For Immediate Release

08/10/2022

Contact

Karen Gravlin, Library Consultant for Inclusive Services

(802) 272-4912, Karen.Gravlin@vermont.gov

The Vermont Department of Libraries, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections, has provided over $42,000 in books to the six state correctional facilities. The books will refresh the facilities’ library collections available to incarcerated individuals. The funding was part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant provided to the Vermont Department of Libraries by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The IMLS ARPA funding is meant to help libraries update collections, spaces, and equipment for safe operations and expand programming possibilities, with the overall goal of improving and increasing services to end-users. The Department of Libraries is responsible for distributing the funds to libraries across Vermont to meet these goals.

The Department of Libraries believes that “every citizen of the State of Vermont should have access to the educational, cultural, recreational, informational, and research benefits of libraries.” This effort aims to support the libraries in the correctional facilities around the state as they work to provide that access to incarcerated Vermonters.

“Access to reading materials is vitally important to individuals who are incarcerated in Vermont, as books both support academic coursework and provide cultural enrichment. The ARPA funds available to us through IMLS enabled the Department of Libraries to work with colleagues at the Department of Corrections in bolstering collections at all six correctional facilities in our state,” said State Librarian Catherine Delneo. “The books were selected to meet the individuals’ recreational and informational needs, while considering a wide range of reading levels.”

“Reading may be the single greatest skill of humankind. It enables us to know where we’ve been, understand where we are, and dream of where we might go,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Nicholas Deml. “These new resources from the Department of Libraries will benefit those in our care and custody, whether they are looking to learn new things, to build skills that will support them when they’re released, or to get lost in another world for a while. We are so appreciative of this effort and our partners at the Department of Libraries.”

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About the Vermont Department of Corrections: The Vermont Department of Corrections is charged with overseeing correctional facilities and supervising people on probation and parole. The Department of Corrections is part of the Agency of Human Services. To learn more, visit doc.vermont.gov. Follow Vermont DOC on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Vermont Department of Libraries: The Vermont Department of Libraries—housed within the Vermont Agency of Administration—supports Vermont libraries as they work to ensure access to quality information for their patrons. To learn more, visit libraries.vermont.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's approximately 120,000 libraries and 35,000 museums and related organizations. The agency’s mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit http://www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Vermont/New England Contests

• The Vermont Holocaust Memorial Annual Student Contest

Ages 9-18

Cash prizes, 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, and 3rd place $50, will be awarded to the top three submissions in each of the following age groups: ages 16-18, ages 13-15, ages 9-12

Deadline is March 7, 2022

Link: https://www.holocaustmemorial-vt.org/20212022-student-contest

Description and more information: The Vermont Holocaust Memorial asks students to reflect on the following prompt using poetry, prose, art or film to answer the question: How does the story of one Holocaust survivor inspire you or give you hope in the face of today’s challenges? Cash prizes will be awarded.

• Growing Works of Art Contest

Grades 1-8

Entries due March 11, 2022

Link: https://vtcommunityforestry.org/celebrate/arbor-day/growing-works-art-contest-grades-1-8

Description and additional information: Growing Works of Art is an arts and writing contest for students in grades 1-8. This contest is hosted in partnership with UVM Extension and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation. This year’s theme Share your TREE-mendous Story! celebrates the connections we share with trees by creating a work of art and written story that showcases a meaningful experience or memory enjoyed because of the trees in our lives. Students will write a short story (one to three paragraphs) and create art illustrating their chosen tree. There is also a supporting activity guide for instructors and parents: https://vtcommunityforestry.org/sites/default/files/pictures/growingworksofartactivityguide2022.pdf  Contest entries can be submitted via mail or email (new this year). All entries must include an entry form.

Entries can by mailed to:

Rebecca Roy
1 National Life Drive, Davis 2
Montpelier, VT 05620-3801

Or email entries (link to a folder or scanned document) to: Rebecca.roy@vermont.gov.

• Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

Ages 11-18

Deadline: June 13

Description & additional information: Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs 11th Annual Ocean Awareness Contest is open to youth 11-18 nationwide & worldwide. The 2022 Ocean Awareness Contest -THE FUNNY THING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE—challenges students to learn about climate change and its impact on the ocean, and to explore new ways to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis. There are multiple categories and cash prizes up to $1,500. The deadline is June 13th for the contest. 

National Contest

• Northwind Storytelling Contest

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group invites storytellers ages 10–14 to continue the adventure of literary legend Gary Paulsen's final novel, the New York Times bestseller Northwind. Entries for the Northwind Storytelling Contest are open February 4th through April 4th, 2022. Find more information online at: http://click.mail.macmillan.com/?qs=664fe0828488c7b6bcb33382e403636b3c854257993d5430cd131a191d8a5b685f414dd1bbc4623b186ff3c8b48ad3168e839cea31b5ed25