Vermont Dept. of Libraries News, No. 117, Summer 2000
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State of Vermont
Department of Libraries
N E W S
No. 117, Summer 2000
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STATE LIBRARIAN REVIEWS LEGISLATIVE SEASON
At the June 20, 2000, meeting of the Vermont Board of Libraries, State
Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane reviewed the 2000 session of the Vermont
General Assembly as it related to the Department and to public libraries.
Besides passage of the Department's budget, legislation relating to
libraries focussed on authorization for the Department to create a
nonprofit foundation, funding of public library construction projects, and
a change in the maximum number of trustees for incorporated public
libraries.
Noting that some corporations and foundations are permitted to give
funds only to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status,
McShane said that some donors had approached the Department in the past
about developing grant programs for public libraries. The nonprofit
foundation that the Department has been authorized to establish will allow
the agency to respond to organizations that want to give funds to local
public libraries but do not want to develop their own grant application
processes. The Department would be excluded from receiving funds
distributed by the new foundation and is authorized to spend up to $5,000
each year to administer it. McShane emphasized that the foundation will
not compete with local libraries' fundraising efforts but, rather, should
result in new grant opportunities for Vermont public libraries.
Eleven public library construction projects were given a boost through
the state's capital construction budget for the fourth year. Libraries
receiving funds are Barnet Public Library; Lawrence Memorial Library,
Bristol; Island Pond Public Library; Tenney Memorial Library, Newbury;
Reading Public Library; Richmond Free Library; Ainsworth Public Library,
Williamstown; Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock; Goodrich Memorial
Library, Newport; Brownell Library, Essex Junction; and Peacham Library.
The General Assembly also amended 22 V.S.A., § 104 to read:
§ 104. PUBLIC LIBRARIES; TRUSTEES, MANAGERS OR
DIRECTORS
The trustees, managers or directors of such corporation
shall compose its members and shall not be more than 15 nor
less than five in number.
The change relates to incorporated public libraries only. The number
of trustees for a municipal public library was left unchanged at "not less
than five trustees" (22 V.S.A. § 143).
At the June Board of Libraries meeting, the Board also discussed a
variety of geographic name changes and a draft of the Department's
Internet Use Policy and Guidelines, to be adopted after review by the
office of the Attorney General.
McSHANE ATTENDS NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE EVENT
State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane attended Library Legislative Day
in Washington, DC, on May 1-2, along with Vermont Library Assn. Government
Relations Chair Pat Hazlehurst. The annual event, organized by the
American Library Association's Office of Government Relations and the Chief
Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), promotes understanding between
federal agencies and lawmakers and the library community. More than 500
people from every state except Hawaii attended.
During this year's Legislative Day, McShane and Hazlehurst met with
Vermont Senators Leahy and Jeffords to discuss reauthorization of the
federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the impact of other
federal funding and programs on Vermont libraries of all types. They
particularly noted the positive impact of E-rate discounts on
telecommunications services for libraries. Other issues discussed by state
delegations through the day were the reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA), database protection, and the need for local
control over federal filtering mandates. The event concluded with
debriefing sessions for state coordinators followed by a Congressional
reception. A report of the day appears at the ALA Washington Office
website: http://www.ala.org/washoff/legday. Next year's National Library
Legislative Day will be held May 7-8, 2001.
JEFFORDS, DEAN UNVEIL MOBILE LIBRARY LITERACY PROJECT
U.S. Senator James Jeffords and Governor Howard Dean announced federal
funding of the Vermont Mobile Library Literacy Project on April 10 in the
Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier. A group of third graders from Montpelier
Elementary School joined librarians and trustees concerned about delivering
library materials to those unable to access local libraries. The brief
presentation was highlighted by a joint reading (and a little singing) by
Jeffords and Dean of Joseph Had A Little Overcoat, this year's Newbery
Award winning picture book. Afterwards, participants were invited to tour
the Windham County Reads bookmobile and the Cobleigh Public Library
(Lyndonville) "Books on Wheels" van.
Designed to "promote access to books, reading programs, and
information through technology," the project will be in the form of a
non-competitive National Leadership Grant of $948,796 to the Department of
Libraries overseen by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The
Department will develop a program to provide grants to local libraries
working with coalitions of school districts, schools, and other community
organizations to provide mobile library services on a county, school
district, or regional basis. The grants will be flexible, but the emphasis
will be on partnerships, service to all age groups, and sustainability
beyond the two year grant period.
State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane noted that in federal FY1996
(the last year for which statistics are available), Vermont was the only
state in the nation where no public library maintained a bookmobile.
Nationally about 10% of public libraries do so. Since 1996, local Vermont
libraries and/or community organizations in Starksboro, Waterbury,
Lyndonville, Williston, Windham County, and elsewhere have experimented
with bookmobiles, especially in the summer.
The projects visited day care centers, summer recreation sites and
parks, mobile home parks, housing projects, senior housing, general stores,
and others. At the stops, books were loaned, story hours given, reference
questions answered, and interlibrary loan requests taken. Many other
public libraries maintain year-round delivery to shut-ins, day care
facilities, senior meal sites, etc. These efforts have been staffed by
local librarians, library trustees, volunteers, Department of Libraries
staff, and AmeriCorps/VISTA members.
McShane also noted that, when aggregated by state, the nation's public
library statistics for 1994 indicate that circulation of children's print
and non-print materials is associated with higher performance on the
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading test. The
Colorado Library Research Service found in 1997 the same performance
relationship to be true for public library circulation statistics and the
reading test scores in that state. McShane's preliminary, informal work
with Vermont statistics indicates that the correlation may also be true
here. "Given such statistics," she said, "extending the reach of the local
library through mobile services can only be to the benefit of Vermont's
citizens and help establish the habit for lifelong learning."
The last bookmobiles in Vermont were operated by the Department of
Libraries and phased out in 1972-74 due to an aging fleet that was gas
inefficient. The Mobile Library Literacy Project will not be operated by
the state agency and staffed by state employees. Rather, it will involve
local efforts that are scaled to fit the particular needs of the counties,
school districts, or other service areas funded. Public libraries should
expect to receive application forms for the Mobile Library Literacy grants
this summer.
DEPARTMENT, IBM OFFER COMPUTER AND CONNECTIVITY GRANTS
The Department of Libraries is offering two technology grants for
public libraries meeting Minimum Standards for Vermont Public Libraries
this summer:
* In cooperation with the IBM Corporation, the
Department recently announced Public Access Computer grants
which will make available up to 20 computer workstations for
public access to the Vermont Automated Libraries System
(VALS), the internet, and other electronic resources.
* The Department also a number of Internet Connectivity
grants which will, in conjunction with "e-rate" discounts,
assist libraries in covering the cost of high speed internet
access for a period of three years. Both of these grants
are funded under the Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) in accordance with the Statewide Plan for Library
Development and Information Access in Vermont FY2000 - FY2004
(April 1, 1999). The IBM Corporation is generously assisting
the Department with the Public Access Computer Grant program.
Each grant must be applied for separately. Public libraries that are
interested in applying for either (or both) grant(s) and meet the
eligibility requirements should complete and return the appropriate
application form(s) postmarked no later than JULY 31, 2000. The two types
of grant applications will be considered separately and a library may be
awarded either one or both grants.
Application forms were mailed to public libraries and are also
available for downloading at the Department's web site. If you have access
to Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft Excel, you can fill out the forms in
those applications by downloading the application forms at the following
URL:
http://dol.state.vt.us/gopher_root5/libraries/misc/grants/grantfy00.html.
The web page may also be reached by clicking on the "Librarians Resources"
link on the Department's homepage (http://dol.state.vt.us) and then
clicking on the "DOL Grant Applications" link. Librarians who choose to
download the forms and fill them out electronically are asked to hold onto
and refer to the printed version that they will receive in the mail to make
certain they have completed all of the correct forms for the grant(s).
Completed application forms should be printed and mailed (with appropriate
signatures and attachments) to the Department. Any questions about these
grant programs or about the information being requested in the application
may be directed to Sheila Kearns, Information Technology Manager, 828-3261.
NEW BOOK BOXES CATER TO ALL AGES
Department of Libraries staff recently put together another series of
book box collections, which are already proving popular in libraries around
the state. Two of the new collections are "sequels": Inspirational II,
which includes some "Soup for the Soul" guides and other nonfiction titles
along with new Christian fiction; and Young Adult II, which features
several graphic novels as well as a new group of YA fiction. Two more
collections serve young readers: Early Readers, a set of series and
individual titles for children just beginning to read; and Transitional
Readers, a set of short, easy chapter books to help children make the
transition to longer novels. Finally, a Fantasy & Science Fiction
collection will help libraries serve patrons who prefer to be out of this
world!
Meanwhile, the titles in the first series of book boxes -- Young
Adult, Inspirational, Adult New Reader, and Babies & Toddlers -- continue
to circulate well in local communities. We hope that these temporary
"starter" collections are helping libraries measure the need for titles and
series targeted to special populations and reading interests. We have
heard from a few librarians who see great demand and plan to buy several of
the titles on our book lists to serve local readers.
The book boxes each include a collection of 30-50 paperback books, as
well as informational handouts to help you locate titles or plan programs
to serve the target population. Regional libraries will mail them to
public libraries to circulate for the same 4-month loan period as books
selected at regional libraries. Contact your regional librarian at any
time to reserve a book box. Most of the book boxes do have waiting lists,
but we'll be happy to help you during the waiting period by sending book
lists or a collection of books from the regional library that serves the
same patrons. We are also planning to develop more book boxes and would
love your feedback and suggestions.
-- Paula Davidson
Midstate Regional Librarian
SIX LIBRARIES RECEIVE SMITH GRANTS
The Department of Libraries recently awarded Elva Sophronia Smith
Grants to six libraries for outreach projects for children. The libraries
and their projects are as follows:
* Alice Ward Memorial Library, Canaan - for new picture books to use in a
project to encourage home childcare providers to read to their children.
* New Haven Community Library - for outreach to home childcare providers.
* Brandon Free Public Library - for books for the town bookmobile run by
the Early Literacy Collaborative of Brandon, and for related programming.
* Goodrich Memorial Library, Newport - for five Outreach Boxes containing
30 books each, and for a presenter to conduct storytimes at childcare
centers.
* Brown Public Library, Northfield - to conduct a summer reading program
at the community park for participants of the Northfield Kids Summer
Program.
* Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg - to take a traveling library to three
mobile home parks where they will also read stories for six weeks in the
summer.
All of the winning entries showed evidence of strong community
cooperation and collaboration, great enthusiasm and a definite need.
Committee members were Paige McIntire, trustee, Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
Montpelier; Teri Austin, Children's Librarian, Sherburne Memorial Library;
Sherrie Simmons, Librarian, Charlotte Library; Marianne Kotch, Director of
Public Library Support Services, Department of Libraries; and Chair, Grace
W. Greene, Children's Services Consultant, Department of Libraries.
LIBRARIANS ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION
At its annual meeting in March, the Vermont Certification Board voted
to award certification to the following 15 public librarians who were
recognized at the annual Vermont Library Conference in May:
Jane Bouchard Swanton Public Library
Gloria Bunnell Alice M. Ward Memorial Library, Canaan
Jennifer Cary Windsor Public Library
Deborah Doyle Waterbury Village Public Library
Rebecca Lafferty Peacham Library
Lyn Lauffer Haston Library, Franklin
Robin Sales formerly at Cutler Memorial Library,
Plainfield
Martha Simmons Winooski Memorial Library
Sherrie Simmons Charlotte Library
Susan Smolen formerly at Hancock Public Library
Alice Thompson formerly at Blake Memorial Library,
East Corinth
Eleaner Tufano Shrewsbury Library, Cuttingsville
Susan Webster Georgia Public Library
Barbara Whitehill Dailey Memorial Library, Derby
Cathrine Wilken Guilford Free Library
FRIENDS SHARE IDEAS, EXPERTISE
Forty librarians and Friends of the Library group members converged on
Northfield in early April for a day of sharing at the first-ever statewide
Day for Friends. Display tables and easels lined the walls of the Brown
Public Library's new meeting room, where the library's Friends supplied
coffee and muffins. Kay Schlueter, president of the Friends of the Brown,
welcomed the group and told of a recently successful program with author
Archer Mayor that drew about 100 people from as far away as Burlington.
A morning panel featured librarians and Friends from small, medium,
and large libraries. Karen Lane, director of the Aldrich Public Library in
Barre, told a little of the history of the Aldrich Friends group, while
Friends president Lynn Nuissl said that the aim of her group is "to do good
and have a good time." Barre's group raises $6,000 each year via various
activities for programs and materials at Aldrich.
Robin Dion and Robin Sales of Plainfield's Cutler Memorial Library
noted that consistency and visibility are the keys to building and
maintaining membership. Their annual perennial sale raises $1,400 and is
just one means of supporting library materials and events such as "Where
in the World?" and "Neighbor to Neighbor," two ongoing programs
highlighting members of the community and what they do.
Carol Scott, librarian in Fair Haven, agreed that "when you build
community, good things happen." The annual Friends Holiday Open House
culminates a year of monthly programs for all ages. Friends Chair Terry
Demasi displayed the library's newsletter and showed popular handcrafted
angels sold the past three years. Other topics addressed by the six
panelists included membership dues, publicity, relationships with trustees
and staff, decision making, and size. Many of the Friends represented
noted a reliance on a smallish core group which involves others as needed.
After lunch and a tour of the renovated and enlarged library,
participants were free to visit eight "Talk Tables" and discuss starting
and reviving Friends, developing a newsletter, applying for 501(c)(3)
status, programming, non-booksale fundraising, and selling books.
Excellent ideas were offered by discussion facilitators and participants
alike, and networks were created. Perhaps the most enticing fundraising
idea of the day was shared by Alma Beals of Bellows Falls who displayed a
blanket arranged for and sold by the Friends. The blanket had pictures of
notable town landmarks woven in and sold for $49.50, of which $20 went to
the Friends. The risk of paying in advance for 150 afghans paid off as all
were sold.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES OFFER TIPS TO TRUSTEES
Members of the Vermont press offered ideas for "using the media to
tell your library's story" at trustees workshops during this spring's five
Town Officers Educational Conferences. "Use all media available to you,
said Kevin O'Connor of the Rutland Herald who joined Rutland Free Library
Director Paula Baker at the Rutland area program. O'Connor noted that the
free weekly papers generally run things as written and may reach different
people than dailies.
Both O'Connor and Jim Falzarano of the Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
urged librarians and trustees to get to know the staff of their local
papers and to direct news to those individuals. Often there are different
editors for the editorial page, news, the calendar section, and the
bulletin board; send copies of notices of events at least two weeks in
advance to each relevant editor to make sure that items are listed.
Because some newspapers welcome news via e-mail while others are not yet
ready to receive it in this manner, check with your local paper to find out
whether they want e-mail and/or FAX.
Clear black and white photos, particularly those featuring children
doing things, are welcome, but staff photographers will cover library
events if possible. Remember that other community events may pre-empt a
library photo, however. Anything you can do to make the newspaper's job
easier will be to your advantage. While both Falzarano and O'Connor
explained that the size of a newspaper is determined by its advertising
volume, O'Connor noted that when there are more ads, such as during the
holidays, there may be more room for library news.
Falzarano emphasized that because "literacy matters" to newspapers,
they are predisposed to including library and literacy-related news. Keep
language fresh, short, and to the point, he suggested, and remember that
Letters to the Editor can be effective ways of getting the word out.
Falzarano also mentioned that he had been a member of the Montpelier
library's Centennial celebration committee and that involving news people
on library committees is a good way to maintain a solid relationship.
O'Connor suggested sending library newsletters to the newspapers as another
way to keep in touch.
PLANNERS FOLLOW VARIOUS ROUTES
"Planning is the process of solving tomorrow's problems today," says
psychologist Val Farmer, PhD, and about 25 Vermont public libraries are or
have been doing just that. They are involved in formal long range planning
efforts based on the American Library Association publication Planning for
Results: A Library Transformation Process (by Ethel Himmel and William
Wilson, 1999). Public libraries in Colchester and Waitsfield have already
submitted drafts for peer review under the Department of Libraries
"Envisioning Excellence" program. These libraries realize that it is not
enough simply to think about the future; librarians, trustees, and the
communities they serve must reach consensus about future services and
priorities and write them down so that they really get done. It's easy to
study and discuss; it's much harder to actually do.
Planning can help you sort through all the possibilities that present
themselves and choose those that work for your library. Engaging in long
range planning can help you put together a concrete snapshot of the people
who live in your town, their needs for library services, and how well your
library is currently performing. Local community meetings, along with
planning committee discussion, community demographics, and library
statistics, can provide you with data to analyze and share with trustees,
community members, and local officials.
While Planning for Results offers a step-by-step approach, planners
are encouraged to diverge from the manual and complete steps that feel
comfortable and useful to their own situations. For example, some library
planning committees include community members representing various current
and potential user groups, while others consist only of trustees and
library staff. Some libraries have conducted surveys to determine
community members' satisfaction with services and to glean suggestions for
the future; others have relied on focussed community discussions to help
them identify strengths, weaknesses, and possible service priorities for
the future. One of the first steps in the process, development of a
Community Vision Statement, has been skipped by some libraries, but Peter
Blodgett of Thetford's Latham Memorial and George Peabody Libraries feels
that this step offered his two planning committees a place to start and
become cohesive. Planning for Results is designed to be used flexibly
because every community and library situation is different.
Currently, librarians, trustees, and planning committee members from
about 20 Vermont libraries attend one of two monthly support groups based
on Planning for Results. Meeting regularly keeps enthusiasm high, helps
answer many questions along the way, and offers a chance to learn and
discuss with peers. Many of the participants have completed community and
library scans and are currently reviewing Service Responses in preparation
for development of Mission Statements. This summer, they will work with
their planning committees to finalize goals so that by fall they will be
ready to write measurable objectives and outline activities (strategies)
that will help them meet those goals. A solid overall plan of service can
serve as a springboard for development of a Technology Plan, necessary for
some e-rate funding.
The Department of Libraries will be beginning another Planning for
Results group this fall. If your library is interested in participating,
please call me at 828-2320 or email me at marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us.
--Marianne Kotch
Director, Public Library Support Services
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FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
by Marjorie D. Zunder
Director, Library and Information Services
Vermont Interlibrary Loan Advisory Group
Patterned after the Childrens' Services Advisory Group (CSAG), Vermont
interlibrary loan now has its own committee for planning and coordination.
Members of the Vermont Interlibrary Loan Advisory Group (ILLAG) are: Chris
Burchstead, Rockingham Free Library; Jean Fournier, Lyndon State College;
Kristen Hindes, St. Michael's College; Jill Markolf, Warren Public Library;
Caroline Marotti, Rutland Free Library; Vicky Palmer, U-32 High School;
Angus Robertson, UVM; and Marjorie Zunder, DOL ILL. These members have
agreed to serve for two years, meeting twice each year. The first ILLAG
meeting focused on suggestions from the group for possible changes to
Vermont interlibrary loan and revision of training materials used at the
DOL interlibrary loan workshops. ILLAG is scheduled to meet next on
September 14, 2000.
ALA interlibrary loan forms on the web . . .
ALA interlibrary loan forms are available through the Internet.
Vermont public and school libraries use ALA interlibrary loan forms to
borrow from out of state libraries. Library supply vendors, such as
Gaylord and Brodart, sell these as a three part, carbon-backed form. If
you prefer an online format, try
http://www.ala.org/rusa/stnd_illformprint.html. You can view the form in
either of two ways, as a Microsoft Word 6.0 document or as an Adobe Acrobat
document. If you have questions, please contact Marjorie Zunder,
mzunder@dol.state.vt.us or 828-3261.
Public Library Reference Librarians' meeting . . .
Reference librarians from Vermont public libraries are enthusiastic
about a new forum for exchanging ideas. The Public Library Reference
Librarians (PLRL, pronounced "plural") met for the second time in April,
2000, at Rutland Free Library. Everyone was eager to talk about technology
and electronic sources. Two low-tech suggestions from the group are to
leave "post-its" inside the cover of reference books for notes and to keep
a record of interesting and/or difficult reference questions for future
articles or interviews. PLRL plans to meet next in October.
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News from Technical Services
by Lorraine Lanius
Head, Technical Services Unit
PUBCAT symbols . . .
Many librarians may have noticed new and unusual PUBCAT symbols the
past few months. OCLC is running out of letter combinations and has
started using numbers more frequently. Formerly, OCLC symbols that were
assigned to public libraries started with VS or VT. The new symbols have
numbers in the second digit place. For example, the symbol for the
Woodbury Community Library is V6SK. The five CatExpress libraries also
have unusual looking symbols. Each of these libraries now has two symbols.
Brooks Memorial Library (Brattleboro) VSNO BSYA
Fletcher Free Library (Burlington) VSNU F3LA
Brownell Library (Essex Jct.) VSOE B2LA
Ilsley Library (Middlebury) VSOY I8PA
Rutland Free Library VSPU RUTA
Authority Records Available Online at DRA's Web Site . .
DRA (Data Research Associates) provides online access to authority records
found in the Library of Congress authority file. Authority records can
now be searched at the DRA website under the URL:
http://lcauth.dra.com/LCAUTH
Y2K Changes in Library of Congress Control Numbers . . .
Beginning in 2001 the Library of Congress will expand the first
portion of the Library of Congress Control number to differentiate
millennia. For those libraries using catalog cards, the Library of
Congress control number is found on the bottom right corner of the cards.
In the automated catalog, these numbers are found in the 010 field.
Previously, LC included just the last two digits of the year (exp.
90-56734). Once the changes are implemented the numbers will have all four
digits in a year (exp. 2001-58932). The changes won't have a significant
effect on card libraries, but automated libraries should check with their
vendors to make sure the integrated library systems will be able to
accommodate the extra digits in MARC records.
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COMING EVENTS
Tues., June 29, 9:30 am - "Basic Internet" workshop, Fair Haven
Graded School. Repeats Tues., July 6, Lyndon State College. Contact:
Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Tues., July 4 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central
offices and regional libraries closed.
Fri., July 7-Tues., July 11 - American Library Assn. annual
conference, Chicago, IL Contact: ALA, 1-800-545-2433.
Tues., July 11, 9:30 am - "When Customer Service Gets Tough" workshop,
Norwich Public Library. Repeats Thurs., July 13, Dorothy Alling Memorial
Library, Williston. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Mon., July 17, 9:00 am - "Disaster Preparedness and Response" workshop
sponsored by Vermont Historical Records Advisory Board, Windsor House,
Windsor. Fee: $25. Registration deadline: July 11. For more
information and registration form:
http://vermont-archives.org/boards/vhrab/vhrab.htm.
Repeats Tues., July 18, Alexander Twilight Hall Auditorium, Middlebury
College.
Thurs., July 20, 9:30 am - Vermont Library Association board meeting,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Kathy Naftaly, 773-1860.
Mon., July 31 - application deadline for Department of Libraries
FY2000/FY2001 Public Access Computer Grants for Public Libraries and
Internet Connectivity Grants for Public Libraries. Contact: Sheila
Kearns, 828-3261.
Tues., Aug. 8, 9:30 am - "The Automation Experience" workshop, Milton
Public Library. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Mon., Aug. 14, 9:30 am - Franklin-Grand Isle Librarians meeting,
Fairfax Community Library. Guest speaker: Ginger Lee, Vermont Council on
the Humanities. Contact: Sharon Horr, 849-6607.
Tues., Aug. 15, 10:30 am - Vermont Board of Libraries meeting,
Midstate Reigonal Library, Berlin. Contact: Sybil Brigham McShane,
828-3265.
Wed., Aug. 16 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central
offices and regional libraries closed.
Thurs., Aug. 17-Wed., Aug. 23, 9:30 am - "Collection Development"
workshop (5 days), Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Grace W.
Greene, 828-3261.
Thurs., Aug. 17, 9:00 am - "Caring for Photographs" workshop sponsored
by Vermont Historical Records Advisory Board, St. Johnsbury Academy. Fee:
$25. Registration deadline: August 10. For more information and
registration form: http://vermont-archives.org/boards/vhrab/vhrab.htm.
Mon., Sept. 4 - State holiday. Department of Libraries central
offices and regional libraries closed.
Fri., Sept. 8, 9:30 am - Public Library Directors' Quarterly Forum,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Topic: policies for working with
difficult and dangerous customers. Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Tues. Sept. 12 & 19, 9:30 am - "Surfer's Advisory" workshop, Sherburne
Memorial Library, Killington. Repeats Thurs., Sept. 14 & 21, Cobleigh
Public Library, Lyndonville.
Tues., Sept. 12, 9:30 am - Planning for Results group meeting, Essex
Free Library. Repeats: Wed., Sept. 13, Whiting Library, Chester.
Contact: Marianne Kotch, 828-2320.
Thurs., Sept. 14, 9:30 am - Children's librarians' meeting to plan
Summer 2001 statewide reading program, Midstate Regional Library, Berlin.
Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Tues., Sept. 19, 9:00 am - Chittenden County Librarians meeting,
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston. Contact: Rickie Emerson,
878-4918.
Thurs., Sept. 21, 9:30 am - Vermont Library Association board meeting,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Contact: Kathy Naftaly, 773-1860.
Sat.-Fri., Sept. 23-30 - "Banned Books Week." Contact ALA,
1-800-545-2433.
Tues., Sept. 26, 9:30 am - Central Vermont Librarians Assn. (CEVLA)
meeting, Fairlee Public Library. Topic for discussion: outreach.
Contact: Debra Edmands, 333-4716.
Sun.-Tues., Oct. 1-3 - New England Library Assn. annual conference,
Worcester, MA. Contact: Mary Ann Rupert, (603) 673-3923.
Wed., Oct. 4, 9:30 am-12:30 pm - "Booktalking" workshop, Midstate
Regional Library, Berlin. Continues Wed., Oct. 11. Contact: Grace W.
Greene, 828-3261.
Tues., Oct. 17, 10:30 am - Vermont Board of Libraries meeting, Dept.
of Libraries central office, 109 State St., Montpelier. Contact: Sybil
Brigham McShane, 828-3265.
Tues., Oct. 17, 9:30 am - "VALS Update," Midstate Regional Library
Berlin. Repeats Wed., Oct. 18. Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
Tues., Oct. 24, 9:00 am - Children's Materials Review Session,
Midstate Regional Library, Berlin. Repeats Wed., 10/24 (Milton Public
Library), Thurs., 10/26 (Sherburne Memorial Library), Wed., 11/1
(Butterfield Library, Westminster), and Thurs., 11/2 (NERL, St. Johnsbury).
Contact: Grace W. Greene, 828-3261.
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AVAILABLE . . .
Resources . . .
..."Soliciting Appropriations from Outlying Towns," a handout with
suggestions and samples from Vermont public libraries that have obtained
tax funding from surrounding communities - free from Marianne Kotch,
828-2320, marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us.
...Groups rates for health insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield for
Vermont nonprofit organizations through the Vermont Nonprofit Insurance
Trust and the Vermont Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, 862-0292, or
John Gutman of VNIT, 985-1538.
...Information about the federal Family and Medical Leave Act at a
website established by the US Department of Labor -
www.dol.gov/dol/esa/fmla.html. Includes a factsheet, compliance guide,
full text of the law, regulations, and a poster.
...The Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society is extending an
offer of a free study Bible (or another Bible of choice) to Vermont
libraries. VEC will provide Bibles to at least the first 20 libraries who
respond, and may be able to give more. The Charles H. Greenleaf Trust
provides the funding. If your library would like a Bible, please call
Betsy Wackernagel of the VEC at 802/864-7723 or e-mail
.
..."Beyond Difference: A Bibliography," created by the Vermont Center
for the Book to accompany its new reading discussion program - free from
VCB, 875-2751.
..."Vermont Directory of Foundations," listing foundations
incorporated in the state and 175 out-of-state foundations that support
Vermont causes and groups - $40 from CPG Ent., PO Box 199, Shaftsbury
05262, 862-0327. CPG also publishes a variety of other fundraising
publications and a bimonthly newsletter edited by Christine Graham.
. . . Continuing Education
... A staff assessment tool for core competencies in technology
developed by the Kansas City Public Library for a presentation at the
Public Library Assn. conference - at
http://www.kclibrary.org/people/bob/pla.htm/.
... InstantWeb's Online Computing Dictionary, offering understandable
definitions of acronyms, jargon, tools, networking, and other words
connected with computing - at http://www.instantweb.com/foldoc/.
. . . Grants
... Collections Surveys and Arrangement and Description matching
grants from the Vermont Historical Records Advisory Board (VHRAB) to help
libraries and other organizations organize and preserve manuscripts, land
records, vital statistics, oral and video history tapes, maps, scrapbooks,
photographs, and other historical materials. Application deadlines are the
first work day of each month. Contact VHRAB Grants Coordinator Michael
Sherman, 223-2632, or the VHRAB website
(http://vermont-archives.org/boards/vhrab/vhrab.htm) for more details
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YOUTH SERVICES NEWS
by Grace W. Greene, Children's Services Consultant
BORN TO READ . .
On July 1 the first babies will be eligible for their Born to Read
packets - a fabulous gift provided by the Vermont Business Roundtable, to
all Vermont babies born this year. Babies will receive the totebags from
their doctors at their six month well baby visit. In the bag will be:
* THE VERY BUSY SPIDER by Eric Carle
* CLAP HANDS by Helen Oxenbury
* PUSSYCAT PUSSYCAT illustrated by Rosemary Wells
* WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak
* an audiotape of James Earl Jones reading WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
* a videotape on reading to babies
* a booklet containing suggestions of how to choose books for children
birth - five with suggestions of good books for each year and a coupon to
take to the public library for a copy of Rosemary Wells MAX'S BATH.
Librarians from 117 libraries attended the Born to Read workshops in
May, and at those workshops, were given:
* their allotment of MAX'S BATH
* three copies of the giant pop-up book, TWO TINY BEARS MAKE A BIG MOVE
by Maria Mudd Ruth
* the Born to Read video
* a Born to Read poster
The Department of Libraries supplied the board books; all other
materials were donated by the Roundtable. Libraries which did not attend
the workshops will all be sent one book and handouts at the end of June.
Anyone who needs more information or materials, please contact me at
(802)828-3261 or email at ggreene@dol.state.vt.us
Now, it is up to each library to make this program work! Tell
everyone you know about it, starting with other staff, trustees and
volunteers; feature it in newsletters and press releases; mention it at
every program you do. Be sure to contact local doctors who do six month
well baby visits. If they are involved, ask them to talk up the public
library component. If they are not involved, explain the program, urge
them to participate, and contact the project director, Cynthia Tokos
Pristow at cbtokos@together.net , phone (802)828-3261 223-4884, to sign
them up.
This is a great time to upgrade your collection for babies and
toddlers, to begin a storytime for babies and to increase your
collaboration and outreach efforts. If you need any help, please ask.
Born to Read is an important program that can really make a difference, by
getting people into the library who never normally go. Sign these
newcomers up for cards, show them your materials for young children, and
tell them about your programs and series. Make them as comfortable and
welcome as possible. Your short term goal is to make them want to return;
your long term goal is simply to change the world!
CAMEL'S HUMP RADIO . . .
The first season of the new children's book program, Camel's Hump
Radio, is well underway. One week in June listeners were treated to a
taste of a different book every night, and now the programs are being aired
throughout the summer on Saturday mornings at 7:30 on all Vermont Public
Radio stations. Each program is hosted by Philip Baruth and features music
and information related to the chosen book, as well as a well chosen
excerpt. Listeners are urged to get the book to complete the reading
experience. This is a great way to encourage family read-alouds! Buy
extra copies of the books in paperback, put them on display, and urge your
patrons to read them aloud. There is also a Camel's Hump website through
www.vpr.net which lists related titles, puzzles and recipes. Here is the
remaining summer schedule:
Author Title Date Read by
Kenneth Grahame THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS July 1,Aug 26 Deborah Lubar,
actress
J. R. R. Tolkien THE HOBBIT July 8 Philip Baruth,
novelist and host
Farley Mowat OWLS IN THE FAMILY July 15 Eveleen Cecchini,
raptor expert
Louis Sachar HOLES July 22 Cornelius Hogan,
former Sec., AHS
Roald Dahl CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY July 29 Madeleine
Kamman, chef
Esther Forbes JOHNNY TREMAIN August 5 Chris Bohjalian,
author
F.A. Worsley SHACKLETON'S BOAT JOURNEY August 12 Bill Barber &
Jay Klinck, polar
scientists
Rudyard Kipling PUCK OF POOK'S HILL August 19 Tony Barrand,
singer
CHILDREN'S LIBRARIANS FALL MEETING . . .
Don't miss the annual gathering to plan summer reading programs and
network with other children's librarians! This year the meeting will be on
Thursday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Midstate Regional Library in
Berlin. At that time we will refine plans for our outdoor adventure theme
for 2001, and choose a theme for 2002. Anyone who works with children in a
public library is invited to attend.
FALL MATERIALS REVIEW SESSION . . .
Need some help selecting books for children and young adults? Then
plan to attend the materials review sessions co-sponsored by the Department
of Libraries and the Department of Education. Each time, we orally review
about 150 books, and also take hundreds of others recommended by our
volunteer reviewers and the review media. It's also a fabulous way to hear
the latest news and to network! The dates for the fall are listed in the
"Coming Events" section of this newsletter (p. 10). Each session begins
at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about four hours. Bring a lunch so you aren't
starving by the end!
DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER NEWS . . .
Winner - The winner of the 2000 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award is
Louis Sachar for HOLES (FSG, 1998), the 1999 Newbery Medal book.
Unfortunately, because of his busy schedule, Mr. Sachar is unable to come
to Vermont this year, but wrote a letter to the children and autographed a
bookplate for each participating school and public library. The top ten
books this year were:
AUTHOR TITLE VOTES
1. Sachar, Louis HOLES 1137
2. Haddix, Margaret Peterson AMONG THE HIDDEN 287
3. Avi POPPY AND RYE 286
4. Warner, Sally SORT OF FOREVER 219
5. Gantos, Jack JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY 212
6. Fletcher, Susan SHADOW SPINNER 173
7. Holt, Kimberly Willis MY LOUISIANA SKY 167
8. Philbrick, Rodman MAX THE MIGHTY 166
9. Mazer, Harry THE WILD KID 152
10. Gauthier, Gail A YEAR WITH BUTCH AND SPIKE 142
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 Dorothy Canfield Fisher program in
libraries, schools and communities. Money can be used only for books, but
the books can be from this year's list, past Dorothy Canfield Fisher lists
or supplemental titles. Request an application from Pam Scott at (802)
828-3261 or email cbec@dol.state.vt.us . Deadline: October 14, 2000.
Manual - The Dorothy Canfield Fisher committee will update the manual
over the summer to include books on this year's list. It will not be
mailed out in hard copy, but will be available to download through the
Dorothy Canfield Fisher website: http://mps.k12.vt.us/msms/dcf/dcf.html.
RED CLOVER UPDATE . . .
More than 25,000 children in grades K - 4 voted for the Red Clover
award this year, and chose TEN MINUTES TILL BEDTIME by Peggy Rathmann
(Putnam, 1999) as their favorite. The books in order of their popularity
are:
Rathmann, Peggy. TEN MINUTES TILL BEDTIME. (5,608)
Scieszka, Jon. SQUIDS WILL BE SQUIDS. (4,386)
Bodkin, Odds. THE CRANE WIFE. (3,072)
Gerstein, Mordicai. THE WILD BOY. (2,662)
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY. (2007)
Kvasnosky. Laura McGee. ZELDA AND IVY. (1,905)
Feiffer, Jules. I LOST MY BEAR. (1,860)
Steig, William. PETE'S A PIZZA. (1,734)
Mathers, Petra. LOTTIE'S NEW BEACH TOWEL. (708)
Shulevitz, Uri. SNOW. (391)
The annual Red Clover conference will be held on Tuesday, October 3 at
the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee. Peggy Rathmann will be there to receive her
award and to deliver a speech. As usual, there will also be many great
workshops. Registration information will be available later in the summer.
MOCK CALDECOTT . . .
The annual Mock Caldecott program will be held on Friday, November 17
at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph. Author/illustrator Eileen
Christelow will be the featured speaker. Eileen will speak in the morning,
and the afternoon will be spent choosing our favorite picture book of 2000.
Registration information will be available in September. Call Pamela Scott
at (802) 828-3261 or email cbec@dol.state.vt.us if you would like to have a
registration form sent to you.
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STATE OF VERMONT
AGENCY OF ADMINISTRATION
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
Editor: Marianne Kotch
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES
109 STATE ST.
MONTPELIER, VT 05609
http://dol.state.vt.us
Howard B. Dean, M.D., Governor
Sybil Brigham McShane, State Librarian
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News is published four times each year by the Vermont Department of
Libraries and is distributed to all Vermont libraries, trustee chairs,
state legislators, and other who care about Vermont libraries. News is
available upon request in Braille, in large print, or on disk. Call
828-3261. NEWS is a federal-state program under the Library Services and
Technology Act.
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