Thank you to everyone who attending the Fundraiser and Silent Auction Event. We appreciate your support!! Special thanks to Chris Bohjalian, Joe Donahue, and Northshire Bookstore.

Carson Schafer, Children & Youth Services Librarian

(802) 549-4576

Carson is a lifelong lover of reading, play, and curiosity. They spent the last decade teaching children from South Carolina to the Balkans to North Africa and back again. Now they are eager to get to know the MCL community’s families. Professional specialties include silly dances and cardboard swords.

Carson has a B.A. in Communication from the College of Charleston and is currently working on a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. During free time, Carson takes orders from their cat, Athena, reads middle grade fiction, and wanders the hiking trails.

Emily Bellows, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 549-4572

Emily’s lifelong journey and dedication to reading and studying literature has joyfully landed her among the stacks of the MCL. From Rhode Island, to Vermont, to Central New York, to Las Vegas, and back to Vermont again, libraries have always been a centerpiece in her adventures. She joins the MCL family eager to share kindness, encourage questions, and create stories with every patron. On her days off, you can find Emily perusing used book stores, on a secluded hiking trail, playing board games all up and down the state, or maybe at home, covered in garden dirt and surrounded by cats.

Carrie Gutbier, Youth Services Librarian

(802) 549-4580

Carrie developed a passion for children’s literature as an undergraduate student and further honed that passion during graduate school, where she was able to curate her studies using children’s literature as the lense to move through her program. She has shared that passion as a preschool and classroom teacher and librarian. She joins the MCL staff following five years as a Youth Services Librarian at Bennington Free Library.

Carrie holds a B.S. in Education from Northeastern University, a M.A. in Liberal Studies from Skidmore College, and the Vermont Certificate of Public Librarianship. A life-long resident of the area, she has a keen sense of the community and is excited to bring her passions and experience with children and families to the MCL community. Outside of work, she spends her time in a flurry of activities including skiing, biking, and running and–of course–reading! Committed to giving back to the community where she lives, she is a Board member at Arlington Rescue Squad as well as a volunteer EMT with the organization. She lives with her husband and daughter in Arlington.

Vera Bravo Vivar, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 362-2607

Besides being a mom of two children, daughter Elvira and son Joseph, and grandmother to Sofia, Vera is very interested in exploring the legal aspects of life. She is particularly interested in studying international law in the field of entrepreneurship. In her free time she likes to play chess and read classical literature. She also really likes to travel with her family to different countries, Sweden, Finland and so on. Working in the library for Vera is the study of cultures and trends in foreign literature and painting.

Brenda Borden, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 362-2607

Brenda’s long love of libraries started back when she was shelving books in fourth grade, which she attended in Connecticut. While in college in New Jersey, she had the opportunity to work in the periodical department at the university. After a career of writing and editing highly technical documents, Brenda is happy to be back to her first love; working at a library helping folks any way she can. In her spare time, she loves photography, baking cookies, playing board and card games, trivia quizzes, and being in nature.

Emet Koffman, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 549-4573

Each Saturday of Emet’s childhood was spent on a family excursion to the Mark Skinner Library. It was a journey filled with two miles of walking, often hot chocolate, and magic – because she got to be surrounded by books. Her love for libraries only grew as she studied the environment and community development at the University of Vermont. Where before she thought of libraries as a fantastical means of escape, she began to realize what a powerful tool they could be for bringing people together and building community. The past couple of years she has been working as an environmental educator, but upon moving back to Manchester she decided that it was time for a new journey back to her roots.

Emet loves reading fantasy books, working on her garden, and continuously learning new forms of art.

Robin Hood, Tiny Dog

Robin Hood got his start at the MCL in 2022 and has enthusiastically taken up the roles of Library Greeter and Staff Morale Specialist. Early visitors to the MCL might encounter Robin on his morning zoomies through the Library, and evening visitors might catch a glimpse of him as he helps to tidy the cafe floor before going home for the day.

Composting Made Easy

June 8, 2021

Never Too Late to Tech

A group of seniors are busting through the digital divide and learning how to use all those devices like phones and tablets that just seemed confusing before. A class being offered at the Manchester Community Library is helping them on the journey.

Michael Shapiro: Love of Language

Thursday, May 18th, 2023

Arielle Gingold, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 549-4573

Arielle has a long-held appreciation for literacy and libraries. Originally from San Francisco, she has worked as an educator in museums, schools, after school programs, and with a sustainable education-based farm. Arielle has demonstrated a longitudinal commitment to pursuing roles in which she can connect, engage with, and support her community. She holds a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s in Education from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Her passion and interest in education and literacy led her to pursue her Master’s in Education and she is currently working towards her Certificate in Public Librarianship. Outside of the Library, Arielle enjoys spending time with family and friends (human, furry and feathered), going on walks, observing wildlife, cooking, eating, collaging, reading, and meeting with her book club.

Daniel Gostelow, Advancement Associate

(802) 549-4578

A fan of libraries and transformative community spaces, Daniel uses his background in prospect research and administration to assist the advancement team at Manchester Community Library. Prior to his role at MCL, Daniel performed part time grants and donor research for domestic and international nonprofit organizations.

Daniel has an extensive background in music and music education. He earned his PhD in Music Composition from University at Buffalo, where he taught undergraduate students for seven years as an instructor and Visiting Assistant Professor. He has also worked with children, and taught music lessons to kids aged 5-12 at Buffalo Community Music School. In his spare time he enjoys piano playing, reading, and exploring the beauty of the Southwestern Vermont region.

Wolf Peaches, Poisoned Peas, and Madame Pompadour's Underwear: The Surprising History of Common Garden Vegetables

July 16, 2022

Soup to Nuts: An Eccentric History of Food

September 24th, 2022

Medicare Fraud: It's Enough to Make You Sick

September 13th, 2022

Financial Planning: Planning for the Unexpected

August 24th, 2022

MCL Summer Music Series: Brotchman

August 26th, 2022

The Weapons of Fraud

June 28, 2022

Fraud, Scams, and Con Artists

July 26, 2022

Vermont View with Dave Q: Covered Bridges & Stone Walls

July 20, 2022

Monty's House Wildlife Rehabilitation

August 1, 2022

Edward Surjan, Executive Director

(802) 549-4575

Beginning with weekly visits as a child with his parents to the public library, Ed Surjan has had deep connections with libraries throughout his life. Following an entrepreneurial career in computer and technology businesses, in 2010, Ed made his love of reading and libraries his career. First, at Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA, and, for the last eight years at The Frederick Gunn School in Washington, CT, Ed has brought a fully engaged, inclusive, and immersive approach to working with high school students, parents, families, and teachers. As MCL Executive Director, Ed will utilize his combined entrepreneurial and library experience to serve our community and region.

A lifelong learner, Ed has earned a BA degree in Political Science from The University of Chicago and, more recently, an MS in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University. He and his wife, BJ, are thrilled to be here and looking forward to this new chapter in their lives. Ed can be frequently found outdoors, running, hiking, and enjoying the company of their trusty Labrador, Jack.

Milton Avery's Vermont

August 4, 2022

Deborah Hansen, Librarian

(802) 549-4576

Deborah Ehler-Hansen is the University of Vermont (UVM) Coordinator and Part-Time Lecturer for the UVM School Library Media Studies Sequence. She is a licensed Teacher/School Library Media Specialist in Vermont and New York State, as well as a former Teacher Librarian, serving Vermont High School students in Bennington and Rutland counties. She has served as President of the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) and the New England School Library Association (NESLA), as well as Delegate/Chapter Leader of Vermont and New England, to the national Affiliate Assembly of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). She has authored peer reviewed journal articles in the United States and Australia and has presented at several state and national library conferences for school librarianship and community-based experiential teaching and learning experiences. Deborah holds a B.S. in Business and Management and a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in School Library Media Studies. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, biking, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Earth Repair, Here & Abroad

June 16, 2022

Kaela Cassady, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 362-2607

Kaela Cassady basically grew up inside of her local libraries or surrounded by books, which is certainly why she has enjoyed working in libraries so much. Having lived in Indiana for 14 years before moving to Manchester, Kaela was the Youth Services Assistant Librarian in Hamilton County, Indiana. Here at the Manchester Community library, Kaela utilizes her researching skills (honed through her BA in Ancient Classical Studies) and her love for books to find the perfect new novel to add to your must-reads booklist.

An Evening of Violin Duos

December 23, 2020

No Fields Found.

GNAT News Green Mountain Festival and Book Festival

June 9-12, 2022

Our Highway Deficiencies

May 19, 2022

The News Project: Pollinate Your Garden

June 10, 2022

Demystifying Seeds & Seed Saving 101

June 8, 2022

History of Vermont CCC Camps

May 31, 2022

Who's On First?

May 25, 2022

The Big Screen at Home

March 19, 2021

What Is It Worth?: An Evening with Notable Book Appraiser Ken Gloss

March 18, 2021

Open for Business

April 1, 2021

Backyard Birds

April 30, 2021

Short Stories from the Long Trail

September 28, 2020

Garden Planning and Design

April 29, 2021

2020 Holiday Concert

December 23, 2020

Meet the Strings

February 11, 2021

Moth Like Story Night

July 24, 2020

A Rabbi Bob Alper Sampler

May 11, 2022

Manchester Community Library Poetry Salon

April 30, 2021

Paige Vignola, Assistant Director of Education & Community Engagement

(802) 549-4574

An educator by training and disposition, Paige has spent her life in pursuit of knowledge and adventure, living and learning around the world. She earned her masters in English literature from the University College of Dublin and her masters in medieval studies from the University of Toronto. Paige’s unbridled passion for literature and history led her to the classroom. Working with high schoolers of varying backgrounds, Paige developed a deep interest in community outreach and engagement. Paige’s role at the MCL is the perfect combination of her many passions. Fun Fact: a mother of two, Paige has a terrible addiction to dad jokes.

Matt Clark, Patron Experience Specialist

(802) 362-2607

Matt has spent a lot of time getting lost and found in libraries. He received a BA in English Literature from Burlington College and since then has been poking around all over the United States. After taking the scenic route for a few years, Matt and his wife finally landed in Southern Vermont. When he’s not at the library, Matt enjoys hiding his nose in books, practicing traditional Korean archery, helping his wife take care of her expansive houseplant collection (with varying degrees of success), and tending to their cat.

Fun Fact: Matt’s cat’s name is Comma.

Jennifer Amatruto, Facilities & Operations Manager

(802) 549-4581

The MCL’s “jill of all trades,” Jennifer manages a variety of tasks related to the operational aspects of running the library. Whether investigating a complex HVAC issue, hiring a plumber, ordering supplies, reconciling bills, organizing storage space, or shipping out interlibrary loans, Jennifer’s days are never the same. Early in her career, Jennifer worked at Macy’s Herald Square in the Operations and Cash Control departments. When she and her husband moved to Vermont, they ran a motel for sixteen years. These experiences provided excellent preparation for her current position at the MCL. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Allegheny College and has completed her Certificate of Public Librarianship. Fun Fact: Jennifer was a balloon captain in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Megan Demarest, Collections Development & Engagement Librarian

(802) 549-4572

Megan received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in May 2020 while she was living in Manitoba, Canada. Prior to moving to Canada, she spent 15 years in higher education administration, most recently at Bennington College, where she fell madly in love with Vermont. Megan holds a BFA in Performance from Salem State University and has enjoyed acting in community theatre productions with local companies like Hubbard Hall and the Dorset Players, as well as singing in a musical duo with her husband at places like the Bennington Museum. Megan is a lifelong learner with a passion for helping others educate and enrich themselves, as she strives to do personally every day.

Fun fact: While living in New York City from 2003-2014, Megan was the Founder and Artistic Director of the non-profit theatre company Whirled Peas Productions, which participated in the 2004 NY International Fringe Festival and focused on producing new works by emerging playwrights.

Sally Hespe, Advancement Manager

(802) 549-4579

Sally brings a long history of non-profit and educational work to this most important role. In her previous position as Director of Communications, Outreach, and Events at Preschool Advantage, Sally focuses on providing low-income children with the opportunity to obtain access to high quality preschool education. Prior to her role at Preschool Advantage, Sally worked and volunteered for numerous organizations that served children and vulnerable populations.

Sally earned an undergraduate degree in business administration at Franklin and Marshall College (where she met her husband) and a master’s degree in International Relations at Drew University. In her spare time, Sally enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, skiing, and time with her two dogs and two children.

Gizelle Guyette, Youth Services Librarian

(802) 549-4580

A native Vermonter with B.A. from Middlebury College, Gizelle’s career in public libraries began after a decade of work in the school system. She then spent three adventurous years driving Colchester’s bookmobile and coordinating outreach programming for preschools, daycares, and senior centers before moving indoors to Young Adult Services at the Burnham Memorial Library. Gizelle earned her Vermont Librarian’s Certificate in 2011. In 2014, she assumed the Director’s role at the Morristown Centennial Library. While learning much along the way, the opportunity to return to youth services, her passion and joy, proved irresistible, and brought her to the MCL in 2021. In her spare time, Gizelle enjoys dabbling in writing, kayaking in summer, sharing comfort food recipes with friends, and creating “great messes of paper, glue, fabric, vegetable dyes, wax and other components in the name of folk art.”

Susan McManus, Trustee

Susan McManus joined the MCL Board of Trustees in 2019. Currently, she serves a member of the Advancement Committee.

Susan received a B.A. in English from Fairfield University in 2004. After college, she attended Vermont Law School and received her J.D. in 2007. She was admitted to the Vermont and Connecticut Bar in the Fall of 2007 and is now retired from the practice of law in Connecticut.

After obtaining her law degree, Susan was employed by a private law firm in Bennington, Vermont. In 2010, she left private practice and joined the Office of the Defender General to pursue her passion of criminal defense and public service law.

In 2019 Susan was elected President- Elect to the Board of the Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and will assume the presidency in 2021. She also served as past Treasurer of the Bennington County Bar Association.

Susan and her husband, Daniel, live in Manchester and have three children collectively. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking and gardening.

Dave Citron joined the MCL Board of Trustees in 2018 and currently serves as the Library’s Treasurer.

Dave and his wife Julie are the co-owners of RE/MAX Four Seasons. Dave is the principal broker for the office and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the office along with his many responsibilities to customers and clients. Dave has owned and operated the office since 2003.

Dave and Julie moved to Vermont from Duxbury, MA in 2003. At that time, their two children, Samantha and Charlie, were four and two years old. Dave left a management position with Fidelity Investments in search of a better quality of life and a community where he could put down roots. He considers it the best decision he’s ever made and believes he couldn’t have found a better place to raise a family. Samantha is currently a Junior at Bucknell University and Charlie is a First Year at Colgate University. Where does the time go?

Dave has served in many local organizations including President of the Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce, Trustee and Treasurer of the Manchester Country Club, Trustee of the Dorset Church, and Treasurer of the South Central Vermont Board of Realtors. Giving back to the community is an important cornerstone of the lifestyle that Dave and Julie sought when they moved to Vermont.

Clark French, Trustee

Clark French has been a Manchester Village resident since 1999. A patron and supporter of both the original Mark Skinner Library and the Manchester Community Library, Clark holds a deep interest in the vitality and relevance of our community library and has also held board and advisory roles in various educational, environmental and arts organizations. Named to the MCL board in 2020, Clark sits on the Advancement Committee.

As the principal of French & Co. Fine Properties, a diversified real estate company, he has achieved sustained success in brokerage, development, hospitality and advisory and has been recognized by publications such as the Wall Street Journal as being among the most successful real estate professionals in America. Clark’s recent Manchester projects include the Taconic Hotel Kimpton and the refurbishment and reuse of the historic original Mark Skinner Library building.

Avid readers and book collectors, Clark and his wife Lu have raised three children in the Manchester school system. They remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to live in and contribute to our vibrant Manchester community.

Fran Fauver, Trustee

Appointed to the Manchester Community Library Board in 2020, Fran Fauver serves on the Governance and Finance Committees. Fran moved to Vermont from Chatham, New Jersey in 2018 where she and her husband Chip resided for thirty years.

Fran received a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. After a short stint in the non-profit world in New York City, Fran went into sales, initially in the software and computer business, and later in finance on Wall Street.

Prior to moving to Manchester full-time in 2018, Fran actively volunteered in many community organizations including the PTO of the Chatham’s, the Library of the Chatham’s, as well as the Municipal Alliance Counsel for the education and prevention of substance abuse. In addition to her volunteer duties, Fran devoted her energies to the restoration of their 100-year old house which won the first preservation award from the Chatham Historical Society in 2010. Since moving to Manchester, Fran has enjoyed volunteering at MCL with the children’s programs and special events. She also serves on the design review board for her homeowners association.

Fran and Chip have three sons and a daughter-in-law, and all live close to each other in the Bay area of California, making visiting very convenient. In her free time, Fran enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, cooking and hiking. Fun fact: Kate Orme, the President of the Manchester Community Library Board, and Fran swam on the same swim team in grade school. Neither one of them has any recollection of the other……it was fifty-plus years ago!

Kate Orme, President

Drawn to Vermont’s abundant natural beauty and recreational opportunities, and the many charms of Manchester, Kate Orme and her family decided to become full-time Vermont residents sixteen years ago, relocating from Westchester County, NY after having spent many winters before that enjoying skiing together at Stratton. While working at Stratton’s Sales Center for five years, Kate volunteered as President of Stratton Mountain School’s PTA, at the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC), and with Vermont Reading Partners. As a lifelong library lover, though, her most fulfilling volunteer role was with the MCL and she then joined the Board in 2017. After serving on the Advancement and Governance Committees, she became President in 2018.

Before raising two children, Kate had a successful career in publishing and advertising, working for Prentice-Hall, Doubleday, Rapp & Collins and finally as Senior Vice President and Account Manager at McCann-Erickson Direct. She also volunteered as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America/Stamford-Greenwich, ultimately serving as Chair of their Board of Directors.

Kate holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and she and her husband George enjoy tennis, golf, paddle tennis, hiking, and spending time with their (now grown) children.

John Clark, Vice President

John Clark joined the MCL Board of Trustees in early 2019 after moving to Manchester with his wife Mia from Windham, Vermont, where he had been living year-round since 2011. He serves as Vice President of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Advancement Committee, and as a member of the Governance Committee.

John received a B.A. in American Studies from Yale in 1973. After college, he taught at the Stevenson School (CA) for two years and then at Rochester (VT) High School before pursuing a career in advertising and newspapers. In 1991, he joined Loomis Chaffee (CT) as Director of Planned Giving before leading the Advancement office for 12 years and overseeing the school’s $114 million comprehensive capital campaign. He became Director of Advancement at the American School in London in 2008 before becoming a search consultant at Carney, Sandoe & Associates in 2011, where he helps secure senior administrators for independent schools worldwide.

John and Mia have six adult children and six grandchildren collectively. He also serves on the Board of Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital (where he also is president of the Grace Hospital Foundation Board) and recently completed a four-year term as a member of the Andover Alumni Council. He enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing.

Judy Reid, Administrative Assistant

(802) 362-2607

Judy is the MCL’s Administrative Assistant, and works mostly in Advancement and Adult Programming. You may have met her hosting Manchester Memories or the Community Movie Day. Judy was a frequent and enthusiastic member at the Mark Skinner Library, became a volunteer at Manchester Community Library and then, with great appreciation, was asked to join the staff. And, if asked what her favorite hobby is, she would say “books.” How lucky is that! Fun Fact: For 19 years, Judy had a Maine Coon cat who would answer the phone when she was not at home, surprising the caller who may have heard purring instead of her voice.

J. Violet Gannon, Executive Director

(802) 549-4575

The Executive Director position at the Library is like a patchwork quilt—the many facets of the role are as unique as its individual squares. The delicate assembly required to connect the pieces is equal parts art, science, and passion. When done well, the outcome is the creation of a place that is welcoming to all, one that serves the diverse needs of a community as a cultural, literary, and social gathering place.

Violet has devoted her professional career to the not-for-profit sector. Prior to becoming head “quilter” at the MCL, she focused her efforts in higher education and healthcare. Most recently, she served as the Patient Experience Manager at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. In her prior roles she led the Career Development Center at Trinity College, and served as the Assistant Dean and Director of the University of Chicago Careers in Health Professions Program. Throughout her career, Violet recruited and led a talented and diverse team of experienced professionals committed to community building and civic engagement. When not at the MCL, Violet can be spotted exploring nature, the arts, and great food, all of which can be found in many places across her favorite place in the world…Vermont.

Thank you to everyone who attending the Fundraiser and Silent Auction Event. We appreciate your support!! Special thanks to Chris Bohjalian, Joe Donahue, and Northshire Bookstore.

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