ALA Grant Announcement for Public Libraries

The ALA Public Programs Office, in partnership with the National Center for Interactive Learning at Space Science Institute, the Lunar Planetary Institute and the National Girls Collaborative Project, announces a new traveling exhibition opportunity for public libraries. Following a competitive application process, eight public libraries will be selected to host an interactive exhibition called Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference. Public libraries in rural areas and those serving rural populations and underserved groups are especially invited to apply. Online applications must be submitted to ALA by May 1. To apply, visit: www.ala.org/programming/discovertech

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Congratulations to Champlain College!

Champlain College has been selected as one of the recipients of the Association of College and Research Libraries 2012 Excellence in Academic Librarianship Awards.

In announcing the award, ACRL said that Champlain College ” impressed the selection committee with its nontraditional approach to instruction and positive student-driven environment.”

Learn more here:
http://bit.ly/zMAwnb

Congratulations to everyone at Champlain!

Daisy Benson

ALA Councilor's report–Part 2

On our second day of council we considered a number of resolutions including a Resolution Opposing the Research Works Act; a Resolution Opposing the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PIPA) and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA); Resolution on the Loss of Crucial Government Information. All three resolutions passed. If you want more information about these resolutions you may look at .http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions.
We are also passed the Resolution on Publishers and Practices Which Discriminate Against Library Users. This resolution opposes the discriminatory policies of publishers and distributors which adversely impact access to digital content by library users and will be used to clarify the ALA stand when speaking to publishers of digital content.
As my final mid-winter draws to a close I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work as your ALA Councilor. if you think this is a position you would be interested in please speak to me or any VLA board member. The first conference our new councilor would have to attend takes place in Seattle during January 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Wilson

ALA Councilor's Report–Part 1

Hello from Dallas. I am very happy to again be reporting on activities at the midwinter meeting of the American Library Association. In this, my final year of serving as your councilor, I will continue to monitor national issues that impact Vermont.
At this conference we are considering a resolution taking a stance against the seemingly secret and arbitrary distribution of ebooks, video, and audio formats by publishers and distributors. The resolution is in draft form now but I hope to report today or tomorrow that we have crafted a strong national response to this practice that withholds content from our customers.
As far as regular ALA business goes, while revenues are down ALA recently purchased Neal- Schumann Publishing in order to expand the ALA publishing arm of the organization, which is actually a good revenue maker for the organization.
Please let me know if you have questions at readmorenow@gmail.com or 802-999-8391
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Wilson

White House Petition on School Libraries!

Please take a moment to sign this important petition which specifically asks the Obama administration to “ensure that every child in America has access to an effective school library program.” 25,000 signatures are required in order for this petition to be viewed by White House staff, no later than February 4, 2012.

Public Library Association 2012 Conference

The Public Library Association (PLA) is counting down to its biennial conference, PLA 2012, March 13-17, in Philadelphia. PLA 2012 Conference Bookended by Exciting Keynote Speakers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Betty White! Early Bird Registration is now available!

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Calling all Small and Rural Libraries!

Gale wants to send you to the 2012 Public Library Association (PLA) annual conference in Philadelphia, PA. As part of our Small Library Support Program, Gale in partnership with WebJunction, will be providing travel and all related expenses for library staff (serving populations of 50 thousand or less) to attend the PLA conference next March. Libraries can apply for the scholarship online or by mail. Applications are due by January 18, 2012. Enter today!

YALSA MAE Award for Best Literature Program for Teens

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), seeks members’ application for the MAE Award for Best Literature Program for Teens, sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. The winner receives $500 and an additional $500 for their library. The award is open to all personal members of ALA/YALSA who have created an outstanding reading or literature program in the twelve months preceding the award deadline of December 1.

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