Award-winning librarian brings Reston together
- The Reston Letter Staff
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Ellyn Wexler, staff writer
On a typical Friday at the Reston Regional Library, chairs are set, a presentation is queued and conversation begins to fill the room. Behind the scenes, Adrienne Leo is already at work, preparing the space, shaping the program and ensuring every detail is ready before the first attendee walks in.
Leo, the library’s adult services librarian, received a 2026 Staff Excellence Award from the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees for building programs that bring the Reston community together. She was honored at the board’s March 11 meeting following public nominations submitted in early February.
Since coming to Reston in 2014, Leo has focused on creating opportunities for residents to connect through discussions of global issues, creative workshops and community events.
That spirit is especially evident in the Great Decisions Discussion Group, a long-running series developed with the Foreign Policy Association. The monthly gatherings explore international topics through readings, videos and guest speakers and regularly draw about 70 participants.
“Adrienne has been the mainstay of Great Decisions since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said program volunteer Mike Carpenter. “Working from a small space in the library, she kept the discussions going and brought in speakers from around the country.”
Even after the return to in-person meetings, Carpenter said Leo’s careful planning continued to shape each session. “When we arrive, everything is ready—the chairs, the video, the speaker,” he said. “It is through Adrienne’s care and consideration that our group has grown and flourished.”
Carpenter added that Leo’s strengths go beyond logistics. “What makes Adrienne so special to work with is her intelligence, reliability, warmth and wit,” he said. “She possesses all in abundance and is simply a pleasure to know.”
Leo credits Carpenter and his fellow program volunteer and retired Foreign Service officer Ray Walser with helping secure speakers and strengthen the program.
“It has been a great pleasure to know and work with Adrienne on Great Decisions for the past two years,” Walser said. “She keeps matters on track, supports the program efficiently and drafts announcements and updates with dash and often wit. One could not ask for more. Without her, Great Decisions of Reston would likely be kaput.”
The library system recognized Carpenter and Walser last year with its Star Volunteer Award.
Leo’s work extends well beyond a single initiative. She organizes writing workshops, book discussions and wellness classes, while also inviting local experts, from physicists to geologists, to share their knowledge with the community.
Leo’s work has drawn praise from colleagues as well. “Adrienne does an outstanding job organizing and hosting Reston’s Great Decisions,” said Jaimie Donnelly, adult services manager and Leo’s supervisor. “Her ability to coordinate logistics while creating an engaging environment has made these sessions highly attended and impactful.”
Before joining the library system, Leo worked at the National Archives and Records Administration in Maryland and earned a master’s degree in library science and archives management from the University of Michigan.
For Leo, the work is as rewarding as it is varied. “My job is a real joy,” she said. “I feel lucky to meet people from all walks of life, learn from them and help make the library a cornerstone of the community.”
Next up is a June program exploring Alexander Hamilton and the musical “Hamilton,” part of a broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Leo said it offers another opportunity to bring people together through shared learning.