Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
January 7, 2005
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its
regular meeting Friday, January 7, 2005, at the Nebraska Library Commission.
Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal
Star, Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission
Web site.
Chair Kristen Rogge called the meeting to
order at 10:18 a.m. Members present: Jean Ahrens, Mary Nelson, Kristen Rogge,
and Velma Sims-Shipley. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls, Shannon
Behrhorst and Richard Miller.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made
to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens - aye;
Kristen Rogge - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; and Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Motion
approved.
Approval of the Minutes (November 12,
2004):
A motion was made to approve the November 2004 meeting minutes. Motion
carried on roll call vote: Mary Nelson - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye; Velma
Sims-Shipley - aye; and Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no public in attendance.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner stated that meeting packets
included a letter from Senator Ben Nelson regarding appropriations for the
Institute of Museum and Library Services. Rod stated that he received a phone
call from one of Senator Hagel's staff regarding the same issue. Rod also noted
receiving a copy of a letter from Kurt Cylke, Director of the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, to GladysAnn Wells, COSLA
President, regarding the digital talking book project.
Chair's Report and Commissioners' Comments
Chair Kristen Rogge stated that she read an
article that said every third grader in Lincoln received a Box Car Kids
book. This program is a collaborative project between the schools and public
libraries.
Velma Sims-Shipley stated
that the Omaha Public Library will have some of their service hours restored.
The Fremont Public Library purchased books on other cultures and placed an
article in the newspaper. Fremont is also preparing for the annual book sale.
They made $10,000.
Jean Ahrens stated that the Scottsbluff
Public Library will be interviewing architects for a library building project.
Options under study and discussion include an addition to the current library
building or construction of a new building. The Scottsbluff library held a
"Prime Time Reading" program for 6 weeks and had 110 people (31 families)
participate in the program. Jean requested that the July Commission meeting be
held in Scottsbluff with the State Advisory Council on Libraries meeting.
Mary Nelson stated that Holdrege is seeking a
new library director. The Republican Valley Library System is still recruiting
a System Administrator.
Director's Report
Gates Foundation Grant - Richard Miller
distributed handouts regarding the Gates Foundation grant. The Nebraska Library
Commission received $250,960 to support public access computing sustainability
efforts in public libraries. The Commission has three years to use these funds
and there is flexibility in their use. There has been discussion concerning use
of some of the money as leverage to get public libraries access to the
statewide telecommunications network.
Library Technology Support Taskforce -
Richard Miller stated that the task force will meet on February 4th.
There is no one solution to address library technology problems or needs. A
number of librarians are taking it upon themselves to learn more about
computers so they can deal with their own computer problems.
Library Trustee Survey - Richard Miller
stated that Lynn Bradman, a PhD student and ELS board member, asked to conduct
a survey of public library trustees as part of her degree requirements. The
survey was mailed and the Commission offered two hours of CE credits for every
board member who completed the survey. 1255 surveys were mailed out and Ms.
Bradman has received 550 responses (thus far) to her survey. Even though the
cut off date has passed, Lynn is still receiving completed surveys. One of the
next actions will be to design trustee training for library boards.
Nebraska Memories Digital Project - Shannon
Behrhorst stated that Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project involving
digital imaging of historical and cultural heritage materials. The project will
eventually result in an online Web accessible database. People will be able to
search digital images of Nebraska historical materials. In order to make this
project possible, the Commission purchased a ContentDM license. The license
permits Nebraska libraries to access ContentDM on library computers and create
descriptive information. Lincoln City Libraries is the testing library for this
project. The Commission has offered LSTA funding to libraries that wish to
participate in Nebraska Memories.
Shannon previewed Nebraska Memories and
answered questions. Shannon also mentioned that NebraskaAcess will celebrate
its first anniversary on January 31.
Legislative Issues - Rod Wagner mentioned
that Senator Kermit Brashear was elected speaker of the Legislature. Over 800
bills are expected to be introduced. Senator Don Pederson of North Platte will
be the new chair of the appropriations committee. Governor Johanns may be
leaving to become the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; if he does, Lt. Governor
Heineman will become the Governor and will appoint the next Lt. Governor. There
are a few library related bills that will be re-introduced this year; one
relates to bond financing of joint capital purchases - technology and
facilities by local government entities. The other bill will be permit
employees of regional library systems to participate in state employee benefit
programs. A bill is anticipated that would authorize municipalities to choose
whether they would have a library governing board or advisory board. On the
federal side, Congress voted to pass legislation that will allow money to flow
again for E-rate discounts.
A motion was made and seconded to keep the
public library board as a separate entity in all communities so that the
library board can be functional and responsible for the operation of the
library. Motion was carried on roll count vote: Rogge - aye; Sims-Shipley -
aye; Ahrens - aye; and Nelson - aye. Motion approved.
Grants for Children and Young Adult Library
Services - Richard Miller stated that 47 applications were received and the
committee chose to fund 33 projects from 32 libraries. The grants totaled
$60,182, which is $10,000 more than planned. Teen Spaces and Every Child Ready
to Read were the two areas of emphasis. Seven of the grants were for Every
Child Ready to Read and nineteen grants were for Teen Spaces.
LSTA Grant Applications - Rod Wagner stated
that December 31, 2004, was the deadline for LSTA grant applications. Sixteen
grant applications were received requesting amounts of $15,000 to $65,000 for a
total requested of $217,814. The Commission has $250,000 plus for grants. The
grant awards will be announced in March.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services
has a new program called "Partnership for a Nation of Learners." Mary Jo Ryan
and Rod will meet with Nebraska Educational Telecommunications and Nebraska
State Historical Society representatives to discuss a state library, state
museum and public broadcasting project.
Library Technical Assistant Program (LTA) -
Rod Wagner stated that the LTA program is going well. There are three courses
at this time and each course has 30 or more students.
Richard Miller stated that Theresa Dickson
will be traveling across the state presenting programs on communication skills
and problem solving techniques. The Library Commission is sponsoring Ms.
Dickson's program.
Financial Report
Rod Wagner stated that December and January
reports were included in the meeting packets. The expenditures for educational
services are higher than budgeted due to expenses for the Gates foundation
training grant. The grant funds are not included in the budget at this time.
LSTA Funding for FY 2004-2005 - Rod Wagner
stated that the LSTA funding is expected to be a bit higher but the actual
Nebraska allotment has not been announced.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
State Advisory Council on Libraries
Appointments - Rod Wagner recommended the re-appointment of Nancy Escamilla.
Rod also recommended the appointment of Marty Magee, Patty Birch and Joan
Giesecke. A motion was made to approve the recommended appointments to the
State Advisory Council. Motion was carried on roll call vote: Rogge - aye;
Sims-Shipley - aye, Ahrens - aye; and Nelson - aye. Motion approved.
Library Commission Meeting Schedule and
Locations - Rod Wagner stated that a meeting handout was included in packets.
The March meeting is a joint meeting with the State Advisory Council. It was
suggested that the March joint meeting be held on March 11 in Kearney. The May,
September and November meetings will be held in Lincoln and the July meeting
will be held July 15 as a joint meeting with the State Advisory Council in
Scottsbluff or Gering.
Director Performance Review - Chair Rogge
stated she would get back with Rod Wagner after contacting Commission members
absent from today's meeting.
Adjourn
Chair Rogge adjourned the meeting at 12:50
a.m.
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.