VLA Newsletter April 2002

Call for Nominations

The membership of VLA will elect two new officers this year during the regular fall election. The offices are Vice-President/President Elect, and Secretary. The Nominating Committee is responsible for preparing a slate consisting of two nominees for each office. The selections will be announced in the May issue of the VLA Newsletter. Nominations by petition may be submitted through May 15.

Now is the time to send the Nominating Committee the names of individuals you would like to recommend for nomination to the respective offices. Self-nomination is both acceptable and encouraged. To submit recommendations for nomination or to receive a nomination form, please contact Cy Dillon (cdillon@ferrum.edu) or any of the other committee members: Milton Stevenson, Elaine Day, Bess Haile, Iris Taylor, or Pat Anderson.

--Cy Dillon, Chair, VLA Nominating Committee
 
 

Recognition for Libraries

National Library Week is celebrated April 14-20 this year. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all those who work in libraries and those library supporters who carry the banner of life long learning. Strong libraries are major partners in developing strong communities and in enhancing the community’s quality of life. I believe that libraries touch everyone’s lives. Let’s make our communities aware of that and make library awareness one of our priorities.

The saying is that "no man is an island." A library can no longer consider itself an "island" either. The increasing demands for information make library cooperation and referrals among and between libraries a part of everyday business. Partnerships between libraries and other community agencies are becoming increasingly more important as we continue to be active participants in building stronger communities. Our public expects us to be able to gather all the strings of information together and provide structure and credibility to the information gathered. These are some of the most important roles we have today as library professionals, and truly we all share in them together. I take my hat off to all of you.

--Iza Cieszynski, President, VLA
 
 

Library of Virginia Board Meeting

The Library of Virginia Board met in Richmond on March 18, 2002.

Archival and Information Services reported that almost all of the $268,000 needed to fund the microfilming of Virginiana documents in the Huntington Library in California has been raised. The project should be fully funded shortly. Organizing and microfilming the documents, many of which are in the Robert Alonzo Brock Collection, should take three or four years and be completed by 2007.

Legislative and Finance reported that the budgets of various Library of Virginia departments were cut from 11% to 24% to accommodate $3.6 million in State-mandated budget cuts; in addition, a hiring freeze has been in place since September. For 2002 – 2003, State Aid has been cut 8%, reducing its funding level to 85.5% of a fully funded formula. Also, in essence, all that remains of Infopowering is the Gale database subscription.

The Library is still hoping to take over management of the Library of Virginia building in order to deal with the humidity control problem. The Department of General Services is opposed, one reason being that close to 50% of the rent it receives from the Library subsidizes some of its other maintenance projects across the commonwealth (such as monuments upkeep, etc.). A report is to be submitted to Governor Mark Warner by October 31; a resolution to this problem may follow.

Public Library Development reported that 4th quarter State Aid payments will be approximately 7% less than 3rd quarter payments. For 2002 – 2003, State Aid will be approximately 8% less than current funding. Also, the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is up for reauthorization this year.

The Publications and Educational Services Committee reported that the Library will mount a series of exhibitions beginning in 2003 in anticipation of the Jamestown celebration of 2007. The common thread of these exhibits will be how Virginians view themselves and their history. The final exhibit will be a retrospective on how Virginia celebrated prior commemorations of the events of 1607. All Library-sponsored publications over the next few years will be tied to this common thread.

The Records Management Committee expects that its updated Electronic Records Management Guidelines will be presented to the Board in June. The Guidelines will be in the nature of "best practices" recommendations. The department is using a novel method to protect its manuscripts from insect damage by employing a contraption that kills insects by freezing them.

The Library of Virginia Foundation has raised 72% of its $150,000 goal for this fiscal year. So far, 106 new members have been enrolled.

Nolan Yelich, the Librarian of Virginia, announced that the redesign of the Library's Website is progressing. The approach is functional, not departmental; the end result will make for easier navigation.

The Nominating Committee recommended Gilbert E. Butler, Jr. as the next chair and Peter E. Broadbent, Jr. as the next vice-chair.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 10.

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

Sara Paretsky to Address VLA Conference

On Thursday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m. the 2002 VLA Annual Conference will open at the Williamsburg Marriott. The opening keynote speaker for this year’s conference will be noted award-winning author Sara Paretsky.

Sara Paretsky grew up in eastern Kansas. She and her four brothers attended a two-room school, where Paretsky began her lifelong love of baseball and underdogs, playing for a school team that always finished at the bottom of its rural league. Her first published writing, which appeared in The American Girl magazine when she was eleven, told a tale of surviving a tornado with her schoolmates. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas, with an MBA and a PhD in history from the University of Chicago.

Paretsky’s novels are marked by her deep-rooted concern for social justice. Her commitment to such issues has carried her voice well outside the world of crime fiction. As a frequent contributor to The New York Times op-ed page and a speaker at such places as the Library of Congress, Oxford University, and the University of Chicago, she is an impassioned advocate for those on society’s margins.

Not only has Paretsky broken barriers for her own work, but she has also helped open doors for other women writers in the field. Her role in founding Sisters in Crime, an organization that supports women mystery writers, caused Ms. magazine to name her a Woman of the Year in 1998. In 1997, she received the Mark Twain Award for distinguished contributions to Midwestern Literature.

Paretsky’s keynote address will deal with librarians and social justice. After her address there will be a reception where she will be available to sign copies of her works.

For further information about the 2002 Annual Conference, contact jmoorman@mail.wrl.org.

--John Moorman, Chair, 2002 Annual Conference Committee
 
 

Special Events at VLAPF Conference

This year the VLA Paraprofessional Forum Conference will include some special events that we think attendees will enjoy. There will be a welcome reception for those arriving on Sunday evening and the ever-popular social on Monday evening.

The welcome reception will be held on Sunday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Keller Reception Hall. The reception will not only include a variety of food and beverages, but entertainment, as well. Jason Brannan, who works at the Pamunkey Regional Library, will provide a relaxing atmosphere as he plays the piano throughout the evening. At 7:00 p.m. the evening’s musical entertainment will be provided by six members of the 4-H Club in Chesterfield. The group consists of Richard Wayne Mallory, II, a student at Lloyd C. Bird High School; Brittany Simmons, a student at Richmond Christian School; Nikki and Norsey Welch, students at the Hopewell Governor’s School; and Stacey and Tracey Frame, who work with the Children’s Theatre in Chesterfield. We think you will enjoy the variety of popular songs that they will perform.

The theme of this year’s social is United We Stand. The social will be held from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in the Tyler Haynes Commons. Come dressed in your favorite red, white, and blue and show your true colors at our social featuring a patriotic theme. This is a time to kick back and relax, meet new people, and reminisce with old buddies while enjoying the music played by the evening’s DJ, Ron Gilder. There will be plenty of food and drink available throughout the evening.

For those who prefer a quieter evening, there will be an area provided in the Tyler Haynes Commons where you can enjoy refreshments and watch television. Other special activities planned for Monday evening will be posted at the registration area.

If you have questions about the special events or any questions regarding the conference, contact Mary Buckley, George Mason University, 10900 University Blvd., Manassas, VA. 20110, mbuckle2@.gmu.edu or Mari-Jana Phelps, Prince William Public Library, Dumfries Neighborhood Library, 18007 Dumfries Shopping Plaza, Dumfries, Va. 22026, mphelps@pwcgov.org.

--Lydia Williams, VLA Paraprofessional Forum
 
 

National Library Legislative Day:

Make your plans now to join your fellow Virginians at National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., on May 6-7, 2002.

Briefing Day will be at the Holiday Inn on the Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 6. The Washington Office of ALA invites you to attend a workshop to become fully informed on the issues and to learn how to be an effective advocate for libraries. On May 7, there will also be a short update in the morning followed by congressional office visits that day. ALA information is available at http://www.ala.org/washoff/legislativeday.html. The cost of the workshop is $15.00, and the ALA registration deadline is April 5.

Also, academic librarians who are members of the Association of College and Research Librarians are encouraged to attend the ACRL Legislative Luncheon on May 6. Additional information is available at http://www.ala.org/acrl/leglun02.html.

Please join your fellow Virginians at a special luncheon with Virginia's legislators from noon - 2:00 p.m. in the Gold Room of the Rayburn Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 7. VLA will be honoring Senators George Allen and John Warner for their support of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization including funding for school library resources. Representatives and their legislative aides will also be attending the luncheon, and you will have the opportunity to visit with them and promote LSTA reauthorization, the importance of fair use in copyright law, and other items of importance.

Please register now to attend the VLA National Library Legislative Day Luncheon on May 7. Bus transportation is available from Norfolk and Richmond with drop off and pick up service right at the Rayburn Building. The registration form is accessible on the VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org by selecting the "Calendar" and searching "Legislative Day" as a keyword search.

Please register for the luncheon and the bus transportation as soon as possible. You may use the e-form on the VLA site or fill out the registration form and mail it to Linda Hahne at VLA, P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA 23503 or fax it to (757) 583-5041.

For more information, contact Skip Auld at (804) 748-1767 or auldh@co.chesterfield.va.us or Linda Hahne at (757) 583-0041 or

lhahne@coastalnet.com.

--Skip Auld, Federal Relations Chair
 
 

VLA Awards and Recognitions

Each year we have the opportunity to nominate individuals and groups for their special contributions in the world of Virginia libraries. VLA awards and recognitions include the George Mason Award to an individual or organization, the Friends Award, the Trustee Award, and the Honorary Life Membership Award. For more information, visit the VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org or contact Connie Gilman, Chair, VLA Awards and Recognitions, at (703) 792-4800.

The VLA Awards Nomination Form is available online. You may also contact Linda Hahne, Executive Director of VLA, at P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA 22060-6218 or lhahne@coastalnet.org for nomination forms. All nominations must be received by the VLA office by April 15, 2002.
 
 

USC to Offer MLIS in Virginia

The University of South Carolina College of Library and Information Science will be offering a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) with all courses delivered through Distant Education Technology, but with professors coming to points in Virginia for the onsite meetings. The MLIS degree program of the College of Library and Information Science is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and is also certified as meeting the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards.

University representatives have been scheduling meetings in libraries across Virginia during March and April. They will also be available at the Virginia Educational Media Association (VEMA) Conference.

For further information, contact Sharon Allen, Admissions, College of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina, Davis College, Columbia, South Carolina 29208. Telephone: (803) 777-5067, fax: (803) 777-0457, or email: sharona@gwm.sc.edu.
 
 

UVA Library Receives Grant for Digital Project

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a three-year, $1 million grant to the University of Virginia Library in support of digital library research and development. The grant will enable the library's digital library research and development group, in collaboration with a research group at Cornell University, to build a sophisticated digital repository system that will provide streamlined access to the growing collections of electronic texts, digital images, video and audio files, and social science and geographic data sets.

The UVA Library is a well-established international leader in the development of digital content. The Mellon Foundation grant will allow the library and the Cornell researchers to build a software system that can be useful to many different institutions, while meeting UVA's particular needs. In a second phase of the work, grant participants will be expanded to include digital library staff at Indiana University, New York University, Tufts University, Northwestern University, the Refugee Studies Center at Oxford University, the Motion Picture Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division at the Library of Congress, and Kings College, London. These groups will each use the new software package to create repositories of their own digital resources and to provide feedback for the further development of the software.

This digital repository project is an integral part of the University Library's aim to transform its library system into the "Library of Tomorrow." The objective in creating the Library of Tomorrow is to make all forms of information easily accessible to faculty and students, as well as to non-University users, and to support excellence in teaching and research.

For more information about the digital project, visit http://www.lib.virginia.edu/dlbackstage/specprojx_fedora.html.
(Source: Library of Virginia Press Release)
 
 

Opportunity to Share Your Ideas

Have you planned your presentation for the 2002 VLA Annual Conference in October yet? The deadline for submitting a session description is May 1, 2002. The Concurrent Session Proposal form is included with this issue and is also available at http://www.vla.org. You may fax your proposal to Linda Hahne, VLA Executive Director, at (757) 583-0041, email it to lhahne@coastalnet.com, or mail it to her at P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA 23503.
 
 

People & Happenings

Rachel Augello has been appointed Catalog Librarian in the Wyllie Library at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Rachel comes to UVA-Wise from San Juan College, New Mexico, where she was Reference and Catalog Librarian. She obtained her MLIS from Florida State University, her MA in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Ohio State University, and her BA from Dickinson College.
 

Lynn Brown has accepted the Computer Operations Technician I position in the Systems Department at the Old Dominion University Libraries in Norfolk. Lynn comes to the Old Dominion University Libraries from the Communication and Theatre Arts Department at Old Dominion University where she was a Senior Secretary since 1998. Prior to that, Lynn was a Computer Consultant and Lab Monitor at Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned her BA degree in Psychology.
 

Erika Day has been appointed Media Librarian in the Clemons Library at the University of Virginia. Erika was most recently the General Reference Librarian/Media Coordinator in the Edith Garland Dupre Library at the University of Louisiana.
 

Todd D. Elliott joined the Tidewater Community College/Norfolk campus Learning Resources Center as a reference librarian in January. He was previously a branch manager for the Norfolk Public Library. An Air Force veteran, Elliott earned his MLIS from the University of South Carolina.
 

Brian Erb has joined the faculty as Reference Librarian in the Wyllie Library at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Brian was previously Reference and Catalog Librarian at Farmington Public Library in New Mexico. He received his MLIS from Florida State University and his BA in Sociology from Furman University.
 

Carol Hunter has been appointed Director, Science and Engineering Libraries, for the University of Virginia library system. Before accepting this post, Carol had been the Assistant Government Information Services Librarian since 1998 for the University Library. Hunter received her BA from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and her MLS from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Before coming to the  University Library, she was Assistant Department Librarian of Archives and Manuscripts at the Birmingham Public Library, Alabama; head of the New York Region Library of  the U.S. Customs Service; and Physical, Social Science, and Engineering Librarian at the Missile and Space Intelligence Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
 

VLA Life Member Henry James, Jr. of 88 Notch Hill Rd., North Bradford, Connecticut, passed away on January 21, 2002.
 

Leslie Johnston was appointed the new Director of Digital Services Integration in the University of Virginia Library system. She was previously Head of Instructional Technology and Library Information Systems at Harvard Design School.
 

Donna Hughes-Oldenburg has accepted the position as Head of Bibliographic Services at the Old Dominion University Libraries in Norfolk. Donna comes to the Old Dominion University Libraries from Sims Memorial Library at Southeastern Louisiana University where she served most recently as Collection Development Librarian. She held other positions there, including Head of Cataloging, Acting Coordinator for Collection Development, and Acting Coordinator for Acquisitions. Prior to her tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, Donna was at the Golden Gate University Law Library, University of San Francisco Law Library, Santa Clara University Library, Dickinson College Library, and Morrison-Knudsen Engineers, Inc. Library. Donna received her MLIS from the University of California and her MA and BA from Hollins College. She completed additional graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 

Jean Shipman and Andy Morton have won the Outstanding Paper of the Year award for their article, "The New Black Bag: PDAs, Health Care and Library Services," Reference Services Review, v. 29, n. 3: 229-37. Each year MCB University Press, the publisher of Reference Services Review, bestows one Literati Award for each of its academic journals. Jean is the Director of Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Andy is the Head of Access and Delivery Services at Boatwright Memorial Library at the University of Richmond.
 

Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dean Emerita and the first Dean of the School of Library and Information Science at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., died on March 6, 2002. Dr. Stone was a Past President of ALA, DCLA and DCSLA and was also an Honorary Member of ALA.
(Source: CUA)
 

The University of Virginia Library received rare Declaration of Independence items from collector Albert H. Small, a University of Virginia alumnus and former Board of  Visitors member. The gift, which includes an engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence given to the Marquis de Lafayette, is the second by Small from his personal Declaration of Independence collection. In 2000, Small gave a group of early printings of the Declaration from the various 13 colonies. Small has pledged his entire collection to the University, where items will eventually be on prominent display. To learn more about the resources found in Special Collections, visit http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol or call (434) 924-3025.
(Source: Library of Virginia)
 

Anne Whiteside became the Fine Arts Librarian for the University of Virginia Library system. Before joining the UVA staff, Anne was the Visual Resources Librarian at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
 
 

New Look for VLA Web Site

The VLA Web site has recently been redesigned in many ways. Please explore the new navigation menus, the dynamic events calendar, and other updated pages. If you have difficulties seeing the entire menu, follow the online directions for setting a higher screen reasolution.

This is a work in progress and can always be improved. If you have any suggestions or problems, please email the Webmaster, Steve Helm at shelm@runet.edu.
 

National Library Week 2002

National Library Week is scheduled for April 14-20 with the theme, "@ your library"TM   for 2002. Since 1958, this American Library Association (ALA) celebration has recognized the contributions of our nations’ libraries and promoted the use and support of all type of libraries – academic, public, school, and special libraries.

For information about this year’ special events and promotional materials, refer to the Events and Conferences section at http://www.ala.org.
 
 

VLA Needs You

VLA needs your participation. Remember to join or to renew your membership for 2002. The membership form is available on the VLA homepage at http://www.vla.org. You may fax the completed form to Linda Hahne, VLA Executive Director, at (757) 583-5041, or mail it to the Virginia Library Association, P.O. Box 8277, Norfolk, VA 23503-0277.
 
 

Calendar

VLA Council Meetings
The VLA Council meetings for 2002 will be held April 12 (Note change from April 5), June 7, and September 6, 2002
Place: Northside Branch Library, Charlottesville

April 6, 2002
Resources for Teachers
Sponsor: Public Documents Forum
Place: Buchanan Public Library, Grundy
Contact: Barbie Selby  bselby@virginia.edu
Selected Government Web Sites:  http://www/vla.org/PDF/Programs/Grundweb.htm

April 12, 2002
Deadline: VLAPF 2002 Awards Nominations
Outstanding Paraprofessional Award
Contact: Mary Buckley  mbuckle2@osf1.gmu.edu
VLA Paraprofessional Forum Award
Contact: Mari-Jana Phelps  mphelps@pwcgov.org

April 15, 2002
Deadline: VLA Awards & Recognitions Nominations
Contact: Connie Gilman (703) 792-4800  cgilman@pwcgov.org

April 22, 2002
Ensuring Security While Delivering Excellent Customer Service
Sponsor: SWING & VLA Region I
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Washington County Public Library, Abingdon, Virginia
Contact: Dianne Lester (276) 676-6235 fax or http://www.wcpl.net/regcs

April 23, 2002
Ensuring Security While Delivering Excellent Customer Service
Sponsor: SWING & VLA Region I
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Roanoke County Public Library, Roanoke, Virginia
Contact: Dianne Lester (276) 676-6235 fax or http://www.wcpl.net/regcs

May 1, 2002
Deadline: Concurrent Session Proposal for 2002 VLA Conference (insert)
Contact: Linda Hahne (757) 583-004  lhahne@coastalnet.com

May 1, 2002
Understanding Federal Census Statistics
Sponsor: Public Documents Forum
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Library of Virginia, Richmond
Contact: Mary S. Clark (804) 692-3754  mclark@lva.lib.va.us

May 3, 2002
Core Business Resources
Sponsor: Collection Management Forum
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: Darden Graduate School of Business at UVA, Charlottesville
Contact: Ellen Wertman, (703) 323-3868  ewertman@nvcc.vccs.edu

May 6, 2002
National Library Legislative Day Briefing Day
Place: Holiday Inn on the Hill, Washington, D.C.
Registration: http://www.ala.org/washoff/legislativeday.html
Contact: Skip Auld (804) 748-1767  auldh@co.chesterfield.va.us

May 7, 2002
National Library Legislative Day and VLA Legislative Lunch
Place: Rayburn Bldg., Washington, D.C.
Bus & Luncheon Contact: Linda Hahne (757) 583-0041  lhahne@coastalnet.com

May 9, 2002
Managing Your Priorities
Sponsor: SWING & VLA Region I
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Roanoke County Public Library, Roanoke, Virginia (insert)
Contact: Dianne Lester (276) 676-6235 fax  or http://www.wcpl.net/regmp

May 10, 2002
Managing Your Priorities
Sponsor: SWING & VLA Region I
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Roanoke County Public Library, Abingdon, Virginia (insert)
Contact: Dianne Lester (276) 676-6235 fax  or http://www.wcpl.net/regmp

May 19-21, 2002
10^th Annual VLAPF Conference
Tomorrow's Libraries: Are We Ready?
Place: University of Richmond, Richmond
Contact: Mary Buckley  mbuckle2@.gmu.edu
        or Mari-Jana Phelps mphelps@pwcgov.org

June 10, 2002
Library of Virginia Board Meeting
Place: Richmond

October 16-18, 2002
VLA Annual Conference
A Community of Partners
Place: Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg
Contact: John Moorman (757) 259-7777  jmoorman@mail.wrl.org
 

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