From the State Librarian

I knew that October would be a busy month. Just looking through this newsletter reminds me of all theactivity currently underway at the DOL. As I write this I am preparing to attend the annual fall conference of COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) by reading reports and communicating with folks at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, LYRASIS, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We rely on these national partners, along with OCLC, the American Library Association, the Pew Research Center, the Urban Library Council and others for research, advocacy, funding, and the advancement of libraries across the country and here in Vermont. Over the past three years our Department has developed new and strengthened relationships with local partners: The Department of Labor, the regional planning commissions, Vermont State Parks, the ECHO Center, the Vermont Telecommunications Authority, Sovernet Fiber Corporation, the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Snelling Center, the Vermont Council on Rural Development-and many others.

It's no secret that we can't do this alone. Our mission - and the mission of all Vermont libraries - is way too important. And in the 21st century our mission is rapidly expanding. We still provide reference and readers' advisory service but this work includes a myriad of digital and e-resources. Libraries remain institutions that support life-long learning and literacy, but we now include "digital literacy" as a core service. Libraries have always helped citizens get information about government services, but now we are primary gateways to e-Government. Along the way we are building new partnerships with non-profits, governmental entities, businesses, and home-grown community groups.  Read more 

On Saturday, November 19, 9am - 4pm at Lyndon State College join community leaders from around the state to share ideas and best practices for using online tools to create jobs, reinvent schools, attract visitors, improve civic involvement, and enliven Vermont communities. Anne Galloway of VtDigger.org will be the keynote speaker. Session topics include: Mobilizing Community Resources during Emergencies, a hands-on lab about digital tools for business, a showcase of how technology is expanding the classroom for 4-6th graders, a panel presentation on 21st century library services, and a preview of how town meetings can engage a wider audience. Registration is $20 and includes course offerings, refreshments and lunch.

Public librarians and members of the Vermont legal community gathered on October 19 for a day of training as part of the Access to Justice (A2J) project co-sponsored by Law Line of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Libraries, and the Vermont Supreme Court. The project, designed to assist self-represented litigants, is a pilot that will be launched next year in five selected public libraries across the state to help Vermont citizens who want to represent themselves in court. The project envisions computer kiosks providing access to legal information in participating libraries combined with periodically scheduled professional legal help.  The workshop included a review of the "Legal Landscape" - civil and criminal law, the Vermont court system, stages of law suits hearings, law suits, and settlements, legal resources in print and online, and legal reference.  Presenters included Rob Geiszler and Paul Donovan from the Department of Libraries, Chittenden County Clerk Chris Brock, Laura Bierley and Tom Barrett from Vermont Law Line, attorney Mary Ashcroft, and lawyer-librarian Cynthia Lewis from Vermont Law School.  These libraries are participating in the initial project: Brooks Memorial Library (Brattleboro), Fletcher Free Library (Burlington), St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Rutland Free Library, and the Aldrich Library in Barre.  

NTIA Broadband Awardees' Conference  

State Librarian Martha Reid attended the "Mid-Course Workshop for Broadband Awardees: Accelerating Deployments and Driving Toward Sustainability" held October 5-7 in Cleveland, sponsored by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Representatives from federal, state and local government, schools, libraries, non-profits and broadband service providers convened to get updates on BTOP and BIP grant projects, to network, and to learn about topics ranging from marketing to assessment. The workshop agenda is at: http://www.broadbandworkshop.org/  Read more. 

VLTA Conference: November 5 - Register Now

Now is the time for library trustees and library directors to register for the VLTA conference, "The Public Library: Value and Vision for the 21st Century," scheduled for Saturday, November 5 at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. The day begins with coffee and registration at 9:00 a.m. and will include a series of workshops, lunch and the annual "VLTA Quiz" with (fabulous) prizes.

This year the conference features Keynote Speaker Karen Marshall, appointed by Governor Shumlin as Chief of ConnectVT, an initiative to deploy broadband and mobile service across the state. Conference workshops will focus on Planned Giving, Strategic Planning, Policies and Legal Issues, Advocacy and Library Finance.

Cost for the day (includes coffee/snacks and lunch) is $20 for VLA/LTA members and $24 for non-members. Registration deadline: October 31. The agenda and registration form is available at: http://www.vermontlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/VLTA-Registration-form-2011.pdf 

 For more information, contact Christine Friese at 802-828-2714 / christine.friese@state.vt.us  

Button Up Vermont  Programming for Libraries

Do you love to help your neighbors save money? Are you excited about energy efficiency? Are you thrilled at the thought of making houses in your town more comfortable and affordable?

If the answer of any of these questions is YES then your library should consider hosting a Button Up Workshop in your community. It's easy, fun, and free! Read more.

Vermont librarians welcomed their New England colleagues to Burlington October 2-4 for the annual New England Library Association (NELA) conference. R. David Lankes, Director of the Information Institute at Syracuse University, gave a true keynote address highlighting the reasons why librarians should feel proud about the work they do and urging audience members to think BIG. Notable ideas from his address include: (1) INNOVATION is everyone's job; one never knows which innovation will change the world. He gave the example of the introduction of the "shot clock" in basketball, a coach's inspiration that turned the game into a competitive scoring battle. (2) Think PARTICIPANT and PARTICIPATORY - important for both library staff and for those who use the library. Dallas Public threw out the use of the words "customer" and "patron" and uses the term "neighbor." Read more.

Common Good Vermont Support for

Libraries and Nonprofits

Librarians, trustees and Friends will find much to appreciate in Common Good Vermont, a network for Vermont nonprofits. Their website at http://commongoodvt.org/ offers learning opportunities, news, and support. Training happens regularly and covers topics such as social networking, coaching, capital campaigns -- perfect for libraries. Events take place in Burlington, around the state, and via webinar. "Nonprofit 101" (http://commongoodvt.org/topic) has terse information on boards, planning, technology and managing volunteers. Browse there to read about the two biggest challenges facing boards today: finding good board members and finding good board leadership.

Lauren-Glenn Davitian created the Common Good network, which replaced VANPO (Volunteer and Non Profit Organizations of Vermont), and uses tagging, Twitter, Delicious, and Flickr to get out news and information. She is also a skilled facilitator and has made presentations as an advocate for free speech.

State Contracts Can Help Libraries Save Money

Many Vermont libraries use the discounts and free shipping available through book contracts negotiated by the State. Libraries and schools will also want to know about discounts available through the State of Vermont Office of Purchasing and Contracting, part of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services at:

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/currentcontracts 

Vermont Hosts Annual COSLINE Conference

Writing Contest for Grades 4-12

The Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont Center for the Book invite young readers in grades 4 - 12 to participate in Letters About Literature (LAL), a national reading and writing program of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.

To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, of any genre - fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, contemporary or classic - explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves.

There are three competition levels: Read more.

VPLF Offers Grants for Youth Services

Applications for the 2012 Winnie Belle Learned grants (Vermont Public Library Foundation) are now available. The deadline for submitting applications is January 20, 2012. Applications may be made in any amount up to $2,500. Read More.  

Graphic Novel Core Collection Bibliography

For libraries beginning a graphic novel collection or wanting to make sure they don't miss some great titles, the American Library Association has just the thing. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)'s Quicklist Consulting Committee recently released the "Children's Graphic Novel Core Collection," a bibliography divided into three age groups (k-2; 3-5 and 6-8). This tool will be updated annually to help librarians locate the best titles and most intriguing reads.

Teen Video Contest

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the Department of Libraries is launching the "2012 Teen Video Challenge," a national video competition for teens to get involved with reading and their public library's summer reading program. 

Vermont teens are invited to create a 30 to 90 second video with their unique interpretations of the 2012 teen slogan "Own the Night" in combination with reading and libraries. The idea is to involve teens in summer reading, before and during the summer months, by being part of the process. This is an opportunity for teens to showcase their creativity and have their ideas heard before a national audience.

Deadline for submission is Friday, March 2, 2012.The winning video will be selected by Vermont librarians at the March summer reading program workshops. That video will then be named one of the CSLP 2012 Teen Videos to promote summer reading nationwide. The winning Vermont teen will receive $275 and their associated public library will receive prizes worth $150 from CSLP and Upstart.

For full details about the Vermont/CSLP "2012 Teen Video Challenge" and to find out how to enter the competition, please visit:  http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/srp/childrenteen/teenvideocontest