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.

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.

 

Because of his steadfast support and championship of Vermont Libraries throughout his lifetime, the Vermont Library Association further honored Senator Leahy by renaming the award the Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award.

Leahy served as a United States senator from Vermont from 1975 to 2023, and also served as the president pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2012 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023. Senator Leahy was unable to attend the presentation, due to health reasons. John Tracy, former state director to the Senator, accepted the award on Senator Leahy’s behalf.

Eileen Forrester received the Green Mountain Award, in appreciation for her years of volunteer service and support to South Burlington Public Library. The award is given as the opportunity arises, to individuals or organizations for distinguished service, support, or unusual contributions to a Vermont library or libraries.

Eileen Forrester received the Green Mountain Award for her years of volunteer service at South Burlington Public Library.

Eileen Forrester receiving the Green Mountain Award for her years of volunteer service at South Burlington Public Library.

 

Debbie Roderer, assistant director at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, and Leslie Markey of Brooks Memorial Library, each received a Birdie Award for their outstanding service in the field of technical services. The Birdie Award was created in March 2014 as a memorial to University of Vermont librarian Birdie MacLennan, and to honor outstanding librarians like her.

Debbie Roderer, assistant director at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, receiving the Birdie Award.

Debbie Roderer, assistant director at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, receiving the Birdie Award.

Leslie Markey of Brooks Memorial Library receiving the Birdie Award.

Leslie Markey of Brooks Memorial Library receiving the Birdie Award.

 

Nate Eddy, director of Winooski Memorial Library, received the Sarah C. Hagar Award, for outstanding service in or significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Vermont. The award is named for the first president of the Vermont Library Association, who was a librarian at Fletcher Free Library for 23 years until her death in 1908.

Nate Eddy, director of Winooski Memorial Library, receiving the Sarah C. Hagar Award.

Nate Eddy, director of Winooski Memorial Library, receiving the Sarah C. Hagar Award.

 

Beth Wade was recognized as Trustee of the Year for her outstanding achievement on behalf of Cabot Public Library.

Beth Wade of Cabot Public Library received the Trustee of the Year Award.

Beth Wade of Cabot Public Library receiving the Trustee of the Year Award.

 

Vermont Library Association’s five awards are administered by the organization’s Scholarship and Awards Committee. Committee co-chairs Mary Danko, director of Fletcher Free Library, and Pamela Cartier, CLIC Coordinator at Vermont Law School’s Julien and Virginia Cornell Library, presented the 2023 awards.

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Photos by Susan Larson, VLA Digital Communications Team
Last edited April 22, 2023.