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 Update from VLA's Legislative Committee regarding the Virginia General Assembly

Report to VLA from Phil Abraham of The Vectre Corporation, Richmond, VA, given April 2021 to the VLA Executive Committee and Council and updated July 26, 2021:

One of the unique aspects of the short session this year was that there was a tight limit on the number of bills that could be introduced. Senators could only introduce 12 bills and House members could only introduce 7 bills. This resulted in slightly less than 1,000 bills being introduced at the 2021 regular and special sessions (about half of what you would see in a normal session). The session was also totally virtual in regard to the public and lobbyists being able to monitor committee meetings. All lobbying activities had to be conducted via text, cellphone, or video conference. It was a lot more challenging as lobbyists couldn’t catch legislators in person in the hallways or offices. The amount of time we had to testify on legislation ranged for a low of 30 seconds to a high of 2 minutes. The 2021 Session was unique in that it began with a 30-day Regular Session that was rolled-into a Special Session that last about 18 days.

The major issues legislators dealt with at the 2021 General Assembly were  abolishing the death penalty, legalizing marijuana (simple possession as of July 1, 2021), passing the revised state budget, and legislation providing for the expungement of many criminal convictions. 

 For VLA, our primary issue, as in recent years, was to increase state aid.  $1M increased funding is what we asked for in the second year of the current budget to restore the funds that were eliminated due to Covid-19 in 2020.  We had two great new champions for our efforts including Delegate Betsy Carr, who  chairs the Higher Education subcommittee of the House Appropriations that handles state aid to local libraries. She put in the amendment for us on the House side as she did at the 2020 Regular and Special Sessions. Senator Mamie Locke, who is from Hampton and is the Senate Democratic Caucus Chair as well as Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee of Senate Finance and Appropriations, put in the amendment for VLA  on the Senate side.  This was the first year Senator Locke had been asked to introduce the state aid budget amendment.  For the first time in many years, both the House and Senate agreed to fund the increase in state aid we requested and included the $1M restoration of funds in the budget conference report.  We also had strong support from Delegate Mark Sickles, who is Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee from Fairfax County, and from Senator Tommy Norment, the Senate Republican Leader, who use to chair the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and is  from James City County.. We also had new staff assigned to the state aid budget amendment because Sarah Herzog is now the budget director for Christopher Newport University.  Tyler Williams is the new Senate staffer on all education matters, including state aid to local public libraries, and Tony Maggio remains the House Appropriations Committee staff member assigned responsibility for state aid matters and all Higher Education funding.. Both House and Senate staff members were supportive of the VLA budget amendment request in 2021.

 The only other bill that concerned libraries in particular was legislation that allowed Fairfax South Boston regional system to get their full amount of state aid in the wake of their reversion to town status that occurred a number of years ago. They were the only city that had previously reverted to town status that has not been held harmless regarding state aid to public library funding levels following their reversion. When this bill was heard in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, the Chair of that Committee, Senator Janet Howell from Fairfax County,  said, “Aren’t you aware, Delegate Edmunds, that we already put $1M in the state budget for increased local aid to public libraries?” I thought that comment was positive and  demonstrated the interest of Senator Howell in funding for local public libraries.  

At the upcoming 2022 session our focus will be continued progress on fully funding the state aid to local public libraries program . We hope to get there in four years by dividing the shortfall up into four segments and phasing them in as annual increases of a little over $2.5M each year. With support from Delegate Carr and Senator Locke, we can hopefully make real progress towards our full-funding goal.

Members of the House currently are focused on elections  because all 100 of them are up for reelection in November.  Statewide elections  for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General will be held the same day. The Democrats held a statewide primary on June 8th of 2021, and the Republicans held a virtual convention at roughly 35 sites around the state in May 2021. We’ll do our best to educate the candidates for Governor on the importance of fully funding state aid and try to get some commitments during the campaign to move towards full funding.

 

2016 Scholarship Application

Deadline for application packets to be received by VLA: March 4, 2016

2016 VLA Scholarship Application

2016 VLA Recommendation Letter Form

 Submit completed application by e-mail to Lisa Varga at [email protected]

The Virginia Library Association awards two $2500 scholarships for students pursuing a Masters degree in Library Science at ALA accredited schools.  One of these, the Clara Stanley Scholarship, is awarded by the VLA Professional Associates Forum (VLAPAF).

The eligibility requirements for the VLA Scholarship are:

  • Residence in the state of Virginia or currently employed in a Virginia Library.
  • Undergraduate degree.
  • Acceptance by an American Library Association accredited library school or a pending application for admission.  MUST be earning a Master of Library Science Degree.
  • Membership in the Virginia Library Association. Click here to become a student member. Annual fee is $15.00
  • For the Clara Stanley VLAPAF Scholarship: current employment at a Virginia library is required.

The major factors considered in making the awards are:

  • Evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship in Virginia.
  • Financial need.
  • Potential for outstanding achievement in the library profession.
  • Academic excellence.
  • Membership in the Virginia Library Association.

In order to be considered, your application including two (2) references is to be submitted by March 4, 2016.  You must have two (2) references, one of which must be a librarian.  A link to the Recommendation Form is above.  This form must be submitted by the reference persons themselves. 

The Scholarship committee will review applications during the spring and you will be notified of the Committee’s decisions in late April.  If you have any questions about any aspect of the application process, please contact: Lucy Rush, Old Dominion University Libraries, [email protected], (757) 683-5909

 

 

2016 Reminders and Events

Hello VLA supporters!

Thank you to the 600+ of you who have already renewed your 2016 VLA Membership; your commitment to your professional association allows us to continue to provide programming, scholarships and conferences as well as networking opportunities for you and your colleagues!

Some things to look forward to this year:

  • Apply for the 2016 Virginia Library Leadership Academy by January 15. A generous sponsorship by BCWH makes this event even more affordable that ever before.
  • Join the panel of judges for the first-ever VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Awards (judge’s application to be posted by the end of this month.)
  • Attend the VLAPAF Mini Conference with Kim Weitkamp on January 21 at the Culpeper County Library.
  • Apply for a VLA Scholarship (deadline March 15; more information will be posted on the VLA website soon). This is VLA’s 25th year of awarding scholarships!
  • Browse and utilize VLA’s new CQ Engage portal for important legislative information and initiatives. Find and contact your legislators with just a few clicks!
  • Submit a program session proposal for the VLA Annual Conference (online submission form will be posted in January with an April 15 deadline.)
  • Attend the 2015 VLA Professional Associates Conference (May 2 in Williamsburg; registration opens in February.)
  • Participate in National Library Legislative Day (contact State Coordinator Christie Hoerneman for details!)
  • Attend The Innovative Library Classroom at Radford University on May 11-12 (registration to open in March.)
  • Nominate a colleague for the 2016 VLA Awards (deadline May 15.)
  • Learn more about Virginia library staff through our monthly People and Happenings column, and be sure to share your news with us!
  • Be one of the 5,000+ monthly visitors to VLA’s Jobline! Is your organization hiring? Post your vacancy for just $100 for 90 days!
  • Take part in Spring and Summer events hosted by VA’s Chapter of College and Research Libraries (VLACRL – more details will be sent as soon as they are available.)
  • Gather with hundreds of your colleagues at the 2016 VLA Annual Conference at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, October 26-28 (registration opens in July. Celebrate the Homestead’s 250th anniversary by staying for 2 nights for $250.)

We’ve got a lot of other projects organized by volunteers just like you. Be sure to renew your membership and watch your email and the VLA Calendar for more events!

Lisa R. Varga
Executive Director
Virginia Library Association
P.O. Box 56312
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 689-0594 Fax: (757) 447-3478
[email protected]

 

 

GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED 2016-2018 BIENNIAL STATE BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEES OF THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL HOLD REGIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED 2016-2018 BIENNIAL STATE BUDGET, AS FOLLOWS:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 (Hearing begins at 10:00 a.m.)

  • Fredericksburg – University of Mary Washington, University Center, Chandler Ballroom
  • Wytheville – Wytheville Community College, Grayson Hall, Snyder Auditorium

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 (Hearings begin at 12:00 noon)

  • Chesapeake - Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake Campus, Student Center Multipurpose Room
  • Central Virginia – City of Richmond, General Assembly Building, House Room D

The purpose of the hearings is to receive comments on the Governor's proposed amendments to the 2016-18 biennial state budget. Those persons wishing to speak may register at each hearing site no earlier than one hour prior to the start of the hearing.

Read more...
 

2016 National Library Legislative Day

Registration for National Library Legislative Day 2016 has opened! The event will be held in Washington, D.C. on May 2-3, 2016 at the Liaison Hotel.  

This two-day advocacy event brings hundreds of librarians, trustees, library supporters, and patrons to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress to rally support for library issues and policies. As with previous years, participants will receive advocacy tips and training, along with important issue briefings prior to their meetings.

Your firsthand library experience - from behind the reference desk or as a patron - is an invaluable part of helping legislators to understand the impact that libraries have in the day to day lives of their constituents. I hope you will consider joining us!

Read more...
 
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