Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Debbie Duce, Jean Johnston, Diantha McCauley, Linda Gosnell Phillips, Scott Phillips, Rebecca Purdy, Lorry Risinger, Josie Schaffer

Diantha McCauley called the meeting to order and asked for regional reports.

Sherry Pearson was unable to attend but she sent a report for Region I. Included in events in Roanoke County and Roanoke City were a professional fairy godmother visit, an Egyptian program for K-3rd graders, and a music program with "The Healing Force." American Girl dolls, clothes, books, cut-outs, etc. are on display at Blue Ridge with a raffle for an American Girl calendar. In Salem, a magician will visit for National Library Week.

Region II Representative Lorry Risinger reported that South Boston hosted Ellison Die parties during weekends for staff and is also preparing for the Summer Reading Club. Blue Ridge Regional will kick-off the Summer Reading Program with Fish the Magish. Bill Wellington will perform at the grand finale. The Wildlife Center of Virginia was recommended as a source for programs. The Franklin County Public Library highly recommended Fish the Magish who will teach young adults magic tricks this summer. A bubbleologist is also scheduled for the summer. The Lynchburg Public Library had great success with an open craft program in which kids helped transform a cardboard box into a beautiful gingerbread house. Lynchburg will kick-off the Summer Reading Program with Burns and Company presenting "Leroy's Reading Recipes!" Young adult programming was introduced in October with a mystery program and a summer reading program for young adults will debut this year. In Pittsylvania County, librarians conducted "Poetry Breaks" in the local schools.

Region III was not present and no report was given.

In Region IV, Josie Schaffer reported that Appomattox Regional will host Cambodian students presenting Cambodian ghost stories. Internet training will be included in National Library Week. Barry Louis Polisar will be singing classic tunes for children at the summer reading kick-off. Programs on ethnic cooking, a class on cartooning, and a hayride will promote the "Go Wild" theme this summer. In Colonial Heights, an annual Easter egg hunt will be held as well as regular storytimes. In Petersburg, the Richmond Theatre Company performed a set of African tales and Muriel Miller Branch entertained children with stories during Black History Month. A poetry contest will be held to celebrate National Library Week and Poetry month. Currently Petersburg is looking for a children's coordinator. A new librarian was hired in Powhatan and is currently busy with morning "reading hours" for preschoolers. Pamunkey Regional will be cosponsoring a library card enrollment program with the local women's club this spring. Bill Wellington has been booked for a program this summer.

Ginger Armstrong reported that the Chesterfield County Public Library hosted ventriloquist Ty-Rone Travis for National Children's Book Week. He presented his program "Books Is All That!" To celebrate Black History Month, Dylan Pritchett, visited each library and shared African and African-American stories, riddles, games, and music.

Linda Gosnell Phillips reported on Henrico County Public Library. For Black History Month, Muriel Miller Branch visited dressing and acting as a friend of Maggie Walker and also told Gullah tales. Linda suggested reenactors Mahone's Forge for those libraries wanting historical reproduction programs and the Findell/Lugo Duo for a children's music program. The Findell/Lugo Duo has also produced a book and cassette kit entitled Jeremy and Grandpa's Magic Clock.

Region V Representative Rebecca Purdy reported programs at Bull Run included "Tracker Meets the Germ," puppet shows, scavenger hunts, and a storybook tea party. Chinn Park held craft programs, international tea parties and programs for young adults such as a financial planning workshop, a cooking program, and a trivia contest. Arlington showed exhibits of artwork from area schools. ESL students came for special tours. "Dr. Seuss Happy Birthday" storytimes were also held. In Central Rappahannock, Mother Goose programs and Fabulous Fridays are very popular. A play entitled "Right to Dream" which addressed the Civil Rights movement was highly recommended. The web surfers, teen council, and the writer's group are continuing as young adult programs. A Star Wars readers theater workshop is in the works.

Region VI representatives were not present. Scott Phillips announced that Dawn Sowers has left CYART due to other professional commitments. Donna Hughes is currently out of the country. Diantha McCauley reported on the area in the representatives' absence and informed all about the Green Valley Book Fair which sells remaindered books. Plans for new libraries are being discussed or acted on in the Handley system, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Rockbridge, and Augusta. Augusta County held a "Murder at the Library" program for 11-17 year olds. James Furqueron visited in March with his Edgar Allan Poe program. Bill Wellington introduced "WOOF Blast Off" at a December program.

Scott Phillips asked for a motion to approve the October minutes. The minutes were approved without addition or correction.

Jefferson Cup Chair Jean Johnston stated that there seems to be much interest in the Jefferson Cup award from the publishers this year and that a decision will be made as to the winner by April. Jean Johnston also discussed ways to increase the visibility of the Jefferson Cup award. Among the suggestions was the possibility of a floating Jefferson Cup display that would be available for libraries to borrow during the year. Also a Jefferson Cup link from the CYART web page or having a special Jefferson Cup Week were suggested.

Debbie Duce reported that the Virginia Young Readers committee will meet on February 25.

The Taking Books to Heart site is attached to the Norfolk Public Library. E-mail Scott Phillips at scphilli@leo.vsla.edu for more information.

Scott Phillips reported VLA Council news. All representatives should push VLA membership and renewals. Concern was expressed over pending legislation regarding limiting Internet access to certain age groups.

Scott obtained a list of all current CYART members. Copies of this list will be mailed to each representative along with the meeting's minutes.

Possible regional programs for the year were discussed. Scott consulted VLA's Continuing Education Needs Assessment results in addressing programs and suggested that there are many requests for basic "how to" workshops as well as workshops regarding technology. Linda Gosnell suggested Donnamarie Emmert's "Stars in the Sky" program. She can teach how to storytell and is willing to travel. Her phone number is (703) 676-0849. Scott Phillips has planned a program on developing a web page for youth services that will be held at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in May. Rebecca Purdy is planning a storytelling workshop and Lorry Risinger is working on a combination of weeding/collection management for a workshop or a program on storytelling. Josie Schaffer is thinking about a training workshop on the Internet.

When planning a program, Scott Phillips stated that the VLA Newsletter must have your program information two months ahead of time by the 15th of the month.

Scott reported that VLIN Youth is back online and encouraged all to post there. Other Internet sources he recommended were the YALSA-BK listserv and ALA's Teen Hoopla web site.

Linda announced that we are still searching for someone to be the CYART webmaster.

The next meeting will be at the Gordon Avenue Library on April 10 at 12:00. Feel free to bring a bag lunch.

The meeting adjourned.