Vermont trustees and their librarians are encouraged to attend the annual conference of the Vermont Library Trustees Association on Saturday, November 3, 2007, at Barre’s Aldrich Public Library, beginning at 9:30 am and ending at 3:00 pm, with coffee beginning at 9:15.

The theme for the conference is “Focus on the Customer,” following up on the spring workshops entitled “From Patron to Customer.” Speakers for the day will include:

– Robin Lane, faculty member at Champlain College and former CEO of Together Networks, discussing “Digital Footprints” and their implications for customer privacy
– Trina Magi, chair of VLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, with an update on VLA’s plans to clarify Vermont’s confidentiality statute in the coming legislative session
– Rob Geiszler, consultant for the Department of Libraries, outlining practical ways to make libraries safer for customers and staff
– Liz Schlegel, of Spike Advertising (the folks who so successfully promoted Vermont’s Frost Heaves basketball team last year), speaking on developing a library “brand,” marketing services to a community

Participants should plan to bring a library memento such as a mug, tote bag, note cards, etc., to show and swap during the day.

Cost for the day, covering morning coffee and lunch, is $16 for VLA members and $20 for non-members, payable to Vermont Library Association. Register today by calling or writing Marianne Kotch, Dept. of Libraries, 578 Paine Tpke. N., Berlin, VT 05602, (802) 828-2320.