VLA Newsletter
February 2002
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VLA Newsletter February 2002
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ALA Legislative Day & VLA Legislative Lunch
Plan now to attend National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., on May 6 & 7, 2002. Sponsored by ALA and DCLA, this annual event includes a briefing day and visits to legislators regarding library funding. Contact Skip Auld, VLA Federal Relations Coordinator, at (804) 748-1767 or auldh@co.chesterfield.va.us.
This is your opportunity to attend VLA’s noon luncheon with the Virginia Legislative Delegation at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill on May 7. Contact Linda Hahne, VLA Executive Director at (757) 583-0041 or lhahne@coastalnet.com.
For your convenience, VLA will be underwriting the Region III (Tidewater)
bus on May 7 to National Legislative Day. The bus will be departing Norfolk
at 6:30 a.m. and Hampton Coliseum at 6:45 a.m., with an estimated return
at 6:30 p.m. Contact Mary Mayer-Hennelly, ALA Chapter Councilor,
at (757) 822-2463 or mmayerh@tcc.vccs.edu.
VLA’s Role in Shaping Library Legislation
On December 19, 2001, then Governor Gilmore released his proposed budget for FY2003 and FY2004. His budget proposed $15,364,157 in both years of the budget, a reduction of $5,121,386 from the current funding level of $20,485,543. By the time you read this, Governor Warner will be in office and the Virginia Library Association’s Legislative Committee (co-chaired by Sam Clay and Ann Friedman) and many other groups will have sprung into action.
The Legislative Committee is charged with proposing a legislative agenda for each year and developing a network of VLA members and other library supporters who are willing to write or talk to their legislators. This charge includes working with VLA’s legislative liaison, Phil Abraham, to make sure our library message is received and understood by legislators.
Best of all, you, as a member of VLA, are part of that critical network of library advocates that gets the message to legislators in the best way possible --through your own regular contact with your legislator. Understanding library issues and concerns comes quicker when it can be described in terms of local impact. I hope that you will take the time to inform your legislators about your library and its role in helping build strong communities.
--Iza Cieszynski , President, VLA
VLA Paraprofessional Forum 2002 Conference:
Tomorrow’s Libraries: Are We Ready?
The VLA Paraprofessional Forum’s 10th annual conference will be held on May 19-21 at the University of Richmond. This year’s theme is Tomorrow’s Libraries: Are We Ready?
The conference will open with a welcome reception on Sunday evening. This will be a time for those arriving on Sunday to get together and enjoy food, friends, and some great entertainment.
The opening keynote speaker is Joan Kenyon Woods. She is a motivational speaker, who is filled with the charisma and enthusiasm for life, and one who will make give attendees something to think about as they head out to attend their first session on Monday.
During the two-day event, conference attendees will have the option of attending four of the twenty-six sessions being offered on a variety of library-related topics. Something new this year is the Youth Services Institute, which will be a mini-conference within the conference. Pat Muller of The Library of Virginia has planned three unique sessions dealing with issues related to serving youth in libraries. Overall, there will be an outstanding venue of presenters at this year’s conference. Barbie Selby, Harriett Edmunds, Steve Helm, Bill Fiege, Richard Dunsing, and Gene Kinnaly are just a few of the presenters involved in this year’s conference whose names you may recognize.
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.
The theme for this year’s Monday evening social will feature a patriotic theme--United We Stand. Attendees may come dressed in their favorite red, white, and blue outfits, and enjoy an evening filled with lots of fun. As in years past, there will be refreshments, music, dancing, and fun. For those who prefer a quieter venue for Monday evening, other activities are scheduled.
After a special buffet luncheon on Tuesday afternoon, our closing speaker will be Virginia author, Francis Wood. A native of Buckingham County, Mr. Wood has authored seven books, including The Angel Carver and The Wooden Bell (Christmas Story). The awarding of scholarship raffle prizes will take place following Francis Wood’s presentation.
This will be a conference filled with opportunities to enhance your professional growth, make new friends, renew old friendships, and enjoy yourself. The VLAPF members would like to invite you to join us at the University of Richmond on May 19-21. For more information you may contact one of the following co-chairs:
VLA 2002 Conference Update
As you make your arrangements to attend the 2002 VLA Conference on October 17 and 18 at the Williamsburg Marriott, remember to plan for the pre-conference events.
The first interesting pre-conference will be a daylong discussion of Family Literacy on Wednesday, October 16 at the Williamsburg Regional Library. Speakers for the event will include Jim Trelease, a nationally known speaker in library and educational circles, and Dr. Steve Herb of Penn State University.
A second exciting pre-conference is also planned. It will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at the Williamsburg Marriott. Led by Professor James Heller of the College of William and Mary’s Marshall-Wythe College of Law, participants will explore Copyright Law in Libraries. By the end of the day, participants should be able to understand the historical basis of copyright law, the purpose of copyright protection, and the rights of copyright owners and users of copyrighted works. They should also be able to draft and interpret licensing agreements so as to preserve users rights.
This comprehensive pre-conference event will also cover how copyright law impacts interlibrary lending, document delivery services, and in-house copying. Participants will be given guidance in the development of copyright policies for their own organizations.
Professor Heller is a past president of the American Association of Law Librarians and has chaired the association’s Copyright Committee on several occasions.
For further information, contact steering committee leaders or John Moorman, Chair, at (757) 259-7777 or jmoorman@mail.wrl.org.
--John Moorman, Chair, 2002 Annual Conference Committee
Library of Virginia Board Meeting
The Library of Virginia Board met in Richmond on January 25, 2002.
Two reports of the Legislative and Finance Committee dominated the meeting. The first concerned the serious humidity control problems that have plagued the Library of Virginia building for most of its five-year existence. Maintaining proper and precise levels of humidity are critical to the conservation and preservation of collections. The problem appears to be that the Department of General Services, which owns and operates the building and to which the Library pays $2.1 million in annual rent, is unable to repair the humidification system so that it works properly on a consistent basis. The Library believes that the only way it can guarantee the proper working of the system is to retain the rent payment and run the building itself. If the State permits this, there will be no adverse budget impact to the Library, and, in fact, some of the rent money could be returned to State coffers.
The financial portion of the Committee report was grim. Based upon original Legislative appropriations of $36.2 million for FY 2001, $38.1 million for FY 2002, and estimated appropriations of $38.1 million also for FYs 2003 and 2004, the following net reductions to appropriations have already been imposed or are scheduled to take effect: $895,000 or 2.4% for FY 2001; $ 3.4 million or 9% for FY 2002; $9.2 million or 25% for FY 2003; and $9.3 million or 25% for FY 2004. If all these cuts are imposed, this would translate into a four-year loss of $12.7 million of Library of Virginia operational funds and $10.2 million in State Aid.
Archival and Information Services reported that visitation is running ahead of last year, but web use is down.
Collection Management reported that the Virginia Newspaper Project has received $1.9 million in NEH funding since 1993. The Library hopes to renew the grant to permit additional work in locating, cataloging, preserving, and microfilming (if needed) Virginia and certain West Virginia newspapers.
Public Library Development reported that Robert Rieffel, Director of the Richmond (City) Public Library, is the new citizen advisory member of the Committee. Budget amendments have been introduced in the Legislature to reduce the proposed 25% reduction in State Aid funding to the neighborhood of 8% to 10%.
Records Management reported that work on developing guidelines for electronic records is wrapping up, and the Library Board will probably be asked to approve the guidelines at its June meeting. Many of former Governor Gilmore's official records have already been transferred to the Library. However, there appears to be a trend developing over the last three or four administrations of decreasing quantities of records being turned over to the Library.
The Library of Virginia Foundation was pleased to announce that the annual fund has already achieved 68% of its $150,000 goal and is ahead of last year. The Foundation also received a $135,000 grant to pay for the microfilming of Virginiana documents located at the Huntington Library in California. It is hoping to receive two additional grants for the same project.
The next two meetings of the Board are scheduled in Richmond on March 18 and June 10.
--Alan M. Bernstein, VLA Observer to the Library of Virginia Board
Virginia Colleges Share in Major Grant
The Appalachian College Association (ACA) has announced a grant of $1,050,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for funding a central virtual library for the 33 members of Appalachian Library Information Cooperative Endeavors (ALICE ), a consortium of academic libraries in five states. Participating colleges, including Bluefield, Emory and Henry, Ferrum, and Virginia Intermont from Virginia, will pay dues to belong to the consortium, but expect to get a 10-1 return for their investment because of the power of group purchasing.
Dr. Tony Krug, Dean of Library Services at Carson-Newman College, is Director of the ACA Central Library Project, and brings years of experience managing the ALICE library consortium to the task. Krug expects additional grants to fund the purchase of a large electronic book collection, additions to the basic JSTOR database already in use in ACA libraries, and other key electronic resources.
Cy Dillon, Ferrum's Library Director and a member of the ALICE
Steering Committee, expects to spend many hours working on policies and
plans for the cooperative effort. "We have to do many of the same
tasks done so well by VIVA in Virginia, but, at the same time, we have
to integrate needs and missions of institutions as different as Alice Lloyd
and the University of the South. Nevertheless, my previous experience
with Tony Krug and the other ALICE librarians suggests that we will succeed
in creating a unique collaboration."
Richmond Public Library Awarded NEH Grant
The Richmond Public Library is one of only two institutions in Virginia and 26 in the nation to be awarded a 2002 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The $300,000 grant will be used to purchase current books and materials that will strengthen cultural diversity in the humanities resources at the main library. An endowment will also be established to sustain ongoing humanities acquisitions and programs.
According to Library Board Chair, Robert A.W. Jones, "This prestigious NEH challenge grant will be matched by $900,000 in contributions from the private sector over a three-year period as part of a multi-million dollar public/private capital campaign to significantly re-build and enhance the city’s library system to better reflect the changing needs of the community.
For further information, contact Pat McKay, Assistant Director
for Public Service, at mckaypw@ci.richmond.va.us
or (804) 646-4514.
Scholarship Opportunities for Library Students
VLA
The Virginia Library Association awards three $2,000 scholarships for
students pursuing a Master’s degree in Library Science at ALA accredited
schools. One of these scholarships is awarded by the VLA Paraprofessional
Forum.
Eligibility for the VLA scholarships include Virginia state residency for a minimum of two years, an undergraduate degree, and acceptance by an ALA accredited library school or a pending application for admission. In addition, applicants for the VLAPF scholarship must be currently employed at a Virginia library.
The major factors considered when awarding the scholarships include evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship in Virginia, financial need, potential for achievement in the library profession, academic excellence, and membership in VLA.
The application form, including two references, must be postmarked by March 1, 2002. The complete VLA Scholarship Application Packet is available at http://www.vla.org. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Marianne Ramsden at P.O. Box 759, Scottsville, VA 24590 or (804) 286-3541 mramsden@avenue.org.
ALA
The American Library Association sponsors several scholarships to Master's
degree students in accredited library & information science programs.
The application deadline for ALA scholarships is March 1, 2002. For
details about available scholarships and information on how to apply, go
to the ALA site at http://www.ala.org/hrdr/scholarship.html.
ASCLA
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, Library
Service to Special Populations Section and the Library Service to People
with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum announced the establishment
of the Century Scholarship that will recruit people with disabilities into
the library profession. The Century Scholarship will enable ALA to fulfill
one of its most important missions: to bring diversity into the library
profession so that the library profession reflects the diversity of the
communities library professionals serve.
The annual $2,500 scholarship will fund services or accommodation for
a library school student or students with disabilities to successfully
complete the course of study for a Master's or Doctorate in Library Science
at an ALA-accredited library school and become a library or information
studies professional. ASCLA Century Scholarship information is available
at http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html.
For further information, contact Eileen Hardy at ASCLA, 50 E. Huron Street,
Chicago, IL, 60611 or ehardy@ala.org
(800) 545-2433, 1-4396, TDD: (888) 814-7692,
VABook! 2002
VABook! 2002, Eighth Annual Virginia Festival of the Book, is scheduled for March 20-24 in Charlottesville. This free, public festival, which promotes literacy and celebrates the book, will again feature hundreds of authors and events for children and adults.
The luncheon speaker, Marie Arana, editor of the Washington Post Book World , and author of the book, American Chica, Two Worlds, One Childhood, will read from her memoir when she addresses the annual Festival luncheon on March 20 at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel. Her book is an account of a young girl’s bicultural childhood with her father’s aristocratic family in Peru and her mother’s pioneering family in Wyoming.
For more VABook! program and registration information, visit http://www.vabook.org and contact vabook@virginia.edu or (434)-924-6890.
Source: Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy
$10 Million Initiative to Recruit New Librarians
In January 2002, First Lady Laura Bush announced a proposed $10 million initiative for 2003 to recruit a new generation of librarians. Addressing the nation’s critical shortage of librarians, Mrs. Bush said, "In May 2000, Library Journal magazine reported 40 percent of America's library directors plan to retire in 9 years or less. And, according to the July 2000 Monthly Labor Review, in 1998 57 percent of professional librarians were age 45 or older."
Management of the initiative will be under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of IMLS, stated, "Recruiting and educating the next generation of librarians is essential. They help parents teach their children before they enter school, they are partners with the schools in their communities and they help adults continue to achieve and enjoy learning throughout their lifetimes."
According to the IMLS article, funding will support "a variety of recruitment efforts such as scholarships and fellowships for master's programs; support for doctoral students who will train the next generation of librarians; leadership development; distance learning for underserved rural areas; and efforts to recruit librarians to serve increasingly diverse communities with diverse language skills."
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries. For more information about IMLS and the full-text article about this initiative, contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. or (202) 606-8536, or visit http://www.imls.gov.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services
People & Happenings
The local Iota Chapter of Beta Phi Mu will hold its annual initiation
ceremony and membership meeting at National Public Radio in Washington,
D.C., on February 6, 2002. The guest speaker, Cathy Belter,
Fairfax County School Board Member and Public Librarian, will address "The
Challenges of Providing Library Services in Today’s Public and School Libraries."
Any Beta Phi Mu members from other chapters who now live in this area and
are interested in affiliating with the Iota Chapter should contact Kee
Malesky at (202) 526-2042 or kmalesky@npr.org.
Haynes McMullen, who was head librarian from 1945-1951 at the
present James Madison University, returned to Virginia in 1985 "to enjoy
life by becoming, again, a member of VLA and to write the book," American
Libraries Before 1876 (Greenwood, 2000). McMullen, who
is Emeritus Professor of Library Science, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, praised the staff of the Hampton Public Library for helping
with the book "by cheerfully locating materials" that he needed during
the research for his book. His book provides an account of the birth,
life, and occasional death of 10,000 of early American library collections
and traces relationships between the presence of libraries and other aspects
of American life.
Deborah Powell has accepted the position of Cataloguing Services
Librarian at the Old Dominion University Libraries in Norfolk, Virginia,
effective February 10, 2002. Deborah comes to the Old Dominion University
Libraries from St. Louis Christian College in St. Louis, Missouri, where
she was the library director. Deborah received her MLS from the University
of Tennessee-Knoxville where she worked in technical services for several
years. Deborah also holds her Master of Divinity in Christian Education
from the Emmanuel School of Religion and BS in Finance from St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri.
The South Atlantic Regional Conference II will be held September
22-24, 2002, at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina.
With the theme, The Sky is NOT the Limit, the program will include
CE classes on "Creating Web-based Professional Development Workshops" and
"Evaluation of Library Services" and sessions on the E-World. Legal World,
Business World, Distance World, Web-World, and Everyone’s World.
The Conference will be hosted by Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, and Caribbean Chapters of the Special Library Association.
For more information, visit http://www.sla.org/conf/conf_sar/index.html
or contact Leon Gyles at (912) 925-5432 or GylesL@CELRL.org.
Calendar
VLA Council Meetings
The VLA Council meetings for 2002 will be held
February 8, April 12 (Note change from April 5), June 7, and
September 6, 2002
Place: Northside Branch Library, Charlottesville
Library of Virginia Board Meetings
March 18 & June 10, 2002
Place: Richmond
March 1, 2002
Deadline for Submission:
Annual Library School Scholarship Applications (insert)
Complete Scholarship Packet available at http://www.vla.org
Contact: Marianne Ramsden (804) 286-3541 mramsden@avenue.org
March 22, 2002
Making the Connection: Collaboration Between Faculty and Librarians
Sponsor: VLA Academic Section
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Registration 9:30 a.m.)
Place: Library of Virginia, Richmond (insert)
Contact: Susan Deaton (804) 395-2441 sdeaton@longwood.lwc.edu
April 12, 2002
Deadline: VLAPF 2002 Awards Nominations (insert)
Outstanding Paraprofessional Award
Contact: Mary Buckley mbuckle2@osf1.gmu.edu
VLA Paraprofessional Forum Award
Contact: Mari-Jana Phelps mphelps@pwcgov.org
May 1, 2002
Deadline: Concurrent Session Proposal for 2002 VLA Conference (insert)
Contact: Linda Hahne (757) 583-0041 lhahne@coastalnet.com
May 3, 2002
Core Business Resources
Sponsor: Collection Management Forum
Place: Darden 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: Washington, D.C.
Contact: Skip Auld (804) 748-1767 auldh@co.chesterfield.va.us
May 7, 2002
National Library Legislative Day and
VLA Legislative Lunch
Location: Washington, D.C.
Luncheon Contact: Linda Hahne (757) 583-0041 lhahne@coastalnet.com
Bus Contact: Mary Mayer-Hennelly (757) 822-2463 mmayerh@tcc.vccs.edu
May 19-21, 2002
10th Annual VLAPF Conference (insert)
Tomorrow's Libraries: Are We Ready?
Place: University of Richmond, 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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2/1/2002
HQS