Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

November 4, 1994

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held a regular meeting on Friday, November 4, 1994. at 9:30 a.m. at the Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 "N" Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, Nebraska. Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal-Star, Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission Homepage.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Ron Norman called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Members present: Dr. Robert McPherson, Ronald Norman, Myrna Vollbrecht, Frances Lovell, Jean Sanders and Tom Harvey. Staff Present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Jim Minges and Elaine Miller.

Approval of the Agenda: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye.

Approval of the minutes of September 8, 1994: It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Robert McPherson to approve the minutes of September 8, 1994. Motion carried on roll call vote: Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

No guests were present.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

No correspondence or communications were noted.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Ron Norman, Jean Sanders and Frances Lovell reported on the NLA-NEMA Convention held in Omaha, October 26 - 28.

V. DIRECTOR'S RE NLA-NEMA Convention:

The convention was well attended, with approximately six hundred people registered. Sixty-seven companies with over seventy exhibit booths participated in the Exhibit Area of the Convention. Nebraska Library Commission staff member Vern Buis (Computer Applications Director) received the Nebraska Library Association Meritorious Service Award at the NLA-NEMA Convention Banquet. The Library Commission hosted a reception for Hardy Franklin, Director of the Washington, D.C., Public Library. The NLA-NEMA Convention will be held in Kearney next year. Next year will be the centennial year for the Nebraska Library Association.

Jim Minges, Director of Library Development at the Library Commission, gave an update of the Continued Library Improvement Program (CLIP). Approximately forty to fifty libraries in the state are involved in this program.

The Nebase Annual Meeting was held on October 4, 1994 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. Over one hundred people attended. The program was an International Video Conference on the Electronic Library. The Video Conference is now available on video from the Nebraska Library Commission.

Public Library Laws Revision: In early October, representatives of the Nebraska Library Association, the League of Nebraska Municipalities, and legislative staff met and talked about positions relating to the Public Library Laws Revision proposal. The League of Municipalities does not support the concept of library districts, but does support strengthening a provision in the statutes relating to county participation. In Dodge county, on the ballot for this month, is a measure that would provide Dodge county funding for public library service. The Legislature's General Affairs Committee is holding a hearing in Omaha on November 14th. The Public Library Laws Revision is on the agenda.

Federal Library Legislation: Money has been appropriated for the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) including the Title II program. Funding for Title I and II monies stayed the same. A slight increase for the Title III monies was noted. Hearings on a new Federal library program will likely begin after the new Congress reconvenes in 1995. The Library Services and Construction Act is in its last authorization year, a provision in the Act automatically extends the Act one year during the time that Congress is considering reauthorization.

The Elementary/Secondary Education Act is another significant piece of legislation due for reauthorization. This Act includes a provision for funding school library resources. The money was authorized in the new legislation. However, money has not been appropriated this year for that purpose. The authority to appropriate funds under the program was approved.

National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Briefings: On September 21 and 22, Rod Wagner attended a briefing in Washington, D.C. hosted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Thirteen states including Nebraska were represented. A representative from each state gave a status report on what was going on in their state relating to libraries, telecommunications, networking, etc. A panel of people representing various federal agencies talked about federal activities related to the National Information Infrastructure. The National Commission was trying to gather some sense of where needs exist and what the federal role should be to develop telecommunications resources and initiatives that relate to library programs. Training was a major issue noted in each state.

Personnel update: Vern Buis was chosen manager of the year and Judy Winkler was chosen employee of the year for the Library Commission. Clarice Schmidt replaced Ellen Snow in the Talking Book and Braille Service Department; Mary Geibel (receptionist for the Library Commission) is on family leave until the first of the year, Cathy Sieler is her temporary replacement; Kit Keller is the new staff assistant in the Library Development Department. The Library Commission is currently seeking applicants for the acquisition librarian position in the Resource Center Department. Janet Greser is the Help Desk Consultant for NE Online and computers for Library Commission staff and anyone that calls in with concerns or questions with NE Online. This position is funded by a Department of Commerce Small Business Administration grant. Interviews for the other SBA grant position (Librarian III) have been reopened. (Attachment I.)

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

September Financial Reports: Commissioners received and reviewed the September Expenditure and Financial Report. (Attachment II)

Federal Funds Audit Appeal Status Report: The Library Commission has submitted documents on the Federal Funds Audit Appeal and is waiting on a response at this time.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Request for Proposals (Nebraska Online Tier II): A Per-Bid Conference was held on October 21 for a request for proposals for a network manager to provide supplementary services to the Nebraska Online service. Five companies / organizations were represented. Bids are due on December 9th.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

National Science Foundation Grant Project: Nancy Busch reported on the project: The National Science Foundation Grant Project has been officially approved and funding committed for planning an Electronic Library in Nebraska. Joan Giesicke, Associate Dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, and Nancy Busch, Deputy Director of the Library Commission wrote the grant proposal. The project will identify and prioritize content of what should be available on the Electronic Library. Training and compatibility of network systems for the Electronic Library are two areas of investigation in the grant. (Attachments III & IV.)

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Grant Project:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Grant Project (NTIA) has been approved and funded. (Attachment V.)

State Advisory Council on Libraries: Appointments for the State Advisory Council on Libraries were postponed until the January 13, 1995 meeting.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote:

Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye,McPherson-aye

Elaine Miller, 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.