The VLA Newsletter would like to welcome Andrea Kross as Assistant Editor. Andrea is Catalog Librarian at the Captain John Smith Library at Christopher Newport University. She came to CNU in 1996 as Assistant Catalog/Reference Librarian and has edited the library's newsletter, Bookends, since 1996. Welcome, Andrea!

If you are looking for a way to become more involved in VLA, it’s as easy as filling out the committee interest form found in this issue. The only qualifications are membership in VLA and a willingness to serve. New members are especially encouraged to consider committee service. You’ll meet colleagues from all over the Commonwealth, help VLA continue to grow and serve its members, and have a lot of fun in the process. There are usually openings for everyone who is interested in serving. You’ll find brief descriptions of the committees on the back of the form. Make a copy of the form and pass it along to a friend. For more information, contact Stella Pool, 2nd Vice President, at spool@avenue.org or (804) 979-7151 ext. 202.

The Region V Steering Committee is continuing its series of Brown Bag discussions on the theme: How Technology Has Changed Our World: The Customer, The Collection, and Me.

The first in the series of discussions was held on Wednesday, May 26, in the Community Room at the Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William, Virginia. The focus was on the customer, expertly moderated by Jean Tolbert of Marymount University.

The second of the series will touch upon "the collection", and will be held Thursday, July 22nd at the George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia. Once again, we invite you to join us for a lunchtime discussion that will surely be thought-provoking. Discussion will touch upon such issues as:

• How have electronics and technology impacted our "standard" collections?
• What role does outsourcing play?
• How do you budget for electronic collections?
• How do you preserve digital information?
• How do we best reconcile purchasing information vs. fees for access?
• What impact do consortia have on our collections?
• What are the present and future roles of InterLibrary Loan in our libraries?

In keeping with the theme of the series, the final event will be held on September 30th. The September event will focus on "Me", and will address the impact of technology on library professionals. This event will be held at the Newseum, in Rosslyn, Virginia.

Please share this information with your colleagues. Further details regarding the September event will be forthcoming. If you are interested in attending the July session, or would like more information about the series, please contact the Region V Co-Chairs: Sandra Beeson (sbeeson@nv.cc.va.us, 703-323-3096) or Maggie Zarnosky (nvbruin@nv.cc.va.us, 703-845-6017).

As you may know, the Virginia Library Association employs a legislative liaison. Phil Abraham of the Vectre Corporation has been our liaison for several years. His help was invaluable in getting $3.3 million in additional funding for libraries from the 1999 General Assembly. He keeps us aware of pending legislation affecting libraries and plans, along with the Legislative Committee, how to advance VLA's legislative agenda. Phil's retainer for this work in 1999 is $21,600.

As you may NOT know, VLA relies on donations to pay this retainer. Library Friends' Groups and some individual library trustees and directors have provided most of the funds. If you, as an individual, would like to contribute, please send your check to:

Linda Hahne, Executive Director

VLA

P.O. Box 8277

Norfolk, VA 23505

Make your check payable to VLA, and direct it to the Legislative Liaison fund. Contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support.

In December, 1998, the VLA Newsletter included an insert from Oxford University Press advertising its 24 volume set, The American National Biography. OUP offered four different discounts off the purchase price depending on how many sets were ordered by VLA members. The Publications Committee is excited to report that 64 libraries purchased a total of 70 sets, granting each one the maximum discount of $500 per set! In total, Virginia libraries saved $35,000 through this advertising opportunity.

If you have an hour you could volunteer to staff the Chapter Relations Committee Exhibit Booth at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, please contact Bill Wilson (University of Maryland, SLIS) at ww17@umail.umd.edu.

I've done this several times, and learned a lot, as well as finding it very pleasant and affirmative. This year's theme for the booth is "Chapter Connections--Simply the Best!"

Samples of best practices and outstanding publications from various chapters of ALA will be on display.

--Scottie Cochrane.

The last issue of the VLA Newsletter included a nomination form for the VLA awards for Honorary Life Membership, Trustee Library Award, Friends of the Library Award and the George Mason Award. The nomination deadline is July 1. Please take a moment to consider making a nomination for these awards so that VLA can recognized some of its many fine members and friends. For more information or nomination forms, please contact Susan Keller at (540) 825-8691.

The American Library Association will hold its annual conference in New Orleans this year from June 25-30. The theme for this year's conference is "Celebrating the Freedom to Read! Learn! Connect!" Retired General Colin Powell will speak at the Opening General Session. Ann Symons' President's Program will feature a panel discussion on the First Amendment and intellectual freedom issues. A variety of preconferences will be offered in connection with the conference. Other activities will include the 16th Annual Fun Run/Walk and the first ever Scholarship Bash. To learn more about the upcoming conference, visit the web site at http://www.ala.org/events/ac99.

The theme of the Special Libraries Association Annual Conference in Minneapolis on June 5-10 is "Knowledge Leaders of the New Millennium: Creators of the Information Future." The conference will have four general tracks: Leadership--Who we are, Evolving Roles--Where are we going?, Knowledge Management--What we do, and Practitioner's Toolkit--The nuts and bolts. The President's Reception will be held at Windows on Minnesota, offering a spectacular view of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Laurence Prusak, managing principal with IBM Global Services Consulting Group in Boston, is the keynote speaker at the General Session. A variety of continuing education courses, tours and networking opportunities will be offered. For more information about the conference, see the SLA conference web page at http://www.sla.org/conf/99conf.

John G. Zenelis has been appointed University Librarian at George Mason University. He comes to GMU from Temple University, where he had been deputy university librarian since 1994. He has also held positions at the Law Library at Columbia University and the Research Libraries of the New York Public Library.

VLA Council meetings will be held in Charlottesville at the Northside Library on June 11 and September 10.

Sponsor: Public Documents Forum

Place: Old Dominion University

Contact: Janet Justis

(757) 683-4169

jjustis@odu.edu

Sponsor: Technical Services and Technology Forum

Place: Library of Virginia

Contact: Elaine Day

(540) 568-6582

dayel@jmu.edu

American Association of Law Libraries Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Sponsor: Region V

Place: George Mason Regional Library

Contact: Maggie Zarnosky

(703) 845-6017

nvbruin@nv.cc.va.us

Sponsor: VLA Paraprofessional Forum

Place: Centerville Library, Fairfax

Contact: Barbara Rittinger

(703) 228-5978

britti1@co.arlington.va.us

VLA Annual Conference

The Homestead