Our Mission
The Vermont Library Association (VLA) is an educational organization working to develop, promote, and improve library and information services and librarianship in the state of Vermont.
Our History
The Vermont Library Association (VLA) was organized in 1893 (as calculated by the terms of office of our Presidents). The first VLA President was Sarah C. Hagar, librarian of the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, from 1893-June 1903. VLA has been a chapter of the American Library Association since 1956.
According to the earliest extant constitution, dated 1894-1895, membership in the VLA was open to any interested party with 25¢ for dues. The first dues increase, voted on by the membership at the 1905 annual meeting, raised the assessment to 50¢ a year. Our first honorary membership was awarded to Dr. James Hulme Canfield, librarian of Columbia University and father of Vermont author Dorothy Canfield Fisher, in 1907. Honorary membership was not awarded again until October 1950.
From: Geary, Kathleen A. “Vermont Library Association.” Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. Vol. 32. New York: Marcel Decker, Inc., 1981.
The VLA Archives are held by the Vermont Historical Society.
Board Documentation
Upcoming Board Meetings
Meetings are held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of every other month.
Some of What We Do
Check out our current initiatives
Host the annual Vermont Library Conference each spring.
Our sections and committees provide continuing education events throughout the year.
Organize fun networking opportunities for librarians and library lovers.
Advocate for libraries and librarians with state and local government.
Publish the VLA News, our quarterly newsletter.
Represent your interests on regional and national library association boards.
Connect temps and subs with potential employers through the Vermont Library Substitute Pool.
Honor our outstanding members with association awards.
Research salary compensation and provide help in seeking adequate compensation for librarians and staff.
Administer the John Swan Intellectual Freedom Fund and coordinate its lecture series.
VLA Past Presidents
2021-22 — Mike Roy, Middlebury Libraries, Middlebury
2020-21 — Kevin Unrath, Pierson Library, Shelburne
2019-20 — Amy Olsen, Lanpher Memorial Library, Hyde Park
2018-19 – Cindy Weber, Stowe Free Library, Stowe
2017-18 – Joy Worland, Joslin Memorial Library , Waitsfield
2016-17 – Margaret Woodruff, Charlotte Public Library, Charlotte
2015-16 – Virgil Fuller, Chelsea Public Library, Chelsea
2014-15 – Toni Fortini Josey, Independent Library Professional, Colchester
2013-14 – Amber Billey, Bailey/Howe Library, UVM, Burlington
2012-13 – Deborah Gadwah-Lambert, Alice M. Ward Memorial Library, Canaan
2011-12 – Joseph Farara, Willey Library, Johnson State College, Johnson
2010-11 – Marti Fiske, Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston
2009-10 – John Payne, Durick Library, St. Michael’s College, Colchester
2008-09 – Judah Hamer, Rutland Free Library, Rutland
2007-08 – Barbara Doyle-Wilch, Davis Family Library, Middlebury College, Middlebury
2006-07 – Lisa Von Kann, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury
2005-06 – Daisy Benson, Bailey/Howe Library, UVM, Burlington
2004-05 – David Clark, Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury
2003-04 – Ellen Hall, Kreitzberg Library, Norwich University, Northfield
…
1973-1974 – Ann Turner, Kreitzberg Library, Norwich University, Northfield
Last updated August 7, 2022.