The Library of Virginia Newsletter

July 2018 Newsletter

Announcing the Carole Weinstein Author Series

The Library of Virginia will soon offer a new series of book events, the Carole Weinstein Author Series, as part of the Library’s mission to support the literary arts. This series will bring both new and well-known authors to the Library with a focus on Virginia authors and Virginia subjects across all genres.

The series will be free and open to the public. Most events will include light refreshments, a question-and-answer session with the author, and book signings. More information and a listing of specific events will be available soon on the Library’s website at www.lva.virginia.gov/news/index.htm and via social media. Special thanks to Carole Weinstein, a former member of the Library Board and the Library of Virginia Foundation Board, for making this exciting new series possible.

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Who Do You Think You Are?

The June 4 episode of the popular television series Who Do You Think You Are? featured items in the Library of Virginia's collection that helped actress Hilary Duff document her Virginia ancestry. Duff visited the Library several months before the program aired and sat down with John Metz, our deputy for collections and programs, who appeared on camera with her during the episode. Who Do You Think You Are?, which airs on the TLC network, features a different celebrity each week as they travel to archives and sites associated with their past to uncover their personal family history. Archived episodes of the current season of Who Do You Think You Are? can be found at www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are. (You must be a cable subscriber and log in to your cable account to view back episodes of the program online.)

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Freedom of Information Act Training

Staff of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council (FOIA) will be conducting free FOIA records training sessions for citizens, media representatives, public officials, and public employees with an interest in learning more about access to public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Training will take place from 2:00 to 3:30 PM on July 25, August 29, October 3, and November 7, 2018, in House Committee Room 300A of the Pocahontas Building located at 900 East Main Street in Richmond, near the Virginia State Capitol.

The presentations will provide an overview of the legal requirements regarding access to public records under FOIA, including what is a public record, how to make a public records request, how to respond to records requests, information on exemptions from mandatory disclosure, and the remedies available should a violation occur. Each presentation is preapproved for 1.5 hours of continuing legal education credit for attorneys and will satisfy the annual training requirement for FOIA officers as well. For registration information, check the FOIA Council's website at http://foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov/training.htm OR contact the FOIA Council directly toll free at 866-448-4100.

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Virginia Shop July 30 for 30

Did you know that Richmond has an official city flag? Show your RVA pride by flying one from your front porch or display the smaller-sized flag in your garden. The Richmond city flag is on sale this month at a 30 percent discount through the Virginia Shop website at www.thevirginiashop.org. Or visit the shop on your next trip to the Library for an in-store discount of 20 percent.

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