Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
November 9, 2007
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Friday, November 9, 2007, at the Nebraska Library Commission, Lincoln, NE.
Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln
Journal-Star, Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska
Library Commission Homepage.
Chair John Dale called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m.
Members present: Jean Ahrens, John Dale, Charles Gordon, and Mary Nelson.
Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls, and Shannon White.
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; and Mary Nelson - aye. Motion
approved.
Approval of the Minutes (Sept. 21, 2007):
A motion
was made and seconded to approve the September 21, 2007 meeting minutes. John
Dale stated that there was an error on page three in which polo should be
polio. Motion carried with correction on roll call vote: John Dale - aye;
Charles Gordon - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; and Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion
approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public in attendance.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner reported that he received a letter from
Anne-Imelda Radice, Director of the IMLS, congratulating the Commission for an
excellent five-year plan. Wagner also referred to letters from George Smith,
IMLS Associate Deputy Director for State programs, and Laurie Brooks, IMLS
Senior Program Officer, concerning Ms. Brooks' site visit to Nebraska.
Chair's Report and Commissioners' Comments
John Dale stated that he attended the NLA/NEMA
conference. John observed that the workshop on media relations was well done
and the business meeting for trustees and public libraries was very good. The
Trustees, Users and Friends Section has merged with the Public Library
Section. John stated that a future Commission meeting should include a
discussion of things the Commission could do to encourage participation beyond
the local level by those who are public library trustees or board members.
Charles Gordon suggested inviting Nadine DiBacco, immediate past chair of the
Public Library section and Nancy Chmiel, the current chair of the Public
Library and Trustees Section.
Jean Ahrens reported that the Scottsbluff Public Library
friends group made a few thousand dollars at their book sale. There were many
books left over so they will hold another book sale this winter. Jean said
that Bev Russell, Scottsbluff public library director, has an article in the
local newspaper every Sunday.
Charles Gordon reported that the Fremont public library
receives over $12,000 from its annual book sale. Charles acknowledged Ann
Stephens's work as library director and her proactive efforts on behalf of the
library. Charles also recognized the good work of the Fremont public library
board.
Mary Nelson stated that Laura Johnson did a great job
with the Thinking Outside Borders Institute. Mary said that since information
is global it is important to make connections with librarians from other
countries. Mary stated that she came away from the Thinking Outside the
Borders Institute participant session at the NLA-NEMA conference with three
things in mind. One, we should be thankful for our public libraries; when you
talk to librarians from other countries and measure their libraries against
what we have it makes you very grateful. In other countries, libraries can be
funded by local government, banks, or the legislature. They know little or
nothing about citizen volunteerism or citizen oversight. These libraries are
not true public libraries. We should also be grateful that we can provide
library services to our visually impaired and that we have associations and
networking, and professionalism is shared among librarians.
Mary reported that she attended the NLA-NEMA
preconference in which Alexis Sailisiam presented. Mary said that she talked
with several others about a statewide marketing campaign. Mary believes it's
time to change our marketing campaign from @ your library™ to something new.
She believes we should focus on more than technology. Mary stated that a few
people expressed to her that the Commission should update its website. They
would like to see greater audience appeal and easier usage of the website.
Mary stated that the Holdrege Area Public Library Friends
group is using FOLUSA resources. They just had their Friends of the library
week and used ideas and information that Sally Reed, FOLUSA executive
director, provided them. The Friends made $800 at a morning coffee using
Reed's ideas. Mary stated she recently attended an RVLS board meeting. Tony
Anderson, RVLS board member and county extension educator, was present with a
portable computer lab (Nebraska BIT Mobile) that the county extension people
are using for educational programs.
Director's Report
Rod Wagner reported that he hosted the Chief Officers of
State Libraries (COSLA) and the Western Council of State Libraries meetings in
Omaha October 14 - 17. Attendance was very good, with only a few states not
represented. Many of the participants had never been to Nebraska before.
Thinking Outside the Borders Institute - Wagner asked
Laura Johnson and Richard Miller to report on the institute. Rod thanked Laura
and other NLC staff for their good work in planning, arranging and conducting
the institute. Laura and Richard offered observations about the institute.
Laura Johnson said that she and Richard Miller prepared
for the event by attending similar Thinking Outside the Borders institutes
held in Illinois and Arizona. All three of the Thinking Outside the Border
institutes were funded by an IMLS three-year grant awarded to the Illinois
State Library. The Illinois State Library asked the Arizona and Nebraska state
libraries to be partners. A key partner was the Mortensen Center for
International Library Programs at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. Barbara Ford, the Mortensen Center Director, serves in a
leadership role for the institute program and traveled to Nebraska with the
international librarians group. A purpose of the project was to develop an
educational module that could bring together librarians from the United States
and librarians from foreign countries to explore commonalities and differences
and to teach leadership skills. A goal for the Nebraska project was to assure
that all participants took away new ideas and experiences that they found
worthwhile, and to have the international participants have a good feeling
about Nebraska. Laura and Richard observed that the institute speakers were
especially good. The institute included fine people and librarians both from
the several foreign countries and Nebraska.
Laura Johnson recruited a group of ten Nebraska
librarians that participated in the institute and seven librarians from Latin
American countries. All the visiting librarians spoke English, were
enthusiastic and fun. The institute participants were provided a lot of
information and also some entertainment. The Southeast Library System was
especially helpful in arranging and hosting a welcome reception for the
institute participants at the James Arthur Vineyards near Lincoln. The group
spent two days in Lincoln and participated in the sessions provided by the
Commission. And they visited the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and saw some
of the things UNL librarians are doing there. On Thursday, the participants
traveled to Kearney to attend the NLA/NEMA conference. The international
librarians led a program session at the NLA/NEMA conference with information
about their libraries in their home countries. A wiki was created for the
institute and may be visited to find information about the photos of the
participants. The address is: thinkout.pb.wiki.com.
Now Hiring @ your library - Mary Jo Ryan reported that
the Commission received a one-year extension on the IMLS project grant. The
project is in its third year. Mary Jo stated that due to the aging workforce
in Nebraska libraries it is important to recruit young people into the library
field. One of the challenges to recruiting the younger generation is to
overcome the perception of young peoples' ideas of what library work is and
offer information and images of what library work is really like.
The Commission is at the phase of the project where the
public service announcement (video) is presented in movie theaters. Posters
have been created and will be placed in theaters that agree to show the video.
The poster includes a tear-off postcard that interested people can complete
and mail to the Commission. When postcards are received, the sender will be
called to ask about their interests concerning scholarships, internships,
educational options and job opportunities.
Internships are currently being arranged for high-school
and college students. Public libraries have been informed that if they have
projects that would be aided by the help of an intern they can request a
$1,000 grant from the Commission to pay an intern. The internship will provide
work experience and the possibility of interest in future library employment.
Scholarships are still available with the next deadline being February 1.
Many have applied for scholarships and the Commission has been able to provide
them to those who have applied and who have met the requirements. When grant
funds are depleted, the Commission will either need to find alternate funding
or substantially reduce the number of scholarships.
Ryan stated that the Commission has partnered with the
Nebraska State Historical Society and Nebraska Educational Telecommunications
on the "Saving Nebraska's Treasures" project. The program will be
re-broadcast on November 18, and the program can be viewed anytime online from
the NET website. At the end of this grant project a copy of the broadcast will
be sent to every public library in Nebraska.
Mary Jo distributed bookmarks featuring astronaut Clay
Anderson, who is from Ashland. She stated that Clay is a remarkable man and
that he kindly posed for the photo. The photo was made into a READ poster on
CD so that libraries could make their own posters. The CD was distributed to
150 libraries upon request.
Wagner referred to the final project report from the
Youth Grants for Excellence that was submitted by the Axtell public library. A
copy of the library's report was included in the Commission meeting packet.
The report is one example of how grant monies are used and an example of a
report that offers anecdotal comments on the value of the grant funds.
Rod Wagner stated that he would ask staff members
involved in the Commission's website to attend the next Commission meeting.
Rod stated that a team of Commission staff members has been methodically
working on the website's functionality and updating the website. The team sets
development priorities and one of the first things they did was make
substantial improvements to the search function. Other more noticeable changes
have included the calendar and training components that allow for online
registration.
Rod reported that Cynthia Taylor will be leaving the
Commission staff at the end of November to begin a position as a wildlife
biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Cynthia's position was
created to assist with the IMLS grant project and to assist with research and
analysis in support of NLC programs and projects. Cynthia has two master's
degrees and has wanted to get back to her professional interests. Cynthia has
a biology background and has worked for the National Park Service.
Rod stated that as of October 15, during the most recent
round of scholarship applications, the Commission received 24 applications (2
for bachelor's degree programs, 3 for the Library Technology Assistant
program, 11 for the Master of Education school librarian program, and 8 for
the Master of Library Science program. The Commission is at the point where
IMLS grant funds will soon be depleted and the Commission will not be able to
support scholarships at the level of the past few years (during the period of
the IMLS Librarians for the 21st Century grant).
NLA-NEMA Conference - Rod Wagner noted that Beth Goble,
NLC Government Information Services Director, completed her one year term as
Nebraska Library Association President at the conclusion of the NLA-NEMA
conference. Wagner observed that the conference was well attended. The Library
Commission contributed approximately $15,000 for conference speakers and
programs. Next year's conference will be held in Lincoln and will be followed
immediately by the Nebraska Book Festival. The location and dates offer a good
opportunity for collaboration on speakers and program sessions for both
events.
IMLS Visit to Nebraska - Rod Wagner reported that Laurie
Brooks, IMLS Senior Program Officer, wrote in her letter following her state
visit to Nebraska a couple of recommendations. She noted that Nebraska does
not have a written procedure for handling complaints related to its LSTA
program administration. Brooks also recommended that an LSTA procedures
manual be compiled. Procedures manuals are being recommended by the IMLS with
the view that there have been and will continue departures of state library
staff with LSTA responsibility and their replacements. With their departure
will go much knowledge and experience. Procedure manuals are a way of
documenting practices that will be helpful for new staff. Kit Keller, whose
responsibilities include coordination of Nebraska's LSTA program, has begun
work on an LSTA procedures manual.
IMLS Conference for State Library Agencies - Rod Wagner
reported that he attended the IMLS conference for state library agency
representatives in Washington D.C. October 31 - November 2. The IMLS staff
chose to devote the conference program to covering a full range of policies
and procedures related to administrating the LSTA state based programs. In
part this was due to the large number of staff in state library agencies who
are new to LSTA administrative responsibilities (both chief officers and LSTA
state program coordinators). The conference covered law, policies, reporting,
evaluation, auditing, allowable costs and many other items.
Future Search Project - Rod Wagner stated that the Future
Search project came out of the recent library leadership institute. The
leadership institute facilitators, John Shannon and Becky Schrieber, also
facilitate Future Search conferences. Future Search is a process for bringing
together a group of people to find common ground on a range of needs and
issues. The Nebraska future search conference will bring together a group of
people representing libraries, some public officials, library trustees,
library users, educators, and others involved with a variety of public
services. The conference will have value not only for the Nebraska Library
Commission but also for the Nebraska Library Association, Nebraska Educational
Media Association, and all Nebraska libraries. The Future Search conference is
scheduled to be held on June 9 & 10, 2008, at the Saint Benedict Center, near
Schuyler. Commissioners will be invited to participate. There is a fourteen
member conference planning committee.
State Advisory Council on Libraries - Rod Wagner stated
that the next State Advisory Council on Libraries meeting will be held on
November 16 at the Grand Island public library. This meeting will be the last
for Nancy Escamilla who is completing her second-term.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rod Wagner stated that the September financial reports
were included in the packets. The October reports were distributed before the
meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Office Space Lease Extension Agreement - Doreen Kuhlmann
distributed an updated version of the office space lease extension agreement.
Rod Wagner said that discussion with building representatives, including their
architectural firm, and the State Department of Administrative Services
Building Division, have been held over the past few months. Discussions have
covered updating of office space and improvements in some work areas. Some of
the more significant work needed is requested for the ground level and first
floor. First floor staff has concern that visitors feel intimidated walking
between the TBBS counter and the Information Services counter. The plan is to
remove the two large counters and replace them with different furniture set
farther back to make the isle wider. These changes will require some new
carpeting in that area. Some areas and surfaces will be re-painted. The
building owners want the state to enter into a long-term ten year lease
agreement.
A motion was made to approve the building lease agreement
extension as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Charles Gordon -
aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale - aye. Motion approved.
January 2008 Meeting Date - Rod Wagner asked if the
meeting date could be moved from January 11 to the 4th or 18th.
Rod stated the American Library Association Midwinter meeting and the COSLA
meeting will be held beginning on January 11. It was decided to move the
meeting to January 4, 2008. The March meeting will be a joint meeting with
State Advisory Council on Libraries on March 14.
A motion was made to move the January meeting date from
January 11 to January 4, 2008. Motion carried on roll call vote: Mary Nelson -
aye; Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale - aye; and Charles Gordon - aye. Motion
approved.
Out-of-State Travel Request - Rod Wagner requested
approval to attend the American Library Association Midwinter meeting and the
COSLA meeting in Philadelphia on January 10-15, 2008. A motion was made and
seconded to approve Rod Wagner's travel request. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale - aye, Charles Gordon - aye; and Mary
Nelson - aye. Motion approved.
Adjournment
Chair John Dale adjourned the
meeting at 11:38.
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.