Get Involved with VLA - Committees and Forums

We invite all Virginia Library Association members to share their knowledge and gain valuable experience through committee and forum membership. The Virginia Library Association has eight committees, one task force, and nine forums to participate in.

Committees
VLA’s members carry out the work of the Association through committees and task forces. The Association currently has eight committees and one task force. They focus on selecting award winning books to promote, honoring the achievements of library workers and students across the Commonwealth, advocating for libraries and their core values, and planning the annual conference. Each committee is led by a chair who acts as a liaison to the Communications and Member Engagement Manager and the 2nd Vice President of the Executive Board. Committee chairs are members of the VLA Council - these terms commence and end with the VLA annual conference’s closing board meeting. Committees require an application or invitation to join.

Forums
Virginia Library Association members may join one of the nine forums at any time throughout the year. Forums are groups within the Association that exchange ideas and information. Many forums host their own virtual or in person events which all VLA members may attend. Each forum is led by a chair who acts as a liaison to the Communications and Member Engagement Manager. Committee chairs are members of the VLA Council - these terms commence and end with the VLA annual conference’s closing board meeting.

Advocacy Committees
Intellectual Freedom Committee
Legislative Committee 

Book Award Committees
Cardinal Cup Committee
Graphic Novel Diversity Award Committee

Planning Committees
Conference Committee

Selection Committees
Awards and Recognition Committee
Nominating Committee
Scholarship Committee

Task Forces
VALLA

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Join a Committee
Committee members are appointed by the Second Vice-president and their respective committee chairs. Applications for new members are released as needed by each committee, typically between the months of August - February.

Why Join a Committee?
Committees are task oriented which allows VLA's members to gain valuable experience, knowledge, and networking opportunities. Chairing a committee offers a way to grow leadership skills and a path towards professional recognition within VLA and beyond. Committees allow all serving members to make a difference for libraries and their workers.

What committees can I join?
No committees are recruiting new members at this time. Check back in November for new opportunities.

What is the commitment?
Committee commitments and term lengths vary, but may require attendance at a monthly virtual meeting. Check individual committee pages - some may only be active for a short time each year. Selection and Book Award committees require extra time commitments to review applications, books, or other committee materials. While committees conduct business virtually, annual conference attendance and participation is strongly encouraged for committee members. Annual conference attendance is required for the Conference Committee and some committee chairs, including the Selection and Book Award chairs. Committees may use Google platforms to conduct business - access to these is a must.

I applied for a committee and wasn't selected - why not?
Committees are formed with the guidance of the 2nd Vice President who acts as a liaison to the Executive Board. The 2nd Vice President takes care to make sure committee membership represents the diverse perspectives of Virginia's library workers, including regional representation. We encourage you to reapply if not selected one year - this does not indicate that you were not a qualified candidate, but that you may not have been a match for the particular year.

Explore your passions, share your knowledge, and form connections with library workers across Virginia through forum membership. Join a forum at any time by filling out the Forum Registration form below. You will be added to the forum's Basecamp hub by the last day of the month. From there, you can access meeting links, discussions, and more.

Field Interest Forums
Collections and Technical Services Forum (CaTS)
College and Research Libraries Forum (VLACRL)
Makerspace Forum
New Members Roundtable
Youth and Family Services Forum

Social Interest Forums
LGBTQIA+ Forum
Librarians of Color Forum