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Virginia Library Association and OCLC Announce Conference Scholarships for Academic Library Professionals

Two academic library workers from small to mid-sized institutions will receive support to attend the 2026 VLA Annual Conference

(Fishersville, VA - 09/03/2026) — The Virginia Library Association (VLA), in partnership with OCLC, is pleased to announce a new conference scholarship opportunity for academic library professionals attending Caring for Our Collective, the 2026 VLA Annual Conference.

The conference will be held Sunday, October 18, through Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Hilton Norfolk the Main in Norfolk, Virginia. Apply using the button below.

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Each scholarship recipient will receive:

  • Full registration for the 2026 VLA Annual Conference;
  • Two nights of accommodations at the conference hotel;
  • A $100.00 per diem to assist with food or travel expenses; and
  • Dinner at the conference location for Monday evening.


The scholarships are intended for academic library professionals working at small to mid sized institutions with <25,000 students, including community colleges.

“OCLC is proud to partner with the Virginia Library Association to support academic library professionals,” said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO. “Academic librarians play an essential role in higher education—connecting students and faculty with the trusted resources they need to thrive. We are honored to invest in their continued growth and recognize the vital impact they make every day.”

OCLC works closely with academic libraries to support teaching, learning, research, discovery, and resource sharing. OCLC helps colleges and universities connect students and faculty with trusted information while strengthening collaboration across institutions. Its longstanding work with academic libraries reflects a commitment to helping library professionals expand access and improve their offerings to their campus communities.

Scholarship applications will be reviewed by the Virginia Library Association College and Research Libraries Forum (VLACRL), which will select the recipients. Applicants do not need to hold the title of librarian to be considered. You must be a VLA member to apply. Elements of the scholarship, including hotel rooms, are not shareable or transferable. Winners will be notified by September 25, 2026.

The scholarship recipients will be formally recognized during the VLA Awards Reception on Sunday, October 18.