VLA Announces 2021 Award WinnersThe Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) has selected winners for the 2021 association awards from a very competitive application pool. Librarians and library project teams from academic, public, and special libraries across the commonwealth are honored for their exemplary contributions to their communities and profession in 2020. All Virginia Library Association award winners will be honored at the Awards Celebration on Wednesday evening, October 27, 2021, at the Richmond Marriot, in conjunction with the VLA Annual Conference. For more information about this event, see our conference website. For details about each winner and their accomplishments, please view the press releases linked below:
Academic Innovator Award
Maryśka joined the Bortz Library at Hampden-Sydney College in 2015 as Technical Services Librarian. Before that, she served as Electronic Resources Librarian and a library liaison at the Medical College of Georgia. She obtained her MLIS at Valdosta State University. As Technical Services Librarian, her department oversees acquisitions, cataloging, electronic resources, and library systems, and is in the process of forming a shared catalog with the Central Virginia Regional Library. Maryśka is also an academic advisor and runs a variety of library programing including murder mystery nights, a permanent escape room, and roleplaying games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Maryśka has published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship, Journal of the Medical Library Association, The Reference Librarian, and Medical Reference Services Quarterly. She has written book reviews for the Georgia Library Quarterly and Farmville Magazine. She’s served several terms as both a judge and chair for the VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award, and has been involved in planning DEI programming including the Path to Librarianship: VLA Diversity Career Night at the University of Richmond in 2017. She presents and run workshops on integrating roleplaying games into library programming for various library associations. Maryśka is currently serving as VLA Secretary. Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year Award
Jan Marry has been the Adult Services Programming Coordinator at small, rural Heritage Public Library serving New Kent and Charles City counties since 2018. After growing up in New Zealand, she has spent her adult life living all over the world with her family and air force husband, before settling in rural Virginia. Jan has worked in five libraries and volunteered in a dozen more including military, academic, and public libraries of all sizes. She prefers public libraries for their service to the entire community. Jan loves her current job for the opportunities to serve and learn about the people in her community. She tries to take the time to hear what people are saying while chatting on the desk and when they attend programs. Jan has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Otago in New Zealand, a BA in English from the University of Maryland, and a MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is close to completing a MA in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins University. The Friends of the Library Award
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that the Buckingham County Friends of the Library have been chosen for the 2021 Friends of the Library Award. This award is presented to a Friends of the Library group in recognition of distinguished service to libraries in Virginia. The Buckingham County Friends of the Library is deserving of this year’s VLA Friends of the Library Award for the hard work and sheer tenacity they displayed in securing support for a new library space that culminated in the October 2020 opening of a new library that was more spacious, well-designed, technological and inviting. Obtaining a new building for a small community takes long-term diligence, planning, and determination, and a high amount of advocacy within the community and amongst its leaders. This Friends Group has the standout achievement of convincing their local Board of Supervisors to help support (both financially and ideologically) the construction of a new library to better serve the rural county’s citizens. Obtaining a new building for a small community takes long-term diligence, planning, and determination, and a high amount of advocacy within the community and amongst its leaders. The Buckingham County Friends of the Library was organized in 1976 to establish a public library in a rural community with a population of 13,000 in an area of 584 sq. miles. In 1983, the Buckingham County Friends of the Library purchased a bookmobile that served as their first library, and over the next year, the group raised funds to purchase an old auto parts store built in 1955. This building became the Buckingham County Public Library and enriched the community’s lives for 36 years. The Friends spearheaded a ten-year effort to build a new 21st century library for the citizens of Buckingham County. The new Buckingham County Public Library officially opened in October 2020 to the public in part due to the dedicated determination of this Friends group. George Mason Award
Grow Nelson Library was formed in 2019 to raise $500,000 for Nelson Memorial Library (part of Jefferson Madison Regional Library system) to purchase 13,000 items within the book and media collection as well as multimedia equipment and state of the art computers. The members wrote grants, sent letters, made phone calls, organized an art and book auction, hosted a fundraiser at Bold Rock with the help of local band Chamomile and Whiskey providing entertainment, and sold engraved bricks for a memorial walk in a garden space. They successfully reached that goal in August 2020 with help from community and private donations and a grant from The Perry Foundation. The Grow Nelson Library Committee consists of the following dedicated citizens: Dr. Pam Roland Lengel (Chair; pictured), Debby Ashley, Gloria Ashley, Sandra Bryant, Aleta Childs, Yulita Ellis, Susan Huffman, Peggy Kerl, Marcia McDuffie, David Plunkett, Rhonda Roebuck, Joan Rothgeb, Debbie Spellman, Pat Saunders, Marion Dixon, and Victor Monti. Librarian of Color Forum Award
Meldon D. Jenkins-Jones, Senior Librarian with the Richmond Public Library, is the Law Librarian for the Richmond Public Law Library at RPL’s Main Library. A graduate of Smith College and Rutgers University School of Law, Meldon practiced law in New Jersey for many years before retiring. While working with Todd Elliott and Clint Rudy at Portsmouth Public Library, Meldon received her Masters from Florida State University School of Library and Information Studies. She has been with Richmond Public Library for 8 years. Meldon teaches legal writing and research courses and coordinates online training. Meldon’s recent activities and achievements include the Get Lit Literacy Initiative (which included Black Male Emergent Readers Book Kits and Dianne Wilmore’s Lit Chicks Read Book Club), blog posts for RPL’s Shelf Respect and law-related programs with Library Associate Kathy Roe Coker. She has also spearheaded projects like the annual Get Lit Black History Month Programs, ongoing RPL “Conversations about Virginia Suffragists” videos, and the 19th Amendment Constitution Day video series with VCU. And last but not least, Meldon’s other accomplishments include The Oliver W. Hill Book Club, a bi-monthly discussions of books dealing with the law, civil rights, or social justice and Black History Programs scheduled throughout the year, posted on RPL’s YouTube Channel. Meldon has two adult children, Meldon and Alexander, and four grandchildren, Tireck, Alexander Jr., Jaazaniah, and Elijah. When not working, she writes about her childhood in Harlem, NY or walks around her neighborhood in Church Hill. The Outstanding Professional Associates Award
Dreama Croft is the senior library assistant in Youth Services at the York County Public Library. Dreama taught preschool and worked as a special needs preschool assistant for the York County School Division before joining the library in 2000 as a part-time clerk in the Children’s Department. She became a full-time library assistant in 2002. Throughout her career at the library, Dreama has presented programs, designed crafts, and put together displays for all ages from infants to teens. Dreama also partners with York County Parks and Recreation to provide story times to their summer day camps. With respect to VLA, Dreama served as a 2018 mentor in the VLA NMRT program and recently volunteered to be a judge in the 2021 VLA LGBTQIA+ Forum Poetry Contest. Overall, Dreama enjoys all aspects of her job, but her passion is working with young children and their families. She started the Tiny Tales and Toddler Tales programs, and she continues to offer them to the youngest patrons and their parents/caregivers today. Dreama is committed to providing outreach services and is the liaison between the library and York County Head Start. She delivers monthly book deposits to the classrooms and also conducts monthly story times. Dreama is dedicated to sharing the importance of early literacy experiences and supporting parents and caregivers. Public Library Innovator Award
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that the Mobile Library Services Youth & Neighborhood Team for Williamsburg Regional Library has been chosen for the 2021 Public Library Innovator Award. This award recognizes public librarians or public library project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of a public library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service during the nomination period. The Mobile Library Services Youth & Neighborhood Team was chosen for their astonishingly fast response to fulfilling community broadband needs during the early weeks of the pandemic. The team recognized that access to the internet was paramount to the education and lives of local children and families, and they made sure to focus their efforts on those who did not have ready access. By utilizing the library’s bookmobiles, they successfully created roaming hot spots for internet and printing needs at the locations where community members needed them, at a time when they needed them the most. The Mobile Library Services (MLS) Youth and Neighborhood Team for Williamsburg Regional Library consists of Eletha L. Davis, Christopher Russell, and Nicholas Granville. Eletha is the manager of the Bookmobile and has over thirty-eight years of public library experience. She enjoys making connections through sharing books and meeting new people. MLS Assistant Christopher Russell has worked for Williamsburg Regional Library since 1997, with most of his time in Mobile Library Services; he is renowned for his popular story time program. Christopher works hard to bring stories alive and feels energized by his audience’s laughter and smiles. Lastly, Nicholas Granville has been an MLS Assistant since 2018. He brings a strong interest in reading and excellent programming skills to the team. The Up and Comer Award
Babak Zarin (MSLIS, Catholic University of America 2019, 2018-2019 ALA Spectrum Scholar cohort) is the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Access Services Librarian. As the Access Services Librarian, Babak's responsibilities include administering CRRL's Books-by-Mail program and the Fredericksburg Subregional Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (AKA the Talking Books Library), as well as helping CRRL continue its proud tradition of offering accessible programming and services to the community. His research interests include looking at how library practices can continue adapting their services to the needs of today's information-heavy, pluralistic society, as well as fandom studies. Babak can be followed on Twitter under @legitnowl. Virginia Library of the Year Award
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Chesterfield County Public Library has been chosen for the 2021 Virginia Library of the Year Award. This award recognizes a Virginia library (public, academic, or special), library system, or library network for distinguished achievement in service. Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) was chosen because of their exceptional efforts to refocus services and connect with community partners during a global crisis. With only 35% of its staff active, Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) had to rethink what library services meant in the time of the pandemic. By prioritizing community needs and streamlining processes, they were able to keep the library patron-focused with curbside services for material and call-centers for questions and home-schooling efforts, as well as assisting various community partners with blood drives, Narcan training, and early voting efforts. Staff and leadership actions ultimately allowed CCPL to break down barriers, connect community, and support colleagues in a time of great uncertainty. Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) is a forward-thinking library system with a passion for providing access to information, facilitating engaging customer experiences, and enriching lives in innovative ways. Chesterfield County, located just south of Richmond, VA, is made up of engaged and informed residents who have the knowledge and skills to better their lives personally and collectively. CCPL consists of 10 libraries across this diverse community of 352,000 residents. CCPL’s mission is to help customers transform information into usable knowledge. CCPL has more than 266,000 card holders, about 79% of the county population. With a $9.1M operating budget, the library focuses on the belief that everyone wants and needs to learn something and needs some level of information access. Towards that end, CCPL prides itself on being a value-added partner as it continually develops relationships and partnerships with other agencies and county departments. These partnerships help CCPL to develop a clearer understanding of community learning and information access needs. Through brainstorming and evaluative feedback, the library devises strategic plans that utilize the resources and connections of those community partners to better reach and connect with the community. In recent years, CCPL has been an innovator in the community. It was one of the first public libraries in the region to begin offering ebooks through Overdrive. It created one of the first library-based makerspaces in the area and staff instruction was often sought by teachers in the local school system, many of whom who now lead their own school-based makerspaces. As a result of the pandemic, new and innovative services such as curbside pickup and a self-checkout app have been implemented that will remain as the community and library move forward. CCPL looks forward to continuing to find ways to enhance services to the public. The VLAPAF Supporter of Professional Associates Award
Kathy Bradshaw is currently the Assistant Dean for Organizational Development for Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries in Richmond, Virginia. Kathy is responsible for strategic leadership and planning related for human resources development, talent management, and implementation and assessment of the Libraries overall organization design. She has an MLIS from Rutgers University; an MS in Human Resources Management from the New School for Social Research; and a BA from Spelman College. Prior to coming to VCU, Kathy served as the Human Resource Librarian for University Libraries at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Before becoming a librarian, Kathy worked in various human resources positions within financial services. Honorary Life MembershipsRobin Benke, UVA-Wise Libraries
Robin Benke’s career in libraries spans 42 years, and his guidance and mentorship have impacted many at UVA-Wise, in Southwestern Virginia, and across the state. Robin is an M.L.S graduate of Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. He began his career as an Instructor of Library Science before advancing as Public Services/Collection Development Librarian. In 1989, Robin ascended to the position of Director of Library Services at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, a role he has held until his recent retirement in 2021. Robin’s many accomplishments at UVA-Wise include a brand new library building and the school’s Library Media Program. In addition to leading in academic libraries, Robin also advocated for public libraries by spearheading grant endeavors with partner Lonesome Pine Regional Library and serving as President of the Friends of Wise Library. At the state-level, Robin has provided continuous service to the SCHEV Library Advisory Committee since 1989, including serving as Chair from 2003 to 2005. He also served as a member of the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) Steering Committee from 2001 to 2007. In service to the library profession, Robin held multiple statewide leadership roles, including President of the Virginia Library Association (2008-2009) and Chair of the College and University Section with the Virginia Library Association (1996-1997), as well as serving as a member of numerous SACSCOC visiting committees. He has also served on numerous ALA and ACRL committees. Robin was awarded Virginia Educational Media Association’s Media Educator of the Year, 1996. Diantha McCauley, formerly of Augusta County Library
Diantha McCauley has served libraries for over 35 years with excellence in library leadership at every level from local to state-wide, including VLA and the Virginia Public Library Directors Association. She possesses a BA in History from James Madison University and a MLS from The Cahtolic University of America. She originally worked as a Children's Librarian at the Bowie Branch of the Prince George's Memorial Library from 1980-1985. Diantha’s tenure with Augusta County Library began in 1985 when she was hired as a Reference Librarian. Between 1986 and 2007, Diantha occupied other positions including Children’s Librarian and Assistant Director until she became Library Director for the Augusta County Library system. During her tenure as Director, Diantha greatly expanded the library’s capacity to serve throughout the community, adding no less than three new branches in previously underserved regions. She also expanded the library staff with new professional positions, while mentoring and supporting all staff. Diantha retired from the role of Director in 2021. On a personal note, Diantha has been married 43 years to husband Dan and has two sons, Ryan and Steven. She is a member of the Staunton-Augusta County Rotary Club and has served as their president for one and half years. Her hobbies include travel, hiking, knitting, and reading. Elizabeth Tai, formerly of Poquoson Public Library
Elizabeth Tai has a BA in English Literature from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan and a MS in Library and Information Science at Texas Woman’s University. Before becoming the Director of the Poquoson Public Library in 1979, Elizabeth worked previously as a librarian at Queens Borough Public Library (1967-1973), Cincinnati Public Library (1973-1976), and Georgia State Library (1976-1979). Under her direction, Poquoson Public Library met the State requirements and was accredited by the Library of Virginia Board in 1980. Since then, PPL has become one of the busiest libraries in Virginia. She also worked with the community to lobby the City Council to expand and move the library facility twice. Poquoson Public Library was nominated for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2012. In 2002, Friends of Poquoson Public Library established a scholarship for high school seniors in honor of Elizabeth Tai. Since then, over forty $1000 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students. In 2004, Elizabeth was recognized as Virginia’s Outstanding Library Director by the Virginia Public Library Directors Association. Friends of Poquoson Public Library (PPL) also presented her with the Friends of the Poquoson Public Library Folio Award in 2016 for her dedication to libraries and steadfast service in the enrichment of the community. Elizabeth has served on numerous professional and civic boards including the VLA Executive Board as Treasurer (2009-201), VPLDA Executive Board as Treasurer (2004-2008), the College Board of Thomas Nelson Community College (2013-present), and the York-Poquoson Regional Social Service Board (2004-2012). She has served on the Virginia Peninsula Retired Senior Volunteer Board of Directors (Chaired 2000) and on the Virginia Peninsula Chinese American Association (Chaired 2004-2006). In order to celebrate the accomplishments of those who support and transform libraries throughout the Commonwealth, the Virginia Library Association, through the hard work of the Awards and Recognition Committee, offers a number of awards. Visit our VLA Awards page for more information about all of our awards. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 11:44 AM |
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Maryśka Connolly-Brown of Hampden-Sydney College has been chosen for the 2021 Academic Innovator Award. This award recognizes academic librarians or academic project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of an academic library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service. Maryśka was selected because of her creative approach to library programming and services and her dedication to serving students as a librarian and academic advisor. She is skilled at her job in electronic resources management but also is a talented costume and prop maker, cosplayer, and gamer. She is the first librarian to serve as an academic advisor and teach a for-credit course and has completed training to teach in the Hampden-Sydney College’s new experiential learning Compass program. Throughout the pandemic, Maryśka remained dedicated to her students and provided them with much-needed social interaction opportunities in the form of online advising sessions and weekly Dungeon & Dragons online game nights.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Jan Marry of Heritage Public Library has been chosen for the 2021 Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year Award. The Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year Award recognizes exemplary achievement of a working Virginia librarian who has made a significant contribution(s) at any level of librarianship during the current year. Jan was chosen for the award because of her exemplary work as a part-time librarian and creative efforts in the face of a limited budget. During 2020, she ran all-age online programs, created Take and Make craft kits, and set up a plant and seed exchange. In addition, Jan was instrumental in procuring several grants enabling the purchase of new library materials and mobile digital science lab equipment that will support sustained education efforts for the library’s underserved population.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that the Grow Nelson Library Committee has been chosen for the 2021 George Mason Award. This award recognizes individuals, libraries, or other organizations distinguished for advocacy of libraries and/or information access. Grow Nelson Library Committee was selected for their outstanding library advocacy and fundraising efforts.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Meldon Jenkins-Jones of Richmond Public Library has been chosen for the 2021 Librarian of Color Forum Award. This award recognizes librarians and library staff of color serving in a library in Virginia that exhibit excellence in service to libraries and communities of color as well as conducted outreach or develop programming that encourages engagement or removed barriers to library information and services. Meldon was chosen for this award because of her dedication to social justice, outreach, and community service. As a law librarian, Meldon has addressed issues of equity and access by forming the Black Male Emergent Readers (BMER) program, facilitating discussions for the Richmond chapter of Coming to the Table, and co-creating videos for about the suffrage movement in Virginia. Meldon is an educator, researcher, and collaborator who has established the library as a key stakeholder in the preservation of history and cultural heritage in the community.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Dreama Croft of York County Public Library has been chosen for the 2021 Outstanding Professional Associates Award. This award recognizes a library associate who advances and strengthens the image of Professional Associates as well as fosters communication among library employees throughout the Commonwealth. Dreama was selected for her dedication to staying connected with York County Public Library families through virtual and outdoor story times during the pandemic. Additionally, she provided invaluable assistance and leadership during a time of copious staffing changes within the latter half of 2020. Dreama also worked hard to restart the library’s important partnership with York County Head Start, which went on hiatus when they had to close during the pandemic.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Babak Zarin of Central Rappahannock Regional Library has been chosen for the 2021 Up and Comer Award. This award recognizes an energetic librarian, with less than five years of professional experience, who pushes the boundaries of originality and creativity and expands the role of librarian with forward-thinking efforts that help move libraries into the future. Babak was chosen for this award because of his proactive approach and dedication to access services for the CRRL community and its customers. Babak has expanded the scope of Access Services to encompass accessibility in all its forms. His related accomplishments include developing and conducting an accessibility audit for CRRL’s branches and website, co-chairing CRRL’s new Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and working with the Library of Virginia to establish the in-progress Virginia Deaf Culture Library.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Kathy Bradshaw of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries has been chosen for the 2021 Supporter of Professional Associates Award. The VLAPAF Supporter of the Year Award (formerly known as the VLAPAF Supporter of Paraprofessionals Award) was established in 1996 as a means of recognizing an individual who has provided significant support to their staff and who has been a champion for library support staff in Virginia libraries. Kathy was selected because for her strong support of professional associates and for her leadership in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion. Since 2015, Kathy has worked hard to develop and strengthen on-boarding, training, and mentorship opportunities for professional associates. Some of her accomplishments include establishing a review process for staff and student worker salaries that looks toward equity and successfully advocating for defined allocation of professional development funds per staff member. She has also worked to strengthen VCU Libraries' efforts toward equity, diversity and inclusion as a senior leadership team representative for VCU Libraries’ Inclusion and Diversity Committee and as a resource and communications conduit for a staff-led anti-racism work group.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Robin Benke of UVA Wise Libraries has been chosen for 2021 Honorary Life Membership. This award bestows life VLA membership to an individual who has worked in and/or supported Virginia libraries and the association and who has made outstanding contributions to Virginia librarianship. Robin was selected for this award because of his dedication to the library profession and years of outstanding service to Virginia’s libraries.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Diantha McCauley, formerly of Augusta County Library has been chosen for 2021 Honorary Life Membership. This award bestows life VLA membership to an individual who has worked in and/or supported Virginia libraries and the association and who has made outstanding contributions to Virginia librarianship. Diantha was selected for this honor because of her years of outstanding library experience and leadership, which has had a lasting impact on both the Augusta County Library system and the state library level.
The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Tai, formerly of Poquoson Public Library, has been chosen for 2021 Honorary Life Membership. This award bestows life VLA membership to an individual who has worked in and/or supported Virginia libraries and the association and who has made outstanding contributions to Virginia librarianship. Elizabeth was selected for this award because of her lasting impact on Poquoson Library as well as her years of dedicated service to libraries and the community.Upcoming Events
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