Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

November 4, 1995

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, November 9, 1995, 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 Nebrask@ Online.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Ron Norman called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Members present: Ron Norman, Jean Sanders, Myrna Vollbrecht, Frances Lovell, Tom Harvey and Robert McPherson. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Elaine Miller, Jim Minges, Ellen Van Waart, and Jo Budler. Guests Present: Kathy Tooker, Kate Marek, Patty Hering, Ruby Beckman, and Steve Ooton (via speaker phone).

Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the agenda with the addition of an item, Clarification of Proposed State Aid to Public Libraries for 1996 . Motion carried on a roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Approval of the minutes of the September 8, 1995 meeting: It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Tom Harvey to approve the minutes of the September 8, 1995 meeting. Motion carried on a roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

Recognition of guests: The Chairman asked if anyone wished to address the board to do so at this time.

Jim Minges, Library Development Director announced that Barbara Johnson, Library Development Coordinator will be retiring at the end of the year.

A discussion was held on the boundaries and funding allocations for the six Library Systems.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

A letter from Becky Baker, Director of Seward Public Library, was handed out to the commissioners for their information (Attachment I).

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Ron Norman, Chairman, reported on the Nebraska Library Association Convention held in Kearney in October.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Public Library Laws Revision Status: The Legislature's General Affairs Committee will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 1995 regarding the Interim Study related to public library laws revisions. Amendments to LB 590 (Attachment II) have been prepared and will be proposed for approval during the 1996 legislative session. Public Library Guidelines Revision: Jim Minges, Director of Library Development of the Library Commission, gave a report on the Public Library Guidelines Revision. A draft of the revised guidelines (Attachment II) was distributed to the Commissioners. The proposed guidelines revision will be distributed to public libraries. The guidelines will be discussed in public meetings between now and the spring of 1996. A proposal of the guidelines in a final form will be submitted for acceptance to the Library Commission by November 1996.

Clarification of Proposed 1996 State Aid Allocations to Public Libraries: When the Continuous Library Improvement Program (CLIP) process was initiated, the need was recognized for some funding allocations to go to those public libraries in recognition of their participation in CLIP. The difficulty is the money that is available for Library aid is so minimal to begin with, that it is difficult to distribute those funds and have any real impact as a result. The Library Commission does recognize that many libraries are able to make use of the limited funds they do receive through the Public Library Program. The Library Commission needs to maintain these funds to public libraries and also have some money available to those libraries that have made the effort to be involved with the CLIP program. There has never been any action by the Library Commission to not continue distributing state aid to public library funds on a per library basis. The State Advisory Council on Libraries has initiated for discussion of a state aid package that would be built into our next biennium budget a request for monies to aid libraries with technology needs. There has been no significant increase for state aid in several years.

Federal Library Program Legislation Status: The Senate and the House have passed legislation to replace the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Work is being done to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the new federal library program. A key difference between the two versions is in the Senate bill the program would move out of the Department of Education where it is currently administered, to a new Institute of Libraries and Museums. It is to be hoped that the final version will contain most of the features of the previous Library Services and Technology Act.

Nebrask@ Online Update:

The activity on Nebrask@ Online has increased significantly. The Nebrask@ Online Advisory Board will meet on Monday, November 6, 1995. The following individuals have accepted appointment to the Nebrask@ Online Advisory Board: Rod Armstrong, State Information Technology Coordinator, Department of Administrative Services; George Beattie, Executive Vice President, Nebraska Bankers Association; James Gamach, General Casualty Company; Chris Hoy, Special Projects Director, Department of Economic Development; Warren Jennings, Executive Director, Insurance Federation of Nebraska; Dick Kohel, Controller, Secretary of State; Glen Mackie, Information Systems Analyst, Department of Motor Vehicles; Debra Peters, Zimmer-Blanc Insurance Agency; and Joe Steele, Court Administrator, Supreme Court of Nebraska. The State Bar Association has been asked to designate an individual to serve on the Advisory Board, but as yet has not made an appointment.

NLA-NEMA Conference: The mobile network was used at the conference by a number of people to do World-Wide-Web searches and to try OCLC's FirstSearch. The Library Commission received positive reactions to the mobile network for workshops, training sessions, and demonstrations.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

September and October Budget Reports: The September and October, 1995 Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the Commissioners (Attachments III & IV).

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

State Advisory Council on Library Appointments: It was moved by Tom Harvey and seconded by Dr. Robert McPherson to delay the State Advisory Council of Library Appointments until the January 12, 1996 Commission meeting. Motion carried on a roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Nebrask@ Online Fees: It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the fee increase for the Nebrask@ Online (Attachment V). Motion carried on a roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

NEBASE Advisory Council: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the formation of a NEBASE Advisory Council. McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Out-of-state Travel Request: It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the out-of-state travel request of Rod Wagner to attend the Western Council of State Libraries in Kona, Hawaii on November 17 -21, 1995. McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Jean Sanders to adjourn the meeting at 11:26 a.m. Motion carried on a roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-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.