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1996 SESSION

968074753
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 45
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules
on February 27, 1996)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Walker)
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Reorganization of The Library of Virginia.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 96, the 1994 Session of the General Assembly established a nine-member subcommittee to study the future and possible reorganization of the Commonwealth's state library agency, to inventory the collection of historical art work in the State Capitol, and to develop recommendations regarding its restoration and preservation; and,

WHEREAS, recognizing that further study was necessary to develop appropriate recommendations, the 1995 Session adopted Senate Joint Resolution No. 258, which continued the work of the joint subcommittee; and

WHEREAS, throughout its two-year study, the joint subcommittee has sought the input and expertise of agency leadership and staff, archivists, genealogists, and university librarians, and has examined the history, mission, and duties of The Library of Virginia; the designation and application of funds for The Library, including salary levels; and the organization and funding of state libraries and archives in other states; and

WHEREAS, to meet its study directives, the subcommittee has also reviewed document preservation techniques and current archival practices, current and projected archival storage and space needs and preservation efforts, and the progress of construction of the new Library facility and a proposed Records Center; and

WHEREAS, although The Library is currently organized by statute as a single state agency with multiple purposes, objectives, and functions, adequate funding and staff support within each of its divisions--including the Archives--are essential to the effective operation of The Library; and

WHEREAS, testimony before the joint subcommittee indicated that budget constraints hamper The Library's ability to preserve its collections and to advance new technologies that would increase accessibility for citizens throughout Virginia, and that The Library currently ranks 23rd among the Commonwealth's public libraries in library materials expenditures, and ninth when compared to Virginia's state university libraries; and

WHEREAS, the three-fold mission of the Library of Virginia--to be the library agency of the Commonwealth, to act as the state's archival agency, and to serve as a reference library at the seat of government--is reflected in The Library's organizational structure; and

WHEREAS, while The Library's present organizational and staffing structure--combining library and archival functions in one state agency--is consistent with practices that can be traced to The Library's founding, the placement of archival functions varies across the country, as states have assigned this duty to other state agencies as well as to independent state archival agencies; and

WHEREAS, responding to directives of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Government Reform, The Library initiated an internal reorganization in 1995, making several significant changes, including eliminating the Archives and Records Division, placing archival research functions in a Research and Information Services Division, and modifying certain job descriptions and salary bases; and

WHEREAS, further study is necessary to review The Library's internal reorganization and to develop recommendations that will not only help ensure the fulfillment of The Library's multi-faceted mission but also support its commitment to preserve and restore its holdings, and to serve those who use its facilities and records; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Reorganization of The Library of Virginia be continued. The joint subcommittee shall consider the efficacy and appropriateness of establishing an autonomous state archives agency, separate from The Library. The joint subcommittee shall also examine The Library's internal reorganization plan and shall continue to monitor funding and staff levels for the various divisions within The Library; current and projected storage and space needs and preservation efforts; the progress of construction of the new Library facility and the proposed Records Center; and the status of preservation needs of The Library's historic art works.

The current membership of the joint subcommittee shall continue to serve as appointed pursuant to SJR 96 (1994); any vacancies shall be filled in the manner consistent with the original resolution.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support to the joint subcommittee. All other agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly in accordance with the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $5,000.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.