Sarah Rogers, Janet Clapp, Amy Olsen, Timmy Bullock Receive VLA 2025 Awards

Sarah Rogers, Janet Clapp, Amy Olsen, and Timmy Bullock were honored during the Vermont Library Association’s annual conference in May 2025, with annual awards presented by the Scholarship and Awards Committee. The paragraphs under their names are taken from the nomination submissions.

Birdie Award – Sarah Rogers
This past year Sarah Rogers, technical services librarian at Kellogg-Hubbard Library, negotiated being a new mom to a premature baby with her full-time job. As Kellogg-Hubbard’s technical services librarian, Sarah had significant responsibility for moving the library onto a new cataloging system, all while dealing with the changes from ongoing flood recovery. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment culminated in the cataloging of an extraordinary volume of materials, a testament to her profound expertise and dedication to accessibility for Kellogg-Hubbard’s patrons. Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah’s insightful nature and sharp intellect enrich our workplace, fostering a stimulating and engaging environment. Her value extends beyond the library, as she embraces her roles as a devoted mother and wife. We celebrate Sarah’s well-deserved honor and the significant contributions she makes to both the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and the wider world.

The Birdie Award was created in March 2014 as a memorial to University of Vermont librarian Birdie MacLennan to honor outstanding librarians who, like her, provide outstanding service in the field of technical services.

Green Mountain Award – Janet Clapp
Janet Clapp has spent a decade volunteering for some of the most time-intensive tasks in the Catamount Library Network, including serving on the board. She has led the efforts to clean up catalogs for all member libraries, and successfully onboards tiny libraries with idiosyncratic catalogs. She has done this all while contributing to the Vermont Library Associaiton by compiling, writing, and publishing its quarterly newsletter. Even with all this, she manages the entire adult collection at Rutland Free Library, while rotating through the Help Desk for 10+ hours a week and putting up with Director Randal Smathers. As Randal puts it, “Janet is the consummate professional who has put in thousands of hours of volunteer time to help the cause of libraries across the state, starting on day one and continuing to this day.” For her dedication to libraries throughout Vermont, we honor Janet Clapp.

The Green Mountain Award is given as the opportunity arises to individuals or organizations for distinguished service, support, or unusual contributions to a Vermont library or libraries.

Sarah C. Hagar Award – Amy Olsen
Amy Olsen is the director of the small, rural Lanpher Memorial Library in Hyde Park, but the reach of her work is anything but small. “Under her thoughtful leadership, the library has become a cornerstone of her town, a place where people of all ages feel welcome, supported, and inspired,” one of her nominators wrote. Amy has a gift for creating programming that uncannily reflects the needs and interests of the community. She has created early literacy programs and supported emotional and mental health through a Community Wish Tree and a Wind Phone. Amy is a fierce advocate for libraries and often speaks up about funding and support for libraries, in general, and for her colleagues who are addressing specific issues. She is a cheerleader for libraries and librarians, as well. Amy can be counted on to celebrate her peers’ achievements and to spread the word about them. But she is also a dynamic force within her community, as she partners with many organizations to provide literacy, entertainment, and wellness services throughout the town. The consensus of those who recommended her for this award is that as libraries face an unprecedented time of uncertainty, Amy Olsen is exactly the type of person to show us, by example, how to approach our challenges from a place of joy, love, and compassion.

Trustee of the Year – Timmy Bullock
“If there is anything I’ve learned about Timmy over the years we’ve worked together it is that she approaches projects with her big heart and brilliant mind,” said John G. McCullough Library director Jennie Rozicki in her nomination letter. Timmy understood that McCullough Library’s previous funding levels were inadequate, ignoring both the basic needs of library staff and of the community. Thanks to Timmy’s efforts, the library now guarantees a sustainable wage to library professionals who are essential to the success of any library. Not only did she connect the library with a donor who could make a difference, she took the lead on an associated fundraising challenge. Her candor, persistent curiosity, willingness to develop new skills, meticulous attention to detail, and steadfast commitment to the delicate work of fundraising have been a tremendous benefit to this library and the people it serves.

The Trustee of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a trustee on behalf of their library, either during the previous year or during their years of service.

This Vermont Library Association (VLA) Scholarship and Awards Committee is charged with defining, overseeing, and funding scholarship opportunities for library professional development and overseeing VLA’s five awards. For more information, visit their webpage.

Nominations Due May 1 for 2025 Vermont Library Association Awards

Nominations are now open for four Vermont Library Association awards. They are:

The Birdie Award, created in March 2014 as a memorial to University of Vermont librarian Birdie MacLennan to honor outstanding librarians like her. This award is given to a Vermont librarian or recently retired librarian who has provided outstanding service in the field of technical services.

The Green Mountain Award, given as the opportunity arises to individuals or organizations for distinguished service, support, or unusual contributions to a Vermont library or libraries.

The Sarah C. Hagar Award, named for the first president of the Vermont Library Association and a librarian at the Fletcher Free Library for 23 years until her death in 1908, is awarded each year for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. Nominees for the Sarah C. Hagar award must be working in a Vermont library and be a member of VLA. Examples of “outstanding service” include but are not limited to:

providing outstanding service in one’s field of expertise such as children’s services, reference, technical services, or administration.
providing professional library leadership in areas such as legislation, intellectual freedom, literacy, or writing.
encouraging community support for and involvement with the library at the local or state level.

The Trustee of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a trustee on behalf of their library, either during the previous year or during their years of service. Nominations may be submitted by any library trustee, library board, librarian, friends group member, or VLA member. Examples include but are not limited to:

seeking legislative action for programs that would benefit libraries throughout the state or region.
leadership to increase the quality of library service.
creating model programs to overcome a major local library problem.
promoting public awareness and building support for the library.
developing adequate physical facilities for a library.

Who inspires you? Acknowledge this individual by nominating them for a Vermont Library Association Award, using the following forms. Nominations are due by Thursday, May 1, 2025.

For more information, visit the Vermont Library Association Scholarship and Awards Committee webpage, or email Committee Chairperson Pamela Cartier at pcartier@vermontlaw.edu.

April 6, 2025 (sl)

Amy Williams and Susan Larson Awarded VLA Fall 2024 Professional Development Grants

Vermont Library Association (VLA) members Amy Williams and Susan Larson are the recipients of the organization’s fall 2024 professional development grants.

Williams (she/her), who is assistant director at Rutland Public Library, will use the $250 award toward the Library Leaders in New England (LLINE) Strategic Library Leadership Development Program. “This is such an exciting time to be in libraries,” Williams said. “Although it is easy to be overwhelmed, we are in a great position to create solid, lasting good for our communities. I’m looking forward to using what I learn from LLINE to support every Vermont librarian and library that I can.”

Williams will join a cohort of 25 librarians representing New England’s six states of Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, who were selected for this inaugural training based on their leadership potential and commitment to the library profession. Their year-long training includes a three-day in-person event followed by 11 months of virtual learning opportunities, including discussions, keynote presentations, and leadership-focused activities designed to extend the in-person experience.

Larson (she/they), who has served on VLA’s digital communications team since 2020, and is programming assistant at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library in Jericho, is attending the University of Wisconsin Information School’s online series on A.I. and Libraries.

“I want to know what A.I. means for library resources, customer service, and staff training,” Larson said. “The University of Wisconsin Information School’s online course on A.I. and Libraries will provide information and tools that I can use in my work as a digital marketing librarian, and that I can share with library colleagues and patrons.”

Larson received her MLIS from the University of South Carolina; Williams from Kent State University (Ohio).

“The Vermont Library Association promotes professional librarianship in Vermont, and encourages involvement in professional development among its members,” said VLA Scholarship and Awards Committee Chairperson Pamela Cartier. “To this end, VLA’s Professional Development Grant, managed by the Scholarship and Awards Committee, provides the recipient with up to $250 for a professional development program such as a workshop, conference, or continuing education course.”

Applications are accepted twice a year, due May 1 and August 1, and priority is given by monetary need, library involvement, leadership, and commitment to Vermont libraries. Grant recipients are required to write a brief account of their professional development opportunity for VLA News, VLA’s quarterly email newsletter. For complete details and to apply, visit the VLA Professional Development Grant webpage.

The Working Group on the Status of Libraries in Vermont Receives 2024 Green Mountain Award

The Working Group on the Status of Libraries in Vermont received the Vermont Library Association’s 2024 Green Mountain Award, which recognizes outstanding service, support, or exceptional contributions to Vermont libraries.

“The final, comprehensive report authored by the group lays out a series of important recommendations which are already resulting in significant legislative discussion at the Statehouse,” said VLA President Oceana Wilson in presenting the award.

Vermont Department of Libraries State Librarian and Library Commissioner Catherine Delneo served as the Working Group’s Chair, and Assistant State Librarian Tom McMurdo served as chair prior to her tenure. Other members of the group were:

Kelly McCagg – Vermont Library Association President (2022-2023) and Past President (2023-2024), and Director of Burnham Memorial Library
Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup – Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council
Jeannette Bair – Public Library Representative, Retired Director, Rochester Public Library
Susan O’Connell – Public Library Representative, Director, Craftsbury Public Library
Wendy Sharkey – Public Library Representative, Director, Bennington Free Library
Meg Allison – Past-President, Legislative Concerns Chair, Vermont School Library Association, Librarian, U32 High School, Montpelier
Karen McCalla – Vermont School Library Association Representative, Teacher Librarian, Mill River Union Middle/High School, North Clarendon
Maria Avery – Academic Library Representative, University of Vermont Libraries, Burlington
Denise Hersey – Academic Library Representative, Director, Dana Health Sciences Library, University of Vermont, Burlington
Andy Kolovos – Friends and Trustees Section Representative, Vermont Library Association, Trustee, Brownell Library, Associate Director and Archivist, Vermont Folklife, Middlebury

Thank you to Jonathan Clark of the Vermont Department of Libraries for the photo of members of the working group receiving the award at VLA’s May 2024 conference.

Last update June 12, 2024

2023 VLA Award Nominations Open

There are so many excellent librarians and trustees in Vermont that it is hard to single out just one of each annually, but there are always ones who are extraordinary and deserved to be recognized statewide. Now is the time to nominate those deserving colleagues. Winners will be recognized and awarded at the VLA Conference on Monday, April 3, 2023.

To place a person in nomination for any award, please send the nominee’s name, the name of their library, a letter or letters explaining why this person should receive the award, along with your name, library, telephone number, and e-mail address, Send this information to VLA Awards Committee co-chair mdanko[at]burlingtonvt.gov.

Nominations that include a few letters that present a well-rounded picture of the candidate are preferred to a single letter, or many letters that all say similar things. If a nomination is made by more than one person, please designate one signatory as the contact person. Nominations are due by Wednesday, March 1, 2023.Read more→

VLA Graduate Student Scholarship

The Vermont Library Association (VLA) promotes professional librarianship in Vermont and encourages involvement in professional development. In support of this, VLA has created a scholarship for those enrolled in a graduate-level library degree program.

VLA will award up to $1,500 to the selected, qualified applicant pursuing an MLS or MLIS degree. The check will go directly to the recipient’s educational program.

To be eligible, applicants must:

be enrolled in an MLS/MLIS program;
be an active VLA member;
live in Vermont and/or work in a Vermont library, and;
not have received a scholarship from VLA in the past two years.

The scholarship will be administered by the Vermont Library Association Scholarship Committee. The committee reserves the right not to award a scholarship if qualified applicants are not found. Priority will be based on monetary need and potential for involvement, leadership, and commitment to Vermont Libraries.

Click here for the scholarship application. It can be returned to Pamela Cartier at pcartier@vermontlaw.edu

The deadline for applications is November 15 each year, with the scholarship sent to the institution for the spring semester. Winners will be notified by December 15, and a check will be mailed after January 1.

Last updated October 26, 2024. (sl)

VLA Award Nomination Deadline Coming Up

This is a reminder that you still have time to nominate star librarians, trustees, and advocates for the Vermont Library Association’s awards. Nominations close March 1st.

The Sarah C. Hagar Award is awarded each year for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. Nominees for the Sarah C. Hagar award must be working in a Vermont library (public, academic, school, or special) and be a member of VLA.

The Trustee of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a trustee on behalf of his or her library, either during the previous year or during his or her years of service. Nominations may be submitted by any library trustee, library board, librarian, member of a Friends group, or VLA member.

The Library Advocate of the Year Award is given occasionally by the VLA Government Relations Committee to an outstanding public advocate for libraries in local, state, or national government.

The Green Mountain Award is given as the opportunity arises to individuals or organizations for distinguished service, support, or unusual contributions to a Vermont library or libraries.

Please visit http://www.vermontlibraries.org/awards for nomination procedures, and to find the truly inspirational list of awards recipients.

Champlain College Library Wins National Award

Champlain College has received an Excellence in Academic Libraries Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries. Libraries are continuing to prove that they are still vibrant and vital places for their communities.

This news story aired April 23 on WPTZ and New England Cable News.

http://www.necn.com/04/23/12/Vt-college-library-celebrated-as-nationa/landing_homeandfamily.html?blockID=695122&feedID=8368

DCF & Red Clover Winners Have Been Chosen

Drum roll , please…

The 2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award has been won by Raina Telgemeier for Smile! It is too soon to know about the ceremony, but I will certainly keep you informed.

Born Yesterday written by James Solheim and illustrated by Simon James has won the 2012 Red Clover Award.

Grace

Who’s Retiring this Year?

Hello, all: this is another call for names of people who are retiring this year. Anyone who is a member of VLA, has worked for 10 years or more in Vermont libraries and is retiring is eligible for a VLA retirement award. If you know of anyone who meets these criteria, please let me know.

Thanks

Grace Greene
VLA Awards Committee Chair
Email: grace.greene@state.vt.us