HD28 - Report of the Commission Studying a State Library Networking System

  • Published: 1983
  • Author: Commission Studying a State Library Networking System
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 1 (Regular Session, 1982)

Executive Summary:
The study of the feasibility and desirability of a State library networking system was created by House Joint Resolution No. 239 enacted by the 1981 Session of the Virginia General Assembly and extended by House Joint Resolution No. 1 of the 1982 Session of the Virginia General Assembly.

House Joint Resolution No. 239 reads as follows:

WHEREAS, there are twenty-one regional libraries in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a strong and viable cooperative library system is an asset and enhances the education and cultural advancement of the citizens; and

WHEREAS, the orderly growth of a cooperative library system should be planned so that it can operate at maximum efficiency and economy and achieve desired benefits; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That there is hereby created the Commission on a State Library Networking System. The Commission shall consist of four members of the House of Delegates and two citizens appointed by the Speaker and two members of the Senate and two citizens to be appointed by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. Two of the members appointed from the House of Delegates shall be members of the House Appropriations Committee and one of the members appointed from the Senate shall be a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

The Commission is requested to study the feasibility and desirability of a State library networking system. The study should include, but not be limited to, the techniques of establishing a Statewide networking system which would act as an interlibrary loan center for all collections in the network district; maintain and distribute an up-to-date union catalog of books, materials, and periodical holdings in the network district; promote staff and cooperative buying systems as desired by the members; keep membership records and collect and disburse any charges related to membership in the network district; develop a delivery system for interlibrary loans; provide centralized acquisitions and processing if desired by the membership; develop a plan for reimbursement for materials interlibrary loaned if that is desired by the network district membership; and develop a plan for cross-district cooperation. The Commission is further requested to study any other matter that would affect and enhance the State library system.

Pursuant to this directive, the following individuals were appointed to serve on the Commission. The Speaker appointed the following House members: Delegate Robert B. Ball, Sr., Delegate V. Thomas Forehand, Jr., Delegate Mary A. Marshall, and Delegate Lacey E. Putney. The following Senators were appointed by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee; Senator Adelard L. Brault and Senator William F. Parkerson, Jr. The following citizen members were also appointed to the Commission: Mr. Dean Burgess of Portsmouth, Dr. Vinod Chachra of Blacksburg, Miss Ricky S. Johnson of Staunton, and Mrs. Virginius R. Shackelford, Jr. of Orange.

The Commission unanimously selected Delegate Robert B. Ball, Sr. as Chairman and Senator Adelard L. Brault as Vice-Chairman.

The Library Networking Commission has been studying networking for two years and has held numerous meetings as well as four public hearings to thoroughly explore all the issues and alternatives. This report contains the Commission's findings and recommendations as well as the proposed legislation which will be submitted to the 1983 Session of the Virginia General Assembly.

The Commission wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all the individuals and librarians who assisted the Commission during its study and deliberations.