Painting by Diana D. Dunn, 2019

Back row (L to R): Norah Ryan, Charlotte Bodin, Axel de Boer, Magnolia Rice

Front Row (L to R): India Danyow, Allegra de Boer, Katherine LeVine

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The Vermont Letters about Literature winners were honored at a ceremony at the State House in Montpelier on Friday, May 31.

The Letters about Literature (LAL) writing contest, now in its 26th year, is sponsored by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  The Vermont Department of Libraries receives support from the Library of Congress to facilitate the Vermont state competition.

The LAL writing contest, which opens in the fall, asks students in grades 4-12 to write a letter to an author (living or dead) of a book, short story, poem, essay, or speech that changed their view of themselves or the world. These letters are meant to be deeply reflective and illustrate just how the author’s work had a personal impact on the letter-writer. Past winners have written to authors as diverse as Dave Ramsey of The Total Money Makeover to Anne Frank of her Diary of a Young Girl. Our Vermont students are living a multitude of vibrant, and often challenging, lives, and every genre or type of work has the potential to strike a chord.

This year, the guidelines for letters were more stringent. Letters had to be between 400 and 800 words and follow a very specific format. This year was also the first year that students or their teachers could upload their letters onto a web platform to expedite the judging process. Despite these changes, Vermont students submitted 138 letters to the Library of Congress for initial round 1 judging. Of those letters, 112 met the criteria for entry into round 2, which is our Vermont state competition.

Letters are divided into three different levels of judging: level 1 (grades 4-6) level 2 (grades 7-8) and level 3 (grades 9-12.) VTLIB employees read all 112 round 2 letters and judged them according to the same rubric. First place winners were entered in the national Letters about Literature competition, competing against other state winners from all of the country. National winners receive a cash prize and are honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. We expect those results very soon, so stay tuned.

The Winners

• Level 1 winner: India Danyow, a sixth grader from the Bridge School in Middlebury who hails from Brandon. India wrote a letter to Robie H. Harris, author of the book It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health.

Watch India Read Her Letter *coming soon*

• Level 2 winner: Katherine LeVine, a seventh grader from The Dorset School in East Dorset. She wrote a letter to Jerry Spinelli about his book Stargirl.

Watch Katherine Read Her Letter *coming soon*

• Level 3 winner: Charlotte Bodin of Middlesex, an eleventh grader from U-32 High School in Montpelier. She wrote a letter to Madeline Miller about her book The Song of Achilles.

Watch Charlotte Read Her Letter *coming soon*

The Runner-Ups

• Second place for Level 1- Allegra de Boer, Bridge School, Middlebury, who wrote to Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo about their book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women
• Second place for Level 3- Magnolia Rice, Woodstock Union High School, Woodstock, who wrote to Julie Murphy about her book Puddin'
• Third place for Level 1- Axel de Boer, Bridge School, Middlebury, who wrote to Tamora Pierce about her book The First Test
• Third place for Level 3 – Norah Ryan, U-32 High School, Montpelier, who wrote to Margaret Atwood about her book Cat's Eye

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Contact:

Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor

802-828-6403; Rebecca.Kelley@vermont.gov

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT APPOINTS JASON BROUGHTON AS VERMONT STATE LIBRARIAN

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Jason Broughton as Vermont state librarian, effective April 1, 2019. Broughton will lead the Department of Libraries within the Agency of Administration and will be the first African-American to serve as Vermont state librarian.

Broughton came to Vermont with extensive experience in library services with a focus on creating and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge. He served as assistant state librarian, supervising library staff consultants who provide training and assistance to community libraries, as well as staff of the Audio, Braille, Large Print and E-Book (ABLE) Library. He has served as the interim Vermont state librarian since August 2018.

“Since joining the Vermont Department of Libraries, Jason has worked diligently to initiate and carry out strategic planning for the Department, including the establishment of a long-term vision for the State Library and its programs that meet the challenge of the rapidly changing environment of digital media,” said Secretary of Administration Susanne Young. “Jason will lead our library, through its programs and staffing, so it reflects established and newly evolving library technologies, programs and procedures, as well as lead change to ensure that the State Library continues to provide innovative, user-driven library resources and services over time.”

For nearly a decade, Broughton held various library roles, including workforce development trainer and outreach coordinator at the South Carolina State Library; and director of Library Support Services, assistant director of Public Service and interim librarian at the Live Oaks Public Library in Savannah, Georgia. Prior to his library career, he spent over a decade as an educator.

“Vermont and its libraries are fortunate to have a talented professional like Jason leading the Department and supporting community libraries in their important and evolving role as community centers,” said Governor Scott. “Jason has reintroduced many of us to our local libraries during my ‘Capitol for a Day’ events, and I thank him for his knowledge and enthusiasm as we promote the role of libraries in Vermonters’ everyday lives.”

Broughton earned his M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, a M.S. in Public Administration from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Biology from Florida A&M University.

“I am honored to serve as Vermont’s next state librarian,” said Broughton. “Libraries across Vermont are doing amazing work that is forward thinking and community engaged. I believe libraries can play an important role in helping Vermonters access portals to the world's knowledge and information for leisure, labor, literacy and the love of reading,” Broughton added.

As Governor Scott has made strengthening and expanding Vermont’s workforce a top priority, libraries play an integral role in helping Vermonters thrive in today’s workforce. Job seekers continue to come to the library for resources and support, and libraries continually work to find new ways to respond to this essential community need. Workforce literacy impacts a variety of patrons, including small businesses looking to grow, young first-time job seekers, military personnel and veterans, those looking to re-enter the workforce, and older adults seeking new skills to stay in the workforce. Governor Scott and Commissioner Broughton will continue to evolve the services libraries provide to support workforce development.

Click here for Broughton's headshot.

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109 State Street | The Pavilion | Montpelier, VT 05609-0101 | www.vermont.gov

TELEPHONE: 802.828.3333 | FAX: 802.828.3339 | TDD: 802.828.3345

Vermont Department of Libraries is proud to partner with Girls Who Code to bring free computer science opportunities to elementary, middle, and high school girls across Vermont.Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. We would love for your school and public library to host a club!

Girls Who Code Clubs are free programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Clubs are completely free and offer fun activities through a flexible curriculum that adapts to your unique needs. Clubs can take place after school, on weekends, or during the summer, and they can be held in-person or entirely online.Clubs are led by Facilitators, who can be teachers, computer scientists, librarians, parents, or volunteers from any background or field. Many Facilitators have NO technical experience and learn to code alongside their Club members.

Girls Who Code Clubs program:

• Is completely free
• Now offers swag and $300 for extra supplies during the academic year
• Provides flexible turnkey programming as a book club model for 3-5th graders or a project-based club model for 6-12th graders that can also be customized to supplement programming you already have planned
• Includes everything you need to run a Club from start to finish, like student recruitment flyers, training, new coding video tutorials, live help from a dedicated Girls Who Code staff member, and more
• Does NOT require any prior coding experience for an adult 18+ to lead a Club
• Creates a girls-supportive environment that welcomes library patrons of any gender

APPLY TO START A CLUB HERE

Recorded Girls Who Code Webinar: Features programming and a coding demo with Valerie Tomici (GWC Community Partnerships & Outreach Manager), and Lisa Dion, (Burlington GWC chapter leader).

*Please Note: It is important that you indicate our partnership affiliation on the Clubs Application in order to receive partnership benefits! Please list Vermont Department of Libraries as your partner affiliation for the following question: Is your Club affiliated with a Girls Who Code Community Partner (school districts, library systems, nonprofit organization, afterschool networks etc.)?

Please contact Jonathan Clark ((802) 249-3920, jonathan.l.clark@vermont.gov if you have any questions about how to get started.

Thanks for supporting our partnership with Girls Who Code!

The 2018 Public Library Directors' Summit was held on November 9. Find hand-outs from this event below.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Special Populations/ABLE Library
  • ABLE Library Updates (PDF)
  • Marrakesh Treaty Information (Link)
• State Library Updates (PDF)
  • Fuel Assistance Program (PDF)
  • Vermont Statutes for Libraries (Link)
  • Green Mountain Passport Program (PDF)
• Paul Carnahan, Librarian - Leahy Library at Vermont Historical Society (Link)
• VTLIB Financial Updates & Grant Information (PDF)
• Decennial Census 2020 & The Complete Count (Michael Moser, Vermont State Data Center at UVM- Link)
  • 50 Ways Census Data  Are Used (PDF)
  • Libraries and the 2020 Census (PDF)
  • Debunking the Myths about Citizenship Questions (PDF)
• Continuing Education Updates (PDF)
  • Universal Class Flyer (PDF)
  • Creative Economy Panel/Resource Sheet (PDF)
• Information & Access Updates
  • Services for Public Libraries (PDF)
  • Services for State Employees (PDF)
  • Resources on the Vermont Online Library (PDF)
• Conversations on Using Volunteers and Library Safety Issues
  • Questionnaire on Code of Patron Conduct, Volunteers, and Security (PDF)
  • A Selection of Resources for Library Security and Volunteers (PDF)
  • Toolkit: Engaging New and Active Library and Friends Volunteers (PDF)
  • Article: Company to Supply Free Narcan to Libraries (PDF) (Link)
• Evaluation (PDF)

Check out the documents below for more information about the founding of the Vermont State Library!

Documents from the 150th anniversary of the Vermont State Library

“Food In Your Backyard” Week @ Your Library (October 11-17, 2020)

From October 11 - 17, 2020, the Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB) will team up with Rooted in Vermont to promote library programming that explores food found in your backyard – and we invite you to join us!

What's Rooted in Vermont?

Rooted in Vermont is a grassroots movement that celebrates how Vermonters enjoy and acquire local food. They’re working to change the “local food” narrative so everyone sees local food as their own – not just some trendy thing. Their goal: to increase consumption of local food, resulting in more jobs and more money staying in our communities while preserving Vermont’s working landscapes. For more information: Rooted in Vermont Brochure (PDF).

What is "Exploring Food in Your Backyard Week?"

We are encouraging libraries across the state to schedule one or more programs/activities for their community that focus on food that patrons can find “in their backyard.” Whether that’s gardening, foraging, or hunting and fishing - there are lots of activities to explore.

Given uncertainties about gatherings later this year, we encourage libraries to schedule online, asynchronous, or other types of programs that allow for distancing. To help with this, we are doing three things:

1. We’ve brainstormed a list of program ideas to help inspire you (both virtual and non-virtual ideas)
2. We are planning an online “kick off” event that you can share with your patrons. This Facebook Live event will feature author, former state legislator, VPR commentator, and well-known beekeeper and home brewer Bill Mares; VT State Librarian and award-winning baker Jason Broughton; and farmer and co-creator of the Cooking Through Covid Facebook group, Natalie Guillette. There will be cooking demonstrations, information sharing and more. Tune in and invite a friend!
3. We created a Beanstack challenge for the Food in Your Backyard week. Library patrons who register for the Food in Your Backyard Week Beanstack Challenge need to participate in ONE (1) event to become eligible to win a "Vermont Maple 100" gift basket to celebrate all things maple this fall. Tell patrons to register for Beanstack and look for the Food in Your Backyard Week challenge.

Rooted in Vermont’s project manager Shane Rogers will actively promote the week via social media, Front Porch Forum postings, and the Rooted in Vermont grassroots email list. VTLIB is looking into additional avenues for statewide promotion, including paid advertisements online and in newspapers.

How to Participate:

1. Plan an activity for your library with a Rooted in Vermont theme focusing on some aspect of “food in your backyard” – gardening, foraging, and/or hunting and fishing.
2. Submit the activity details through the Google Form.
3. Promote the activity using your usual promotion channels and our customizable poster (PDF).
4. Tell your patrons to register for Beanstack and look for the Food in Your Backyard Week challenge.

Questions? Contact Shane Rogers, Rooted in Vermont: 802-828-0404; shane@vsjf.org

Letters about Literature 2018-2019

Program

The Vermont Department of Libraries will once again be facilitating Vermont's state competition in the Library of Congress' 26th Annual Letters about Literature contest.

This contest asks students in grades 4-12 to write a letter to an author explaining how something they've written affected the student's worldview and/or self-perception. Students should not be assigned a piece, but rather select something themselves that truly impacted them on a personal level. Letters will be first be judged against other entrants from Vermont in a state competition, and the first-place letters from each level (grades 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12) will be sent on to the national competition.

There are several big changes to the program this year, including:

• Online submission - entries in any format will not be accepted until November 1, 2018
  • ONLINE SUBMISSION LINK [CLOSED]
    • Entries will still be accepted by mail (although online submissions are preferred) at:

Letters about Literature

Vermont Department of Libraries

60 Washington Street, Suite 2

Barre, VT 05641

• Minimum/maximum word count for letters and strict judging of formatting (read contest rules thoroughly)
• Parental permission form for entrants under the age of 13 as of November 1, 2018

Please read the contest rules thoroughly before beginning any writing with your students. The deadline for entries is January 11, 2019.

Important Documents & Links

• Letters about Literature Official Site
  • Students (instructions on submitting individually here)
  • Teachers (instructions for teachers submitting for a whole class & teacher's guide)

    • Alternate classroom submission process: Teachers with older students and a computer lab may prefer to have each student create their own Submittable account and submit their entry themselves. When completing the online entry form, these students should select that “a student” is completing the form with “teacher assistance” and enter their school name and your email address in the fields that appear.

      For further submission details or questions, please consult the FAQ.

  • Vermont Info Page
• Call for Submissions
• Contest Rules
• Parental permission form for entrants under the age of 13 as of November 1, 2018
• Entry Coupon for Mailed Entries (not necessary for entries submitted online)

Prizes and Award Ceremony

The winners of the Vermont state competition will be honored at a ceremony at the State House in Montpelier on May 31, 2019. First-place state winners will have the opportunity to read their letters to the assembled guests.

State winners will receive a certificate and a cash prize:

• First-place: $150
• Second-place: $125
• Third-place: $100

State winners will be asked to submit a W-9 in order to receive their cash prize.

National winners of the competition in each level will receive a $2000 cash prize, and honor winners will receive $500.

Culinary Traditions and Seasonal Foods Highlighted for Agricultural Literacy Week

Vermont (Statewide) – The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), in partnership with the Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont Agency of Food and Markets, announces the 10th annual Agricultural Literacy Week: November 18-24, 2019. The events of this week-long celebration occur across the state to inform and educate people about the economic and cultural importance of farms in Vermont communities. Partners at libraries and community organizations are invited to participate by presenting a culinary experience in their communities during Agricultural Literacy Week.

For this year’s Agricultural Literacy Week, NOFA-VT is proud to present “Celebrating Our Culinary Traditions.”  The theme focuses on the seasonal delight brought to the table from our local fields. Four main events at libraries around the state will feature Vermont cookbook authors and offer a taste of prepared foods made from local, seasonal ingredients. You can find the list of these events at the bottom of this article.

The opening event will be held at the Vermont State Library, located at 60 Washington Street in Barre, on Tuesday, November 19th from 5:00-7:00pm.  Free Parking is available on both sides of Washington Street and Route 302. Students from Barre Town Elementary School will prepare a Vermont sampler with help from cookbook author Katie Webster. In Katie’s words, she is a “healthy pragmatic locavore omnivore culi-nerd”. She is the author of “Maple” and curator of the “Healthy Seasonal Recipes” blog. 

Libraries and community centers will be joining in the celebration by hosting their own event, ‘Simple Suppers’, a format to develop community meals, guest farmer talks and more are a great way to celebrate the harvest of Vermont.

NOFA-VT invites partners to present a culinary experience at their local library or community center during Agricultural Literacy Week.

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About NOFA-VT: The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound and socially just Vermont agricultural system that benefits all living things. We are proud to have nearly 1,100 members throughout the state and to certify over 700 farms and processors to the USDA National Organic Program Standards.

Featured Events

Manchester Library: Manchester

Sunday, November 17th - 3:00-4:30pm

Featured Cookbook Author: Tracey Madeiros

Details: Discussion with Maria Reade of Edible Green Mountains and Tracey about “Vermont Non GMO” cooking and tasting

Ilsley Public Library: Middlebury

Monday, November 18th - 1:00-2:00pm

Featured Cookbook Author: Andrea Chesman

Details: Discussion about “The Fat Kitchen” and tasting

Vermont Department of Libraries: Barre

Tuesday, November 19th - 5:00-7:00pm

Featured Cookbook Author: Katie Webster

Details: Kids Can Cook - Barre Town 4th Graders will showcase their culinary skills and share a tasting. Katie will talk about seasonal eating. 

Norwich Public Library: Norwich

Thursday, November 21st - 5:30-7:00pm

Featured Cookbook Author: Jeffery Hammelman

Details: Grains & Breads - Jeffery will talk about and sample a variety of breads.