Erin Bateson, the library’s new children’s librarian, introduced herself to the South Burlington City Library Board and described two decades of library work focused on youth services, circulation and outreach. Bateson said she began her career in circulation and later moved into youth services, where she developed programs for preschoolers through teens and emphasized listening to what young patrons want.

Bateson told the board she has worked in large district systems and smaller town libraries and described an early priority of assessing the children’s area “to make the space a little more equitable for our kids who are in that third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grade.” She said, “I’m really excited to also work with them” to build crossover relationships between the children’s department and the middle school and to attract older youth who often stop visiting libraries after they start driving.

Bateson described successful hands‑on teen programming in previous positions, including craft and maker activities and student presentations, and said she brings that same approach to South Burlington: “I was really into listening to what they wanted…If we can make that happen, we’ll do it.” She also said she is reviewing the space and usability and plans to talk with staff about program priorities.

Board members who spoke at the meeting welcomed Bateson and noted her energy and early public presence at library events. Bateson said she will attend staff meetings and work with the board and library director on outreach, committee meetings and plans for the coming months.

The public portion of Bateson’s remarks ended with her thanking the board and saying she looked forward to growing services for a range of ages in South Burlington.