The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to celebrate the library’s Friends groups and recognize members nominated by their peers for their service. This year’s Friends Choice Awards were held at Chantilly Regional Library and featured a program honoring 22 awardees.  

Board of Trustees Chair Brian Engler led the program, praising the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year and honoring each recipient for their contributions. Reading a summary of their nominations, he welcomed each honoree, presenting them with a certificate, gift card and pin as a token of the library’s appreciation. 

This year’s list of honorees include: 

Gaylene Arnista, Friends of Burke Centre Library 

Mary Hubbard, Friends of Burke Centre Library 

Dennie Knox, Friends of Centreville Regional Library 

Dora Martinez, Friends of Centreville Regional Library  

Rose Berteotti, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library 

Kathy Olcus, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library  

Lois Price, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library  

Dawn Keene, Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library 

Grover Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Karen Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Cathy Schagh, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Judith Chamot, Friends of Kings Park Library 

Faith Chang, Friends of Kingstowne Library 

Kate Crawford, Friends of Oakton Library 

Jonathan Gressel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Carol Henning, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Dan Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Joanne Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Barbara Zenker, Friends of Richard Byrd Library  

Pam Hall, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library 

Kelley Gillespie, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library  

Mary Vavrina, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library 

Community members wishing to become part of a Friends groups can find out more information on the library’s website. This page includes a list of the different Friends groups throughout Fairfax County as well as details on membership and how to join. 

Click here to view our gallery of photos from this year's Friends Choice Award.