VLA Newsletter
December 2001
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VLA Newsletter December 2001
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VLA Membership
It is time to renew your membership in the Virginia Library Association or to join the organization. Member benefits in VLA include continuing education opportunities, conferences, job listings in the VLA Jobline, listservs, a quarterly journal, and this monthly newsletter.
All VLA memberships expire on December 31, 2001. If you have not yet
submitted your 2002 membership renewal, please complete the enclosed form
or the online form found at http://www.vla.org.
You may either fax your form to Linda Hahne, Executive Director,
at (757) 583-5041 or mail it to her at VLA, P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA
23503-0277. If you have any questions about your membership, contact Linda
at lhahne@coastalnet.com.
VLA Scholarship Update
Another successful scholarship raffle, our seventh, added close to $1,300 to the scholarship fund. This is more than $500 over last year’s raffle revenue. The committee worked very hard in creating, assembling, and displaying 17 baskets of all shapes and sizes. Other donations included a lamp fashioned from a stack of real books, several teddy bears, a nightshirt, gift certificates, a fountain, and lots and lots of books. The committee had a choice spot near the registration booth at the Annual Conference. Extending the ticket sales to two days helped increase the final amount.
Heartfelt thanks go to all those generous conference attendees who answered our repeated solicitations to buy tickets. We also extend special thanks to exhibitors, vendors, and others who donated the prizes.
I would like to extend my thanks to the members of the 2001 scholarship committee for all their hard work and dedication in making this a hugely successful raffle: Diane Adkins, Marie Carter, Kathy Clarke, Connie Gilman, Velma Haley, Sharon McCaslin, Jan Pace, Susan Paddock, Sheila Whetzel, and Mary C. Wilson. A special thanks to Sharon who drove the Longwood College Library van expertly through Richmond and got all of us, plus our prizes, to the Library of Virginia in time for the dessert social and the drawing.
--Marianne Ramsden, Chair, Scholarship Committee
VLA Scholarships: A Brief History
The Virginia Library Association’s Scholarship program was established in 1991 with one $2,000 award. This was the start of an important commitment to the future of Virginia libraries. Two years later a second $2,000 scholarship was created in order to accommodate two applicants.
In 1996 the VLA Paraprofessional Forum began exploring the idea of awarding a scholarship for paraprofessionals wishing to get a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies. The first VLAPF scholarship was given in 2000.
Now, three scholarships of $2,000 are awarded to MLS candidates entering
library school or currently enrolled in a library school program. The deadline
for submission of all applications and references for the scholarships
is March 1. In April the VLA and VLAPF committees select three recipients
for the awards. The VLAPF award recipient is honored at the VLAPF Conference
in May, and the VLA award recipients are honored at the VLA Annual Conference.
| 2002 VLA Conference
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2002 VLA Annual Conference. The conference will be October 17 and 18 at the Williamsburg Marriott. In the coming months, program request forms as well as updates on programs and conference happenings will be in the Newsletter. An exciting pre-conference is planned for Wednesday, October 16 at the Williamsburg Regional Library. It will be a daylong discussion of Family Literacy and is being planned by a steering committee under the leadership of Pat Muller, Noreen Bernstein, and Caroline Parr. Speakers for the event include Jim Trelease, a nationally known speaker in library and educational circles, and Dr. Steve Herb of Penn State University. As an added feature an author dessert reception with Claudia Mills and Candace Ransome is planned for Wednesday evening. For further information, contact steering committee leaders or John Moorman, Chair, jmoorman@mail.wrl.org or (757) 259-7777. --John Moorman, Chair, 2002 Annual Conference Committee |
Library of Virginia Board Meeting
The Library of Virginia Board met in Richmond on November 19, 2001.
The Records Management Committee was pleased to announce that the Library of Virginia was awarded the Iron Mountain/ARMA International Award for Excellence in Records and Information Management (government category) in Montreal on October 2. A committee is working to update recording standards and electronic guidelines to take into account the electronic and digital advances of the past decade. Its recommendations will most likely come before the Board in late winter or early spring.
The Archival and Information Services division has hosted a number of Elderhostel programs. The division is in the process of preparing 34 bibliographical guides dealing with the most frequent types of subject matter questions asked of the library staff.
Collection Management Services reported that, if additional budget cuts are imposed, up to 23 percent of all subscriptions would be eliminated, totaling about 40 percent of its budget. The cataloging of State documents is current, but only 16 percent of Federal documents have been cataloged. Also, increasingly, Federal documents are only being issued in digitized formats (which presents its own set of problems), and there are indications that the Federal Agencies will no longer archive their own documents, but look to State agencies to do so for them.
The Legislative and Finance Committee reported that the Library has requested that about $1.5 million in budget cuts be returned, but nothing will be known until the Governor's budget is released on December 19. The Board as a whole reaffirmed its support for State Aid, Infopowering, and the Library of Virginia's budget amendments.
Public Library Development announced that 57 of 71 LSTA EZ grant applications were approved, totaling $255,857.32; 13 of 17 Continuing Ed grant applications were approved, totaling $12,424.00; and 19 of 25 Continuing Ed Systematic grant applications were approved, totaling $42,862.54.
Publications and Educational Services reported that Volume 2 of the Dictionary of Virginia Biography has been published.
The Library of Virginia Foundation Committee announced that its annual fund drive is running ahead of last year's and that it hopes to launch a campaign to increase public awareness of the Library.
Nolan Yelich, the Librarian of Virginia, reported that the Library,
along with other educational and cultural institutions in the state, intends
to participate in the Jamestown-Yorktown 400th Anniversary celebrations in 2007,
even though outside funding to help defray the costs of these celebrations will
be exceedingly limited or nonexistent.
The Library of Virginia Board will next meet in Richmond on January 25, 2002,
with subsequent meetings on March 18 and June 10.
--Alan M. Bernstein, VLA Observer to the Library of Virginia Board
Intellectual Freedom Update
Virginia "Material Harmful to Minors on Internet" Law Violates First Amendment
Virginia’s law that criminalizes the dissemination by computer of material harmful to minors violates the First Amendment, the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia held on October 11, 2001. Judge James H. Michael, Jr. wrote that the content-based regulation required by the statute cannot survive First Amendment strict scrutiny because the law was not narrowly tailored to promote a compelling governmental interest. Additionally, the court ruled that the statute (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-391) violates the commerce clause because current geographic filtering technology does not permit a Web site operator to limit access to online materials by geographical location. The opinion prevents the state from enforcing the 1999 law and makes Virginia the fourth state (others are New York, New Mexico, and Michigan) in which judges have struck down such laws.
The plaintiffs in the case argued that the law violates free speech by limiting what adults can say in Internet chat rooms and e-mails and what they can post on Web sites. It unconstitutionally subjects out-of-state Web site operators to Virginia laws without the operators even knowing. The State’s attorneys argued that the law protects Web site operators who take reasonable steps to keep minors from the material, such as requiring credit card numbers and personal information. Those same steps, the State argued, ensure that adults can engage in constitutionally protected speech while children are shielded from it. Judge Michael acknowledged the State’s interest in helping parents to protect minors from sexually explicit materials, but he said the legislature had not made the law specific enough to protect the freedom of adults. A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office said that the State will appeal the decision.
COPA Challenge To Be Heard by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on November 28, 2001, in the
challenge to the 1998 Child Online Protection Act (COPA), which required Web
sites publishing "harmful to minors" material to restrict access to
minors via a credit card or other methods. The challenge to COPA blocked enforcement
of the law. One COPA provision led to the establishment of the COPA Commission,
which has since advised against mandatory filters.
San Francisco City Supervisors Ban Adult Filters
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in October to reaffirm the library’s policy not to use Internet filters on public access computers accessed by adults and teenagers. As a result of this action, the San Francisco Public Library might lose $20,000 in e-rate funds because the Supervisors’ decision disregards certain provisions in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). However, the Board of Supervisors agreed to treat compliance with its action "as a significant factor" in replacing funds equal to those lost. (Library Journal, Nov. 1, 2001, p. 24)
More About CIPA
When a high school senior in South Carolina began thinking about colleges, his teachers suggested that he view the Web sites for universities such as Duke and Stanford. However, he could not reach the Web sites because his school used filtering software, and the sites were blocked. This particular high school senior had a computer with Internet access at home, so he was able to do his research at home. Other teens do not have home access and must rely entirely on libraries and schools for Internet access. The ACLU and other groups are challenging the constitutionality of the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to help those individuals who must rely on libraries and schools for Internet access. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear this challenge to CIPA in March, 2002. CIPA, passed by Congress last year, stipulates that libraries and schools will lose their federal funds if they do not install blocking software such as NetNanny or CyberPatrol.
The ACLU argues that while blocking programs are supposed to serve as filters against child pornography and content that might be harmful to minors, the software often blocks sites in a way that the ACLU describes as "capricious." Some experts and activists say that current methods of regulating children’s access to the Internet, such as blocking, are worse than useless. A recent report suggests that Internet use could actually be beneficial for youths who are trying to develop social skills. One group, the National Youth Rights Association (NYRA), a group that fights age discrimination and whose membership consists of individuals under 18, considers software blocking "just another form of censorship" that impedes freedom of speech and learning. Another youth rights group, Peacefire, whose sole purpose is to fight against youth censorship online provides detailed information on its Web site about how to circumvent blocking software and how to encrypt e-mail to ensure digital privacy. The president of NYRA says that the group is not trying to help kids get to triple X nude pictures or drugs. Rather, "we want the greatest possible freedom and responsibility for young people. My ideal youth site would promote young people taking an active part in politics and would get them to read the news. This would be so much better than letting a corporation or the government try to mold their views." Interestingly, the NYRA and Peacefire sites are frequently blocked by filtering programs.
-- Timothy L. Coggins, Intellectual Freedom Committee
| 2002 VLAPF Conference
The 10th Annual Virginia Library Association Paraprofessional Conference will be held at the University of Richmond on Sunday, May 19 – Tuesday, May 21, 2002. With Tomorrow’s Libraries: Are We Ready? as the theme, the 2002 VLAPF Conference will focus on electronic issues, such as e-libraries, e-patrons, e-books, e-reference, e-journals, e-circulation, e-reserves, and e-requests. This annual conference will feature interesting sessions, roundtable discussions, and keynote speakers. The meeting will also provide the opportunity to network with other paraprofessionals from libraries around the state. For further information, you may contact the 2002 co-chairs: Mary Buckley at 703-993-8479 or mbuckle2@gmu.edu and Mari-Jana O. Phelps at 703-221-3618 or mphelps@pwcgov.org. |
Call for Nominations
The Library Journal editors are seeking nominations for LJ Paraprofessional of the Year 2002, the third annual award to honor libraries' essential non-MLS workers. Library Journal will honor the Paraprofessional of the Year award winner in its March 1 issue. The award recognizes the essential role of paraprofessionals, now the largest constituency of library workers, in providing excellent library service and places emphasis on the efforts of the winner to further the role of paraprofessionals in the library profession. The editors see this honor as equal in importance to LJ’s annual Librarian of the Year Award, which debuted in 1989 and recognizes those who hold the MLS.
The nominating criteria for candidates for LJ’s rence form, conference registration form, plus housing and travel information may be found at http://www.pla.org.
The Special Libraries Association’s leadership will gather in Chicago,
Illinois, on January 24-26, 2002, for SLA’s 2002 Winter Meeting.
All incoming and current unit leaders are encouraged to attend and to be
key players in changes taking shape as the association seeks to better
meets members’ needs for the 21st century. Further information
is available at http://www.sla.org.
2002 ALA Awards
Each year the American Library Association and its member units sponsor more than 175 awards, including grants, recognition awards, scholarships, and conference sponsorships. The index for the award categories in the 2002 Awards Program is featured in the September 2001 issue of American Libraries and online under "Awards" at http://www.ala.org.
For more information about the awards, contact the ALA Awards Office
at 1-800-545-2433 or awards@ala.org.
Poetry Society of Virginia: 2002 Contest
The Poetry Society of Virginia has announced its annual poetry contest.
There are categories for poets eighteen years of age or older, categories
for members only, and categories for students. There are no entry fees
for the student categories; the fees for non-members are modest. The postmark
deadline for all contest entries is January 19, 2002, on Edgar Allen
Poe’s birthday. The rules for the 2002 Poetry Contest are posted on the
organization’s homepage at http://www.poetrysocietyofvirginia.org.
VLA Jobline
The online VLA Jobline benefits both employees and employers. New job listings are continually added, and the job descriptions usually include the following elements: date entered, position, location, description, requirements, salary range, application process, and closing date.
VLA charges $50.00 per job listing. To submit new job listings to VLA
Jobline, please contact Linda Hahne at (757) 583-0041 or lhahne@coastalnet.com
VLA Listservs
As a member of VLA, you are welcome to subscribe to the General Listserv and any other applicable listservs.
People & Happenings
Sally G. Reed, Director of Libraries for the city of Norfolk, Virginia, since 1995, will become the new Executive Director of Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA) in Philadelphia, PA, effective January 14. FOLUSA is a national organization supporting over 2,000 Friends of Libraries groups across the country and representing hundreds of thousands of individual library supporters. FOLUSA’s mission is to motivate and support local Friends groups across the country in their efforts to preserve and strengthen libraries and to create awareness and appreciation of library services.
Reed has been a member of VLA since 1995 and as Federal Legislation
Liaison worked with Christie Vernon to re-establish the Washington
Legislative Day luncheon for Virginia librarians and their congressional
representatives. Reed is also an active member of ALA. She recently completed
a term on its executive board and continues to be involved in advocacy
and library promotion through various committees and task forces. She has
written numerous articles and books for the field of librarianship, the
most recent of which is Making the Case for Your Library (Neal-Schuman,
2000), and she is currently completing the second edition of her book,
Small
Libraries: A Handbook for Successful Management (McFarland). In 2000,
Reed was the recipient of the Herbert and Virginia White award given annually
by ALA to recognize success in the promotion of libraries and librarianship.
Jennifer Heelen has accepted the position of Youth Services Coordinator
for the Culpeper County Library as of December 3. Jennifer was previously
with the Shenandoah County Library as the Program Coordinator. She has
her BA in American Studies from Siena University in Albany New York and
is presently pursuing her Master's Degree in Library Science through the
University of Tennessee Distance Learning Program.
Editor’s Note: Your fellow VLA members are interested in the staff changes
and special achievements at your library. Please send your "People &
Happenings" news items to hsherman@dtic.mil.
-HQS
2002 Council
The online VLA Council list has been updated to reflect the new 2002 Council members. The list is available under "Council" at http://www.vla.org.
For further information, you may contact Iza Cieszynski, VLA
President, at icieszyn@ci.newport-news.va.us.
| Council Meeting Date Change
The Council meeting originally scheduled for February 1 had to be changed to February 8, 2002. The VLA Secretary will notify the Council members by email prior to meetings. If you have any questions, please contact Janis Augustine at jaugustine@ci.salem.va.us. |
Calendar
VLA Council Meetings
The VLA Council meetings for 2002 will be held February 8
(Note change from February 1),
April 5, June 7, and September 6, 2002
Place: Northside Branch Library, Charlottesville
Library of Virginia Board Meetings
January 25, March 18, & June 10, 2002
Place: Richmond
January 24, 2002
VLA Legislative Day
March 1, 2002
Deadline for Submission:
VLA Scholarship Application (online)
Contact: Marianne Ramsden (804) 286-3541 mramsden@avenue.org
May 19-21, 2002
10th Annual VLAPF Conference
Tomorrow's Libraries: Are We Ready?
Place: University of Richmond
October 16-18, 2002
VLA Annual Conference
A Community of Partners
Place: Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg
VLA Officers:
| Iza Cieszynski | President |
| Morel Fry | President Elect |
| Harriett Edmunds | Second Vice President |
| Cy Dillon | Past President |
| Janis Augustine | Secretary |
| Andrew Morton | Treasurer |
Editor: Helen Q. Sherman, Librarian, DTIC Technical
Library, Defense Technical Information Center, 8725 John J. Kingman Road,
Suite 0944, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218 (703) 767-8180, fax (703) 767-8179,
email hsherman@dtic.mil
(Prefers submissions via email with Word attachments)
Executive Director: (for change of address) Linda Hahne, Virginia Library Association, P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA 23503-0277; (757) 583-0041; fax (757) 583-5041; email lhahne@coastalnet.com
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12/1/2001
HQS