-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Vermont
Department of Libraries
N E W S
No. 103, Spring 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A TASTE OF REALITY
For several years, we have publicly discussed and written about these
severe financial times and the fact that we expect the near future to be no
more generous to the Department. Nonetheless, reality finally hit the
Vermont library community on February 8 when I sent an electronic mail
message followed by a letter, telling libraries that the Vermont
Centralized Card/MARC Service would be immediately suspended until at least
October 1. We regret the suddenness of this decision; nonetheless, it was
our only choice given the circumstances. We have run out of options.
While most people are aware of this year's federal budget negotiations
and government shutdowns, you may not be aware that the Department of
Libraries receives a large portion of its annual operating funds from the
federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). When federal
programs resumed on January 26, 1996, after a shutdown, LSCA funds were
funded at only 75% of previous levels. The federal fiscal year began
October 1, but the Department of Libraries is halfway through its fiscal
year which began July 1.
When we received word of the 25% cut in LSCA funds ($110,000), we
found that eligible public libraries had already expended more than 75% of
the amount budgeted for the Card Service. Suspending all nonessential
expenses was not going to yield enough to keep all of our federally-funded
services running. These include regional libraries, services to the blind
and physically handicapped, interlibrary loan, and others. We have not
purchased adult books for regional libraries for nearly a year, and we have
two unfilled consultant positions that we do not anticipate filling. The
Department's total budget has been drastically
reduced over the last five years.
In the next few months, the Department and its Board of Libraries will
be re-evaluating all of our programs, keeping in mind these factors:
* The new Library Services and Technology Act, LSCA's replacement,
will take effect in federal FY98. At this writing LSCA funds for FY97 are
uncertain.
* The state's proposed early retirement package, designed to reduce
overall state expenses, includes a provision for departments to replace
only every other person who retires. Several of our employees are eligible
for this program.
* The Executive Order to move the Department of Libraries under the
Agency of Administration is expected to occur by April 15, 1996. This move
will make the Department a closer partner in the state's information
services.
* Regional library circulation and use have decreased dramatically
since 1990, yet the number of online requests, training sessions, and
consulting contacts have increased proportionately.
Some tough choices need to be made. We need to think carefully about
what services the Department provides and could be providing. Which are
essential? Which duplicate those provided by other libraries and other
agencies? What changes would make our future services more effective? The
Board of Libraries plans to devote its April 16 meeting to these matters,
and the Department staff will also be discussing alternatives in the coming
months.
We believe the shock many librarians voiced at the suspension of the
Card Service is partly due to our staff's hard work. Each individual has
tried to continue to provide service at past levels with far fewer
resources. This simply isn't possible anymore. We would like to thank the
librarians who responded both positively and negatively to the reality of
losing the Card Service. We would like those who have not been as vocal to
know that their opinions are also valuable to us. Please let us know what
you would do if you were in our shoes.
Patricia E. Klinck, State Librarian
GOVNET/VALS DEBUTS IN LIBRARIES
Dial access to the Vermont Automated Libraries System (VALS) and
graphical access to the Internet via the state government network, GOVnet,
is now available at all five regional libraries and a growing number of
public libraries around Vermont. This switch to GOVnet offers staff and
the public the opportunity to make library catalogs around the state
available to the public via VALS and to use the multimedia Netscape
Internet Browser. Increasingly, government and other information resources
are available on the Internet, and information can be printed, mailed
electronically, or downloaded. Multimedia provides easier means of moving
around the World Wide Web and offers text and visual links to related
information.
The Department of Libraries has paid the $250 per library annual
GOVnet access fee and, for libraries with multimedia computers, has
provided GOVnet software. Local libraries will need to cover the cost of
local telephone access. Regional librarians are providing introductory
training in the Netscape browser to local library staffs which will then be
able to assist the public using their libraries' equipment.
Public libraries participating so far are those in Barre, Dover, Essex
Junction, Derby Line, Fairfax, Lyndonville, Morrisville, Richmond, St.
Albans, St. Johnsbury, Springfield, Williamstown, Williston, and Woodstock.
Another group of public libraries will be added very soon, and more will be
added as libraries upgrade equipment to include multimedia capabilities.
In the next few months, all public libraries will be accessing VALS
via GOVnet, which allows sharing of telecommunications resources and
support among state agencies. For those without multi- media machines,
basic VALS access will remain the same using GOVnet as it was with
Infopath. The switch will involve changing the telephone number in the
library's software to a local number and will make dial access subject to
local telephone usage charges. Anyone with questions should contact their
regional librarian.
113 LIBRARIES MEET STANDARDS
The Vermont Board of Libraries met February 20, 1996, to hear two
appeals from libraries determined in December as not meeting standards for
FY96. One appeal was granted and the other denied. State Librarian
Patricia E. Klinck noted that, while libraries could meet either the 1986
or the 1993 versions of the standards, this year saw a great increase in
libraries meeting the 1993 set. Adopted by the Board of Libraries in 1993,
this revision has been submitted to the Legislative Administrative Rules
Committee for which approval is expected prior to next fall's round of
standards applications. Libraries needing help in meeting the new set of
standards should contact their regional librarian or Marianne Kotch at
828-2320.
Following is the final list of towns whose libraries meet standards
(the 25 meeting the 1993 version are noted with an *):
Arlington Bakersfield Barnet Barre and
East Barre branch
Barton Barton/Orleans Bennington North Bennington
Bradford Brandon Brattleboro Brighton/Island Pond
Bristol Burlington Cabot Castleton
Cavendish Chelsea Chester Colchester
Craftsbury Danville Derby Derby Line
Dorset *Dover Enosburg Essex
*Essex Junction *Fairfax *Fairfield *Fair Haven
Fairlee Franklin *Grand Isle Greensboro
Groton *Hartford, Quechee,
West Hartford,
White River Jct.,
and Wilder
Hartland Hinesburg Hyde Park Lincoln
South Londonderry *Lyndonville Marshfield *Middlebury
Middletown Springs Milton Montpelier Morristown
*Newbury/Wells
River
Newbury New Haven Newport *Northfield
North Hero Norwich Pawlet Peacham
Pittsford Plainfield Poultney Proctor
Putney *Randolph Reading *Readsboro
Richford Richmond Rochester Rockingham
*South Royalton and
Royalton branch
Rutland *St. Albans *Shelburne *Sherburne
*South Burlington *South Hero Springfield *Stamford
Stowe Strafford Swanton Thetford and
Post Mills
Townshend North Troy Tunbridge Underhill/Jericho
Vergennes *Vernon Waitsfield Wallingford
Warren Waterbury and
Waterbury Center
Weathersfield Westford West Rutland Whitingham
Williamstown *Williston Wilmington Windsor
Winooski Wolcott Woodstock
THREE LIBRARIES WIN SMITH GRANTS
Public libraries in Barton, Canaan, and Shrewsbury will enhance
services to children in their communities from birth to age five, thanks to
Smith Grants awarded at the Vermont Board of Libraries' February meeting.
The annual grants are funded through the Department of Libraries' Elva
Sophronia Smith Fund. Barton Public Library, under the direction of Cindy
Karasinski, will improve storytime, expand outreach programs, and present a
ten week parenting workshop with the grant of $1,240.
In Canaan, librarian Gloria Bunnell will take rotating collections of
books to four sites, improve the library's new storytime by adding crafts
and new books, and begin nighttime storyhours and parent programs with the
$1,125 award. In Cuttingsville's Shrewsbury Library, co-children's
librarians Eleanor Tufano and Rene Pollack will create ten multimedia bags,
each on a theme, to be borrowed by daycare providers and parents with the
$1,500 grant. All three libraries will receive a Beginning With Mother
Goose or Growing With Books program free from the Vermont Center for the
Book in Chester.
This year's committee, chaired by Grace W. Greene, Children's Services
Consultant included Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit; Michael
Roche, Northeast Regional Librarian; Sally Anderson, Executive Director,
Vermont Center For the Book; June Osowski, Children's Librarian, Rutland;
Susan Tracy, Director, Richford Public Library and Nancy Price Graff,
Trustee, Kellogg- Hubbard Library, Montpelier.
1995 STATISTICAL ROUND-UP
Vermont's 204 public libraries circulated 3,316,085 items (5.7 per
capita) in 1994, slightly fewer than 1993's total of 3,261,625 items (5.8
per capita). Interlibrary loans continued to climb from 41,732 in 1993 to
45,145 in 1994. The average per capita tax support rose to $7.26 in 1994
from $6.55 in 1993, and the average per capita collection expenditure rose
from $2.00 in 1993 to $2.12 in 1994. Total public library attendance, for
those libraries that counted this data, was 1,726,491.
Superlatives for the 1994 statistical year are as follows:
* Public libraries with the highest total circulation
Montpelier - 207,194 Burlington - 160,474
Rutland - 194,767 Brattleboro - 158,755
* Public libraries with the largest collections
Burlington - 115,666 Rutland - 92,741
Brattleboro - 104,158
* Public libraries with the highest circulation per capita
Montpelier - 25.21 Sherburne - 22.98
Greensboro - 23.06 Orleans - 22.79
* Public libraries with the highest collection turnover
Essex Junction - 5.2 Charlotte - 4.0
Brandon - 4.1 Richmond - 3.7
* Public libraries with the highest per capita tax support
Sherburne - $74.66 Essex Junction - $43.05
Dover - $65.49 Fairfax - $40.24
* Public libraries with the highest per capita collection expenditure
Sherburne - $15.50 Westminster - $12.53
Greensboro - $14.44 Dover - $12.13
* Public libraries with the highest annual number of visits
Burlington - 218,400 Middlebury - 98,800
Essex Junction - 108,888 Bennington - 94,432
* Public libraries with the highest annual program attendance
Burlington - 10,606 Essex Junction - 5,114
Middlebury - 8,681 Barre - 4,842
These statistics and more are featured in the Department of Libraries'
1996 Biennial Report Supplement, available from Marianne Kotch, 828-2320
(or e-mail MKotch).
DEPARTMENT JOINS INTERCAT PROJECT
The Vermont Department of Libraries was the 211th library to join
OCLC's Internet Cataloging Project, InterCat, funded in part by a grant
from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Library Programs. The
purpose of the project is to create and evaluate an experimental database
of MARC records for Internet materials.
Since the Internet is still largely unorganized and contains a vast
array of important information, it is important to make these resources
accessible. Furthermore, many information resources are now available only
on the Internet. Many of the search engines such as Yahoo have
revolutionized searching on the Internet, but subject searching is still
inefficient and at times inaccurate. Librarians can play a part in
providing better access to the Internet by cataloging titles of lasting
value. The Technical Services and Reference staffs at the Department of
Libraries have identified and begun cataloging several local and other
electronic resources that are useful to Vermont library patrons.
OCLC's project database, InterCat, contains over 3,000 records and can
be accessed on the World Wide Web at the following URL address:
http://www.oclc.org:6990.
Sample records may be viewed via VALS as well. Simply type the
following searches:
t=State of Vermont home page
t=State of Vermont, Agency of Natural Resources
t=State of Vermont, Department of Agriculture home page
Note that the cataloging records have [computer file] after the title.
The call number field (092) and the physical description field (300) are
absent because cyberspace items can't be shelved nor described physically.
Also note several other fields that describe electronic resources.
Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING CATALOGING
With the suspension of the Vermont Centralized Card/MARC Service, many
libraries have had questions about how to obtain cataloging. Libraries may
continue to take advantage of the state contract with Brodart to obtain
cataloging. Unfortunately, orders for cataloging services cannot be placed
using Brodart's 48-hour shipping option. The orders need to be mailed,
faxed, or ordered electronically. Brodart's electronic ordering system,
PCRose Plus, is available free of charge to libraries. When ordering
cataloging from Brodart, be sure to include the Department of Libraries
state contract number, 15217, so that your library may receive cataloging
at a reduced rate.
Many other vendors offer cataloging services as well. A list of
cataloging vendors is available from the Technical Services Unit or from
regional librarians. Libraries can also obtain information about
cataloging services from the December buyers' guide issue of Library
Journal.
Even though federal funding for OCLC cards is unavailable, the
Technical Services staff will still be able to download OCLC records into
PUBCAT for libraries for cataloging that cannot be obtained from Brodart or
from other vendors. Libraries are asked to continue using the resubmit
procedure only after other sources such as Brodart have been exhausted.
Upon receipt of request slips (or your own order slips) marked with a
diagonal slash, an OCLC record will be downloaded into PUBCAT.
Unfortunately, the funding to send cards to libraries is no longer
available, but libraries will at least have access to cataloging by
checking PUBCAT. Using PUBCAT cataloging, libraries can prepare their own
cards using a typewriter, memory typewriter, or a catalog card computer
software program.
With the new procedures, we will be able to provide cataloging in a
limited manner and still maintain the integrity of the PUBCAT database
based on VUC cards. Please call 828-3261 or email: TSU with questions.
Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit
SPECIAL SERVICES NEWS
S. Francis Woods, Special Services Consultant
828-3273
LARGE PRINT BOOKS AND ILL...
The standard procedure for borrowing large print books from SSU is to
make a request via VALS to DOL_ILL (or via regional libraries if you don't
use VALS for interlibrary loan). DOL_ILL will make arrangements with SSU.
Libraries already signed up to borrow large print deposit collections from
SSU may contact us directly by sending an e-mail message to SSU, phone
(828-3273), or mail for individual large print titles.
Remember that, if you are searching for large print titles in the VALS
database, they will almost always appear to be available. SSU circulates
through its own system without changing the status in VALS.
STRANGE BUT TRUE...
It is now more than five years since the Audio-Visual Services Unit
was closed and the responsibility for circulating video and film
transferred to SSU. At that time procedures were changed dramatically and
a decision was made to circulate these media only through public libraries.
This means that individuals and schools must ask a public library to borrow
any films or video belonging to AVSU. Schools and individuals may not
request materials directly from us and must seek help from their local
public library which may request the material for them on interlibrary
loan.
COMING EVENTS
Apr. - National Poetry Month.
Tues., Apr. 2 - Vermont Library Trustees Assn./Vermont Dept. of
Libraries/UVM Extension Service Town Officers Educational Conference,
Lyndon State College. Contact: UVM Extension Service, 223-2389.
Tues., Apr. 9, 9:00 am - Children's materials review session, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Repeats: Wed., 4/10 (SWRL); Thurs., 4/11 (SERL);
Tues., 4/16 (NWRL); Wed., 4/17 (NERL). Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Wed., Apr. 10 - "Empowering Users: Emerging Implications for Reference
Service", Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass. Sponsored by Reference
Technology Advisory Committee of NELINET. Contact: Marj Zunder, 828-3261
or e-mail DOL_ILL.
Fri., Apr. 12 - New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL)
Program. "Tech Services Online", College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA.
NELA members $35.00; Nonmembers $45.00. Contact: Martha Beshers,
401-865-1996 or Cynthia Spell, W.E.B. Dubois Library, University of
Massachusetts - Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003-4710, phone: 413-545-2728.
Sun.-Sat., Apr. 14-20 - National Library Week. Theme: "Libraries
Change Lives". Contact: ALA Public Information Office, 1-800-545-2433,
press 6 or Becky Hollis, 463-4270.
Tues., Apr. 16, 10:30 am - Vermont Board of Libraries meeting,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Patricia E. Klinck, 828-3265.
Tues., Apr. 16 - Log On at the Library Day, ALA sponsored public
awareness campaign to highlight the role of libraries in providing access
to the information highway. Contact: ALA Public Information Office,
1-800-545-2433, press 6.
Thurs., Apr. 18 - "Filing without Tears" workshop, Northwest Regional
Library, Georgia. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sun.-Sat., Apr. 21-27 - Week of the Young Child. Contact: National
Association for the Education of Young Children, 1834 Connecticut Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20009, 202-232-8777.
Wed., Apr. 24 - "Library Displays & Graphics" workshop, Northeast
Regional Library, St. Johnsbury. Repeats: Tues., Apr. 30,Southwest
Regional Library, Rutland. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Wed., Apr. 24 - New England Library Association's Media Section Spring
Program, "The Power of Presentation Software", Newton, MA Free Library.
Members $35.00; non-members $45.00. Contact: Lauretta Cloherty, P.O. Box
351, Salem, MA 01970-0351.
Wed.-Tues., Apr. 24-30 - National TV Turnoff Week, sponsored by
TV-Free America. Contact: TV-Free America, 1322 18th St., NW, Ste. 300,
Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-0438.
Mon., Apr. 29 - "Legal Reference" workshop, Springfield Town Library.
Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Thurs., May 2 - "Internet for Non-Graphical Users" workshop, C.I.T.
Training Room, 133 State St., Montpelier. Contact: Grace W. Greene,
828-3261.
Fri., May 3 - "Internet for Graphical Users" workshop, C.I.T. Training
Room, 133 State St., Montpelier. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sat.-Sat., May 4-11 - Vermont Archaeology Week with many statewide
events. Week starts with Northeastern Open Atlatl (spear thrower)
Championships, Chimney Point State Historic Site, Addison, VT on May 4.
Call: 828-3226.
Sat., May 4 - New England Leadership Development Workshop on
Intellectual Freedom, co-sponsored by NELA and NEEMA. Speaker: Karen Jo
Gounaud from Family Friendly Libraries. Location to be announced.
Contact: Gail Weymouth, Sherburne Public Library, 802-422-9765 or e-mail:
Sherburne.
Mon.-Fri., May 6-10 - "Cataloging & Organization of Library Materials"
workshop, Southwest Regional Library, Rutland. Contact: Grace W. Greene,
828-3261.
Wed., May 8, 9:45 am - Vermont Library Association Board meeting,
Hartness Library, Vermont Technical College, Randolph. Contact: Albert
Joy, 656-8350.
Wed., May 15 - Vermont Library Pre-Conference, "Libraries on the Web",
Bailey/Howe Library, Univ. of Vermont, Burlington. Contact: Lyman Ross,
phone: 656-2020.
Thurs.-Fri., May 16-17 - Vermont Library Conference, Radisson Hotel,
Burlington with theme, "Hurricane Library: Eye in the Information Storm".
Contact: Joanne Hill, Middlebury College, 388-3711, ext. 5501 or e-mail:
MYRIAD::HILL.
Wed., May 22 - "Children's Reference: Print Sources" workshop,
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Fri., May 24 - "Library of Congress Subject Headings" workshop,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Wed., May 29 - "Legal and Copyright Issues" workshop, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Thurs., May 30 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central office
and regional libraries closed.
Tues., June 4 - "Personal Safety" workshop, Northeast Regional
Library, St. Johnsbury. Repeats: Wed., June 5, Southwest Regional Library,
Rutland. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Fri., June 7 - "Understanding MARC" workshop, Southwest Regional
Library, Rutland. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Thurs., June 13 - "Fundraising" workshop, Southeast Regional Library,
Dummerston. Repeats: Thurs., Aug. 1, Northwest Regional Library, Georgia.
Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sun.-Sat., June 16-21 - Institute of Publishing and Writing,
"Children's Books in the Marketplace", Vassar College. $525.00. Contact:
Institute of Publishing and Writing, Vassar College, Box 300, 124 Raymond
Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Tues., June 18, 10:30 am - Vermont Board of Libraries meeting,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Patricia E. Klinck, 828-3265.
Wed., June 19, 10:00 am - Foundation Center workshop, "Introduction to
the Center's Publications on Grantsmanship". Instructor: Beth Lewitzky,
librarian, Foundation Center. Sponsored by DOL and the Foundation Center,
Conference room, DOL central office. Contact: Marjorie Zunder, 828-3261 or
e-mail mzunder@dol.state.vt.us.
Thurs., July 4 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central office
and regional libraries closed.
Fri.-Thurs., July 5-11 - American Library Association Annual
Conference, New York, NY. Contact: ALA at 1-800-545- 2433.
Mon.-Fri., July 8-19 - UVM Summer Writing Program. Two courses on
writing fiction for children, "Writing Picture Books for Children" with
Jean Marzollo, and "Writing the Novel for Children" with Karen Hesse. 3
credits. Tuition: &790.00, Vermont resident; $1,594 non-resident.
Thurs., July 11 - "Children's Reference/CD-ROM Sources" workshop,
University of Vermont, Burlington. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sat.-Sat., July 13-20 - Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop,
Chatauqua, NY. Phone: (717)253-1192, ask for Writers Workshop.
Wed.-Tues., July 17-23 - "Collection Development" workshop, Northwest
Regional Library, Georgia. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sun.-Sat., Aug. 4-10 - Children's Literature New England Summer
Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Theme: "Endings and
Beginnings: The Shape of Story". Contact: Martha Walke, Registrar, 2111
North Brandywine St., Arlington, VA 22207, 703-243-5135.
Fri., Aug. 16 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central office
and regional libraries closed.
Tues., Aug. 20, 10:30 am - Vermont Board of Libraries meeting,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Patricia E. Klinck, 828-3265.
Mon.-Fri., Aug. 26-30 - "Basic Public Library Administration"
workshop, Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene,
828-3261.
RESOURCES
...Vermont Telecommunications Relay Service information for relay
service users. Contact: Kristine Wiltse/VTRS, Box A-11, One Mill St.,
Burlington, VT 05401, FAX 802-863-3139.
..."Put Your Kids to the Test", a 10 minute lead poisoning prevention
video targeted for parents. Contact: Karen Garbarino or Becky Cyr, Vermont
Division of Environmental Health, phone: 1-800-439- 8550 (865-7786 in the
Burlington area).
..."Vermont Dept. of Education News" via e-mail. Contact: Tom Bisson,
phone: 802-828-3147 or e-mail Tom_Bisson@together.org.
...Possible source of library volunteers through SHARE (Self Help and
Resource Exchange) New England, a program where people can purchase a
monthly food package for $14 plus two hours of community service. Contact:
SHARE, PO Box 63, 146 Will Drive, Canton, Mass. 02021, phone: 617-
828-5151.
...Preservation bibliography developed by the Vermont Historical
Records Advisory Board. Available free from Gregory Sanford, State
Archivist, Office of the Secretary of State, 26 Terrace St., Montpelier, VT
05609-1103, phone: 802-828-2369 or e-mail vt_archives@dol.state.vt.us.
..."Directory of Peer Consultants and Speakers: Experts from A
(Americans with Disabilities Act) to Z (Z39.50 Protocol)", from the
Reference and Adult Services Division of the Association of Specialized and
Cooperative Library Agencies. Available free from ASCLA/RASD, phone:
1-800-545-2433.
...National Archaeology Week posters and calendars. Available free
from the regional libraries (the end of April), phone: 828-3226.
..."1996 Living History Events and Resource Directory" listing living
history events, reenactments, sites and museums. Contact: Living History
Association, Inc., PO Box 1389, Wilmington, VT 05363, phone: 802-464-5569.
..."Why Do I Need to Know MARC", handout describing ways MARC (Machine
Readable Cataloging) has an influence on libraries. Contact: Mary Moore at
828-3261 or e-mail: DOL_Central.
..."Survey of Director Schedules in 10 Chittenden County Libraries",
providing number of hours worked. Contact: Marianne Kotch @ 828-2320 or e-
mail: MKOTCH.
..."National Directory of TTY Numbers" (the Blue Book), listing
libraries that have a TTY (text telephone). To add a library's TTY number,
FAX the number to TDI @ 1-301-589-3797.
GRANTS
...American Bar Association, Adult Public Education About the Law
Mini-Grant Program. Grants ranging from $2,000-$5,000 awarded to
not-for-profit organizations with projects addressing law and the family,
law and the workplace, and law and the community. Applications must be
postmarked by May 15, 1996. Contact: Gary Alexander, American Bar Assoc.,
Public Education Division, 541 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, IL
60611-3314, phone: 312-988-5742 or FAX 312-988-5032.
...Vermont Library Association conference grant of up to $200 awarded
to any member who wants to attend the 1996 conference. Contact: Teri
Austin, Sherburne Memorial Library, PO Box 73, Killington, VT 05751, phone:
802-422-9765 or e-mail: Sherburne.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
...SymQuest Group, Inc. (formerly McAuliffe) Computer Learning Center
classes offered in Burlington, Montpelier and Rutland. Contact: SymQuest
Group, Inc., 50 Cherry St., Burlington VT 05402-8370, phone:
1-800-831-8449.
...Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science
Institutes for Continuing Education. Spring 1996 institute topics include
the Internet and World Wide Web, Copyright, In-service Training, Public
Library Building Planning Process, Library Space Training. Contact: Dr.
Ching-chih Chen, Graduate School of Library and Information Science,
Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, phone: 617-521-2803 or
2804 or e-mail elevitan@vmsvax.simmons.edu (Eileen Levitan).
...Nonprofit Management Education spring programs sponsored by TAP-VT,
Vermont Community Foundation. Programs on nonprofit organization, long
range planning, fundraising, grant proposal writing and other topics.
Contact: Pat Sharpe, TAP- VT, Vermont Community Foundation, PO Box 30,
Middlebury, VT 05753, phone: 462-3355.
YOUTH SERVICES NEWS
Grace W. Green, Children's Services Consultant
828-3261
RED CLOVER AWARD TO HIGHLIGHT EXCELLENT PICTURE BOOKS
We are delighted to announce that Vermont will soon have two
children's choice book awards: the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award for grades
4-8 (begun in 1956), and the Red Clover for grades K-3. The Red Clover
Award was begun by Windham County Reads in 1995, and has been so successful
that it is going statewide. Administered by the Vermont Center for the
Book and cosponsored by the Vermont Department of Libraries, the Vermont
Department of Education, and Windham County Reads, this program is designed
to introduce excellent books to the youngest students.
Teachers and librarians will purchase the ten nominated books and then
build activities and discussions around the titles. To help with ideas,
the Red Clover Award committee is putting together a packet of information
and suggested activities. Packets will be available for $10 from the
Vermont Center for the Book, P. O. Box 441, Chester, Vermont 05143 (802)
875-2751, from May 7 - October 15, 1996. Schools and libraries are
encouraged to photocopy the packet to share with colleagues. Voting for
the favorite picture book will take place in the spring, and all
participating classrooms will receive certificates. The books on the
1996-1997 list are:
London, Jonathan. LIKE BUTTER ON PANCAKES, illustrated by G. Brian
Karas. Viking. $13.99. ISBN 0-670-85130- 2.
MacLachlan, Patricia. WHAT YOU KNOW FIRST, engravings by Barry Moser.
HarperCollins. $14.95. ISBN 0-06- 024413-5.
McMillan, Bruce. NIGHTS OF THE PUFFLINGS, illustrated by author.
Houghton. $14.95. ISBN 0-395-70810-9.
Moss, Lloyd. ZIN! ZIN! ZIN! A VIOLIN, illustrated by Marjorie
Priceman. Simon. $15.00. ISBN 0-671-88239-2.
Palatini, Margie. PIGGIE PIE! illustrated by Howard Fine. Clarion.
$13.95. ISBN 0-395-71691-8.
San Souci, Robert D. THE FAITHFUL FRIEND, illustrated by Brian
Pinkney. Simon. $16.00. ISBN 0-02-786131-7.
Stevens, Janet. TOPS & BOTTOMS, adapted and illustrated by the
author. Harcourt. $15.00. ISBN 0-15-292851-0.
Vaughan, Marcie. WHISTLING DIXIE, illustrated by Barry Moser.
HarperCollins. $14.89. ISBN 0-06-021029-X.
Wells, Rosemary. MAX AND RUBY'S MIDAS: ANOTHER GREEK MYTH,
illustrated by the author. Dial. $12.99. ISBN 0-8037-1782-2.
Yolen, Jane. THE BALLAD OF THE PIRATE QUEENS, illustrated by David
Shannon. Harcourt. $15.00. ISBN 0-15- 200710-5.
MATERIALS REVIEW SESSION BOOKS ON VIEW AT REGIONS
Frustrated that you never have enough time to look at the books we
bring to Materials Review Sessions? Unable to attend the day we're at your
region? Then help is on the way. After a very successful experiment last
December, we have decided to have the books available at three of the
regions for you to peruse at your leisure. The books Leda Schubert and I
review at the April Materials Review Sessions will be at the Northeast
Regional Library in St. Johnsbury from the end of our review sessions on
April 17 to May 3. Then they will be at the Southeast Regional Library in
Dummerston from May 8 - May 24, and at the Southwest Regional Library in
Rutland May 29-June 14. Let us or the regional libraries know if you want
this service to continue.
SOLVE THE MYSTERY...READ!
By now all public libraries should have received the summer packet of
materials including:
* "Touring Artists in the Public Libraries." If your library did not
have a Touring Artist performer in 1994 or 1995, apply for this matching
funds program by April 12.
* List of paperback books in multiple copy that you can borrow to use
for discussion. E-mail CBEC or call 828-3261 with the titles and dates
you want. Be sure to have alternatives in mind, in case what you want is
booked.
* The summer manual with hundreds of ideas for a mysterious summer.
* An order form for all the free summer materials. Deadline for
ordering: April 26. All materials will be mailed to you by the end of
May.
DCF PACKET
Mailed to all schools and public libraries the end of March was the
Dorothy Canfield Fisher packet containing a voting form for this year's
list (deadline April 17), and the master list for the 1996-1997 program.
Only those schools and public libraries which vote will be invited to the
ceremony, which we hope to hold the end of May or beginning of June. So,
get those 4th-8th graders voting! Please be sure to explain that only a
very few (3-5) children will be able to attend from each facility.
GRANTS FOR YOUNG ADULT BOOKS AND PROGRAMS
The Vermont Community Foundation recently announced the annual round
for the Paul Post Fund Award, a special grant for young adult services in
Vermont libraries in memory of a 12-year-old who was killed in 1987. Any
public or school library "with a plan or program to serve its young adult
population, which would normally be grades 6- 12" may apply. The fund is
primarily interested in projects with a program component such as a summer
reading group, an after school discussion group, authors' visits, etc.
The typical grant will be in the $500-1,000 range. For an application
form and guidelines, or for further information on what's been funded in
the past, contact Judy Dunning at the Vermont Community Foundation, P. O.
Box 30, Middlebury, VT 05733, 462-3355. Deadline for application is May 1,
1996, with a decision by the end of June.
DEPARTMENT TO SPONSOR FOUNDATION WORKSHOP
The Department of Libraries will sponsor a workshop on the Foundation
Center's publications on June 19, 1996, 10:00 a.m. to noon, in the
conference room of the Department's central offices in Montpelier. The
Center's publications form the backbone of the grants collection at the
Reference and Law Services Unit. Beth Lewitzky from the Foundation Center
in New York City will explain how these resources are used to locate
grants.
Participants will receive two Dept. of Libraries continuing education
credits for this workshop. The content will overlap to some extent with
the two day workshop on grantsmanship that the Dept. will offer in October.
Those wishing a more extensive introduction in this area should try to
attend the October workshop.
Because of space limitations, we must limit the June group to 15. If
you are interested in attending, please complete the form below and return
it before May 15, 1996, to Grace W. Greene, Continuing Education
Coordinator, Vermont Dept. of Libraries, 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT
05609.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I PLAN TO ATTEND THE FOUNDATION CENTER WORKSHOP (One Name/Slip)
NAME______________________________________________________________
LIBRARY___________________________________________________________
POSITION AT LIBRARY______________________________________________
FULL ADDRESS (please indicate home or library)__________________________
__________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE (WORK)_______________ (HOME)_________________________
PLEASE INDICATE ANY SPECIAL NEEDS (e.g. large print handouts, sign
language interpreter)
Patricia E. Klinck, State Librarian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .828-3265
Grace Greene, Children's Services Consultant . . . . . . . . . . .828-3261
Library and Information Services Division
Sybil B. McShane, Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828-3261
Marjorie D. Zunder, Head, Reference and Law Services . . . . . . 828-3268
Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit . . . . . . . . . 828-3261
S. Francis Woods, Special Services Consultant. . . . . . . . . . 828-3273
Marianne Kotch, Senior Regional Librarian, Midstate Regional Library
(Berlin). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828-2320
Michael Roche, Northeast Regional Library (St. Johnsbury). . . . .748-3428
Northwest Regional Library (Georgia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-3429
Amy Howlett/Joan Knight, Southeast Regional Library (Dummerston) .257-2810
Carol Chatfield, Southwest Regional Library (Rutland). . . . . . .786-5879
NEWS is a federal-state program under the Library Services and Construction Act.
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES
109 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601