This is an important message from the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) about the public hearings that start today for the Vermont State Education Quality Standards. Secretary of Education Armando Vilaseca has stated that the language that VSLA proposed for the new standards will be included in the new document. Here are his exact words:
“I wanted to make sure that the librarians that you all come in contact with understand that we agree that the current language of not including librarians in the initial rules was not correct. We (AOE) also agree with the language suggestions you and others made at our meeting.”
This means that VSLA no longer needs librarians and library advocates to state their argument or plea to add wording to the Vermont Quality Education Standards.
If you do choose to come out and support school librarians in Vermont at the upcoming public hearings, here’s a supportive script:
My name is _____ and I work at _____School. I am representing the ___ librarians, ___ teachers, ___ parents and ___ community members that are here tonight. We would like tothank you for providing these important Education Quality Standards for the students in Vermont schools and for accepting the language that Vermont school librarians have suggested be included in the standards. We are happy that you have acknowledged our contributions to the Vermont education and we will continue to celebrate the good work we do with the students in our schools. Thank you.
Please keep it short and positive!
Author Archive: Web
The State of Small and Rural Libraries in the United States (IMLS)
New report out from IMLS about the state of small and rural libraries in the US.
http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/
Some highlights include:
- Small and rural libraries make up the majority of public library systems in the United States (80.5%).
- Vermont has the highest percentage of small libraries in the United States (98.7%).
- Small and rural libraries continue to provide substantial electronic and digital resources for patrons through access to e-books and publicly accessible computer terminals.
- Although per capita revenue has decreased over the past three years, visitation and circulation has increased for both small and rural libraries.
Vermont Libraries On The Air
Listening alert!
Monday, October 7 was the first in a series of programs on VPR’s Vermont Edition called: Dorothy’s List: A Monthly Series for Young Readers.
Tune in to hear these discussions featuring authors, young readers and books which are part of Vermont’s Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award program, sponsored by the Vermont Department of Libraries (VTlib).
From the VPR website @ http://digital.vpr.net/post/
“We’ll visit schools and libraries around Vermont to hear what kids have to say about the books. We’ll also speak with the authors – and let the kids ask the questions. So grab a book and join us for Dorothy’s List: A Monthly Series for Young Readers. It’s not your parents’ book club!”
For more about the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award: http://libraries.vermont.gov/
Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians
The Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) needs your support! Please plan to attend one of the 3 public hearings about reinstating library language in the proposed Vermont Education Quality Standards. Stand up for Vermont students and their need for qualified professional librarians at their schools. Take colleagues with you, invite teachers, parents, and other community members who support the valuable work that school librarians do. Add your voice to the public comments on this issue and ask others to add theirs. This is how change will happen.
- October 8, 6 p.m., Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro, Multipurpose Room
- October 17, 4 p.m., Lake Region Union High School, 317 Lake Region Rd., Orleans, Multipurpose Room
- October 21, 4 p.m., Champlain Valley Union High School, 369 CVU Rd., Hinesburg, Room 140
If you have any questions, please contact VSLA President-Elect Denise Wentz.Thank you in advance for your part in this advocacy initiative!
Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians
The Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) needs your support! Please plan to attend one of the 3 public hearings about reinstating library language in the proposed Vermont Education Quality Standards. Stand up for Vermont students and their need for qualified professional librarians at their schools. Take colleagues with you, invite teachers, parents, and other community members who support the valuable work that school librarians do. Add your voice to the public comments on this issue and ask others to add theirs. This is how change will happen.
- October 8, 6 p.m., Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro, Multipurpose Room
- October 17, 4 p.m., Lake Region Union High School, 317 Lake Region Rd., Orleans, Multipurpose Room
- October 21, 4 p.m., Champlain Valley Union High School, 369 CVU Rd., Hinesburg, Room 140
If you have any questions, please contact VSLA President-Elect Denise Wentz.Thank you in advance for your part in this advocacy initiative!
New England Library Association Annual Conference 2013
Last week to catch the Early Bird deal for 2013 NELA Annual Conference in Portland, ME October 20-22. Get that registration in by October 8!
- Hear Richard C. Harwood talk about Public Innovation—join the national conversation on libraries, communities and civic life & get The Work of Hope
- Pick your programs: leadership, job skills, open source, BYOD, makerspaces, self-publishing, book groups, apps, intellectual freedom, trustees & Friends…
- Talk face to face with Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Gale, Recorded Books, Sisters in Crime, and a host of other vendors
The New England Library Association Conference registration is up. Big enough to attract major speakers, vendors and fellow librarians—small enough so you can truly Connect, Engage, and Collaborate.
Southern Vermont Librarian Happy Hour
Please join the Vermont Library Association and other community members on Friday, November 1st from 7-8:30PM, at Harpoon Brewery, 366 Ruth Carney Drive in Windsor, VT.
The Facebook event can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/
Making Connections & Cultivating Community
Dartmouth’s October Conference for New England Academic Librarians
Friday, October 18, 2013
Alumni Hall in the Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College
This year’s conference focuses on the collaborative role that academic libraries can play within their communities. Presentations will include examples of library-IT collaborations, libraries that work with young people in the community, multi-type library collaborations, projects in which librarians and faculty work together, a town-gown event, and more. See the program for details.
Making Connections & Cultivating Community
Dartmouth’s October Conference for New England Academic Librarians
Friday, October 18, 2013
Alumni Hall in the Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College
This year’s conference focuses on the collaborative role that academic libraries can play within their communities. Presentations will include examples of library-IT collaborations, libraries that work with young people in the community, multi-type library collaborations, projects in which librarians and faculty work together, a town-gown event, and more. See the program for details.
Read more
A PubMed Lightning Presentation
Please join us for …
(what): A PubMed Lightning Presentation
(when): Friday – September 20, 2013, 1-2pm
(where): Dana Medical Library E-Classroom, University of Vermont, Burlington
(who): Dana & Bailey/Howe Librarians – Alice Stokes, Fred Pond, Gary Atwood, Joanne Montanye & Nancy Bianchi