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/IiDUPrO9S6eUE0RPnMModw 
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!

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.

Cindy Church Receives Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Virginia Library Association

Cindy Church has received an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Virginia Library Association.

From Past President Nan Carmack:

Cindy’s contribution to the profession has been profound. Cindy has had a 20 year career at the Library of Virginia as the Continuing Education Consultant. She has also worked part time for the Virginia Department of Corrections for 12 years a library coordinator, coaching and developing correctional librarians. She will continue in this role. Prior to LVA, she also worked as a librarian for NASA.

Her 26 year membership in VLA has been active. She has served as secretary and ex officio liaison to the Continuing Education Committee prior to its dissolution. She has served on numerous conference committees, coordinating the Bookmobile Rodeo in Richmond during the 2021 conference. Additionally, she has actively promoted libraries as a primary source of broadband in the Commonwealth, resulting in an invitation to the table of the Commonwealth Connect working group to improve broadband access across Virginia and to be the first applicants to the Virginia BEAD grant funds. Other innovations in Virginia include, but are not limited to, establishing a Niche Academy User Group, a Continuing Education Mentor Group, the Bookmobile and Outreach Services listserv and user group, and so much more.

On the regional level, Cindy birthed the Southeastern Collaborative Online Conference with her counterparts in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, now in its 6 th year with thousands of attendees from across the country. On the national level, Cindy has successfully expanded eRate funding to libraries and, most recently, earned an IMLS grant to plan and conduct an eRate training for coordinators across the county. Cindy’s national reputation has brought major speakers and trainers to Virginia, including David Lankes, David Lee King, and Audrey Barbakoff, most recently. Her connections have been invaluable.

Cindy has been a colleague, coach, and friend for so many during her career. I honestly don’t know what we will do without her. Perhaps her honorary lifetime membership will keep her active in VLA and continuing to have a positive impact on Virginia libraries for years to come.