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Where The Books Are Now
A podcast about Vermont's Public Libraries. In each episode we visit with library staff from one public library in Vermont and learn about its history and some of the awesome resources for the community (Did you know many public libraries lend more than books? You can find snowshoes, telescopes, tables and chairs, fishing poles, portable scanners and laminators, cake pans, games, and more). But we don't forget about books and in every episode we'll give you a few of our book recommendations. These are not your grandma's libraries!
Where The Books Are Now
Episode 5 - Bixby Memorial Free Library - Vergennes Vermont
In today's episode I talk with Catherine Hays, Library Director at the Bixby Memorial Free Library in Vergennes, Vermont. The Bixby is a library, a community center, and a museum that serves not just Vergennes, VT but the surrounding communities of Ferrisburgh, Waltham, Panton, and Addison. Catharine shared the interesting and surprising history of how this beautiful neoclassical revival library building came to be and the "rest room" that was included in the original plans from the early 1900s.
We also learn about the varied historical collections at the Bixby Library which includes a large collection of books about Vermont and books by Vermont authors, a large objects collection, and a newly digitized archival collection thanks to the library's "History Team." Catharine shares some of the services the library provides, including a seed catalog, a Library of Things, and a by donation printer/copier service.
After we stopped recording, Catharine invited me to the Celestial Soiree on May 31, 2024 - the library's fundraiser and party under the stained glass dome in the marble rotunda. It sounds like quite a party with food, music, and a photobooth!
Like all episodes of WTBAnow, we close with a few book recommendations. Catharine and the staff at the Bixby Library focused on the sometimes unsung attributes of graphic novels, and recommend a few middle grade and young adult selections. I share two books that were published in that first pandemic year of 2020 and like many books published that year, didn't get much of a spotlight.
Thanks for listening! Show notes for all episodes and all the books we talk about can be found at https://www.wherethebooksarenow.com/ and please visit us at Facebook for more Vermont public library tidbits. If you would like your Vermont library to be featured on an episode of WTBAnow, please use the contact information on the website or send a Facebook message!
