91´«Ã½

BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania – The 91´«Ã½ and United for Libraries has named Mark Miller, chair of the Loudoun County (Va.) Library Board of Trustees, a recipient of the 91´«Ã½ Trustee Citation.

The 91´«Ã½ Trustee Citation, established in 1941 to recognize public library Trustees for distinguished service to library development, honors the best contributions and efforts of the estimated 60,000 American citizens who serve on library boards.

Miller’s leadership resulted in the expansion and relocation of the Sterling Library, tripling its size and positioning it as a key element of economic revitalization in a retail district. The Stirling community will be the first in the county to benefit from extended Friday and Saturday library hours, a development pioneered by Miller. In addition, Miller was instrumental in developing the unique public-private partnership and lease-purchase agreement that will enable the library system to open its ninth branch – the 40,000-square-foot Brambleton Library – in 2018.

Miller received the Virginia Library Association Trustee Library Award in 2016. He has served as a member of the Loudoun County Public Library Board of Trustees since 2011 and as its chair since 2013. He has also served on the Loudoun County Fiscal Impact Committee, the Loudoun County Housing Advisory Board and on the board of the Friends of Ashburn Library.

A Florida native, Miller graduated from the University of Florida and attended graduate school at the University of Maryland. He resides in Leesburg with his wife, Ellyn, and son, Jake. His daughter, Gabriella, passed away from brain cancer in 2013 at the age of 10. To defeat childhood cancer, the Millers established the Smashing Walnuts Foundation. In 2014, the Foundation’s work resulted in the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, authorizing a pediatric research initiative through the National Institutes of Health. Gabriella loved to read, and loved the Loudoun County Public Library: a key reason her father works so passionately on the library’s behalf.

“Mark Miller’s dedicated service and commitment to excellence in libraries has resulted in initiatives that benefit all Loudoun County residents,” noted Library Director Chang Liu. “During his time as chair, the Board has developed innovative solutions to serve the needs of our community.”

91´«Ã½ President Julie Todaro will present Miller with the 91´«Ã½ Trustee Citation at the Opening General Session of the 2017 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Chicago.

For a detailed listing of United for Libraries programs at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference, as well as information on purchasing tickets and registering, visit .

: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the 91´«Ã½ with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.

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—Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves

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