From the Vermont State Librarian

I've been doing some serious thinking about the future of library service in Vermont and much of my thinking comes as a result of a "perfect storm" of three separate, but interrelated, documents: (1) An Independent Evaluation of Vermont's Implementation of the Library Services and Techology Act 'Grants to States' Program, 2008-2012, issued in March by Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultants; (2) a new strategic plan that I am writing as part of the State of Vermont planning process; and (3) our new LSTA 5-year Plan, 2013-2017 (due to the Institute of Museum and Library Services/IMLS in June.) Where should the Department of Libraries spend its time and money in the next five years? What are our priorities for service? Who are our major stakeholders and partners and how do we work together to achieve desired outcomes? How do we structure our organization so that we can respond to the everchanging landscape of technology, new trends in library service, and the needs of our state's citizens and our state government? How do we balance our vision with current and projected economic challenges? And how do we measure our success and the impact of library services and programs?

We heard from many of you who took part in an online survey, interviews, or focus groups in the Independent Evaluation and your feedback will help to inform our future work. I want to thank all of you who participated in this process and encourage all of you who care about the work of the Department of Libraries to read the report: http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/VTLSTAEvaluation2008-2012.pdf

Our stakeholders reported that they want us to:

(1)   Improve resource sharing: (a) replace the Vermont Automated Library System (VALS); (b) develop a statewide delivery system for interlibrary loan; and (c) implement a statewide library catalog/library card.

(2)   Continue the Vermont Online Library, but expand its offerings, develop good marketing tools and resources, provide continuous training opportunities, and make it universal.

(3)   Continue support for programs and services directed at youth and families, with a focus on summer reading for kids and early literacy;

(4)   Develop a strong library workforce through continuing education and other opportunities for professional development.  

I agree that our focus should be on the "big picture" with projects designed to have real impact on the lives of our citizens. We cannot ignore this statement from the Himmel & Wilson report (pg. 25-26): "Reading the State Program Reports (SPRs) [these are the annual reports that DOL sends to IMLS] took the evaluators back 20 years to a time when libraries had card catalogs and were highly dependent on centralized reference service and regional consultants. Vermont's libraries will surely struggle for survival unless there is a radical reinvention of service delivery modes." So, in addition to the items listed above, you can be sure that we will continue our focus on broadband expansion, public access to the Internet, public library automation, the Catamount Library Network and digital literacy. We will work to strenghten our partnerships and know that advocacy and sustainable funding for libraries are an important part of the mix. Teresa Faust, Head of our Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, said it very well - and created a motto that we will use in the coming year: "Libraries transform lives . . . and DOL transforms libraries."

Martha Reid

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 DOL Employees Honored

Google Computers Big Hit in Vermont Libraries

A Feast for the Census (Users)

On April 2, the National Archives released 3.8 million digital pages of data from the 1940 Census, the single largest collection of digital information they have ever made available online. Their server received 22.5 million hits in the first three hours of operation and by that afternoon, it had received 37 million hits - before it crashed. Now that the dust has settled and there are fewer users, the database (1940census.archives.gov) is more easily accessible and details of the lives of U.S. residents including information on income, education and occupation provide a glimpse of life in 1940.

In 1940 the United States was a different place. The country was emerging from the Great Depression, and troubling events were occurring in Europe which would ultimately lead to the U.S. entry into World War II. The population in 1940 was 132 million compared to today's 309 million (July 1, 2010 est.). Vermont's 1940 population stood at 363,000 (July 1, 1940 est.) and has grown to 626,431 (2011 est.).

Education levels were substantially lower. In 1940, only 8,388 Vermonters 25 years or older had four years of college or more; according to the American Community Survey, in 2009, 33.1 percent (approx. 208,000) of Vermonters had a college education.

The median annual wage for men was $956 dollars, and for women $592. In the 2010 Census, the median salary was just over $33,000 for men and $24,000 for women.

On or about the date of October 10, 1952, the director of the Census Bureau and the National Archivist agreed that keeping census records private for 72 years balanced public release of federal records with the tradition of confidentiality...72 years was longer than most lifespans. This restriction was made law in 1978 (92 Stat. 915; Public Law 95-416, October 5, 1978). Census records are still confidential under the "Seventy-Two Year Rule" but may still be accessed by the named person, their heirs or legal representatives. There is more information about accessing those records here.

Circulation Continues to Increase in Libraries

The Vermont Public Library Statistics 2012 Annual Report has been released in print. There's some good news. Despite the economy, tax appropriations increased by 4.57%. Libraries were open 2.72% more hours. Although there were fewer registered borrowers, circulation continues to increase, up by 3.05%. Unfortunately there is some not so good news, as well. The number of visits to libraries, the number of registered borrowers and the collection expenditures are all down (-2.51%, -1.40% and -5.40% respectively).

Comparisons from year to year can be helpful, but also comparisons of Vermont with the rest of the country can be effective in showing how Vermont libraries are meeting the needs of our people. For example, Vermont ranks first in the nation in the amount of "other" (non-tax) funds raised by our library boards and Friends' groups. Vermont ranks third in the nation in terms of the number of print materials owned per capita.

The information in the Report is there because library directors have gone to the trouble to input data. The data isn't reported only to the Vermont Department of Libraries, it also goes to the Institute of Museum and Library Services to be included in national reports, as well. View the full report at harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/Publications/pls2009.pdf. To see Vermont's library statistics: libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/stats/plstats.

The following graphs show where the money comes from, and how it's spent:

Social Networking with Library Friends

Friends enjoyed proposing answers to anonymous questions in the afternoon. The Department of Libraries will publish the full list later.

Question:   Our Friends don't want to do anything different from the last twenty years. They block attempts by new members to try new ways to support the library. It's hard to recruit new members because the word is out about how difficult this group can be to work with.

Answers:  A) We found a lot of naysayers when a small group proposed an Annual Golf Tournament to raise money. A small separate group took on the challenge, and it's one of our big successes now, in its third year. The people who do the golf tournament are different than those that attend our other fundraisers.  B)  We set up term limits in our Friends bylaws. That's helped encourage new members. The longest one person can serve is nine years. C) Ask a representative of the younger group membership to take a role on the board. Each of our board members has some assigned responsibilities, and that makes it easier to involve new people.

Question:   How do we sell ourselves as a viable, interesting, worthwhile group to join and actively participate in?

Answers:  A) Facebook and other social media may work. B) Word of mouth is probably the strongest attractor in our town. C)  We do Bring a Guest day. D)  People who use the library regularly are natural targets for Friends recruitment. E)  We send Friends in pairs to the organizational meetings of other groups in town to spread the word.

 For more information about Friends issues in Vermont, contact Rob Geiszler ([email protected]) or Amy Howlett ([email protected]).

Scholarships to Attend Association for Rural & Small Libraries Conference

The Vermont Department of Libraries is pleased to offer scholarships for 2 Vermont public librarians to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 27 -29, 2012. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn and share practical knowledge, skills, and connections with other rural library staff from across the country.

What are the eligibility criteria? Recipients must:

• Work in a Vermont public library which serves a population of 10,000 or less and which met Minimum Standards for Vermont Public Libraries last year.
• Have an MLS, or Vermont Public Librarian Certification, or be actively working toward certification
• Not have attended an ARSL conference in the past 10 years.
• Agree to write a one-page article for the October DOL newsletter
• Agree to report on the conference within 12 months at a DOL workshop or webinar (date to be determined)
• Receive prior approval from the Library Director (when applicable) and the Chair of the Library Board of Trustees to attend the conference

What will the scholarship cover?

The Department will work with recipients to register for the conference and to arrange air transportation and hotel. Transportation to and from airports will be reimbursed. The scholarships will cover up to $1500 per person.

All Vermont scholarship recipients will be required to pay for membership in ARSL in order to register for the conference at the member rate.

What is required for the scholarship application?

Applicants must use the official ARSL Conference Scholarship Application. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2012 (postmark date).

For information about the conference go to: http://arsl.info/category/conference2/

Download the application in pdf format or Word format

For other scholarship questions, contact Christine Friese at: [email protected] or 802-828-2714.

In addition, ARSL offers its own scholarships for which Vermont librarians may wish to apply. Details can be found on the conference site: http://arsl.info/category/conference2/

Teen from Lincoln Wins Statewide Video Contest

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) announced the winners of the 2012 Teen Video Challenge at its annual meeting in April. In its second year, the Teen Video Challenge is a national competition for teens to get involved with reading and their public library's summer reading program. 

This year the teens focused on the CSLP 2012 slogan, "Own the Night."  Each participating state selected one video to be named the official CSLP Teen Video Challenge state winner for 2012. Twenty-three states and over one hundred teens participated in the creation of the videos.

Vermont's winner is Andrew Rainville, a junior at Mount Abraham High School in Bristol, who will receive a $275 check from CSLP. In addition to his own prize money, Andrew won $100 plus a $50 gift certificate from Highsmith for his sponsoring library, the Lincoln Library; Debi Gray, Library Director.  Andrew's winning video was selected by the participants at the two summer reading program workshops that DOL had in March, one in Northfield and one in Ludlow. Although all five of the submissions got votes, Andrew's was the runaway favorite in both groups.

To view this year's winning videos, visit CSLP's website http://www.cslpreads.org/programs/young-adult-program/teen-video-challenge/2012-teen-video-winners.html.  The videos can be used by all public libraries to promote summer reading nationwide.

Vermont Librarian Honored 

Sharon Hayes Receives 2012 VSLA Award

At their annual meeting in May the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) presented Sharon Hayes, Librarian at the Folsom Education and Community Center in South Hero, with their annual Award for "outstanding contribution to school libraries and the library community in Vermont."  

In her remarks, School Media Specialist Erikka Adams, said, "Sharon has made a huge impact on her school and its community. Her library is described as a "professional, inviting" place "integrated with technology." According to one of her colleagues, she "is always thinking of ways to improve students' ability to learn and perform using books and technology." And she does this with energy, passion and a whole lot of persistence. Her Principal and colleagues also described her as fearless, innovative, and resourceful.

Between her digital citizenship class, classroom collaborations, school wide social justice programs and events, and her two after-school clubs, Sharon still finds time to write grants. She is a mentor to new librarians, runs afterschool technology groups for students and parents, and serves on the district technology committee. Congratulations, Sharon!

New in The Library Science Collection @The State Library

Gunnels, Claire B. Joint Libraries: Models That Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.

Materials Review, Spring 2012 [videorecording] / prepared and presented by the Vermont Department of Libraries. South Burlington, VT: RETN Media Center, 2012.

Maxwell, Nancy Kalikow. Grant Money through Collaborative Partnerships. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.

McAdoo, Monty L. Fundamentals of Library Instruction. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.

Pinnell-Stephens, June. Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your Public Library: Scenarios from the Front Lines. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.

Spratford, Becky Siegel. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.