Where The Books Are Now

24/07/2024

What is the ABLE Library? It's a free audio and braille library service for people who are blind or visually impaired. ABLE stands for Audio, Braille, Large Print, and Electronic Books. The ABLE Library also hosts a book discussion. Listen to their latest newsletter below! And please pass this along to anyone you know who might want this service in Vermont. For more information please visit their website https://able.vermont.gov/

A voice recording of the ABLE Library Newsletter, for Summer 2024.

15/07/2024

Time for Episode 10 with Wendy Sharkey, Library Director at the Bennington Free Library. This library has a great building story. Wendy and I had a great time chatting about all the programs at the library, plans for the future, new grants, and of course books.

In today's episode, I chat with Wendy Sharkey, Library Director at the Bennington Free Library in Bennington, VT. Bennington is located in southwestern Vermont. Wendy told me the library has been operating in the same location for 160 years (as of...

09/07/2024

Each Episode also has show notes with more info and all the books we talked about on the show. Here are the show notes for the latest episode with Kate Hunter, Library Director at the Orwell Free Library in Orwell, VT.

The show notes from the Where the Books Are Now podcast, book recommendations, and not so well known library services waiting to be discovered by you!

01/07/2024

Today's the day for Episode 9 - with the Orwell Free Library! Kate Hunter and I had a wonderful chat. You can listen here and on all your favorite podcatchers.

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 mor...

27/06/2024

20/06/2024

June is National Audiobook Appreciation Month! If you haven't tried audiobooks, or haven't tried them in a while, ask your favorite librarian to recommend one for you. The reader/voice on the audiobook can make all the difference. Many VT public libraries have audiobooks on CD, or you can download on your favorite device and listen to one from the Green Mountain Library consortium's fabulous collection, or the new Palace Project App. Go to your library's website to learn more.

Audiobooks can benefit ALL readers. This post shares our top 5 reasons to use them to increase vocabulary, build comprehension and help students visualize.

14/06/2024

Do you need extra tables and chairs for your family event this summer? Try your local library! Many libraries loan these are many more items. On Monday, we'll hear from Maya Newroot, Library Director at the Rochester Public Library. At the Rochester Library, you can get tables and chairs, lawn games, a rototiller, a kayak, cake pans, tools, and much more. Click on the link below to see the collection!

If you don't have a password yet, stop by the circulation desk the next time you're in the library. We'll happily set one up for you.

11/06/2024

Look for Summer Reading Programs at your Local Library! Sometimes there are SRPs for Adults too!

04/06/2024

Kyrra Howard, Library Director at the Pettee Memorial Library talks about cozy libraries and more on episode 7 of Where the Books Are Now. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2292143/15172196

04/06/2024

Kyrra Howard, Library Director at the Pettee Memorial Library talks about cozy libraries and more on episode 7 of Where the Books Are Now.

In Episode 7 of the WTBAnow podcast, I visit with Kyrra Howard, Library Director at the Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington, VT.  Kyrra talks about the long history of the library and Mr Lyman Pettee who funded the construction of the first...

18/05/2024

Episode 6 drops on Monday May 20, 2024 - the Craftsbury Public Library with Susan O'Connell, Library Director!

CONTRIBUTE to The Craftsbury Public Library12 Church Street PO Box 74, Craftsbury Common, VT 05827 | 802 [email protected]

12/05/2024

Here it is! Episode 5 with Catherine Hays, the Library Director of the Bixby Memorial Free Library in Vergennes, VT. We had a great chat about the library.

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 communi...

04/05/2024

Stay tuned - Episode 5 with the Bixby Memorial Free Library located in Vergennes, Vermont drops on Monday, May 6, 2024!

Upcoming Events

24/04/2024

Sam Howard, Youth Services Librarian, talked about this on Episode 2 of the podcast! Sounds like fun!

As the weather begins to warm up, the Rockingham Free Public Library invites you to find adventure this spring – starting at the library! The library is pleased to be launching a new outdoor, immersive experience throughout the village and Bellows Falls history called “Bellows Falls in Time”. Part scavenger hunt and part history lesson, all anyone needs to play is a cell phone.

Bellows Falls in Time begins in front of the library by texting ‘Hello” to a number or scanning a QR code (both available at the library, just visit either circ desk) to start receiving messages from someone lost in time who needs to visit historic locations in the village to remember who they are and why Bellows Falls is important to them. Participants will need to have their cell phone sounds up, answer their phone (or check the messages), and click the links to find the clues, get instructions on where to go, and solve the mystery.

23/04/2024

The blog post and show notes with all the books we talked about in Episode 4 - the Mary L Blood Library in West Windsor, VT are available here

The show notes from the Where the Books Are Now podcast, book recommendations, and not so well known library services waiting to be discovered by you!

22/04/2024

Episode 4 is here! This small library is a large part of the heart of the community of West Windsor. Liz and I talk about a book about mudlarking and a book that will help you with life balance, interlibrary loan service, free passes to museums and state parks and more.

In Episode 4 I talk with Elizabeth Frederick, Library Director at the Mary L Blood Library in West Windsor, Vermont. This library was built in 1900 and was affectionately referred to as "The Little Library." Liz shares her excitement about the new...

12/04/2024

What to do on a rainy Friday and Saturday? It's National Library week - stop by your local library and say a big thank you to the library workers who help make sure your supply of books never dwindles. And who coordinate programming, storytimes, community gardens, and so much more for their communities.

Ready, Set, Library! Race to discover the possibilities at your library during National Library Week, April 7-13, 2024.

08/04/2024

Episode 3 - with the John G McCullough Library in North Bennington, VT!

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, ...

26/03/2024

Hooray Episode 2 is here! RFPL is one of four Carnegie libraries in Vermont and is loaded with historical photos and other items, and has a book bike, Tech Tuesdays, fun and creative programs for middle schoolers and all ages. And we have more book recommendations for you.

In Episode 2, I chat with my hometown library, the Rockingham Free Public Library,  located in the village of Bellows Falls, in the town of Rockingham, Vermont. **Special Note: I apologize for some wonky sound at minute 4 and minute 8. We had...

24/03/2024

Thanks VLA! Stay tuned for episodes with public libraries around the state.

Launch day is finally here!In  Episode 1, I talk with Bree Drapa, Library Director at the Westford Public Library in Westford, VT. Bree talks about the history of the library, loaning card tables and chairs, Biblio+ the new streaming service,...

13/03/2024

Two Vermont Libraries are in this article from Next Avenue.

America’s public libraries have evolved with the times and with their communities’ needs. But they rely on your support.

11/03/2024

LAUNCH DAY! In today's episode, I visit with Bree Drapa, Library Director at the Westford Public Library. If you don't see us on your favorite podcatcher yet, WTBAnow should be there very soon. You can also listen at this link or visit the WTBAnow website! Thanks Bree - for taking the time to talk about the fabulous library in Westford.

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 mor...

09/03/2024

Congratulations! to the 18 Vermont libraries that received grants in this year’s Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries Grant initiative: Arvin A. Brown Public Library (Richford), Baldwin Memorial Library (Wells River), Bennington Free Library, Blake Memorial Library (East Corinth), Charlotte Library, Craftsbury Public Library, Cutler Memorial Library (Plainfield), Greensboro Free Library, Kimball Public Library (Randolph), Norman Williams Public Library (Woodstock), Orwell Free Library, Peacham Library, Rockingham Free Public Library, Russell Memorial Library (Monkton), Warren Public Library, Westford Public Library, Westminster West Public Library, and Whiting Library (Chester).

These competitive grants are made possible through the Manton Foundation and are facilitated by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Forty-nine grants were awarded to libraries throughout New England. Funding totaled $590K, with individual awards ranging from $5,000-$15,000.

Projects Vermont libraries plan to implement with this funding include technology improvements, new windows, hosting repair cafes, adding to Library of Things collections, accessibility improvements, creating private meeting rooms, and supporting local food systems by offering farmers markets.

This info courtesy of the Vermont Dept of Libraries monthly newsletter. If your library is on the list, stop in and give them your congrats as well!

14/02/2024

Looking for book suggestions for 2024. Listen to this from PBS and the folks at Booklist Reader. And starting in March, listen to the WTBAnow podcast for more reader recommendations!

Experts from Booklist Reader share their 2024 book recommendations with PBS Books.

10/01/2024

How many public libraries are in Vermont? I found two lists - one shows 197 libraries https://librarytechnology.org/libraries/public.pl?State=Vermont and one list shows 185 https://vermontlibraries.org/vermonts-public-libraries - is your library on both lists? I may have to explore this.

Vermont’s Public Libraries This is a list of every Vermont public library with a web presence. This information is taken from VTLib’s Public Library Statistics spreadsheet with some corrections/additions. There are 185 libraries on this list. Vermont has the most public libraries per capita of a...

20/12/2023

The Dover Free Public Library hosts a chapter of The Silent Book Club. This is a book club for introverts! Learn more about Silent Book Club and starting your own chapter here

Silent Book Club was founded by Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich in 2012. Silent Book Club is a registered trademark of Silent Book Club LLC.

09/12/2023

Things are coming together! Thank you to the VT Dept of Libraries for helping to get the word out. Many libraries have already contacted me to book a podcast time slot. We'll talk about what makes their library special and other bookish topics...and of course make some book recommendations!

25/11/2023

March 2024 launch date for this new weekly podcast featuring Vermont Public Libraries. About 10 years ago a librarian friend and I talked about writing a blog that would feature all the wonderfulness, quirkiness, steadfastness, creativity, and joy of Vermont's Public Libraries.

Now 10 years later my friend has moved on to other things and I dusted off that old idea and remade it into a podcast (and a blog with show notes).

Right now, I'm putting interested library staff on the podcast schedule and doing all the other behind the scenes tasks to get ready for a March 2024 launch.

If you are a librarian or a community member who would like to hear your library featured on the WTBANow podcast, please drop me a fb message or email Nancy Tusinski at [email protected]

Thank you for your interest and stay tuned for March 2024!