James H. Douglas, Governor  •  Sybil Brigham McShane, State Librarian
No. 132 • February 2005

BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS

           John Rosenthal of Charlotte was elected Chair of the Vermont Board of Libraries at its October 12, 2004, meeting, and Laura Lewis of Guilford was elected Vice Chair.  Both will serve one year terms.  A former school librarian, Charlotte Library trustee, town lister, and town selectboard member, Rosenthal has served on the Board since 2001 and served on the Standards Revision Committee in 1997.   Lewis, a former Guilford trustee, retired as librarian of Brattleboro Union High School and has served on the Board since 2000.

          At the October meeting, the board offered a rising vote of appreciation for the work of former chair Joan Rahe of Bennington, who had served as interim chair and chair for nearly six years.  State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane offered special thanks for Rahe’s moral support over her term.  Other Board members include David E. L. Brown, Susan Roush Bruce, Nancy Price Graff, and Aline White.

           Also at the October meeting, the Board of Libraries approved the naming of the new Bennington By-Pass, Vermont Route 279, the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.  Nine representatives of local and state Veterans of Foreign Wars spoke in favor of this naming.  In addition, the Board discussed closer ties with VLA and VEMA and heard reports from McShane on current and future Department budgets, the status of the Vermont Public Library Foundation/Freeman grant program, federal library funding, and the renewal of the Vermont Online Library contract.  

           At the December 12 Board of Libraries meeting, the staff report on libraries meeting minimum standards for Vermont public libraries was heard.  This year 132 public libraries meet standards and are, thus, eligible to use the Vermont Centralized Card/MARC Service and to apply for Department of Libraries grants as they become available.  In addition to the standards report, the Board of Libraries met with then-Deputy Secretary of Administration, Tasha Wallace, who reviewed the board’s role.  The next meeting of the Board of Libraries will be Tuesday, February 15 at 10:30 am at the Midstate Regional Library, Berlin.

DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GATES GRANT

           State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane recently announced that the Department of Libraries has received a Staying Connected challenge grant to support public access computing sustainability efforts in local public libraries from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The $165,000 grant will be used to upgrade public access computers in local libraries and to offer statewide maintenance support over a three year period.

           Public libraries that received public access computers in the previous round of Gates grants that also serve communities with median house hold incomes of less than $35,000 will be eligible to receive hardware upgrades and replacements on a matching basis.  The foundation hopes the Staying Connected challenge grants will act as a catalyst for others to support the public library as an institution and to make a priority of providing broad public access to information technologies.  These challenge grants are given to state library agencies so they can assist local libraries with technology needs, particularly in training staff and keeping their computer systems running. 

        The Gates Foundation’s original aim of helping public libraries in low-income areas is again a guideline in the Staying Connected program:   “Our goal is that the neediest public libraries receive upgrade and replacement assistance as well as training and technical support.”  McShane stated that about 60 Vermont public libraries will be able to receive new computers with the grant, and that details will be forthcoming.

VOL CONTRACT EXTENDED

        The first one-year extension of the Vermont Online Library/Gale contract was approved in mid-September, 2004.   VOL offers a wide array of electronic information databases on a variety of topics geared to a variety of age levels, for both generalists and specialists.  The information is produced by known and trusted publishers and are available to library patrons 24-hours-a-day from their participating local libraries, as well as at home, office, school, or anywhere Internet access is available.   A list of participating libraries may be found at http://www.vtonlinelib.org/

        The new contract period will be from December 1, 2004, to November 30, 2005, with the Department of Libraries paying 50% of the contract cost ($72,500).   Membership cost for public libraries for the year is again based on the 2000 census population of the library's legal service area (LSA) multiplied times $.04 (4 cents) and rounded to the nearest dollar with a maximum cost of $1250 and a minimum of $25. One librarian recently called Thomson-Gale to find out the cost to her library if she had to order the databases individually, and found the price would be $30,000 for the same level of service.

        During the first two years, 330 public, school, and academic libraries subscribed to VOL, and 1.8 million searches were conducted.  588,000 full-text articles were retrieved, as well as 500,000 article citations and/or abstracts.

SIEGEL NAMED CE COORDINATOR

           Mara Siegel of Johnson was recently named Continuing Education Coordinator for the Department of Libraries in addition to her position as Librarian of the DOL-UVM Access Office.  She will divide her time between the Bailey-Howe Library in Burlington, where she has been responsible for in-state loans from the University of Vermont Libraries since 1997, and  the Midstate Regional Library in Berlin, where she has been Library Training Consultant in the Gates Training Lab.  Prior to joining the staff of the Department, Siegel worked in technical services at the Trinity College library for six years.

         Siegel is taking over coordination of the Department’s workshops for library staff statewide from Children’s Services Consultant Grace Greene.     Besides arranging several special workshops this year, she will continue to conduct training sessions in technology-related subjects such as Internet searching, using the Vermont Online Library (VOL), and using the Vermont Automated Library System (VALS).    Workshops registrations and inquiries about workshops and certification for public librarians should be directed to her at 828-2320 or email   mara.siegel@dol.state.vt.us.  

2005 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE TAKES SHAPE

        Every year at about this time, the Department of Libraries completes its Continuing Education workshop schedule for library staff. The listings, along with registration forms (both online and printable), will be available soon at the Department’s website (go to http://www.libraries.vermont.gov/, then to “Librarians Resources,” and the to “DOL Workshops”).  Libraries that are not part of VALS may obtain a hard copy of the packet by calling Mara Siegel, Continuing Education Coordinator, at 828-2320.

        Among our offerings this year are workshops on customer service, advocacy and community relations, booktalking, serving seniors, and two week-long courses required for certification, Basic Public Library Administration and Reference.  We are especially excited to offer two special fall workshops to be presented by New England experts in the fields of time management and designing library space.  Miniworkshops on a variety of topics are still available and are also described in the workshop “packet.”

132 LIBRARIES MEET STANDARDS FOR FY2005

        The Vermont Board of Libraries will meet February 15 in Berlin to discuss any appeals to standards and hear the staff report on the final list of libraries meeting minimum standards for FY2005.   132 public libraries meet standards this year, including 62 that meet the 1998 version of standards.  Following is a list of towns with libraries that meet the minimum standards for Vermont public libraries.  The * designates the ones meeting the 1998 version.

VPLF YEAR 3 GRANTS AWARDED

           State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane announced that, as of December 31, 2004, Year 3 Vermont Public Library Foundation/Freeman Foundation (VPLF) grants totaling $947,685 had been awarded.  By that date, a total of $11,129,991 had been awarded Vermont public libraries since the program began in 2001.    Only a small number of Year 3 grants have yet to be awarded, and McShane hopes that all of the funds will be awarded by July, 2005.

           Year 3 projects have addressed as wide a variety of service needs as in the previous two years.  Some libraries chose to extend projects begun in Years 1 and 2, including additional staff, employee benefits, and hours open to the public.  Several libraries upgraded computers, implemented automation projects, added comfortable furniture and more shelving, and started collections of materials in new (to them) formats such as books on CD or DVDs.  Innovative or expanded public programming was also offered, along with equipment such as podiums, easels, LCD projectors, VCRs, and DVD players.

        A complete, up-to-date list of the grants awarded to date and their amounts is available at http://www.libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/vplf/vplfawardedbydate.pdf.    As of December 31, 2004, the Department of Libraries staff had read and critiqued more than 350 grant applications and 245 progress reports.

DEPARTMENT ADDS POETRY BOOK BOX

           Long-time Vermont summer resident and critically renowned poet Rachel Hadas has graciously been donating poetry books to the Department of Libraries Northeast Regional Library (NERL) for several years.   Regional Librarian Michael Roche says that “what started out as a donation of a handful of books three years ago, now numbers in the hundreds.”  He recently decided to share the collection statewide by adding them to the Department’s Book Boxes, themed collections that circulate as a group. 

Primarily representing current American poets, the books offer patrons an opportunity to sample and enjoy material not generally found in Vermont libraries.   Roche worked with Hadas to explore ways that Vermont libraries might encourage people to sample the best in contemporary American poetry and help librarians locate basic poetry resources for collection development and reference.  They also wanted to encourage librarians to sponsor more poetry programming at their libraries.  The new “Poetry Book Box” includes 30-50 titles (depending on librarians’ needs), as well as an essay by Rachel Hadas on the importance of poetry, a resource list that includes poetry Web sites, a periodical list, a basic book list, bookstores in Vermont that are poetry friendly, and suggestions for poetry programming and promotion.

For more information or to reserve a Poetry Book Box, contact Michael Roche at the Northeast Regional Library, nerl@dol.state.vt.us, 748-3428.  All other book boxes may be reserved via NERL or the Midstate Regional Library (mrl@dol.state.vt.us, 828-2320).

DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES SCHOOL LIBRARY STATISTICS

           The Department of Libraries recently published statistics of Vermont school libraries and media centers for the 2002-03 school year.  The compilation was distributed to al school libraries reporting last fall.  State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane stated that “school libraries are significant users of Department of Libraries services and those statistics are important to when planning, budgeting justify the continuation of the services we provide them.”  Data from the 2003-04 school year is currently being compiled and will be published in fall, 2005.

           The report lists public and private schools alphabetically by town and includes charts on staffing, expenses, holdings, circulation, services and programs, and computer services.  Because not all school libraries using Department services reported data, no totals or analysis of the data were provided in the report.  However, it is interesting to note the following from those school libraries reporting:

·        School library/media centers spending the most on materials per student were Weybridge Elementary School ($66.67), Cabot School ($65.31), and Clarendon Elementary School ($56.31).

·        School library/media centers circulating the most materials per student were Newbury Elementary School (216.46), Calais Elementary School (183.33), Westford Elementary School (146.77) Bridgewater Village School (108.75), and Deerfield Valley School (101.57).

·        School library/media centers receiving the most items on interlibrary library were Wilmington Middle/High School (700), Good Shepherd Catholic School (St. Johnsbury – 440), Canaan Memorial School (420), and Union Elementary School (Montpelier – 400).

·        School library/media centers with the highest average number of weekly visits per students were St. Johnsbury Academy (4.50), and Woodford Elementary School (1.38), Grafton Elementary School (1.14), and Bridgewater Village School (1.02).

·        School library/media centers reporting the highest number of computer users per day were Essex Junction Educational Center (1,390), Mt. Abraham Union High School (Bristol – 400), Milton Elementary School (300), and Shelburne Community School (200).

The printed report is available from the State Librarian’s Office (dol_central@dol.state.vt.us, 828-3265) or in PDF format online at http://www.libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/stats/slstats.html.

RECENT OPINIONS IMPACT BOARDS OF TRUSTEES

           Vermont Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz’s December Opinions monthly newsletter included the following situations that may impact library boards of trustees:

20. Boards cannot privately retreat to discuss board business. Unlike nonprofit boards and businesses, the members of public bodies may not go on private retreats to strategic plan or discuss the business of the board. However, boards may publicly announce retreats and go into executive session to privately discuss issues that are permitted topics for executive sessions – such as interpersonal issues among board members or municipal staff and the board. 1 V.S.A. § 313.

21. Executive sessions do not have to be specifically warned. Whenever there is an item on the agenda of a board meeting that would be appropriate for executive session any member of the board can move to go into executive session, to discuss the matter. So long as a majority of board members agree, the board can privately discuss the matter. Some boards, as a courtesy to the public, indicate on an agenda that a matter is likely to be discussed in executive session. However, this practice is not required by law, and it is possible that the required motion to go into executive session will fail.

24. Public meetings must be held in an accessible location. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires public meetings of boards to be held in accessible locations. Upon reasonable notice, the board must provide hearing interpreters so that deaf or hard of hearing individuals can attend and participate in the meeting.

25. No law silences participants in an executive session. There is no law that prohibits board members who participated in an executive session from telling others what went on in the closed meeting. That being said, there are important public policy reasons for permitting private discussion of executive session matters. It is poor practice and could result in liability for the town, and serious problems between board members when individuals disclose what went on in the confidential session.

           To read the entire issue of Opinions or to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to http://www.sec.state.vt.us/secdesk/opinions/2004/december_04.html.

LIBRARY GROUPS HOLD LEGISLATIVE BREAKFASTS

           Vermont’s diverse and important library services and resources are the focus of this winter’s legislative breakfasts, brunches, and afternoon teas hosted by groups of librarians and trustees around the state.   Events on or around February 7 were organized at the encouragement of the Vermont Library Association’s Government Relations Committee and held in Brattleboro, Orleans, Danville, Woodstock, Highgate, Essex, Barre, Waitsfield, and Tunbridge.

           Each gathering offers librarians and trustees opportunities to share successful services to individuals in their communities and to discuss important issues and concerns.   As Montpelier librarian Hilari Farrington noted, telling stories shows the real impact of library services, such as hers of how audio books changed a long distance trucker’s life.  Other librarians planned to describe successful uses of the Vermont Online Library (VOL) databases for school and business as well as the results of interlibrary loan, community programming, and outreach.

           At each event, legislators will receive bookmarks, brochures, and flyers of library happenings as well as handouts prepared by the Department of Libraries listing significant statistics of libraries in the area and statewide and detailing the Department’s budget.  For a copy of these handouts, check with your regional consultant.

2005 TOECs TO FEATURE TRUSTEE WORKSHOPS

        The Vermont Library Trustees Association (VLTA), the trustees section of the Vermont Library Association, in conjunction with the Department of Libraries will again offer a series of workshops for trustees and librarians during the spring Town Officers Educational Conferences.   TOECs are sponsored by the Vermont Institute for Government, with organizational help from the UVM Extension Service which will mail a registration packet to each library in spring, 2005.    Dates and locations for this year’s conferences are as follows:

Thursday, April 7 -  Lyndon State College
Wednesday, April 13 – Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee
Thursday, April 21 – Sheraton Hotel, South Burlington
Wednesday, April 27 - Rutland Holiday Inn

        Registration will begin each day at 8:00 am, followed by a keynote by UVM Professor Frank Bryan.   A series of four workshops for trustees are scheduled throughout the day, covering the following topics:

What is a library trustee’s job?
What is a public library?
Public library policymaking – are you covered?
Evaluating your public librarian/director

Program speakers will include Vermont library trustees and their librarians as well as Department of Libraries consultants.  The emphasis for all workshops is on the practical, with handouts offering examples for trustees to take home and use.

        To register for any of the TOECs, call the UVM Extension Service at 223-2389, or find the form online at http://crs.uvm.edu/toecs/.   Cost includes morning coffee and lunch.  Many towns send carloads to the sessions.  Contact your town clerk for details

  FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
by Marjorie D. Zunder, Director of Library and Information Services
828-3261; marj.zunder@dol.state.vt.us

Using Web2 blank ILL forms…
     When you need a magazine article, go to the VALS Web2 multiple library search screen.  Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on “blank ILL forms.”  Find “ILL form to request an article in a periodical.”  Use this form to send your request to dol_ill@dol.state.vt.us, the Department’s central interlibrary loan office.  This office will send y our article or request   it from the University of Vermont or Middlebury College.  If other Vermont libraries have the article, you will receive an email listing them.

     When you need information or the answer to a question, again go to the VALS Web2 multiple library search screen and find “blank ILL forms” at the bottom of the screen.  Use the “ILL form to request materials on a particular subject” and send your request to dol_ill@dol.state.vt.us, the Department’s central ILL office.  This office will send you any information in the Department’s central collections or the University of Vermont.  If other libraries might help, you will receive an email listing them.

Requesting multiple copies…
     To locate multiple copies of books, there several ways that are better than sending an email to all VALS libraries.  DOLcat lists multiple copies of juvenile books.  Use a numeric search and search by the call number “discussion book.”  PUBcat lists titles with multiple copies.  Use a subject for “multiple copies” or search by title, looking for holdings labeled multiple copies.  The Essex Free Library web page has a link for "multiple copies" at foot of the opening screen.  Talking about Books, a private book lending company in Williamstown, VT, charges very reasonable fees to borrow a large group of excellent titles for groups.  For libraries that sponsor Vermont Humanities Council Reading and Discussion programs, the Council provides multiple copies of books. 

New on fundraising…
Grassroots Fundraising Journal , Jan/Feb. 2005, p. 4-9; Roth, Stephanie; Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!  Auctions for fundraising; Copyright compliance = CCG

Grassroots Fundraising Journal , Jan/Feb. 2005, p. 10-12; Spade, Dean; Getting it right from the start: building a grassroots fundraising program; Copyright compliance = CCG

In DOLcat:
Prospect research:  a primer for growing nonprofits .  2004
Special events:  proven strategies for nonprofit fundraising , 2^nd ed.  2004
Wilder nonprofit field guide to conducting community forums.   2003

Coming events…
Thurs., March 10, 10 am – Introduction to Grants Research, Dept. of Libraries, Montpelier.  Repeats Mon., March 14.  Contact:  Marjorie Zunder, 828-3261, marj.zunder@dol.state.vt.us

TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWS
by Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit
828-3261;lorraine.lanius@dol.state.vt.us

The 13-Digit ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
        Don’t’ be surprised if you start to see two International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) for new publications in your library. Within the next few years the 10 digit ISBN will be expanding to a 13-digit number. Publishers have been asked to fully adopt the 13-digit ISBN by January 1, 2007 and supply only the 13-digit number in CIP data on the verso of title pages after that date. This past fall many publishers started supplying both 10 and 13 digit ISBNs for the same publication. This practice will continue for the interim period until the year 2007 when only 13-digit ISBNs will be assigned.

Websites of Note…
        ·     AcqWeb (http://acqweb.org) contains comprehensive resources for acquisitions and collection development. One of the frequently used links on this site             provides a comprehensive Directory of Publishers and Vendors (http://www.acqweb.org/pubr.html).   Users can access publisher website using either the             alphabetic, subject or geographic directories. The site also contains a directory of publisher email addresses.
        ·       In January the Library of Congress Cataloging Distribution Service released a Web-based learning center, The Cataloger’s Learning Workshop
            ( http://www.loc.gov/catworkshop/). The new site features links to a discussion group, cataloging training providers and publishers, online training courses and             a list of suggested readings. The Cataloger’s Learning Workshop is the result of a cooperative effort by the Library of Congress, the Association for Library             Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) in an effort to provide high-quality, up-to-date training at a             reasonable cost.

AVAILABLE…

CONTINUING EDUCATION…
        The University of Vermont will be offering two cataloging courses this spring and summer.  For details about the following, contact Wichada Sukantarat, 656-8568, wichada.sukantarat@uvm.edu:

·    EDLI 200 (60295): Update Your Catalog Skills! (3 credits)

Description:     Do you need to refresh your cataloguing knowledge and skills?  Learn MARC 21 and the basic rules for descriptive cataloging as well as choice of main and added entries according to AACR2r.  This course will introduce the significant changes in the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR), 2nd edition, 2002 Revision, and how to apply the rules to resolve cataloging problems, through examples, discussion, and exercises emphasizing the MARC tagging of current cataloging.  Start: 05/23/05 end: 06/24/05; Days:     Monday Wednesday Friday; 5:00pm  to 8:00pm;  BAILEY/HOWE LIB;   Electronic Instruction Classroom

·    EDLI 200 (60296): Authority Control & Cataloging

Description:     Learn to read and understand MARC21 Format for Authorities Data.  The focus of this course includes the principles of authority control, the contents of the OCLC Authority File, and the creation of Authority records.  This course demonstrates how authority work is performed to achieve consistency of headings in online catalog records, which provide the reference structure to guide users to the bibliographic information.  Start: 07/06/05 end: 08/05/05; Days:   Monday Wednesday Friday;  5:00 pm  to 8:00 pm;  BAILEY/HOWE LIB, Electronic Instruction Classroom

        The NERTCL (New England Round Table of Children's Librarians) is pleased to announce our spring stand-alone conference, America: one land, many voices, diversity in children's literature. The conference will be April 1, 9:30-4 pm at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Mashantucket CT, (Foxwoods). This is one of the premier museums of Native American history and life today.  Details for registration are available at the New England Library Association’s website:   http://www.nelib.org/.

         The NETSL (New England Technical Services Librarians) will be holding a spring conference on Metadata and Meaning:  Creating the 21^st Century Catalog, on April 8, 2005, at the Hogan Center, College of Holy Cross, in Worcester, MA.  Registration details are at the New England Library Association’s website:  http://www.nelib.org/.

        Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science recently published its Institutes for Continuing Education Spring, 2005, schedule of workshops, both online and the Simmons and Mt. Holyoke campuses.    Topics range from anime and manga, web design, XML, working with boys, and management.  Check Simmons’ website http://www.simmons.edu/gslis for details.

RESOURCES…
            The 2005 Supplement to the Biennial Report of the Department of Libraries with statistics of public libraries for 2003-2004 is now available.  Statistics are divided by population served and offer librarians and trustees the means of comparing income, expenses, service measures, and basic information.  In addition to the Supplement, a new publication, Output Measures for Vermont Public Libraries, offers a way to compare library performance and suggests ways libraries might interpret or improve measures.  Request a copy from Marianne Kotch, Director of Public Library Support Services, 828-2320, email marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us.  Kotch can also provide custom statistical reports for individual libraries.  Vermont’s public library data is also available for download in Excel format at the Department’s website:  http://www.libraries.vermont.gov/LIBRARIES/stats/STATS.HTML

  * COMING EVENTS *

Mon., Feb. 7, 2005 – VLA legislative breakfasts occurring statewide.  Contact:  Linda Wells, VLA Govt. Rels. Comm. chair, craftsbury@vals.state.vt.us.

Tues., Feb. 15, 10:30 am – Vermont Board of Libraries meeting,  Midstate Regional Library, Berlin.  Contact:  Sybil Brigham McShane, State Librarian, 828-3265, sybil.mcshane@dol.state.vt.us.

Mon., Feb. 21 - State Holiday – Department of Libraries central office and regional libraries closed.

Fri., Feb. 25, 9:30 am – New Planning for Results seminar, Quechee Library.  Contact:  Marianne Kotch, 828-2320, marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us.

Tues., March 1 – Town Meeting Day - Department of Libraries central office and regional libraries closed.

Tues., March 8, 9:30 am – Island Librarians meeting, North Hero Public Library.  Contact:  Barbara Mooney, nohero@vals.state.vt.us.

Wed., March 9, 9:30 am – Orange County Librarians meeting, Ainsworth Public Library, Williamstown.  Contact:  Dawn Hancy, williamstown@vals.state.vt.us .

Thurs., March 10, 9:30 am – Vermont Library Assn. board meeting, Middlebury College Library.  Contact:  David Clark, VLA President, ilsley_midd@vals.state.vt.us.

Tues., March 15, 10:00 am – VLA Government Relations Comm. meeting, Vermont Technical College Library, Randolph Center.  Contact:  Linda Wells, VLA GRC chair, craftsbury@vals.state.vt.us.

Fri., March 25, 9:30 am – New Planning for Results seminar, Quechee Library  Contact:  Marianne Kotch, 828-2320, marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us.

Tues., March 29, 9:00 am – Children’s materials review session, Brown Public Library, Northfield.  Repeats:  Thurs., 3/31 – Milton Public Library; Mon., 4/4 – Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington;Wed., 4/6 – Kurn Hattin,  Westminster;  Fri., 4/8 – Northeast Regional Library, St. Johnsbury.  Contact:  Grace W. Greene, 828-6954, grace.greene@dol.state.vt.us.

Wed., March 30, 9:30 am – “Surf Your Library” workshop, Rockingham Free Public Library, Bellows Falls.  Repeats:  Tues., 4/5, Brown Public Library, Northfield.  Contact:  Mara Siegel, 828-2320, mara.siegel@dol.state.vt.us.

Thurs., April 7, 8:00 am – Town Officers Educational Conference with workshop track for public library trustees, Lyndon State College.  Repeats:  Wed., 4/13, Lake Morey Inn; Thurs., 4/21, Sheraton Hotel, S. Burlington; Wed., 4/27, Rutland Holiday Inn.  Contact:  UVM Extension Service, 223-2389, http://crs.uvm.edu/toecs/

YOUTH SERVICES NEWS
by Grace W. Greene, Children's Services Consultant
828-6954; grace.greene@dol.state.vt.us

NEW:   A YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD FOR VERMONT!!
     Vermont is adding a third kid-selected book award to its pantheon: The Green Mountain Book Award for students in grades 9 to 12. This will be similar to the Red Clover (the picture book award for children in grades k-4) and the Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) program (for students in grades 4-8), but with some important differences.  There will be only 10 books on the list, all available in paperback and published in the last five years. Authors do not have to be American.    The goal of the award is to select a list of books of good literary quality that:

• engages high school students
• represents a variety of genres, formats and viewpoints
• reflects interests of high school students
• includes books written for young people and for adults

    The list will be made available in March at the same time as the new DCF and Red Clover lists. There will be a formal introduction of the program at the Vermont Library Conference in May '05, and then students will read the selected books in the 2005-2006 school year. A student must read at least three books on the list in order to vote in the spring for a "best book" from the list.  Posters featuring Jon Fishman from the band, Phish, will be distributed to high schools and public libraries throughout Vermont, and there will also be bookmarks with the master list titles and information about the program. To further engage the students, there will be a contest during the 2005-06 school year for a logo for the program.

    The program is a joint venture of the Vermont Educational Media Assn. (VEMA), the Vermont Library Association (VLA), and the Vermont Department of Libraries (DOL) and will be administered by DOL. The Green Mountain Book Award Committee includes Teri Austin, Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington; Rebecca Brown, Peoples Academy, Morrisville; Philip Crawford, Essex High School; Joyce DeForge, U32; Grace Greene, DOL; Mary Neville Hood, Middlesex; Dollinda Lund, Lyndon Institute; Hannah Peacock, Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester; Suzy Shedd, Porter Point School, Colchester; Sharon Richards Weaver, Charlotte; Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington; and Marsha Middleton, North Country Union High School, Newport, Chair.

    T he program will be partially funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Elva S. Smith Trust.

DCF LOGO CONTEST
     The Friends of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (DCF) sponsored a contest for kids to design a new logo for the DCF program. Young people in grades 4-12 were eligible to enter, and 426 of them did! There were many wonderful designs from which the committee chose these winners: 

• First Place: Hedda Peterson, an 11^th grader at U-32 from Worcester
• Second place: Erika McCormick, a 6^th grader from Newton Elementary School in Strafford
• Third place was a tie: Elise Biette, a 5^th grader from Mary Hogan Elementary School in  Middlebury, and Andrea Rath, an 11^th grader from West Pawlet at the Long Trail School in Dorset

    Prizes are Book Sense gift certificates ($100 for first place; $50 for second and $25 for third) good at any independent bookstore in the country.  All of the 4 winning designs will be featured on DCF bookmarks, and the first place design (the letters “DCF” on which are figures reclining and leaning, all reading a book) will be used on all of the printed materials for the DCF program. Congratulations to all!

DCF CONFERENCE
     The third annual DCF conference will be held on Friday, May 6, 2005 at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee.  The keynote speaker will be Vermont’s beloved and much-honored Katherine Paterson, and the afternoon speaker will be Doug Wilhelm, author of two middle grades novels, The Revealers and Raising the Shades.  In addition, there will be workshops on various aspects of reading; on ways to run a DCF program; and suggestions for promoting and discussing books with kids.

    Books (both those on the 2005-2006 DCF master list and ones by Paterson and Wilhelm) will be for sale. The conference is cosponsored by Friends of DCF, the DCF Award Committee, Vermont Department of Libraries, the Department of Education, VT-NEA, VEMA, Vermont Center for the Book, Vermont Association of Middle Level Educators, Vermont Council on Reading, and VPR. Registration forms will be sent out to all libraries and schools in February.  Please alert all the 4^th-8^th grade teachers that you know, too!

SURF YOUR LIBRARY:  SUMMER READING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
         This summer many Vermont libraries will be running two summer reading programs, one for children, and one for young adults ages 12-18:

Children’s program:
        The theme for the 2005 summer program is water, and we are using the slogan, “Surf Your Library.” The manual features all kinds of programs and displays based on water, surfing, the ocean, etc.  Remember when planning your programs that the reason we do summer reading programs is to keep children reading throughout the summer. Children who do not read in the summer lose up to two months of reading ability.  So, programs are important, incentives are fine, but don’t lose sight of your objective:  bringing children and books together.

Young adult program :
        Concerned by statistics of reading declining among teenagers, we are adding a young adult component to our summer reading program. We will be providing posters, membership cards and a short manual to give you some ideas. To entice teens to participate, we are offering two great prizes: a snowboard donated by Burton Snowboards of Burlington, and an iPod donated by Small Dog Electronics in Waitsfield. To be eligible for the drawing which will be held at the end of the summer, kids need to fill out one or more of four quizzes, the answers to which can be gotten by “Surfing” the Internet.

Order forms
        In March we will mail out the summer manuals and the order form for materials to all libraries that both ordered our materials last year and submitted an evaluation form.  Those libraries which did not use the materials will receive an order form, and may request the manuals, but won’t get them automatically. Please be sure to send in your order form for summer materials by the deadline, April 22, to ensure delivery on time.

Sponsors
        We will again produce materials in full color thanks to the generosity of our corporate sponsors: the Verizon Foundation and KeyBank, both of which donated a sizeable sum of money, and the Chittenden Bank which donated printing and money towards the paper. Please mention these businesses in your PR so they get proper credit!  The program is also partially funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Elva S. Smith Trust.

Artwork
        Thanks go to Thacher Hurd, a fabulous illustrator and part time Vermonter who created the artwork for all the children’s materials. His surfing frogs should keep you smiling all summer.

T-shirts
        Again this year there will be a t-shirt created by Only Once Graphics in Burlington to celebrate Surf Your Library. They will use the artwork from the poster to create a full color t-shirt that says “Surf Your Library” and “Vermont Summer Reading Program.” The date will not be on the shirt. Order forms will be sent at the same time as the manual.

Performer Grants
        We are again able to offer “Smith” grants of $100 to libraries wishing to have a theme-related summer program provided by an artist in our summer performers’ booklet. Information on how to apply will arrive with the summer mailing.

Evaluation Forms
        Because statistics are so important when we are planning, budgeting, and reporting to funders/sponsors, we REQUIRE all libraries to return a very short and simple form. This is the price of the summer materials. Again this year the evaluation form will be in the manual to make it easy to locate. We will provide two free manuals, three kinds of posters, reading records, certificates, and bookmarks; all you have to do, in return, is fill out and send back the evaluation form.

AFTER SCHOOL AND VACATION PROGRAMMING
        The Department of Libraries has recently begun a partnership with the VOOST (Vermont Out-of-School Time) Network, a group of organizations which sponsor and promote activities for kids while they are not in school. Organizations that belong include Boys and Girls Clubs, Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, Vermont Coalition of Teen Centers, and many other groups devoted to improving the lives of children and young adults.  Public libraries are an important part of what happens for kids in any given community, and it is up to us to publicize what is happening.  The VOOST website (www.voost.org) offers you an opportunity to both find out what is happening in your community and to publicize your own offerings. You may enter information on ongoing programs such as regular after school programs, as well as one-shot deals. This is a new initiative for VOOST, and many parents do not yet know about this service. Be the first in your community to publicize it!

        Also available is a group of books and videos purchased by VOOST and housed and maintained by DOL. Topics include developmental assets and positive youth development.  For a complete list, see: http://www.voost.org/index.php/voost/our_lending_library.   In addition, all of the titles are listed in our catalog with VOOST as the beginning of the call number. You request them through ILL as you would any other book.

MATERIALS REVIEW SESSIONS: TWO LIVE SESSIONS
        If you select children’s or young adult books for your library, save yourself some time and money by attending the Materials Review sessions and previewing the books before you order.  Materials Reviews are held twice a year, in the spring and fall, and feature oral reviews as well as books containing written reviews.  We begin with a live session in Northfield, and then do one more live session, this spring at Milton and this fall in Killington.  Each time RETN (Regional Educational Technology Network) will videotape the Northfield presentation, and that videotape will be shown in the other three locations.

         The books, with the reviews inserted, will accompany the videotape, so regardless of the site you choose, you will have access to all the books.  In addition to the books that I review orally, there will be many nonfiction books recommended by the review media and books recommended by volunteer reviewers. A regional consultant will be at each of the three videotape locations to facilitate the program.  The schedule is as follows:

And in the fall:

All programs begin at 9:00 a.m.  There is a formal part to the program and then plenty of time to examine all the books.

Directions to the Brown Public Library in Northfield : From the North, take I89 to Exit 8 (Montpelier) and follow Route 12 South; from the South, take I89 to Exit 5 (Northfield/Williamstown) and take Route 12 North. The library is located on Route 12 (Main Street) in downtown Northfield. Parking is available in the library parking lots and in the United Church parking lot directly across the street from the library. The library telephone number is 485-4621.

Directions to Kurn Hattin:   Take exit 5 from I-91 (the Westminster/ Rockingham exit). Just down the hill from the exit, take the first right onto the Westminster Heights Road. Travel two miles. Just before the campus, the road goes over route 91. Take the first entrance on your right, "Kurn Hattin Home," drive up the hill and park in the Upper Parking Lot. The program will be in the Mayo Center, with coffee and snacks available in the lobby just inside the main entrance.

2005 CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT AWARDS
        At the 2005 ALA Midwinter Conference held in Boston in January, the American Library Association announced the winners of its children’s and young adult awards. For a full list, see www.ala.org. Here are some of the highlights:

Newbery Medal
        Kira-Kira , by Cynthia Kadohata, Atheneum

Newbery Honor Books
        Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by Gary D. Schmidt, Clarion
        Al Capone Does My Shirts , by Gennifer Choldenko, Putnam
        The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights , by Russell Freedman, Clarion

Caldecott Medal
        Kitten's First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes, Greenwillow

Caldecott Honor Books
        The Red Book, by Barbara Lehman, Houghton Mifflin
        Coming on Home Soon, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Jacqueline Woodson, Putnam
        Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems, Hyperion

Coretta Scott King Author Award
        Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison, Houghton Mifflin

         Who Am I Without Him? by Sharon Flake, Jump at the Sun

         Fortune’s Bones: The Manumission Requiem by Marilyn Nelson, Front Street

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

        Ellington Was Not a Street, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ntozake Shange, Simon and Schuster

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books

        God Bless the Child, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog, Jr., HarperCollins

         The People Could Fly: The Picture Book, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, written by Virginia Hamilton, Knopf.

Sibert Medal

    The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights , by Russell Freedman, Clarion

Sibert Honor Books

         Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing , by James Rumford, Houghton Mifflin

         The Tarantula Scientist , by Sy Montgomery, Houghton Mifflin

         Walt Whitman: Words for America , by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick, Scholastic

Michael Printz Award

        How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, Wendy Lamb

Printz Honor Books

        Airborn by Kenneth Oppel, HarperCollins

        Chandra’s Secrets by Allan Stratton, Annick Press

         Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt, Clarion

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 others who care about Vermont libraries. News is available upon request in Braille, in large print, or on disk. Call 828-3261. NEWS is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, through the Library Services and Technology Act.   Editor: Marianne Kotch, (802) 828-2320,   marianne.kotch@dol.state.vt.us

  Department of Libraries, 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609-0601