Fairfax County Library Employees Earn Recognition From Patrons

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Library’s Board of Trustees held a virtual ceremony Wednesday night where it honored the 11 winners of its 2nd annual Staff Excellence Award.

Library patrons submitted nearly 100 nominations honoring staff members at 19 branches and administration of the Fairfax County Public Library.

The awards highlighted how FCPL staff members were still able to make connections with patrons during a year when many of their interactions were through curbside service and virtual programming.

The common thread among the award winners was the ability to fulfill their customer service responsibilities despite the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From curating the library system’s My Perfect Reads program to managing virtual English language learner classes, the winners demonstrated a dedication to the public and a love of their jobs.

Library patrons nominated their favorite staff members in February, and a board committee selected winners from the nominations.

Board members from each county district introduced a winner Wednesday night and read a portion of the nomination — along with a message from each winner’s manager — during the virtual meeting.

The 2020 FCPL Staff Excellence Award winners were:

• Kevin Brooks – FCPL administration
• Wanla Freer – Reston Regional
• Jan Harrod – FCPL administration
• Ginger Hawkins – Patrick Henry
• Andrew Pendergrass – Pohick Regional
• Sujatha Perakalapudi – Reston Regional
• Charlotte Reineck – Martha Washington
• Barbara Rice – Kingstowne
• Kylie Sparks – Chantilly Regional
• Sailaja Vedula – Oakton
• Laura Wickstead – City of Fairfax Regional

Honorable mentions went to the entire curbside pickup team at Pohick Regional Library in Burke and to Sarah Souther at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

SEE ALSO: Fairfax County Libraries To Reopen For Indoor Express Services