Professor Visited Every Library Across Vermont
Hannah Miller concluded a three-year quest to visit all 212 of the state’s public and academic library locations.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Needlework
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Vermont State University professor Hannah Miller has finished an ambitious project to visit every library in the state. Her journey across 212 sites spanned roughly three years and covered a distance equal to 65% of the Earth’s circumference.
Why it matters
Miller aimed to personally experience how local libraries serve as cornerstones for democracy, community, and civil rights. Throughout her travels, she engaged with the local communities by reading, writing, and participating in 51 knitting circles.
Miller visited 212 individual libraries throughout the state. During the project, she tracked 51 knitting circles and traveled a distance equivalent to 65% of the Earth's circumference.
The players
Hannah Miller
She is a professor at Vermont State University who completed a multi-year effort to visit every library in Vermont.
The details
The project involved driving to various locations, including the Haskell Free Library and the Baxter Memorial Library. Miller also documented the $17 million renovation of the Ilsley Public Library, which lasted 18 months and reopened on August 29, 2026.
Timeline
January 2024: Miller began the library project.
August 29, 2026: Ilsley Public Library reopened after renovation.
September 17, 2026: Miller spoke at Ilsley Public Library.
October 3, 2026: Miller completed the library quest.
Culture Shift
This project mirrors a growing societal trend of highlighting the role of physical community spaces in a digital-first era. It reflects a broader cultural movement valuing the preservation and visitation of local public institutions.
Residents can observe how their local library compares to other state facilities in terms of renovation projects and community programming. The project highlights the accessibility and continued relevance of these spaces for daily reading and social activities.
The takeaway
The journey underscores the enduring importance of physical libraries as accessible hubs for knitting circles and civil discourse. Readers looking to connect with their local community might find that their public library offers more than just books.
Further reading
For more on how textile hobbies intersect with community building, visit Needlework.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Middlebury Campus.
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