Charlottesville, VA
April 10, 1998
Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Linda Gosnell Phillips, Scott Phillips,
Rebecca Purdy
A quorum was not present so minutes will be approved via an e-mail quorum.
Scott announced that Debbie Duce has resigned from her position as our Virginia Young Reader representative and Lorraine Bartlett is no longer a regional representative.
Linda reported on the Jefferson Cup Committee's progress. The last meeting for the committee will be held on April 24. A record number of books were received from publishers this year and the committee has narrowed their choices to their top ten favorites. Some of the committee's favorite titles include Treasures in the Dust, Out of the Dust, Marven of the North Woods, Leon's Story, Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man, Across the Lines, Kennedy Assassinated, and James Printer: A Novel of Rebellion. The committee will hold the "Jefferson Cup Overfloweth" program at VLA where they will booktalk the titles that did not win. The chair of the Jefferson Cup Committee next year will be Sherry Inabinet. If interested in serving on the Jefferson Cup Committee, please e-mail Scott (scphilli@leo.vsla.edu) or Sherry (sinabine@leo.vsla.edu). The selection of the Jefferson Cup Award will be announced soon. Promotion of the Jefferson Cup Award has been a topic of discussion with the committee. A Jefferson Cup calendar featuring award winners and honor titles has been discussed as an item that the committee could create and sell in coordination with the VLA Publishing Committee. A Jefferson Cup web page has been created by the Fairfax County Public Library. An exhibit at the Library of Virginia was discussed as well as having the Jefferson Cup books for sale at the Library of Virginia's book store. By e-mail, Scott will ask for a motion by CYART members to approve an expenditure of approximately $350 for the creation of a wooden Jefferson Cup seal to be used for promotion at conferences.
Scott reported on the filling of the Youth Services Consultant position at the Library of Virginia. No definitive word has been made as to when or if the position will be filled. Nolan Yelich will answer any questions about the youth services position and the summer reading program brought up by library directors at the upcoming Virginia Public Library Directors Association meeting. The possibility of a motion to VLA Council in support of the rapid filling of the position was discussed.
In VLA Council news, the motion was carried to increase membership dues. Each VLA unit is encouraged to search for new revenue potentials. Scott read a draft of two statements that are proposed for addition to VLA's mission statement. Both statements endorse ensuring the right to access and supporting the traditional intellectual freedom documents. These statements will be posted on the VLA listserv and VLA web page so that anyone may comment. The VLA Conference Committee reported on the VLA/VEMA Conference in Virginia Beach. The keynote speaker will be Andrew Blau who has studied public perception of the library. Kathy Reichs, author of Deja Dead, and Dale Henry, a motivational speaker, will also be present. On Saturday, a children's author, Peter Roop, will speak. A social will also occur at the Virginia Marine Museum. Forty-six Gateway computers have been donated for use for various programs.
Next were regional reports. No representatives were present from regions I, II, III, and VI but Lorry Risinger e-mailed a report for Region II to Scott. Region II libraries are in the midst of planning a Wild Summer. The Bedford Public Library will have live animals at the summer reading kick-off. The Wild West and Wild Gourmet seem to be the most popular themes for the summer. Other than the summer reading program, Lynchburg Public Library is offering a Red Cross Babysitting Course and during Spring Break, two open craft programs are scheduled. For grades three and up, a sign language storytime will be held. Also Lynchburg hosts a Cinco de Mayo party for all ages on May 2.
Rebecca reported on Region V news from Arlington, Fredericksburg, Porter, Salem Church, Loudoun County, and Prince William County. Juvenile programs included Mother Goose storytimes, a performance by Bill Harley, the set-up of a Kids Library Committee, a Teen Volunteer Puppet Troupe program, a movie program, and a hodgepodge program where kids will make alphabet soup in tribute to author Susan Meddaugh. Young adult programming included book bingo starting with sixth graders, Star Wars reader's theater, a magician's visit, the web surfer program, teen writer program, teen councils, a Teen Art Show, a Teen Cafe including teen performers, a babysitting workshop, a mother/daughter book discussion group, and a monthly trivia contest.
Ginger reported on Region IV news from Chesterfield. Slide presentations from the Virginia Museum of the Fine Arts were presented at each library during National Library Week. Presentations ranged from the "Treasures of Tutankhamen" to "African Sculpture." Also a display on kites was exhibited at the Central Library. The Central Friends of the Library sponsored a "Celebrate Star Wars" program with Star Wars characters, Princess Leia and Darth Vader, present and available for photo opportunities. Cake, punch, and a trivia contest were held in the afternoon as well as a demonstration by theatrical makeup artist Jeff Meisner. With money donated by the Central Friends of the Library, over 200 new Star Wars items (books, videos, audiocassettes, cd's, etc.) were purchased and debuted at this event.
Linda reported on Region IV news from Henrico County. Frederick McKissack, Jr. will talk about his new book, Black Diamonds, during National Library Week. Lately Henrico has been working in cooperation with schools and other organizations and have invited schools in the area to hold art receptions at the library. The PTA has contributed refreshments for this event. The Summer Reading Club theme that Henrico has chosen for this year is "Get Into the Game." The Henrico Education Association held Cat in the Hat storytimes for the Read Across America celebration. Local celebrities read Cat in the Hat stories and cake was available for the kids along with others dressed in costume.
The "Developing a Web Page" workshop will be held on May 8 and will be announced in the next VLA Newsletter. Region V is thinking about a storytelling workshop for a Fall program. Linda suggested storyteller Donnamarie Emmert for a Fall program. Also Doug Lipman was recommended. He will be presenting a program in Baltimore, MD in May. If interested, check his web site at http://www.storypower.com.
The meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on June 12 at the Gordon Avenue Library in Charlottesville at 12:00 p.m.