June 6, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

CONTACT: Michael K. Smith, Secretary of Administration
(802) 828-3322
 

Montpelier, VT – Secretary of Administration Michael K. Smith Announces Appointment
of Martha Reid as State Librarian
 

Secretary of Administration Michael K. Smith announced today that Martha Reid – who
has served since 2001 as Director of the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester, Vermont –
has been named State Librarian. Ms. Reid will succeed Sybil Brigham McShane, who is retiring
in July after a long and rewarding career in state government.

“Martha Reid has worked in public libraries for more than 30 years in Virginia,
Connecticut and Colorado, and has led the Burnham Library in Colchester for the past seven
years. Her experience ranges from children’s outreach services in rural areas to serving as a
workshop leader, a reference librarian, and collection coordinator in a large, suburban library
system,” says Secretary Smith. “Her broad range of experience will serve her well in her new
capacity as State Librarian. I look forward to having her join the Agency of Administration in
this role.”

Prior to 2001, Ms. Reid spent three years with the Jefferson County Public Library in
Lakewood, Colorado; seventeen years with the Russell Library in Middletown, Connecticut; and
four years with Pamunkey Regional Library in Hanover, Virginia. She holds a B.A. in English
from Muskingum College in Ohio, and M.A. in Library Science from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.

“Being chosen as the new State Librarian is a distinct honor for me,” said Ms. Reid.
“Vermonters are lucky to have so many good libraries around the state, and deserve the best that
we can provide in the 21st century. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that this
position will bring.”

Retiring State Librarian Sybil Brigham McShane was named to the post in November
1997. She had worked in the Department of Libraries in various roles since 1980.
“Sybil has been a valued member of the team from day one, and she is a true government
professional in every sense of the word,” says Secretary Smith. “I thank her for all she has done
for me, for this administration, and for the State of Vermont.”