Category Archives: Awards Committee

2024 VLA Award Nominations Due May 1

It is time to recognize those special library colleagues, mentors, trustees, and supporters who inspire us and who help create the community that we value. Nominations are open for the Vermont Library Association’s five annual awards.

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

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.

The Sarah C. Hagar Award acknowledges exceptional 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 Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award is given when deemed warranted by the VLA Government Relations Committee to an outstanding public advocate for libraries in local, state, or national government.

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.

To nominate someone for an award, email the following to Pamela Cartier, Awards Committee Chair, pcartier@vermontlaw.edu

  • The nominee’s name;
  • The name of their library;
  • A letter or letters explaining why this person should receive the award;
  • Your name, library, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Nominations including 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.

Nomination letters and supporting materials are due by May 1, 2024.  For more information about the awards, nomination procedures, and previous recipients visit the Scholarship and Awards Committee web page.

Winners will be announced at the annual Vermont Library Conference on Monday, May 20, at the Killington Grand Hotel and Resort Center.

VLA Graduate Student Scholarship

The Vermont Library Association Board promotes professional librarianship in Vermont and encourages involvement in professional development within the state. 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 meet the following criteria:
  • Must be enrolled in an MLS/MLIS program;
  • Must be an active VLA member;
  • Must live in Vermont and/or work in a Vermont library, and;
  • Must 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 update February 27, 2023.

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.

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