From the Library of Virginia

Nature Backpacks

The State Park parking passes for the Discovery backpacks are expiring at the end of this year (2025).  We have received the updated passes that are good until December 2028.  Look for an upcoming survey that will ask who coordinates the backpacks at your library system, how many backpacks you have, and your mailing address.

Nearly all Virginia State Parks charge a per car parking fee for entrance. Two parks charge a per person fee: Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum state parks.  Annual Passes include admission for up to 4 at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum state parks.

CSLP Updates

The Professional Development Committee is proud to announce a second CSLP/Building Community-Based Summers Cohort will convene this Fall. This six-session interactive discussion series will be open to applicants from CSLP member libraries.

Each participating library should be represented by a team of at least two staff members. Libraries are encouraged to send staff from across departments and can include youth services and/or adult services staff, programming coordinators, summer library program coordinators, outreach staff, and administrators. Participation in the BCBS initiative will require, of all team members:

• Active attendance and participation using cameras, shared whiteboards, and breakout rooms. 
• Participation in an introductory orientation before the learning sessions begin.
• Additional work will be required within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing and planned summer programs and services through an equity lens. Expect to spend approximently 2 hours/week doing this work, in addition to the virtual sessions.

CSLP member libraries are invited to learn more about the upcoming CSLP/BCBS cohort and apply by end of business on Monday, August 25, 2025, to be considered for the Fall cohort. Accepted participants will be notified the first week of September. 

If you have questions, contact bcbs@cslpreads.org  

America250 Meets 2.50 Million Acts of Science Webinar

Date: August 20, 2025 Time: 11 AM - 12 PM PT | 2 PM - 3 PM ET 

Join CSLP Partner organizations, SciStarter and STAR Net, for a free webinar to learn how your library can be part of the nation’s largest volunteer effort AND help advance local science research and discovery!

• Learn more about America250, AmericaGives, and Citizen Science Month, and 2.50 Million Acts of Science campaign 

• Access free trainings and resources to help librarians plan engaging, audience-specific programs. 

• Hear examples from other libraries and learn how to track your community’s contributions to the 2026 challenge.

Child & Community Well-Being Virtual Chats

Join the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Child & Community Well-Being Committee (CCWB) each month via Zoom (same link each month) for resource sharing and a lively discussion. All are welcome! Presentations are typically less than 15 minutes, with open discussion following.

September 30, 2025~ 3:00 PM EST
Anh Tran Ng (CT) - Community Baby   Shower

October 28, 2025 ~ 3:00 PM EST
Shannon Bismark (Tennessee) - Care Cabinet

November 25, 2025 ~ 3:00 PM EST
Ashley Ewert (Connecticut) - Swap Shops for crafts, school supplies, puzzles and games, holiday décor – refresh, reuse and repurpose

Join any of these dates using this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2524695097?pwd=Y1Y0alllSjBOZGFpODZpemVJaEdJdz09
For questions about monthly CCWB meetings, please contact Carol Waxman, CWaxman@WestHartfordCT.gov
For questions about connecting to CSLP's Zoom - contact Melissa Hooke, Melissa.Hooke@CSLPreads.org

Book News

The Cardinal Cup Committee has selected One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome for the 2025 award. The committee has also selected 4 honor titles and a series of note and curated a list of the most quality selections, available for download on the VLA website.

The Cardinal Cup honors a distinguished biography, historical fiction or American history book for young people.  Formerly known as the Jefferson Cup, the Cardinal Cup has been presented since 1983. The committee’s goal is to promote reading about America's past; to encourage the quality writing of United States history, biography and historical fiction for young people and to recognize authors in these disciplines.

The winning title will be recognized at the 2025 VLA Annual Conference at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, VA. The committee will book talk their selections on Friday, October 3, 2025 - their conference session will include a book giveaway.

Contact 2025 Cardinal Cup Committee Chair Angela Critics for more information.

The Graphic Novel Diversity Award (GNDA) celebrates diversity captured within the pages of graphic novels. In 2025, our ninth year offering the award, the Graphic Novel Diversity Award Committee selected one winner and five honor titles in the youth division.

The winning title's creator will receive a $500 award and will be recognized during the Opening Session at the 2025 VLA/VLACRL Annual Conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025. This year's conference is at the Richmond Marriott in Richmond, VA. More information about the conference, including registration, can be found here.

Click the buttons below for a downloadable PDF of the committee's complete youth selections for the 2025 Graphic Novel Diversity Awards, including the winners, honors, and overflow choices. Learn more about the Graphic Novel Diversity Award and committee information here.

Featured Programs

Your library program can be featured here! 
Please submit a photo and description of your favorite program!

Self-Care Corner

Upcoming Important Dates & Celebrations

National and State Conferences 2025

October 1-3: VLA Annual Conference (Richmond)

November 5-7: VAASL Annual Conference (Williamsburg)

November 6-9: NAEYC (Anaheim, CA)

November 11-13: National Summer Learning Association (Washington, DC)