DOL Information about federal stimulus funds

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Libraries

Even before the “stimulus bill” was signed into law in February, librarians in Vermont and across the country were hard at work trying to make sure that some of this money gets to libraries. There are still many unanswered questions about this funding package and new information trickles in each week. DOL is in regular contact with State officials and also with the ALA Washington Office and other state library agencies and I will pass along news as it comes our way.

Some of the biggest money will come to the State of Vermont, in the “Stabilization Funds.” Most or all of that money that comes directly to the state will be directed to projects other than libraries. But there are other ARRA funding programs that are potential sources for us to tap. Read below for tips:

Public Libraries: make sure you are in communication with your town officials. Municipalities will receive a portion of the stabilization money and libraries could be eligible public projects.

Read more

The Beatles Had It Right

Sometimes we just need a little help from our friends.  You may be a new librarian who feels at sea.   Or you may have a library project or issue that you would like to talk with another professional about.  The Vermont Library Association can help you connect with people who can help you out.  Over a dozen VLA members from all over the state have agreed to act as a mentor for public librarians.  Contact Lucinda Walker 802-649-1184 lucinda.walker@norwichlibrary.org if you would like to find a mentor in your area.

New Listerv for Librarians Who Work with Children and Young Adults!!

Hello, all:

Vermont now has a listserv especially for librarians who work with children and teens! We are calling it VTYAC to keep in line with PUBYAC, a long standing listserv for children’s and young adult librarians. This list will be a great way for us to communicate about programming, policies, issues, room set-up, stumpers, book selection, in fact anything that you want that has to do with youth services.

How do you join? Ask me to add you to the list! Just reply to this email, and you will be magically added!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Grace Worcester Greene
Children’s Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-6954
Fax: 802-828-1481
grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us

Green Mountain Book Award: voting for this year and new list for next

Hello, all: The Green Mountain Book Award committee, under the able leadership of Hannah Peacock, Chair, has announced the new masterlist for the 2009-2010 school year. You can find it here: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/gmba You will find a good variety of books for students in grades 9-12, both young adult and adult books. As always, the books are all available in paperback. DOL will again have multiple copies for you to borrow by the summer.

Also, start thinking about getting your votes in for this year’s list. The voting deadline is May 1. The forms (for both students and teachers) are on the website above.

Grace Worcester Greene
Children’s Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-6954
Fax: 802-828-1481
grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us

Time to Vote for 2009 DCF Winners!

Hello, all: Now is the time to rally your kids and vote for the 2009 DCF winner. Steve Madden, our webmaster and outgoing chair, has readied both the online and downloadable voting forms on the website: www.dcfaward.org Please use the online form unless you have some pressing reason not to.

Deadline for voting is April 17, 2009. We are NOT doing a mailing this year because of budget issues, so you will not be getting a printed form in the mail.

Have fun!

Grace

Digital Video Production Workshop

Adults (ages 16 and up)

Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, 10:00am-4:00pm

Spend a weekend with media professional Adam Walker who will immerse you in the digital video world and help you to promote your ideas with a video message. Learn about camera controls, different motion techniques, creative angles, tripods, lighting, and iMovie video editing software while creating a 1 minute public service announcement. Then, learn how to post your production onto the YouTube website to share with the world. At the end of the workshop, family and friends will be invited to see the finished products! Bring your own video camera or use one of ours. All other supplies included. Please come to class prepared with at least two ideas for your public service announcement and bring your own bag lunch. Check out www.dogooder.tv for inspiration.

$160 for non-members
$126 for members
http://www.helenday.com/education/adult-classes-sign-up#advideo

New Primary-Source Database for Schools and Libraries

A new primary-source database, with on-site search, is now available for schools, libraries, educators and students. Its features include 15,000 images plus documents, narrations, video/audio clips and organized slide shows. Incorporated into the text are also secondary sources, such as links to Google Books.

Group access to the site is free for all schools, libraries, educators and students. Click here for access. http://www.awesomestories.com/newsletters/february-2009-highlights

Rainbow Project — Second annual annotated bibliography

The Rainbow Project is pleased to announce its second annual annotated bibliography of recommended titles for youth from birth through age eighteen. You are free to disseminate the Rainbow List 2009 and Rainbow List Introduction any way you wish.

The Rainbow Project currently includes members from the following states: California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin. We are currently looking for suggestions for the 2010 list. Books should be published between July 2008 and December 2009; October 31, 2009 is our nomination deadline and suggestions should be submitted to the list by the end of September. We invite you to keep track of our discussion and add your own comments at http://rainbowlist.wordpress.com, where you can also view complete information about the Rainbow List, as well as the 2008 and 2009 lists and introductions.

Also, we invite you to join us at MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/rainbow_list) and Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/bmetcc)! We hope you will find the Rainbow List useful as you serve children, parents, and educators who are in need of quality materials about the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer/questioning experience.

Thank you,

John Andrews
Senior Center Librarian
1155 E. 9th Street
Reno, NV 89512
(775) 328-2586 (Library)
(775) 327-8315 (Office)
jandrews@washoecounty.us
SCIMUS QUAE LEGIS ET NON DICIMUS