VSLA & Vita-Learn are co-hosting the VT Fest conference Nov 4-6 2026 in Killington. We hope you can join us for this professional learning experience. 

Some highlights include:

• Keynote Speakers Dr. Ruben Puentedura (W/Th) and Amanda Jones "That Librarian" (F)
• VSLA Social Th evening
• Interactive Learning Lounge on Friday

Interested in presenting?  Please submit it via this link

Jess Rigollaud received the Spring 2026 Professional Development Scholarship to attend the Massachusetts School Library Association and she shares her reflection on the conference. Click here to learn more and apply for a VSLA Scholarship!

This spring brought a bevy of literature conferences, and after attending CLiF’s, then VSLA’s one-day events, I was feeling conferenced-out. But Massachusetts School Library Association put on a great conference last year, and I was also excited to attend this two-day conference in Norwood, MA, thanks to VSLA’s professional development scholarship. And it did not disappoint! The two days were full of learning about collection development, information literacy, vendors, and even good food. Camaraderie was in full swing: I satisfied my book nerd, even though our dinner table didn’t win our book trivia. If you’ve been considering some external professional development, MSLA has a lot to offer also.

Sessions

The most memorable session for me was a hands-on one at the very beginning of the conference, where a book crafter showed us how to make many types of books using copy paper. I’ve already added this to our library stations in my elementary school. These kiddos love to craft, and it gets them writing, and creating stories, or sharing information they already know. I might sneak in a couple reminders about parts of a book: “Put a title and the author on the cover…” Or, the books could be used to share what students have learned in library, or another class. The more complicated books could be started in library with information, and finished to look beautiful in art class.

I also attended sessions that included bibliotherapy; district-wide (Boston is a big district) professional development PLC for librarians; and choose-your-own games for middle schoolers to assess their media literacy learning.

Vendors

There was a full array of vendors, from graduate library programs to books to databases. 

I’ve signed up for a trial to try out Fact Cite: a low cost, responsive database created by teachers with many of the features of the larger ones, without too many bells and whistles. I learned about Gale’s educator resources: want to run an escape room in the library? Gale already has several created in there. Learning Ally is a company that provides audiobooks to students who can’t access text at their reading level. It uses human voices, and has no borrowing limits once established. Thorndike Press provides large print books. It uses the same cover and content, so other students won’t know someone needs large print. They’re available to order through Gale.

Salem State and Simmons University both offer graduate level classes online. So if you’re looking to move up on the salary scale, take a look at their offerings. You can take up to three classes from Salem State without being part of their MEd, with or without a library focus. Summer is the time for me to consider a class, and they both have a few on offer. 

I learned so much at MSLA’s annual conference, and appreciate the scholarship from VSLA so I could easily attend. Learning was done casually during meals, and formally within the sessions. Networking opportunities with librarians and presenters was invigorating.

We are officially less than a month away from the 2026 VSLA Spring Conference! Saturday, April 4th, from 9:00-3:00 at Essex High School will be here before we know it! There will be much to enjoy at this event, and we wanted to highlight some things for you to look forward to.

Kekla Magoon is our Keynote Speaker. Kekla is an award-winning Vermont author who writes for all ages. Her Keynote, REVOLUTION in the Classroom: Embracing Our Power as Changemakers, will appeal to School Librarians that serve all age groups.

Following the Keynote, Kekla will offer a book signing. There will also be time to shop at a pop-up Phoenix Books Bookstore that will be set up in the library. They will have Kekla’s books available!

You will get a 6 hour PD Certificate for attending this event.

The event is free* and on a Saturday! Why?

Two of the most challenging parts of getting away to a conference are cost and obtaining a sub. We avoid both issues by holding this event on a Saturday, for free. You can order lunch through us for $25 until 3/27. It will be a nice boxed lunch from Martone’s, plus we will have coffee and bagels in the morning.

A mix of traditional and unconference sessions will be available, including topics like…

• Elementary and Secondary Roundtables

• Act 150

• Social Justice

• Book Repair

• SWANK

• Makerspace

• And more!

• Accommodations and Supports for All:

• • Quiet decompression space with low lighting available all day.

  • Chestfeeding/Mother’s Room available all day.

  • Conference spaces are all accessible and on one floor.

• Other Open Opportunities during the conference

• • Tours of the beautiful EHS/CTE Library space and school community by National Honor Society students.

  • Open Makerspace (we have a whole ROOM for it)

  • Open Recording Studio (YES, we have a Studio!)

There are a multitude of reasons to attend, so REGISTER TODAY! Better yet, register and SUBMIT A PROPOSAL!

Join Librarians, Classroom Teachers, EdTech Specialists and other educators for this multi-day conference focused on innovative teaching and learning practices that meet the needs of K-12 VT students and educators.

and ...Katherine Arden will be our Friday keynote!

Have an idea for a proposal? Please submit soon (proposals are accepted on a rolling basis)

Learn more about the conference, register, or submit a proposal here

https://vita-learn.org/vermontfest/

VSLA has partnered with the New England Intellectual Freedom Helpline to provide important guidance and resources for librarians and educators facing IF challenges and other related issues. 

The IF Helpline is a volunteer-driven network dedicated to supporting librarians and educators across New England who are facing censorship challenges or other threats to intellectual freedom. We offer peer support and connect individuals with resources to help them defend their communities’ freedom to read, while also prioritizing their safety in doing this important work.

You can submit a request for assistance here.

VSLA has updated our 3 year strategic plan to continue to build a strong statewide organization that will support Vermont's amazing school libraries! The priorities VSLA will focus on are:

• Collaborate Across the Vermont Library Ecosystem to Illustrate the Value of School Libraries

• Lead Strong School Libraries Across Vermont

• Nurture a Strong Organization
  

You can view the full plan here

VSLA co-signed a letter with 119 other organizations calling on state leadership to "utilize the power of your office to defend our democracy, our communities, and our values."  The letter states "In the face of this rapidly escalating constitutional crisis, Vermont needs strong, responsive state leadership. We want you to know that if you speak up and take action to confront this onslaught of federal overreach, your constituents will have your backs. And we need to hear from you, our elected representatives, that you recognize this historical moment for what it is—and that you will act with the urgency and resolve that this moment requires." You can read the full text of the letter and all the signatories here: Letter to Vermont Leaders 03-31-25 - final.pdf