Alicia Phinney, manager of library locations with the Suffolk Public Library, was named Outstanding Employee of 2016 for the State of Virginia for a library serving a population above 80,000.

The award was presented by the Virginia Public Library Directors Association on April 22 at the annual meeting of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association in Staunton.

The association considered nominations from libraries across the state and chose Phinney for her leadership and dedication to positive change in the Suffolk community.

Phinney has worked for the Suffolk library since 2013 and in that time has produced the policies, processes and procedures that have allowed the Suffolk Public Library to become more proficient in order to adapt to the changing needs of the community, according to a city press release.

The Virginia Public Library Directors Association brings together library directors from across the state to recognize the contributions of libraries throughout the year. The association promotes professional growth and professional unity and provides a forum for discussion among public library directors.