UPDATED 3/16
On Friday, March 18, Gale will be activating VOL access to the updated VOL e-book collection.
At that time the upgrades to new editions and the new titles that Martha Reid announced in the message below will be available.
For a time, access to the older editions/titles will continue to be available and we will be in contact with you before those older e-books are removed.
It’s that time of year again! The Department of Libraries is asking that you report results from your 2011 Town Meeting(s). Below you will find a link to an online survey with questions about your budget and the results of Town Meeting. Please complete the survey and submit it online no later than April 1, 2011.
This year you will find new questions related to library fees and charges. I have heard from some library directors about new pressures to find additional revenue sources (e.g. fees for overdues, out-of-town borrower cards – and even library programs.) I want to have an account of any new or increased fees that took effect in Vermont libraries during 2010.
If your town has not yet held a vote for the next budget year, please fill out the relevant questions, and leave the rest of the survey blank – but please DO submit a survey.
More than ever before, this data is critical for us to show the true picture of library funding in Vermont.
Here’s the survey:
Colleagues,
I am fowarding this letter from ALA President Roberta Stevens. You don’t need to be an ALA member to know the danger that library funding faces in the U.S. Congress, or to take action. The legislation passed in the House for FFY2011 especially targets school library funding. Now it’s on to the Senate.
Our Senators are supportive of libraries, but it is important that they hear from Vermonters about the need for maintaining current levels of funding for LSTA and for the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program.
Read below for more information — and spread the word to contact Senators today.
Thanks,
Marty
Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
802-828-3265
Library Colleagues,
I am forwarding a message from ALA for action regarding (1) continued funding for Institute of Museum and Library Services and LSTA funding for libraries, and (2) an amendment that would stop funding for FISA orders.
Both of these issues are important and the Department of Libraries supports (1) FULL FUNDING for IMLS and LSTA, and (2) a YES vote on the Conyers’ amendment. Details about these amendments are below.
FYI:
IMLS/LSTA funding in Vermont pays for:
We have a very supportive congressional delegation in Vermont, but they need to hear from you now.
Thanks,
Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
802-828-3265
Vermont librarians and any Vermonters with basic computer skills are welcome at the Citizens in a Connected Age Internet Technology workshop, March 5, 2011at Lyndonville State College. Vermont public librarians attending will receive 5 DOL technology certification credits after completing an evaluation. Joanna Cummings of the Snelling Center for Government organized the workshop as the e-Vermont Community Coordinator. Libraries do not need to be part of the e-Vermont grant to attend. For more information, including the registration link, http://www.snellingcenter.org/public-policy/e-vermont/workshops/
Hundreds of the most popular federal tax forms and publications are available for download from IRS.gov for sight impaired individuals. These products range from talking tax forms to Braille formats, and are accessible using screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and voice recognition software. Click on the links below to download these forms and publications:
Please join the wonderful Stacey Knibloe from Gale for webinars on the Vermont Online Library/Gale Databases. There will be four sessions. If you cannot attend on the day of the event, do not fret, an archive will be available.
Click on the title to register. I will send webinar instructions the day before each session.
I am forwarding this message from the ALA Washington Office and hope that you will follow-up with calls to Congressman Welch’s office NOW asking that he support the Museum and Library Services Act. This bill will re-authorize the work the LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) federal funding that fuels so many library program across the country. LSTA funding is absolutely critical to quality public library support in Vermont.
LSTA in Vermont is used to support:
Ask Congressman Welch to support this bill for full reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the LSTA funding. See below for more information.
Vermont librarians are welcome at the Citizens in a Connected Age workshop, December 11 at Castleton State College. A similar workshop will be given March 5, 2011 in Lyndonville. Vermont public librarians attending will receive 5 technology certification credits after completing an evaluation. Joanna Cummings of the Snelling Center for Government organized the workshop as the e-Vermont Community Coordinator. Libraries do not need to be part of the e-Vermont grant to attend.
Hello, all you creative librarians: The Collaborative Summer Library Program and the Vermont Department of Libraries are co-sponsoring a teen video challenge to make a Public Service Announcement promoting reading, libraries and the 2011 summer program, “You are Here,” a theme designed to promote awareness of other cultures and places as well as individual differences. Please let your teens know about this opportunity. States all over the country will be participating in this CSLP challenge, and there will be a winning video for each state. That video will be used as one of the official teen PSAs for next summer. The creator of the video will win $250 from CSLP, and the public library with which he/she is affiliated, will get $100.
The entry form, rules, downloadable brochures and other information are all available here: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/srp/childrenteen/teenvideocontest
The teens can work by themselves or as part of a library program. This is a great opportunity to showcase some Vermont talent!
Deadline for completing the video and getting the forms to me is: March 4, 2011