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
WTBAnow Episode 15 - Springfield Town Library Springfield Vermont
In Episode 15, I talk with Sue Dowdell, Library Director of the Springfield Town Library in Springfield, VT. The Springfield Town Library is a historic building on Main St in downtown Springfield. But don't let the historic nature of the building fool you. This library has developed new programs and ways to connect with the community that are innovative and welcoming.
Sue talked about the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and the ways the library staff have changed practices to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. They also have programming like the new sewing program where community members are learning to sew and repurposing donated material into new items. Often these programs are in conjunction with other community services in Springfield. Many of the programs are also recorded for later viewing.
The library also has a Library of Things and you can borrow a moisture meter for your woodpile, snowshoes, a shredder, and much more. In the Children's Department there are homeschool resources and also some STEM toys/games that folks can borrow. As one of the larger libraries in Vermont, this library has a great collection of books as well and Sue and I shared a couple of our favorites. Sue shared a couple of books that the library's book club had read and I shared a non-fiction book about dinosaurs and Victorians, and one of my favorite mystery series by an author who was a "late bloomer."
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!