Kacy Guill, Director

Kacy Guill started as Director on January 2, 2025, after moving cross country in December. Kacy was raised in the Central Valley of California and received her master’s degree in history from the University of California.

Kacy’s first professional job was at the Shaw Historical Library at the Oregon Institute of Technology. Later she worked for the National Park Services at the Manzanar National Historic Site. She was the Director of Special Collections at the University of Northern Colorado, and then at East Carolina University in North Carolina. Eight years ago she moved back to California to work as the County Librarian for Trinity County.

Kacy was looking for a new challenge when she came across the Athenaeum ad for a new director. “I was looking for a library job that was a little less traditional, and the Athenaeum was looking for more of what I was used to doing. When I interviewed, I was obviously impressed by the Athenaeum itself, but it was the staff that really attracted me. They were by far the nicest staff I’ve encountered.”

When she told her family and friends about moving to Vermont, they were surprised. “Then I showed them pictures of the Athenaeum, and they all said, ‘I get it.’”

“I’m very impressed so far with St. Johnsbury. Everyone has been really nice and welcoming.”

Watch Kacy’s video interview with Brooke Pierce HERE.

Adele West-Fisher, Coordinator of Library Services

I had never thought about moving to Vermont until my husband got a job at Northern Counties Healthcare, but now I am glad he did! It turned out to be a wonderful move, and finding a job at the Athenaeum was the icing on the cake. I have worked in Higher Education, receiving a M.Ed from the University of Louisville, but found my true vocation in libraries which prompted me to pursue an MLIS from the University of South Florida. When not working at the Athenaeum I enjoy working in the yard, hiking, camping, baking and of course reading.

What do you do on a daily basis in your job at the Athenaeum?
Every day is different! When you phone the library, mine will likely be the voice you hear. As the Coordinator of Library Services, I order adult fiction, non-fiction, and large print books, DVDs, and audio books. I coordinate our Adopt-An-Author Program (ask me about it!) and other special collections such as our Kenward Elmslie Poetry Collection and our Lois Ward Memorial Large Print Book Collection. From my desk on the second floor, I spend a good portion of time helping patrons on the computers, training, setting up email, scanning and sending documents, doing online research. In addition to local residents, we have a number of national and international visitors, and I enjoy answering their questions.

What is the favorite part of your job? 
There are so many! I love working with patrons to help them solve problems. I also love working with the staff. If you like the people you work with, it makes coming to work so enjoyable. 

What is one book in the Athenaeum collection that you would recommend?
The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell'Antonia. It’s fun, lighthearted, with positive family dynamics. In these troubled times, we can all use a positive story.

How does the Athenaeum compare with your hometown library?
There’s no comparison! My hometown library in North Carolina was 50s modern, red brick and square angles. The Victorian architecture, art and history that surround us at the Athenaeum are awe-inspiring. I love coming to work amidst all of this history – I feel very lucky.

If you had free time, where would you spend it at the Athenaeum?
In one of the comfy chairs on the second floor, with a good book.

How is the Athenaeum an asset to the town?
The Athenaeum provides equal access to everyone who comes through our doors, whether they are patrons or not. Our free Wi-Fi and computer access help narrow digital and economic divides.

What aspects of the Athenaeum do you think are "not to be missed?"

• The spiral staircases in the Fiction Room. They have a certain grace. There’s a quality of woodworking that is rarely seen these days.

• The welcoming staff. I want people to know that everyone is welcome and everyone is treated with respect.  

Meet the Staff - Becky Hatfield, Youth Services Librarian

I’ve been the Children’s Librarian at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum since 2018, when I moved from Jacksonville, FL, to Franconia, NH. I have a B.A. in Literature and an M.L.I.S in Library Science. In addition to working in museums and libraries in the U.S., I worked as a librarian in an International School in Japan.  My husband and I have visited 61 of the 63 National Parks in our Airstream.

What do you do on a daily basis in your job at the Athenaeum?  
I oversee the children’s library, order new material, plan programming, guide outreach services to daycares and elementary schools, and program for tweens and teens. I also assist throughout the library.

What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of my job is building lasting relationships with families and kiddos.

What in your life prepared you for working in the Athenaeum?
I have 25 years’ experience working in adult, teen, and children’s library services. I also have a background in museum work.

What is one book in the Athenaeum collection that you would recommend?
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. It’s about a girl with cerebral palsy who shows resilience in the face of challenges. The book is recommended for ages 10–14.

Describe a rewarding interaction with a patron.
During one-on-one story times that I offered during the pandemic, I built very close relationships with families. We’ve maintained those relationships as the children have grown.

How does the Athenaeum compare with your hometown library?
My hometown library in Jacksonville, Florida was quite different! It is a library system with 21 branches, from a large urban central library supporting intense research to small neighborhood branches.

Do you remember the first time you visited the Athenaeum? What was your first impression? I was awe-struck by the beauty of the building and its art and architecture.  It’s a joy to be here on a daily basis!

If you could show one aspect of the Athenaeum to someone who has never been here, what would it be? The architecture and the staff. Our staff is welcoming to all and works hard to support our community.  They have a wealth of knowledge to share. 

If you had free time, where would you spend it at the Athenaeum? We have a lovely backyard with trees and picnic tables. You can see woodchucks, squirrels and chipmunks as well as adults and children enjoying the backyard.   

How is the Athenaeum an asset to the town? We offer resources to everyone. We are free and open to the public. We are a community connector. 

Meet the Staff - Karen Haskins, Youth Services Outreach Coordinator

My husband and I moved to St. Johnsbury from western New York in 1989. I worked at Vermont State University in the English department until 2023, and I also worked as an elementary school teacher and librarian for several years and co-owned a shop in St. Johnsbury.  When I am not at the library, I am spending time with my family, gardening, reading, and crafting. I’ve been the Children’s Librarian at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum since 2018, when I moved from Jacksonville, FL, to Franconia, NH.  I have a B.A. in Literature and an M.L.I.S in Library Science. In addition to working in museums and libraries in the U.S., I worked as a librarian in an International School in Japan.  My husband and I have visited 61 of the 63 National Parks in our Airstream.

What do you do at the Athenaeum?
In the mornings, I visit local preschools and daycares and do storytimes with read-alouds, singing, and movement activities. At each center, I drop off a bag of books for them to enjoy until the next time I visit. When I return to the Athenaeum, I usually work at the front circulation desk helping patrons and assisting with the interlibrary loan program. One afternoon a week and during summer camp, I read and do craft projects with the CatCH afterschool program at the St. Johnsbury School.  Saturday Storytime each week at 10:30 am is a new event in the Children’s Library that I am excited to provide.

What in your life prepared you for working in the Athenaeum?
I have always loved to read, and I looked forward to visiting the library every week.  I have also been an English teacher for most of my life, and it is a pleasure to work surrounded by great books and people who love to read.

What is one book in the Athenaeum collection that you would recommend?
Gather by Kenneth Cadow.  It is beautifully written, and it celebrates many of the things that make Vermont a wonderful place.  This book also reminds us of the work that still needs to be done to make it a wonderful place for everyone.

How is the Athenaeum an asset to the town?
As a public library, the Athenaeum embodies the belief that we have the power to create change and make the world a better place. The library provides us access to the knowledge and the tools to start making our dreams a reality. As a historic building, the Athenaeum is a place where everyone is welcome to come and be surrounded by art and beauty.

Meet the Staff – Mark Wilhelmi, Librarian

I grew up on a farm in northeast Illinois. I’ve had a number of careers over the years, and finally settled down as a librarian.  Before coming to the Athenaeum, I worked in the University of Minnesota library system in Minneapolis.  

What do you do on a daily basis in your job at the Athenaeum?  
I do a little of a lot of things. I answer the phone, prepare and catalog new materials, process holds and inform people when their holds are available, help with computing and printing. Sometimes the computers and printers have a mind of their own!   

What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of my job is the satisfaction of helping a patron. I am a detail-oriented person so I like to put things in order.

What is one book in the Athenaeum collection that you would recommend?
The Lord of the Rings, in all formats.

How does the Athenaeum compare with your hometown library?
Like many small town libraries, my hometown library started life as an old house that had been renovated. It had a stereoscope that I enjoyed.

If you could show one aspect of the Athenaeum to someone who has never been here, what would it be?
The art collection, both the permanent collection in the Gallery, and the rotating collections in the Second Floor Gallery Hall. At my desk on the second floor, I hear many comments of appreciation about our rotating exhibits. Also the architecture and woodwork, and the second floor ceiling. I see groups of people who come up the stairs and look around, and then one of them looks up, and then the rest of them follow suit and look up in wonder at the beautiful ceiling.

If you had free time, where would you spend it at the Athenaeum?
Under the stairs in the rocking chair with a good book. It’s cozy.

How is the Athenaeum an asset to the town?
Obviously we have thousands of materials for the public to use freely. It’s a place where people won’t be hassled or asked to leave – you can stay as long as you like. Given the quality of the architecture and the art, the Athenaeum is a blessing to our community, our patrons and our staff. Horace Fairbanks really created something special. 

Meet the Staff - Nelly Detra, Assistant Librarian

I live off-grid in Barnet with my husband Ira. We have a farm with dairy goats and chickens, and a small maple sugaring operation. We started the Off-Grid Roundtable group at the Athenaeum.

What do you do on a daily basis in your job at the Athenaeum?
I mostly work at the main circulation desk. I’m the person you will see when you walk in the door! On Thursday afternoons, I lead programs for teens.

What is the favorite part of your job?
I really like getting to know my regulars. It’s also fun to see the delight on the faces of people when they come into the library for the first time

What in your life prepared you for working in the Athenaeum?
I’ve worked in a few customer-service-type jobs at outdoor museums and as a craft teacher, but I’ve never had to work on the computer this much!

What is one book in the Athenaeum collection that you would recommend?
Hild (and its sequel Menewood) by Nicola Griffith. If you’re interested in meticulously-researched historical fiction with enormous scope and intrigue, look no further.

How does the Athenaeum compare with your hometown library?  
My husband is the circulation desk librarian at my hometown library!

Do you remember the first time you visited the Athenaeum? What was your first impression?
I had just moved to the area and was entertaining my parents on a weekend. I didn’t even know what an athenaeum was, so we had to come and find out. What an awesome surprise it was.

If you had free time, where would you spend it at the Athenaeum?
In the summer I would choose the art gallery because it has air conditioning. In the winter I would curl up in the stuffy chair over in the corner of the YA room.

How is the Athenaeum an asset to the town?
There are too many ways to list! Besides the obvious – reading material and artwork – there’s free access to computers and internet, affordable printing and copying, and research materials and town history in our reference section. Maybe most importantly we provide a safe, friendly, and comfortable place to spend time, complete with a water fountain and accessible public bathrooms.