Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Laura Ashworth, Lorraine Bartlett, Phyllis Bryant, Rachael DeHaven, Debbie Duce, Linda Gosnell, Sharon Hanlon, Sherry Pearson, Scott Phillips, and Stella Pool. 

The meeting was called to order by Chair-Elect, Scott Phillips. He opened the meeting with introductions. 

Regional Representatives reported on events within their regions: 

Region I: Sherry Pearson is the new representative and this was her first CYART meeting. 

Region II: Debbie Duce reported that Mr. Fish, a magician from North Carolina, has been booked for the summer. Phyllis Bryant reported that Pittsylvania County Library is in the process of automation. She received sympathy and encouragement from CYART members. 

Region III: Laura Ashworth shared materials from Libraries in Region III and highlighted African American History Month programs. 

The Virginia Beach Libraries have implemented a program entitled FRED--Families Reading Every Day. The library received funding from the Family Preservation and Family Support Services Act. The program incorporates a special collection of materials and cooperative efforts with other agencies serving families. 

Lorraine Bartlett announced ÒTaking Books to HeartÓ (formerly known as ÒNot for Children onlyÓ) scheduled for March 22 from 8:30-3 at Hampton High School. The special guest author will be James Ransome. Lorraine displayed a tote bag with the Taking Books to Heart logo. Similar bags will be on sale at the event. 

Hampton was in the national news when celebrities, Tom Hanks and Rob Reinter visited the city. Lorraine shared copies of a Feb. 3 TIME magazine article. Hollywood hopes to raise awareness of early childhood development in an ABC special due to air on April 28. 
Laura continued the Region III report with a wealth of handouts from Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Suffolk. 

Region IV: Ginger Armstrong shared programs from Colonial Heights, Essex County, Appomattox Regional, Petersburg, Chesterfield, and Richmond. Themes included a Fall Frolic, training volunteers to do storytime, a magic show, a float in the Christmas Parade, visiting author, Lou Kassem, and Coyote Tales, a program from the Virginia Story League. Region V: Scott reported for Becky who was unable to attend. Central Rappahannock Regional Library will host ÒRock the LibraryÓ, a battle of the bands for YAÕs. Storyteller, Dylan Prichett is scheduled to perform. 

Sharon Hanlon shared handouts featuring Notable Black Virginians and reported on events in Fauquier Co. Sparky Rucker, musician, historian, folklorist and humorist presented a concert entitled ÒThe Blue and Gray in Black and WhiteÓ. The East Loudon Regional Library will host Nikki Giovanni on April 17. They also plan to sponsor ÒTurn Off the TVÓ and a creative writing workshop for YAÕs. 

Region VI: In the absence of both Region VI representatives, Stella Pool reported briefly on current African American programs and plans for the summer at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. She also reminded everyone of the Virginia Festival of the Book scheduled for March 20-23 and handed out advance programs. Everyone was invited back to Gordon Avenue Library for the Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale beginning March 15. 

Linda Gosnell arrived from the VLA Executive Council meeting and reported the following: 

The treasurerÕs report indicated that the VLA reserve fund is low due to a deficit in FY96. The Finance Committee is working on solutions and will make recommendations. An increase in VLA dues may be a solution. VLA has a membership of approximately 1400 and most of the revenue comes from membership dues. 

The Conference Committee reported that VLA should not expect to make money on the Fall Conference. The goal is to break even. This yearÕs committee is making efforts to reduce the costs to avoid overruns. Plans for the 1997 Conference (Oct. 31 at Crystal City) include changing the Conference social to Thursday evening and tours of DC libraries and the Smithsonian scheduled for Saturday. The 1998 Conference will be a joint conference with VEMA and will be in Virginia Beach. 

VLA has terminated its contract with PSI which provided the services of the Executive Director. Linda Hahne is the interim Executive Director and VLA offices have moved to Norfolk. Linda will resign as VLA treasurer as of April 15. VLA plans to develop a new job description for its Executive Director and offer training. 

Because of the transition in management, membership renewal forms were not mailed out as usual. They will appear in the March newsletter. Workshop planners should contact Linda Hahne to gets membership applications and make them available at VLA workshops. 

Steve Helm reported on VLAÕs Web Page. VLA hopes to have membership applications and registration for workshops online. The Intellectual Freedom Forum has established a link. CYART is planning to follow suit. Our link will include a mission statement, roster of the Executive Committee, minutes, Jefferson Cup information, and program information. 

VLA president, Liz Chabot, proposed a different system for the election of VLA officers. It was described as a procurement process where outgoing officers procure their replacements. Opinions and comments should be sent to LIz. 

The Legislative Committee reported an additional $250,000 in funds have been allocated to libraries. Phil Abrams, VLA lobbyist, will report at the April VLA Executive Council Meeting. A bill was revived and is still pending dealing with Friends groupsÕ exemption form paying taxes. 

Linda continued with the CYART agenda: 

The group discussed the progress of the list of performers. North Carolina has a PerformerÕs Directory. Possibilities include selling the list at cost and providing it in print and on disk. Any publication needs to be cleared through VLAÕs Publication Committee. CYART should consider asking for publication funds in the 1998 budget. The remainder of the discussion dealt with revising the form. Suggestions included dating the information and providing a simple index of categories. The following categories were considered: Clowning, Magic, Puppetry, Poetry, Authors/Illustrators, Music/ Dance, Storytelling, Drama, Arts/Crafts, Wildlife, and Other. 

Rachael reported on the progress of the Jefferson Cup Award. She handed out brochures and reported that the committee is considering almost 300 titles. The Jefferson Cup committee will hold its final meeting in April and will announce this yearÕs winner. Carolyn Caywood has offered to help publicize the announcement. Rachael reported that VEMA has a Jefferson Cup presentation at their conference. It was suggested that the committee consider an article in the VLA newsletter to promote the Jefferson Cup Award. Rachael asked what the guidelines were for awarding special recognition for a series. There were mixed feelings on the committee concerning the prospect of taking on another award. The CYART committee charged the Jefferson Cup committee with drawing up a proposal for CYART consideration. 

Spring Programs include: 
March 12--ReaderÕs Advisory Workshop at Chesterfield Central Library 

March 20--Booktalking Buffet at John Musante Porter Branch Library in Stafford Co. 

April 25--CYART annual program on Internet Access for Children at the Library of Virginia. Linda is looking for panel discussion leaders from libraries that have Internet access for the public. 

March 11--The Library of VirginiaÕs Train the Trainer Workshop at Staunton. Registration deadline extended. 

Nora Natke is also looking for applications for the Lap Top Computer grants. Preference will be given to libraries who have not yet received a grant. 

The Youth Services Advisory Committee of the Library of Virginia has developed a program packet entitled ÒRead to Your BunnyÓ. This is a program modified from one developed by the Texas Library Association. Each public library will receive a packet and camera ready clip art is available from Nora. 

The minutes of the last CYART meeting were approved. 

Sharon was asked by her director to discuss endorsement of a video on home day care produced by Soho. The company had approached the Public Library Directors Association and they passed it on to CYART. There was question as to whether this fit within the scope of CYARTÕs mission. Linda offered to consult VLA guidelines and report back at the next meeting. 

The meeting adjourned.