Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
January 23, 2004
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, January 23, 2004 at
9:30 a.m., at the Nebraska Library Commission, 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.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kristen Rogge called the meeting to order at 9:25
a.m. Members present: Patrick Gross, Mary Nelson, Kristen Rogge, Wally Seiler,
and Velma Sims-Shipley. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls,
Shannon Behrhorst, and Pam Scott.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made to approve
the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Mary
Nelson - aye; Patrick Gross - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye and Wally Seiler - aye.
Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (November 7, 2003):
A
motion was made to approve the November 2003 meeting minutes. Mary Nelson
requested a correction to state that Holdrege public library received $30,000
not $3,000. Motion carried on roll call vote: Pat Gross - aye; Richard Jussel
- aye; Kristen Rogge - aye; Wally Seiler - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; and
Mary Nelson - aye. Motion approved.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner
stated that meeting packets included sample letters expressing appreciation
for Library Commission grants - state aid to public libraries and MLS
scholarships.
Chairs Report and Commissioners' Comments
Kristen Rogge stated that she attended her first CASTL
meeting (Southeast Library System). She found the meeting very interesting and
enjoyed hearing the issues discussed.
Wally Seiler stated that he gave a reprise of his October
NLA - NEMA conference presentation on library building projects to the
Scottsbluff library board. Scottsbluff is enthusiastic about remodeling or
building a new library. Alliance has raised the money needed for a statue to
be placed in front of the library; the money was raised in a month from a
number of individual contributors.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Omaha public library
digitized 750 items for the Western Trails project. The Fremont public library
is gearing up for its annual book sale. The book sale raises a significant
amount of money. Last year, $10,000 was raised.
Patrick Gross reported that he attended the Northeast
Library System board meeting in Winside. The group stated they would like to
see more technology workshops for school media specialists at the annual NLA -
NEMA conference, and college credit hours for workshop attendance. Pat stated
that it was mentioned they would like to see staff from large libraries assist
librarians from small libraries so that they could attend training. Kristen
Rogge responded that this issue has been discussed before but it is difficult
due to employment issues. Pat stated that the new South Sioux City public
library is under construction.
Mary Nelson stated that she attended the RVLS board
meeting. The board had two concerns that they asked her to bring to the
Commissioners. One was that when the revised accreditation guidelines are
approved, they would like someone from the Commission office to attend a
meeting and discuss compliance. They would also like more computer training,
and library skills for a more efficient library. The board also discussed no
longer providing scholarships for librarians in their system to attend
training and using the money as an incentive to libraries to increase their
level of accreditation.
Director's Report
Personnel - Rod Wagner reported that personnel vacancies
have not been filled due to anticipated budget cuts. The likelihood of
further budget cuts was confirmed with the Governor's mid-biennium budget
recommendations.
Gates Foundation Library Program - Pam Scott reported
that technical support from the Gates Foundation ends on March 30. Pam is
encouraging libraries to upgrade their computers now before tech support is no
longer available. The upgrades are part of the package from Gates so there is
no additional cost. The XP upgrade can be used on any other library public
access computers. Libraries received information about software similar to XP
that can be purchased for their staff computers. Registration for the
transition workshop includes an average of 40 per workshop site.
Pam reported that she and Richard Miller continue to work
on plans for the $66,000 grant that the Nebraska Library Commission received
from the Gates Foundation to be used for continuing education. Plans include a
temporary position or contract for a technology specialist to provide training
on various software and simple tech support issues.
Rod Wagner recently received an e-mail message from the
Gates Foundation announcing a sustainability workshop in Seattle prior to the
Public Library Association Conference. The Gates Foundation will pay travel
expenses and PLA Conference registration fees for three librarians from
Nebraska to attend and discuss public access computing sustainability in rural
communities. The Nebraska librarians who will attend the Gates Foundation
workshop are: Gail Irwin, Ainsworth public library; Bev Russell, Scottsbluff
public library; and Pam Scott.
Pam Scott stated that for the first time, the Commission
offered $1,000 scholarships to librarians from small towns to attend the PLA
Conference. Four librarians received the scholarships: Laurie Long, Gretna;
Stephen Hunt, Plattsmouth; Nadine DiBacco, Gering; and Mary Ann (MeMe) Smith,
Schuyler.
Public Librarian Certification Database - Pam Scott
reported that the certification database has been upgraded. The database was
no longer serving its purpose. Vern Buis, NLC computer services director,
created the new database. It has many features useful to managing
certification records and generating reports.
Master of Library Science Scholarships - Pam Scott
reported that the Commission began awarding MLS scholarships in 2001. In that
year, 5 scholarships were given. In 2002, 2 scholarships were given. In
2003, 12 were given. The increase in scholarships is due to more awareness
and the growing number of MLS students. Becky Pasco, head of the library
science program at UNO, and Jodene Glaesemann, NLC staff member and a liaison
to the Missouri MLS program, have informed MLS students of the NLC
scholarships and other sources of financial aid. Four additional scholarships
will be given this year. Mary Nelson stated that she is a member of a group
that offers $1,000 grants to women who are in the rural part of the state and
would like to return to school to improve their work skills or a single mother
wishing to get an education.
Library Technical Assistant Courses - Pam Scott
distributed a document that describes the eight courses developed by
Commission staff, system administrators, and community college librarians.
Metro community college will be offering the introductory course this fall
with Becky Pasco as instructor.
Nebraska Virtual Library Project - Shannon Behrhorst
stated that the virtual library project (NebraskAccess) will be unveiled to
the public on January 31. E-mail messages will be sent to promote the new
project. Nebraska Online will place an icon for NebraskAccess on the NOL
homepage and place links from all the NOL portals. The Nebraska virtual
library task force will continue to work on ideas to provide needed services
to libraries and the public. Shannon will attend meetings across the state to
introduce NebraskAccess.
Libraries for the 21st Century Grant
Application - Rod Wagner stated that the Commission submitted an application
for an Institute of Museum and Library Services "Librarians for the 21st
Century Grant." The IMLS has an additional $10 million for grants this year
(a total of $20 million).
Nebraska Library Legislative Day - Nebraska Library
Legislative Day will be held February 19. Rod stated that he hoped some of the
Commissioners would be able to attend. Mike Nolan, Norfolk City Administrator,
will speak at the afternoon program.
National Library Legislative Day - Rod Wagner stated that
National Library Legislative Day will be held May 4, 2004 in Washington, D.C.
Rod asked Commission members to consider participating in National Library
Legislative Day. The Commission also supports a representative from the
Nebraska Library Association and from the Nebraska Educational Media
Association.
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies Meeting: A COSLA
meeting was held prior to the ALA Midwinter meeting in San Diego. Rod Wagner
stated that he chairs the COSLA network committee. The committee has met
regularly with Marilyn Mason, Project Director for WebJunction. WebJunction is
an OCLC service and was developed to provide information, education and
technology support as an extension of the Gates Foundation Library Program.
The COSLA network committee is planning a continuing
education event for state library representatives at the 2004 COSLA annual
meeting on the topic of State Libraries and Digital Government. Rod stated
that the IMLS is working with the Wallace Foundation to fund training for
state library agency staff on strategic planning based on new approaches to
public service and public values.
Rod stated that this year and next year he is chairing
the Association of State and Cooperative Library Agencies Standards Review
Committee. One current project is the revision of standards for libraries that
serve the blind and physically handicapped. Rod was part of a meeting in San
Diego with other state library representatives and representatives of the
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicap to discuss NLS
plans for replacing cassette books with digital talking books beginning in
2008.
American
Library Association Midwinter Meeting - Rod Wagner stated that he attended
several sessions at the ALA Midwinter meeting. In one session OCLC staff gave
an update on OCLC products and services. In another OCLC presentation, staff
gave a presentation on an environmental scan research project. The project was
recently completed and their findings published.
Financial Report
Rod Wagner noted the January financial report included in
the meeting packet. Rod stated that the Library Commission has accrued
personnel cost savings from vacancies. The agency is within its budget in all
major expense areas. Rod said that the U.S. Senate acted on federal
appropriations yesterday. Details on LSTA appropriations should be available
soon.
The Governor
presented his current biennium budget recommendations during his January 15th
State-of-the-State message. Governor Johanns included the Library Commission
in the group of agencies that would be subject to an additional 2.5% state
funds reduction. This applies to the Commission's operating budget. The
state aid program is subject to a further 1% reduction. On February 12,
21 agencies, including the Library Commission, will have an opportunity to
make their case on biennium budget changes to the Appropriations Committee.
A motion was
made and seconded to send a letter to the Appropriations Committee regarding
the Library Commission's budget. Motion carried on roll call vote: Mary
Nelson, aye; Kristen Rogge, aye; Wally Seiler, aye; and Velma Sims-Shipley,
aye. Motion approved.
Unfinished Business
Public Library Accreditation Review Process - Rod Wagner
stated that Kit Keller has offered to meet with the Public Library Resource
group, attend System meetings, library board meetings, and NLA Spring meetings
for further discussion of the public library guidelines revision project.
There will be an update at the March meeting and guidelines revision
recommendations should be ready to take action at the July Commission
meeting.
New Business
State Advisory Council on Libraries Appointments - Rod
Wagner presented the following recommendations for appointment or
reappointments to the State Advisory Council on Libraries: Pat Gross, Gering
High School media specialist; Maggie Harding, NLA Executive Director,
reappointment; Gretchen Healy, library director, Little Priest Tribal College;
John Seyfarth, Information Systems Manager, Sump Memorial Library,
reappointment; Nancy Cantin, director, Medical and Patient Library, Hastings
Regional Center; Mary Ann (MeMe) Smith, director, Schuyler Public Library; and
Jeff Yost, President, Nebraska Community Foundation, reappointment. A motion
was made and seconded to accept the recommendations for appointment and
reappointment to the State Advisory Council on Libraries. Motion carried on
roll call vote: Kristen Rogge, aye; Wally Seiler, aye; Velma Sims-Shipley,
aye; and Mary Nelson, aye. Motion approved.
Major Projects and Issues for 2004 - Rod Wagner stated
major projects and issues include the state virtual project, additional
services from OCLC, planning the 2005 - 2007 biennium budget request, public
library accreditation guidelines, implementation of community college library
science courses, and many training sessions on a variety of topics.
Out-of-State Travel Request - Rod Wagner requested
approval to attend the Web-Wise Conference on "Libraries and Museums in the
Digital World" to held March 3-5 in Chicago. A motion was made and seconded to
approve the Director's travel request. Motion carried on roll call vote: Wally
Seiler, aye; Velma Sims-Shipley, aye; Mary Nelson, aye; and Kristen Rogge,
aye. Motion approved.
Director's Performance Review - Commission members conducted and completed the Director's
annual performance review. Current biennium state employee pay policies do
not provide for a mid-year salary change.
Next Meeting
A joint Commission and State Advisory Council on
Libraries meeting will be held on March 12, 2004 in Omaha. The meeting time
and location will be determined and announced.
Adjournment
The meeting
was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
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.