Town Library receives grant

Vermont Public Library Foundation's Winnie Belle Learned Fund grant, to be specific.

State Librarian, Martha Reid on behalf of the Winnie Belle Learned Fund of the Vermont Public Library Foundation, today announced a grant of $500 to the Springfield Town Library in Springfield, Vermont.

The library will use the funding to purchase parenting books for a "Parents Shelf" in the Children's Room.

The Vermont Public Library Foundation was established in 2000 by the Vermont Department of Libraries for the benefit of Vermont's public libraries and to date with the assistance of the Freeman Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants to qualifying libraries.

The Winnie Belle Learned Fund was established in 2006 by Dr. Burnett Rawson in cooperation with the Vermont Community Foundation Fund in honor of Winnie Belle Learned, a Vermonter, educator, and his benefactress. Ms. Learned was born in 1863 in Westford. Despite many personal hardships, she received her teaching certificate, and was a teacher and principal in Massachusetts for many years before returning to her native Vermont in 1911. With a relative, Jennie Burnett, she operated Cherry Hill Farm in Williston until her death in 1941. Her generosity and vision allowed Dr. Rawson to attend the University of Vermont and its medical school. He practiced urology in New York for many years before retiring to his native Vermont.

Dr. Rawson's goal for the Winnie Belle Learned Fund is to help public libraries of Vermont foster literacy, love of learning, critical analysis and intellectual exploration in their communities,among childrenof all ages and their families.

Vermont Public Library Foundation, Inc.
Co Vermont Department of Libraries
802-828-3265 / 802-828-2199(fax)
Martha Reid
State Librarian

Vermont Community Foundation
802-388-3555 / 802-388-3398(fax)
Felipe Rivera, Communications Director

Springfield Town Library
802-885-3108 / 802-885-4906(fax)
Cheryl Cox
Children's Librarian