CLiF Rural Libraries Grant, 2021-2022
This year, the Simpson Library was one of 12 libraries in NH and VT awarded a Rural Libraries grant from The Children’s Literacy Foundation. This photo features CLiF founder, Duncan McDougall, sharing a story with Craftsbury Academy students on the Common at the grant kickoff event in October. The grant includes $500 of books for the school, $2000 of books for the library, an author visit and book giveaway in the spring, and a mini-grant for family programming at the library.
Get Thee to the Funnery: Exploring the life of summertime Shakespeare in the area, 1923 to the present
Peter Gould, the founder of Get Thee to the Funnery, has been producing summer Shakespeare with area teens for the past 23 years. When he started in 1998, he was unaware of the rich Shakespeare tradition that preceeded him from 1923- 1973 with Miss Jean and the East Hill Players. We are working together to create an exhibit that explores and celebrates both of these traditions, and considers the ways in which they are connected. This collaboration includes going through the costumes in the attic, researching their origin, making repairs as needed, and reviving the library costume lending collection that was active up until a few years ago.