The first conference committee meeting will be held Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 pm. If you would like to serve on the conference committee, please email Jane with your contact info and you will be added to the committee list.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vlc2010

On behalf of the Conference Committee and the VLA Board, thank you for participating!

Parking is available in the lot between the Durick Library, the McCarthy Arts Center, and the Ross Sports Center. Conference attendees can park in any student, faculty/staff, or visitor space.

Registration materials can be picked up in the Durick Library beginning at 8:00.  Note that registration is now closed—there will be no on-site registration.

Lunch in the Green Mountain Dining Hall is included in the cost of registration—just show your conference badge at the door.  VLA Section business meetings will take place during lunch.  A tour of the Books in Bloom Teaching Garden will be offered at 12:15.

Wireless access is available in all conference venues.  Connection to the SMC Guest network requires certification of virus protection software.

Computer access will be available in the Durick Library throughout the day.

More information including the conference schedule is available at www.vermontlibraryconference.org.  If you have any questions contact Jane Napier (jnapier@kellogghubbard.org) or John Payne (jpayne@smcvt.edu).

http://www.vermontlibraryconference.org/

Jane Napier
Conference Committee Chair

• 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. 

http://www.vermontlibraryconference.org/

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