Remember, in order to vote in the election you MUST BE A MEMBER OF VLA (Individual or Life Member.) You are always welcome to become a member or renew your membership.

• Candidates for Vice President/President Elect (3-year position):
• Shaunna Hunter (Hampden-Sydney College)
• Jennifer Resor-Whicker (Radford University)
  
• Candidates for VLA Secretary (2-year position): 
• Kayla Payne (Staunton Public Library)
• Adrienne Davis (Handley Regional Library)
  
• Candidate for Life Membership:
• Margaret Beattie (Central Rappahannock Regional Library)

2019 VLA Candidate Biographical Information & Candidate Statements

Candidates for Vice President/President Elect (3-year position):

Shaunna Hunter (Hampden-Sydney College)

• Shaunna Hunter's Biographical Information:
• Shaunna Hunter is currently Director of the Walter M. Bortz III Library at Hampden-Sydney College, where she started as Public Services Librarian in 2002. Shaunna is a current member of VLA, ALA/ACRL, and the VIVA Collections Committee. She served as 2015 VLA Conference Co-Chair and VLA Treasurer from 2015-2017.
• Shaunna Hunter's Candidate Statement:

I’ve always felt proud to work in a library and known I’ve chosen the right vocation, but becoming active in VLA has given me a new appreciation for the amazing work taking place in libraries. The first time I really became aware of the creative and inclusive programming across Virginia was during a session selection meeting while serving as VLA Conference Co-Chair in 2015. I was so impressed by the variety of sessions proposed by public, academic, and special libraries. I love my work as the Director of the Bortz Library at Hampden-Sydney College, but to see what my library colleagues where offering their communities all across the Commonwealth, often with limited resources and staff, I cannot remember being prouder to be a part of it.

After joining the Executive Committee and attending Council as VLA Treasurer, I got to see more. I saw members organizing to promote intellectual freedom and communicate their message effectively, I saw members volunteering hours of time to the Association updating the website, planning programming, judging for literary awards, fundraising for scholarships, and advocating for libraries directly to our lawmakers. I saw the Association recognizing the need to do more to promote diversity in hiring, services, and collections. But what I truly saw was an Association living up to its purpose to “develop, promote, and improve library services, library staff” and “to advance literacy and learning and to ensure access to information in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

I would be very proud to serve as your VLA President, and I will work hard to responsibly fulfill my duties in the same way I do at work – by listening openly, and including (and appreciating), the voices and contributions of my library colleagues. I will work with our talented Executive Director and Committee, and VLA Council to continue exploring ways to increase membership, improve communication, and pursue strategies to ensure the financial strength of VLA. The future of libraries is bright, and together as an Association we can continue to serve our communities, support our staff through professional development, and communicate our value and impact to stakeholders.

Jennifer Resor-Whicker (Radford University)

• Jennifer Resor-Whicker's Biographical Information:
• Jennifer Resor-Whicker is the Coordinator of Information Literacy at Radford University’s McConnell Library, where she has been employed since 2010. She holds the faculty rank of assistant professor. She is an active member of the Radford University campus community, serving on various faculty committees and search committees. Her BA in English literature and MLIS are both from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a graduate of the 2012 ACRL Teacher Track Immersion Program. She has published in Virginia Libraries, Communications in Information Literacy, Synergy and Internet Reference Services Quarterly. ALA’s Library Instruction Roundtable selected an article she co-authored with her RU colleagues on web evaluation as one of the top 20 articles of 2013.
  
  Jennifer has been a member of VLA since 2008. She served as Secretary/Treasurer of VLACRL from 2013-2015. She served as co-chair to The Innovative Library Classroom conference for the 2014-2018 conferences. She served as volunteer coordinator for the 2015 and 2016 VLA Annual Conferences. In 2017, she served as the VLA Annual Conference Chair for the conference held in Norfolk, VA. She is currently serving on Executive Committee as the Secretary of VLA.
• Jennifer Resor-Whicker’s Candidate Statement:

VLA has been a huge part of my growth as a librarian since I began my professional career in 2010. It has helped me find my passion as a librarian, and that passion is service through VLA. Once I began attending VLA sponsored events, I knew I wanted to give back in service to the wonderful librarian community that Virginia has. VLA has given me many opportunities to serve in the profession, including serving as VLACRL Secretary/Treasurer, VLA Secretary, and the 2017 VLA Annual Conference Committee Chair. Chairing the 2017 VLA Annual Conference that was held in Norfolk, VA was one of the proudest moments in my career.

It is an honor to be nominated for VLA President-Elect. I believe that my work leading many large projects in VLA and at Radford University, has prepared me for this position. I have learned a great deal about VLA serving in VLACRL, on numerous conference committees, and on the VLA Executive Committee. If elected, I will continue the invaluable work that has been done by the previous VLA presidents. I will continue to advocate for continuing education and professional development opportunities for VLA members. I will also continue to work with the legislative committee to develop relationships with members of the General Assembly that will help fund our libraries and meet challenges to access to information. Thank you for this opportunity to continue to serve VLA.

Candidates for VLA Secretary (2-year position):

Kayla Payne (Staunton Public Library)

• Kayla Payne’s Biographical Information:
• Kayla Payne currently serves as the Technology Services Librarian for the Staunton Public Library. Employed since December 2012, she has also held various positions within the library in the Circulation, Reference, and Youth Services Departments. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History from James Madison University and received her MLIS from the University of South Carolina.
• Kayla Payne’s Candidate Statement:

I am honored to be considered for the nomination for VLA Secretary. I had the pleasure of attending the Virginia Library Leadership Academy (VALLA) in 2014. My leadership project involved training staff on the promotion and usage of electronic resources. This experience encouraged me to become more involved in the Virginia Library Association. I served on the 2016 Jefferson Cup Committee and have participated in the Leadership Development Forum, Continuing Education Committee, and the Collections & Technical Services Forum.

I believe I have the skills necessary to fulfill the duties of VLA Secretary. In my position as Technology Services Librarian, I compile usage statistics, develop training procedures and necessary documentation, coordinate acquisitions, cataloging, and processing activities, and maintain the Library’s website, newsletter, and social media presence. These activities require attention to detail and demand clear, concise communication to ensure consistent workflows for patrons and staff alike. As Secretary, I promise to preserve and disseminate content related to the Association in a timely and efficient manner.

Serving on the VLA Council would be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the organization and contribute to librarianship in the Commonwealth. Thank you for your consideration.

Adrienne Davis (Handley Regional Library)

• Adrienne Davis's Biographical Information:
• Adrienne Davis joined the Handley Regional Library system as a paraprofessional Reference Assistant in 2003. After receiving her MLIS from Florida State University in 2012, she worked as a Reference Librarian for two years. In 2014, Adrienne was promoted to the position of system wide Adult Services Division Head. As division head, Adrienne manages the Library’s two Information Desks and the public Internet stations. She supervises a staff of eleven; oversees department services from meeting rooms to Interlibrary Loans; and department programs including the Adult Summer Reading Program. She also co-chairs the Library’s Marketing Committee and manages the Music CD collection.
  
  Strategically, she focuses her energies on helping people connect with and utilize the best library resources that meet their needs. Resources include services and collections available within library branches and the growing services available online, from articles and research to downloading eBooks. In addition to determining best resources, Adrienne focuses on increasing awareness of those resources in the community, and providing ongoing instruction on how to use them.
  
  Before joining Handley Regional Library, Adrienne worked in nonprofit management as the development officer for Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). She managed the annual fund, special event fundraisers, foundation grants, and corporate contributions as well as assisted with the organization’s public awareness campaigns.
• Adrienne Davis's Candidate Statement:

The common thread in all my various roles (past, present, and future) in a public library is the opportunity I have to make connections for people and with information.  The Virginia Library Association has helped me in that endeavor and all that it involves; most importantly by connecting me with the resources, education and people I need to determine what contributions I can make and where I want to lead. The VLA’s programs support all the people that make libraries work. VLA provides not only essential tools and learning opportunities, but also the space for library workers to come and be together to collaborate, share our experiences, and inspire each other. I am honored to be nominated for this office and would happily contribute my skills and energy however needed to ensure the continued success and effectiveness of the state library association.

 

Candidate for VLA Life Membership:

Margaret Beattie (Central Rappahannock Regional Library)

• Margaret Beattie's Biographical Information:
• Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Margaret J. Beattie was a newlywed fresh from college when she took on her first job at Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) in 1978 as a cataloger. Over her nearly 40-year career at CRRL, Margaret would work as a cataloger, head of the library’s juvenile department, and branch manager of the Headquarters facility, a position from which she would retire. She received her MLIS from Catholic University.
  
  Along with paraprofessional coworker Lee Adams, in 1979 Margaret was a brainchild behind the development of the Paraprofessional Forum in the Virginia Library Association, now known as the Professional Associates Forum.
  
  With her characteristic boundless enthusiasm for public service, Margaret encouraged her customers in the pursuit of knowledge and the arts.
  
  Margaret kept the library running while the historic old Headquarters building and its Virginiana collection went through renovations, large and small; suffered earthquakes and tornadoes, and risked floods.
  
  To her coworkers, Margaret was an indomitable spirit. She mentored younger employees and made certain they were given every opportunity to hone their own skills. Even employees who didn’t work directly with or for Margaret considered her to be an indispensable asset as she was quick to help in any situation and could be counted on to find a solution to nearly any problem. If Margaret’s years at CRRL could be easily summed up in a single phrase, it would simply be “she was committed to lifelong learning and building community”. She has left an indelible mark on Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
  
  Margaret raised her three children in the bosom of the library family, and now has three grandchildren to adore in retirement.