Correspondence and subject files of the Library of Virginia, Library Development Division,, 1940/2003

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Correspondence and subject files of the Library of Virginia, Library Development Division, 1940-2003. Accession 45342, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Library of Virginia. Library Development Division.
Preferred citation:

Correspondence and subject files of the Library of Virginia, Library Development Division, 1940-2003. Accession 45342, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence and subject files, 1940-2003, are comprised of a disparate collection of subject files that include conference files and programs, correspondence, financial ledgers, publications, reports, statistics, studies, surveys and training materials. Topics may include, but are not limited to: Governor's Conference on Library and Information Services, library automation and networking, planning, public library history in Virginia, training, traveling libaries, Virginia public libraries, and White House Conference on Libraries. Also includes files related to specific localities and public libraries.

Biographical / historical:

The Public Library Development Division began as the Extension Divison of the Virginia State Library in 1922 with the goal of establishing new libraries in counties that did not yet have library services and enlarging already existing library systems. The division also assisted local and regional authorities in the acquisition and operation of bookmobiles. In 1942 the Virginia General Assembly appropriated money for grants in aid to localities to establish libraries and in 1956 the Congress passed the Library Services Act, which provided funds to expand library services to rural areas. The Extension Division administered the distribution of both the state and federal funds.

The Virginia State Library reorganized in 1968 and the Extension Division was renamed the Library Development Branch and was given additional responsibility for cooperation, consultation and coordination within the public library network of the State. The Branch divided the State into four consultive areas and hired a consultant for each region.

The Virginia State Library was renamed the Virginia State Library and Archives in 1987 and the Public Library Development Branch became the Public Library Development Division. On July 1, 1994 the name was changed to The Library of Virginia and the division was changed to Library Development Division.

Arrangement:

Arranged in original order.

Physical description:
7 cu. ft.