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Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

November 8, 1996

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, November 8, 1996, 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 9:30 a.m. Members present: Ron Norman, Karen Warner, Jean Sanders, Frances Lovell. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Elaine Miller and Mary Geibel.

Ron Norman welcomed Karen Warner to the Nebraska Library Commission as the new Commissioner representing the northeast area.

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

Approval of the Minutes of the September 6, 1996 meeting: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the minutes of the September 6, 1996 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-absent; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

No guests were present. Mary Geibel from the staff of the Nebraska Library Commission was introduced and recognized as having received the Paraprofessional of the Year Award by the Nebraska Library Association Paraprofessional Section. Karen Warner received the Mentor of the Year Award by the Nebraska Library Association New Member's Roundtable.

Approximately 700 people attended the NLA/NEMA Convention.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Correspondence regarding the Task Force on Electronic Access to State Government Information was handed out to the Commissioners.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Chairman had no report.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Legislative Policy and Education Proposals: The Nebraska Library Association Board met prior to the convention and approved legislative policies for the Association. A copy of the legislative policy was given to the Commissioners (Attachment I).

Libraries for the 21st Century Campaign: The Nebraska Library Association Board in a pre-conference meeting of the NLA/NEMA Convention endorsed the campaign. The campaign received an enthusiastic response at the NLA/NEMA Convention.

Pat Wagner, Pattern Research, from Denver, Colorado will be the speaker for the Library Advocacy Workshops to be held on December 9th in Lincoln, December 10th in Norfolk, December 11th in Kearney and December 13th in Gering.

General Affairs Committee Hearing on Public Library Legislation: The General Affairs Committee Hearing on Public Library Legislation will be held next week, November 15, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. at the Omaha Public Schools administration building in Omaha.

COSLA Meeting Report: Rod Wagner attended the Chief Officer of State Library Agencies Meeting in Richmond, Virginia on October 26 to 28, 1996. A tour of the new Virginia State Library was given. A continuing education event on telecommunication issues was held. A major agenda item was discussion of the new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The LSTA will be administered by the Institute of Museums and Library Services. This will be a transition year moving from the administrative practices in place for the Library Services and Construction Act to those under development for the LSTA.

Task Force on Electronic Access to State Government: A meeting was held on November 7, 1996. The intent of the meeting was for the Task Force to meet with their staff and begin making decisions on what their recommendations will be. Recommendations are to be prepared and submitted to the Legislature by the first part of December.

Nebrask@ Online: The Department of Banking and Finance and the Department of Agriculture have signed contracts with Nebrask@ Online for online services. Commissioners received the September and October General Manager's Reports from Nebrask@ Online (Attachments II and III).

Nebraska Universal Service Fund Task Force: Meetings of the Nebraska Universal Service Fund Task Force will be held on November 13th and 14th. Projections for funding requirements for schools and libraries will be discussed. Federal law provides that schools, libraries, and rural hospitals receive discounted telecommunication services. A report from the Universal Service Fund Task Force is due in December.

Personnel Reclassification Project Status: An updated draft version of specifications was received from Nebraska State Personnel for librarian related positions. It is hoped that new specifications will be completed by early next year.

Libraries Online! Grant: Allana Novotny, Network Services Librarian, is in Seattle currently attending a training session for libraries that have received grants through this national program sponsored by the Microsoft Corporation. The grant will be used to equip from six to ten libraries to either install new equipment and software or updating current software and equipment.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

September and October Expenditure and Financial Reports: The September and October 1996 Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the Commissioners (Attachments IV and V).

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

There was no unfinished business.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Public Library Guidelines (Rev.): It was moved by Karen Warner and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the Public Library Guidelines (Attachment VI). Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-absent; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye.

It was agreed that letters will be prepared for signature by Mr. Norman expressing appreciation of the Commission to members of the Public Library Guidelines Revision Committee for their work on this project.

Roles and Nominations for 1997 State Advisory Council on Libraries: The new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) does not require that states have a State Advisory Council for administration of the federal program it does permit states to have a council. The Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) required an Advisory Council. The roles and appointments for the 1997 State Advisory Council on Libraries will be a January Library Commission meeting agenda item.

1997 Meeting Schedule: The following dates were decided upon for the meeting schedule for the rest of 1997: March 13 & 14, 1997 in Kearney, NE with the State Advisory Council; May 9, 1997, July 11, 1997, September 12, 1997 and November 14, 1997.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Jean Sanders to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-absent; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye.

Elaine Miller, Secretary

All attachments are available upon request. If you would like a copy, please contact Elaine Miller at the Nebraska Library Commission, 800-307-2665 or 402-471-2045.

Attachment I - Legislative Policy and Education Proposals

Attachment II - Nebrask@ Online General Managers Report, September, 1996

Attachment III - Nebrask@ Online General Managers Report, October, 1996

Attachment IV - September Expenditure Report

Attachment V - October Expenditure Report

Attachment VI - Public Library Guidelines

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.


For more information, contact Sue Biltoft.