VTLIB is proud to announce that we were listed as one of the top places visited by Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) staff in 2019! Of special note in the IMLS blog was the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, which has worked with libraries across the state on policy and procedure recommendations for assisting patrons during possible overdoses. Rutland Free Library and director Randal Smathers were mentioned in particular due to his work with the mayor, police chief, and other community members to tackle the opioid crisis together.
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Libraries in the Legislature
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The 2020 Vermont legislative session brought with it the introduction of two separate library-related bills. The first--S281--is intended to create a study group to examine the status of libraries in Vermont and to develop a subsequent report. The second--H722--is a housekeeping bill intended to update language in the statutes that relate to the Vermont Department of Libraries.
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Book Discussions with Big Heavy World
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VTLIB is excited to partner with Big Heavy World (
www.bigheavyworld.com
)--an organization that promotes and preserves Vermont-made music--on an exciting new project. VTLIB is providing copies of musician Shawna Potter's book "Making Spaces Safer" for discussions about inclusivity around the state. Events are currently scheduled in Burlington, Bennington, and Rutland. For more information about the book, scheduled events, and where you can borrow or purchase your own copy, please visit:
https://bit.ly/2tc2Jz6.
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VSAC College Pathways Events
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VTLIB will have a booth at the
Career Training Resource Fair for adults
at the
College Pathways
events sponsored by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) in February, March, and April. In addition to an evening Resource Fair for adults, these events will feature workshops for adults on short-term training and apprenticeships, and offer funding for training programs. There will also be onsite approval for free grant money from VSAC. For more information and to register, visit
vsac.org/training
.
Dates:
- February 26 @ Castleton University, Castleton
- March 11 @ Landmark College, Putney
- March 19 @ Saint Michael's College, Colchester
- April 6 @ NVU–Lyndon, Lyndonville
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"Opiods, Narcan, and Your Library" Workshops
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Join Lara Keenan from VTLIB, Ron Stankevich from Dominion Diagnostics, and Grace Keller from the Howard Center for a discussion of the impact of opioids in VT, the signs of opioid overdose, community resources for helping patrons and families, the safe administration of Narcan, and policy issues and considerations for library directors and trustees. Discussion will help attendees understand Substance Abuse Disorder as a medical condition, not a choice or a moral failing. Attendees will have a chance to share stories, ask questions, receive training on the use of Narcan, and get resources to help them and their trustees decide if they want to obtain, store, and administer Narcan (if needed) at their libraries.
Workshop Dates (each date is from 10:00 a.m. – noon):
- Bennington County - Manchester Community Library: 2/14/20 (snow date 2/21/20)
- Washington County - Kellogg-Hubbard Library 2/20/20 (snow date 3/5/20)
- Windsor County - Norwich Public Library 2/27/20 (snow date 2/28/20)
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Vermont 2020 Complete Count
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Supporting Access to the 2020 Census
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2020 is a census year and it is easier than ever to help those on the ability spectrum participate and be counted. It is important for populations that access and utilize federally funded programs to be included in this national count because future funding will be proportional to the rates of response.
There are many resources for helping
all
of your patrons engage with the census, including information from the Census Bureau, American Library Association, and the National Disability Rights Network. You can find all of these resources and more on VTLIB's census page:
http://bit.ly/VTLIBCensus
Additionally, VTLIB will be hosting a "Libraries and the Census" workshop in Barre on Thursday, February 13, from 9:30am-12:30pm. This workshop will be presented by J
ason Broughton (State Librarian and Vermont Complete Count Committee Chair) and Michael Moser (Coordinator for the
Vermont Complete Count Committee and the Vermont State Census Data Center, and Research Specialist at the Center for Rural Studies.)
This workshop will provide information on how libraries can support the census and complete count endeavors, support diverse members of their communities in participating, and enhance the library’s local profile as it engages with this essential civic process. The importance of the collected data and how it can be used to improve library services and outreach will also be addressed.
Visit the following link to register for this workshop, and to stay updated about other census workshops that will be scheduled around the state:
https://bit.ly/2u3vj5Y
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Don't forget - we're here to help!
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The Vermont Department of Libraries is the library for all State of Vermont employees. Please check out the updated section for State Employees on our website:
http://bit.ly/VTLIBSE
.
Here you will find a form to request a Department of Libraries card, which allows you access to all of the services and resources that we offer to state employees.
State employees have their own librarian (her friendly face is pictured to the right!) to provide interlibrary loan services, research and reference services, and to help with accessing our online resources. Please look around the website and email April Shaw (
april.shaw@vermont.gov
) with any questions!
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Special Populations & ABLE Library
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NLS Widens Membership Eligibility
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The National Library Service (NLS) is working toward including a wider audience for its services by expanding eligibility requirements for those who cannot access traditional print. “Persons certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner” is the language now used to include a broader spectrum of qualifying conditions for becoming an NLS patron, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. If you have questions about eligibility for your patron populations, the criteria can be found at:
https://bit.ly/2ScsPur
. The Reader’s Advisors at the ABLE Library can also help determine if you or a loved one is eligible for services: 1-802-636-0020/1-800-479-1711 (toll-free)
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VTLIB is pleased to once again offer summer performer grants for public libraries. Each eligible public library that submits a successful application will receive $200.00 to hire a high-quality performer to augment their 2020 summer reading program. The application form will open on Thursday, February 13, and applications will be accepted through Friday, March 13. More information will be distributed through the listservs and at the February summer reading workshops, and will be available on our website in the coming weeks:
https://bit.ly/3aQAUNG
.
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Join the GMBA Reading Committee!
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The Green Mountain Book Award (GMBA) reading committee is looking for a new member!
Each year, the GMBA committee selects the 15 GMBA titles that make up the following year's GMBA list. Committee members must be able to (1) read and recommend YA books throughout the year, (2) meet 4 times per year in person in the central Vermont area for 2-3 hr meetings + 1 full day-long meeting in March, (3) locally promote the current GMBA list & teen involvement, and (4) fulfill other committee duties, as needed.
The committee is searching for one new adult member to join the team! If you are interested, please visit this page for more information, including application guidelines and committee contact information:
https://bit.ly/3aOU32t
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 17, 2020.
- And don't forget: voting for the 2019-2020 GMBA is OPEN! Visit the GMBA page on the VTLIB website for the voting link: https://bit.ly/37Czk01
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Dorothy's List Updates
The 2020 Dorothy's List Conference will be held on Friday, April 10 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. The conference committee is now accepting proposals for workshop sessions. You can find the link to submit proposals, as well as more information, on the 2020 Dorothy's List Conference info page:
https://libraries.vermont.gov/DLCon2020
The Dorothy's List Reading Committee is seeking a new member! Please visit this link to find out how to apply:
https://bit.ly/2S6Wyog
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Continuing Education & Small/Rural Libraries
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Continuing Education Updates
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There will be three American Library Association (ALA) Small Library Management webinars in February*. Topics are Hiring and Recruiting Workers, Building Community Partnerships, and Library Security for Small and Rural Libraries. These are available for no fee to Vermont librarians. For registration and more details, visit:
https://bit.ly/359u0Pp
As always, new workshops are frequently added to our calendar, so check the CE page regularly:
https://bit.ly/2u3vj5Y
*The January 31 webinar was postponed. We will announce the new date when we have it.
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In Case You Missed It: CLIC Webinar
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Community Legal Information Center (CLIC) Coordinator Kassie Tibbott recorded a webinar that discusses legal reference and resources for Vermont’s public librarians, including CLIC outreach to your communities. The webinar can be accessed on the ‘Recorded Workshops’ page of the Vermont Department of Libraries website:
https://bit.ly/2RBvw9t
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Small & Rural Library Updates
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A big congratulations to the Craftsbury Public Library and Library Director Susan O’Connell for receiving a 5-star designation from
Library Journal
.
Library Journal
’s Index of Public Library Service rates public libraries based on selected per capita output measures based on data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Forty states are represented in the 2019 Star libraries. Craftsbury is the only Star library from Vermont, making this accomplishment on their part both inspirational and aspirational! Way to go, Craftsbury!
We had our first Small & Rural Library Round Table in January. It was a time of sharing ideas and challenges, and discussing how to improve the status and sustainability of our small libraries. VTLIB will continue to host round tables in the hopes of hearing ideas and input from librarians and ensuring that we stay in touch with the “pulse” of working librarians as we work together to improve library services and workforce goals. Date and location will be posted on our website when these are confirmed.
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Discounts! Save $$$ for Your Library
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Any organization that is a non-profit, state, or municipal entity, and even some private schools can join. That means that not just your library, but your town, your school, and your local historical society can all benefit from the discounts offered through the more than 50 contracts with over 700 vendors. MHEC offers two contracts specifically for libraries: Library Supplies Archival Products, and Services (L50) and Library Books and Media (L51). The supplies contract gives you the choice of eight different vendors, offering everything from typical library supplies like book tape and covers to laminated library cards. The books and media contract offers discounts from familiar suppliers like Baker & Taylor, Brodart, and Ingram, but includes eleven other vendors that offer significant discounts, including Midwest Tape, ProQuest, Blackstone Audio, and more.
Those contracts and the discounts they offer are great! It is nice to have so many options when looking at our materials and books. What makes MHEC revolutionary is all of the other contracts and vendors, and the fact that some vendor discounts are available not only to institutions, but to employees as well. Carpet, appliances, flooring, computers—many of these are available at discounts up to fifty percent.
Think of anything that a large university might need and it is all there and all at a discount. MHEC leverages their massive buying power to bring significant savings to members. The Department of Libraries is very pleased to offer this service to Vermont libraries, museums, and non-profits.
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Effective Board Recruitment for Trustees and Friends
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United for Libraries – the section of the American Library Association for trustees and friends – recently offered a free webinar titled “Recruiting Younger Board Members for Trustees, Friends, and Foundations.” Many of their tips can work for recruiting board members of all ages.
- Evaluate Your Current Board: What community connections, qualities, personal styles, and areas of expertise already exist on your board – and what are you missing (and thus should recruit for)? Contact Lara (lara.keenan@vermont.gov) for a Board Planning Matrix to help with this process.
- Reduce Barriers: Can the meeting time and place be flexible to accommodate different schedules? Can members participate electronically?
- Make Meetings Efficient, Productive, and Meaningful: Focus on action items during the meaning that move the work of the board forward in meaningful ways. Make sure everyone is allowed to contribute and is taken seriously.
- Make it Easy to Join or Donate: Provide ways for members to join and donate online.
- Develop an Elevator Pitch: Find focused and memorable ways to describe what the board does, the impact of its work, and its future plans so that others can easily understand what you do and envision themselves as part of your work.
- Invite People Personally: Many people are never approached directly and asked to join library trustee or friends boards. Ask potential members in a way that makes it easy for them to say “yes” by personalizing your request so that it matches what the potential member will value. Example: If they are parents of young children, talk about how the board’s efforts support childhood literacy and community engagement.
- Use Creative Events/Fundraisers as Recruitment Tools: Look for library events and fundraisers that bring the community together. Use those efforts to emphasize the work of your board and the need for community members to contribute to this important work. Talk about the meaningful engagement these events foster.
- For more tips, see the United for Libraries “Toolkit for Engaging New and Active Library and Friends Volunteers”: http://bit.ly/ToolkitNewActive (PDF). This Toolkit offers good tips for recruiting trustees, friends, and library volunteers.
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Total number of interlibrary loan requests made in December 2019
: 4407
Books: 3768
Videos: 444
Audiobooks: 157
Music CDs: 23
Articles: 14
Music Scores: 1
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Top 5 requested DVDs
- A Christmas Story
- Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
- Cape Fear
- Grace & Frankie (Season 3)
- Ray Donovan (Season 3)
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Top 10 most requested book titles (with most requested at the top):
- The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild (Anthony)
- The Overstory (Powers)
- Educated: A Memoir (Westover)
- In the Midst of Winter (Allende)
- Flight Behavior (Kingsolver)
- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane (See)
- The Crucible (Miller)
- The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (Richardson)
- Ordinary Grace (Krueger)
- The Snow Child (Ivey)
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From Our Neighbors at the Vermont Historical Society
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Barre Home Brew Fest & Competition Trivia Night
February 15, 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Quarry Kitchen & Spirits, Barre, VT
Join The Barre Partnership and the Vermont Historical Society for a special trivia night all about Vermont history and craft beer! A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefit VHS.
Webinar: How to Make a Condition Assessment
February 19, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Third Thursday Lecture Series: The Rev. George S. Brown
February 20, 12:00 pm
Waterman Lounge, UVM, Burlington, VT
Talk on the Rev. George S. Brown, Missionary to Africa and First African American Methodist Pastor in Vermont with Pat Thompson. Presented in conjunction with the Center for Research on Vermont. Free & open to everyone.
New Exhibits at the Museum
Opening February 11 at the History Museum in Montpelier. “The Dames”, from the Vermont Folklife Center is a collection of oral history recordings and photographic portraits featuring thirteen members of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. “The Sheldon Relic Chair 1884/2018” from Middlebury College and the Henry Sheldon Museum features an eclectic 1884 “relic chair” made by historian Henry Sheldon alongside a 2018 chair constructed by Middlebury College students featuring objects and items of significance to them today. Both exhibits will be on display in the Local History Gallery.
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