Massanutten Regional Library Wins Library of the Year from VLA

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September 17, 2025

Massanutten Regional Library Wins Library of the Year from Virginia Library Association

The Massanutten Regional Library has been awarded the Virginia Library Association's 2025 Library of the Year award for its expansive work in the community and its tenacity to continue providing new and record-breaking programming with limited resources.

Originally founded in 1928, today MRL serves the residents of the City of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and Page County, with branches located in Bridgewater, Broadway, Elkton, Grottoes, Harrisonburg, Luray, and the town of Shenandoah. Library patrons have free access to a plethora of resources that include more than 300,000 books, DVDs, audiobooks, ebooks, e-magazines; online learning and research tools; wi-fi and computer access; and events and programs nurturing literacy and learning for people of all ages and interests. MRL strives to be the welcoming heart of the community where all come to learn, discover, create, and connect.

Community engagement was chief among the reasons cited for the award, with MRL's expanded operating hours, programming, and its success in reaching more of the underserved populations throughout its service area listed specifically. Library Director Zach Elder said MRL's being named Library of the Year is a team effort.

"From program planning, to getting books and materials into the hands of our satisfied patrons, to communicating our collections and services throughout our community, and everything in between, MRL's people are the reason for this recognition," Elder said. "Because of our stellar customer service; our removing barriers to use; our more inclusive collections, programs, and services; and our partnerships throughout the area, our patrons have even more love for us than they did before."

This win comes after MRL was named Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit of the Year in April for its community collaboration and its creativity and innovation in meeting the needs of the communities it serves.

© 2025 Massanutten Regional Library

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