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2026 Virginia Library Association Executive Committee Election Presidential Candidate Statements
About the President The President is the chair of the Executive Committee and the chair of Council. The President’s term is one year, and they assume office immediately after the annual conference. The winner between these two candidates will serve from October 2026 - October 2027.
What's at Stake The VLA president's responsibilities include representing the Association in all official capacities and acting as a spokesperson for the Association on all established policies. They appoint all ad hoc committees not outlined in the By-laws and make appointments to fill unexpired terms of VLA representatives to other organizations. The president is the person who coordinates the work of all officers, committees, and program units and coordinate the Association's budget preparation with the Treasurer and Executive Director. They also act as a liaison between the VLA and other organizations and evaluate the Executive Director at the end of the year.
There are two candidates for Virginia Library Association president. Learn more about them below.

Zach Elder hopes to use his wide range of experience across academic and public libraries to advance library values and guide our organization through uncertain times. His love for libraries dates back to his childhood in Ohio. He shares, "It is thanks to my local librarians not strictly enforcing the unattended child policy that has helped make me the person I am today."
His first work in libraries came as a student assistant within The Ohio State University Libraries. After graduation and two years in the software profession, he started my career at Duke University’s Rare Book and Manuscripts while attending North Carolina Central University’s School of Library and Information Science.
Following graduation, Elder served in multiple positions for George Washington University Libraries. There, he advocated for Open Educational Resources and textbooks, and volunteered for the DC Library Association helping to fundraise for scholarships.
After years in academic libraries, he felt called to public service in Virginia in 2017. After several years serving with colleagues at Newport News Public Library and Chesapeake Public Library, he is now in his third year serving as the Director of Massanutten Regional Library (MRL) in Harrisonburg. He loves working together with the MRL team as well as being ardent about their libraries being welcoming to everyone in our community, eliminating barriers wherever possible.
Throughout his time in Virginia, Elder has enjoyed his involvement in VLA, where he has served on the Conference Committee in the past as a volunteer chair, and as 2nd Vice President from 2022-2024. He also serves as current treasurer of the Virginia Public Library Directors’ Association; coincidentally, he also love incorporating Financial Literacy concepts into library programming.

Jennifer Brown, PhD, is an accomplished library leader, educator, and advocate for equitable access to library services. She currently serves as Director of the Augusta County Library system, where she leads strategic initiatives across seven locations. With over a decade of public library experience and a strong foundation in instructional design, Dr. Brown brings a unique lens to leadership development, community engagement, and inclusive service design.
In 2025, she was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker for her transformative work with the Virginia Library Leadership Academy (VALLA), where she led the redesign of the year-long leadership program and worked with the task force to secure funding to make it free to participants, dramatically expanding access and awareness across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Brown holds a PhD in Instructional Design & Technology from Old Dominion University and teaches graduate courses in library and information science, with a focus on user services and culturally responsive librarianship. Her research and professional service have centered on reflective practice, outreach to underserved communities, and staff development.
She was the 2024–2025 President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association and has received numerous awards, including the VLA Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year (2019), entered the No Kid Hungry Hall of Fame (2019), Better Together Award (2024), and was honored with a 2024 Old Dominion University Darden Fellow Award. Whether in the classroom, at the reference desk, or in the boardroom, Dr. Brown is committed to empowering others and building responsive, community-driven libraries, because libraries are more than just books; they are about people.
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Jennifer Resor-Whicker Named Virginia Library Association Past President
Jennifer Resor-Whicker has been named the Immediate Past President of VLA. This appointment follows the relinquishment of the role by Nan Carmack, current VLA Executive Director. She will serve until October 2025.
Jennifer Resor-Whicker, the University Librarian at Radford University, has held various leadership positions within the Virginia Library Association. She previously served on the VLA Executive Committee as Secretary (2016-2018), Vice-President/President Elect (2018-2019), President (2019-2021), and Past President (2020-2022). Jennifer was also the Chair of the 2017 VLA Annual Conference Committee.
The Executive Committee is excited to have Jennifer back on board! |
Join Us This Summer for VLA Reads, Hosted by the LGBTQIA+ and Librarians of Color Forums
Hosted by the Librarians of Color and LGBQTIA+ Forums, VLA is delighted to invite you to our very own VLA Reads! We will be reading Subtle Acts of Exclusion, by Dr. Tiffany Jana and Dr. Michael Baran, who will be joining us for a chat in September!
Jana and Baran ask, “Our workplaces are growing more diverse, but are we supporting inclusive cultures? While overt racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination are relatively easy to spot, we cannot neglect the subtler everyday actions that normalize exclusion in our workplaces for our colleagues and those whom we serve. Many have heard the term microaggression, but not everyone fully understands what microaggressions are or how to recognize them and stop them from happening.”1
“In this book, Dr. Tiffany Jana and Dr. Michael Baran offer a clearer, more accessible term, subtle acts of exclusion, or SAE, to emphasize the purpose and effect of microaggressions. Whether in the form of exaggerated stereotypes, backhanded compliments, unfounded assumptions, or objectification, SAE are insidious and damaging to our coworkers and colleagues. Dr. Jana and Dr. Baran give simple and clear tools to identify and address such acts, even offering scripts for helpful ways to approach discussions of difficult, uncomfortable, and deeply personal topics in a professional setting.” Subtle Acts of Exclusion is the winner of the 2020 Terry McAdams Award and the Readers’ Choice Award by the LGBTAbstract International Book Award.
Schedule Details
July: Acquire and read the book–the second edition is preferred. If you plan to purchase a copy, please consider your independent bookstore!
August: Register for either book discussion groups on Zoom. LOC and LGBQTIA+ forums will be hosting breakout rooms of up to 8 people each to facilitate a real discussion. Please register by July 31st.
Group I: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HgPDsq80Rgyy1EMsWRH5pQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Group II: Thursday, Aug 28, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MN6Wh3qTRPG3CQlX17IWRg After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
September: Register for a live discussion with Dr. Jana! Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hdhuX2hkSz2Z_C56SiNslw After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |

2025 Virginia Library Association Scholarship Winners
The VLA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 2025 scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Hannah Ayers, Katie Treichler, Katherine Zinn for their academic excellence and dedication to librarianship in Virginia.

We are delighted to announce that Hannah Ayers is a 2025 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. A lifelong Virginia resident, Hannah has recognized local libraries as places of comfort and connection. Drawing inspiration from her own childhood librarian, she is creating a career in youth services that focuses on helping the next generation of children engage meaningfully with history.
At Franklin County Public Library, Hannah has advanced from Youth Services Assistant Librarian to Teen Services Senior Library Assistant, where she has grown teen programming attendance and created educational opportunities for young patrons. She has a lifelong passion for history that blossomed through visiting museums and archives throughout Virginia. Hannah hopes to instill this passion in her own patrons by scaffolding her Masters with an archival certificate and creating meaningful partnerships with archival institutions.
Hannah showed significant academic achievement as an undergraduate at Hollins University and is now pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. She is a creative programmer whose tactile programs are popular with children of all ages.
Congratulations, Hannah!


We are excited to announce that Katie Treichler is a 2025 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. From a young age, Katie has been inspired by the role that libraries play in connecting patrons with knowledge and resources. Katie has demonstrated a commitment to making libraries inclusive, patron-centered spaces that promote accessibility and opportunity for everyone.
At both Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Katie strives to make each patron feel welcome and empowered. Whether helping someone apply for jobs, assisting students with schoolwork, or simply offering a kind word, she approaches each interaction with empathy and care. Katie sees libraries as integral spaces for building community, places where trust is nurtured through small moments of connection and consistent, inclusive service.
Katie is pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science from San José State University. Katie wants to channel her passion for libraries into a career focused on expanding access to information, mentoring future librarians, promoting accessibility, and developing impactful community programs.
Congratulations, Katie!

We are excited to announce that Katherine Zinn is a 2025 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. Katherine has demonstrated a ready commitment to library accessibility and to highlighting the importance of libraries as unique cultural knowledge centers.
At Virginia Tech University Libraries, Katherine works in the Special Collections and University Archives. As a project archivist, Katherine accessions and processes archival materials, while also assisting patrons at the reference desk. The whole of Katherine’s work is devoted to helping researchers find what they are looking for– whether making materials easily accessible through online access tools, or helping someone with a reference question. Katherine believes that leading with kindness and empathy is the key to building strong library communities.
Katherine is pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Missouri. Katherine plans to focus her career on making libraries spaces that foster community and that provide accessible materials for everyone.
Congratulations, Katherine!
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Virginia Library Association Hires New Staff, Nan Carmack as Interim Executive Director
The Virginia Library Association has hired a part-time interim Executive Director and a Manager of Member Engagement and Communications, following the departure of Executive Director Lisa Varga.
Interim Executive Director
Nan Carmack is the Virginia Library Association's part-time interim Executive Director. She will assume the role on April 16, 2025 while the Executive Committee seeks a qualified permanent replacement through Bradbury Miller Associates.
Nan Carmack has enjoyed a 21 year career in Virginia’s public libraries, from librarian, to director, to state library work. She currently teaches at Old Dominion University where she has taught library leadership and development for the past five years. Nan holds a Doctorate in Education in Organizational Leadership, a Masters in Library Science, and a Masters in Education.
Nan has maintained a private consultancy for 15 years, providing professional development, executive coaching and speaking engagements for organizations from libraries to manufacturing to local government.
Her commitment to librarianship has been honored by both the VLA (2016 Donna Cote Librarian of the Year) and the Southeastern Library Association (2024 Mary Rothrock Contribution to the Profession Award) and served as VLA president in 2024.
Nan lives in Richmond with her husband and dogs and enjoys reading, knitting, Pilates, and painting.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Manager of Member Engagement and Communications
Vanessa Garbarino is the Virginia Library Association's new Manager of Member Engagement and Communications. She has been the association's administrative assistant for the past year.
Vanessa worked for the Alexandria Library for over five years where she specialized in art history and public history programming and outreach for children. She has presented at the National Council on Public History, volunteers as a judge for National History Day, and serves on committees for the Collaborative Summer Library Program. She is an active member of the Association for Library Services to Children, including attending 2024’s Bill Morris Seminar for Book Evaluation, and serves as YALSA's Administrative Assistant for the 2026 Printz Committee. Vanessa previously served the Virginia Library Association as a chair of the Cardinal Cup Committee and the Executive Board Secretary of the Professional Associates Forum. She will complete her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Kentucky in December.
Vanessa was a 10-year Alexandria, Virginia resident before her move to New York in 2024. She loves art history and museums, the Boston Celtics, and Ukrainian food.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Next Steps for VLA
The Executive Committee of the Virginia Library Association will launch a search for an Executive Director through Bradbury Miller Associates and will also seek a part-time, permanent administrative assistant. Additionally, the Executive Committee will utilize services from Richmond's Eisenman & Associates, a longtime partner of VLA, for the 2025 Annual VLA Conference.
Moving forward, plan to contact Vanessa regarding website management, committee and forum needs, membership management, and anything relating to marketing or communications. Billing questions should be forwarded to Vanessa until an administrative assistant is hired. Contact Nan Carmack for all other Virginia Library Association inquires. |
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