Vermont Dept. of Libraries News, No. 114, Fall 1999
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State of Vermont
Department of Libraries
N E W S
No. 114, Fall 1999
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SERL STUDY COMMITTEE BEGINS WORK
The 1999 Vermont General Assembly created a committee to study the impact of
closing the Department of Libraries Southeast Regional Library (SERL) on
public library services in the southeast region and to make recommendations
to "mitigate the impact of closure." The committee, whose membership was
designated in legislation, began work in late July and is to submit its final
report by November 15. Chaired by Dept. of Libraries Director of Public
Library Support Services Marianne Kotch, the committee includes Jerry
Carbone (Director, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro), John Beagan
(representing the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union), Stephanie Choma
(Librarian, Brandon Free Public Library, representing libraries outside the
southeast region), Margery Bunker, and Martha O'Connor (citizen users of
SERL appointed by the Governor).
The legislation calls for the regional library to remain open through June
30, 2000, and the committee has been interviewing local librarians and
citizens to determine what the impact of closure will be. Local librarians
were invited to attended committee meetings, were polled by phone, and have
been asked to write letters. Users of the regional library have been
invited to complete a questionnaire asking them how Vermont libraries can
best meet their needs and what they feel would "mitigate the impact of
closing" SERL.
A variety of issues about public library services and practices have been
raised during general discussion, including:
* nonresident borrowers fees charged by larger libraries and the need for all
people, regardless of income, to have access to library services and
materials
* the disparity of local tax support for public libraries statewide resulting
in a disparity in services and resources offered
* varying loan periods and varying fine policies among libraries
* varying needs of local libraries for Department of Libraries services
(e.g., small libraries still need supplementary book collections, while
larger ones want access to more electronic resources)
* the desire of some smaller libraries to remain independent and unaffiliated
with larger libraries in other towns
* the inaccessibility of school library resources to the general public
during non-school hours, contrasted with a growing concern about children's
after school needs
* the changing roles of local libraries with increased emphasis on
information service, early literacy development, and outreach service
Other issues that will be further discussed are the future use of the SERL
building and the idea of creating some resource "hub" libraries with access
offices similar to the Department's office at the University of Vermont.
DAVIDSON JOINS STAFF
Kentucky native Paula Davidson of Cabot has joined the Department of
Libraries staff as Midstate Regional Librarian. Based in Berlin, Davidson
will direct the library's operation and will offer technical assistance to
public libraries in Rutland, Addison, and parts of Windsor, Orange, and
Washington Counties.
Most recently an instructor in children's literature for Community College of
Vermont in Middlebury, Davidson was a children's librarian at the Bozeman
(MT) Public Library where she also served as substitute reference librarian.
While in Bozeman, she also taught children's literature at Montana State
University. While receiving her MLS from Indiana University's School of
Library and Information Science, Davidson also worked as an intern in the
children's department of the Monroe County Public Library and as a reference
assistant at the Indiana Univ. Education Library. Prior to her work in
libraries, she taught English in the People's Republic of China. She is a
graduate of Middlebury College where she majored in Russian and Soviet
Studies.
JEFFORDS PROPOSES MOBILE LIBRARY LITERACY PROGRAM
Speaking at the Waterbury Village Library on June 1, Vermont Senator Jim
Jeffords announced a proposal to make bookmobiles available throughout
Vermont through the "Vermont Mobile Library Literacy Project." He is
requesting $1.5 million in federal dollars in 2000 to help bring local
library services to people who are unable to access local libraries.
Jeffords noted that the funds requested "will build upon successful efforts
in parts of Vermont to reach out to underserved residents. Primarily, the
funds will be used to purchase, stock and manage bookmobiles. Federal
resources will allow the Vermont State Librarian to work with local libraries
and library organizations across Vermont to develop a state-of-the-art
bookmobile program." Citing successes in Windham County and the Waterbury
area, he noted that access to books is a key to literacy for everyone.
Also speaking at the press conference in Waterbury were State Librarian Sybil
Brigham McShane and Donna Boring and Sally Dain of the Waterbury Village
Library who told the specific of last summer's successful book/story
delivery program. News of whether the proposal has been funded should be
available in October.
SECRETARY OF STATE FORMS TASK FORCE
Vermont Secretary of State Deborah L. Markowitz convened a meeting in June to
look at Vermont's public library laws. The purpose of the meeting was to
try and devise a checklist to help libraries and towns determine whether a
public library is a department of, or independent from, a town. Librarians
attending were Paula Baker, Rutland Free Library; Jerry Carbone, Brooks
Memorial Library, Brattleboro; Maureen Wilson, Morrill Memorial and Harris
Library, Strafford; and Marianne Kotch, Department of Libraries. Also in
attendance were the Williston town manager, a trustee from Montgomery, the
town treasurer of Townshend, William Rice, Assistant Attorney General, and
Markowitz.
Markowitz opened the meeting with an overview of the various ways public
libraries got started in the state - in private homes and churches, through
bequests left to communities, and with seed money from the state and town.
Town-library relationships can be quite complex as library service and local
support have evolved. Many libraries are a hybrid, receiving town funds but
operating as a corporation. In an interview with the Burlington Free Press,
Markowitz said that "one of the things I'm trying to do here is try to
make it really clear what the rights and the obligations are on the part of
these entities."
Some public library trustees are elected at Town Meeting, some are appointed
by town officials, some are appointed by existing trustees, and the mixture
varies by library. Funding for local libraries varies widely as well,
coming from town appropriations, directly from town voters, interest on
endowments, and other local fundraising. Employees may be paid by the town
or by the trustees. Markowitz noted that how a library was initially formed
has great bearing on whether it is a unit of town government or not. But
she also felt that town personnel policies should be followed if employees
are paid by the town, even if the library is a corporation rather than a
unit of town government.
There are a myriad of questions that arise when contemplating town-library
authority. Some include:
* who has the authority to spend miscellaneous income gleaned from the sale
of library discards? (Markowitz feels whomever conducted the sale,
including the Friends, may do so)
* who may fire the librarian if s/he is paid by the town? (Markowitz feels
this process should comply with the town's personnel policy)
* who should manage municipal libraries' bequests? (Markowitz feels trustees
of public funds should take on this responsibility although a library
trustee may be designated as such)
Markowitz will be drafting guidelines which will address these and other
issues and which will be distributed to local librarians and their boards
this fall.
DEPARTMENT ISSUES BIENNIAL REPORT
The fifteenth Biennial Report of the Department of Libraries, including
Vermont Library Directory, 1999 was mailed to all libraries in early July.
Sporting a peach cover, the publication includes information and statistics
about the Department for the period covering July 1, 1996, to June 30, 1998.
A staff directory appears on page 3, and the State Librarian's Report covers
the appointment of Sybil Brigham McShane to the post mid-way through the
Biennium and the ensuing Department restructuring, as well as highlights of
the two years.
Public library statistics for 1997-98 are summarized, and more detailed
statistics, particularly those broken down by population served, are
available in the 1999 Supplement to the Biennial Report, which is available
from Marianne Kotch (828-2320, mkotch@dol.state.vt.us). Also included in
the Supplement are statistics of other Vermont libraries - school, college,
special.
The Vermont Library Directory, 1999 takes up most of the publication and is
used primarily for interlibrary loan and networking. The Directory also
lists libraries by type, public libraries by region, and Vermont Union
Catalog symbols, and it has an index by name of library or institution. Each
library listed in the Directory received one copy; a limited number of
additional copies are available for $3.00. Please feel free to photocopy
anything you would like, and please remember that the Directory is online and
kept fairly up to date via the Department's website: http://dol.state.vt.us.
If your Directory information changes, please let Kotch know. Changes to
the current Directory are listed elsewhere in this issue of News.
VERMONT LIBRARIES GARNER E-RATE BENEFITS
Vermont libraries are reaping the benefits of the e-rate, the federal program
which offers discounts for Internet access, telecommunications, and internal
connections. For several towns, this funding has made it possible to move to
a higher level of technology. Fran Ferro at the Milton Public Library
decided to make the jump to Frame Relay. "It was costing us a mint just
being on the telephone line," she said. Frame Relay allows the library to
offer the Internet on four computers (soon to be six) with twenty-four hour
access at the touch of a button.
The Cobleigh Library in Lyndonville installed a server, network and a cable
modem in their first encounter with the e-rate. The second year application
provided ongoing support for cable and phone, given the high level of
poverty in the area. Cable has proven a popular choice in other communities;
the St Johnsbury Athenaeum is also using it to carry multiple computer
connections to the Internet. In Richmond Mary Ann McMaster's research
pointed to an ISDN line as the answer to library needs. A super fast
connection for six computers now, the line also supports the next step in the
Richmond Free Library plan, automation.
As librarians become more familiar with the forms and jargon, e-rate
applications are easier. We need to dream a little for our communities-and
write technology plans that make those dreams a reality. Don't wait too long
to take advantage of the discounts; the time is now. Talk to your regional
librarian if you need more information or surf the Universal Service Fund
website at http://www.sl.universalservice.org.
--Amy Howlett
Southeast Regional Librarian
"PUBLIC RECORDS" REQUESTS BLANKET NATION
In July, libraries around the country received a letter from David Burt,
President of "Filtering Facts." In this letter, Burt makes a formal request
for the release of library records under state "Public Records" statutes.
Burt's request was for "copies of any patron and staff complaints, internal
memos, e- mail messages, or incident reports about patrons accessing
pornographic or sexually explicit material on public Internet terminals."
This may be the first such request for many librarians.
Nancy Bolt, Colorado State Librarian, developed some suggestions for
librarians to consider when composing a response to the request, which we
have adapted for Vermont:
* Libraries should identify which, if any, documents it has in its possession
that are responsive to Burt's request and then contact your local attorney
for assistance. Ask your attorney to review, on a case by case basis,
which, if any, of those documents you identified might be disclosed under
the open records law or are prohibited from disclosure under 1 V.S.A. Sec.
317(b)(19).
* Burt's letter is addressed to Vermont Public Library. Ask your attorney
if your are obligated to respond to a generic letter not seeking information
from your library specifically.
* You can view Burt's web site, Filtering Facts, on the World Wide Web at
http://www.filteringfacts.org/da-main.htm.
* The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has
posted response guidelines on its website which conclude the "libraries
receiving FOIA requests should consult their attorneys who will determine
whether they can or must provide the information requested" within a
particular state (www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/foai_inf.html).
According to an article in American Libraries (Aug., 1999), Burt plans to
issue a report "a few months from now" based on the new data he is
gathering. Meanwhile, he has disseminated his pro-filtering views via Dr.
Laura Perspective magazine (July, 1999).
MAKING YOUR LIBRARY SAFER
A recent article by James Swan in the July-August CKLS Post, published by the
Central Kansas Library System, reminded us that safety for customers and
staff alike is important to providing good public service. Here are a few
suggestions adapted from that article, with a few Vermont ideas thrown in:
* Have at least two staff members on duty at all times, especially in the
evenings. If this is not possible, arrange to have a volunteer whenever
the library is open. If this is not possible, make sure there is someone
staff can call in emergencies, preferably a neighbor.
* Create a closing checklist with items like checking the restroom(s),
turning off lights and computers, taking down flags, locking doors, and
checking all areas. Make sure to do a "sweep" of the building, however
small, before turning off the lights and locking up at the end of a day.
* Leave an entry way light on when the library is not open to discourage
break ins. Provide adequate lighting in the library's parking area and on
the street in front of the library.
* If you have a local police force, make sure they are aware of library hours
and the fact that security is a concern. One librarian developed a code
phrase, "your book is in," to serve as a signal to police that help was
needed immediately. Invite police to drive by the library on night patrol a
few times daily to discourage intruders. Stick police and fire phone
numbers onto phones, and program the numbers into the phone if possible.
* Don't keep money in the library over night. If you have to, lock it in a
safe. Don't let money accumulate in the library.
* Make sure you have policies and procedures for handling emergencies and
natural disasters. Get a copy of "Safety First" from the Department of
Libraries if you need a place to start. Train staff and volunteers in
dealing with emergencies and difficult patrons. The Department of Libraries
video "Library Survival Guide" is a good discussion starter. A first aid
class is also helpful.
* Keep walks, steps and ramps free of ice and snow to reduce the possibility
of slipping (and its resulting liability for the library). With winter
approaching, check your supply of traction/snow melt material.
* Check the library for "trip and fall" kinds of hazards regularly.
Electrical cords and rugs are often a problem.
* Provide safe ways for patrons and staff to get books and materials down off
high shelves. Use step stools that don't roll or tip over when someone is
standing on them.
As Swan says, safety is often a matter of being aware of potential dangers
and taking precautions to avoid them.
NOW YOU CAN CHECK YOUR OWN VUC STATUS
Since last fall the Technical Services Unit has been entering public and
school library VUC (Vermont Union Catalog) contributions online in DOLCAT.
Any school or public library can search its VUC status in DOLCAT by
performing any of the following searches in the PAC (traditional) catalog:
t=name of library
c=VUC symbol
c=OCLC symbol (public libraries only)
Once the library record is located, you will see the message "no holdings" in
the display. There is no cause to worry because this display message does
not refer to VUC holdings. Continue by typing "m" for the MARC record
display. In the 590 field you will find contributions to the VUC sent either
by cards or by the Card/MARC Service. Dates are followed by the number of
additions (add) and discards (disc) which are given in parentheses.
Searching can also be done in the web based catalog by clicking on the
appropriate type of search strategy (title or call number) and then entering
the name or library, VUC symbol, or OCLC symbol.
Libraries are required to contribute to the VUC in order to meet minimum
standards, to be eligible to have a VALS account, and to participate in VALS
interlibrary loan. Public libraries must contribute at least once a year
(Oct. 15-Oct.15) in order to meet minimum standards and school libraries
must contribute once per school year (July 1-June 30).
Libraries can also retrieve a list of all the school and public libraries
using certain automation systems by doing the following search:
s=type of automation system
Examples: s=Follett automation
s=Mandarin automation
If you have any questions about searching DOLCAT for VUC information, please
contact Lorraine Lanius by e-mail (llanius@dol.state.vt.us or
tsu@dol.state.vt.us) or by phone (828-3261).
DEAF RESOURCES ON THE WEB
It will be no surprise to anyone that a lot of good resources for people who
are deaf are showing up on the World Wide Web. The following is a sample of
a few sites from a list of 15 prepared by a deaf librarian, Alice Hagemeyer,
from the Washington, DC, area. Joan Naturale, former librarian at the
Austine School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, sent it to us:
National Assn. for the Deaf http://www.nad.org
American Sign Language Access http://www.aslaccess.org
Silent News http://www.silentnews.org
Deaf Life http://www.deaflife.com
DeafNation Newspapers http://deafnation.com
These may provide your library with a way to make a useful connection with
the deaf or hard of hearing people in your community. If you are interested
in a complete list of sites, write the Special Services Unit or email
ssu@dol.state.vt.us.
--S. Francis Woods
Special Services Consultant
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE...
by Marjorie D. Zunder
Director, Library and Information Services
828-3261
Interlibrary Loan Etiquette 101.
Here's "how-to" please the libraries that you want to borrow from:
* Send your mailing labels - Lending libraries love to have mailing labels
with your library's address all ready to use when they lend to you. It's so
much faster than hand typing labels. Be as generous as possible when
providing your mailing labels.
* Return borrowed material according to lender instructions - Lending
libraries have many different reasons for wanting the materials they loan
handled carefully. Occasionally, lenders ask borrowers to return materials
in the containers that they were send out in. Be careful to save these
special mailing containers and use them for the return mail. Follow lender
mailing instructions to the letter.
* Pay bills with library checks - When paying for lost or damaged material
that you have borrowed, use a check from your library, not a check you have
received from your patron. Include a note along with your check, giving the
cite for the material you are paying for.
* Send meaningful email replies - When you send email to a library that wants
to borrow from you, include the cite for the material you were asked to
lend. Messages which say simply, "Sorry, it's missing" or "Out until August
30" are a mystery. Give at least the author and title of the material you
are communicating about.
DOL ILL Office Lore.
* We work in batches - We read your messages the day AFTER you send them.
They are printed once a day and usually arrive at the DOL_ILL office before
9 am. This is more noticeable over holidays, such as Labor Day.
* That second time around - Sometimes you send a request and we write back
asking for more help and/or information. If you need to send us a request
for the second time, we can work more quickly when you include the request
number from your original request.
* No reservations taken - We cannot place reserves on UVM materials for you.
We always have to refuse requests for reserves. On the other hand,
occasionally UVM material that is charged out on long term loan can be
retrieved for your use. When you ask for a loan, we automatically check to
see whether circulating material can be retrieved for you.
*Cooperation Corner*
--focusing on local libraries' efforts to work together with other libraries
and community groups by Marianne Kotch, Director, Public Library Support
Services
SHARE A COLLECTION...
Librarians from Benson, Cornwall and Shoreham gathered last summer to pick
out books from Midstate Regional Library for their libraries. Along with
the books, they shared ideas and news about their libraries. Former regional
librarian Jim Nolte delivered about 500 books, many of them brand new, to
the area for a year. The librarians met twice during the year to exchange
the collections.
When the due date for the experiment approached, regional librarian Paula
Davidson called each librarian to see if they were interested in having a
rotating collection again. All said they were, but they were more specific
about what they wanted this time: more adult books, some picture books,
fewer juvenile titles. On August 25, Davidson and MRL Clerk Thomas Gauthier
returned to the area with about 300 books for the librarians to choose from.
One librarian even said that her cousin, who is the librarian at another
library far from MRL, is interested in participating in a similar exchange.
If your library would like to help organize such a cooperative set-up,
please call your regional librarian.
SHARE A PROGRAM...
The Franklin-Grand Isle Librarians invite you and your library patrons to a
program by Vermont author Joseph Citro at the Richford Town Hall on
Saturday, October 30, at 2:00 pm. Noted for his spooky stories, including
Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls, and Unsolved Mysteries (Chapters, 1994),
Citro plans to unveil some stories set in the Franklin County area for this
special pre-Halloween treat.
The author is coming as part of a cooperative effort by the public librarians
in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties who held their first such program last
spring in Fairfax with author Archer Mayor. Each participating library pays
a small amount toward the author's fee, and the librarians also held a
low-key raffle to name one of Mayor's characters this fall, thanks to that
author. The libraries also share arrangements and refreshments for the
programs which they plan to hold in various locations in the region.
AVAILABLE...
Resources...
..."Factline 2000," a publication of the Vermont Y2K Council free from Cindy
Delaney, 1-888-Y2K-SOLV or info@vty2k.org. Cindy will include some
consumer- related information in her packet to your library if you ask.
...National Award for Library Service, honoring outstanding American
libraries that have made a significant and exceptional contribution to their
communities - from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, whose
website www.imls.gov/nals00app.htm includes an application form due Nov. 20,
1999.
...Vermont Telecommunications Relay Service (VTRS) publishes an occasional
newsletter with information about services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing,
such as the location of TTY pay phones and benefits for low income
Vermonters. Contact VTRS at 1-800-253-0195 to get on the mailing list, or
via internet cedanielson@att.com.
...Change and Challenge, an award winning one-hour documentary on Vermont
land use patterns over the last 50 years documentary - to educational and
community groups who wish to use it as a focus for discussions about the
past, present, and future of their communities. Sponsored by the Orton
Family Fdn., it was on Vermont Public Television last year. Three short
subject films are also available: "Patterns of Settlement", "The Value of
the Working Landscape", and "Industrial Vermont". Contact the Orton Family
Foundation, 802-773-6336 or http://www.orton.org.
Grants...
..."Live at the Library" grants to help 500 libraries around the country
host programs and develop partnerships. Co-sponsored by the American
Library Association, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Library
of Congress Center for the Book, see ALA's website for details:
www.ala.org/publicprograms.
Continuing Education...
...Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Boston, has a
number of timely institutes for continuing education this fall. Some topics
include "Weaving a Web of Welcome," "Usability Testing for Web Design," and
"Strategies for Grantwriting Success." Many occur on Saturdays for a cost
of $90-140. Contact Simmons at (617)521-2803.
...CPG Enterprises (P.O. Box 199, Shaftsbury 05262) provides training in
fundraising techniques and publishes the annual Vermont Directory of
Foundations and other helpful publications. Ask to be put on the mailing
list.
..."Managing Preservation," a coordianted series of five workshop, presented
October, 1999, through Sept., 2000, by the Northeast Document Conservation
Center (100 Brickstone Sq., Andover, MA 01810-1494). Only 20 participants
will be chosen; application deadline is Sept. 7. Cost: $500
COMING EVENTS FOR FALL, 1999
Mon., Sept. 6 State holiday - Department of Libraries central office and
regional libraries closed
Tues., Sept. 7 "Planning for Results" group meeting, 9:30 am, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Wed. & Thurs., Sept. 8 & 9 "Young Adult Services" workshop, 9:30 am,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Fri., Sept. 10 VLTA Steering Committee meeting, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional
Library, Berlin. Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Tues., Sept. 14 "Grantwriting" workshop, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional Library,
Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261. Continues Wed., Sept. 15 and
Tues., Sept. 28.
Thurs., Sept. 16 Children's Services Advisory Group meeting, 9:30 am.,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Fri., Sept. 17 "Understanding MARC" workshop, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional
Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sat., Sept. 18 Norwich Public Library grand opening, 3-5 pm. Ceremonies at
4 pm. Contact: Sylvia Fraser, 649-1184.
Tues., Sept. 21 Chittenden County Librarians meeting, 9:00 am, Burnham
Memorial Library, Colchester. Contact: Carolyn Barnes, 879-7576.
Tues., Sept. 21 Franklin-Grand Isle Librarians meeting, 9:30 am, H.F. Brigham
Free Library, Bakersfield. Topic: 1998 standards with Marianne Kotch.
Contact: Helen Bushey, 827-4414.
Thurs., Sept. 23 VLA Board meeting, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional Library,
Berlin. Contact: Linda Brew, 656-2020.
Fri., Sept. 24 Public Library Directors' quarterly forum, 9:30 am, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Guest speaker: Sheila Kearns. Help session for
1998 standards follows. Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Fri., Sept. 24 "Booked for Breakfast," informal gathering of librarians who
deliver services to children, 9:00 am, Lawrence Memorial Library, Bristol.
Topic: suggestions for reluctant readers. Contact: Priscilla. 453-2366.
Sat., Sept. 25-Fri., Oct. 2 Banned Books Week. Contact: ALA,
1-800-545-2433.
Sun., Sept. 26-Tues., Sept. 28 New England Library Association annual
conference, Holiday Inn Center of NH, Manchester, NH. Member registration
fee for three days: $40. Contact: NELA Conf. Reg., (978) 685-5966.
Thurs., Sept. 30 Help session for 1998 standards, 9:30 am, place TBA.
Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Tues., Oct. 5 Rutland County Librarians meeting, 10:00 am, West Rutland
Free Library. Guest speaker: Frank Woods. Contact: Paula Davidson,
828-2320.
Thurs., Oct. 7 Red Clover Award conference, 9:00 am, Lake Morey Inn,
Fairlee. Reg. fee: $50 (includes manual). Contact: Vermont Center for the
Book, 875-2751, www.vermontbook.org.
Tues., Oct. 13 "VALS Update" workshop, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional Library,
Berlin. Repeats Wed., Oct. 14. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Sun., Oct. 17-Sat., Oct. 23 "Teen Read Week," sponsored by American
Library Association, 1-800-545-2433, www.ala.org/teenread.
Sat., Oct. 23 "Anatomy of Violence" conference, 9:00 am, Radisson Hotel,
Burlington. Keynote speaker: Archer Mayor. Reg. fee: $40. Contact:
Vermont Center for the Book, 872-2751, www.vermontbook.org.
Tues., Oct. 26 Children's materials review session, 9:00 am, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W. Greene. Repeats: Wed., 10/27,
Sherburne Library, Killington; Thurs., 10/28, Butterfield Library,
Westminster; Tues., 11/2, Milton Public Library; Wed., 11/3, NERL, St.
Johnsbury.
Sat., Oct. 30 Joseph Citro program sponsored by Franklin-Grand Isle
Librarians, 2:00 pm, Richford Town Hall. Contact: Annette Goyne, 878-3313.
Mon., Nov. 2 Minimum standards application forms due. Contact: Marianne
Kotch, 828-2320.
Thurs., Nov. 11 State holiday. Department of Libraries central office and
regional libraries closed.
Fri., Nov. 12 "Speaking Up and Speaking Out for Your Library" conference,
co-sponsored by VLA Public Libraries Section and Vermont Library Trustees
Association, 9:30 am, Sherburne Library, Killington. Fee: $15 by Nov. 1.
Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Mon., Nov. 15 Children's Book Week (through Nov. 21). Contact: Children's
Book Council, 1-800-997-2160.
Thurs., Nov. 18 VLA Board meeting, 9:30 am, Midstate Regional Library,
Berlin. Contact: Linda Brew, 656-2020.
Fri., Nov. 19 Mock Caldecott program, 9:30 am, Vermont Technical College.
Speaker: Mary Azarian. Contact: Pam Scott, 828-3261,
cbec@dol.state.vt.us.
Thurs., Nov. 25 & Fri., Nov. 26 State holidays - Department of Libraries
central office and regional libraries closed.
Tues., Nov. 30 "Born to Read 2000" kickoff program, Fletcher Free Library,
Burlington. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
YOUTH SERVICES NEWS
by Grace W. Greene, Children's Services Consultant
828-3261
CHILDREN'S LIBRARIANS FALL MEETING...
Everyone who works with children in a public library is invited, even urged,
to attend our annual planning meeting to be held on Thursday, September 16
at 9:30 a.m. at the Midstate Regional Library in Berlin. We will plan next
year's summer reading program on time travel and select a slogan, and then
choose a theme for 2001. In addition, Cynthia Tokos Pristow, project
manager for the Born to Read 2000 project (see below) will be there to tell
you about that exciting literacy effort and how public libraries can be
involved.
Librarians from Chittenden County and other parts north are invited to join
Mary Graf and Marti Fiske in an afternoon meeting that day to plan an
informal children's services discussion group similar to "Booked for
Breakfast," the group in the Rutland/Middlebury area.
BORN TO READ 2000...
The Vermont Business Roundtable has taken on an ambitious literacy project
for the year 2000. They will be giving out free bookbags and a video about
reading to each child born in the state of Vermont in 2000. The bags will
given at the child's six month well baby visit, so the first ones will be
given in July, 2000. The Department of Libraries is partnering with the
Roundtable to provide a coupon in each of the bags for another book
redeemable at their local public library. We will be providing the books to
all the public libraries; all you have to do is hand them out! You will be
hearing a lot more about this over the next year, but this is a basic outline
of the program. To hear more, attend the meeting described above! The kick
off for the entire campaign will be on Tuesday, November 30 at the Fletcher
Free Library in Burlington and there should be lots of media coverage.
LOCATIONS FOR TWO MATERIALS REVIEW SESSIONS CHANGE...
Two of the MRS locations will be different, beginning with the fall session.
The session formerly held in Rutland will now be held at the new Sherburne
Library in Killington (Wed., Oct. 27) and the session formerly held at the
Southeast Regional Library will now be held at the Butterfield Library in
Westminster (Thurs., Oct. 28). Anyone who selects books for children or
young adults is welcome to attend one of the five Materials Review Sessions
co-sponsored by the Department of Libraries and the Department of Education.
The programs, which begin at 9:00 a.m. and last about four hours, feature
oral reviews by Grace Greene, Children's Services Consultant of the
Department of Libraries and Leda Schubert, School Library Media Consultant of
the Department of Education.
Books for all levels (preschool - high school) are reviewed. In addition to
oral reviews, we also take books reviewed by our volunteer reviewers, and
non fiction recommended by the review media. At each session there are
several hundred new books to examine. The sessions are free and do not
require registration. There are two sessions annually: one in the fall and
one in the spring. Other fall dates are Tues., Oct. 26 at Midstate Regional
Library, Berlin; Tues., Nov. 2 at Milton Public Library; and Wed., Nov. 3 at
Northeast Regional Library, St, Johnsbury.
To get to Sherburne: From Bethel take Route 100 South to Killington, bear
left at Junction of Route 4, continue East on Route 4. As you begin going
downhill on your left, you will see a little white church. Just beyond it is
the River Road (follow signs e.g. Transfer Station, Municipal Offices).
From Rutland: Take Route 4 East to Killington, left on River Road (follow
signs e.g. Transfer Station, Municipal Offices.
From Ludlow: Take Route 100 North to Route 4 West. (left at blinker at
junction) Continue West for 4+ miles, Goodro Lumber is on the right. Just
beyond, you will see signs for Transfer Station and Municipal Office. River
Road.
To get to Butterfield: From I-91 take Exit 5 if coming from the north, Exit 4
if coming from the south, and then take Route 5 into Westminster. The
library is in the center of town, a large brick building.
MOCK CALDECOTT...
The annual Mock Caldecott program will be held on Friday, November 19 at the
Vermont Technical College in Randolph. We are very lucky to have as our
speaker Mary Azarian, this years Caldecott winner, for SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY.
Many will speak in the morning, and the afternoon will be spent choosing our
favorite picture book of 1999. Registration information will be available in
September. Call Pam Scott at 828-3261 or email cbec@dol.state.vt.us if you
would like to have a registration form sent to you.
DCF NEWS...
Manual - For the first time, there will be a manual available to those who
participate in (or want to participate in) the DCF program. Modeled roughly
after the Red Clover manual, this will cover ways to participate, the DCF
calendar, how to discuss books with kids, booktalking, intellectual freedom,
how to get DCF materials, etc. Instead of a page of information for each
book, there will be suggestions of thematic links, such as journeys, humor or
unconventional narratives. Each theme has a brief statement about its
meaning, a list of DCF books that address the theme, and a list of related
supplemental titles. The whole DCF committee has contributed to the booklet
and Leda Schubert, School Library Media Consultant, is editing it. The
Department of Education will cover the costs of printing and distributing
copies to all schools and public libraries.
Bookmarks - Updated bookmarks with the 1999 winner are now available. They
are free to all schools and public libraries. Request them from Pam Scott
at 828-3261 or email cbec@dol.state.vt.us.
Lavalla Grants - Marjorie Gillam Lavalla grants in amounts up to $500.00 will
again be available to schools and libraries. The committee is looking for
projects to promote the DCF program in libraries, schools and communities.
Money can be used only for books, but the books can be from this year's list,
past DCF lists or supplemental titles. Request an application from Pam
Scott, (802) 828-3261 or email CBEC@DOL.STATE.VT.US Deadline: October 1,
1999.
Committee Openings - There will be two three-year openings on the DCF
committee beginning in March, 2000. Please let interested teachers, parents
and community members know about this opportunity. Applicants should send a
letter of interest, a brief resume and two reviews, one positive and one
negative, of any children's books of their choosing to: Grace W. Greene,
Children's Services Consultant, Vermont Department of Libraries, 109 State
Street, Montpelier, VT 05609. Deadline: October 1, 1999.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND HANDOUTS AVAILABLE...
Several bibliographies and handouts created for recent workshops are now
available. Please contact Pam Scott at (802) 828-3261 or email:
CBEC@DOL.STATE.VT.US for any of the following:
* CBEC Bibliographies: Traveling Exhibits and Resources (a list of everything
you can get from us)
* Grant Sources for Children's Services in Vermont
* Three bibliographies from the Storytellers Survival Kit:
Collections of Stories for Telling
Professional Readings, Bibliographies and Resources
Stories for Beginners to Tell
FLANNELBOARD COLLECTION REJUVENATED...
Thanks to some enterprising librarians in the Southeast region and Pam Scott,
Secretary for the CBEC, we now have a flannelboard collection that's worth
borrowing! This spring Amy Howlett, Southeast Regional Librarian, led a
"work bee" at the Butterfield Library in Westminster to make flannelboards
for local libraries and a copy for the CBEC, too. Several busy librarians
then and later created the pieces for the following stories, rhymes and
songs:
ASK MR. BEAR
BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR
FROGGY GETS DRESSED
THE GIANT CARROT
I WENT WALKING
JACK AND JILL
OLD MACDONALD HAD A FAR
Thanks go to Amy, Beverly Cable of Whitingham, Harriette Hamilton of
Wilmington, Alicia Kelley of Rockingham, Linda Fawcett of Westminster and
especially Cathi Wilkin of Guilford, who has sent two more since. Any of
these (or the old ones, all of which are now in good shape) can be borrowed
by contacting Pam Scott at 828- 3261 or email cbec@dol.state.vt.us. The
older titles are:
ANIMALS SHOULD DEFINITELY
NOT WEAR CLOTHING
THE BED JUST SO
THE BIG ORANGE SPOT
COCONUT THIEVES
COULD ANYTHING BE WORSE?
HOUSE OF FOUR SEASONS
MARTHA MATILDA O'TOOLE
THE PROUD WHITE CAT
TOO MUCH NOISE
Soon these will all be cataloged and available through ILL so borrowing will
be easier!
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STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES
Sybil Brigham McShane, State Librarian . . . . . . . . . 828-3265
Library & Information Services Division
Marjorie D. Zunder, Director . . . . . . . . . . . . 828-3261
Paul Donovan, Head, Law & Documents Unit . . . . . 828-3261
Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit . . 828-3261
S. Francis Woods, Head, Special Services Unit. . . 828-3273
Public Library Support Services Division
Marianne Kotch, Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828-2320
Grace Greene, Children's Services Consultant . . . 828-3261
Paula Davidson, Midstate Regional Library (Berlin) 828-2320
Michael Roche, Northeast Regional Library (St. Johnsbury)748-3428
Amy Howlett, Southeast Regional Library (Dummerston)257-2810
Vermont Automated Libraries System (VALS)
Sheila M. Kearns, Information Technology Manager . . 828-3261
Robert Longe, Information Technology Specialist . 828-3261
NEWS is a federal-state program
under
the Library Services and Technology Act
Editor: Marianne Kotch
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES
109 STATE ST.
MONTPELIER, VT 05609
Howard B. Dean, M.D., Governor
Sybil Brigham McShane, State Librarian
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