For Immediate Release
7/23/2021

Contact
Janette Shaffer, Assistant State Librarian for Library Advancement
802-249-7889, janette.shaffer@vermont.gov

Vermont Department of Libraries Awarded Over $2M in American Rescue Plan Act Funding by the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Barre, Vt.—The Vermont Department of Libraries was awarded $2,135,819 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help Vermont communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic and related economic and community needs.

IMLS continues to prioritize digital inclusion and emergency pandemic response, much as it did when it issued CARES Act 2020 funding. The Vermont Department of Libraries received nearly $60,000 in CARES funding that it used to expand statewide access to resources and for bulk Personal Protective Equipment purchases that were distributed to Vermont public and academic libraries.

This round of IMLS funding gives the country’s libraries an opportunity to improve technology access and connectivity to support the education, health, and workforce development needs in their communities. The funding is also meant to help libraries update spaces and equipment for safe operations and expand programming possibilities, with the overall goal of improving and increasing services.

With an initial grant period opening in early July, the Department of Libraries is leading the way to get federal funds out to Vermont public libraries as quickly as possible. The Department will make nearly $1 million of this ARPA funding available to all 185 public libraries in Vermont as “ARPA Grants to Public Libraries for Equipment and Supply Purchases.” These funds will go directly to public libraries to respond to needs resulting from the pandemic. The Department is granting funds based on a formula that uses poverty rates, access to broadband, and unemployment data to determine allocation amounts. This approach allows limited funds to be leveraged to their best advantage by targeting communities most affected by COVID-19.

"Libraries are vital to community and workforce development. In the past 18 months, our public libraries responded to the pandemic by connecting Vermonters to rent assistance and unemployment, COVID mitigation, and mental and physical health resources. Vermont's libraries remain an important part of this effort," said Secretary of the Agency of Administration Susanne Young. "This grant will strengthen their ability to continue to support the state's pandemic recovery and will keep them at the center of civic life."

“During the pandemic, the state’s public libraries proved, once again, to be an invaluable resource. Library staff met this crisis with ingenuity, recognizing the importance of reliable access, and doing everything possible to provide it,” said State Librarian Jason Broughton. “The level of IMLS ARPA funding the Vermont Department of Libraries is able to pass onto public libraries is unprecedented and will position every one of them, no matter how large or small, to meet new post-pandemic challenges with continued creativity.”

Remaining IMLS ARPA funds will be disbursed as grants to Vermont library consortia or library/museum collaborations, and to support statewide and K-12 resources and programming.

About the Vermont Department of Libraries

The Vermont Department of Libraries—housed within the Vermont Agency of Administration—supports Vermont libraries as they work to ensure access to quality information for their patrons. To learn more, visit libraries.vermont.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ARPA Grant to Public Libraries for Equipment and Supply Purchases

About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's approximately 120,000 libraries and 35,000 museums and related organizations. The agency’s mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit http://www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

How can I use my license to promote a movie event?

By following these simple guidelines, you can stay in compliance while promoting your event. Please note, the reason for these guidelines is to avoid direct competition with a local movie theater.

1. Advertising Inside Your Library and to Registered Borrowers:

Within the library building, you are free to advertise the movie title, studio name and movie artwork. Artwork cannot be altered and must contain the studio’s copyright, for example: ©Walt Disney Pictures.

You are also free to advertise the movie title, studio name and movie artwork on the library’s website as well as in correspondence such as standard mailings, emails and monthly newsletters to registered borrowers/card holders of the library. The library website is considered a virtual branch of the library, allowing for such advertising.

Movie Licensing USA makes it easy to create publicity with customizable posters, bookmarks and movie tickets that are already properly copyrighted. This feature can be found on our website at library.movlic.com/publicity. Your customer number is located on your license certificate. Copyrighted movie images are also available using the movie search feature on our website. Artwork found on the MLUSA website can be used to advertise your event as long as it is not altered and includes the studio’s copyright, for example: ©Walt Disney Pictures.

2. Advertising in Social Media

If the public library’s social media accounts are set to private, the title may be used. If the library’s social media accounts are not set to private, it is recommended the title not be included. The movie event may be promoted on the social media pages with a link to the title on the library’s website.

3. Advertising in Public Media

If you choose to advertise through public media (such as public radio, television, or newspapers), you may do so as long as your message does not include the movie title and studio name. For example, “Join us at Anytown Library for a Neighborhood Movie Night at 7:00 pm” is permitted.

Introduction and Project Background

Books can be wonderful tools to use with children who have experienced trauma or loss. Reading (or being read to) and talking with adults can help them understand and cope with their feelings in a developmentally appropriate way. Reading also offers a great way to spend time with a child, reinforce a sense of normalcy and security, and connect with them, all of which are important to recovery from a traumatic experience.

The Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB), The Barre District of the Department for Children and Families, and UVM’s the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VTCWTP), have worked together to develop initiatives to create a path to healing and stability. The three agencies developed a book collection targeting grief, loss, and trauma for different age groups; 0-5, 6-12, and 12-18.

Other offerings include statewide training for librarians, kinship, foster, and adoptive parents regarding grief, loss, and trauma. The goal is for caregivers and librarians to gain a sense of increased skill as a trauma-informed caregiver/librarian in addition to caregivers and children/youth in care accessing their local libraries on the topics of grief, loss, and trauma.

For or more information about this project, or contact VTLIB: Jonathan Clark (jonathan.l.clark@vermont.gov), VTCWTP: Sharon O’Neill (sharon.oneill@uvm.edu), and the Barre District Resource Coordinators: Jaime Blouin (Jaime.Blouin@vermont.gov) 

Overview and Guide to Using the Free Resources Available from The Vermont Department of Libraries

Dealing with Loss, Grief, and Trauma Booklist – Compiled by The Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB), The Barre District of the Department for Children and Families, and UVM’s the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VTCWTP)

VTLIB has book sets for Dealing with Loss, Grief, and Trauma available for circulation through Clover. These book sets are organized by age range 0-5, 6-12, and 13-18- and intended for those targeted ages along with parents and caregivers. There are 5 sets available for each age range.

For libraries interested in making these books available, we recommend setting up a display with them so that patrons can see everything that is available. 

Ages 0-5 Book-set (Each set contains one copy of each title)

Ages 6-12 Book-set (Each set contains one copy of each title)

Ages 13-18 Book-set (Each set contains one copy of each title)

The image below shows how the book sets appear in Clover:

Other Resources and Booklists

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers (samhsa.gov)

ALSC booklists for Tough Topics - Includes resources for young people and for parents

• Tough Topics - Inspiring Conversations in Difficult Times Grades K-2
• Tough Topics – Inspiring Conversations in Difficult Times Grades 3-5
• Tough Topics – Inspiring Conversations in Difficult Times Grades 6-8

Under construction

Overview - Training Resources - Promotional Materials - Training Registration

Training Sessions for Library Staff:

Recorded sessions:

• 5/03/22: Vermont Beanstack Summer Prep - 1 hour and 2 minutes (Recording)
• 1/20/21: Beanstack Orientation and Overview - 58 minutes (Recording)
• 1/21/21: Beanstack Promotion and Patron Experience - 59 minutes (Recording)
• 5/13/21: Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge Overview - 59 minutes (Recording)

Back to Children and Teens Main Page

*Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, there will be a collection of movies available to be shown outdoors on library property, included with the license for the remainder of 2020. Please see our Outdoor Performance page for more information about hosting an outdoor showing on your library property.

Please always familiarize yourself with the latest Stay Home, Stay Safe Order by the Vermont ACCD before showing a movie to make sure you are in compliance.

• Form to Request an Outdoor Showing
  • The outdoor form goes through all the guidelines that need to be followed. The form must be reviewed and completed to get permission for the outdoor events exception. Once completed, you can email the form to libraries@swankmp.com. As long as the guidelines are followed, you can host those outdoor showings as part of you annual license coverage through the end of 2020.
• Films Eligible for Outdoor Showing
  • Films NOT on the above list, but still covered by the license, can still be shown outdoors for a fee- $100 for 50 people or under, $250 for 50-250 people.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EQUIPMENT, ETC. COMING SOON

COMING SOON

Final Report

Survey Results

• 6/4: Using Canva to Create Accessible Graphics for Your Library  - Webinar (10:00am-12:00pm)

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 802-828-7667   United States, Montpelier (Toll)

Conference ID: 817 155 313#

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Webinar Materials

• Pre-Reading (Canva article in Marketing Libraries Journal)
• Pre-Reading (Lens of Color, Lens of Font, Lens of Images & Icons, Lens of Readability)
• Webinar Handout
• Webinar Exercise
  • Make a graphic advertising your library’s book sale to your community.
    • The graphic will be posted on Facebook.
    • The graphic should have the date range and location of the sale, as well as the prices of different items.
    • The graphic should include one image or icon.
    • The graphic should follow concepts of accessible design through the lenses of font and color.
• https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
• https://webaim.org/techniques/fonts/

Additional Materials

• Smithsonian Guide to Accessible Publications
• Developing an Inclusive and Accessible Social Media Presence (Marketing Libraries Journal)
• Web Accessbility in Mind (www.webaim.org)