Mayor Miro Weinberger will participate in the Vermont Department of Libraries unveiling of its new videoconferencing capability made possible by a $77,000 Google donation.
WHAT: Multi-location news conference to unveil the Vermont Department of Libraries new videoconferencing capability, available at 14 Vermont libraries
WHEN: Today, Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 11:00am
WHERE: Fletcher Free Library, 253 College Street (and participation from Woodstock, Rutland, and Brattleboro via videoconferencing)
BACKGROUND: Last year, Google donated $77,000 to the Vermont Department of Libraries for the installation of free videoconferencing capability in Vermont State Libraries.
The units have been installed in the following 14 libraries across the state:
· Goodrich Memorial Library, Newport
· Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston
· Centennial Library, Morrisville
· Bradford Public Library, Bradford
· Fletcher Free Library, Burlington
· Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury
· St. Albans Free Library, St. Albans
· Norman Williams Library, Woodstock
· Kellogg-Hubbard, Montpelier
· Martha Canfield Library, Arlington
· Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville
· Rutland Free Library, Rutland
· Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
· Midstate Library Service Center, Berlin
In a rural state like Vermont, getting around can be difficult. The videoconferencing capability will allow Vermonters to communicate and meet with people both in and out of state with greater ease. Using free tools like Google+ Hangouts or Skype, library patrons and the general public will be able to connect with as many as nine other locations completely free. This means that nine libraries could connect with an out-of-state author for a reading and ask questions afterwards.
Vermont Humanities Council and others have already expressed interest in transmitting programming to other parts of the state via the library system.
These video conferencing units likely will be used in the following ways:
· The Libraries will use video conferencing equipment to provide educational, recreational, cultural, business and health-related programming for Vermont citizens of all ages (e.g. access to required continuing education for professionals; programming from art museums, NASA, and other institutions).
· Individuals will use this to ‘meet’ with healthcare professionals, participate in job interviews, and connect with special-interest groups from around the state, the nation or the globe.
· Businesses will use it to interview potential employees, provide continuing education for existing employees and access subject experts around the world to help solve business problems.
· Town Officials and Non-profits will use videoconferencing to ‘attend’ conferences and workshops, ‘meet’ with peers, network and gather information from experts and solve local problems.