Virginia Library Association VLA Mission
The Virginia Library Association is a statewide organization whose purpose is to develop, promote, and improve library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to advance literacy and learning and to ensure access to information in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
VLA is a non-partisan organization. It is composed of libraries, librarians, trustees, friends, and other interested individuals. Approximately 1,300 individual and institutional members represent a cross-section of educational, commercial, and professional interests. The Association offers its members:
- continuing education opportunities through meetings, workshops, and annual conferences;
- professional visibility and career enhancement through participation and leadership in regional groups, forums, sections, and committees;
- communication and contact with fellow librarians for idea sharing and problem solving in school, public, academic, and special libraries;
- support for the needs of libraries and librarians through involvement in the local and state political decision-making process;
- publications, including the VLA Newsletter and Virginia Librarian and newsletters issued by member groups, with articles about library developments around the state.
VLA Library School Scholarship
The Virginia Library Association awards two $2,000 scholarships annually. They may be awarded to students entering a Master's Program in library school for the first time, or to students currently enrolled in a library school program. To be eligible the applicants must currently be legal residents of Virginia (with a minimum residence of two years), must hold an accredited undergraduate degree and must have been accepted by an American Library Association accredited library school (persons whose library school applications are pending may apply for the scholarship).
Major factors considered in making the awards are evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship in Virginia, financial need, academic excellence, leadership qualities or demonstration of potential outstanding achievement in the profession, and membership in VLA. The scholarships are announced in the early part of the calendar year by the VLA Scholarship Committee. Applications and references for the scholarships are submitted to the VLA office. The scholarship recipients are notified in the summer.
VLA in Richmond and Washington
The Association has traditionally supported all types of libraries. The Association monitors state and federal legislation directly pertaining to library affairs, and reports in the Virginia Librarian on special concerns of members.