VLA Annual Conference goers, we need you for one hour!

Volunteer moderators are needed for many scheduled conference programs at The Homestead. A moderator's duties involve checking equipment set-up if appropriate, reading a brief (already prepared) introduction of the presenter, and collecting evaluation forms at the end of the session. Volunteers are also needed to staff the conference registration desk.

Please contact Linda Hahne, VLA Executive Director, if you can help with a program or at the registration desk. She will need to know the day and time you are available.

The VLA Council met on Friday, June 11, 1999 in Charlottesville. President Sandy Heinemann called the meeting to order and the minutes of the April 9 meeting were approved.

Linda Hahne, Executive Director, reported that VLA now has a total of 1,120 members, including 197 new members. 301 members have not renewed since last year. An updated membership directory is ready to go to the printer. Discussion followed about the perceived value of this publication and the advantages and disadvantages of distributing it in electronic form. Linda also reported that ten scholarship applications have been processed and sent to the Scholarship Committee. The total number of registrations for the Paraprofessional Conference in May was 430. To date, 32 exhibitor booths have been sold for the Annual Conference.

Linda Hahne also gave the treasurer's report. VLA has received $152,139 in income and has expended $94,229. The Paraprofessional Conference was very successful with approximately $11,000 in revenues over expenditures. The Paraprofessional Forum raised $1,138 through raffle ticket sales to help fund the new Paraprofessional Scholarship.

Tom Hehman reported for the Nominating Committee that the slate of candidates for VLA offices would soon be finalized. He encouraged all members of VLA to take active leadership roles in the Association.

Mary Mayer-Hennelly, Chair of the Conference Committee, announced that a wide variety of session proposals were submitted for the conference in October and the tentative schedule was almost finished. There will be eight programs for each time slot. Linda Hahne noted that more vendors are expected to register for exhibit booths.

Janis Augustine reported for the Legislative Committee. The Committee and Phil Abraham, VLA's legislative liaison, continue to work with legislators to promote full funding of state aid and "Infopowering the Commonwealth" in the Governor's budget. The Executive Committee is discussing ideas for ways to thank legislators for their support. The Legislative Committee will sponsor a program at the VLA Annual Conference about probable issues during the 2000 General Assembly Session. Sandy Heinemann thanked Janis and members of the Legislative Committee for their hard work.

Barbie Selby reported that the Publications Committee has revised the Publications Manual and noted that Virginia Libraries is now available online through the VLA web page.

Sandy Heinemann presented a progress report on the 1999 VLA designated agenda. Under the first category, advocacy and access, progress has been made in laying strategies for the 2000 General Assembly. Phil Abraham has helped tremendously in identifying legislators who are supportive of state aid and the technology plan, and different ways of recognizing these legislators are being considered. The Administrative and Management Forum is researching information on salaries and comparable worth issues for library personnel.

In the area of continuing education, the Annual Conference is being reviewed and plans made to modify its structure. In 2000, the event will be a two day conference without the usual Saturday morning activities. The VLA Leadership and Program Planners' Workshops are also being evaluated for timing, content and effectiveness.

VLA's financial situation is good, with $65,000 in a reserve fund. A reserve of $90,000 is expected by the end of 1999. The Association is well on its way to achieving its goal of keeping one year's operating budget, or $120,000, in reserve. The Executive Director, Scholarship Committee and Publications Committee are working to consolidate donation and advertising efforts.

Carolyn Barkley reported for the Membership Committee that its goal of increasing membership by five percent has almost been achieved. The Committee is currently revising the membership packet. In 1999 all VLA members who volunteered for a committee were appointed to one.

Second Vice-President Stella Pool distributed the revised VLA Manual to Council members. Unit reports followed describing the success of recent programs and announcing upcoming events. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 and was followed by a picnic at Barbie Selby's house.

The Public Documents Forum of VLA is happy to announce that its newsletter, the VLA Shipping List, is once again alive and well. The Shipping List has a long and venerable history. It was first issued from the U.S. regional depository library, Alderman Library at UVA, by Regional Librarian Walter Newsome in the Fall of 1971. It was a publication of the regional library until March 1981 when it became an official publication of VLA.

The VLA Shipping List in its paper form was widely distributed outside of Virginia and well read among the national documents community. Features include detailed reports from national documents meetings, news about documents departments in Virginia, highlights of notable documents from Virginia, the U.S., and IGOs, and updates on General Assembly activity likely to affect libraries or publication patterns of agencies.

Editorship of the VLA Shipping List has been in the hands of some very well respected Documents Librarians through the years: Walter Newsome, Alan Zoellner, Judy Stinson, Sandy Peterson, Tim Byrne, and Susan Tulis. Currently Barbie Selby edits the publication.

The new electronic version of the VLA Shipping List is posted on the VLA web site (http://www.vla.org) under the Public Documents Forum unit page. Each time a new issue is available notification will be sent to the VLA listserv as well as several government information related listservs. It is our hope that the web version of this publication can serve the same purpose that its paper counterpart did for over 25 years.

--Barbie Selby

1. State Aid for Public Libraries - VLA will continue to support the three-year phased funding plan which requires an estimated $3.5 million in FY 00/01 to achieve the full funding of Virginia's public libraries as specified in the Code of Virginia. VLA will make a concerted effort to build a stronger relationship with the Governor's Office in order to establish gubernatorial support of libraries in the budget process.

2. Full funding of "Infopowering the Commonwealth - Virginia's Public Libraries: Electronic Resource Libraries for 21st Century Information", which requires an estimated additional $5.2 million in year 1 of the Biennium and $5.9 million in year 2. With this and other issues, we'll emphasize informing the Senate and identifying key Senate sponsors.

• Library of Virginia Budget - VLA will continue to support the LVA requests for increased funding of the LVA operating budget, as developed by the LVA staff and Board, and will work diligently to foster a close working relationship between the public library community and the LVA Board and administration.

• Friends Groups' Sales Tax Exemption - VLA will work for continued Friends' exemption.

• Internet access - VLA will continue to monitor any proposed legislation which would seek to regulate Internet/electronic access at the State rather than local policy level.

• Support VIVA initiatives.

• Additional legislative and governmental matters of concern to Libraries - VLA will monitor and act on these as the need arises.

• Library Capital/Construction funding - VLA will support the basic study and discussion to develop this as a funding issue to be pursued after other priorities have been achieved.

• Public Law Libraries - VLA will support public law libraries in their efforts to develop a strategy to achieve passage of enabling legislation to generate additional protected revenues through dedicated fees.

The Library of Virginia Board held its annual meeting in Richmond on June 14, 1999. Nolan Yelich, the State Librarian, praised the staff for its good work during the past year. He specifically mentioned Sandy Treadway, the Assistant State Librarian, who, by the very nature of her job, is in a highly important but low profile position. He also commented on the serious tensions that exist between the Friends of the Archives and the Library of Virginia that have to be addressed, reduced, or resolved. Relations are at a very low point and appear incapable of resolution. The Friends want the Archives component of the Library of Virginia to be separated and become an independent entity. Mr. Yelich stated that all aspects and divisions of the Library of Virginia are important, and that even though at times some parts may require more immediate and closer attention, none is slighted.

The Archival and Information Services Committee reported that in just the past few years the conservation budget for archival records has increased from $20,000 per year to $350,000 per hear. Fourteen of the 18 new conservation and preservation positions have been filled and about one million archival items and 14,000 volumes have been received this year.

The Legislative and Finance Committee reported that the five critical areas identified in the Library's strategic plan: collection development, technology, the need for more public service staff positions, Infopowering the Commonwealth, and State Aid have been brought to the attention of the State budge office. The Library's budget must be submitted by mid-September.

The Public Library Development Committee reported that $16,943,113 in State Aid will be awarded to 90 public library systems. The 16 libraries that were in waiver situations received their waivers. The LSTA budget for 1999-2000 totals $3,245,627 divided into five categories: $500,000 for competitive grants; digital technology; cooperative efforts; providing opportunities to institutions that most need assistance; and balancing federal monies with resources available through VIVA, Infopowering, public schools and non-public entities.

The Library of Virginia Board was requested to and formally endorsed full funding for State Aid and Infopowering the Commonwealth.

The Publications and Educational Services Committee announced the publication of volume 2 of "A Guide to Bible Records in the Library of Virginia" and the republication of volume 1, originally published in 1984.

The Records Management Committee reported that all records should be moved into the new Records Center Building by June 16 or 17. The entire move took two months. The Center is now fully staffed with about 30 people. Formal dedication of the Center will occur sometime in September. The Committee also reported that the Virginia Circuit Court Records Preservation Program has awarded 380 grants totaling almost $4.9 million between February 1992 and April 1999.

Library Board officers for the 1999-2000 fiscal year will be: chair - Bobbie B. Hudson (if she is reappointed to the Board by Governor Gilmore) and vice-chair - Mary Ann Harmon.

The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 9th, in Richmond.

--Alan M. Bernstein, VLA Observer to the LVA Board

The Virginia Library Association's Jefferson Cup Committee is pleased to announce that Gary Paulsen's Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers (Delacorte) is the winner of the 1999 Jefferson Cup Award.

Soldier's Heart makes an incredibly powerful contribution to children's literature, telling the story of the young Charley Goddard's experience as a soldier in the Civil War. Desiring to be a part of the anticipated short shooting war against Johnny Reb, Charley lies about his age and enlists. His naïve excitement vanishes after he experiences the physical horrors and mental anguish of Civil War combat. Although he survives the actual battles, the price of war leaves him with a "soldier's heart," today known as post-traumatic stress disorder, and he dies at age twenty-three. Because of Paulson's extensive research and attention to details, Soldier's Heart captures the horrific history of Civil War battles with realism rarely experienced in books for young adults.

One honor book was named: Boss of the Plains: The Hat that Won the West, written by Laurie Carlson and illustrated by Holly Meade (DK Publishing). This delightful and information-packed picture book relates the life of John Stetson and the Boss of the Plains hat that he designed for settlers of the West.

The Jefferson Cup was initiated in 1962 to honor books written for young people in the areas of United States history, historical fiction and biography. The award seeks to encourage the writing of quality books for young people in the above-mentioned fields, to give recognition to authors in these disciplines, and to promote the reading of books that illustrate America's past.

The award is conferred each year by the Jefferson Cup Committee of the Youth Services Forum, a division of the Virginia Library Association. Sherry B. Inabinet of Middlesex County Public Library served as chair of the 1999 Committee. Other members were Scott Phillips of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Anne Greene of Montgomery Floyd Regional Library, Janet Boucher of Blue Ridge Regional Library, Alma McMath of Coleman Place elementary School (Norfolk), Mariel Morgan of Henrico County Library, Mari Nowitz of Central Rappahannock Regional Library and Diana Cmeyla of Culpepper Public Library. The 1999 Committee received and read 417 books submitted by publishers across the country. The official award presentation will take place during the Virginia Library Association Annual Meeting at The Homestead, October 28-30.

You're invited to the annual Children's Book Week Luncheon sponsored by the Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C. and by the Washington Post on Saturday November 13, Noon, at the Renaissance Hotel.

The 1999 Award for Nonfiction will be presented to Laurence Pringle. Speakers will include Newbery Honor author Julius Lester and Boston-Globe Horn Book Award winner Jerry Pinkney.

Doors open at 10 A.M. for book sales and signing. Tickets are $40. For ticket information, call Marilyn Courtot at (301) 469-2070 or Peggy Jackson at (301) 585-0288. Call early. The luncheon quickly sold out last year.

SOLINET'S CommunityPlanet project recently published Getting the Word Out: A Beginner's Guide to Increasing Publicity and Community Awareness for Public Libraries and Other Community Networks. Designed for use by libraries with little or no experience in publicizing their activities, the guide offers practical tips on project planning, implementation and scheduling of activities. The guide is available on the project's website at http://commplanet.solinet.net. One free printed copy per institution is available upon request, while supplies last. Contact Roxanna Blackwell at (800) 999-8558 or email rblackwell@solinet.net.

Dr. James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, will be the speaker at the 2nd Annual Library of Virginia Awards Celebration Honoring Virginia Authors and Friends on Saturday, September 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Library of Virginia. The ceremony will honor outstanding Virginia authors in three categories: fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The Celebration begins at 6:00 PM with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; the awards program starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $50 per person. For ticket information, call (804) 692-3724. Reservations are encouraged by September 10.

Bettina Cromwell is the new Youth Services Associate at the Park Place branch of the Norfolk Public Library. She worked for the Virginia Beach Public Library System for seven years and the Old Dominion University Library for three years.

Virginia Reese has been hired to fill the Branch Manager position at the Louisa Branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. She has an MLS from Indiana University and a BS from the Medical College of Virginia. She has been at the Betty Sue Jessup Library of the Piedmont Virginia Community College since 1994 where she served as Technical Services Supervisor.

Gary Stottlemyer has accepted the position of Information Management Librarian at the University of Virginia Law Library. His previous position was Head of Library Automation for the University Libraries at the University of Cincinnati. He has also been the Assistant Director for Academic Computing for Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio and worked at Case Western Reserve Law Library. He received his BA in Anthropology and his MSLS at the University of Kentucky. In his new position he serves on the management team and is responsible for the acquisition, organization, and preservation of the library's holdings.

Kelly Houck is the new Youth Services Associate at the Larchmont branch of the Norfolk Public Library. She has worked for the Institute of European Studies' library in Vienna, Austria, and for a public library in Saratoga Springs, New York.

B. Jean Lewis was named branch head for the Berkley and Park Place branches of the Norfolk Public Library. She holds the MLIS from the University of Michigan and previously worked at the Louisville Free Public Library in Kentucky.

Alicia Willson-Metzger has been promoted to Librarian II in the Adult Services Department of the Norfolk Public Library. She joined the Norfolk Public Library in 1997 as a Librarian I. She earned a BA from Central Missouri State University, an MA in English from the University of Missouri and an MLS from the University of Missouri.

Deane Dierksen, director of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library since 1977, announced plans to retire on June 1, 1999. She has been with the Library since 1971.

Barbie Selby of the UVA Law School Library attended and presented two papers at a seminar entitled "The Role of Libraries in Ensuring Public Access to Official Publications and Government Information," sponsored by the IFLA Government Information and Official Publications Section (GIOPS), the Russian State Library, and the Parliamentary Library of the Russian Federation. The seminar took place in Moscow in late May.

Mary Morton Barksdale, retired Coordinator of Library Services at Danville Community College, died on June 7, 1999. Her efforts to improve library service spanned 43 years at the public, elementary, high school, college and regional library levels. She often taught courses in library science at area universities and she was a past president of VLA.

The Richmond Public Library has appointed two new Assistant Directors as part of a system-wide restructuring of library management. Patricia W. McKay, previously the Community Relations Librarian, has been named Assistant Director for Public Services. She holds an MLS from the Palmer Graduate Library School of Long Island University. Alvin M. Anderson, from the City of Richmond Budget Department, has been appointed Assistant Director of Operations. He has a master's degree in Personnel and Human Resource Management from American University.

The University of Virginia Law School Library will be joining the University Libraries in their SIRSI online catalog, VIRGO, by the end of the year. Consolidating the Law Library catalog into VIRGO should produce cost savings and enable users to search both the University Libraries' holdings and those of the Law School Library in one search. The Health Sciences Library is maintaining a separate SIRSI online catalog.

The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce the redesign of its web site and the site's new address at http://www.lva.lib.va.us. The new design helps users get information quickly and easily and offers a clearer picture of the extent of the collections, programs and services of the Library of Virginia.

John Ulmschneider has been appointed to the position of Executive Director for University Library Services at Virginia Commonwealth University, effective August 16, 1999. He is currently the Associate Director for Information Technology at North Carolina State University, and was previously the Systems Manager at the College of William and Mary's Swem Library. He received his BA in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and his MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Barbara J. Brown, University Librarian at Washington & Lee University, is the new Chair of SOLINET's Board of Directors.

The Armed Forces Staff College Library has completed the move to its new facility in Okinawa Hall. The new building is located next door to Normandy Hall, which housed the old library. The library encompasses the first and second floors of Okinawa Hall. The grand opening for the new facility is set for September 10, 1999.

The next VLA Council meeting will be held in Charlottesville at the Northside Library on September 10.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 9.

Sponsor: Local History and Genealogy Forum

Place: Library of Virginia

Contact: Gail Tatum

(804) 692-3558

gtatum@vsla.edu

Sponsor: Youth Services Forum

Place: Library of Virginia

Contact: Diantha McCauley

(540) 949-6354

dmccaule@vsla.edu

Sponsor: Region V

Place: Arlington

Contact: Maggie Zarnosky

(703) 845-6017

nvbruin@nv.cc.va.us

Sponsor: VLA Paraprofessional Forum, Region V

Place: Centerville Library, Fairfax

Contact: Barbara Rittinger

(703) 228-5978

britti1@co.arlington.va.us

VLA Annual Conference

The Homestead