From the Vermont State Librarian

At the end of September librarians, booksellers, authors and readers in Vermont and across the nation marked the 30^th anniversary of Banned Books Week, an annual event which celebrates the freedom to read and which reminds us all that there are plenty of folks out there who would deny us that right through acts of censorship. In Montpelier, the Vermont ACLU and Bear Pond Books sponsored "An Evening Without ... Giving Voice to the Silenced" which featured readings by some of our most distinguished Vermont writers from books which have been subject to intellectual freedom challenges - books which have been pulled from the shelves of school and public libraries because someone found the content offensive. It was a real pleasure, and a powerful experience, to listen to passages read from books written by Mark Twain, George Orwell, John Steinbeck, Toni Morrison, Vermont's own Katherine Paterson and others. Surely all of us in the audience that night agreed that these books are treasures - to be widely read and freely available to all readers. We love these books and writers and are outraged that such writing would ever be forbidden. We understand that the freedom to read is essential in a democracy; after all, librarians work every day to uphold the principles of intellectual freedom. But this work is not always easy and it is tempting for us to feel a bit smug when we stand up to those who would censor great works of literature. Many of us would call it a "no brainer" to come to the defense of such books as The Grapes of Wrath or Elie Wiesel's Night. But some book challenges may find us bumping up against our own personal biases, and that's when our work is the most important.

Before coming to Vermont I worked in public libraries in Virginia, Connecticut and Colorado, and over the course of my career I have addressed many complaints and challenges from local residents about items on library shelves. Thinking back across the years it's actually rather shocking to remember just how many times this has happened and to recall the complaints, usually about children's books ("bad" language, witchcraft, "poor values"...) or sexual content in adult novels. I have been asked to remove books, put warning labels on book covers, hide books behind the circulation desk and excise "just" part of the content. I have met and talked with angry and upset people, and have calmed the nerves of town officials and library trustees. The most troubling cases for me have been when complainants demand that a book be removed from the library because they don't agree with the writer's ideas or opinions and want to "protect" others from those ideas. These readers understand the power of words, but rather than seeing the need for the diversity of ideas and opinions in a free society, they view certain expressions as dangerous or unsavory. My response has always been this: our library collections represent society as a whole. Just as our world presents us with a myriad of ideas, viewpoints, opinions and forms of expression, so should a library collection. How else can we become informed citizens? How else can we become critical thinkers? How else can we learn about and understand what others have thought or experienced? Much has been written about the "censorship" that occurs when librarians engage in book selection and collection development. After all, we have limited budgets and can't buy everything. Choices must be made. This is fodder for great discussion but the tenor of the debate has changed forever now that we have the wonder of the World Wide Web in our libraries. Talk about a diverse collection! Every library should have a good collection development policy and every librarian should know and use ALA's Intellectual Freedom Manual and be well prepared to respond to even the toughest of challenges with clarity, resolve and thoughtful understanding. We defend the right for these books to be read while also supporting the rights of our citizens to express their opinions - for and against - the materials found on our library shelves.

This is especially true - and difficult -- when we find ourselves in the position of defending books which we do not like or when we find ourselves deep in community controversy. I learned about the difficulties of defending intellectual freedom early in my library career when the director of our rural Virginia library system was asked to include the newsletter of the local Ku Klux Klan in our library collection. Our collection policy stated that we collected newsletters from local organizations and, following a review, the decision was made to put it on our shelf. As I recall, it was not a unanimously embraced decision, but in the end the newsletter was there for all to read freely and judge for themselves. As the Collection Manager for a large county library system near Denver it was my job to respond to all challenges and complaints. Not long after the tragedy at Columbine High School I received a complaint from a local school principal who had discovered our library's copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook during a search of student lockers. As you can imagine, community feelings about school violence and the safety of children ran high at the time. All of us on the library staff were deeply affected by the Columbine experience and certainly did not want to see any further violence. I appointed a committee to read and review the book (which includes "recipes" for such things as homemade bombs) and I talked with the school principal. In the end the book stayed on the library shelf.

My most difficult challenge came when I received a book challenge about Pictures, a collection of explicit and provocative photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe. Once again I formed a review committee and we went to work: reading the book, checking reviews and talking with a range of people, including the man who filed the formal complaint and other community members. Some of us found the photos deeply disturbing and difficult to view and we had a heated discussion. The library collection policy stated that we would keep a comprehensive collection of the works of major American photographers, and in the end we defended the book's place in our collection. Our branch libraries collectively held over a million volumes and we believed that part of our mission was to be a source of materials for smaller libraries across the state. The issue spilled out to a meeting of the county commissioners and when the complainant made a personal threat against me, the library director made the decision to pull the book from the shelf. That was a difficult episode but in the end I had to respect the director's decision. In his place I might have done the same. But I am still proud of the thoughtful and considered work of that review team. Putting our own personal views aside, we were able to make an objective decision concerning the merit of the book as part of our library collection. We had good policies and procedures in place and these informed our work so that we were responsible to the library and our patrons and to the higher standards of intellectual freedom. We all know that democracy can be messy, and my own experience with library book challenges supports that. But in the end I firmly defend the right of citizens to express their opinions about what we put on our library shelves - and the absolute need for librarians to take a leading stance to defend the freedom to read.

To read more about Banned Books Week, see: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek

Regards,

Martha Reid

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New Content for the Vermont Online Library

Have you used the Vermont Online Library lately? If so, you will know that we recently added some spectacular new content from Gale: Science in Context; PowerSpeak (5 new languages: Italian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and ESL for Mandarin speakers), and Chilton Library (Chilton's Auto Repair database, including animations, video content and advanced diagnostics). Purchased with federal LSTA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, these new resources have been made available to 2012 VOL member libraries at no additional cost.

The Vermont Online Library is a collection of online licensed content and information databases available to Vermont libraries by annual subscription and includes a wide variety of Gale resources for citizens and students of all ages - for use in the library or from home, school or workplace. Content includes extensive full-text periodical databases, homework help for students, the Health and Wellness Resource Center and Alternative Health Module, newspapers from around the world, Biography in Context, Opposing Viewpoints, Business Insights, the Small Business Resource Center, Career Transitions, a library of Gale e-books, and much more. The Department of Libraries coordinates the Vermont Online Library with funding from the State of Vermont, federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, and membership fees from Vermont libraries.

There will be NO price increase for 2013 membership and registration forms for January 1 - December 31, 2013 for academic, public libraries and school libraries are now available at: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/vol . Membership deadline for school libraries is October 15, 2012. Membership deadline for academic and public libraries is November 1, 2012. For more information, contact Renee Ancel at renee.ancel@state.vt.us .

To learn more about the new resources, visit the Gale Cengage website:

Science in Context:  http://www.gale.cengage.com/InContext/science.htm

PowerSpeak Languages:http://powerspeak.dev.biznetis.net/about-online-language-learning/

ChiltonLibrary: http://www.gale.cengage.com/ChiltonLibrary/

The Department of Libraries offers training for library staff on use of the databases included in the Vermont Online Library. The current schedule of our continuing education offerings is available at: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/ce. For more information about training, contact Mara Siegel at: mara.siegel@state.vt.us.

Members of the Vermont Online Library Selection Committee include Peter Spitzform (UVM); Laura Crain (St. Michael's College); Joe Farara (Johnson State College); Dan Greene (U-32 Middle/HIgh School, E. Montpelier); Sue Monmaney (Montpelier High School), Maria Forman (Twinfield Union School, Plainfield); Amy Grasmick (Kimball Public Library, Randolph), Emily Zervas (Rockingham Free Public Library), Deb Bullock Spackman (Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock), Gerrie Denison (Vermont Department of Libraries), Sheila Kearns (Vermont Department of Libraries), and Martha Reid (State Librarian).

VLTA 2012 - Trustees & Friends Together Again

The annual conference of the Vermont Library Trustees Association will take place on the campus of the Vermont Technical College on Saturday, November 3. This day of speakers and workshops provides learning and networking opportunities for Vermont's public library trustees. This year members of Vermont's Friends Groups are also encouraged to attend as we talk about Best Practices in finances, governance and advocacy.

The keynote speaker is Sally Gardner Reed, Executive Director of United for Libraries, the division of the American Library Association serving library trustees, friends groups and others who "govern, promote, advocate, and fund raise for all types of libraries." Sally is a dinamic speaker and former Vermont librarian as well. Sally knows Vermont, sees the trends affecting libraries across the country and has much to share with the Friends and Trustees who help our libraries remain vibrant learning, entertainment and community spaces.

Workshops following the keynote will focus on strengthening our public libraries through effective financial management and community advocacy; the Open Meeting Law in the 21^st century; an update on the VLA Personnel report; and more. Both new and experienced trustees are encouraged to attend with some programs suited to both and time to share with others from all over the state.

IMLS Approves New Five-Year Plan

 State Librarian Martha Reid received word in September from Susan Hildreth, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), that the Vermont LSTA Five Year-Plan, 2013-2017 has been approved. The Department of Libraries, like all U.S. state library agencies, receives federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds to support programs and services that meet LSTA priorities and purposes. IMLS administers the "Grants to States" program and oversees the required planning and reporting processes. In FFY2012 the Vermont Department of Libraries received $919,668 in LSTA funds. The program requires maintenance of effort (MOE) funds from the State of Vermont as well as matching funds. These federal LSTA funds are critical for VTLIB programs, including: the Vermont Online Library, the Vermont Automated Library System (VALS) and statewide library resource sharing, the library development program of consulting and continuing education, the annual summer reading program for children, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and services purchased from OCLC. To read the new plan, see: http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/Vermont%20LSTA%20Plan%202013-2017%20%282%29.pdf

Small VT Public Libraries Getting Web Sites

In an initiative to promote digital literacy skills among Vermont citizens, the Vermont Department of Libraries has been assisting public libraries throughout the state with building websites that meet a basic 21^st Century standard. Maintaining a web presence has become a crucial part of library services and a common expectation of library users. It is from the library's website that patrons access services like Universal Class, an online continuing education program, and the genealogy research database Heritage Quest, both of which are provided for free to VT citizens through the Department of Libraries. Websites also act as a gateway to downloadable eBooks and audio books through services offered by the Department of Libraries, like OneClickdigital, or through the Green Mountain Library Consortium, like Listen Up! Vermont. Library catalogs are now online and available anywhere there is internet or mobile network access. Websites are the portal for accessing these automated catalogs.

This project began in the spring of 2012 with the understanding that small rural libraries in Vermont typically don't have staff, time, or money to develop and maintain a library website. Using the free blogging site Wordpress.com, the Vermont Department of libraries developed a template that would serve as a 21^st Century standard, yet would be simple to use and not require much time to maintain. Upon the completion of the template, a Department of Libraries Development Consultant began contacting each library in the state and offering to visit for a 2 hour session where a website would be built and training would be done. As of the end of September, 30 libraries have had new websites, and many more libraries have had phone consultations on basic web design. By the end of November all 183 public libraries in the state will have been contacted to discuss their needs and the project will conclude. Two examples of libraries that have taken advantage of this project can be found at: http://poultneypubliclibrary.com and  http://starksborolibrary.wordpress.com.

Vermont Digital Newspaper Project Reaches Milestone

In January 2012, the VTLIB News ran an article describing the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project (VTDNP) and the remarkable resources emerging from that "Phase I" effort. Phase I of the Project, announced in the VTLIB News of June 2010 and in press releases from UVM in June and July 2010, was successfully concluded on August 31, but fortunately it's not the end of the story. The Project has been awarded an additional grant of $300,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue a "Phase II" beginning September 1, announced July 26.

The first Phase resulted in nearly 130,000 pages of Vermont newspapers between 1836 and 1922 being included in the Library of Congress' Chronicling America database - all full-text searchable. Phase II goals include digitization of 100,000 additional pages and their addition to Chronicling America. For Phase II, the VTDNP will focus on newspapers chosen for inclusion in the Project but not digitized (due to finite funding), newspapers from unrepresented counties in Vermont, anti-slavery and abolitionist papers, and newspapers from French and Italian populations in Vermont.

A collaborative effort involving UVM Libraries, the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury, the Vermont Historical Society (VHS), the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) and the Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB), the Project maintains a blog, and a Facebook™ page, and has produced a video providing information about the VTDNP and the National Digital Newspaper Project (NDNP), which administers the projects nationally - $39 million dollars in awards for 244 projects. VTDNP presentations and tutorials can be found here.

The Vermont newspapers being added to the Chronicling America database help ensure that Vermont's past will be accessible to historians, researchers, and the merely curious - free - from their own personal computers; the fact that the newspapers are fully searchable is a dream come true for anyone interested in Vermont's history, their hometown histories, or the history of their own ancestors. We may not all be historians, but we all have a history which we can now access, understand, reclaim - and share.

Upcoming Programs of Library Interest

The Vermont Historical Society (VHS) has announced two upcoming programs that have special interest for libraries. Public libraries that house local historical collections should take special note.

"Power of the Past"

Friday, November 2, 2012, 8:30 a.m., North Universalist Chapel, Woodstock.

Keynote speaker is Rolf Diamant: "Four Months that Changed America: When a War for the Union Became a War for a More Perfect Union." Workshops include "Digitizing for Small Collections."

"Archives on a Shoestring" Unconference

Monday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. Vermont History Center, Barre.

Sponsored by VHS and the VT Historical Records Advisory Board, this tech-oriented "unconference" will feature several VT archivists who will demonstrate use of social media and tools such as Flickr, a catablog, Omeka and Collective Access. There will be opportunities for other discussions related to archives and technology.

For more information, and to register for one or both of these events, go to the VHS website: www.vermonthistory.org or call (802)-479-8516.

Teen Video Contest for Summer Reading

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the Department of Libraries are launching the "2013 Teen Video Challenge", a national video competition designed to get teens involved with reading and their public library's summer reading program. 

Vermont teens, ages 13-18, are invited to create a 30 to 90 second video with their own interpretation of the 2013 teen slogan "Beneath the Surface" 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. Videos may be created by an individual or by a group

Deadline for submission is Thursday, February 28, 2013. The winning video will be selected by Vermont librarians in an online poll. That video will then be named one of the CSLP 2013 Teen Videos to promote summer reading nationwide. The winning Vermont teen will receive $275 and their associated public library will receive an award.

For full details about the Vermont/CSLP "2013 Teen Video Challenge" and to find out how to enter the competition, please visit: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/srp/childrenteen/teenvideocontest 

2012 ARLS Conference Highlights

The 2012 Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) annual conference was held in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 27 - 29. For those that are unfamiliar with ARSL, the organization was created in 1982 by Dr. Bernard Varek, Director of the Center for Rural Librarianship at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. In 2007 the organization became an independent entity and an ALA Affiliate. The ARSL mission states that it "...believes in the value of rural and small libraries and strives to create resources and services that address national, state and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities."

Through a competitive grant process, the Department was able to send two public library directors to the ARSL conference in Raleigh. The grant recipients for the 2012 ARSL conference were Sarah Costa, Director of the Calef Memorial Library in Washington and Margaret Woodruff, Director of the Charlotte Library and one VTLIB representative, Michael Roche. The theme of the conference was "Celebrate Libraries" and was co-hosted by the North Carolina State Library which was celebrating its 200^th anniversary.

The ARSL keynote speaker was mystery writer Margaret Maron. Conference attendees also heard from Susan Hildreth, Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Dr. Ron Carlee, Chief Operating Officer for the International City/County Management Association. With an attendance of just under 400, sessions covered a wide range of subjects and interests from e-books, marketing and digital literacy to Google Apps, strategic planning, advocacy, building community partnerships and adult programming, to name a few. Complete descriptions of all of the programs including handouts are available at the ARSL website: http://arsl.info/category/conference2/

Next year the ARSL conference will be held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Anyone who works in a rural public library should consider attending. The variety and the quality of the workshops were all top-notch and the opportunity to network and hear from other rural public librarians from across the county was pure inspiration.

VT Libraries @ National Book Festival

Imagine a huge space covered in tents and filled with thousands upon thousands of people celebrating literacy. There are performances for children, nationally-known authors from every genre and age group giving speeches and signing books. Other tents are filled with representatives from national organizations and from every state drawing attention to the importance of books, reading and literacy to everyone, especially children. This sounds like a librarian's dream! On September 22 and 23 that dream became a reality at the 12^th annual National Book Festival on The Mall in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the festival included presentations by more than 100 authors, illustrators and poets. There were also representatives from the Library of Congress, the Digital Bookmobile powered by OverDrive, as well as the Pavilion of the States. The Pavilion of the States brings together representatives from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. This year Vermont was represented by Kat Redniss of the Brownell Library in Essex Junction and April Kelley from the Department of Libraries.

While the festival did not open until Saturday, there was a reception on Friday evening for all of the state representatives to meet and discuss what is happening in their states. The reception also featured an inspiring speech by Mandlakayise Matyumza, the head of the newly opened Center for the Book in Cape Town, South Africa. Motivated by the work of the Center for the Book in the United States, many countries have begun to create their own Center for the Book organizations to promote literacy.  

After the reception Kat and April, along with other children's librarians, had a private tour of the  Young Readers Center at the Library of Congress. This amazing place serves as a browsing library for visitors to the Library of Congress, as well as for local residents. On top of having thousands of books for children of all ages and a puppet stage, the Center also hosts a weekly storytime that is open to visitors and residents alike.

In the Pavilion of the States representatives set up tables with information about their local authors, programs, chosen books, as well as giveaways and stamps or stickers related to their state. A map of the country was given out to everyone at the festival, and once attendees collected stamps or stickers from all the states and territories they brought their map to the IMLS booth to receive a free activity booklet. Kat and April spent hours talking to children and adults alike about their favorite books and authors, where in Vermont they have visited and where they really want to visit. Many were excited to learn that their favorite authors are from Vermont, or that Vermont children and teens loved their favorite book so much that it won one of the state awards.