From Our President
I am looking forward to the opportunity of being the Vermont Library Association President this year. Libraries have played a pivotal role in my life since I was a child. At that time, they provided me with a safe space to explore ideas independently, ask questions, and always be treated with respect. Now, as an academic librarian I ensure that the students I work with understand how to find reliable research/fact-based information sources; that they know how to critically evaluate the materials they find; and that they can use what they learn to contribute to finding solutions to the many important issues facing our communities.
The VLA plays a vital role in supporting librarians and libraries. We are committed to intellectual freedom; life-long literacy and the freedom to read; and building collections and spaces that make all members of our communities feel seen and welcomed. A functioning democracy needs all of these things and I know that by working together, we as librarians, can make a difference. I look forward to working with you.
Daisy Benson (she/her)
Library Professor
Library Instruction Coordinator
David W. Howe Memorial Library
University of Vermont