State Aid to Local Libraries

Item 264 #1h

Language
Page 172, line 45, strike "$15,897,684" and insert "$17,297,684".
Page 172, strike lines 51 and 52 and insert:
"A. It is the objective of the Commonwealth to full fund the state formula for state aid to local libraries.  The additional appropriation in the first year begins a three-year phase-in of full funding.  It is the objective of the General Assembly to complete the phase-in in fiscal year 2001.  
"B.  It is the objective of the Commonwealth that all local public libraries receiving state aid provide access to their patrons to world-wide electronic information on the Internet.   It is the intent of the General Assembly that local public libraries receiving state aid invest in the technology necessary to provide or enhance this service.  The Director of the Library of Virginia shall report to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees prior to the 1999 Session of the General Assembly on progress made in meeting the intent of this provision."

Explanation
(This amendment provides $1.4 million the first year in additional state aid to local public libraries as the initial installment on a three-year plan to fully fund the state library aid formula. The amendment also strongly encourages the 90 local public libraries receiving state aid to make investments that will provide their patrons with "universal access" to electronic information on the Internet.)