2026 VLA Scholarship Winners

The Virginia Library Association's Scholarship Committee is excited to announce their award recipients for 2026. The three winners were selected from a competative pool of applicants from across the Commonwealth. Each winner will receive $3,000.00 for their graduate tuition. Winners will be honored on Sunday evening's Award Reception on October 18 at the 2026 VLA Annual Conference in Norfolk, VA. Congratulations to all of the winners listed below!

Talitha Cunio, Fairfax County Public Library

We are delighted to announce that Talitha Cunio is a 2026 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. Talia is currently employed as a Youth Services Library Information Assistant at Fairfax County Public Library. She is actively involved in several VLA forums, including Youth & Family Services, Graphic Novels & Comics, and LGBTQTIA+. Talitha has been working in Virginia libraries since 2018. She has held a variety of roles, from circulation to programming. In her current role serving children and teens, Talitha created a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to better understand the needs of teens. Through this outreach, thoughtful and inclusive opportunity, Talitha has been able to craft meaningful programs alongside teen input. In addition to teens, she also facilitates storytimes. Talitha reflects that her favorite part of storytime is when a headstrong two-year-old believes that the storytime is worth a “high-five AND a fist bump.” Because of Talitha’s demonstrated excellence, she has received a staff award for her work in developing and coordinating the Library’s teen advisory board. Talitha strives to be a role model for her family and community as she earns her master’s degree; her determination, groundedness, and sincerity are aspirational. Congratulations, Talitha!

Jeremy Hanes, Suffolk Public Library

We are delighted to announce that Jeremy Hanes is a 2026 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. He is currently an Administrative Services Supervisor for Suffolk Public Library. Jeremy is involved in several VLA and committees, with a particular focus on increasing grant funding and mentorship opportunities. Jeremy has been working in Virginia Libraries since 2022, and he has provided robust programming support and leadership development to his libraries. When working to craft engaging programming, his portfolio of ideas ranged from social-emotional learning opportunities for “little humans” to “Bingo Boogie” for adults. Jeremy has also worked with the Virginia Library Directors Association (VPLDA) to launch a grant support group, with the goal of developing a coalition of peers that can assist in finding and reviewing grant proposals. Jeremy’s colleagues reflect that he is a tenacious thinker that is ready to challenge others and himself. He has proven himself as a dedicated leader and mentor that seeks to build trust across the library and other stakeholders. Congratulations, Jeremy!

Jenna Austin, Halifax County, South Boston Public Library

We are delighted to announce that Jenna Austin is a 2026 VLA Scholarship Award recipient. Jenna is currently the Library System Director for the South Boston Public Library in Halifax County. Jenna is a current member of VLA, the Mid-Atlantic Library Alliance, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Halifax Country Chapter. Jenna’s journey to librarianship spans years of being a volunteer for summer storytimes to now being a library director. Jenna has worked to broaden outreach efforts by handing out books during Halloween, and she is working to make the library a more welcoming space for all. One of Jenna’s most impactful projects was the addition of a sensory room for children with different sensory needs. The library was able to win an award from the local hospital to install the space– the first of its kind in the county. Jenna writes, “My hope is that more people will get to experience the library in the same way that I did growing up, and that they will love the library as much as the library loves them.” Congratulations, Jenna!