From the Vermont State Librarian

Have you read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee? If so, you may be one of the thousands of readers who pre-ordered the book from Amazon or your local bookstore. Or perhaps you are reading a library copy of the book. Or, like me, you haven't started the book yet, but plan to read it soon. Unless you have been in the wilderness (and perhaps you have been), you will have heard the swirl of conversation and early debate about this sequel to the beloved classic To Kill a Mockingbird and its central character Atticus Finch. It appears that Finch has fallen off the literary pedestal. Is he a racist? A product of his times? A good man with a serious character flaw? A fictional character who reflects the complexities and contradictions of being human? I expect that readers, critics, writers and educators will be discussing this book and debating these questions for a long time -- I surely hope so.

This book, which has dominated the headlines during the week I am writing this column, strikes a nerve in America, and the timing of its publication is almost inspired. In a year when we have been witness to repeated instances of racial profiling and violence and the heated discussion and ultimate removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse, Watchman can do what all good literature does; it moves us to occupy another time and space and allows us to experience the events and emotions of others in order to gain new perspective and explore our own beliefs and feelings. Some books rock our world and we celebrate the fact that writers can do just that through their language, story, and characters.

This month Kent State University hosted an international conference, "Why the Humanities? Answers from the Cognitive and Neurosciences." It's a question that has been asked in many arenas and, according to the conference website, educators gathered in Ohio to explore "the contributions that humanities education makes to personal well being, responsible citizenship, and social justice." Among the "key cognitive and emotional capabilities" that are cited as important in humanities education (and, I would say, the reading of literature) are these: (1) Empathy, (2) Mind Reading, (3) Bias Correction, and (4) Self-Knowledge.

Librarians and readers of all ages know the transformative power of literature -- it's why we read. It's one reason why we value our local libraries and the diversity in their book collections. I haven't checked, but I assume that many Vermont libraries have purchased multiple copies of the new Harper Lee book to meet reader demand. I do know that some libraries have scheduled programming around this book, including displays, booklists, book discussions, and film screenings.

Summer is traditionally a time when readers choose "beach reading" fare and catch up on bestselling blockbusters. This year summer reading for many of us will also include Watchman and perhaps we will use some of our leisure hours by the lake or in the backyard to think more deeply about what makes us human -- about the ways we are both like and different from Atticus Finch, Scout, and the other characters in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, and about why that matters.

Happy reading!

Marty Reid 

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SCOOP Offers Discounts for VT Libraries 

Beginning this month the Department of Libraries joined Maine and New Hampshire in the SCOOP library discount cooperative, which now offers to all Vermont school, academic, public and special libraries discounts from a selected list of vendors and jobbers on the purchase of books, multi-media materials, library supplies and equipment, and library furniture. The Department has mailed letters to all Vermont libraries with detailed information on how libraries can take advantage of these discounts. The new SCOOP contract will end on June 30, 2018.

Information about the SCOOP program, including the new SCOOP Catalog, is available on the Maine State Library website at: http://www.maine.gov/msl/mrls/services/scoop.htm.

A list of SCOOP vendors and a link to the SCOOP site can be found on the Department of Libraries' website at: http://libraries.vermont.gov/services/SCOOP.

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Libraries to Host Health Connect Information Sessions  

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VT Friends Raise Funds, Advocate for Libraries

Want to learn what local Friends of the Library groups are up to? The list of Vermont Friends groups has been updated for 2015. Forty-nine public libraries around the state contributed information about the fundraising and advocacy activities of their Friends groups. In addition to annual appeals and the ever-popular book sales and raffles, these volunteer organizations are making community connections and supporting their libraries by visiting farmer's markets, writing grants, and hosting whist parties, cookie walks, and garden tours. Funds raised have helped sponsor events such as author visits and Humanities Council speakers, or provided new furnishings, books, summer reading incentives, and music programs.

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New Legislation: Serving Beer & Wine in Public Libraries  

Prior to the Vermont legislature's recent passage of Bill S.138, public libraries could serve alcoholic beverages at library events only under the umbrella of a licensed commercial catering business. Now the law has changed: Vermont public libraries and museums will be permitted to serve beer or wine at a "charitable or educational event" as long as they comply with the requirements of the new law and have an approved permit from the Liquor Control Board of the Vermont Department of Liquor Control (DLC). Libraries should take note that S.138 was passed in the latest legislative session and the new law has not yet been published in the Vermont Statutes. For the upcoming year libraries should anticipate a period of transition as DLC works through the new application, permitting and provisions as they apply to S.138.

Bill S.138: Economic development; commerce and trade; natural resources; liquor control

(Section 39)

"'Public library or museum permit:' a permit granted by the Liquor Control Board permitting a public library or museum to serve malt beverages or vinous beverages, or both, by the glass to the public for a period of not more than six hours during an event held for a charitable or educational purpose, provided that the event is approved by the local licensing authority. A permit holder may purchase malt beverages or vinous beverages directly from a licensed retailer. A permit holder shall be subject to the provisions of this title and the rules of the Board regarding the service of alcoholic beverages. A request for a permit shall be submitted to the Department [of Liquor Control/DLC] in a form required by the Department at least five days prior to the event and shall be accompanied by the permit fee required by subdivision 231(a)(24) of this title. As used in this section, "public library" has the same meaning as in 22 V.S.A. §101 and "museum" has the same meaning as in 27 V.S.A. §1151."

Bill S.138 states that a library wishing to serve "malt beverages or vinous beverages" (beer or wine) must complete and submit an application to the DLC. The application requires the library to be in compliance with the following:

• Each licensee shall ensure that every employee who is involved in the preparation, sale, service or solicitation of alcoholic beverages must complete a training program offered or approved by the DLC. The training seminar can either be taken online for $25.00 or in person for free at one of the classes offered around the state. Each licensee shall maintain written documentation, signed by each employee trained. For more information on the seminars, contact Angela Newland: angela.newland@state.vt.us.
• No licensee shall permit an individual less than eighteen years of age to be involved in the preparation, sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption, either on a paid or voluntary basis.
• No licensee that sells or distributes malt or vinous beverages to the public may accept free malt or vinous beverages, services, monetary payments or other things of value from a manufacturer, nor purchase malt or vinous beverages below the uniform price charged by the bottler or wholesale dealer. Only malt and vinous beverages purchased on invoice from a licensed wholesale dealer may be used.
• No licensee shall allow consumption of alcoholic beverages in any open area or in connection with licensed premises, without first obtaining an outside consumption permit from the local control commissioners and approval of the State Liquor Control Board. It was also the legislative intent for libraries and museums to serve alcohol only at their place of business. Anywhere other than that specific location would require a licensed caterer to furnish and serve the alcohol.
• Any licensee that is serving alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption shall post in a prominent place where alcoholic beverages are served, a sign with the words: "Do You Have a Designated Driver?"

To meet all requirements under the new law, libraries should begin the permitting process by downloading and completing an application, submitting it to the Town/City Clerk with the appropriate fee ($20), and waiting for approval and a permit. The time required for approval and permit will depend on each individual application, so libraries would be wise to file an application as far ahead of an event as possible. The official library and museum permit application form will soon be available on the Department of Liquor Control's website.

For additional questions about S.138 or license requirements, libraries should contact the DLC:

Department of Liquor Control

http://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/

Vermont Department of Liquor Control Forms

http://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/licensing/forms

Questions about the Vermont Department of Liquor Control Training Seminars

Angela Newland: angela.newland@state.vt.us

Vermont Laws and Statutes Related To Alcohol and Tobacco

http://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/enforcement/laws

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Public Legal Reference Shifts to Law School   

The Vermont Legislature approved a new appropriation of $67,000 in the Department of Libraries' FY16 budget to be used as a pass-through grant to the Vermont Law School to provide legal reference service to the public. The appropriation was made as a result of the end of funding for the Law Library at the Vermont State Library. The grant funds will go to the Julien and Virginia Cornell Library at the Law School and will be used to purchase print and electronic legal resources and for staff to handle legal questions from Vermont attorneys, Vermont citizens, and Vermont libraries. The Law School will install an "Ask a Law Librarian" phone line to assist citizens and local libraries with questions and they expect to have this new program in place in September. Once these new services are up and running at the Law School, the Department of Libraries will help with getting the word out to Vermonters and to local libraries.

The State Library in Montpelier will retain part of its existing print law collection, and will continue to add Vermont law materials and legislative history as part of the state documents collection. However, the State Library has ended most legal reference service and will no longer have staff or public access to the Westlaw legal databases.

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