NORFOLK, Va. - The Virginia Library Association (VLA) recognized two Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) staff members at the organization’s awards banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Sylvia Enriquez and Wilma Andrade are a part of a group of 11 recognized the ceremony honoring librarians and library staff in Virginia for their dedication and contribution to the communities they serve.
Sylvia, a youth selection and Spanish language information assistant at Technical Operations, received the Outstanding Professional Associates Award. According to the VLA website, the award is given to “a library associate who advances and strengthens the image of Professional Associates as well as fosters communication among library employees throughout the Commonwealth.” Sylvia has been with FCPL for 27 years. She has played an integral role in advocating for and developing the library’s Spanish language collections, an achievement the VLA cites as a reason she received the award.
Wilma, a library information assistant at Reston Regional Library, received the Librarian of Color Forum Award. Per the VLA website, “this award recognizes librarians who promote an inclusive, positive environment in the libraries for persons of color, and enhances the image of librarians and library professionals of color in the community." Having moved to the United States from India, Wilma understands the struggles immigrants face and made it her mission to develop programs to help them, including English language learning and U.S. citizenship classes. Even through the pandemic, she taught classes virtually and recruited other community instructors to further develop these programs. “Wilma’s work is a wonderful example of how one person’s passion to help her community can have a profound impact on removing barriers between people of color and library information and services,” said the VLA, quoting from Wilma’s nomination.
At the ceremony, Sylvia was on hand to accept her award while Kevin Osborne, Deputy Director of FCPL, accepted Wilma’s award on her behalf.