Tag Archives: VTlib

WCAX–Vermont libraries helping in hard times

In case you missed it when it aired (finally!) on WCAX last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning… We have the interview with a Williston library patron who used our library regularly after losing his job. Martha Reid and I are also interviewed. Go to our website www.williston.lib.vt.us , you’ll find it on the right side of the front page. It is also available at www.wcax.com under the video gallery, “More Vermonters Check Out Libraries.”

Marti Fiske
President, Public Libraries Section – VLA
Director, Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
21 Library Lane
Williston, VT 05495
www.williston.lib.vt.us
802-878-4918
marti@williston.lib.vt.us

Heads up: National Library Week Broadcast on WCAX

Across the Fence on WCAX features National Library Week this Monday, April 13. Debbie Landauer and I talked up books for all ages (the list at http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/misc/natlibwk09.pdf), Listen Up! Vermont (since we’re both fans, and two of our books are on LUVt), and the CREATIVE VERMONT bookmarks (http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/srp/adult).

We hope the audience runs into your public library for all of these things!

Amy Howlett
Southeast Regional Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
amy.howlett@mail.dol.state.vt.us

Check Out the Parks Free!

State Parks and the Department of Libraries have created a free day pass for every public library in Vermont, granting free admission to Vermont state parks. Passes will be mailed to public libraries before opening day for the parks, which is May 25, 2009. Each library can set its own policies around circulation and use. For the full press release, http://governor.vermont.gov/tools/index.php?topic=GovPressReleases&id=3405&v=Article.

Amy Howlett
Vermont Department of Libraries
amy.howlett@mail.dol.state.vt.us

DOL Information about federal stimulus funds

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Libraries

Even before the “stimulus bill” was signed into law in February, librarians in Vermont and across the country were hard at work trying to make sure that some of this money gets to libraries. There are still many unanswered questions about this funding package and new information trickles in each week. DOL is in regular contact with State officials and also with the ALA Washington Office and other state library agencies and I will pass along news as it comes our way.

Some of the biggest money will come to the State of Vermont, in the “Stabilization Funds.” Most or all of that money that comes directly to the state will be directed to projects other than libraries. But there are other ARRA funding programs that are potential sources for us to tap. Read below for tips:

Public Libraries: make sure you are in communication with your town officials. Municipalities will receive a portion of the stabilization money and libraries could be eligible public projects.

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)

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→

Workforce Reduction at the Vermont Department of Libraries

To: The Vermont Library Community
From: Martha Reid, State Librarian
Date: March 17, 2009
Subject: Workforce Reduction at the Department of Libraries

The Department of Libraries has received calls and emails from many of you concerning state budget cuts. I hope this memo will help answer some of your questions and concerns:

Last Wednesday Secretary of Administration Neale F. Lunderville was joined by Agriculture Secretary Roger Allbee, Human Services Secretary Rob Hofmann, and Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood at a press briefing to discuss state workforce reduction proposals and the Administration’s counter offer to the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA.) As you know, the proposed position cuts are spread across state government and will have serious effects on services to Vermont citizens. The total workforce reduction plan for the Department of Libraries includes the loss of 4 positions: 3 positions proposed for FY10 and 1 position in FY09.

Please note: this is not an announcement of regional library closings.

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