Greetings from the sweltering south! New Orleans is hot, hot, hot. I am happy once again to represent Vermont at the ALA annual meeting.
Yesterday I attended a Chapter Relations Committee (CRC) Meeting. Much of the meeting was spent reviewing the ALA strategic long-range plan. The CRC wants to strengthen the link between state chapters and the ALA headquarters through inclusion in the plan. Most of the chapter folks at the meeting were asking for specific help with projects like a membership management system and a list of vetted conference speakers. If you can think of anything that ALA may be able to help Vermont with please let me know. There was a task force formed a year ago to look at ways to improve relationships between the states and the chapter office at ALA. Their report has specific suggestions that may be of interest.
ALA has started a program called Connect with your kids @ your library. The website is a great resource for materials to use the program in your library. ALA has also announced a program called Discover Earth, an interactive exhibit about weather, water cycles, and ecosystem changes. Applications for the exhibit are due by September 2nd.
I will write more tomorrow. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.
Nancy Wilson
Vermont Chapter Councilor
readmorenow@gmail.com