Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
March 14, 2008
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular
meeting Friday, March 14, 2007, at the Kearney/Buffalo Law Enforcement
Center, Kearney, NE. Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers
(Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World Herald) and
posted on the Nebraska Library Commission Web site.
Chair John Dale
called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Introductions were made around the
table. Members present: Jean Ahrens,
John Dale, Mary Nelson, and Carol
Spencer. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls, Kit Keller and
Richard Miller. Guests: Debra Carlson, Jim Connor, Patricia Gross, Marjorie
Harrison, Scott Kinney, and Marty Magee.
Approval of
Agenda: A motion was made
and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens
- aye; John Dale - aye;
Charles
Gordon - aye; Pat
Gross - aye; Mary
Nelson - aye; and Carol Spencer
- aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the
Minutes (January 4, 2008): A motion was made and seconded to approve the
January 4, 2008 meeting minutes. Jean Ahrens stated that there were two
corrections she would like made. Motion carried with correction on roll call
vote: John Dale - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Carol Spencer
-aye; and Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Patricia Gross thanked the Commission for all they do
for Nebraska schools.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner stated that he did not have any special
correspondence to present.
Chair's Report and
Commissioners' Comments
Chair John Dale reported that the Nebraska Library
Commission was recently audited by the State Auditor's office. John attended
both the entrance and exit meetings with Commission staff and the State
Auditor's Office staff. The audit report will be discussed at the May
meeting.
John reported that the Director's evaluation was
discussed in an executive session at the January meeting. John completed the
evaluation and Mary Nelson reviewed it. The evaluation was signed and sent
to the DAS State Personnel Division.
John reported that he attended the Nebraska Library
Association's Legislative Day on February 14. John stated that David
Landis's presentation was outstanding. John also attended the Governor's
State of the State address on January 15. John also visited with people in
the budget office to see if there was any legislation that we need be aware
or concerned about. John attended a book talk at Bethany branch library in
Lincoln which his daughter conducted.
John passed around a copy of the Valley Talk newsletter which
featured Mary Nelson.
Mary Nelson reported that Holdrege had a very good
Library Friends drive. They sent out cards that said "Love your library,
prove it." Mary stated that Holdrege is very thankful to Lincoln City
Libraries for loaning books and books-on-tape for the Phelps County READ
program. Mary attended the Republican Valley Library System board meeting
and noted that the librarians are really excited about this year's summer
reading program.
Carol Spencer reported that the Broken Bow public
library received a $500 grant from the Meridian Library System for their
gaming after-hours program. Becton, Dickinson and Co. donated money to the
library foundation that will be used to update the Follett Destiny software.
Bill Kloefkorn will be at the library on April 10 to discuss his book
Restoring the Burnt Child.
Jean Ahrens reported that she will be retiring in May.
The Scottsbluff public library in their attempt to raise money for the
library addition asked the community to donate in whatever amount they
could. Each school has a project going on to raise money for the library.
School children from a near-by grade school collected pennies for their
Paving by Pennies project. The pennies were taken to the library where the
children paved the floor of the meeting room. The projects are getting great
media attention.
Director's Report
Personnel - Rod Wagner reported that the Commission has
a new staff member in the Talking Book and Braille department - Anna
Walters. Anna replaces Sara Follett. Anna is from Lincoln and has a library
science degree from the University of Indiana.
2008 Legislative Session -Wagner stated that there were
a couple of library related legislative bills. LB 768 would allow sanitary
improvement districts to contract for library services. Sanitary improvement districts are usually in the metro areas. This
bill will be especially helpful in Sarpy County. LB572 would allow the
regional library system staff to participate in the state employee insurance
program. This bill has been introduced a few times and this year was
advanced from committee to general file. LB760 provides for a study of the Nebraska State Law Library
facilities. The library is housed on the 3rd floor of the State
Capitol. The library has some environmental problems (moisture and
temperature) that place holdings at risk. The bill would create a task force
to make recommendations to address the problems of the library. The Nebraska
Library Commission was identified as one of the organizations to have
representation on the task force.
State Budget Outlook and Actions - Rod Wagner reported
that the State Revenue Forecasting Board has lowered Nebraska's tax revenue
collection projections. As a result, the Governor sent a letter to all
agencies under the Governor's control, and state boards and commissions
requesting that agencies exercise restraint in travel and other expenses.
Time will tell when the forecasting board meets again to look at the data
whether they chose to make any changes in the revenue estimates. The revenue
forecasts are important because the revenue projections determine the basis
for enacting and maintaining a balanced state budget. Wagner stated he did
not anticipate any changes in the Commission's appropriation for the current
biennium but that could change later in the year depending on tax revenue
trends.
Office Space Changes - Rod Wagner reported that the
Commission's office space lease extension includes office space improvements
with the major work being re-painting of many offices and public spaces. The
considered changes on the first floor will not be done. Staff working in
that area decided that they preferred to make minor changes to the counters
in place rather than remove them and install modular furniture.
One Book One Nebraska - Rod Wagner stated the book,
Restoring the
Burnt Child, by Bill Kloefkorn, is this year's book for the One Book
One Nebraska project. A paperback version is now available and can be
purchased from the University of Nebraska Press. The book includes
discussion questions for book groups. The Nebraska Library Commission and
each of the regional systems have book kits which are available for loan.
The kit includes copies of the book, as well as audio and large print
versions.
Rod stated that the One Nebraska Book for Teens program
has also had a good response this year. The book chosen is
The Book Thief and also appeals to adults. The book kits are going
out regularly to libraries and schools.
Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and Affiliated
Networks - Rod Wagner reported that the Nebraska Library Commission is one
of the affiliated Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) networks. The
Commission has been an affiliate since 1976. OCLC has recently contracted
for studies to consider how OCLC should support and deliver services in the
future. We don't have specific details at this time and OCLC has not
announced its plans. It will likely be sometime this summer before we know
what changes will be made. What this will mean to Nebraska libraries is that
those that do their cataloguing, inter-library loan transactions, or receive
other products from OCLC could see their expenses go up significantly. The
Library Commission has subsidized those products and services to a
considerable extent. Another organization providing administrative and
support services would need to build those costs into their prices and fees.
Gates Foundation Grants - Rod Wagner reported that the
Commission has some remaining Gates Foundation project funds. The Gates
Foundation was recently contacted to determine whether changes could be made
in how those monies can be used.
Possible uses include Web Junction training and wireless projects with
libraries. The Foundation has been flexible in granting states permission to
use fund balances toward projects that support Foundation purposes and
priorities.
Statewide Open Source Integrated Library System
Symposium - Rod Wagner reported that in the past few years the Nebraska
Library Commission has held a Vendor Day involving representatives of
companies that provide technology based products and services to libraries.
This year's event will be devoted to
a full day program concerning open source software, particularly integrated
library systems. This event will be held in Omaha on May 22, 2008.
FINNCIAL REPORT
January and February Financial Report - Rod Wagner
stated that expenditures for January and February are in line with the
budget.
UNFIISHED
BUSINESS
Public Library Trustees - Richard Miller reported that
at the last Public Library and Trustee section (PLTS) meeting it was stated
that the spring meeting will be a collaborative effort with the School,
Children's and Young People's Section with sessions held on return on
investments (ROI), how to effectively use Bibliostat data, behavioral issues
with tweens and teens in the library, NLA Member Click system, and
encouragement of librarians to attend Career Days and provide students with
information about the library field and scholarships available from Nebraska
Library Commission. PLTS will be discussing how to use the money transferred
over from the Trustees, Users and Friends Section when it merged with the
Public Library Section. A discussion was held to consider what to do with
the 135 non-current Trustees, Users and Friends Section members.
Jim Connor reported that he is a former trustee with
the Jefferson County library in Colorado. Jim said his concern with Nebraska
library trustees is that they seem to have lost their drive. Mr. Connor said
that the PLTS would like to rejuvenate the group and bring them back to
productive and effective status.
The effectiveness and productivity of trustees is vital to the survival of
libraries. Unless there is a solid and productive group of trustees in
Nebraska, funding and political support will be nil. Mr. Connor said that
his interest in this project is stimulated by his involvement with the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation in which he serves on the advisory council. Mr.
Connor has drafted a letter which will be mailed to the non-current trustees
as well as library directors asking them to become involved in PLTS and
offer them an opportunity to work together on a select committee to find
some productive programs to incorporate into the Nebraska Library
Association that would be of specific interest to trustees. Mr. Connor
stated that if you have not been a trustee or you are not currently a
trustee; you do not relate to the problems and issues to be dealt with by
trustees. Mr. Connor passed around a training video produced by the Wyoming
State Library which is being used by many library trustee groups.
NEW BUSINESS
Audit Report- Rod Wagner stated that representatives
of the State Auditor's Office will attend the May Commission meeting to
present and discuss the audit report.
Wagner stated the recommendations are basically related to
segregation of duties among staff who handle funds or inventory assets and
to make sure checks and balances are in place.
Out-of-state Travel Request - Rod Wagner requested
approval to attend the Western Council of State Libraries meeting in Salt
Lake City and to attend a COSLA meeting and National Library Legislative Day
in Washington, D.C. A motion was made and seconded to approve Rod Wagner's
out-of-state travel request. Motion carried with correction on roll call
vote: Mary Nelson - aye; Carol Spencer -aye; Jean Ahrens - aye; and
John Dale
- aye. Motion approved.
May Commission Meeting - John Dale stated the next
meeting will be held May 9 at the Nebraska Library Commission and Vice-chair
Mary Nelson will conduct the meeting in John's absence.
Adjournment - Chair John Dale adjourned the
meeting at 9:40.
______________________________________________
Maria Medrano-Nehls, Secretary
All attachments ar available upon request. If you would like a copy,
please contact Sue Biltoft at the Nebraska Library Commission,
800-307-2665 or 402-471-2045.