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Welcome from the Virginia Library Association President and the Conference Committee Chair
VLA's Conference Committee is led by the Association's President and the Conference Committee Chair. They work to set the conference theme and guide the selection of planning and programming.
 A Message from 2026 Virginia Library Association President Nancy Falciani
Dear Colleagues,
I am so excited to welcome you to Norfolk this fall for the 2026 VLA Conference! The theme of this year’s conference is caring for our collective. In the midst of the daily grind, the tyranny of the urgent, political turmoil, and the individual challenges that we each face as humans navigating this life, how can we care for our colleagues and ourselves in a way that moves beyond self-care to creating work environments that allow us each to shine and be our best selves?
This year’s conference promises to be one that will challenge your assumptions and encourage reflection. Under the guidance of Conference Chair Kelsey Cheshire (VCU) and the thoughtful creativity of this year’s Conference Committee, we are thrilled to have received a remarkable number of excellent proposals, and envision a lineup of speakers, sessions, and posters that will inspire you, with plenty of time for you to connect, reflect, and enjoy one another’s presence.
I want to give a shout-out to our partner, Jordan at Eisenman Associates, our Conference Planning Agency. Managing the logistics of an event like an annual conference is a massive undertaking that requires special skills, and Jordan and her team are bringing expertise and experience to the conference for the second year in a row. They are vital to making sure all the little things that make a conference really work are done and done right, and they will help make your experience a great one.
To help make this conference one you’ll remember:
- Bring your true self, with your questions, ideas, and vulnerabilities.
- Dress in layers – conference room temperatures can vary widely!
- Bring your favorite snacks to help power you between sessions and breaks.
- Take time for you, visit the Zen Den if you need a break, and enjoy the vendor hall!
There will be time available on Sunday to allow you to explore the great city of Norfolk. And of course, our welcome reception, awards ceremony, and poster sessions on Sunday night are a wonderful opportunity to kick off the conference by caring for those in our collective being recognized for their work and their research.
It is my hope that you will find encouragement and support, discover new strategies, and leave this year’s conference energized for the work ahead.
I can’t wait to see you in Norfolk!
Nancy Falciani
President, Virginia Library Association
A Message from the 2026 Conference Committee Chair Kelsey Cheshire
 Welcome to the 2026 VLA Annual Conference! Thank you for joining us in Norfolk for what’s sure to be a wonderful opportunity for personal and professional growth. Our theme, Caring For Our Collective, will help us explore community building for a better future not only for libraries, but especially the workers who sustain them. There’s an amazing line-up of sessions to choose from, no matter your role, setting, or experience level.
I’m thrilled for everyone to hear from our keynote speaker, Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, the Collective Care Leader for Library Workers, Workplaces, & Organizations. I remember feeling seen when I first read one of Kaetrena’s publications on low-morale experiences for library workers, and I have been fangirling about her important contributions to our profession ever since. Kick off your conference by joining us for an important conversation introducing and exploring library morale research and countermeasures, focusing on leadership, care ethics, reflection, and practice.
Here are my suggestions for having the best conference experience this year:
- Community isn’t passive! Use this opportunity to grow your network of support. Visit with VLA Forums in the Exhibit Hall to find your next community. Resist the urge to doom-scroll between sessions and instead talk to strangers or reconnect with old friends. We need each other, so remember the power of collegiality and engagement.
- Rest is resistance! You might feel like you need to go to every session and event possible to have the most productive conference, but instead, make time to rest, reflect on what you’ve learned, and listen to your body’s needs. Step outside and breathe fresh air. Take care of yourself to strengthen our collective resilience.
- Explore Norfolk! Come early on Sunday for tours, try local eateries, or see the sights featured in our City Guide. This city has something for everyone.
I am deeply grateful to the members of the Conference Committee, Jordan at Eisenman Associates, and the VLA team for their efforts in planning this year’s conference. Their hard work and dedication have made it possible for all of us to learn and connect together. Thank you!
The work to continuously improve our libraries never ends, so I hope you leave this year’s conference ready to commit to this work in community and with care. I look forward to this journey with y’all!
In solidarity,
Kelsey Cheshire
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