The Community’s Living Room

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Public libraries play an enormously important role in our communities and we should all be proud that Vermont has 183 of them – more, per capita, than any other state in the country.

As the world and technology changes, so does the role of Vermont libraries.

As Youth Services Librarian Sam Maskell put it when speaking about the Rockingham Free Public Library, “The library is the community’s living room.” I couldn’t agree more and I believe we see that reality all across Vermont.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of libraries struggled to keep that connection with their communities. And they had to innovate. That is why I was very impressed when I learned about Rockingham Free Public Library’s “Biblio Bike.” This is a creative solution that didn’t wait for the community to return to the library, but found a way to bring the library to the community. I hope you will watch the video below to learn more.

Public libraries are essential to our communities. They are places where Vermonters of all backgrounds can access books, videos, ideas, resources, and information at no cost. Libraries also serve as community centers where people can gather together and connect with their neighbors, and quiet spots where students can do their homework. They can also help Vermonters without Internet service apply for a job or do research.

Want to support or visit a public library near you? Learn more here: https://libraries.vermont.gov/find

Sincerely,