Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
July 9, 2010
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission met on July 9, 2010, at
the Library Commission office, 1200 N Street, Lincoln. Notice of the
meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal Star,
Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission Web site.
Members present: Steve Batty (via phone), Diane Boyd,
John Dale, Charles Gordon, and Patricia (Pat) Gross. Staff present: Maria
Medrano-Nehls, Rod Wagner, Mary Jo Ryan. Public: Brenda Ealey, Kathy Tooker.
Vice-Chair John Dale called the meeting to order at
9:30 a.m. This meeting is in compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.
Patricia (Pat) Gross was welcomed and congratulated on
her recent appointment to the Commission. Pat stated she is from Bayard, a
recently retired media specialist from Gering public schools, and has been
in education for 25 years.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made
and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Diane
Boyd - aye; John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; and Pat Gross - aye.
Motion approved
Approval of the Minutes
(May 21, 2010): A motion was made to approve the May 21, 2010,
meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call vote: John Dale - aye; Charles
Gordon - aye; Diane Boyd - aye; and Pat Gross - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Brenda Ealey, Southeast Library System Administrator,
distributed copies of the SELS current newsletter. Brenda stated that SELS
held its annual Training Extravaganza in May.
Kathy Tooker, Eastern Library System Administrator,
stated that she and several others met with a person from Omaha's Think Tank
to discuss technology trends. Kathy stated that a reunion event was held for
participants and mentors from past Nebraska Library Leadership Institutes.
The guest speaker was Jamie LaRue. Kathy said that LaRue gave an excellent
and thought provoking presentation. LaRue is director of Douglas County
Libraries (Colorado).
CHAIR'S REPORT
AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Vice-Chair John Dale reported that he recently moved to
Wayne for one year as his wife completes a one year administrative
appointment with Wayne State College. John said that he visited the Wayne
Public Library and introduced himself to the library director.
Pat Gross reported that the Panhandle Library System
(PLS) will hold its annual meeting in Sidney on July 23. On August 3, the
PLS and NEMA will host a workshop. Pat will present a program on online
learning opportunities and will showcase databases provided by the Library
Commission.
Diane Boyd reported that the South Sioux City library
has started activities to encourage community residents to visit the
library. The local newspaper published an article about the library's
projects including concerts, Lego School, speakers, and family activities.
Charles Gordon reported that Midland College had
stepped up and welcomed Dana College students into its fold. The Fremont
public library is back in its repaired building and the Fremont immigration
ordinance passed. The hiring of a new library director has slowed due to
controversy over the immigration issue.
Steve Batty reported that Jody Crockett is the new
McCook public library director. Steve said that he recorded one of McCook's
summer reading sessions, which has 213 children registered this summer.
Steve stated that he also recorded six different oral histories of different
events. The library is recruiting for a new children's librarian. Steve
stated that he has completed and printed his children's book titled
Fishing with Uncle Harry in 1958.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Rod Wagner reported that considerable time has been
spent the last several months working on the broadband technology grant
project. In June, the Commission received news that its application for an
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 21st Century
Librarian grant was approved. The team that prepared the application is now
reassembling to implement the grant project.
Laura Bush 21stCentury Librarian Program Grant
Mary Jo Ryan stated that the grant is intended to
promote and develop library technology skills. The IMLS has a priority focus
on 21st century learning skills. The grant includes scholarships
for students at all levels of library science education and internships.
Grant funding also includes stipends for students to participate in training
experiences outside their own community. Stipends will also be available to
students in need of an updated computer for coursework.
Recruitment is a significant part of the project.
Marketing and communication activities will be developed to recruit
promising students into the field and to recruit people already working in
libraries. Mary Jo said the $700,000 grant will be paid to the Commission
over the three year grant period.
Rod Wagner stated that policies for administering
scholarships, stipends and internships will be developed and presented for
action at a future Commission meeting. Mary Jo stated that the grant project
starts November 1, 2010 and scholarships, stipends, and internship funds
will be distributed beginning in 2011.
Broadband Technology Opportunity Program Grant
Wagner reported that the Commission has completed the
due diligence phase of the broadband technology application grant review.
The first grant awards for the second round of grants were announced last
week. The Commission's project was not among these grants but a grant is
expected. The Dept. of Commerce has until the end of September to commit all
of the available grant funds.
Wagner said that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
is making available funds for a project launch event for state library
agencies receiving BTOP grants (those state libraries assisted by the
foundation). The event is contingent on a grant award. The foundation has
contracted with Connected Nation to assist in planning and arranging the
state events. With a grant award, Nebraska's project launch event will
probably be held sometime late fall.
ALA Annual Conference and National Library Advocacy Day
Rod stated that he attended a Chief Officers of State
Library Agencies meeting and the American Library Association annual
conference in Washington, D.C. in June. Rod stated that he serves on the
COSLA legislative committee and the committee discussed legislative
initiatives of concern to state library agencies. Rod said he also serves on
the ALA Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations
(ALTAF) board. The ALTAFF board met twice during the conference and held
numerous program sessions.
A dozen Nebraska library representatives participated
in National Library Advocacy Day on June 29. This year Advocacy Day was held
as part of the American Library Association Annual Conference. The Nebraska
group visited Nebraska's three House offices and two Senate offices and met
with four of Nebraska's congressional delegation: Rep. Lee Terry, Rep. Jeff
Fortenberry, Rep. Adrian Smith, and Senator Johanns. Senator Nelson was
involved in hearings that day. Issues discussed included Library Services
and Technology Act funding, funding for school libraries through the ESEA,
e-rate discounts for schools and libraries, and telecommunication policies.
The Nebraska group included representation of public, school and academic
libraries.
The Nebraska librarians discussed with Rep. Fortenberry
his legislative bill to exempt library books from consumer protection
policies related to lead content. The consumer protection agency has waived
the requirement and exempted library books. However, Rep. Fortenberry
believes the change in law is still necessary to clarify Congressional
intent. Wagner said that he has contacted the American Library Association
Washington Office concerning the ALA's involvement in promoting
Fortenberry's bill. Association of Library
Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF
Wagner reported that ALTAFF is planning a Library
Trustee Academy to be offered this fall. The academy will include five or
six courses and will be available online. The courses will be available for
a fee. However, the fee will be waived for Nebraska participants due to
Nebraska's statewide ALTAFF membership.
State Advisory Council on Libraries
Wagner reported that the next State Advisory Council on
Libraries meeting will be held July 16 via the state's videoconferencing
system. The meeting will include discussion of program planning and
prioritization, and the Library Commission's 21st Century
Librarian grant project.
Nebraska Center for the Book
Rod Wagner reported that the Center for the Book
received more book award entries this year than in the past. Books are
entered in nonfiction, fiction, poetry, children and youth, anthology and
book design categories. Book awards will be presented at the November 6
awards program and annual meeting of the Nebraska Center for the Book. The
Center for the Book's award program will also include presentation of the
Jane Geske Award and announcement of the 2011 One Book One Nebraska
selection. A few weeks ago an announcement was issued to invite
recommendations for the 2011 One Book program. To be considered books must
have a Nebraska connection. Submissions will be accepted until July 26.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rod Wagner reported that the end of June expenditures
report does not include encumbrances. Those affect end of fiscal year fund
balances and will be reflected in the July financial report.
State Employee 2010-2011 Pay Policies Update
Wagner stated that Governor Heineman extended the state
employee pay freeze to non-union state employees that are within the
personnel classification system and covered under state personnel rules &
regulations. That had not been clarified as of the May Commission meeting.
Governor Heineman had asked that state employees
covered under the labor union contract to accept a pay freeze. However, the
union did not agree to the freeze. Employees covered by the labor agreement
received a 2.5% pay increase effective July 1.
Kathy Dukes, a long time employee in the Commission's
Talking Book and Braille Service, retired recently. This position will
remain open as a result of reduced appropriations.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mary Jo Ryan stated that the Library Commission and
Nebraska Library Association received a $10,000 grant for funding student
internships. The grant funds will be administered by the Library
Association. Commission staff and Library Association representatives
reviewed 18 applications and awarded internship grants to 12 libraries for
use this summer. The Commission's 21st Century Librarian grant
includes funds for internships and will allow more libraries to participate.
The 21st Century Librarian grant funds will not be available
until after November 1.
NEW BUSINESS
2011-2013 Biennium Budget Planning and Process
Rod Wagner stated that state agency budget requests are
due on September 15. The projected $650 million plus biennium budget gap
makes budget requests and decisions much more difficult.
Wagner stated that budget requests must include
modifications to identify actions agencies will take if state funds are
reduced. For this budget cycle agencies have been asked to submit
modifications based on a 10% state funds reduction. The modification is
based on current fiscal year state funds appropriations.
Budget information and recommendations will be
presented for consideration, discussion and action at the September
Commission meeting.
This year the legislature has asked state agencies to
include agency efficiency review plans. The review plans are to address five
items:
- 1. Consolidation of
existing programs within the agency
- 2. Opportunities for
streamlining existing services
- 3. Reforms needed to
reduce the number of employees and layers of management within the
agency
- 4. Review of all
mandates and requirements imposed on the agency and the results of
eliminating or changing the mandates and requirements
- 5. Structural and
operational changes needed for the agency to move from five-day (8 hours
per work day) to four-day work week (10 hours per work day)
Wagner said that legislative committees will hold
briefing sessions (not hearings) with state agency representatives.
Committees have been assigned to review agencies under their area of
responsibility. The Library Commission's briefing will be with the General
Affairs Committee. The briefing is an opportunity to present information
about the agency and specifically address the five topics. The briefings are
closed meetings for the committees and agency representatives.
Election of Commission Chair
A motion was made and seconded to approve John Dale as
Commission Chair. John Dale - abstain, Charles Gordon- aye, Patricia Gross -
aye, and Diane Boyd - aye. Motion approved.
Election of Commission Vice-Chair
A motion was made and seconded to approve Charles
Gordon as Commission Vice-Chair. Charles Gordon- abstain; Patricia Gross -
aye; Diane Boyd - aye; and John Dale - aye. Motion approved.
Next Meeting Dates
The next Commission meeting will be held on September
10. The November meeting will be held on Friday, November 5.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chair John Dale at 11:00 a.m.
Maria Medrano-Nehls, Secretary
All attachments are 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.