VTLIB Website Features New Content, Improved Navigation

The Department of Libraries' (VTLIB) brand new website launched at the beginning of this month, and it features new information and new ways to get at popular content.

VTLIB is often asked about forms for many different programs we facilitate. All of those forms are now available in one place: http://libraries.vermont.gov/forms.

Curious about an upcoming class or event? Those are readily accessible from the front page. Continuing Education classes can be found here:

http://libraries.vermont.gov/events/month?field_event_type_tid=595. State government events can easily be found here, in a handy list: http://libraries.vermont.gov/events/list.

A nice feature is the Video Tour of the New Website, which walks viewers through many features of the new website: http://libraries.vermont.gov//video_tour.

The site also features a front page link to the current newsletter, as well as easy access to previous issues. If you enjoy reading the Department of Libraries Newsletter but missed an issue, you can find it here: http://libraries.vermont.gov/dol_news.

Take the tour and explore the new website. Feedback can be sent through this handy new form by clicking "Contact Us" on the front page: http://libraries.vermont.gov/contact_us.

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Promote Financial Literacy with Money Smart Week, April 18-25

All Vermont libraries are invited to participate in Money Smart Week, the week of April 18-25, 2015. Created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, this is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance from establishing a budget to first time home buying to estate planning. This is a golden opportunity for libraries to participate in a highly visible, nationwide campaign, with lots of free publicity surrounding it. Jump in and generate some buzz about how libraries -- academic, public, and school -- are making a difference in Vermonters' lives.

What can libraries do to participate?

• Develop programming focused on personal finances
• Highlight and display materials in the library's collection that focus on personal finance
• Provide links to financial literacy websites, such as https://federalreserveeducation.org/ or http://www.mymoney.gov
• Provide informational handouts on personal finances, some of which can be obtained here: http://promotions.usa.gov/cfpbpubs.html#money

Some excellent resources are available at the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer's Financial Literacy website. Looking for speakers? Search by county on the Clearinghouse section of the site, which focuses on financial education. Want some library-specific resources? Try the Librarian Book Exercises in the section entitled Reading is an Investment.

Public libraries in particular will see this as a great opportunity to do some high-visibility adult programming, but academic and school libraries can also provide programming and information to help students (and faculty) better manage their money. It's never too early to start discussing financial decisions with kids and establish good habits they will carry with them throughout their life. Money Smart Week offers many classes and activities for younger kids, often including fun games and crafts centered on financial education. From starting a lemonade stand, to applying for student loans, to getting that first credit card, the Money Smart Week site has resources for kids.

Partnering libraries are encouraged to host their events during the week of April 18-25, 2015. Libraries can register at the Partners link on the Money Smart Week website. Listing programs on this site can ensure the widest possible publicity. Logos and other free promotional items are available to download and print. These materials can help create awareness for the week and publicize individual events.

Additional programming ideas and resources for libraries are available from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website. The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has also completed new financial literacy guidelines and best practices that will be helpful to all libraries: Financial Education in Libraries.

Contact Rob Geiszler at rob.geiszler@state.vt.us or (802) 786-3839 with any questions.

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Planned Giving Helps Support VT Libraries

Libraries across the state are smiling at Brattleboro's good news: a $1.2 million gift to Brooks Memorial Library this year. Local resident Ronald Read left the unrestricted gift in his will, the largest bequest the library has received since its founding in 1886.

Echoing national trends reported from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for FY 2012, public libraries are looking to sources beyond tax support. Libraries reported a 13.2 % increase in revenues from other sources. These resources include Friends contributions, endowments, annual donor drives, foundation revenue, and planned giving. Many libraries have created webpages and brochures that suggest ways to give. The Bixby Library in Vergennes offers information about charitable gifts and an invitation to connect with trustees, at bixbylibrary.org/WPBixby/uncategorized/planned-giving/.

The Vermont Community Foundation is a willing partner. Many boards have heard their presentations and some, like Kellogg Hubbard in Montpelier and Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, have joined their program. The Planned Giving Partnership Program is designed for smaller institutions, pairing them with the Foundation's expertise:

You gain access to our planned giving experts to help you explain the various options to your donors and arrange the appropriate gift vehicle. We handle all the administrative and investment functions, and at the death of the income beneficiary, the assets remaining in the account are transferred to a Donor Designated Fund for your organization.

Public libraries may also choose to have a webpage for donors hosted by professional donor services. Some examples are Network for Good, used by Blake Memorial Library (Corinth), Just Give, used by Manchester Community Library, and Razoo, used by Fletcher Free Library (Burlington).

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NELA Offers Leadership Training 

The New England Library Association (NELA) has announced the latest round of NELLS, the New England Library Leadership Symposium. Each New England state sends a minimum of four library professionals, paraprofessionals, or volunteers (trustees, Friends, etc.) for an intense week, August 3-7, of training with national library consultant Maureen Sullivan. The week offers discussion, meditation, and serious reading about leadership, in an informal setting in North Andover, MA. Funding is shared by the individual or their library and the state association. The state association also chooses a mentor to accompany and work with the group.

The August 2015 training is aimed at individuals in mid-career, with 3-15 years of experience. Applications and more information are available at nelib.org/advance-your-career/nells/. Individuals may nominate themselves. Apply now through March 20. In 2016, the New England Library Association plans to offer "NELLS 2" -- an opportunity for experienced librarians to meet together with Sullivan, exploring leadership from a more developed perspective.

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Take Your Child to the Library Day

Take Your Child to the Library Day is now in its fourth year, and many Vermont libraries are choosing to celebrate during the first week of March. This is a chance to showcase what libraries are doing for children and raise public awareness of the importance of library services to children. Participation is easy and all Vermont libraries are encouraged to join in. Any day can be Take Your Child to the Library Day -- there is still time to sign up!

Registration is free. Choose a day that works best for the community and encourage families and childcare providers to bring children to the library. Free artwork by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace is available to help with advertising. Events can be as simple as highlighting a regular story time or afterschool program, or libraries could hand out stickers, hold a library card sign-up day, or have a dance party in the children's room. The possibilities are endless!

Check out the official blog, Pinterest, or Facebook page for activity ideas and to see the growing list of participants nation-wide. Visit http://libraries.vermont.gov/services/children_and_teens/tycld 

for more resources and suggestions. 

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Summer Reading Workshops: Every Hero Has a Story 

Libraries across the country will celebrate reading this summer with the Collaborative Summer Reading Program (CSLP) theme of Heroes. February and March are an excellent time to start planning summer reading programs and activities. Youth Services Consultant Sharon Colvin will be leading two "Every Hero Has a Story" workshops next month: Friday, March 20 at Brown Public Library in Northfield, and Thursday, March 26 at Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington. Join colleagues to brainstorm program ideas, discover new resources, and learn about some great opportunities available to Vermont libraries. Materials from the workshops will be made available online.

Brown Public Library, Northfield, VT

Friday, March 20, 2015: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Registration deadline: March 12, 2015

Register online 

Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington, VT

Thursday, March 26, 2015: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Registration deadline: March 19, 2015

Register online