Charlottesville, VA
June 12, 1998
Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Diantha McCauley, Sherry Pearson
A quorum was not present so April minutes need to be approved at a later meeting or by e-mail.
Sherry Pearson reported on Region I news. In Roanoke County, they have created a posted sign thanking the many sponsors who have supported the summer reading program. Mill Mountain Zoo has even donated free passes for those who finish the summer reading program. Discounts at several area businesses such as Discovery Zone have been given for those who have participated in the summer reading program too. Kids will also receive a western badge when signing up for the program. A computer camp will be held for both adults and children. In Roanoke City, t-shirts will be given away as well as sunglasses. Roanoke City is also sponsoring a "Drop Everything and Read" day on June 24th in which they ask everyone to set aside thirty minutes to read. At the Blue Ridge Library, the magician Mark Fuller, puppeteers at Applause Unlimited, and Roanoke Wildlife Rescue will present programs. At the Salem Public Library every Wednesday, kids from kindergarten through sixth grade can participate in creating crafts. Storyteller Susan Clarke will present folktales and the Virginia Museum of Transportation will present "Go Wild with Trains" among its many programs.
Ginger Armstrong reported on Region IV news at the Chesterfield County Public Library. For each child that reads ten books or ten hours with the "Go Wild" summer reading program, Southern States will donate a meal for a dog or cat in the Chesterfield Animal Shelter. When the goal is reached, a seal will be placed on the child's log that says, "I Read and Fed." Also for every book read, children and young adults may enter a drawing for free books. These books are awarded weekly with 1000 giveaways in all. Summer programs include cartoonist Jim Sizemore, musicians Kim and Jimbo Cary, Snakes Alive, craft days, and a country line dancing event.
Diantha McCauley reported on Region VI news. The libraries in this region are planning on forming a book review group. They will contact publishers asking for review copies of new publications and they, in turn, will provide feedback to the publishers on the titles. Culpepper County will receive the submissions and the items received will be held for a December meeting. The books will be divided among those participating and librarians will comment on each title stating whether they would buy it or not. Highland County Public Library has a new director and will be holding a computer camp for kids. At the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, a 60's teen program will be held. A disc jockey will play Beatles tunes and Austin Powers may be shown. A coffee house for teens will also be held. Storytelling in the park in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department will be presented this summer along with a program involving the Richmond Braves reading to kids. The Staunton Public Library used customized stickers from the Smilemakers Catalog which state "I Love Storytime at the Staunton Public Library" as giveaways for its storytime attendees.
The Jefferson Cup winner for this year is Leon's Story by Leon Walter Tillage with pictures by Susan Roth. Honor books include Treasures in the Dust by Tracey Porter, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, Kennedy Assassinated! The World Mourns by Wilborn Hampton, and Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff. Leon Tillage is currently in the hospital and Susan Roth is unavailable to speak at the VLA Conference. Currently, the committee is checking with the editor of Farrar, Straus, and Giroux to see if the editor could possibly speak at the conference. The "Jefferson Cup Overfloweth" program will consist of members of the past committee booktalking their favorites. Sherry Inabinet is making a cloth banner advertising the Jefferson Cup and is interested in any ideas regarding publicizing the award.
Library of Virginia news from Nelson Worley about the new children's consultant is that the new position will be enhanced. This position will also be responsible for more continuing education for the entire Library of Virginia.
YALSA is sponsoring its first "Teen Read Week" which will be held October 19-25. ALA is also sponsoring an Internet Teach-In for the America Links Up program on September 16. For more information, check out ALA's web site at http://www.ala.org.
VLA Council news was discussed. VLA Council is currently analyzing its organization and has formed a special committee to look at VLA Council's purpose, goals, and structure. Regional representation will be among the groups analyzed. All roundtables will be changed to forums and VLA is looking into changing the timing of the programming workshop so that people will be better prepared for planning spring programs. The Intellectual Freedom Committee's vision statements regarding open access on the Internet were approved and can be found in the next VLA Newsletter. Nominees for VLA office include Carolyn Barkley and Edwin S. Clay for Vice-President/President-Elect and Nancy Newins and Jan S. Pace for Secretary.
New business was discussed next. CYART members discussed the possibility of recruiting for CYART from the lists received when members join. Discussion followed over making lists in our own regions of the children's librarians and CYART contacts.
The next meeting will be held on September 11, 1998 at the Gordon Avenue Library in Charlottesville at 12:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned.