8:00 - 9:30 Registration

8:30 - 9:15 New Members Roundtable Discussion
Susan Monmaney, VSLA; Marsha Middleton, VSLA
Judah Hamer, VLA; Deborah Gadwah-Lambert, VLA; Mary Danko, VLA

New to VLA or VSLA? Is this your first visit to the Vermont Library Conference? Join our roundtable discussion if you are looking for tips on navigating and or having more fun at the conference, or wondering how VLA and VSLA can help you and your library.

9:30 - 10:30 Keynote, "What the Thunder Said"
Marshall Keys

Thirty two years a librarian and nothing but change, change, change! Just when you figure it out, it changes! And it isn't going to be any different for those of you who are taking over the profession. Successful libraries must do the right thing, and that means changing to adapt to new circumstances. But successful libraries must also do things right. Why is change so hard? I hate to tell you, but even if you got rid of your entire staff and hired new ones, it wouldn't be any different. Some problems are absolutely predictable in every library. What does research tell us about identifying and handling them? And what does this all have to do with my mysterious title?

10:30 - 11:30 Morning Break, Exhibit Hall

Concurrent Session 1

11:30 - 12:45 Public Speaking 101
Leora Dowling, Jamie Magowan

If you have something important to say don’t let fear of speaking to a group or lack of public speaking skills hold you back. Speaking confidently and compellingly is something you can learn to do. Public speaking 101 not only covers the basics from speech preparation to presentation, it goes beyond them to include techniques for persuasive speaking, storytelling, and interacting with an audience. You’ll also learn how to calm your nerves, use notes discreetly, speak with your body as well as your voice, and incorporate visual aids.

11:30 - 12:45 Metadata & Digital Collections: Transitions and Challenges
Wichada Sukantarat, Lorraine Lanius

Explores the trends of digital collections and the challenges of metadata use. An introduction to metadata cataloging will be included. Focuses on Vermont web-based information and its transition from traditional print collections.

11:30 - 12:45 Rapid Reviews
Amy Howlett, Ernie Drown, Lynne Reed, Susan Guilmette

Vermont doesn't have a Notable Books program as ALA does-but we do have Rapid Reviews! Join library veterans for booktalks of the best adult reading published since last May. You, too, can learn to promote the best in your collection, and we'll tell you how.

11:30 - 12:45 The Red Clover Award Program
Sally Anderson, Grace Greene, Ruth Allard, Nancy Custer Carroll, Cheryl Cox, Karen Duggan, Linda Morrow, Amy Kolb Boyes, Jeanie Phillips, Renee Ursitti

Join the Red Clover Award committee as they present the 10 nominees for this year's Red Clover Award program.

11:30 - 12:45 Advocacy for Small Libraries
Helen Linda, Barbara Shatara, Michael Roche

Small libraries may be diminutive in size, but they can have a might advocacy roar! Learn how to best advocate for your library (and how to leverage your trustees) with a practical set of tools you can use on both the local and state level. And learn how to advocate for yourself in terms of compensation and benefits.

11:30 - 12:45 Going Global: Vermont Librarians’ International Experiences and Reflections
Laurie Kutner, Mara Saule, Paul Philbin

This panel of Vermont librarians focuses on the global relevance of skills held by information professionals. They will share their experiences of work done in three separate international projects in Costa Rica, Latvia, and Tanzania, respectively.

12:45 - 2:00 Lunch, Roundtable Discussions, Exhibit Hall

1:15 - 1:45 CYCLE OF RICE, CYCLE OF LIFE, a true tale of sustainability in our modern world: Lunchtime session with Jan Reynolds
Live with the Indonesian rice farmers on the beautiful island of Bali, and learn how they have farmed sustainably, the same way for 1000 years without detriment to their environment. Explore their traditional lives with Jan Reynolds, and discover why their rice production went down to zero when the government tried to "modernize" their ways. And see how Anthropologist Stephen Lansing helped the government return to the older ways, and preserved the traditional farming in Bali with an applicable lesson to take out to the wider world. Still, these traditional societies have so much to teach us, before their traditional ways vanish forever....

2:00 - 3:00 Keynote, "Perception is Reality"
Wayne Piper

Your library is full of rich and powerful stories---hundreds of which are not even in books! But is the story you want to tell the same story your borrowers perceive each time they visit your library? And how good are you at telling that story? And what are (or should be) component pieces of the stories you tell? Punctuated with anecdotes and humor this lively session will help you discover new ways to craft your library's services and programs into messages that will resonate with your borrowers and potential borrowers.

Concurrent Session 2

3:15 - 4:30 Petty Cash Programs for Small Libraries
Beth Reynolds, Nancy Tusinski

Money is tight and your time is limited, but your patrons, children and adults alike, deserve fun and creative programming. Attend this program and you’ll be filled with programming ideas for all of your target groups that can be implemented cheaply and easily. Veteran adult programming librarians and a representative from the Vermont Humanities Council describe different successful programs that you can use right away.

3:15 - 4:30 Power Librarianship: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing the Impact of School Libraries and Librarians
Keith Curry Lance

Since 1990, there have been approximately 20 studies of the impact of school libraries and librarians on students' academic achievement. In this session, participants will learn about the research behind several proven strategies for increasing the impact of a school library or librarian on the learning process and resulting test scores, and discuss Vermont examples of these strategies.

3:15 - 4:30 Public Speaking 101
Leora Dowling, Jamie Magowan

If you have something important to say don’t let fear of speaking to a group or lack of public speaking skills hold you back. Speaking confidently and compellingly is something you can learn to do. Public speaking 101 not only covers the basics from speech preparation to presentation, it goes beyond them to include techniques for persuasive speaking, storytelling, and interacting with an audience. You’ll also learn how to calm your nerves, use notes discreetly, speak with your body as well as your voice, and incorporate visual aids.

3:15 - 4:30 How to uphold the new Vermont library confidentiality law at your library
Trina Magi, Gail Weymouth

Do you have questions about how to make sure your library policies and procedures conform to the new Vermont library confidentiality law (and the ALA Code of Ethics)? Or do you have good solutions to share? Bring both to this session, facilitated by the VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, and leave with practical ideas about what to do in your library.

3:15 - 4:30 Libraries Taking on Computer Illiteracy and Narrowing the Digital Divide
Chris Tonjes

With computer literacy being a make or break point in the 21st century, narrowing our nation’s digital divide should be a top priority for parents, educators, and decision makers.  We must take steps to educate all citizens in the ways of the most recent technological advancements.

3:15 - 4:30 Generation 4.0
Erin Logsdon

This session provides an overview of the four generations (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y) that are currently working in our libraries (and utilizing our services!). From Traditionalists to Generation Y, we will examine the challenges and benefits of a multi-generational workforce - who we are, what we want out of a job, and why we don't always understand each other. We'll also examine our own assumptions, learn that generations may not be based solely on dates, and explore ways to work better together.

4:30 - 5:15 VLA Annual Meeting, VSLA Annual Meeting

5:30 - 7:00 Advocacy Cocktail Reception

8:00 - 9:30 Registration

8:30 - 9:15 A Conversation with the State Librarian
Martha Reid

State Librarian, Martha Reid, will be on hand to talk about current activities at the Vermont Department of Libraries. The program will include a short presentation followed by an informal question/answer and discussion session. This is your chance to hear directly from the State Librarian and to ask your questions. The conversation will cover current DOL activities,goals for the future, news about the state of Vermont's libraries, and a view of how Vermont fits into the national library scene.

9:30 - 10:30 Keynote, "Giving Birth to the Novel"
Chris Bohjalian

Every novel has a seed, but after that all gardening analogies should be pruned back. Why? Because it is almost impossible to imagine what will grow from that seed. And while some novelists may work with outlines and others may at least know how a book is going to end, for Bohjalian it’s a complete mystery. He suggests it is much more like parenting than gardening – hence he will be speaking about giving birth to a novel.

10:30 - 11:30 Morning Break, Exhibit Hall

Concurrent Session 3

11:30 - 12:45 Story Sharing: An Effective Communication Tool for Library Advocates
Recille Hamrell

Stories instantly capture a listener's attention and interest. This workshop will teach you how to utilize stories and make story sharing part of your advocacy toolbox. This workshop will also help you shape your library experience stories into engaging narratives and help you build a collection of ready-to-use advocacy stories.

11:30 - 12:45 2009-2010 DCF Book Award Master List
Steve Madden, Liz Bourne, Kate Davie, Kathy Dulac, Dawn Fairbanks, Mary Linney, Beth Reynolds, Grace W. Greene

Want to hear about the best of the best? Join the DCF Committee for a quick introduction to the latest and greatest in children’s literature, the 2009-2010 DCF Master List.

11:30 - 12:45 Serving Students That Have Visual Impairments And Blindness
Dan Norris, Teresa Faust, Liv Perry

Do you have students with visual impairments or blindness? Would you like to temporarily see the world through their eyes and learn how to serve them better? Learn about the many (and sometimes confusing) services and resources that are available to your students as presented by a media specialist, a teacher of the visually impaired, and a special services library consultant.

11:30 - 12:45 The LJ Index of Public Library Service Output: Vermont's Status and Next Steps
Keith Curry Lance

In early 2009, Library Journal began publishing the LJ Index of public library service output, based on per-capita levels of visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use. In this session, participants will learn how Vermont public libraries fared on this new index and why, and discuss steps a library can take to improve its LJ Index rating.

11:30 - 12:45 Developing a Library Consortium
Judah Hamer, John Kenneth Payne, Stephanie Chase, Lucinda Walker

When times are tough, a consortium provides a structure for libraries to work together. Come hear about what the purpose and role of a library consortium is and how this might work in Vermont. This panel session will provide an introduction to consortium development, structure and participation, along with examples of projects successfully developed and implemented through using a library consortium structure.

11:30 - 12:45 Vermont Public Librarians' Compensation: A Survey and a Toolkit / Avoiding Library Burnout
Amy Grasmick / Matt Krauss

The VLA Personnel Committee announces the results of its survey of public librarians' salaries and benefits, and refreshes your familiarity with 'Increasing Public Library Compensation: A How-To Guide for Vermont Libraries.'

12:45 - 2:00 Lunch, Roundtable Discussions, Exhibit Hall

1:15 - 1:45 CYCLE OF RICE, CYCLE OF LIFE, a true tale of sustainability in our modern world: Lunchtime session with Jan Reynolds
Live with the Indonesian rice farmers on the beautiful island of Bali, and learn how they have farmed sustainably, the same way for 1000 years without detriment to their environment. Explore their traditional lives with Jan Reynolds, and discover why their rice production went down to zero when the government tried to "modernize" their ways. And see how Anthropologist Stephen Lansing helped the government return to the older ways, and preserved the traditional farming in Bali with an applicable lesson to take out to the wider world. Still, these traditional societies have so much to teach us, before their traditional ways vanish forever....

2:00 - 3:15 Keynote, "Underneath the Lintel," by Glenn Berger
Performed by Mark Nash

A Dutch librarian discovers a book that's 113 years over due and sets out to find the borrower. As he follows the mysterious trail around the world, he ultimately uncovers what can only be called a miracle.

Concurrent Session 4

3:30 - 4:45 Green Mountain Book Award
Hannah Peacock, Ellen Arapakos, Annie Brabazon, Judith Flint, Susan Hennessey, Mary Neville Hood, Kathy Johnson, Jessica Langlois, Dollinda Lund, Martha M. Walke

The 2009-2010 GMBA master list will be introduced by charming and enthusiastic teens (via video clips) and by committee members. Get hints on how to introduce the GMBA titles to the teens in your life.

3:30 - 4:45 How to Catalog Weird Widgets and Wonderful Whatnots
Kay C. Schlueter

Have you been wondering how to catalog the cake pans, sewing patterns & fishing poles in your collection? This program gives you the basics on how to best catalog those strange items that circulate in your collection. Whether your library is automated or still using a card catalog, a good record not only facilitates access but provides an accurate inventory of your collection as well. Attendees are encouraged to bring an item they would like to see cataloged.

3:30 - 4:45 Library Services: The Reference Interview - How to
Anna Bolognani

Do you want to provide a top notch library service that rivals Google? Conducting a reference interview is not difficult, but there are some basic components that every librarian needs to be aware of. You will have an opportunity to practice conducting an interview in a role playing exercise.

3:30 - 4:45 Keep it Fresh! Ways to Bring New Ideas to Children and Teen Library Programs
Jane Napier, Kat Redniss

Make your programs come alive with ideas from Jane Napier, Youth Librarian at Kellogg Hubbard Library and Kat Redniss, Young Adult Librarian at Brownell Library. Participants will learn hands on techniques for story times, craft programs, and teen activities. Fresh ideas will keep your patrons eager to find out what the library is doing next!

3:30 - 4:45 Helping Patrons Speak Up: Library Advocacy and Community Development
Jeffrey Aubuchon

This workshop discusses the participatory practices of Appreciative Inquiry that advocates can use with library users to identify and promote local assets to library stakeholders. Participants will explore community mapping, focus-group discussions, and seasonal calendars as tools for identifying library assets with users. The method asks: "What's working in the library and how can we improve it?" rather than "What's broken and how do we fix it?" demonstrating the success of the former over the latter.

3:30 - 4:45 Degree by Distance
Fred Roper, Nonie Price

Come and hear all about the perfect MLIS for you.  The School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina is beginning a New England cohort in fall 2009.  Offered via the web, our Master's degree program is both accessible and affordable.

Sponsored by the