Chief Patron: Plum
Co-Patron(s): May
Technology for Local Libraries

Item 263 #1h

Language
Page 214, line 24, strike "$4,185,550" and insert "$9,485,550".
Page 214, at the beginning of line 35 insert "A."
Page 214, after line 38 insert:
"B.  It is the intent of the General Assembly to implement in Fiscal Year 2000 the first year of "Infopowering the Commonwealth" to provide electronic resources for public libraries and to provide universal access to all citizens of the Commonwealth, and $5,300,000 from the general fund the second year shall be provided for this purpose."

Explanation
(This amendment provides $5.3 million from the general fund and three positions in the second year to implement the first phase of The Library of Virginia's "Strategic Technology Plan for Public Libraries." The amendment makes the information superhighway accessible to all citizens of the Commonwealth through connections to the Internet at their local public library. In addition, the amendment provides access to comprehensive electronic information, and positions Virginia's public libraries to share their bibliographic databases electronically. This amendment is a recommendation of the Joint Committee on Technology and Science.)