Our Staff
Catharine Findiesen Hays, Library Director
Catharine joined the Bixby Library team on May 1, 2020. Born and raised in Vermont, she is excited to return home to her family’s place in Panton. Catharine most recently served 10 years as founding Executive Director of the Wharton Future of Marketing/Advertising Program, where she co-authored Beyond Advertising: Creating Value Through All Customer Touchpoints (Wiley, 2016). She previously held leadership positions in marketing, corporate sales, and executive programs at AT&T and was the National Director of Corporate Relations for the Eastern Division of the American Cancer Society. Catharine received an AA degree from Franklin University Switzerland, a BS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, an MBA from the Wharton School, and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania as a Lauder Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, renovating a 200-year-old farmhouse, and spending time with her two wonderful daughters. Connect with Catharine by emailing her at catharine.hays@bixbylibrary.org
Amber Lay, Assistant Director & Adult Services Librarian
Amber Lay joined the Bixby Library team as Assistant Director in August 2021. Amber earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of South Florida, bringing us current best practices, research methods, reference services, archives and records management, collection development, cataloging/metadata, and data management. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Buyer at the independent bookstore Gene’s Books on Sanibel Island, Florida. She also brings business and operational expertise from her seven+ years as a Credentialing Coordinator for a large medical practice and holds a BA degree in History and an AA in English. Amber is passionate about the role public libraries play in promoting information literacy, equal access, and lifelong learning for all. In her spare time, Amber enjoys reading, watching films, and hiking with her dog, Cooper. Connect with Amber by emailing her at amber.lay@bixbylibrary.org.
Shelby Gagne, Children & Youth Librarian
Shelby joined the Bixby Library team as the Children and Youth Librarian in April 2025. Shelby earned her master’s degree in library science from the University of Kentucky in 2024, with a focus in children programming and public libraries. Shelby grew up in the Burlington area, and spent most of her youth in local libraries. She completed an internship at the Library of Congress in their Informal Learning Office, where she had hands-on experience working with authors, schools, and children’s literature. Shelby completed her BA in Sociology and Anthropology at Pace University in 2021. Shelby is passionate about libraries as a third space and the impact of early literature exposure for kids. When Shelby is not working she is usually reading, catching up on television shows, spoiling her cat, trying new recipes, and hanging out with family. Connect with Shelby by emailing her at shelby.gagne@bixbylibrary.org.
Cedar Winslow, Community Engagement Manager
Cedar Winslow joined the Bixby Team as the head of Programming, Outreach, and Marketing in August 2023. Cedar graduated from Ithaca College in Spring 2023 with an Environmental Studies and Economics degree. Cedar sees libraries as not only a place to find great books but also a venue to connect with the community through conversations, games, discussions, and events. Cedar is a native of Vergennes and has been checking out stacks of books from the Bixby since before she could read. She is thrilled to join the staff and give back to the organization that has taught her so much.
When she’s not shelving books or planning events, you can find Cedar outside, in a hammock, by the Lake. She is a voracious reader, a compulsive crocheter, and a lover of learning. Connect with Cedar by emailing cedar.winslow@bixbylibrary.org.
Martha Sanborn, Circulation Desk Manager
Martha Sanborn joined the Bixby Library in September 2021 in the new role of Circulation Desk Manager. Martha grew up in New Jersey, where her first job was working in a library. She earned a degree in English at Rowan University and worked for the Princeton Packet newspaper, where she enjoyed writing articles for the Lifestyles section. She has lived in Vermont for almost 20 years. She has worked for the VUES after-school program, teaching arts and crafts, and volunteered for many years at the elementary school library. Martha likes cooking, gardening, walking, writing, chocolate, and of course, books. Connect with Martha by emailing her at martha.sanborn@bixbylibrary.org
John Dugan, Bixby Building Steward
John Dugan joined the Bixby Library in 2011 as the Bixby Building Steward. He is responsible for the maintenance of the library’s building and its furnishings and assistance with library events. John has also worked for Middlebury College’s Facilities department since 2005. He has been serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Vergennes Fire Department for the past 42 years. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Patricia Reid, Objects and Artifacts Steward
Patricia has been working with the Bixby since 2018 as our Objects and Artifacts Steward, and previously as a volunteer. She brings her experience in collections management and exhibit design and management to the Bixby as she helps staff and patrons to be responsible stewards of the cherished collection of objects, artifacts, and archives that our community members have donated over the years. At the Bixby, Patricia’s work is possible thanks to generous support from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership. She also works for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum as their Collections Manager and as part of their Research and Archaeology team. Patricia holds a BA in Archaeology, History, and French from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA.
Kelly Bartlett, CVNHP Grant Historical Collections Associate
Kelly Bartlett is a graduate of the University at Albany’s English and Information Science Program with a concentration in archives and records. As the Historical Collections Associate, Kelly’s focus at the Bixby is on promoting accessibility to archival material through bringing collections online, livening exhibit spaces, and sharing resources with classrooms to encourage interdisciplinary education. Her role at the Bixby began summer 2024 standardizing finding aids, and creating the “Biosphere in Your Backyard” exhibit through the CVNHP funded “Biosphere Lens” Finding Aids and Accessibility internship. Kelly’s time at the Bixby will extend to June 2025 with the project, What Are You Looking At?: Eco-Hands Across the Biosophere, where she will help students and educators on both shores of Lake Champlain build lasting relationships with the ecosystem and one another through joint-field trips and educational kits. Kelly’s work is made possible thanks to generous support from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.