Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Conference

Registration is now open for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher conference to be held in Stowe on Friday, May 2. The keynote speaker will be Gary Schmidt, author of Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, among others. The endnote will be given by Jo Knowles, Vermont author of several young adult novels and a middle grade novel, See You at Harry’s, which is on the current DCF list. More information and the registration form can be found here: http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/cbec/dcf/dcfconference

Remember, VLA members receive a discount on the conference, so renew your membership today: https://vermontlibraries.org//membership

Also, I am pleased to announce that the Friends of DCF are again giving scholarships to the conference, so if you would like to attend, but cannot afford it, fill out the application also at the link above, and you may get lucky!

 

UPDATE: Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians

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!

UPDATE: Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians

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!

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/dorothys-list-monthly-series-young-readers :

“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/libraries/cbec/dcf

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!

Fall Materials Review Session

Hello, all you wonderful librarians:  Now that school is back in session, I want to make sure that you have the next Materials Review Session on your calendar. It will be on Friday, October 11 at 9:00 am at the Brown Public Library in Northfield. This is a  2 ½ hour oral presentation of reviews of new children’s and young adult books. I review  about 75 that I have read, and also bring along a couple hundred more that others have favorably reviewed. You get to see and examine the books before you actually order them.

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Children’s Librarian Round Table

Good Morning all of you wonderful librarians!

On Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm we will be hosting a children’s librarian round table at Midstate in Berlin.  All Children’s Librarians are encouraged to join us for a morning of sharing ideas and talking about what is working for us at our libraries and what we could use help with.  Please come with questions, stories, and your new favorite book that every library needs to add to their collection!  With special guest Jane Napier this day promises to be a great time.  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me or give me a call and I look forward to seeing all of you!

Heather Grev
VLA Youth Librarians Section President
heather@sherburnelibrary.org
(802)422-9765

Teen Video Contest for Summer Reading

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the Department of Libraries are launching the “2013 Teen Video Challenge”, a national video competition designed to get teens involved with reading and their public library’s summer reading program.

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