September 2015

People

Central Rappahannock Regional Library

altDONNA COTE has announced her retirement on September 11, 2015, after thirty-four years as the Director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL). She previously held positions at the CRRL as the Library Secretary, Reference Librarian and Assistant Director. In 2008, she served as president of the Virginia Library Association. During the course of her tenure, Cote spearheaded many initiatives and cemented vital community partnerships that have seen the CRRL firmly established as a core component of the educational and cultural infrastructure of the region. Building projects across the system have included the renovation of the Headquarters; the building of the Porter, Salem Church, England Run, Montross and Newton libraries; and the establishment of the Cooper and Snow Libraries in renovated and expanded spaces. Under Cote’s leadership, the library has been positioned as a resource for lifelong learning, a destination for artistic enrichment, and a welcoming community meeting center.

Hampden-Sydney College, Bortz Library

altMARYSKA CONNOLLY-BROWN joined the Bortz Library faculty at Hampden-Sydney College on June 1, 2015 as the new Technical Services Librarian. Maryska came to Virginia from Georgia Regents University in Augusta, Georgia, where she held the position of Serials Resources Librarian. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Augusta State University and an MLIS from Valdosta State University. She currently serves on the NASIG Awards and Recognition Committee and the SELA Intellectual Freedom Committee. She’s settling into the Farmville community and looking forward to working with her colleagues to serve the faculty and students of HSC.

Henrico County Public Library

altHenrico County Public Library is pleased to announce that ALEXANDRA (“ALEX”) HAMBY has joined the staff as the new Collection Management Coordinator. Alex brings both public service and collections’ experience to her new position, having started her library career in Henrico County in 2008 where she received an “Excellence in Public Service” award in 2009. After working at several branches in various capacities in Henrico County, Alex joined the neighboring Chesterfield County Public Library system as a Materials Selector, gaining valuable experience in collections and acquisitions. Alex holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her MLS from the University of South Carolina.

altRICK SAMUELSON joined the Henrico County Public Library as the new Youth Services Coordinator in the spring. Rick came from the Portland, Oregon area’s Washington County Library Cooperative where he served as Youth Services Libraria n and Youth Services Committee facilitator since 2009. Rick’s responsibilities included developing programming and administering Early Literacy grants and the system-wide Summer Reading program. Rick served on the Childhood Care and Education Advisory Committee of the Washington County Commission on Children and Families, as the State Chair for the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), and as the Chair of the Children’s Services Division of the Oregon State Library Association. He is an active member of ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Rick has worked for the St. Helens Public Library in Youth Services and for the Boise, Idaho Public Library in Outreach and Bookmobile Services. Rick has a BA from Boise State University and an MLS from the University of Pittsburgh.

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

John BurnsJOHN BURNS joined the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library staff as an Internet Specialist in August. In July, he returned from a deployment with the District of Columbia National Guard, where he was his company’s help desk Specialist. While deployed, he studied and received his CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certificates. He has a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and a certificate in Information Technology from George Mason University. He is currently learning to channel his creativity from culinary experience to web design and development.

Newport News Public Library System

Anita JenningsANITA JENNINGS, manager of the Pearl Bailey Library in the Newport News Public Library System, has been promoted to the position of Library Administrator for the Newport News Public Library System. Anita has been with the Library System for over 10 years and brings with her a strong background in community engagement and support of youth programs.

 

Happenings

Newport News Public Library System

Students from Christopher Newport University’s Captains’ Educational Enrichment (CEE) Fund will be facilitating a series of courses about financial literacy at Newport News Public Libraries starting this month and ending with a finale in April of 2016. There will be a program kick-off and then six additional courses: Money Basics, Budgeting Basics, College Readiness, Wheels and Housing for College, Fundamentals of Investing, and Introduction to Entrepreneurship. The program will kick-off at Main Street Library on Thursday, September 17th at 6:30 p.m. and will feature special guest Dr. William Donaldson, director of CNU Small Business Institute. The program is targeted to teens and their parents, but all are welcome to attend. More information about the program is available at www.nnpls.libguides.com/money.

Slover Library

The Norfolk NATO Festival recently donated the contents of its archives to Slover Library’s Sargeant Memorial Collection, the repository of Hampton Roads’ history. The collection includes posters, martini glasses, tiaras, sashes, photographs, portraits of queens and much, much more. “We know there is even more material that should be part of this collection out in the community,” said Eddie Woodward, archives coordinator for the Sargeant Memorial Collection. “We are asking everyone in the community, and frankly around the world, to share old photos, letters or memorabilia with us so we may protect it and preserve it.” To inquire about donating your Azalea Festival mementoes, please email [email protected] or call 757-431-7429. Slover Library will add to the collection and is planning how to showcase the materials in Norfolk. For more information on the Sargeant Memorial Collection, visit sloverlibrary.com.

Return to People & Happenings