Hello Library World,
We want to share an advocacy update from the Vermont Library Association.
VLA has reached out to Governor Scott and state legislators asking them to consider directing a portion of Vermont’s Meta settlement funds toward improving youth and teen spaces in public libraries across the state.
Our message is simple: the Meta settlement resulted from concerns about social media’s impact on young people. Vermont has an opportunity to ensure that some of these funds have a lasting impact by creating or enhancing library spaces where young people can put down their phones, connect face-to-face, create, play, learn, and belong.
We are proposing a Youth and Teen Library Spaces Grant Program, administered through the Vermont Department of Libraries, that could help libraries renovate and create welcoming, flexible spaces for young people that foster connections & creativity. Capital improvement needs remain significant for libraries across Vermont, and pursuing targeted funding opportunities like this is an important part of VLA’s broader strategy to address those needs.
We have engaged with legislative allies and have sent our request to the Governor, asking him to include libraries as his administration considers how the settlement funds should be used and drafts their proposed FY28 Budget. However, engagement from local libraries themselves can play an important role in amplifying this work. If you are so inclined, you can submit a brief message to Governor Scott, sharing in your own words what we have outlined above as well as any relevant details about how a program like this may help children in your library’s community. You can also let your local state representative(s) and senator(s) know about our efforts by sharing our letter to Governor Scott with them.
We’ll keep libraries updated as this effort moves forward and let you know when there are additional opportunities for you to help advocate.
Thank you for all you do for Vermont’s libraries and communities.
The Executive Board
Vermont Library Association