from Myra Ziegler, Legislative Chair

 Despite cold, snowy weather and the fact that we were there on a Monday, Legislative Day went well.  We shared the day with the WV Adult Education Association and were assigned to the Senate side of the Rotunda. With some financial support from an anonymous friend, WVLA was able to provide cookies and coffee around our exhibits.  Perhaps that is why there always seemed to be a crowd gathered there.  Or maybe it was just because everyone wanted to learn what libraries have to offer!  

 Displays representing the roles undertaken by libraries  to meet the needs of their communities were hauled to the Senate side of the Rotunda  and set up by staff from WVU (reference), Marshall (independent learning & the digital library), Princeton Public Library (popular materials), Kanawha County Public Library (formal learning support) & Cabell County Public Library (community information and referral), WVLC (children's services), WV Dept. of Archives (research).  WVLA volunteers handed out Talking Tips for supporters to use and were proper hosts for the many state employees who stopped by for free coffee & cookies.  By 10:00 AM library supporters were walking the halls of the Capitol, wearing bright yellow West Virginia badges, talking with legislators and handing out fact sheets about WVLA's legislative goals.

 Promptly at 2:30 everyone adjourned to the Reference Library at WVLC for a reception honoring Senator Rockefeller for his service to libraries in sponsoring the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that created the E-Rate rebate. After he was presented with a set of WVLA's beautiful Blenko glass bookends, he spoke for almost half an hour to a packed house.   (He made a big impression on the literacy and ESL students who had traveled to Charleston. from Summers and Raleigh Counties for the Day to show their support for libraries.  I believe they made a big impression on him as well.  It is definitely true that one patron talking about how important libraries are is worth 10 librarians!)  He stayed until his staff shooed him out to catch a plane to Washington.  I hope he made his evening meetings.  The rest of us ate the homemade cookies provided by the WVLC staff for the occasion.

 By 4:00 PM the displays were down in the Capitol; at 5:00 the reception for the legislators began in the Great Hall of the Cultural Center.  Approximately 278 people attended (including 60+ legislators), ate the truly elegant and delicious food served by Wellington's, listened to wonderful music provided gratis by "Mountain Thyme" and visited with legislators.  I am hearing rave reviews by those who attended.   I am hearing moans from our treasurer, Steve Christo, who is trying to cover the expense.  Such an elegant event does cost a pretty penny.  If you have not done so please send in the money for the tickets you agreed to purchase to Steve at the Cabell County Public Library.

 Was it all worth it?  We will not know until the end of the session when we will see if we were able to influence our lawmakers to support the goals of the Association.  The session is only half over.  We need to keep in touch with legislators as laws which affect libraries are proposed.  We need to continue to urge them to support the Governor's budget proposal for grants in aid to public libraries. 

 Finally, we need to mark our calendars for February 10^th 2004 - Library Day at the Legislature.  Because we scheduled so early, we will have the whole Rotunda to fill with gorgeous displays and library supporters from around the State. Keep in contact with your legislators and take them their Valentines from your library's patrons this month!