The Library of Virginia (202)

Authority: Title 42.1, Chapters 1 and 3, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of Statewide Library Services shall be paid $61,110 and two positions the first year from the federal trust fund for the Virginia Newspaper Project, a federal grant expiring June 30, 1999.

B. It is the intent of the General Assembly to begin implementation in fiscal year 2000 of "Infopowering the Commonwealth" to provide electronic resources for public libraries and to provide universal access to all citizens of the Commonwealth. For this purpose, $500,000 from the general fund the second year shall be provided. The Library of Virginia may allocate grants, not to exceed $8,000 each, to local libraries to start up and create Internet capacity. First priority for the grants shall be local libraries that currently do not have adequate hardware to access the Internet. In awarding the grants, The Library of Virginia shall also give consideration to libraries in localities with greatest financial need, as determined by such methods as the local fiscal stress index of the Commission on Local Government.