Programs Supported

In 2023 The Friends of the Ilsley Library…

…held 10 very successful used book sales, raising more than $10,000. in total.

…gave $7,730. to sponsor programs for young people, $5,074. for adult programs, and $520. for programs at Sarah Partridge (in E. Middlebury).

…continued the Friends Assistance program (for those outside Middlebury who cannot afford the full non-resident fee).

…provided Addison County Readers (the Imagination Library books for preschoolers) $2,000., as well as several boxes of books that were in good condition.

…sponsored the the Snapshot Lecture Series ($900., formerly ‘First Wednesdays’), bringing world-class humanities scholars to speak on a variety of interesting topics.

For 2024, we are on track to continue our support of these programs.

Snapshot

The Friends are sponsors of the Snapshot Lecture Series (formerly First Wednesdays), organized through the Vermont Humanities Council.  Lectures are free of charge and are held  October through May.  The schedule for Snapshot events is available here.

Addison County Readers

The Friends are proud to contribute to the funding of Addison County Readers, an organization that brings monthly mail delivery of a new, free, book to every  child in Addison County between the ages of 0 and 5 years who is registered for the program.

Below is a list of other programs that the Friends of the Ilsley Library supported in 2023.

Adult Programs, Renee Ursitti, Adult Services Librarian

Some highlights for the year are below.

    • Vernal Pools talk from Steve Faccio @ VT Center for Eco Studies
    • Slow Birding with the Bird Diva – Bridget Butler
    • Sorting the News from the Chaff – A VT Humanities Speakers Bureau program
    • Must Free Speech Endure Hate Speech – A VT Humanities Speakers Bureau program
    • Bi-Monthly Paint Nights with occasional other crafts in between
    • How to Trust the People with Reproductive Rights – 3-part discussion series Meg Mott
    • 3rd Annual Photo Challenge
    • Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense – A VT Humanities Speakers Bureau program
    • Paint Night and Tea Towel stamping
    • Tome Talk
    • Bright Day Memory Cafe
    • Still Hip & Happening

Youth Programs

Tricia Allen, Youth Services Library

  • Take-and-make kit bags
  • Lynn’s craft table
  • Public Bounce + Play Storytime
  • Private storytimes for 3 local preschool classes
  • Early learning play
  • Chess Club
  • LEGO program 
  • Babysitting course
  • Kindergarten outreach
  • Summer reading program   
  • DIY Summer Camp kits
  • Book bike program
  • Noon-Year celebration
  • Lunar New Year party  

Teen Programs

Kathryn Laliberte, Tween and Teen Librarian

  • Teen Advisory Group (TAG) 
  • “After-Hours Lounge,”      
  • Trivia night
  • Jackbox games
  • Graphic novel creation
  • Birdhouse making
  • Murder mystery evening
  • Paint and sip (soda)
  • Middlebury’s 2nd Annual Youth and Family Pride Parade
  • Teen Summer Reading Program 
  • Stove-Free cooking 

Sarah Partridge Programs

Laura Fetterolf, Tween and Teen Librarian

  • Summer storytime 
  • School-year public storytime
  • Private storytime for the East Middlebury preschool