Birdie Award – Vermont Library Association

birdie, an older white woman with a purple shirt 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. This award is given to a Vermont librarian or recently retired librarian who has provided outstanding service in the field of technical services.

Birdie MacLennan joined the University of Vermont Libraries in 1990 and last served as the Director of Resource Description and Analysis Department. She was the Project Director and Principal Investigator for the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project. Birdie established the SERIALIST mailing list in 1990. She was active in many professional associations, including but not limited to: International Federation of Library Associations, North American Serials Interest Group, the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services section of ALA, and the New England Technical Services Librarians. Birdie held a Master of Library Sciences from Simmons College, and a Master of Arts in French from UVM. She was well known for her love of languages, her research in Vermont and Quebec history, and her dedication to professional collaboration and education. Birdie was widely respected, loved mentoring new librarians, and was a fixture in technical services in Vermont.

Past Recipients:

2023 – Debbie Roderer, Dorothy Alling Library, Williston
2023 – Leslie Markey, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
2016 – Wendy Sharkey, Cataloger at Bennington Free Library (inaugural recipient)

Page last updated April 7, 2023