West Virginia Library Association

WVLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025 WORKSHOP PREVIEW

Wednesday, October 8

Levy 101

Non-Fiction Collection Development

Telling the Library Story to Stakeholders and Policy Makers

Reader's Advisory: How to Talk About Books

Marketing a Public Library

Incorporating Nature into Children's Library Programs

Appalachian Pop Culture Fairs

Out with the Old and In with the New: Maintaining Your Library Collection

Thursday, October 9

Teachable Moments in Non-Classroom Settings

Utilizing your FREE Tutor WV.com Program

Working with People with Disabilities

Shifting from Dewey Decimal to Library of Congress classification

Bringing Books to Life: How to Host an Author at Your Library

Can You Spot a Bedbug?

Exciting News! WVLA Website Updates

Readers Advisory for Academic Libraries

AI for personal Knowledge Management and More

ARSL: Working Smarter, Not Harder for Your Library

WV Library Section Special Services: Do you Know What We do?

Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence

Using People First Language

Libraries Promoting West Virginia Role Models

West Virginia University Football in Books

Every West Virginian's War: Uncovering the perspectives of western Virginia's marginalized communities during the Civil War

Building a Brighter Future: The Impact and Promise of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in West Virginia

Libraries and Broadband: Expanding Digital Access in Rural West Virginia

Creating Dialogs Between the Academic and Athletic Departments

Stampede into the Future: The Library Science Pathway with the Thundering Herd

Simple Statistics for a No Sweat Bibliostat

Libby for Academic Libraries

Library Accounting 101

Friday, October 10

AI Literacy in Libraries: Advocacy & Implementation

Unlocking a Love for Reading: A 3rd Grade Initiative for Boosting Literacy Through Library Programs

Psychology at the Circulation Desk: Human Behavior and Emotional Intelligence in Library Leadership:

Transformation, Translation, Complication: "Take me Home, Country Roads"

A Reference Collection for Library Degree Candidates

Library Funding: The Federal and State Budget Process

Statement of the West Virginia Library Association

Senate Bill 452/House Bill 2009

The West Virginia Library Association (WVLA) strongly believes that the state’s library section director must possess both a Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) degree and at least three years of administrative experience to effectively lead and manage the state's library systems. SB 452/HB 2009 proposes to amend §29-1-8c(c) to remove these essential qualifications. WVLA opposes this change and urges lawmakers to reconsider the implications for West Virginia’s libraries and communities. An MLIS degree is a critical qualification for the library section director. It ensures that the individual in this role has a deep understanding of library science, including vital areas such as information management, user services, cataloging, and the ethical use of resources. The MLIS program provides specialized training in emerging library technologies, data privacy, and information literacy—knowledge that is essential for navigating the modern landscape of libraries, where digital access and information management are increasingly important. The library section director must be equipped to lead in an environment of rapid technological change, and an MLIS degree offers the foundation needed to do so. Equally important is the requirement for at least three years of administrative experience. Managing a large and diverse library system requires leadership skills and practical experience in budgeting, staffing, policy development, and collaboration with local libraries and community organizations. The library section director is tasked with navigating complex decisions that impact libraries across West Virginia, advocating for resources, and ensuring that library services are equitable and accessible to all. At least three years of administrative experience provides the necessary skills to oversee operations, manage staff, and drive initiatives that promote library excellence. It also enables the state librarian to effectively communicate with legislators, stakeholders, and the public to secure necessary funding and support for libraries statewide. SB 452/HB 2009, if passed in its current form, would strip away the requirement for the library section director to have an MLIS degree and significant administrative experience. WVLA believes this proposal undermines the integrity of the office and would compromise the quality of library services throughout the state. Libraries are critical hubs of information, education, and community engagement, and they require leadership that is both knowledgeable and experienced. WVLA urges the West Virginia legislature to amend SB 452/HB 2009 to remove the proposed changes to §29-1-8c(c) and maintain the current qualifications for the library section director. Ensuring that the library section director holds an MLIS degree and has relevant administrative experience is essential for the continued success of our libraries and the communities they serve. WVLA is committed to advocating for the highest standards in library leadership and will continue to work toward policies that strengthen our libraries for generations to come