Contact Name
Ms. Catherine Delneo
Contact Title
State Librarian & Commissioner of Libraries
State Library Address

Vermont Department of Libraries
60 Washington Street; Suite 2
Barre, VT 05641
United States

Contact Email Address
catherine.delneo@vermont.gov
Grants to State Programs

The Grants to States Program

The Grants to States Program is the largest grant program run by IMLS; it provides funds to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) using a population-based formula set by the law. SLAAs determine goals and objectives for the funds in their statutorily required five-year plan (see below). For more information, see the Grants to States program overview.

    Allotments
    YearAllotment Value
    2020 $1,032,931.00
    2021 $1,069,610.00
    2022 $1,074,697.00
    2023 $1,247,111.00
    2024 $1,244,357.00
    5 Year Plan Text

    Each state creates a 5-year plan for its programs to strengthen the efficiency, reach, and effectiveness of library services. View all states' plans.

    5 year plan
    Attachment Size
    vermont5yearplan.pdf 1.2 MB
    5 Year Evaluation Text

    At the end of a 5-year period, each state reports their results in achieving goals and objectives projected in their 5-Year Plan. View all states' evaluations.

    5 year evaluation
    Attachment Size
    vermont5yearevaluation.pdf 1.92 MB
    Catherine Delneo, VT State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries

     "Our entire team at the Vermont Department of Libraries is committed to providing Vermonters with access to information and opportunities for lifelong learning and to supporting and strengthening libraries in our state. Our activities are focused on enhancing library services Vermonters can access through their local libraries, leveraging shared resources, building partnerships, and fostering a community of learning for library professionals and trustees. Our Department is proud to support libraries statewide through these efforts."
    -- Catherine Delneo, VT State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries

    Project Examples

    books on a shelf

    Library Services to the Visually and Physically Impaired and to State Institutions
    The Vermont Department of Libraries provided statewide services to patrons who are unable to access traditional print resources or traditional programming. During the project period, the ABLE Library offered a range of services including home delivery of talking book machines and large-print and digital titles to individual patrons and large print deposit collections that circulate to public libraries and other institutions across the state. ABLE manages a local recording program to increase the local content accessible to patrons. Volunteers are trained on the in-house studio equipment or the home recording gear to narrate and edit monographs with Vermont themes or settings. ABLE also offered programming opportunities including a virtual book club for visually impaired and homebound individuals. During the project period, the Department served state mental health facilities through the acquisition of print and digital materials.
    IMLS Funds: $117,504.53

    screenshot of online continuing education video

    Continuing Education for Vermont Library Workforce
    The Vermont Department of Libraries used grant funds to provide continuing education training sessions to support the library community statewide. During the pandemic, as these trainings shifted from being held in-person to the virtual environment, department staff, librarians, and trustees gained skill and comfort in presenting and attending trainings online. The move to an online training environment, which eliminated drive-time and mitigated impacts from weather, facilitated an increased attendance at trainings by library staff and trustees from across the state. The Department was able to offer more frequent trainings on diverse topics with interactive components within the online learning environment and was also able to record trainings so that learners could engage with the content asynchronously. Additionally, the online environment enabled experts from outside the state to be brought in at lower cost. The Department sought input from the community in training needs to develop a program of continuing education courses to support emergent needs in the community. These factors contributed positively to increasing access to and attendance at continuing education classes hosted by the Department. Participants responded positively to the training opportunities and reported feeling more connected to the larger library community during the period of social isolation of the public health emergency. 
    IMLS Funds: $75,809.87

    two people using laptop to setup video camera and transcript.

    Vermont Historical Society Online Programming
    With grant support from the Department of Libraries, the Vermont Historical Society (VHS) leveraged CARES Act stimulus funds to help move a portion of their programming online during the COVID-19 lockdown. The funds enabled VHS to produce short videos spotlighting several high-interest items in their museum collection which resulted in thousands of views during the project period. They also developed a weekly state trivia program that engaged participants of all ages across the state and from all over the country through an interactive virtual platform. This program was so well-received in Vermont that other museums in New England, inspired by VHS’ model, have implemented it locally.  
    IMLS Funds: $1,508

    Review recent Grants to States projects from this state library in the State Program Report database.

    Search the Awarded Grants Database for additional details about awards in this state or view the State Details Dashboard.

    Five-Year Plan Highlights

    Goal 1: Strengthening Libraries - The Vermont Department of Libraries will support library staff members and libraries throughout the state by delivering relevant, high-quality, and community-focused services that incorporate up-to-date technologies and are based on best practices in the field of librarianship.

    • Projects include:
      • Library staff and leadership development and training
      • Professional consulting assistance
      • Library statistics collection, analysis, and reporting
      • Connectivity enhancements for libraries

    Goal 2: Enhancing Access to Information - The Department of Libraries will provide Vermont residents with convenient access to relevant, high-quality information resources in formats that they can use for their educational, occupational, and personal/recreational needs

    • Projects include:
      • Statewide resource sharing online tools
      • Statewide resource sharing physical materials delivery
      • Electronic information resources
      • Digitization and preservation
      • Library services to individuals with print disabilities
      • Services to underrepresented populations

    Goal 3: Fostering Learning and Building Community - The Vermont Department of Libraries will provide libraries with the resources and training needed to help Vermonters achieve their occupational and personal goals and contribute to the vitality of their communities.

    • Projects include:
      • Summer reading program support
      • Cultural programming grants for libraries
      • State book awards
      • Early childhood literacy support
      • Public performance licenses for library movie programs
      • Workforce development resources

    IMLS Data Collection

    State Library Administrative Agency Survey
    The State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA) provides descriptive data about state library agencies for all fifty states and the District of Columbia. To interact with the latest data, please visit the SLAA Survey Comparison Tool

    Public Libraries Survey
    The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides national descriptive data on the status of public libraries in the United States and its territories. Explore state profiles representing more than 9,000 public library systems and over 17,000 public library outlets.