Recommendations: Quality of Public Library Services
Recommendation # 1: Review, revise, and strengthen public library standards.
Recommendation # 2: Review and seek the strengthening of Code of Virginia and administrative rules regarding the certification of public library directors.
Recommendation # 3: Develop a comprehensive curriculum for all library workers based on recognized skills and competencies and implement a coordinated program of continuing education.
Recommendation # 4: Encourage the Virginia Library Association to develop an annual awards program to recognize libraries that meet or exceed standards.
Recommendations: Equity of Access to Quality Public Library Services
Recommendation # 5: Support and pursue legislative action on a slightly modified version of the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s (JLARC) recommendations.
Recommendation # 6: Support JLARC’s suggestion that "add on" (additional funding) to the State Aid formula be instituted to address the ability, or lack of ability, of certain areas to support public library services adequately.
Recommendation # 7: Shift the funding for Find It Virginia from Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) monies to State revenues.
Recommendations: Funding
Recommendation # 8: Retain the three factors – population, square miles, and local expenditures – as the basis for calculating State Aid.
Recommendation # 9: Remove the population cap that is applicable under the current formula.
Recommendation # 10: Adjust, and then index the revenue cap and revisit the cap every five years for possible readjustment.
Recommendation # 11: Seek restoration of funding for the Infopowering the Commonwealth program including Find It Virginia as well as grants for computers and network equipment.
Recommendation # 12: Seek a separate construction bonding program to promote new public library building and expansion of current facilities.
Recommendation # 13: A significant portion of Federal LSTA funds liberated through a shifting of the Find It Virginia program should be used to support pilot projects and innovative approaches to offering service.
Recommendations: Advocacy/Public Awareness
Recommendation # 14: Develop an "Ohio Library Council" model for advocacy.
Recommendation # 15: Organize and prepare library trustees and members of library Friends organizations to be advocates for libraries.
Recommendation # 16: The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Public Library Directors’ Association should work together to develop a more synergistic relationship.
Recommendation # 17: The Library of Virginia should work with the public library community to seek support from foundations to develop and implement a major public awareness campaign on behalf of public libraries.
Priorities
While the consultants believe that action is needed on all 17 of the recommendations presented above, a variety of factors suggest that immediate attention can be given to some while acting on others will require considerably more extensive groundwork and preparation. The consultants have identified four of the recommendations that, in our opinion, should be addressed without delay.
Recommendations identified for immediate attention include:
#6 - Additional State Aid program to address equity issues,
#2 - Revisiting and strengthening the certification requirements for library directors
#14 - Development of library advocacy efforts modeled on the Ohio Library Council (OLC)
#16 - Development of a more symbiotic/synergistic relationship between the Library of Virginia and the public libraries of the Commonwealth