Vermont Library Association Statement on Critical Race Theory

The Vermont Library Association (VLA) stands firmly against any legislation that restricts or impedes any education on Racism, “Divisive” Concepts, Racial Injustice, Black American History, and Diversity Education in libraries and educational institutions. This includes any books, resources, curriculum, or programming that libraries provide. Furthermore, we believe that it is imperative to call attention to portions of our history that have been previously omitted, misrepresented, distorted or misstated.

VLA is committed to upholding intellectual freedom in all of our libraries: Public Libraries, School Libraries, Special Libraries, and Academic Libraries. People must be able to access information without censorship and without fear that their intellectual inquiries are illegal. It is only through the vigorous upholding of freedoms of speech and inquiry that we can truly be a democratic nation that strives not only to understand its history, but to learn and become better from it.

Libraries and librarians have had a long history of upholding all forms of intellectual freedom. The current attacks and efforts to use legislation to suppress it are alarming, and are reaching unprecedented numbers throughout our country. Critical thinking and civil discourse for all points of view must be protected and encouraged in a democracy. Any attack on these tenets is an affront to the rights of all people and is intended to work against the values of equity, diversity and inclusion for which all libraries strive for.

VLA is committed to supporting our librarians and the communities they serve. We pledge to defend, assist, and stand with our members if and when they are challenged. Furthermore, we pledge to continue to educate our communities on the importance of holding sacred the freedoms that the United States of America was built on, not only as an inalienable right, but as foundational to our democracy and our efforts to be an example of a true, thriving democracy throughout the world.

The Vermont Library Association is in agreement with, and stands firmly with, the American Library Association’s Statement on Censorship of Information Addressing Racial Injustice, Black American History, and Diversity Education of August 18, 2021.

The Vermont Library Association is in agreement with, and stands firmly with, the American Library Association’s Statement on Book Censorship of November 29, 2021.

Additional resources on Critical Race Theory

The American Bar Association: A Lesson on Critical Race Theory
New York Times: What is Critical Race Theory?
ACLU: State Lawmakers Are Trying to Ban Talk About Race in Schools

PDF of this statement formatted as a press release.

Legislative Breakfast Materials!

The Vermont Library Association’s Government Relations committee has revised materials that libraries can use to host regional legislative breakfasts, as a way of outreaching to your representatives and senators in the Vermont statehouse and apprising them of the contributions libraries make to Vermont and Vermonters. You can find suggested instructions along with a sample invitation, agenda, press release, talking points, FAQ’s and more here:

UPDATE: Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians

This is an important message from the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) about the public hearings that start today for the Vermont State Education Quality Standards. Secretary of Education Armando Vilaseca has stated that the language that VSLA proposed for the new standards will be included in the new document. Here are his exact words:

“I wanted to make sure that the librarians that you all come in contact with understand that we agree that the current language of not including librarians in the initial rules was not correct. We (AOE) also agree with the language suggestions you and others made at our meeting.”

This means that VSLA no longer needs librarians and library advocates to state their argument or plea to add wording to the Vermont Quality Education Standards.

If you do choose to come out and support school librarians in Vermont at the upcoming public hearings, here’s a supportive script:

My name is _____ and I work at _____School. I am representing the ___ librarians, ___ teachers, ___ parents and ___ community members that are here tonight. We would like tothank you for providing these important Education Quality Standards for the students in Vermont schools and for accepting the language that Vermont school librarians have suggested be included in the standards. We are happy that you have acknowledged our contributions to the Vermont education and we will continue to celebrate the good work we do with the students in our schools. Thank you.

Please keep it short and positive!

Call to Action! Advocacy for School Libraries & Librarians

The Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) needs your support! Please plan to attend one of the 3 public hearings about reinstating library language in the proposed Vermont Education Quality Standards. Stand up for Vermont students and their need for qualified professional librarians at their schools. Take colleagues with you, invite teachers, parents, and other community members who support the valuable work that school librarians do. Add your voice to the public comments on this issue and ask others to add theirs. This is how change will happen.

October 8, 6 p.m., Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro, Multipurpose Room
October 17, 4 p.m., Lake Region Union High School, 317 Lake Region Rd., Orleans, Multipurpose Room
October 21, 4 p.m., Champlain Valley Union High School, 369 CVU Rd., Hinesburg, Room 140

If you have any questions, please contact VSLA President-Elect Denise Wentz.Thank you in advance for your part in this advocacy initiative!

CANCELLED – VT & NH Library Leadership Day

The joint VLA/NHLA Library Leadership Workshop featuring ALA-President Maureen Sullivan planned for May 6^th in Manchester, NH has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with Maureen’s calendar. At this time, there are no plans to reschedule this workshop. VLA and NHLA will continue to explore other partnership opportunities that will benefit our members by enriching our profession and strengthening our libraries.

Maureen Sullivan, ALA President and Simmons management guru, will once again lead a Vermont/New Hampshire Library Leadership Day. Save the date—Monday, May 6, 2013. This year the Manchester City Library in New Hampshire is hosting the event—so start thinking carpools. Library Leadership Day is sponsored by the Vermont Library Association and the New Hampshire Library Association.

Outreach Coordinator Meet & Greet

Hello Fellow Outreach Coordinators,

I am the Outreach Coordinator at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. I’ve been thinking for quite a while that I’d love the opportunity to gather with other Outreach folks to find out how other libraries provide outreach and also to exchange ideas. I am taking a page from the book of our children’s librarian, Jane Napier. She coordinates a state-wide meeting of children’s librarians twice a year. I am proposing to meet on Tuesday, October 9^th, here at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier from 10 – 12:30. We could continue the discussion over lunch at one of Montpelier’s fine eateries.

Please let me know if you can attend by September 28^th. My email is: khloutreach@kellogghubbard.org or phone – 223.4665

Looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas!

All the best,
Rachael Grossman

Vermont’s Digital Future Conference

Tuesday May 8, 2012 from
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Champlain College, South Willard Street, Burlington VT 05401

Broadband connections can open opportunities in all sectors and for all Vermonters. On May 8th, join leaders from around the state to set the path for using Internet technology to create jobs, strengthen our communities, reinvent schools and increase citizen participation.

Library Snapshot Day (Any Day April 8-14)

Taking place during National Library Week (April 8 – 14), Library Snapshot Day is a great way of documenting all the vital services libraries provide to the citizens of Vermont. For more information, please visit:

http://vermontlibrarysnapshotday.pbworks.com/w/page/35106292/FrontPage

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Get Librarians into the “Jobs Bill”

URGENT MESSAGE TO LIBRARY ADVOCATES:

Please call both of your U.S. Senators to ask each of them to request that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), include the hiring and retaining of librarians in the $18 billion “Jobs Bill” as well.

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services information

(post received from Ted Albers)

I am Ted Albers, a Community Relations officer with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) in Burlington Vermont. USCIS is the immigration-benefit and service branch of the Federal Government.

You may be aware of some of the hard-copy and online resources that
USCIS produces for immigrants who are preparing for the citizenship test. These materials are helpful to ESL and Civics educators as well. These resources are detailed on the websites below.

For libraries, the “Citizenship Toolkit” is probably the most useful. It is free if a library or non-profit organization registers for it online ($73 if purchased through the Government Printing Office).

Even if a library does not serve many immigrants, the Toolkit is helpful
for social-service providers, students and others as it helps in understanding the legal immigration and citizenship process and requirements.
Read more→