Congratulations to the Virginia Library Association (VLA) and Dr. Jennifer Brown, who is the organization’s new Executive Director. Jennifer Brown, PhD, is a library leader, educator, and advocate for equitable access to library services. She comes to the role having served most recently as Director of the Augusta County Library system. There, she oversaw strategic initiatives across seven locations. With over a decade of public library experience and a doctorate in Instructional Design & Technology from Old Dominion University, Dr. Brown brings expertise in leadership development, community engagement, and inclusive service design to VLA.
In 2025, she was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker for her work with the Virginia Library Leadership Academy (VALLA), where she led a program redesign and helped secure funding to make participation free—greatly expanding access across the Commonwealth. Dr. Brown teaches graduate library science courses focused on user services and culturally responsive librarianship. Her research and professional service emphasize reflective practice, outreach to underserved communities, and staff development. She served as the 2024–2025 President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association and has received multiple honors, including the VLA Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year, No Kid Hungry Hall of Fame, Better Together Award, and the ODU Darden Fellow Award. We wish the Virginia Library Association and Dr. Brown the very best!
