The Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) is the consortium of the nonprofit academic libraries within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Members include all of the 39 state-assisted colleges and universities (the 6 doctoral universities, 9 4-year institutions, and 24 community and two-year branch colleges), as well as 32 of the independent (private, nonprofit) institutions and the Library of Virginia.
VIVA is an active member of the International Coalition of Library Consortia.
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The Virtual Library of Virginia was established in July 1994. In September 2003, VIVA received the Governor's Technology Gold Award for Government Service in Higher Education.
VIVA operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). VIVA is headed by a Steering Committee comprising 15 members elected from the member institutions and supported by a variety of committee also comprising members selected from the member institutions. Operational responsibility for VIVA is conducted by the VIVA staff, currently the Director, Associate Director, and Executive Assistant.
The majority of VIVA's funds come directly from the Virginia General Assembly, augmented by the local institutional library budgets and some outside grants. Funding is allocated to VIVA by the General Assembly on a biennial basis. For the 1994-96, 1996–1998, and 1998-2000 biennia, the Commonwealth provided funding in the amounts of $5.2 million, $4.9 million, and $6.1 million, respectively. For both the 2000-2002 and the 2002-2004 biennia, $8.2 million was allocated to VIVA by the General Assembly.