VLA Newsletter October 2001

Attention: VLA Conference Attendees

Your Evaluation Is Important

This year the 2001 VLA Conference Committee plans to put the conference evaluation form online so that you will be able to complete the form thoughtfully later at home.  After the conference on October 17-19, please look for the form on the VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org.  Each completed evaluation form will be entered into a drawing for a free hotel room at next year’s VLA Conference.  For more information, contact Harriet Edmunds, Conference Committee Chair, at hedmunds@lva.lib.va.us or (804) 692-3727.
 

Reviewers Are Needed

Each year, the VLA Conference activities and sessions are featured in Virginia Libraries, the quarterly magazine of the Virginia Library Association.  Barbie Selby and Earlene Viano, co-editors of Virginia Libraries, are requesting volunteers to write these reports for publication.  If you wish to review a specific activity or session, please contact Barbie Selby at bselby@virginia.edu or (804) 924-3504.
 

VLA’s Role as an Advocate for Libraries

During the past decade, VLA has become increasingly active as an advocate for libraries in the Commonwealth.  We have secured the services of an excellent legislative liaison, Phil Abraham, and we have regularly let our legislators and state officials know our positions as an association.  VLA has invested budget dollars and countless member hours in urging our elected officials to fund libraries, and our efforts have often been successful.  One thing we have never done is to endorse a candidate or party.

In that spirit, our Legislative Committee has posed a series of questions to each major party candidate for governor.  Phil communicated these questions to the campaigns, and the result is printed in this issue of the Newsletter.  As president, I cannot ask you to support a particular individual, but I will urge you to read the responses carefully and consider the candidates’ commitment to libraries before you vote.

--Cy Dillon, President, VLA
 

Q&A: Library Issues in Virginia

Questions by Virginia Library Association
Responses by Mark Warner, September, 2001

1.  Do you use your public library, and, if so, what do you like about it?

Mark Warner:  Yes, my family and I use our public library. Growing up, I spent several afternoons a week in the public library.  Today, Lisa and I especially enjoy the chance for our daughters to go to storytelling for children sessions, where they get to learn in groups about the experience of reading and imagining.  We like the fact that libraries make information available to anyone who wants it, free of charge.  They offer students a place to study, research, and do homework, and they offer adults the opportunity to continue learning throughout their lives.

Mark Warner:  Virginia’s public libraries play a very important role in educating and providing enjoyment for many Virginians – young and old.  Through books (old and new), videos, tapes, story times, historical archives, access to the Internet, and many other services – all free – libraries are one of the most important centers for learning and enjoyment that a community has.

Mark Warner:  It’s unfortunate that this year’s budget impasse hurt our public libraries.  As Governor, I’ll work to restore fiscal accountability to make sure that cuts like this are not forced again.

The state’s commitment to provide funding for public libraries is minimal in the context of the state’s budget and even more minimal in terms of the value received for the dollars provided.  Even though state aid is only approximately 10% of the total library funding, the recent JLARC study showed that this funding provides critical support for our public libraries.

As Governor, I’ll work to increase funding for public libraries.

Mark Warner:  It’s unfortunate that the budget impasse forced dramatic cuts in Infopowering.  We clearly need to do more to support it. I have made expanding access to the opportunities of the Information Age one of the central themes of my campaign, and supporting efforts to do that is very important to me.  Keeping the Infopowering initiative on track will be a high priority.

I’m proud to have helped start SeniorNavigator.com that uses the Internet and a network of volunteers to help older Virginians and their caregivers gain access to basic health care information.  It’s a great example of how the power of technology can be used to improve the quality of life for Virginians, and people often visit their public libraries to use SeniorNavigator.

The Infopowering initiative is a great example of how technology can transform the services available to Virginians through our public libraries.  By the state purchasing databases of magazines, periodicals, and other electronic information and making them available to all local libraries, Infopowering is a cost-effective way to allow public libraries across the state to gain access to the same types of electronic information.  It is a very real way to help close the digital divide in rural and urban communities.  In addition, library patrons who have access to a computer away from the library can also access these databases with their local library card.  Because Infopowering is an intranet system that provides access only to the newspapers and magazines that have been purchased by the state, those who access this rich source of information will not have to worry about stumbling across pornographic materials.

Mark Warner:  Nothing I will do as Governor will be more important than to restore integrity, prudence, and accountability to Virginia’s public finances. It’s unfortunate that the budget impasse forced these cuts.  The Library of Virginia is an important educational resource for all of Virginia, and politics should not get in the way of providing funds for it.

Mark Warner:  Two of the key themes of my campaign are strengthening the quality of Virginia’s workforce and making the quality of life in Virginia even better.  That means we need to invest in our public schools, public libraries, and our cultural institutions.

Our first priority must be to restore fiscal accountability in Virginia.  By restoring this great tradition, we will be able both to invest in our educational and cultural institutions, as well as give Virginians the fair tax relief that they deserve.

Mark Warner:  As the father of three young daughters, I do not believe our libraries should provide access to pornographic materials.  I support the current law that requires each public library system to develop an Acceptable Use Policy that determines the most appropriate way to keep pornography out of their libraries.

Mark Warner:  The JLARC report made some thoughtful suggestions of ways to update the state funding formula.  These include removing the population cap; modifying the cap on local expenditures to include some type of inflationary measure; and including a component that recognizes a locality’s ability to pay.

Each of these suggestions is worthy of consideration, but only if done in a way that ensures that no library system receives fewer funds than it had previously received.

Mark Warner:  I am open to looking at any ideas that will provide Virginians expanded access to information in cost-effective ways.

Mark Warner:  Libraries serve a very important role in narrowing the digital divide by offering public access to the Internet and a wide variety of electronic information.

It’s important for libraries to continue to enhance their role in closing the digital divide, and that’s why we need to continue to invest in more technology for our public libraries.

I’m proud to have started a project called TechRiders, which has brought basic computer skills training to more than 12,000 people in churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship around Virginia.  Libraries are an important resource for people learning new computer skills because they provide a place to use those skills when people don’t have a computer at home.

Library of Virginia Board Meeting

The Library of Virginia Board met in Richmond on September 17, 2001.

Archival and Information Services reported that a patron code of conduct has been developed.  The division will also impose fees to help recover the costs involved in utilizing staff time and services involved in archival and informational retrieval requests.

Collection Management Services reported that 53 percent of its budget comes from the General Assembly.  Budget cuts of $313,000 have been sustained so far, resulting in the discontinuance of hundreds of serial title subscriptions.  The division has drafted contingency budget plans that will be activated if additional cuts are imposed.

The Legislative and Finance Committee reported that the Library's base budget for the next biennium will be at least $2.5 million less than the current biennium before the current budget cuts were imposed.  In addition, the possibility of additional budget cuts is real, which would probably mean a reduction in State Aid to public libraries as well.

Public Library Development was pleased with the tenor of the JLARC "Review of State Aid to Public Libraries" report, which on the whole was a positive endorsement of most aspects of public librarianship in Virginia, including State Aid.

Publications and Educational Services announced that the essay book dealing with Ellen Glasgow has been published, as has a guide to church records in the Library of Virginia (which is also available online).  Volume 2 of the Dictionary of Virginia Biography is scheduled for publication in late autumn.

Records Management recently hosted an IT records management seminar dealing with electronic records management issues.  A spring 2002 seminar may deal with email management.  The Websites of senior governmental officials, including the governor and lieutenant governor, will be transferred to the Library of Virginia as part of its collection mandate.

The Library of Virginia Foundation's authors award ceremony scheduled for September 15 was cancelled in light of the terrorist attacks earlier that week.

Board Chair F. Claiborne Johnston, Jr. reported that the Governor has not yet acted to reappoint or replace three board members or to fill the one existing vacancy.  Under Virginia law those three board members continue to serve unless and until they are replaced.

The employment contract for Nolan Yelich, the Librarian of Virginia, was approved.

The next Board meetings are scheduled for November 19, January 25, March 18, and June 10.

-- Alan M. Bernstein, VLA Observer to the Library of Virginia Board.
 

Intellectual Freedom Update

CIPA Challenge

A three-judge panel of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in late July on the federal government’s motion to dismiss the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Library Association’s suit challenging the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).  Judges questioned the government attorneys about whether it was possible to block children’s access to pornography without also blocking access to important information.  The U.S. Justice Department attorney argued that the law only requires librarians to uphold their local community standards.  The three-judge panel rejected the government’s effort to get the case dismissed and suggested that the case should proceed to trial, scheduled for February 14, 2002.

Bookstores Defend Customer Privacy

In September, 2001 the federal government agreed not to pursue the production of customer records requested in subpoenas issued to three bookstores in the investigation of U.S. Senator Robert G. Torricelli of New Jersey.  The president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression had indicated that ABFFE would file a motion to quash the subpoenas on First Amendment grounds if the federal government pursued the records.  ABFFE called the government’s decision a "victory for customer privacy and First Amendment rights."  ABFFE has been a leader in the fight to protect customer privacy in bookstores since 1998 when it helped a Washington, D.C. bookstore protect the privacy of White House intern Monica Lewinsky’s records from subpoena by independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

Filters Installed - Oklahoma City Public Library

The Metropolitan Library Commission for Oklahoma City voted 7-3 to require that all library computers be filtered in August.  An Oklahoma City newspaper reported that the Commission members voted to install the filters to "bring the library system into compliance" with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) even though the American Library Association had advised the library system of no need to comply with CIPA before 2002.  The library installed filters in August, activating the categories Sex, Pornography, and Nudity, but offering "information gathering" exceptions.  Adults may ask a librarian to disable the filter on a staff computer and print out relevant pages if they encounter a blocked site with needed information. (See "Oklahoma City PL to Filter All Net Use," Library Journal - August 2001, p. 15) includes a report about Chesterfield County, VA decision to install filters.

Internet Banned in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Taliban militia banned the Internet in late August and ordered the religious police to punish users according to Islamic law. The decree issued by Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar stated "[W]ithin the territory of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, no governmental or non governmental, domestic or international NGO (non governmental organization) or individuals can exploit the Internet." The ministry for the promotion of virtue and the suppression of vice was authorized to punish Internet users. The report gave no reason for the ban and did not say what the punishment should be.

- Timothy L. Coggins, VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee

VLA Council Meeting

The VLA Council met in Charlottesville on September 7, 2001 with Cy Dillon, President, presiding. Written annual reports were submitted, and the meeting included the following oral reports:

• Linda Hahne, Executive Director, announced that this year will close with 1,130 VLA members for 2001. From now on new memberships will be processed for 2002. The Membership Directory has been mailed to VLA members. Any member who did not receive a copy should contact Linda Hahne at lhahne@coastalnet.com.

• During her financial report, Linda explained that legislative donations were behind, paraprofessional registrations were high, and Annual Conference registrations were starting to arrive. Regarding expenses, she stated that the Membership Directory had cost less than budgeted and everything else was on target.

• Ballots had already been mailed for the VLA election, and voting was in process with the returned ballots due by September 15.  All candidates for the current election had been invited to attend the Council meeting.  The following candidates were guests that day and gave brief remarks: Morel Fry, Ruth Kifer, Andrew Morton, Harriet Edmonds, and Lisa Lee Broughman.  Next year, Cy explained, the Council plans to invite the candidates to the spring meeting and take them to lunch.

• Harriet Edmonds reported that she was pleased with the progress of the 2001 Annual Conference and with the cooperation of the library community around the state.  Everything has been planned to satisfy members’ needs, and there has been outstanding response for the sessions.  She commented that it is evident VLA members have much talent to offer since they are presenting many of the sessions.

• Sam Clay, Legislative Committee Chair, reported that Legislative Day, scheduled for January 24, 2001, will be more structured than in past years.  He recommended the renewal of the Legislative Liaison contract for Phil Abraham, who has represented VLA with knowledge and dignity.  The Legislative Committee was responsible for developing the ten questions sent to the gubernatorial candidates.  The JLARC report will be discussed during a concurrent session at the VLA Conference.  The Legislative Committee is considering the need for VLA to join together as a coalition with other groups who will be affected by budget cuts for Virginia libraries and who want to promote better funding.

• Steve Helm, VLA Webmaster, shared Web statistics for the VLA site and discussed the Legislative Action Center, which provides information on the Virginia State Legislature, issues, and legislation.  Although the subscription is accessible from the VLA homepage, many members may not be aware of it.  Cy noted that he had used the service frequently during the legislative session.

• The Continuing Education Committee has been developing a facilities database that will include pertinent information, such as location, capacity, cost, and Internet access, about sites that might be used for VLA programs.  Members with information about meeting places should contact Barbara Rittinger at britti1@co.arlington.va.us.

• The Publications Committee has decided to have photographs of officers taken for possible use in the VLA Newsletter.  The group is considering the publication of a condensed financial and executive annual report as a flyer or within the Newsletter.  Barbie Selby, former Chair, Publications Committee, reported, and Caryl Grey was introduced as the new Chair.

• Cy Dillon, President, reporting for the Executive Committee, explained that any reports or suggestions for policy prepared in a committee’s name should be read and approved by that committee.  Cy noted that, since VLA is officially a tax-exempt organization and donations are tax deductible, it is important to be careful how funds are received and spent.  The committee plans to have policies in place to help raise funds for scholarships.  The Executive Committee did not accept a recommendation for a new dues structure but will discuss finances at the Executive Retreat.  The group believes that dues should not change until 2003 since VLA has a strong reserve, the major conferences are self-supporting, and a dues increase will not have a major impact on the budget.  Regarding the Council, Cy noted that twelve more names are needed for next year’s chairs and that the election will affect some positions.

• Cy reported that VLA had received a request from NASA for partnership in a children’s youth services program.  Iza Cieszynski explained that libraries play a strong role by providing books and videos for Healthy Families, a statewide organization that helps new parents become better parents.

• Reports for regions, sections, and forums were presented to the Council prior to adjournment.  The complete minutes by Janis Augustine, VLA Secretary, may be read online under the "Council" section at http://www.vla.org

--Helen Q. Sherman, Editor, VLA Newsletter
 

VLA Web Statistics

Web statistics, collected by Steve Helm, VLA Webmaster, from October 31, 2000 – September 9, 2001, revealed that the VLA site had been busy.  As he mentioned at the Council meeting, the most popular page on the site was definitely the VLA Jobline at http://www.vla.org/jobline.html with 39,869 views and an average view time of 4 minutes and 14 seconds.  Obviously, many people have that site bookmarked because the number is even higher than the VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org, the first runner-up with 34,736 views.  The software recorded a total of 219,328 page views with an average of 709 page views per day.

The year’s summary recorded the most active day of the week as Tuesday, and the most active hour as 11:00-11:59.  The most active day of the year was June 7, 2001.

During the reporting period, there were 103,667 visits to the VLA site with an average of 335 visits per day to the site.  The average visit length was 4 minutes and 24 seconds.  During these visits, the software recorded 27,998 unique visitors to the VLA site.  Of these unique visitors, 22,501 visited once, and 5,497 visited more than once. In fact, 1,298 visited 10 or more times.

Have you visited your VLA site lately?  Hopefully, you are one of those unique visitors who returns to the site more than once to check the main calendar, download online applications or program registration forms, read the minutes of the last Council meeting, review resources, renew your membership, and, of course, read your latest online publications.  Remember that your VLA Newsletter is available in the online format the first week of the month on your popular VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org and that archives are available on the VLA Publications page.
 

3M/NMRT Professional Development Grant

3M Library Systems, in conjunction with the New Members Round Table (NMRT) of ALA, is sponsoring a grant program which will sponsor the cost of registration fees, airfare, lodging and some incidental expenses for recipients to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA in June 2002.  The application deadline is December 1, 2001, and the selection of grant recipients will take place at the ALA Midwinter meeting in January 2002.

Attending an ALA annual conference can be a tremendous career boost to a new librarian.  Opportunities abound for continuing education, information exchange, and networking.  To apply for the grant, go to http://www.ala.org/nmrt/awards/3m/index.html or contact Christine DeZelar-Tiedman, 3M/NMRT Professional Development Grant Committee Chair, dezel002@tc.umn.edu (612) 625-0381 or FAX: (612) 625-3428.

(Source: 3M Library Systems)
 

People & Happenings

Susan Brown, Supervising Librarian at Pamunkey Regional Library, is one of twenty-five people (not all librarians) selected from applicants across the country to attend a train-the-trainer workshop, "The New Planning for Results," in San Diego on October 15-18, 2001.  This three-day workshop, will be presented by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Sandra Nelson, an author and trainer in public library planning and management issues.  Each participant is obligated to provide three workshops during the next year and to report to PLA on the sessions.  Sue is also one of five returning participants who attended another Sandra Nelson workshop, "Managing for Results," held in Nashville in June 2000.
 

The recent terrorism on September 11 affected federal librarians at the Pentagon in Virginia.  Ann Parham, the Army Librarian, was burned and hurt her foot during the attack on the Pentagon but has been released from the hospital and is recuperating.  The Los Angeles Times (September 13, 2001) featured the story of her escape as she and more than 20,000 civilian and military personnel evacuated the Pentagon. Kathy Earnest, the head of the Pentagon Library, and her entire staff escaped safely, and they are now working in temporary areas.  Before the attack, they had been scheduled to move into new library space.  However, the new library was water damaged, and the old library was damaged in the attack and its aftermath.  Since the existing library is part of the "crime scene," neither the structural damage to the library nor the water damage to the collection has been completely assessed.
 

The National Endowment for the Humanities has selected the Newport News Public Library system and the Williamsburg Regional Library system as two of 40 libraries nationwide to host a traveling exhibit on George Washington. "The Great Experiment: George Washington and the American Republic" will be exhibited at the Main Street Library in Newport News from January 3 – February 14, 2002 and at the James City County Library in Norge from February 28 – April 11, 2002.  The traveling exhibit is based on a major exhibition of original documents mounted by the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA, in 1998-1999 to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of Washington’s death and has been organized in association with the American Library Association.  (Source: Williamsburg Regional Library News Release)
 

Virtual Libraries in the New Millennium, the proceedings of a conference held May 2001 in Atlanta, is now available as an online publication. The conference, made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Preservation and Access, featured case studies of virtual library projects, an update on standards and best practices, a discussion of selection and access issues, and an overview of networking resources needed to support future growth of the virtual library.  The proceedings may be viewed or printed in their entirety at http://www.solinet.net/presvtn/vl/vlibraries.htm.  (Source: SOLINET)
 

New 800 Number

Poison Help 1-800-222-1222, the new, nationwide number for all poison centers in America, is now operational throughout Virginia.  This new 800 number makes contacting a poison center fast and easy wherever you are in the U.S. When calling 1-800-222-1222, your call will be automatically routed to the closest regional poison center.  The old emergency numbers will still connect callers to the poison center during this transition.

National and local public awareness campaigns, using the new nationwide poison center logo, TV advertising, and radio announcements, are planned for November 2001.  Educational materials, including brochures, stickers, and magnets, will be available through regional poison centers.  For more information, contact Sue Kell, Education Coordinator, Blue Ridge Poison Center at 804-982-3158.  (Source: Virginia Poison Network)
 

Legislative Action Center

Click on the "Capitol" icon at the top of the VLA homepage and check the Legislative Action Center often to track current issues and legislation important to Virginia libraries.  Also, use this search tool to locate Virginia’s congressional delegation and state legislature as well as federal agencies.

This resource tool, developed by Capitol Advantage, is provided by the VLA for your convenience at http://www.vla.org.
 

Calendar

October 17, 2001
VLA Council Meeting
Place: VLA Annual Conference, Richmond

October 17-19, 2001
VLA Annual Conference
Place: Holiday Inn Select Koger South Conference Center, Richmond

November 10, 2001
Children’s Book Week Luncheon
Sponsor: Children’s Book Guild of Washington, D.C.
Time: 10 a.m. Book Signing; 12 Noon Luncheon
Place: Metro Marriott Hotel
Authors: Jim Murphy, M.E. Kerr, Emily Arnold McCully
Information: (301) 656-0946

November 16, 2001
Bring Them In – Bring Them Back
Sponsor: Region III
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Place: Williamsburg Regional Library
Contact: Colette Macin (757) 823-8796, cpmacin@nsu.edu
Jim Sanderson (757) 886-7896

Library of Virginia Board Meetings
November 19, 2001
January 25, March 18, & June 10, 2002
Place: Richmond

January 24, 2002
VLA Legislative Day
 

VLA Officers:
 

Cy Dillon	President
Iza Cieszynski	President Elect
Ruth Arnold	Second Vice President
Carolyn Barkley	Past President
Janis Augustine	Secretary
Jeanette Friedman	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

________

10/1/2001