The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), together with HISTORY^TM and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, invites libraries and students across the United States to flex their creative muscles and share their passion for American history by participating in HISTORY^TM’s America: The Story of Us contests.  For libraries, the contest entails creating a special exhibit or media project about American history that will strengthen their communities’ interest in American history.  Students are asked to create a short video based on any topic related to American history and are encouraged to use the resources of local libraries, historical societies, and archives for information on their own local history or on the American history topic that interests them most.

These contests are exciting opportunities to promote learning about American history and explore our nation’s diverse heritage. IMLS is delighted that HISTORY^TM is reaching out to the nation’s libraries to encourage a community dialogue about America’s past.

For more information and to see the flyers about each contest go to http://www.history.com/shows/classroom/articles/classroom-whats-new. Look for the Library Outreach Contest and the Student Video Contest .

Dear friends,

UVM Libraries has partnered with the ACLU of Vermont to hold a special event during National Library Week.

“Reckoning with Torture:  Memos and Testimonies from the ‘War on Terror’” will be held Monday, April 12, 7 p.m., at Memorial Lounge, Waterman Building.  Here is a link to a flyer promoting the event: http://www.acluvt.org/news/reckoning_torture_poster.pdf

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Vermont Library Community,

Good news! The Vermont Council on Rural Development received word last week that they have won a federal stimulus grant in the NTIA Sustained Broadband Adoption program. The Department of Libraries is a partner in this grant project which will help 24 rural Vermont communities develop and use online and e-services. The program includes funds for public libraries in these 24 communities. You can read the full press release below. The 24 communities will be chosen through an application process. Public libraries that want their communities to be considered for this program should contact VCRD at 802-223-6091 or by email at info@vtrural.org

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Public Library Directors:

We have extended the deadline for responding to the annual Town Meeting Results survey and you have until the end of the day on Friday, April 2 to get the results to us.

We have heard from only 89 public libraries so far. If your library has not yet responded, please fill out the electronic survey this week even if your town has not yet acted on your town budget. (There is a question for that in the survey.)

To find the online survey, click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V7QNCB9 and follow instructions for completing and submitting the survey electronically.

If you have questions or need any assistance completing the survey, please contact Renee Ancel, Executive Assistant to the State Librarian at:  (802) 828-3266 / renee.ancel@state.vt.us

We are aiming for 100% participation this year. Thanks for getting this information to us!

Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Tel: (802) 828-3265
Fax: (802) 828-2199
martha.reid@state.vt.us

Montpelier’s First Wednesdays Talk Includes Charlie Chaplin Film Seen Only Once in 77 Years – First North American Showing!

Susan Cooke Kittredge, daughter of the late journalist Alistair Cooke, will give a talk about her father’s life, which will include a rare screening of his 1933 short film on Charlie Chaplin, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier on April 7. The talk, “The Unseen Alistair Cooke,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and takes place at 7:00 p.m.

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New England Library Association – Information Technology Section
2010 ITS Spring Event
Portland Public Library

Invisible Book: Libraries, People and eBooks!

Friday, June 11, 2010
10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Sq., Portland, Maine
Directions: http://www.portlandlibrary.com/locations/driving.htm

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Libraries have until May 9 to promote Woman’s Day magazine’s newest initiative, “why the library is important to my community.” The American Library Association (ALA) and Woman’s Day are looking for stories that showcase the importance and value of libraries within the communities they serve.

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Know WHEN to apply:

Artists: Creation Grants deadline: May 3, 2010
Organizations and Schools: Arts Learning Grants deadline: June 1, 2010
Community Orgs: Community Arts Grants deadline: June 1, 2010

Learn HOW to apply:

The Arts Council has scheduled two workshops to provide information to artists, educators and organizations seeking Arts Council grant funding. The sessions are free of charge and include information on available grants, the application process, and other Council programs.

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Call now to support library funding!

Please call your Representative in Washington today and ask him/her to sign onto two letters circulating around Congress. The deadline has been extended to March 17, and it is critically important that they sign-on to this letter in the next forty-eight hours.

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