2025 in Libraries

interior view of the Groton Public Library wa warm and inviting library with a comfy armchair and a nice rocking chair. It's decorated in purple and green tones which feels like it might not work together but totally does.

Six different libraries besides my local this year. Some of this was for work! It’s been a weird year at my library, a lot of staff changeover and bumpiness but overall some positive new developments.

  • Kimball (81) – I worked here nearly every week, did a few sub shifts and just came by to get warm and/or visit.
  • Hartness/Randolph (7) – Decided last year to spend more time here and it was a good decision.
  • Rochester (1) – I did one drop-in shift here which seems to be my pattern
  • Groton (1) – Pictured above, gave a talk. Not well attended but was so glad to get to go back to this library where I spent a lot of time when I was first in Vermont
  • Aldrich in Barre (1) – Stopped by while I was picking up free COVID tests at the state library
  • State Library in Barre (1) – Got some free COVID tests
  • Randall in Stow MA (1) – Was visiting my sister and we checked out the temporary library in her town while her main library is getting a serious renovation

Previous years: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and some reviews from 2003.

2024 in Libraries

a foot in a sock that is yellow with thin black stripes and it meant to evoke a checkiout card in a book. It's standing on a tiled floor with black and white colored hexagons.

Totally a homebody this year; seventy library visits and most of them within a half mile of my house. I liked working at my library. I didn’t feel the need to go to other libraries with my free time. Amusing side note, I use Daytum to track my library visits and I have a display that show’s “this year’s” visits. However, I didn’t change the display over LAST year and somehow didn’t really notice (I mostly just add visits, don’t look at the pie chart). All fixed now!

  • Kimball (67) – I worked here nearly every week and did a few sub shifts.
  • Rochester (1) – I did one drop-in shift here just like last time.
  • Kilton/Lebanon NH (1) – Parked here and took a hike out behind it, there are some neat trails.
  • Hartness/Randolph (1) – I continue to think that I should go by this place more often, it’s such a nice library.

Previous years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and some reviews from 2003.

2023 in Libraries

A banned books display showing the many different books which were banned last year and the reason for their banning

Not a big year for libraries. I didn’t go to any new ones! This was partly because I had a regular shift at my own, and am also sticking to my mostly-no-travel policy.

  • Kimball (79) – Most weeks I worked here one day and I stopped by a lot of other times, for sub shifts or just to get a book.
  • Rochester (1) – I did one drop-in shift here.
  • Kilton/Lebanon NH (1) – Jim and I stopped by when we were in NH. It’s a neat place, has a cool garden and place to hang out behind it that I had never been to.
  • St. Johnsbury Athenaeum (1) – Should have stopped by her more often since my dentist is across the street but I rarely felt like it before or after and now the friend I had there doesn’t work there anymore..
  • Hartness/Randolph (1) – I got some books out. I should go by this place more often, it’s such a nice library.

Previous years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and some reviews from 2003.

2022 in Libraries

looking up into the wooden dome of my home public library

Not a big year for libraries though I did get to one new one in Fairlee.

  • Kimball (56) – Once the library opened, it stayed open. This includes Drop-In Time shifts as well as work shifts and regular library visits
  • Chelsea (1) – Worked one fill-in shift here.
  • Fairlee (1) – I was in town for a conference and stopped by.
  • Hartness/Randolph (1) – Stopped by when I was on a walk I miss this place.

Previous years: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and some reviews from 2003.

2021 in Libraries

a dim afternoon-into-evening shot of an empty library circ desk with a book drop slot and a small shelf next to it with books on CD

Only my regulars this past year. I picked up shifts at my local library and did a few months at Chelsea Public Library while they searched for a full-time librarian. While I taught some classes virtually for Rochester I only went inside the building once, really just to say hello. Forty-four visits, but only three libraries.

  • Kimball (20) – The library was open to the public for a while. I stopped in an occasionally worked a sub shift or met people here.
  • Chelsea (23) – I was the W/Th librarian for a few months
  • Rochester (1) – stopped by to say hello before teaching some online classes

Previous years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and some reviews from 2003.