ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA (October 12, 2017) Library Director Cara Burton is proud to announce that Eastern Shore Public Library Board Trustee Barbara Coady is this year’s winner of the Virginia Library Association’s Trustee Library Award. This award recognizes the distinguished service to libraries or a library in Virginia.
Photo attached: Barbara Coady receives the Trustee Library Award from the Virginia Library Association at their annual banquet.
The Library Board nominated Mrs. Coady by submitting a letter recognizing her accomplishments. Kitty Hall, current Chair of the Library Board, applauded her predecessor’s award, “Barbara Coady’s Virginia Library Trustee of the Year Award does not begin to explain her dedication to the Eastern Shore Regional Public Library System. In her six year tenure as a Trustee she has been the Chair of the Board as well as serving on several committees, the Personnel Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Endowment Committee to name a few. During this time the Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation launched a Capital Campaign for a new library. In all these endeavors, Barbara has provided strong, calm leadership. And, has always had the Library’s best interest at heart, willing to take on necessary tasks even when it is inconvenient for her to do so. Her award is hard earned and well deserved!”
The Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation’s Chair, Colette Nelson, joined in the praise by saying, “Ms. Coady’s guidance and leadership helped the transition between library directors when she was Chairman of the Board. Through countless hours of work, she helped the library continue to provide high quality service without missing a beat. We are extremely grateful for her energy and dedication to the library over the last several years and she continues to serve our library community to this day.”
Mrs. Coady is a retired educator. She taught French, Math and Computer Applications for grades 6-9 and was an Adjunct instructor for Mercy College and SUNY New Paltz. After obtaining an MS in Educational Computing, she worked for BOCES of New York State to design teacher workshops for using computers in the classroom. In 2011 she was appointed to the Eastern Shore Public Library Board of Trustees and has served as vice chair and chair, as well as working on several committees and volunteering at the library. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the Eastern Shore Community College.
Barbara Coady received the award at this year’s Virginia Library Association annual conference and award ceremony on October 11th, 2017 in Norfolk.