"In 2022, the Library Development Division at the Library of Virginia received a unique opportunity to assist public libraries in the state in reaching an often-underserved segment of their communities—military families. A member of the Library of Virginia Board put us in touch with Blue Star Families, an organization founded by military families in 2009 that is committed to “strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors—individuals, and organizations—to create vibrant communities of mutual support.” Our initial discussions with Blue Star Families have evolved into a fruitful partnership, enabling us to provide ideas for supporting military families and connecting them with public libraries throughout the Commonwealth..."
"Traditional professional development plans in libraries may satisfy organizational or certification needs but do not necessarily satisfy employees’ needs, wants, and interests. What if we put employees’ needs and wants center stage by looking at professional development through the lens of an employee well-being program? A well-being program is an investment in the whole person, not just the part that is an employee, and therefore the concept of professional development can easily be built into a well-being program..."
ADVOCACY CENTER
Sign Up with the Virginia Library Association as an Advocate!
Click HEREand sign up for the VLA Advocacy Center Mailing List to make sure you're receiving Virginia action alerts and updates on policy issues related to the library field. This will help you keep abreast of legislation that could affect your local library and community.
Federal Funding & Virginia Libraries
(Status - As of the publication of this newsletter on 11/19/25)
Regarding the federal funding as it applies to Virginia public libraries and Executive Order 14238 in the reduction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
New News:
The government shutdown ended on November 12, 2025. They have until the end of January 2026 to pass a new budget.
Remains the Same:
All states that receive an annual allotment from the IMLS Grants to States program have now been awarded a full allotment for the next fiscal year. This means that Virginia LSTA funding, approximately $4.3 million per year, will continue through September 30, 2026. There are no anticipated changes in funding. This is primarily due to the preliminary injunction in Rhode Island v. Trump, which prohibits the continued dismantling of IMLS until the case is resolved.
This means that initiatives that impact your public libraries, such as the Find It Virginia databases, library consulting, Niche Academy, and other resources, will remain in place for the same period. The Library of Virginia will continue to move forward on the various projects funded by LSTA.
Federal funding levels for beyond the above are still unknown. The original budget had only $6 million allocated to "close out" IMLS as an agency.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 -- 2:00p-3:00p -- No Cost to Register for VA Libraries!
A panel of experts will address common issues that arise among library Boards, Friends groups, and Foundations, and how to solve them. Panelists will address questions and topics submitted by registrants, and will field questions from attendees during a "lightning round" session. [Speakers to be announced.]
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Translating Finance in the Nonprofit World: Telling the Right Financial Story to the Right Audience
Whether you're speaking to your board, funders, program staff, or community stakeholders, how you present your financials can make the difference between confusion and clarity, hesitation and support. In this webinar, we explore how to tailor your financial messaging to different audiences so you can build trust, inspire action, and get the resources you need. Perfect for nonprofit finance leaders, executive directors, and development professionals who want to communicate financials with confidence and impact.
Simplified Fundraising Planning for Small Nonprofits
Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, CFRE, for a fundraising webinar, where he will provide actionable steps to take to improve your nonprofit’s fundraising campaigns. These fundraising webinars cover topics running from donor cultivation and stewardship to board fundraising engagement and so much more. And best of all, they’re FREE! Check out the list of upcoming webinars and sign up today.
Public library building and renovation projects are often once-in-a-generation events. Staff and leaders may never have done a similar project and may never do one again, making it imperative for libraries to learn from one another. Newton Public Library opened the doors to its new building on April 1, 2024, after raising more than $3.3 million to help fund construction. After a brief overview of design goals and features of the new library, this webinar will focus on lessons learned through a successful fundraising campaign and practical suggestions for how to manage input and expectations during the building process.
Please note, if you register with a non-library issued e-mail address, someone from the Library of Virginia will follow up with you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library before you can access the content.
Up to $3.5 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities, via the American Library Association (ALA). ALA will award up to 250 libraries with $10,000, and 50 libraries $20,000 in this round.
To be eligible, a library must have a legal service population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions.
Application Open: September 11, 2025 - December 11, 2025
$500 - $1000 grants, along with book donations and free virtual training, will be awarded to small and rural libraries across the U.S. Provided via a partnership between National Friends of Libraries Week, Penguin Random House, and United for Libraries.
Application Open: December 17, 2025 - January 21, 2026
Notification: By March 30, 2026
BOOKS
titles
Click on the image to learn more about each title, and then use your local library to request them from the Library of Virginia.
"A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead."
This newsletter is brought to you by the Library Development division of the Library of Virginia. Funding for this is provided through the Virginia General Assembly and the Institute for Museum and Library Studies (IMLS).
