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.
14 Vermont Libraries Awarded $15.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Monies
Fourteen Vermont public libraries will receive a total of $15.9 million in grant monies from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The Vermont Department of Libraries, which is administering the monies, made the announcement in a press release on September 30, 2024. “The department conducted a needs assessment in 2023, which reflected a high need for maintenance, repairs, and modernization, including high-speed internet, in public library buildings, many of which are more than 100 years old,” said Vermont State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries Catherine Delneo. “Libraries serve as community hubs, and this money supports these crucial facilities and the Vermonters who will depend on them well into the future.” The funds were awarded through a highly competitive grant process open to all public libraries in Vermont.
The libraries awarded grants are:
Library: Alice M. Ward Memorial Library
City: Canaan
County: Essex
Award: $900,000
Project: Interior renovations for ADA compliance and improved patron centered useability; new HVAC system, new windows
Library: Arvin A. Brown Public Library
City: Richford
County: Franklin
Award: $174,502
Project: Renovations to increase useable library space, new HVAC system, electrical system updates, new windows, and interior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Bennington Free Library
City: Bennington
County: Bennington
Award: $1,500,000
Project: Building envelope repairs with new windows and insulation, new HVAC system with electrical system updates
Library: Brandon Free Public Library Inc.
City: Brandon
County: Rutland
Award: $1,406,936
Project: Installation of four-story elevator with renovations and improvements for ADA compliance, repair or replace windows for energy efficiency
Library: Brooks Memorial Library
City: Brattleboro
County: Windham
Award: $1,472,501
Project: Asbestos abatement and building envelope repairs with interior and exterior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Grand Isle Free Library
City: Grand Isle
County: Grand Isle
Award: $1,500,000
Project: New library building construction
Library: Groton Free Public Library
City: Groton
County: Caledonia
Award: $522,043
Project: Building expansion and envelope repairs with renovations for ADA compliance, new HVAC system
Library: Jeudevine Memorial Library
City: Hardwick
County: Caledonia
Award: $725,000
Project: Library expansion with two-story addition, four ADA compliant bathrooms, HVAC plumbing and electrical updates
Library: Johnson Public Library
City: Johnson
County: Lamoille
Award: $1,500,000
Project: Relocate building away from flood zone with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Construct an addition to existing building. Renovations to egresses for ADA compliance
Library: Lawrence Memorial Library
City: Bristol
County: Addison
Award: $483,000
Project: New HVAC system, building envelope repairs for structural integrity, electrical and mechanical system updates
Library: Leach Public Library
City: Irasburg
County: Orleans
Award: $1,082,750
Project: Library expansion with two-story addition, new elevator, ADA compliant bathroom, and new HVAC system
Library: Middletown Springs Public Library
City: Middletown Springs
County: Rutland
Award: $1,293,384
Project: Renovate and upgrade library building infrastructure at new library site
Library: Salisbury Free Public Library
City: Salisbury
County: Addison
Award: $978,807
Project: Repair or replace HVAC system, new plumbing system, potable water, interior and exterior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Wilder Memorial Library
City: Weston
County: Windsor
Award: $650,000
Project: Building expansion and envelope repairs, new HVAC and plumbing systems, electrical system updates, and new ADA compliant bathroom
Civic Engagement, Voter Outreach, and Your Public Library
“We live in a democracy; it should never be dismissed as political when we empower, encourage, and enable participation in our democracy,” said Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas in the civic engagement and voter registration webinar co-hosted with the Vermont Department of Libraries.
The presentation provided guidelines and resources for voter outreach and civic engagement programming. “Civic engagement compliments the mission of the library, and centers the library as a community engaged center for civic engagement,” said Joy Worland, Vermont Department of Libraries Consultant for Continuing Education and Small and Rural Libraries.
Everything libraries do must be nonpartisan. “You want to invite people in, not alienate people,” Worland said. “The library is for everyone.”
“Time and time again I am reminded how important libraries and librarians are to the social and civic fabric of our towns, and the critical role you play in helping people connect with information and resources,” Secretary of State Copeland Hanzas said.
For those who could not attend or who want to revisit the presentation, the webinar recording is available here: Civic Engagement, Voter Outreach, and Your Public Library
For ease of access, resources mentioned in the webinar are listed below. The Vermont Department of Libraries presentation slides are posted at the end of the list.
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY RESOURCES (September 17, 2024)
National Voter Registration Day Website
National Voter Registration Day 2024 Social Media Toolkit
Hashtags: #NationalVoterRegistrationDay #VoteReady
VERMONT SECRETARY OF STATE RESOURCES
Vermont Voter Registration Drive Information Flier
Vermont Voter Registration Drive “Your Voice, Your Vote” Request for Free Print Resources
Vermont’s My Voter Page, where people can check:
Voter registration status
Absentee ballot status
Mail-in application and ballot status
Poll location
Elected Officials
Registration information on file with the town office
Sample ballot for the upcoming election
Office of the Vermont Secretary of State Social Media Tookkit
Vermont Secretary of State Civics Program Resources
Office of the Secretary of State Social Media:
Instagram: @vtsecretaryofstate
Facebook: Vermont-Secretary-of-State
X (Formerly Twitter): @VermontSOS
Election Security in Vermont Video
ALA RESOURCES
Reader. Voter. Ready.
Libraries and Voter Engagement
2024 Election Collaboration Toolkit
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC): Register Parents and Caregivers to Vote at Storytime
BOOK LISTS
Denver Public Library Voting Books for Adults
Denver Public Library Books on Voting for Teens
Social Justice Books: Voting Rights (Children, Youth, and Adults)
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RESOURCES
Vote 411
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES PRESENTATION SLIDES
Vermont Secretary of State Presentation Slides presented by Robyn Palmer, Director of Civic and Voter Engagement.
Written and compiled by Susan Ujka Larson, MLIS (she/they), VLA Digital Communications Volunteer
Last update September 7, 2024
Vermont Libraries Receive American Library Association Disaster Relief Funds
Two Vermont libraries significantly damaged by flooding in July 2023 received money through the American Library Association (ALA) Disaster Relief Fund. Ainsworth Public Library in Williamstown and Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier each received a $2,200 grant to be used for repairs.
“Kellogg-Hubbard Library suffered nearly $1.5 million in damage from last July’s floods, with all of our mechanical systems destroyed,” said Dan Groberg, executive director of Kellogg-Hubbard.
Flood waters surround Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, VT, on July 11, 2023. Photo provided by Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Piles of trash outside Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, VT, following disastrous flooding in July 2023. Photo provided by Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Ainsworth Public Library’s basement flooded. “In addition to our furnace, we lost about $25,000 in books, supplies, electronics, and furniture,” said director Sarah Snow. That amount does not include the cost of cleanup. “We had to hire professionals to remove everything from the basement because of hazardous materials there,” she said.
“The American Library Association promoted the needs of Vermont libraries through the ALA Disaster Relief Fund, and managed the many generous donations that came from all over the country,” said Vermont Library Association (VLA) vice president/president elect Mary Danko, director of Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. VLA managed the administration of the grants.
“We are so grateful for the support of VLA and libraries across the United States in helping us restore and upgrade our historic building so that we can better serve our community and be more climate resilient,” said Groberg.
The American Library Association’s Disaster Relief Fund provides money to libraries in the U.S. and around the world that have been damaged or destroyed due to natural or man-made disasters. Donations to Vermont libraries are still being accepted through the ALA Disaster Relief Fund web page. Please type “Vermont” in the tribute line.
Note: At the time of this writing, Vermont libraries are assessing flood damage caused by Hurricane Beryl’s remnants on July 10 and 11, 2024. The Vermont Department of Libraries is asking libraries impacted to report the level of damage using this online form: https://forms.office.com/g/U1su9yeiGU
By Susan Larson, MLIS, VLA Digital Communications Volunteer
2024 Fall Professional Development Grant Applications Due August 1
Applications are due by Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, for the next round of Vermont Library Association Professional Development Grants. Up to $250 is available for VLA members to attend a professional development program such as a workshop, conference, or continuing education course. Priority is given by monetary need, library involvement, leadership, and commitment to Vermont libraries.
To be eligible, applicants must:
– Be an active VLA member;
– Live in Vermont and/or work in a Vermont library; and
– Have not received a scholarship from VLA in the past two years.
Winners will be notified on September 1. Grant recipients are required to write a brief account of their professional development opportunity for VLA News, our quarterly email newsletter.
Please visit our VLA Professional Development Grant web page for complete details and the application.
Vermont Library Conference 2024 Presentation PDFs
Libraries Empowering Communities: Standing Together in Uncertain Times was the theme of the Vermont Library Association’s 2024 annual conference, held on Monday, May 20, at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Conference Center in Killington, Vermont. Following in alphabetical order by title are presentations made available to us by the speakers. Click the link to view and/or download the pdf.
PRESENTATIONS
Brick by Brick: Building Empowered Communities through LEGO Robotics
Presented by Mary Neffinger.
Career and Professional Development Resources for Your Patrons
Presented by April Shaw, Vermont Department of Libraries Government Services and Reference Librarian.
Creating a Share and Repair Library of Things
Presented by Suzanne Krohn (she/they), Richmond Free Library outreach and programming assistant.
Empowerment Through Access: An Update on the Statewide Shared Digital Collection
Presented by Jillian Scarson, Palace Project Partner Success Leader, and Lauren Kelley, Vermont Department of Libraries Technical Services Librarian
Fun & Friendly Competition: Trivia Night 101
Presented by Meg Malone (she/her), Burnham Memorial Library (Colchester) Young Adult Services Librarian and Interlibrary Loan Coordinator.
Keynote Address (on YouTube)
Presented by Emily Drabinski, American Library Association 2023-24 president. Her presentation begins at 22:30 in the recording.
Making Space in Vermont: A New NASA Grant to Support Vermont Public Libraries
Presented by Ellen Brennan, program administrator for the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
Recognizing Stress, Employing Self Care, and Avoiding Burnout in Today’s Library Landscape
Presented by Nicole Klett, assistant librarian at Essex High School CTE Library, and a board-certified health and wellness coach.
Red Clover: Beyond the Classroom
Presented by Hannah Fjeld, Liv Perry, Kate Lucia, and Abby Adams.
Vermont Golden Dome Books Awarded and Nominated for 2024
Presented by the Golden Dome Book Award Committee.
Why Patron Privacy Matters and How You Can Protect It
Presented by Trina Magi, award-winning librarian at the University of Vermont Howe Memorial Library.
Young Adult Diverse Books Book Club Takes “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” to Boston
Presented by Susan Piccoli, Woodstock High School and Middle School librarian, and 2021 Vermont Humanities Victor R. Swenson Award recipient.
Other VLA Conference Resources:
2024 Vermont Library Conference Home Page
2024 Vermont Library Conference Session Descriptions
2024 Vermont Library Conference Speaker Bios
2024 Vermont Library Conference Presentation PDFs
Vermont Library Association Conference Committee
Vermont Library Association Past Conferences Archive
Last update June 27, 2024 (sl)
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.
- Birdie Award
- Green Mountain Award
- Sarah C. Hagar Award
- Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award
- Trustee of the Year Award
Last update June 12, 2024
Vermont Library Association Applauds the Passage of S.220, Protecting Libraries and the Freedom to Read in Vermont
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024
Vermont Library Association Applauds the Passage of S.220, Protecting Libraries and the Freedom to Read in Vermont
The Vermont Library Association (VLA) celebrates the recent enactment of S.220, an act crucial to the advancement of Vermont’s public libraries. Originating from the recommendations of the Working Group on the Status of Libraries in Vermont Final Report and championed by Senators Martine Gulick and Ruth Hardy, this legislation is an affirmation of the essential role that libraries play in the cultural and educational landscape of Vermont.
Key Features of S.220:
- Ensuring Compliance with First Amendment and Anti-Discrimination Laws: S.220 mandates that library policies align with the First Amendment and anti-discrimination laws, ensuring libraries remain safe havens for free speech, inquiry, and discovery.
- Public Safety Enhancements: By amending laws related to criminal threats, S.220 provides stronger legal protections for libraries, ensuring they remain secure and welcoming spaces for all Vermonters.
- Professional Support and Policy Development: Supports high standards of library services through the creation of model policies and ongoing professional development.
“Vermont has set a new precedent by integrating public accommodation laws directly into library policies, reaffirming libraries as foundational pillars of democracy and inclusivity. This groundbreaking legislation not only protects the right to free access to information, but also ensures that libraries remain sanctuaries of equity and understanding for all.” says Oceana Wilson, President of the Vermont Library Association.
“We are excited for the new legislation and the measures included that will allow Vermont librarians to continue their work, contributing to stronger and more resilient communities in our state. We are grateful to the Working Group on the Status of Libraries in Vermont, who paved the way and provided inspiration for S.220.” says Margaret Woodruff, Vermont Library Association Government Relations & Advocacy Committee Chair
The VLA commends the collaborative efforts of our legislators, library advocates, and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to champion this significant legislation. Their dedication to advancing the mission of libraries as inclusive spaces for learning, exploration, and discovery has brought forth substantial benefits for all Vermonters.
By enacting S.220, Vermont champions a bold vision that we hope will inspire other states to recognize and support the integral role of libraries in fostering an informed and inclusive society.
CONTACTS:
Margaret Woodruff, Vermont Library Association Government Relations & Advocacy Committee Chair margaret@charlottepubliclibrary.org
Oceana Wilson, Vermont Library Association President
president@vermontlibraries.org
About the Vermont Library Association
The Vermont Library Association (VLA) is an educational organization working to develop, promote, and improve library and information services and librarianship in the state of Vermont.
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.
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.
Vermont Library Freedom to Read Statement
Intellectual freedom is the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is one of the core values of the library profession and a basic right in our democratic society; it promotes access to information and guides the defense against censorship.
In 1953, the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers jointly released The Freedom to Read Statement. This statement reminded us that, “The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack” (ALA, 2004). Now, seventy years later, a resurgence of attacks on the freedom to read again threatens our democracy. Calls for book bans, the adoption of unconstitutional legislation, and campaigns to criminalize librarians for distributing materials protected by the First Amendment threaten our fundamental liberties.
Vermont librarians are joining together to emphatically reaffirm their commitment to the values expressed in the American Library Association’s intellectual freedom documents, including The Freedom to Read Statement. We believe all Vermonters deserve free access to materials that function as windows and mirrors, both reflecting individuals’ experiences and providing expanded, diverse views of the world (Bishop, 1990). We also believe that people are only truly free when they can read freely.
Jointly issued by the governing boards of the Vermont School Library Association and the Vermont Library Association, January 2024.
REFERENCES
American Library Association. “The Freedom To Read Statement.” ALA Advocacy, 2004,
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
Bishop, Rudine Simms. “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.” Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, vol. 6, no. 3, 1990.
https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf