A compromise bill on the Cultural Center (HB4126) advanced Thursday would prohibit any merger of the state archives library with Library Commission's lending library - but would not ban administration efforts to locate a café and gift shop on the premises.

The bill advanced to the House floor from the House Government Organization Committee Thursday, during a meeting attended by a number of archives activists, including fired state Archives and History director Fred Armstrong.

"It is, in my opinion, a compromise between what everyone over there wants, and what we can co," said Committee Chairman Jim Morgan, D-Cabell, referring to the audience members who oppose merging the two libraries.

The original version of the bill went further, also prohibiting any sort of food service operations on the Cultural Center's premises.

Morgan said the Legislature opted not to limit the division's options, particularly because the administration's recent discussions have turned toward building an atrium onto the center that would house the café/gift shop.

Morgan said the Legislature did not want to do anything that would prohibit a future addition to the Cultural Center, and conceded that the administration's proposals are consistent with national trends.

"I think if you go to any museum in any other place, you will have a gift shop, and you probably have some sort of food service," he said.

However, Delegate Bob Beach, D-Monongalia, objected to the compromise bill, saying a prohibition on merging the two libraries is a "thinly veiled disguise" to prevent the location of a gift shop and café in the Cultural Center.

"I do believe it ties the hands of the commissioner of Culture and History," he said.

Beach said demands for space are already at a premium in the Culture Center, so legislation barring the merger of the two libraries would effectively prevent any new facilities in the building.

A compromise bill on the Cultural Center (HB4126) advanced Thursday would prohibit any merger of the state archives library with Library Commission's lending library - but would not ban administration efforts to locate a café and gift shop on the premises.

The bill advanced to the House floor from the House Government Organization Committee Thursday, during a meeting attended by a number of archives activists, including fired state Archives and History director Fred Armstrong.

"It is, in my opinion, a compromise between what everyone over there wants, and what we can co," said Committee Chairman Jim Morgan, D-Cabell, referring to the audience members who oppose merging the two libraries.

The original version of the bill went further, also prohibiting any sort of food service operations on the Cultural Center's premises.

Morgan said the Legislature opted not to limit the division's options, particularly because the administration's recent discussions have turned toward building an atrium onto the center that would house the café/gift shop.

Morgan said the Legislature did not want to do anything that would prohibit a future addition to the Cultural Center, and conceded that the administration's proposals are consistent with national trends.

"I think if you go to any museum in any other place, you will have a gift shop, and you probably have some sort of food service," he said.

However, Delegate Bob Beach, D-Monongalia, objected to the compromise bill, saying a prohibition on merging the two libraries is a "thinly veiled disguise" to prevent the location of a gift shop and café in the Cultural Center.

"I do believe it ties the hands of the commissioner of Culture and History," he said.

Beach said demands for space are already at a premium in the Culture Center, so legislation barring the merger of the two libraries would effectively prevent any new facilities in the building.

He said there is likely to be high demand for a gift shop in particular, once the new $17.5 million state museum opens next year in the lower level of the Cultural Center.

Beach said current visitors to the Capitol frequently ask if there is any place to buy souvenirs.

"It will be a unique museum for the state of West Virginia," he said.

Delegate Patti Schoen, R-Putnam, said the Legislature's foremost mandate is to assure that irreplaceable state documents are not lost or damaged.

Opponents of merging the archives library with the lending library argue that the arrangement would make historical documents more susceptible to theft or damage.

"The preservation of our history and our archives is one of our duties that is paramount to everyone in the state," she said.

The bill advanced on a voice vote.

Afterward, Armstrong declined comment, but Virginia Gillespie - a leading member of the archives activists - was pleased with the compromise bill.

"It's a good first step," she said. "We're going to fight to get this bill passed."

To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.