"The Public Library Association (PLA) today released the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey report. The survey gathered nationally representative information about staff roles and representation, hiring and retention practices, and goals and activities aimed at creating a welcoming environment for staff and community members of all backgrounds and abilities. The findings highlight both the opportunities and challenges faced by libraries.
“Staff are the beating heart of public libraries,” said PLA President Dr. Brandy McNeil, “and PLA’s mission is to make sure they are receiving all the resources they need to thrive, so that their patrons can thrive in turn. This survey is a critical tool for evaluating current staffing needs and where those needs can be better met to strengthen services for communities...”
"The American Library Association (ALA) invites library users nationwide to nominate their favorite librarians for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. The national award recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians working in public, school, college, community college, or university libraries. Nominations are accepted online now through Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.
Ten librarians will each receive $5,000 in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Awardees will be honored at the I Love My Librarian Award ceremony at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago; honorees will also receive free full conference registration and a travel stipend to cover expenses as part of their award packages..."
AWARDS
The 2025 Virginia Library Association Award Winners have been announced. "Library workers and library project teams from academic, public, and special libraries across the Commonwealth are honored for their exemplary contributions to their communities and profession in 2024." Fourteen awards are given out overall. We're highlighting the following:
Advocacy Award | Samuels Public Library
Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year | Kelli Stephenson, Chesterfield Public Library
Friends of the Library Award | Friends of Chinn Park Library, Prince William Public Libraries
Trustee Library Award | C. Paul Brockwell J., Library of Virginia
Virginia Library of the Year | Massanutten Regional Library
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 September 16)
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).
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. What this means is that Virginia LSTA funding, which is about $4.3M per year, will continue through September 30, 2026. There are no anticipated changes in funding for at least the next 15+ months. This is primarily due to the preliminary injunction in Rhode Island v. Trump that prohibits the continued dismantling of IMLS until that case is resolved.
This means that things that impact your public libraries, like the Find It Virginia databases, library consulting, Niche Academy, and other resources, will remain in place for this 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, October 14, 2025 -- 2:00p-3:00p -- No Cost to Register for VA Libraries!
Foundations can be a library’s secret asset – they can educate and advocate in the community differently than the library itself. As library challenges increase, these groups are being called upon to step up, but is yours ready? This session will cover how to evaluate and build capacity among your Foundation, from recruitment and communications, fundraising and donor relations, community partnerships, issues preparedness, and more. While designed especially with Foundations in mind, this session will also be useful for staff liaisons to such groups, Friends groups, and anyone interested in organizational design and strategy.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 -- 12:00p -- No Cost to Register for VA Libraries!
Retreat Description
United for Libraries presents a virtual retreat for library Boards/Trustees and those who work with them. This three-hour session is designed for board members and directors to attend individually, or as a group assembled in a library meeting room. The retreat will be held in two parts, with the first session focusing on library policies and intellectual freedom, including best practices for the everyday functions of the library and patron privacy. The second session will address how AI can be strategically implemented in the library, and what boards need to know about AI and policies.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 -- 3:00p -- No Cost to Register for VA Libraries!
When our laws and policies work for us, our communities win. Nonprofits have a close-up view of community needs, and can and should take advantage of their right to influence law and policy. After this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of the advocacy activities you can engage in, and how to maximize your non-lobbying advocacy when representing 501(c)(3) public charities, including public and community foundations.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Ask Me Anything: All about Nonprofit Boards
Join us for a lively and interactive Ask Me Anything session with Christal Cherry, nationally recognized board consultant and founder of The Board Pro...
...This is your chance to bring those burning questions—about recruitment, retention, fundraising, or board dynamics—and get candid, practical advice you can put into action right away. Whether you’re a board member, executive director, or nonprofit leader, you’ll leave inspired, informed, and ready to take your board to the next level.
Craft End-of-Year E-mail Campaigns That Actually Convert
Your year-end emails could inspire a wave of generosity, not just get opened. Don’t miss the opportunity to strategically empower your mission with a targeted message approach. Join our tactical workshop to transform basic sends into impactful campaigns that genuinely connect and supercharge your results, all while saving time with automation. Get ready to embrace strategies that don't just ask, but truly inspire. Secure your spot and transform your end-of-year results.
Evolving Staff Roles, Policies, and Practices: Results from PLA's 2024 Annual Survey
Participate in this free webinar to learn about the results from the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey. These results include key information on library staff roles and representation, hiring and retention practices, and library goals and activities aimed at creating a welcoming environment for staff and community members of all backgrounds and abilities...
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.
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.
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).
