Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. Living in a democracy, it’s critical that we know what our rights are for our own protection and also to help others. What are your rights if you are stopped by the police? Or by Border Patrol or ICE? We will talk about the Fourth, Fifth, and Tenth Amendments to the US Constitution and how to keep yourself and others safe. Learn more about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do if your rights are violated. A Windsor Public Library event (Windsor County.) Led by Kira Kelley, chair of the Vermont National Lawyers Guild and a contract attorney with the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.
For more information, go to www.windsorlibrary.org/#knowyourrights
Legislators who attended:Â Steve Adams, Dick McCormack, Jim Masland, Mark Mitchell, Alice Nitka and Ernie Shand
Here was our agenda along with some notes:
Introductions and Welcome
Mary Danko : : Library Director, Weathersfield Proctor Library
Helen Bearse : : Patron, Weathersfield Proctor Library
Mary’s patron did not show up (she forgot!), but Mary was able to tell Helen’s story about how the library is impacting Helen’s young adult life. Translation: After reading “Twilight,†her reading took-off! Helen has read almost every YA book the library owns.
Confidentiality Statute
Debra Bullock Spackman : :Â Library Director, Norman Williams Library
Deb thanked the legislators for passing the Confidentiality Statute and asked for their continued support, especially since there are rumblings of repealing it. Deb also spoke about the Randolph case and had handouts, too.
Library Funding Issues
Jeremiah Kellogg : : Regional Librarian & Consultant, VT. Dept. of Libraries
Debra Bullock Spackman : :Â Library Director, Norman Williams Library
Jeremiah spoke about how libraries creatively get money for operating expenses and for capital improvements – like bathrooms! Deb spoke about the bill for state funding that the legislators saw last year and that while we won’t be asking for money this year, to please keep us in mind in the near future. Mary piped in with the importance of DOL and all they do for libraries, especially her little library. And Deb added that big libraries need DOL, too!
Library Usage in Tough Economic Times
Elaine Caffrey : : Library Director, Hartland Public Library
Elaine talked about the value of libraries and had some great handouts for the attendees. Deb talked about how her library has had to have major cutbacks. Mary talked about how fuel and postage costs are greatly affecting some libraries.
Last Questions and Farewell
Alice Nitka asked if besides computer use, was book usage up as well? We all were able to respond yes. All the legislators were very positive about the mission of Vermont libraries and were grateful that we had the breakfast to let them know what we were all up to.
**A personal note: This was my first legislative get-together that I ever attended and I hosted it! It was really quite easy, fun and very worthwhile. Thanks to everyone who made phone calls to their legislators. Any communication by librarians to their reps is great reminder to them that we are out there working hard for our communities.