The Vermont Library Association (VLA) annually presents five awards during the annual conference for outstanding service to and support of the state’s libraries. The 2026 recipients, honored at the June 1 annual conference, are:
Birdie Award
Richard Pritsky, Assistant Director, Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, and Vermont Organization of KOHA Automated Libraries (VOKAL) Executive Committee member
Sarah C. Hagar Award
Starr LaTronica, Director, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
Trustee of the Year Award
Michael Epstein, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mary L. Blood Memorial Library, Brownsville
Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award
Senator Ruth Hardy (D), Addison County District, Seat 19
There was no Green Mountain Award recipient this year.
In addition, these retiring librarians were honored:
Starr LaTronica, Director, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
Richard Pritsky, Assistant Director, Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg
Theresa Czachor, Library Assistant, Chittenden Public Library
Erna Deutsch, Assistant Youth Librarian, Brownell Library, Essex Junction
VLA’s Scholarship and Awards Committee is charged with overseeing VLA’s five awards, with defining, overseeing, and funding scholarship opportunities for professional development and graduate studies in library science, and with honoring retirees at the annual conference. Nominations for the Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award are provided by VLA’s Government Relations & Advocacy Committee.
June 12, 2026 -sl