Fredericksburg Area Library Staffers Win Prestigious Awards

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Two Central Rappahannock Regional Library staff members won major awards from the Virginia Library Association in 2020. The awards, selected by the association's Awards and Recognition Committee, are awarded every year to librarians at academic, public and special libraries across the state.

Craig Graziano, manager of the Fredericksburg branch, won the 2020 Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year Award. After working as a library page during high school, Graziano received a masters in library science from the University of Pittsburgh and returned to the Fredericksburg area to work as a youth services librarian at the then-England Run branch, now known as the Howell Branch.

Graziano's career at CRRL has focused on youth services, MakerLabs and the arts. His musical interests drove him to create a partnership with Fredericksburg All Ages, a youth-led music and arts nonprofit which uses performance space at Fredericksburg Branch, where he assumed the position of branch manager on July 1.

The prestigious Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year Award recognizes exemplary achievement and significant contributions to librarianship. The award is named after Donna Cote, who worked for CRRL for 44 years, and served as library director for 34 years.

Simon Watts, youth services and MakerLab Specialist at the Fredericksburg Branch, received the 2020 George Mason Award.

Watts started working at CRRL, first in Customer Services, in 2009. As MakerLab specialist, he developed programs to make a range of technology and science learning accessible to patrons, including an innovative badging program that empowers patrons to learn to use equipment without staff supervision.

Watts participated in the development of the Fredericksburg Canal Quarter Maker District and IdeaSpace at 1616 Princess Anne Street. While the opening of IdeaSpace has been delayed and CRRL branches and MakerLabs are closed due to the pandemic, Watts has shifted his focus to making personal protective equipment for local medical and law enforcement personnel. CRRL has distributed over 2,000 pieces of PPE in 2020.

The George Mason Award recognizes individuals who advocate for libraries and contribute to the development, growth, and extension of library and information services in their community.

The CRRL has 10 branches and serves as the library system for the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland and the city of Fredericksburg.

Last week, CRRL announced it is making plans to reopen its library branches and will start with providing patrons with computer access and printing in the next few weeks. Patrons will then soon be able to enter the buildings to browse the collections and check out materials.