• The 2010 Sarah C. Hagar Award which is for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. Nominees must be working in a Vermont library and a member of VLA.

• The 2010 Trustee of the Year Award for achievement by a trustee on behalf of his or her library, either during the previous year or during his/her years of service.

To nominate someone, please send the nominee’s name, the name of his/her library, and a letter explaining why this person should receive the award, along with your name, library telephone number and email address by March 12, 2010 to the address below. If more than one person signs a nominating letter, please designate one signatory as the contact person. Letters of support from community members or colleagues are very helpful to the committee.

Don’t delay-write that letter today! Questions? Please ask Grace Greene at 828-6954 or email: grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us.

VLA Awards Committee
c/o Grace Greene
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609

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.  Registration is limited. Details to follow soon!

Helen Linda
VLA Communications Officer

Michael Roche, the librarian at the Department of Libraries Northeast Regional Library and consultant for about 50 public libraries in the area, received the Sarah C. Hagar Award, given for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. Many of the directors in his region wrote letters of nomination, all emphasizing his responsiveness, clear thinking and approachability. One librarian ended her letter with: “Michael is always there for us—answering the tough questions, advocating for better library service and sharing his wisdom, insight and experience.”

The Green Mountain Award went to Amy Grasmick, director of the Kimball Library in Randolph, “in appreciation for her courageous and principled defense of patron confidentiality,” in regards to the police investigation during the tragic Brooke Bennett case in June, 2008. When police demanded to seize the library’s computers, Grasmick, rightfully concerned about all the personal information on the computers and following the Board’s policy, stood firm that she could not hand them over without a court order. Eventually the police followed the correct procedures, and Grasmick willingly complied. Her actions showed courage, responsibility and adherence to the law—a good example for all librarians and citizens alike.

In addition to awards for librarians, VLA also gives out a trustee award, this year to Tina Rotella of the Rutland Free Library. In her nominating letter, Director Paula Baker cited Rotella’s amazing ability to do fundraising: “Through Tina’s goal setting, plans and leadership we have moved ahead dramatically. During her tenure our annual fund drive has increased net income by 300%….But beyond the money she has found for the library, she must be recognized for her ability to inspire a greater level of effort from all of us. Where there might be doubt, she is fearless. Where there is need she takes action.” Rotella is clearly an amazing asset for the Rutland Library.

Please be sure to fill out a conference evaluation, available on the VLC website and at the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ILuNpEYUge3PeIpbevSX9A_3d_3d

Enjoy the summer!

Barbara Doyle-Wilch and Sara Goldstein
Co-chairs, Vermont Library Conference 2009

Looking for a roommate? Someone to carpool with? Try the VLA Travel Wiki. Simply sign up for an account and add your travel information. I have used it myself to coordinate rides and rooms at conferences and found it to be a great way to not only save money and stress, but meet wonderful folks I may never have met otherwise! Please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll sign you right up!

Thanks!
Helen Linda
VLA Advocacy Committee

A number of libraries have responded to our call to offer displays at the party. There will be a mix of posters, videos, and slide shows that will illustrate how libraries impact the lives of their users. Now all we need are the right people there to see what we do. So please help us get out the word and pass along the invitation or speak directly to our potential guests so we can make this a truly special celebration of Vermont libraries.

Thank you,
Brenda Ellis
Conference Committee Member

In order to make a great conference go smoothly, we are in need of a few extra volunteers to help on-site during the 2 days. From helping out with registration, assisting the bookseller, and making traffic flow, we have jobs small to large that we hope you can fill.

We are holding a VLC volunteer luncheon on Saturday, March 21st at the Sheraton. If you are serious about volunteering at the conference, please join us! RSVP to Sara Goldstein (sgoldstein@etsd.org) or Barbara Doyle-Wilch (bdoylewi@middlebury.edu) by Thursday, March 19th.

If you are interested in volunteering but unable to attend the luncheon, please contact us.

Thank you for your support – we look forward to a terrific conference this year!

Sincerely,

Barbara and Sara

At this year’s conference in Burlington we are planning a big celebration of libraries from 5:30 – 7pm on Tues. May 12th (1st day of the conference). We need displays that will highlight the importance of all kinds of Vermont libraries for conference attendees and guests (legislators, gov’t officials, trustees, library friends, principals, etc.) to view while conversing with each other and enjoying food, drink, and music. We welcome all kinds of ideas that showcase the positive benefits of libraries and what libraries contribute to our communities, such as how libraries have touched the lives of someone, a child, a senior, a community group, visitors to our state, etc.

Examples could include a display of a successful program/event your library sponsored or some of the day to day activities you support (photos, quotes from participants, promotional materials, children’s artwork, etc.)

Or get creative and make a video you could show on a laptop (perhaps you could videotape some of your local authors/illustrators or a mix of your patrons/job-seekers, saying a few words about what your library means to them). We won’t have internet access, so you’d need to run your video or slideshow from your computer.

Maybe you’ve already done something for an open house or town meeting? Just remember this is a celebration of what we accomplish as libraries. This won’t be the place to show that leaky roof with a plea for funding. This is going to be fun but we need your help!

So start thinking of what your library can do and then reply directly to Brenda Ellis, bellis@middlebury.edu and let me know what your library would like to do. A member of the conference committee will follow-up to find out what kind of setup you might need at the conference to make this successful.

Here’s what you can look forward to at this year’s Vermont Library Conference:

Keynote Speeches by:
Marshall Keys
Wayne Piper
Chris Bohjalian

Cooperative Village: A One-Woman Show about Advocacy for Libraries!

Programs by:
Keith Curry Lance
Jan Reynolds
Many, many more fabulous presenters from both VLA and VSLA!

An Advocacy Cocktail Reception on 5/12
Legislators, school boards, administrators, library boards, and trustees will be invited for a poster session, over wine and cheese!

Online registration will be available by the beginning of March. We’ll keep you posted with more updates.

Please, check our website frequently: http://www.vermontlibraryconference.org

Let us know if you have any questions!

Sara Goldstein (VSLA Co-Chair) & Barbara Doyle-Wilch (VLA Co-Chair)

Sara Goldstein
Librarian
Founders Memorial School
33 Founders Road
Essex Jct., VT 05452
802-879-6326 x6306
sgoldstein@etsd.org

Barbara Doyle-Wilch
bdoylewi@middlebury.edu