedom Achievement Award is given to the most innovative and effective intellectual freedom project covering a state or region.
The award is sponsored by ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Roundtable and ProQuest and consists of a citation and $1,000.
Programs may be one-time, one-year or ongoing/multi-year efforts.
Standards applications and 2008 Public Library Reports – DEADLINE
This is a FRIENDLY reminder that November 10 is not so far away. Why is that significant? Because that’s the due date for the 2008 Minimum Standards Application and the 2008 Public Library Report for all Vermont public libraries. Please mail them to me:Rob Geiszler
Vermont Department of Libraries
271 North Main Street
Rutland, VT 05701
These should be postmarked on or before November 10, 2008.
Satisfaction with free/open source software: survey invitation
General Request for Survey Input – Open Source/Free Software Satisfaction:
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Information Management at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, and my research topic is an investigation of factors that influence participant satisfaction with library or information management free/open source software projects. Some library-related examples are DSpace, EPrints, Koha, Evergreen, Greenstone, and MyLibrary. More general information management software includes web content management software such as Drupal, wiki software such as MediaWiki or PmWiki, or blogging software such as WordPress.