Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award

The Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award is given occasionally by the Vermont Library Association Government Relations and Advocacy Committee to an outstanding public advocate for libraries in local, state, or national government.

Senator 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.

VLA is greatly appreciative of all Senator Leahy has done for libraries in our state. His unwavering support and advocacy of libraries will have impacts on Vermont communities for many years to come. Because of his steadfast support and championship of Vermont Libraries throughout his lifetime, the Vermont Library Association in 2023 decided to further honor Senator Leahy by henceforth renaming the Vermont Library Association’s Library Advocate of the Year Award to the Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award.

Past recipients:

2023 – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
2016Jessamyn West, Randolph Technical Career Center and Open Library
2003 – U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders, Burlington
1999 – Rep. Matt B. Dunne, Hartland

The Vermont Library Association gives five awards for outstanding service to and support of the state’s libraries:

  1. Birdie Award
  2. Green Mountain Award
  3. Sarah C. Hagar Award
  4. Senator Patrick Leahy Library Advocate of the Year Award
  5. Trustee of the Year Award

Page last updated April 7, 2023