Dear Colleagues,

As you know, the USA PATRIOT ACT is due to sunset this year and we need Congress to make much needed reforms.

The Senate has introduced a bill that does not meet the protections we seek, so we need the House to pass much tougher reforms. The ALA Washington Office reports that there is much opposition to these reforms, including from the White House, the Department of Justice and the House Intelligence Committee, so Congress needs calls NOW from library supporters and others.

PLEASE call Congressman Welch’s office to EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT for H.R. 3845 introduced by Rep. John Conyers of Michigan and ASK CONGRESSMAN WELCH TO CO-SPONSOR this USA Patriot Amendment Act. Call NOW. Bill mark-up is scheduled for November 4.
Read the rest of this entry »

Responses to our Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey have increased significantly in the last week – thank you for all of your efforts!

But we still would like to have a higher response rate, and we also need to allow some extra time for those libraries in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware program.  Right now, nationwide there is a 55% response rate overall. In Vermont, we have about a 20% response rate.  60% is the preferred minimum threshold, but the higher the response rate, the better the data.

As a result, the survey has been extended through Friday, November 13, 2009.

You can log in and complete the survey at: http://www.plinternetsurvey.org .

We know you’re completing your Annual Public Library Reports and Standards Applications, but hope you can see you way clear to participating in this nationwide survey, as well.

Thanks.

Rob Geiszler

Here is a list of space planners compiled 10/09 from VTLIBRARIES listserv recommendations by Amy Howlett, VT Department of Libraries

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s true! The Vermont Library Association is proud to announce that the 116th Vermont Library Conference will take place at Saint Michael’s College on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

This one day event will allow us to provide a rich educational and professional development experience in a convenient and cost-effective format for attendees. 

http://www.vermontlibraryconference.org/

Helen Linda
VLA Communications Officer

Please join SLA Boston on November 17th for…

Ontologies for Knowledge Mapping and Discovery

When: Tuesday, November 17, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Social Law Library — John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Suite 4100, Boston

Read the rest of this entry »

The New England Chapter of ASIS&T presents…

The library is dead. Long live the library! The rebirth of libraries in the 21st century

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 9am – 4pm

MIT Media Lab – Bartos Theater, Cambridge, MA

Library closures, slashed budgets, user apathy – everything’s online, right? It’s a story many of us have heard too often or experienced ourselves, especially with the recent downturn in the economy. But many libraries are re-inventing themselves, offering new services and transforming into very different entities while still at heart performing the same role they always have – helping communities connect with information.

Read the rest of this entry »

Do You Know a Library “Mover & Shaker”?

Library Journal’s ninth annual Movers & Shakers will profile 50 or more up-and-comers from across the US, Canada, and internationally who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. Let LJ know who you think should be included. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers & Shakers 2010 will celebrate the new professionals moving our libraries ahead.

Nominations are due November 9. Here’s the link for the form: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA606274.html?nid=2671&rid=#reg_visitor_id&source=title

Deadline: December 15, 2009

We are excited to announce that members of ALA’s New Members Round Table (NMRT) can apply to receive a grant, sponsored by 3M Library Systems, which will cover expenses to attend the ALA Annual Conference, June 24-30, 2010, in Washington, DC.

Read the rest of this entry »

Please read below the call to action for the Massachusetts Library Association. If you can spare the time, our neighbors to the south could use our help fighting the good fight. Helen

To the library community -

Even if you’re not a librarian in Massachusetts, you’re invited to join the rally. Let’s get those numbers up to show them we mean business!

Rick Taplin
President, New England Library Association

Read the rest of this entry »

Save the Date! Vermont Catalogers Roundtable Fall Meeting:

Thursday, November 19, 2009 (9:30 coffee, meeting 10:00 AM to noon)

Durick Library
Saint Michael’s College
One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439

Read the rest of this entry »