VLA Board Positions

SECTIONS, COMMITTEES

VERMONT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION SECTIONS

To better meet the needs of our members, Vermont Library Association maintains five sections that develop targeted programming and focus on issues of special concern to members in those sections. VLA members may join any section(s) at no additional charge by indicating their desire on the membership form. Please contact the leaders below for more information about the sections’ activities and how you can get involved.

College and Special Libraries Section

The College and Special Libraries (C&SL) Section welcomes VLA members working in college, university, and post-secondary trade school libraries, as well as the libraries of businesses and corporations. Our goal is to support excellent service to all our patrons by sharing our ideas and resources. We have a minimum of one workshop a year, and make sure the annual Vermont Library Conference includes workshops relevant to our concerns.

VTCSL is a listserv for this section. To subscribe, send this message to listserv@list.uvm.edu:
Subscribe vtcsl firstname lastname

President: Daisy Benson
(802) 656-0636
dsbenson@uvm.edu

Vice-President: Prudence Doherty
(802) 656-1493
pdoherty@uvm.edu

Public Libraries Section

The Public Libraries Section strives to extend the effectiveness of library services and librarians in ensuring equal information access and availability of literary and cultural resources. This section also provides a list of public librarians that are happy to serve as mentors to other public librarians.

VLA PLS Mentors

President: Lydia Willoughby
(802) 728-1768
lwilloughby@vtc.edu

Vice-President: Lara Keenan
(802) 879-0313
larakeenan@gmail.com

Technical Services Section

The Technical Services Section (formerly Catalogers Roundtable) joined VLA in 2013 to address the unique needs of library staff whose jobs are under the technical services umbrella. Please consider joining us on the ground floor to shape how this section will best serve Vermont technical services librarians and the VLA at large.

President: Christine Webb
(802) 865-7224
cwebb@burlingtonvt.gov

Vice-President: You? please contact the section president if you’re interested in serving!

Trustees Section

The VLA Trustees Section (formerly Vermont Library Trustees Association) sponsors continuing education opportunities for trustees, friends of the library, and other library advocates. The section holds an annual fall statewide conference, and organizes four workshops at each of the five annual spring Town Officers Educational Conferences sponsored by the Vermont Institute for Government. These conferences offer an excellent learning opportunity with time as well to network with other trustees from around the state. The Trustees Section is guided by a Steering Committee of trustees from around the state. We welcome new Steering Committee members at any time during the year. Call for details.

President: Laurel Stanley
(802) 684-3659
crawdadls@msn.com

Section Convenor:  Christine Friese
(802) 828-2714
christine.friese@state.vt.us

Youth Librarians Section

The Youth Librarians Section of VLA is open to all public librarians who serve young people, birth through 18 years of age. Youth Librarians section responsibilities include member distribution list, updates and/or articles on the VLA website, the annual Youth Librarians Program, and youth-oriented programs at the Vermont Library Conference in May.

President: Heather Grev
heather@sherburnelibrary.org

Vice-President: Amy McMullen
(802) 436-2473
hartlandkids@vermontel.net

VERMONT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee solicits nominations and selects winners of two awards each year: the Sarah C. Hagar Award and the Trustee of the Year Award. To place a name in nomination for either award, please send the nominee’s name, the name of his/her library, a letter explaining why this person should receive the award, along with your name, library, telephone number, and e-mail address to the Awards Committee chair. If a nomination is made by more than one person, please designate one signatory as the contact person. Letters of support from community members or colleagues are welcome.

Chair:  Amy C. Grasmick
(802) 728-5073
Amy@KimballLibrary.org

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee prepares an annual legislative agenda, works toward implementation of the legislative agenda with the Executive Board and appropriate committees, keeps abreast of state and national legislation that affects libraries, and reports on this to the Board and to the membership. Our mission is also to create a greater awareness among our elected legislators about the role Vermont libraries play in reaching their constituents with access to information and life-long learning opportunities for all ages. We want to impact the decisions that support libraries (funding, policy etc.) and create an environment that promotes better communication about legislation that affects public libraries. New members and new ideas always welcome!

Chair:  Selene Colburn
(802) 656-9980
selene.colburn@uvm.edu

Inclusion Committee

This committee is charged with the goal of bringing awareness and resources to Vermont libraries about the diverse populations in our state. By taking a broad understanding of diversity, the Inclusion Committee will help Vermont libraries provide better services to racial and ethnic minorities, refugee communities, LGBTQI communities, poor and homeless populations, patrons with mental illness, patrons in or exiting the justice system, veterans, the elderly, and other under-served populations throughout the state.

President: Kat Redniss
(802) 878-6956
kat@brownelllibrary.org

Intellectual Freedom Committee

The Intellectual Freedom Committee is concerned with the rights of freedom of expression, and stands ready to assist in situations where these rights may be in danger. The Intellectual Freedom Committee is responsible for arranging the John Swan Memorial Lecture. The committee has prepared an Intellectual Freedom Toolkit to help you.

Chair:  Ray Brior
(802) 635-1495
Raymond.Brior@jsc.edu

Membership & Outreach Committee

The Membership & Outreach Committee handles all elements of association membership, communications, and member outreach. Member work includes recruitment & retention, developing and promoting member benefits, and making recommendations for honorary membership. Outreach work includes all aspects of member communications, including maintaining lists, groups, social media, and website in addition to producing the VLA News.

Chair & Co-Webmaster:  Helen Linda
vermontlibrariesnews@gmail.com

VLA News Co-Editor: Debbie Landauer
(802) 849-2420
fairfaxlibrarian@gmail.com

VLA News Co-Editor: Janet Clapp
jclappmls@gmail.com

Co-Webmaster:Jessamyn West
jessamyn@gmail.com

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee addresses personnel issues that affect the membership, studies library salary issues, and issues recommendations about minimum salaries. Compensating library employees fairly– it’s the right thing to do! Here’s how we can help you: telephone consultations, informational handouts, worksheets, visits to your library to meet with staff and board members (visits can be counted as continuing education for trustees on the DOL standards forms). Other ideas? Volunteer for the VLA Personnel Committee today!

Chair:  Shara McCaffery
(802) 748-8291 ext. 302
smccaffrey@stjathenaeum.org

Scholarship Committee

This committee is charged with defining, overseeing, and funding scholarship opportunities for library professional development.

President: Scott Murphy
smurphy@town.milton.vt.us

Vermont Library Conference Committee

This committee organizes all aspects of the Vermont Library Conference and is always looking for new members to join their lively group!

President: Jessica Summer
(828) 612-3899
jessica.l.summer@gmail.com