Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Diantha McCauley, Nora Natke, Sherry Pearson, Linda Gosnell Phillips, Scott Phillips, Rebecca Purdy, Lori Risinger, Dawn Sowers, and Val Thomson 

Chair Linda Gosnell Phillips called the meeting to order and announced that the CYART web page was activated on September 4. This page serves as a link from VLA's home page. 

Nora's fax number at the Library of Virginia is (804) 692-3771. 

Next Linda asked for regional reports. 

Region I: Sherry Pearson handed out flyers from the Roanoke City Public Library, Salem Public Library, Roanoke County Public Library, C.P. Jones Memorial Library, and the Radford Public Library. Brochures included storytime information and tips for parents about storytime. Afterschool programs with folktales and 
activities from around the world will be held for grades K-3 in Roanoke County. Sherry also contributed a rain storm finger rhyme from C.P. Jones Memorial Library and instructions on Roanoke City Public Library's Dial-A-Story program. Roanoke City is also participating in a storytelling olympics program. Washington County will hold a mom and baby storytime as well as an Unbirthday Party and a YA lock-in. 

Region II: Phyllis Bryant will be leaving CYART this year. Lori Risinger will be the new Region II representative for the next two years. Libraries in this region reported that summer reading programs were over and libraries were excited to report that enrollment in the Summer Reading Program was up. 

Lori reported on the Lynchburg Public Library which is evaluating the addition of a laptime program. Also young adult programs are being introduced for the first time with a mystery program to be held in October. 

Region III: Scott Phillips read a report from Laura Ashworth regarding the Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach Public Libraries. Successful programs reported in Chesapeake included a visit from Beverly VanHook, author of the "Supergranny" mystery series and the "Fifth Annual Civil War Days" with an Abe Lincoln impersonator as well as "Dr. Pierre's Medicine Show." Chesapeake is currently involved in choosing a new automation system and the hiring freeze has been lifted. Norfolk hosted the "Bookapalooza" in which teens hang out, chat, and discuss books. Author Ruth White visited for the Weeping Willow discussion. The Wappadoodle puppets made an annual appearance at the Portsmouth Public Library. Suffolk welcomed ventriloquist and puppeteer, Tyrone Travis, as well as James Scott and his "loud poetry." Virginia Beach invited Ben Cherry who portrayed the famous pirate, Blackbeard. Teen mystery night was also a huge success. Lastly, Laura announced that "Taking Books to Heart" is now on Norfolk Public's web site. 

Region IV: Ginger handed out flyers from Richmond Public Library, Appomattox Regional Library, Pamunkey Regional Library, Powhatan Public Library, and Chesterfield County Public Library. The Richmond Public Library in conjunction with the Richmond Area Reading Council, VCU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and the Richmond Friends of the Library celebrates the 300th anniversary of Charles Perrault's Fairy Tales with a conference to be held on Saturday, October 18th from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Authors and illustrators such as David McPhail, Charlotte Huck, Kevin O'Malley, and Kenn and Joanne Compton will be in attendance. For more information on the conference, please call Pat McKay at (804) 780-4514. The Appomattox Regional Library system had a very successful cooperative agreement with the Parks and Recreation Department which allowed kids to visit certain historical sites free with a library card. The Rockwood Nature Center will offer a program on bats and in December, Santa will lead the children in the macarena. Ginger reported that the Chesterfield County Public Library is gearing 
up for its mock Caldecott election program. During the summer, Chesterfield County gave away 1000 books as prizes and one storytime during the summer featured horse rides. 

Linda reported on news from the Henrico Public Library. Tuckahoe Public Library found an increase of 60 members this year in the Summer Reading Club. The library solicited corporate sponsorship from companies such as Southern Health and McDonald's. Children were allowed to set their own goals with Egyptian-themed logs while young adults used the state theme. Pamela Bomboy, President of the Richmond Storytelling League, was recommended. A low cost and low maintenance program recommended was a game night program in which kids were asked to bring their favorite board games to play. In the fall, James Furqueron will perform his Edgar Allan Poe program. For more 
information on James Furqueron's programs, you may contact him at (804) 452-1215. 

Region V: Rebecca reported on programs at the Prince William Regional Library, Potomac Public Library, Arlington Public Library, and Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Rebecca reported that Prince William will host a program for young adults on study skills. Also an after-hours mystery party as well as scavenger hunt and a teen book club are scheduled. Potomac has been closed for renovations. Loudon County is celebrating Deaf 
Awareness Month with the use of an interpreter at their children's programs. Arlington welcomes author Barbara Ann Porte to talk about tadpoles. Central Rappahannock is hosting several young adult programs including "Roadblocks to a Healthy Relationship," a chance to join the Teen Council, or to search for great YA sites with the "Web Surfers." The Teen Writers Group presents its first publication soon. Bandfest 2 will also be held in September and Mother Goose storytimes will begin. 

Region VI: Diantha and Val reported on the Augusta County Library and handed out a copy of a Children's Department 
Bulletin that is sent to area schools and homeschoolers. In October and November, a homework center will be available for middle school students. A teen advisory board will begin in September. Diantha and Val reported on the Kinder Fair at the Staunton Mall in which Bill Wellington and Freckles the Clown attended along with library staff. Storytimes will begin in the fall again also. 

Dawn reported on the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. Mother Goose storytimes for those 6-24 months old will be held. Another program features guest speakers who talk about foreign countries. Wacky Wednesdays have also been popular. Family storytimes will continue. The Gordon Avenue Branch kicked off the Summer Reading Club with an ice cream social. The young adult program hosted a logo contest and a Children's Book Drive which donated books to the Children's Book Center at UVA. 600 books were collected in 6 weeks. Young adults participated in a 
mystery night as actors and attendees. James Furqueron visited this summer also. Other highlights included a 3-D movie program, cartooning with Trevor Moore, and a photography workshop. A Beatles Film Festival for Young Adults is in the planning stages for the Northside Library. 

Linda opened the business portion of the meeting. The minutes from the June 13 meeting were approved with the inclusion of the Region III report. 

VLA Council News was discussed. 

Next order of business ws the VLA Conference Update. The Jefferson Cup program will be held on Thursday, October 30 at 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. CYART is co-sponsoring a program with the School Library Division on Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with Calvin Ross, author of The Frugal Youth Cybrarian: Bargain Computing for Kids. From 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., the Virginia Young Readers presentation will be held and at 11:30 a.m., Tom Feelings will speak for the closing session. 

Jefferson Cup winner Jean Thesman will be unable to attend the VLA Conference due to a personal commitment. As a result, Kathryn Lasky, one of the authors of the Dear America series (the Jefferson Cup series winner) will speak. Linda will check with Rachael DeHaven on funding for the Jefferson Cup program. Edward T. Rabbit Bookstore has donated some money to fund this program. 

Reporters for the CYART conference programs at VLA are as follows: 

Ginger Armstrong - Jefferson Cup Program 
Sherry Pearson - Calvin Ross Program 
Nora Natke - Virginia Young Readers Program 

These CYART members will be responsible for submitting summaries of the above programs to Cy Dillon within two weeks after the VLA Conference for Virginia Libraries. His address is: Stanley Library, Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088. His e-mail address is: cdillon@leo.vsla.edu. 

New officers for the 1997-1998 year were announced. In November, Scott Phillips will become the chair of CYART. 
Diantha McCauley will be the chair-elect. Ginger Armstrong will be the secretary. Debbie Duce will be the Virginia Young Reader representative. Linda Gosnell Phillips and Val Thomson will serve on the Jefferson Cup Committee. Jean Johnston will be the chair of the Jefferson Cup Committee. There will be a need for Region IV and Region V representatives due to vacancies in those positions. 

Linda is looking for someone to maintain the CYART web site. If anyone is interested, please contact Linda Gosnell Phillips at (804) 270-9578. 

Linda announced that all CYART regional representatives should have a packet regarding program planning. Ginger reported on factors to keep in mind while planning a program such as starting early, keeping communication open with your presenters, keeping track of your budget throughout the preparation process, and following the guidelines given by Linda. Ginger handed out sample flyers and evaluation sheets. Nora added that if camera-ready 
flyers are sent to the attention of Libby Lewis at the Library of Virginia, then she can mail copies of flyers to all of the directors in the state. 

"Lend Me Your Ears: A Storytelling Workshop" by Melinda Munger will be held at the James City County Public Library on September 27 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Tim Carrier and Scott Phillips are available for presenting workshops on reader's advisory and/or YA booktalking. 
Dawn is also available for presenting programs and Linda is available to present programs on starting a Mother Goose 
storytime. Linda recommended storyteller Donnamarie Emmert who may be available for a program called "Stars in the Sky." Ms. Emmert teaches storytelling at Highlands Community College in Abingdon. Her phone number is (703) 676-0849. CYART members were also encouraged to look for people in our own regions who may be possible program presenters. 

CYART is planning a letter-writing campaign to promote library advocacy for children's and young adult services. CYART may speak on this issue and have flyers displayed at the Summer Reading Program Workshops in Roanoke and in Richmond. 

Nora reported on the graphics for the "Go Wild" Summer Reading Club Program for 1998. The children's art will contain a collage of wild things such as a space rocket and a railroad. The young adult art depicts sunglasses with graphics representing each subtheme emblazoned on the lenses. For the 1999 Summer Reading Club, more volunteers are needed particularly in Region IV and V. Nora also encouraged libraries to apply for the $3000 grant awarded by ALSC and BWI which is due by December 1, 1997. Nora also promoted the Library of Virginia's new exhibit, "Commonwealth Treasures" that will be on display during the Summer Reading Club Workshop in Richmond. She also announced her Collection Development Workshop for Region VI on September 17. 

It was reported that there are presently several vacancies for children's coordinators and children's librarians in the following locations: Roanoke County, Rockbridge County, Bedford County, Petersburg, Jefferson-Madison, Fauquier, Salem, and Prince William. 

The next meeting will be held at the VLA Conference following the Jefferson Cup program. 

The meeting adjourned.