The first-ever Choose Privacy Week May 2-8, 2010.

I am very excited to announce the first ever “Choose Privacy Week” to be held May 2-8, 2010.   Choose Privacy Week is a new initiative started American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee (ALAIFC) and Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) to spark a national conversation about privacy.    Libraries are the natural centers for learning and talking about information issues so  they are the perfect place to invite users join the conversation about privacy rights a digital age.

ALA has developed a variety of resources to help libraries reach out to their communities.    The campaign gives libraries the tools they need to educate and engage users, and gives citizens the resources to think critically and make more informed choices about their privacy.  I hope you take time to explore the website www.privacyrevolution.org to learn more about what your library can do to spark thought and discussion around privacy issues today.  Whether you are considering creating a display, sponsoring a contest, hosting a program or workshop, or moderating a community dialogue about privacy, there are tools that can help.  

Help us spread the word about the importance of choosing privacy.  

Gail Weymouth

VLAIFC, chair

IMLS Encourages Participation in America: The Story of Us Contests

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), together with HISTORYTM 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 HISTORYTM’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 HISTORYTM 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 .

National Library Week, April 11-17 (on WCAX)

Ready to promote National Library Week?

Vermont librarians Lorrie Colburn (Fletcher Free Library) and Amy Howlett (VT Department of Libraries) will booktalk some favorites for all ages on Monday, April 12 on “Across the Fence,” WCAX, channel 3, after the noon news. Pull out their titles (bibliography at http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/misc ) or feature your own staff picks and public hot titles.

Amy Howlett

Vermont Department of Libraries

2010 Woman’s Day Magazine Library Contest

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.

Read more

2010 Woman's Day Magazine Library Contest

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.
Read more

New & Improved DOL Newsletter

In case you have not heard, the Vermont Department of Libraries recently published the February 2010 Newsletter in a new email format. We hope you will like the new look.  Please make sure that this message gets to library directors and library trustees. I encourage all Vermont library employees and trustees to subscribe to the newsletter so that you can receive every issue directly in your inbox.

Don’t miss a single issue!

To read the newsletter – and to subscribe to future issues — go to the DOL website: http://libraries.vermont.gov/news/janfeb2010

Or to be connected directly to the newsletter:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs038/1102928001760/archive/1103059528491.html

Just click on the “subscribe” button and add your email address.

We invite your comments and feedback.

Marty
_____________________________
Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
802-828-3265
martha.reid@state.vt.us

New & Improved DOL Newsletter

In case you have not heard, the Vermont Department of Libraries recently published the February 2010 Newsletter in a new email format. We hope you will like the new look.  Please make sure that this message gets to library directors and library trustees. I encourage all Vermont library employees and trustees to subscribe to the newsletter so that you can receive every issue directly in your inbox.
Don’t miss a single issue!
To read the newsletter – and to subscribe to future issues — go to the DOL website: http://libraries.vermont.gov/news/janfeb2010
Or to be connected directly to the newsletter:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs038/1102928001760/archive/1103059528491.html
Just click on the “subscribe” button and add your email address.
We invite your comments and feedback.
Marty
_____________________________
Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
802-828-3265
martha.reid@state.vt.us

LRTS Announces Grant for Literature Review Authors

Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS) announces the availability of grants of up to $1,000 (funded by an ALA Carnegie-Whitney Grant) to assist authors with preparing literature reviews. The purpose of the grants is to provide funds that will be used for clerical and research support, thereby allowing the author/s to concentrate on analyzing the resources and writing the literature review.  In this new grant program, recipients will be able to work with the LRTS editor to determine appropriate uses.  Possible tasks might be collecting citations, sorting and organizing citations by themes and categories, locating and gathering resources to be reviewed, verifying citations, funding purchases of articles not owned by the home institution of the author, and so forth.  Funding also could provide a mentoring opportunity in funding assistance by a library school or information science student.

Read more