The Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award is given by the Vermont Library Association Government Relations and Advocacy Committee to an outstanding public advocate for libraries in local, state, or national government. The award is given when a recipient is identified, and it is presented during VLA’s annual conference.
Senator Leahy served as a United States senator from Vermont from 1975 to 2023, and as president pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2012 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023.
His unwavering support of and advocacy for libraries will have impacts on Vermont communities for many years to come. Because of his steadfast support and championship of Vermont libraries throughout his lifetime, the Vermont Library Association in 2023 decided to further honor Senator Leahy by henceforth renaming the Vermont Library Association’s Library Advocate of the Year Award to the Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award. VLA is greatly appreciative of all Senator Leahy has done for libraries in our state.
Past recipients:
2023 – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
2016 – Jessamyn West, Randolph Technical Career Center and Open Library
2003 – U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders, Burlington
1999 – Rep. Matt B. Dunne, Hartland
Last update April 6, 2025.