2015 Scholarship Award Winners

VLA Professional Associates Clara M. Stanley Scholarship
The 2015 recipient of the VLA Professional Associates Clara M. Stanley Scholarship is Lamar Ford III, from Newport News VA. Mr. Ford currently works full time for Hampton University's Harvey Library, and additionally for York County Public Library. He is pursuing his Master's in Library Information Science from the University of North Texas, and expects to graduate in 2016. Ultimately, wants to work in an academic library. In his scholarship application, Lamar stated that his "short-term goal is to obtain [his] master's degree ... , learning as much as possible about all departments collectively, meanwhile molding myself into a highly qualified, versatile librarian." Mr. Ford has been a member of VLA since 2015, but active in the association since 2014.  

VLA Virginia Public Library Directors Association Scholarship
The 2015 recipient of the VLA VPLDA Scholarship is William (Bill) Edwards-Bodmer from Portsmouth VA. He has been employed by Norfolk Public Library as an IT Trainer since January of this year. Mr. Edwards-Bodmer is pursuing his Master's of Science in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University, and expects to graduate in 2016. Bill greatly enjoys helping people find the information they need and has an interest in new technology developments in libraries. His goal is to combine these interests with a public service component to help public libraries and their patrons advance technologically. Mr. Edwards-Bodmer has been active in VLA since 2015.

VLA Scholarship Winner
The 2015 VLA Scholarship recipient is Abigail Hargreaves from Arlington VA. Ms. Hargreaves is currently employed as a Library Technician with Library Systems and Services, LLC in Maryland as well as with the Arlington County Public Library. Ms. Hargreaves is pursuing her Master's of Library and Information Science through San José State University and expects to graduate in May of 2016. Ms. Hargreaves' future goals include working in a public library serving the young adult population. Abigail is very supportive of free speech and intellectual freedom and promotes the library every chance she gets. Library and Information Science has always felt like a passion for Abigail and she is well on her way to achieving her goals. Ms. Hargreaves has been a member of VLA since 2015. 

Congratulations to Lamar, Bill and Abigail, who each received $2,500 towards their educations. Thank you to all who have contributed to the 2015 Scholarship Fund! If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to VLA Scholarships, please click here: http://www.vla.org/donations/