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 13 Weathersfield Proctor Library - Ascutney Vermont
In today's episode, I talk with Mark Richardson, Library Director at the Weathersfield Proctor Library in Ascutney, Vermont. This library is one of three "sister" libraries in Windsor County, Vermont (along with the Windsor Public Library and the Mary L Blood Library in West Windsor) funded by the same benefactor, Benjamin Blood, in the early 20th century.
**SPECIAL NOTE: Mark and I lost our connection for a few seconds, so you will hear a short pause, then we're back.**
Mark talks a bit about that history and then shares all the exciting things happening at the library, including a Seed Library open to everyone, professional quality telescopes, and a soon-to-be observatory in Perkinsville, VT. Mark also shared information about the extensive Library of America collection that WPL owns, which is available through interlibrary loan. WPL has been known as a stopping place for local genealogists and had an extensive onsite database of local records. These records have now been uploaded to the Family Search website and can be accessed online for free.
We wrapped up as always with some book recommendations. Mark shared a children's book about Lost Words (what words are taken out of dictionaries to make way for "new" words) and a couple of books he's reading from the Library of America collection. And I talked about a funny, satirical novel about book bans (yes, it is funny) along with a non-fiction book about the history of reality tv.
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!