VLA Annual Meeting 2023
Dear VLA Members,
The Vermont Library Association’s annual meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, via Zoom. The link will be emailed to you closer to the date. The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide a forum for our sections to meet and hold their annual elections for leadership. In addition, all members will be voting on the following VLA positions:
Secretary
Treasurer
Vice President/President-Elect
We are still looking for individuals to fill these positions. This is an excellent opportunity to learn leadership skills and to learn more about Vermont libraries in general. If you are interested in learning more, I urge you to check out our position descriptions and position responsibilities. You may also contact the current officers, listed here with their contact information.
Now is also a great time to renew your lapsed membership, prior to the vote. Membership details are available on our membership webpage.
Electronic absentee ballots will be available via VLA Secretary Barbara Ball.
VLA only works if you do! Thank you for being an active member!
Kelly L. McCagg
VLA President
president@vermontlibraries.org
kmccagg@colchestervt.gov
Retirees Recognized at Vermont Library Conference
One thing will become abundantly clear after I read the list of retirees, and that is that these individuals have dedicated multiple decades of service to Vermont public libraries,” said Pamela Cartier, co-chair of the Vermont Library Association Scholarship and Awards Committee. Cartier, who is coordinator of the Community Legal Information Center (CLIC) at the Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Julien and Virginia Cornell Library, recognized Vermont Library Association members who retired in the last year or are soon retiring. “Each one is tremendously deserving of recognition for their commitment both to librarianship and their libraries,” she said.
The retirees, recognized in alphabetic order during the April 3 Vermont Library Conference, are:
Vermont Library Association 2023 Award Recipients
Six people received 2023 Vermont Library Association awards, presented for outstanding service to and support of the state’s libraries. The awards were presented during the annual Vermont Library Conference on April 3, 2023.
Senator Patrick Leahy was named Library Advocate of the Year. “VLA is greatly appreciative of all Senator Leahy has done for libraries in our state,” said Pamela Cartier, VLA Scholarships & Awards Committee Co-Chair and coordinator of the Community Legal Information Center (CLIC) at the Vermont Law School’s Julien and Virginia Cornell Library. “His unwavering support and advocacy of libraries will have impacts on Vermont communities for many years to come.”
John Tracy, former state director to Senator Patrick Leahy, accepting the Library Advocate of the Year award for the Senator from Scholarship and Awards Committee co-chair Mary Danko.
VLA Professional Development Grant Application Open
The Vermont Library Association’s Scholarship and Awards Committee is accepting applications for the spring round of their professional development grant. Up to $250 is available to attend a workshop, a conference, or a continuing education course. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 1, 2023, with the awardee notified by June 1.
To be eligible, applicants must:
• 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.
For complete details and to apply, visit the VLA Professional Development Grant webpage.
If you have additional questions, contact one of the Scholarship and Awards Committee co-chairs:
Pamela Cartier at clic@vermontlaw.edu
Mary Danko at mdanko@burlingtonvt.gov
Six Vermont Libraries Named 2022 Library Journal Star Libraries
Six Vermont libraries were awarded Star Library ratings in the 15th edition of the Library Journal (LJ) Index of Public Library Service. The libraries are Craftsbury Public Library in Craftsbury Corners; Enosburgh Public Library in Enosburgh Falls; Fairlee Public Library; Jaquith Public Library in Marshfield; Norwich Public Library; and Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington.
The LJ Index rates U.S. public libraries based on selected per capita output measures. The 2022 scores and ratings are based on fiscal year 2020 data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Public Library Survey (PLS). For 2022, based on 2020 data, 5,359 public libraries received LJ Index scores, and 258 of them received the Star Library rating.
VLA statement regarding VTSU library closures
The Vermont Library Association (VLA), representing more than 300 librarians, library staff, and trustees in public, school, academic, and corporate libraries, is calling on the leadership of the Vermont State University (VTSU) to reverse their decision to close the physical libraries on its campuses.
The move to “all-digital” libraries announced on February 8 will hurt students, faculty, staff, and the rural communities in which the VTSU campuses are located.
The students of the VTSU deserve access to robust library collections and services. This includes face-to-face and online services, such as reference and course support, and collections in digital and print formats.Read more
VLA President’s Letter
President’s Letter by Kelly L. McCagg
Personally, as an introvert that tends to get hyperfocused, I am always working to improve my communication skills. I think we as an organization need to make enhanced communication a goal in order to grow participation and heighten the level of benefits one reaps from being a member. With that in mind, I would like to take a moment to make you aware of some upcoming opportunities.
There is exciting news from NELLS (New England Library Leadership Symposium)! First, the application period for Tier II: Mid-Career Leadership is now open. This is what was historically known as NELLS, prior to the growth of the program. This year’s retreat is being held in Stowe, Vermont from April 24th through April 27th. The application can be found here, and is due by February 17th. All applicants must be members of NELA (don’t worry, there will be more information about this, just keep reading).
If you don’t qualify for this round, or if you have already graduated from the program, maybe you would be interested in serving as a mentor. Vermont will have the opportunity to send one mentor to participate in the program, with hotel and meals covered by NELA. Per NELA: “Mentors should be comfortable facilitating small group discussions about topics such as conflict management, community building, strategic planning, resilience, diversity, and addressing modern issues in libraries from a leadership perspective. Mentors will help foster an open, safe environment for cohort members to explore ideas and ask questions.” If this sounds like your cup of tea, stay tuned for more information.
I’m so excited that we and the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) will be cohosting our annual conference this year on April 3rd. “Be the Place: Libraries are for Everyone” guarantees to be a great opportunity for all library workers to get together to learn, share, and grow. In order to make this conference more accessible, the VLA board voted to offer a limited number of stipends for those for whom attending would be an economic hardship, specifically library workers whose annual budget is less than $100,000. When registering please look for the button to apply.
Membership is what makes all these opportunities possible. By being a member of VLA you qualify for a discounted membership to the New England Library Association (NELA). For just $20 (Cedar level members can join for just $15), you will qualify for a deep discount if you ever attend a NELA conference or workshop; and it’s required if you want to attend any of the NELLS programs. Not sure if you are a member? You can check by logging in at https://vermontlibraries.wildapricot.org/, or contact VLA Membership Chair Erica Shott at members@vermontlibraries.org.
(This letter was first published in the February 2023 VLA News email newsletter, sent quarterly to Vermont Library Association members.)