Linda Hall’s message about the success of a program by Adam Hall at her library (Solomon Wright Public – Pownal) apparently generated inquiries about how to contact him and we have come up with this link to a page on his website that is geared specifically to schools and libraries: http://www.folksinging.org/schools-libraries.html  Connie at Cabot Public wrote that he was also performing at their library.  Also, Cyndi Candiloro (Readsboro Community Library) wrote about a presentation by Mina Samuels, the  author of Queen of Cups: “A  wonderful speaker she captivated the audience.  She comes highly recommended.  Her fee was very minimial.  If you have other questions please feel free to call me @ 802-423-5460.    Her website is www.thequeenofcups.com.”

If you want to share any of your programming successes, please feel free to tell us about them in the comments to this post.

Programs to bring men into the library

Amy Howlett sent a message with a long list of ideas for programs for men, both tried and true and untried.  She will be putting together a more formal set of programming ideas and posting the to the VT Continuing Ed. Discussions on WebJunctionVT.  Amy’s posting should also include Teresa Faust’s ideas for senior programming that were shared with attendees of Amy’s recent adult programming workshop.

Important Post Office (USPS) Change

Thanks to an alert from Jeremy Green of the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester, Sybil McShane wrote about the USPS announced on July 19 effective July 30 concerning pick up by mail carriers of packages weighing more than 13 ounces with stamps on them (as opposed to postage meter strips).  The announcement from the post office reads:

Attention Postal Customer

Due to heightened security, the Postal Service™ is revising standards for depositing mail bearing only postage stamps as postage. Currently, all Priority Mail, International Mail, and APO/FPO mail bearing only postage stamps as postage and weighing 16 ounces or more may be:

• Presented to an employee at a Post Office™. 
• Picked up by a mail carrier during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee.

Effective July 30, 2007:

• All mail bearing only postage stamps as postage and weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented to an employee at a Postal Service retail service counter for acceptance. This mail may not be deposited in collection boxes or lobby drops.
• Carriers will no longer pick up any mail weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps as postage from customer mailboxes or at a business’ outgoing mail collection point.
• Mail bearing only postage stamps as postage and weighing more than 13 ounces that is not presented to an employee at a Postal Service retail service counter will be returned to the customer.

If you have any additional questions, please call 800-ASK-USPS or contact your local postmaster.

Sybile writes that “This will obviously have an impact on you if you use stamps.  Packages weighing over 13 ounces it appears from this directive will have to be taken to the post office for mailing.

If you are interested the state does have a contract for postage meters with Pitney Bowes which like our book contracts local libraries can take advantage of.  It is effective until October 31, 2007.  A new contract is currently being negotiated.  The link is:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/PCA/contract/8896.pdf and http://www.pb.com/states/vermont

You should contact your local postmaster if you have questions.”