March 2000 issue
VLA Jobline
The VLA Jobline, located on the VLA web page, is an excellent place to advertise or search for a job. The Jobline is updated frequently and includes many different job opportunities in a variety of library settings. To submit new job listings, please contact Linda Hahne at the VLA office at (757) 583-0041 or hahne@bellatlantic.net. To search for a job, see the VLA web site at http://www.vla.org.
First Council Meeting
of 2000
The VLA Council for the year 2000 met on February 11 at the Northside Library in Charlottesville. President Carolyn Barkley welcomed the new Council and started the meeting with a round of introductions. The minutes from the October 28 meeting at The Homestead were approved.
Linda Hahne, Executive Director, gave a report on membership. VLA currently has 778 members of which 107 are new members. A total of 516 members have not renewed and second notices were mailed in the first week of February. Membership packets will soon be sent to both new and renewing members. Linda also mentioned in her report that VLA has purchased a large coffee pot which may be borrowed to use at programs.
Treasurer Jeanette Friedman presented the 1999 closeout budget along with the proposed 2000 budget. VLA ended the year with a sizeable income and has now achieved the Finance Committee's goal from 1999 to place the amount of one year's operating expenses into a contingency fund. Again this year the paraprofessional and annual conferences did very well, garnering approximately $35,000 of income over expenses. The proposed budget for 2000 was approved by Council.
Carolyn then presented the VLA 2000 designated agenda which focuses on four major topics: advocacy, continuing education, membership services and association finances. The specific goals for advocacy are broken down into three categories: legislative activities, intellectual freedom activities and library staff advocacy. Legislative activities include advocating full funding of the state aid formula for public libraries and Infopowering the Commonwealth, monitoring the progress of UCITA legislation, developing the 2001 legislative agenda, and recognizing delegates and senators through participation in ALA's Thank You Day activities. Intellectual freedom goals are to monitor IF issues and prepare an annual report of IF challenges and support activities. Library staff advocacy will focus on collecting and analyzing salary data in order to recommend a minimum entry-level salary for positions requiring an MLS.
To enhance continuing education opportunities that are both geographically and financially accessible to VLA members, a survey of statewide facilities will be conducted to provide a directory of sites available to program and workshop planners. The directory will include contact information, location, hours, restrictions and lists of available equipment. The Leadership Training session and Program Planners' workshop will also be studied to identify needs and assess effectiveness.
Membership support goals focus on effective organization, communication, growth and archives. Organizational activities include studying the Awards and Recognition Program and the VLA Scholarship Program to clarify requirements and timelines, establish appropriate membership on the committees, and bring all unit awards under the administration of the Awards and Recognition Committee. Other organizational goals include studying the VLA Council and committee succession processes and exploring opportunities to develop leaders within the association. To enhance communication, the Executive Committee proposes to develop an annual "state of the association" report and to study and revise the Council annual report process. Membership growth goals will be supported by the implementation of year two of the membership strategic plan as well as the development of strategic activities for recruitment and retention in 2001 and 2002. Membership support goals also include reviewing the contents of the VLA archives at the Library of Virginia and developing a VLA photo archive to provide a historical record of the association as well as to support publicity and promotional activities.
Actions to support the financial framework of the association include developing a planned giving program for VLA, reviewing the financial plan and dues structure, and creating a comprehensive advertising plan for VLA publications. Council approved the draft of the 2000 designated agenda which also listed specific assignments for many committees and forums and a timeline for completed work.
In the next action item Linda Hahne presented the 2001 and 2002 annual conference proposals for Council approval. The annual conference in 2001 will take place in Richmond and will have the same two day format as this year's conference. In 2002, VLA may hold a joint conference with VEMA similar to the joint conference at Virginia Beach in 1998. The location for the conference in 2002 has not yet been determined. After some discussion of the pros and cons of the last joint conference, Council approved the proposal to coordinate planning with VEMA.
Janis Augustine gave the report of the Legislative Committee. The State Aid budget amendment requested 7.7 million dollars in extra funding in the next two years which would achieve full funding. The Infopowering budget amendment asked for $6 million in addition to the $4 million already included in the Governor's budget. Also included was a request for $426,000 for the Library of Virginia to administer Infopowering. Fifty people were expected at legislative day in Richmond on January 20 but due to one of this winter's many snowstorms only twenty were able to attend.
Federal Relations Committee Chair Skip Auld gave a very detailed review of the controversy over UCITA, the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act. UCITA is a draft law intended to provide a uniform contractual framework for the licensing of software and computer information across the country. UCITA is controversial in the library community because it undermines the fair use principle of copyright law. VLA supports carry-over of this legislation for further study or, as a reluctant second choice, an amended bill. Skip also distributed a flyer inviting VLA members to attend National Library Legislative Day on May 1-2 in Washington D.C.
Morel Fry, Conference Committee Chair, announced that the theme of this year's annual conference, to be held in Norfolk on October 19-20, is Celebrate Virginia's Libraries. Speakers will include Dale Henry and Secretary of Education Bryant. This year the Council Luncheon and Program Planners' Workshop will be held on Wednesday. The exhibits will open at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and there will be a free lunch in the exhibit area instead of the traditional wine and cheese party. Linda Hahne stressed that the exhibitors provide very important financial support for the conference and encourages everyone to attend the exhibits, talk with the exhibitors and thank them for their support.
Carolyn Barkley announced that ALA Thank You Day will take place on April 11, 2000 and encouraged Virginia libraries to participate. Library directors should have received information on this event but can contact the ALA Washington office if they need further details.
ALA Councilor Mary Mayer-Hennelly reported on her January trip to ALA Midwinter in San Antonio. Mary highlighted that the ALA Scholarship Committee will hold a silent auction at the ALA annual conference and is asking for contributions from state associations. Sandy Heinemann moved that VLA donate a gift basket with books by Virginia authors and the motion carried. Mary's full report appears separately in this issue of the Newsletter.
Carolyn reported that the library school at Catholic University is seeking ways to strengthen its program outside of D.C. and will focus on Richmond this year. The Dean of the school, Peter Liebscher, would appreciate suggestions from VLA regarding course topics and possible adjunct faculty members. A partnership between VLA and the library school may allow for reduced rates for VLA members. Discussion of useful course topics followed and Carolyn will report the results to Dean Liebscher.
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 following announcements of upcoming programs.
National Library
Legislative Day
Last year, over 50 Virginia librarians and library supporters came to Washington D.C. for a National Legislative Day luncheon with their Congressman or members from their Congressional staffs. The day was a great success and has continued to pay dividends to those who were able to forge closer alliances with their Representative.
This year, the Federal Legislation Committee of VLA will be hosting another lunch on May 2, 2000. If we are successful in creating even greater participation by Virginia librarians, trustees and supporters we will be able to keep the avenue of communication open and make that avenue even wider and more accessible. To help us learn more about current issues and how to be better advocates, the Washington Office of the American Library Association is sponsoring a free workshop on Monday, May 1.
These are challenging times for libraries. It’s not just about the money anymore. Issues and federal policies are being forged almost daily that can and will affect our ability to deliver services. Whether it’s issues about intellectual freedom, copyright and fair use, access to government information, or even funding for libraries and education – all have the ability to make our service better or worse.
Eleventh hour pleas from the Washington Office of ALA to make calls to our Congressional leaders are becoming almost commonplace as our nation works to address new issues in the information age. Those calls are easy when you have established a good relationship with your Congressman. There’s no better time or place than over a meal in friendly company. LET’S DO LUNCH! Enclosed in this newsletter is a flyer to register for National Library Legislative Day activities. Please share it with your trustees and Friends and be sure to fill it out yourselves. See you in Washington!
LVA Board Meeting
The Library of Virginia Board met in Richmond on January 21, 2000. Mary Ann Harmon, vice-chair, presided.
The Archival and Information Services Committee reported that there were 65,909 visitors the first half of the fiscal year, a 19% decline from the same period last year. The microfilm collection is at about 75% capacity; there is room for about 14,000 more reels. The Library and staff will host and participate in various programs and forums during the next few months.
The Collection Management Services Committee reported that with 17 new staff positions filled, there are now 30 archivists processing the estimated 54-year backlog. At the rate of current progress (processing about 904 cubic feet of material each year) the backlog may be reduced to 19 years.
Staff is recommending that the circulation policy be revised to prohibit from circulation all books published before 1925 (or perhaps a more recent date). The current cut-off date is 1900. The reason for suggesting this change is to protect the aging books from damage and to contain costs in acquiring replacement copies. The Committee will revisit this matter at the next Board meeting.
The Legislative and Finance Committee is supporting a budget amendment increase request of $748,000 earmarked for collection development and technology replacement.
The Public Library Development Committee reported that the LSTA Advisory Council recommended approving 32 EZ Youth Services Grant applications to 25 different libraries totaling $75,806. The Committee also reported that 77% of State Aid goes to purchasing books and other library materials.
The Publications and Educational Services Committee reported that printing bids have been received for the proposed Atlas of Virginia Maps, with hopes of the book being printed by the first of May. Other books in the pipeline include a book about Ellen Glasgow (to be published later this year) and volume 2 of the Dictionary of Virginia Biography (to be published in the summer of 2001). About 600 copies of volume 1 have already been sold.
The Library of Virginia Foundation Committee reported that while corporate donations are ahead of last year, more could and should be done to increase the amount of corporate giving. Library Shop sales will approach or exceed the $255,000 target.
The Foundation and the Virginia Center for the Book are finalizing plans for a statewide reading program called All Virginia Reads. The purpose of the program is to have readers throughout the state reading and discussing the same book at the same time. The book chosen is Sophie's Choice by William Styron. The author is giving his full support to the program.
The Bylaws Committee recommended reducing the minimum number of yearly Board meetings from six to five. Nothing will prohibit a sixth meeting from being called if the Board members desire it.
Nolan Yelich, the Librarian of Virginia, reported that the staff is in the process of assessing the 2-year-old strategic plan, especially in terms of staff and resources allocation. Also, some staff members are assisting the governor's wife in assessing the art collection housed in the Governor's Mansion.
The next Board meeting will be held at the Woodrow Wilson Magnet School in Danville on March 13. The meeting after that will be in Richmond on June 19.
--Alan M. Bernstein, VLA Observer to LVA Board.
ALA Midwinter Report
Issues brought before ALA Council at the Midwinter Meeting, held in San Antonio, January 14-19, included new business and previous concerns.
A resolution passed encouraging all chapters to oppose UCITA, the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act. VLA's Skip Auld briefed chapter councilors about UCITA activity so far in our state.
Council approved proposed changes regarding the NTIS, recommending functions be sent to GPO.
A recommendation to change ALA Policy 54.2 to recognize graduate level library degrees from other countries was approved.
A resolution endorsing intellectual freedom principles regarding evolution was approved and sent to the Kansas Library Association, the Kansas State Board for Education and others.
Several challenges to the ALA Executive Board's actions were unsuccessful including proposed changes to socially responsible investing and official ALA communication policies.
A resolution to change the constituted requirement for ALA membership meetings was defeated. New enthusiasm to revamp those meetings and attract participation was evident.
Many councilors disapproved of the fashion in which the ALAction 2005 was presented. It appeared as a professionally produced glossy hand-out, causing many to wonder if endorsement had been taken for granted. The action goals were adopted.
PLA and LAMA's development of a "Certified Library Administrator" was further endorsed.
--Mary Mayer-Hennelly, ALA Councilor.
Poetry Festival
The seventh annual Chesapeake Poetry Festival will be held at Russell Memorial Library on March 16 & 17, 2000. This annual event was developed by Chesapeake Public Library Director Peggy Stillman and C. Edward Russell, Jr. The festival is supported by Mr. Russell, The Chesapeake Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Chesapeake Public Library, The Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Mary Flinn, the editor of the New Virginia Review. Over the years it has attracted a large and loyal following. On Thursday evening there will be readings hosted by C. Edward Russell, Jr. and featuring nationally published poets David Huddle and Tim Seibles. The poets will visit two local high schools on Friday for a chance to meet with invited students and discuss their work. On Friday evening there will be the very popular "Coffee + Night = Poetry," an open mike night offering local poets the opportunity to read their own works. All events are free and open to the public.
VLAPF 2000 Conference
The VLA Paraprofessional Forum's 2000 Conference will be held on May 22-23 at the University of Richmond. This year's conference theme is Reaching for the Stars: Success, Recognition, Professionalism.
Meralyn Meadows of the Stanley County Public Library in North Carolina will be the keynote speaker for Monday morning's opening session. She will kickoff the conference with her presentation, Leadership Is What? Stella Pool, Community Network Coordinator of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, will begin Tuesday's activities with her keynote presentation entitled Be A Star: Shine Where You Are.
During the two-day event, conference attendees will have the option of attending four of the twenty-four sessions being offered on a variety of topics, including computer-related technologies, readers' advisories, and storytelling skills. Roundtable discussions will be held after lunch on Monday and will offer each attendee an opportunity to network and share ideas with colleagues on a topic of common concern.
Sunday evening arrivals may choose to attend a picnic that will be held on the grounds of the University of Richmond. A Southwestern theme is planned for this year's picnic that will include a spicy menu, special music, and unusual door prizes. This picnic provides an enjoyable meal in a casual setting and gives Sunday evening arrivals an opportunity to begin networking.
The Monday evening conference social is a time to dress in your favorite jeans and tee shirt and join the fun. The social will include refreshments, door prizes, a DJ, and dancing.
After an elegant buffet luncheon on Tuesday afternoon, our closing speaker will be Dr. Gwynn W. Ramsey. Dr. Ramsey is Professor Emeritus from Lynchburg College, and a Master Storyteller. He will entertain his audience with Folk Tales from the Southern Appalachians. The awarding of scholarship raffle prizes, including a framed P. Buckley Moss print valued at $250 and many unusual gift baskets, will take place following Dr. Ramsey's presentation.
The VLAPF members feel that this year's conference will provide many opportunities for professional development, and we invite each of you to join us at the University of Richmond on May 22-23. For more information you may contact one of the VLAPF Co-chairs at the number or email address listed below:
Wanda Brown, Virginia Tech -- (540) 231-4887 (wabrown2@vt.edu)
Clara Stanley, Virginia Tech -- (540) 231-6182 (cstanley@vt.edu)
Children's Literature
Conference
The 27th Conference of the Children's Literature Association will be held June 22-25 at the Hotel Roanoke. Papers and panel discussions will cover a wide variety of topics on children's and young adult literature of interest to scholars, teachers and librarians. Special guests will include Monica Hughes, Carolivia Herron, Thomas Locker, Ruth Sanderson, Nancy Willard, John McCutcheon, the Jack Tale Players and Gillian Adams. A visit to Hollins University's new library, a silent auction of children's literature items and a tour of a local winery are also planned. For more information about the conference, see the website at http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/chla/confindex.html.
A Celebration of
Books and Reading
The sixth annual Virginia Festival of the Book will be held March 22-26 in Charlottesville. Produced by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the Festival is a free public event featuring authors and publishing professionals in programs for adults and children. Featured in this year's line-up are celebrated poets Nikki Giovanni and Rita Dove, fiction writers Reynolds Price and David Baldacci, nonfiction writers Abraham Verghese and Kay Redfield Jamison, and Newbery/Caldecott winners Sharon Bell Mathis and David Wisniewski to name just a very few. During the festival an entire day is dedicated to family literacy with the Motheread and Fatheread activities. For additional information, program updates and the latest participants visit the Festival's website at http://www.vabook.org or call (804) 924-6890.
Recent restructuring of the library administrative team at the Norfolk Public Library has eliminated the position of Assistant Director and has created two new positions at the assistant director level. Mary Mayer-Hennelly, formerly assistant director, is now Support Services Administrator. Yvonne Hilliard-Bradley, formerly extension services manager, has been promoted to Public Services Administrator.
Mike Fein is the new Coordinator of Library Services at Central Virginia Community College. Previously, he was Librarian at Catawaba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina, and has held positions in academic, institutional, and public libraries in Kansas, Missouri, and North Carolina. Fein received a BA in Russian Literature from the University of Kansas. In addition, he received both an MA in Russian Literature and an MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jessica J. Fischer has joined Swem Library at the College of William and Mary as a reference librarian.
Theresa Johnson has been appointed head of access services at Old Dominion University.
Paul Rittelmeyer has been named digital acquisitions coordinator at the University of Virginia.
Stephen E. Stratton has been appointed social and behavioral sciences librarian at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Amanda Wakaruk has accepted the Business Reference Librarian
position at Perry Library, Old Dominion University in Norfolk effective February 10. Amanda was formerly with the Alberta Justice Department where she was
Acting Reference Librarian for the Staff College Library. Previously, she worked for Edmonton Public
Library and Alberta Power Limited.
Amanda holds a BA in
Commerce from Athabasca University and a Masters of Library Science from the
University of Alberta.
The
Chesapeake Public Library has been fortunate to add several new staff
members. Debra Lewis is the new Manager of Support Services. Debra is responsible for collection
development and cataloging, including acquisitions and processing of all
library materials. She also manages the
courier service and supplies for the library system. She was previously the senior librarian at the Newport News
Public Library. Debra received her MLS
from the University of North Texas. Jodi Reha is the new A/V cataloger at
the Central Library. Jodi was
previously with the library network of Telcordia Technologies where she worked
as a cataloger. She received her MLS
from Rutgers University. Ann Martin has joined the Reference
staff at the Central Library. Ann
worked as a reference librarian at the Henderson County Public Library and as
the evening librarian at the Blue Ridge Community College Library. She received her MLS from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro. Nancy George has also joined the
Reference staff at the Central Library.
Nancy just completed her MLS in May 1999 from the University of
Pittsburgh, where she was an academic advisor for the past 19 years.
Lindsay Van Sicklen, formerly at Bryant & Stratton
College, has assumed the position of Periodicals Librarian at Ouachita Baptist
University in Arkadelphia, AR.
VLA Council Meetings
VLA Council meetings will be held in Charlottesville at the Northside Library on April 7 and June 9, and at the Main Library on September 15.
Library of Virginia
Board Meetings
Board meetings are scheduled for March 13 in Danville and June 19 in Richmond.
March 16-17
Poetry Festival
Sponsor: Chesapeake Public Library & Chesapeake Public Library Foundation
Place: Russell Memorial Library
Contact: Jean Carideo
(757) 465-0715
March 17
A Documents Sampler:
The Documents Workshop with Something for Everyone
Sponsor: Public Documents Forum
Place: Virginia Tech
Contact: Carol Hunter
(804) 243-8788
April 14; May 5
Basic Serials
Cataloging Workshop
Sponsor: Technical Services & Technology Forum
Place: Library of Virginia; Virginia Tech
Contact: Althea Aschmann
(540) 231-9251
April 21
Managing Your Diverse
Workforce
Sponsor: Multicultural Forum
Place: Library of Virginia
Contact: Christine C. Dixon
(703) 323-3861
May 1-2
National Library Legislative Day
Washington, D.C.
May 5
Friends of Virginia Libraries (FOVL) Annual Meeting
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Contact: Bill Whitesides
(804) 932-8261
May 22-23
Reaching for the
Stars: Success, Recognition, Professionalism
Sponsor: VLA Paraprofessional Forum
Place: University of Richmond
Contact: Wanda Brown
(540) 231-4887
or Clara Stanley
(540) 231-5926
June 22-25
Children's Literature:
Landmarks, Boundaries, and Watersheds
Sponsor: Children's Literature Association
Place: Hotel Roanoke
Contact: J. D. Stahl
October 19-20
VLA Annual Conference
Norfolk