Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
May 10, 2002
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, May 10, 2002 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 Richard Jussel called the meeting to order at 9:30
a.m. Members present: Richard Jussel, Kristen Rogge, Robert King, Velma
Sims-Shipley and Wally Seiler. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch and
Jacqueline Crocker.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve the
agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Rogge - aye; King - aye; Seiler -
aye; Jussel - aye; and Sims-Shipley - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (March 8, 2002): A motion was
made to approve the March 2002 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call
vote: King - aye, Seiler - aye, Jussel -aye; Sims-Shipley - aye; and Rogge -
aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public participation
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Rod Wagner reported that he had received a letter from
Congressman Bereuter concerning the reauthorization of the Museum and Library
Services Act. Rod also reported that he included a letter in the packet of
meeting materials from Francis Buckley, Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, concerning removal of some information from
Federal GPO depository libraries. These actions have occurred following the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
CHAIR' S REPORT AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Chair Jussel reported that he decided not to attend the
National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. Richard Jussel also
commended Commission staff for their work in dealing with the budget
situation.
Richard Jussel also commented on a remark attributed to a
Nebraska state official with responsibility for technology planning and policy
that in the future there would be no need for libraries because information is
available via the Internet.
Kristen Rogge reported that she attended the National
Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. and felt it was better then the
one she attended two years ago.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Fremont Friends of
the Library recently held their annual book sale and raised $9,000.
Wally Seiler reported that he is the Republican county
chairman for his county and recently had the opportunity to visit with a
member of Governor Johanns' s staff. After the recent budget ordeal, Wally
contacted the Governor' s office and received calls from two people. Wally
recently presented a brown bag luncheon presentation at the Alliance Public
Library. Wally also reported that his term on the Alliance Library Board will
end in June.
Robert King reported that the microfiche resources at the
Holdrege Public Library are useful. Robert stated the he goes to the library
every Thursday to do research and has noticed that there are many children who
use the library services.
DIRECTOR' S REPORT
Rod Wagner reported that he was surprised when he learned that Governor
Johanns had vetoed half of the state funds in the Commission' s library aid
program. This was unexpected because the Governor' s earlier budget reduction
proposals had not included a state funds reduction for the Commission beyond
the 3 percent reduction proposed for most state agencies. The Legislature' s
appropriations committee included restoration of these funds in its
recommendations for veto overrides. The outcome was that the vetoed funds
were restored.
Personnel - Cathy Hatterman has returned to work after
her medical leave. Kathy Dukes, who has also been off on medical leave is
expected to return to work in June. Jennifer Wrampe has returned from family
leave.
National Library Legislative Day - Rod Wagner reported
that he and Commissioner Rogge attended the event. There were eight people
from Nebraska who participated in Legislative Day. Monday, May 6, was a full
day of briefings on legislative and policy issues. Legislative Day
participants visited Congressional offices on Tuesday, May 7, to provide
information concerning federal library related legislation and policies. Rod
stated that the most important issue at this time is the reauthorization of
the Library Services and Technology Act which will expire on September 30,
2002. Reauthorization legislation must be completed before that date.
The legislation has bipartisan support and has broad
based support from the library community. A significant change is an increase
in the base allotment for each state. This is a provision most helpful to
smaller populated states.
Gates Foundation Initiative - Rod Wagner reported that
the Gates Foundation Library program is going very well. Working with regional
library system administrators, Richard Miller and Pam Scott conducted
workshops across the state on how to complete the Gates Foundation
application. Many of the libraries who were eligible have applied, and those
not eligible for free computers could apply to purchase the computer and
software packages or could appeal to be reconsidered for free equipment and
software. A conference call with the Gates Foundation will be held in early
June to review the status of applications. Many libraries have apparently
applied for grants.
NebrasKard Project Update - Rod Wagner reported that a
meeting with the advisory committee will be arranged soon. A survey is being
developed to send to the participating libraries asking for their experiences
with the NebrasKard, how many have been issued, and what kind of publicity and
promotion libraries have conducted.
Nebraska Center for the Book - Rod Wagner reported that
the 2nd National Book Festival will be held in October. Last years
event was reported as successful. This year, efforts are being made for
greater involvement of states. The Nebraska Book Festival will be held
September 13 & 14 in Grand Island.
Rod Wagner stated that several months ago he mentioned a
project that was initiated by the State Department of Administrative Services
to seek a prime contractor to provide a variety of telecommunication services
for various government entities. The DAS Communications Division issued an
RFP but the responses were not in line with what was sought. As a result, the
Nebraska Information Technology Commission initiated creation of a task force
to develop recommendations for securing telecommunication services on a
statewide basis and to include state and local governments, education,
libraries, and health care. Ted Smith, Director of the Norfolk Public
Library, is a member of the task force and has asked for a meeting with
library representatives and Tom Rolfes, from the Chief Information Officer' s
office. This meeting is schedule for May 31. The group will discuss library
needs for telecommunication services.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rod Wagner reported that the April and May reports were
included in the mailing. These reports reflect the budget changes made by the
legislature. The FY 2003 budget will be adjusted to reflect the additional 3%
state funds reduction. Nancy Busch stated that we the Commission will need to
submit a deficit request for the 2003 legislative session in order to meet the
state maintenance of effort requirement for Library Services and Technology
Act funds.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business to report.
NEW BUSINESS
LSTA Five Year Plan Evaluation - Rod Wagner stated that
the credit for leadership of this project and report goes to Nancy Busch. The
report provides information, ideas and observations from the library visits
and work that has been completed over the last year. Nancy reported that the
report is on the Commission' s web site. Mary Jo Ryan will be writing a press
release to announce that the report is available on the web.
Long Range Plan & Biennium Budget Planning Process -
Nancy Busch distributed handouts that listed a timeline of activities that
need to happen in the next several months in order to generate the five year
plan and biennium budget request. Rod Wagner stated that the July Commission
meeting will be an important one for discussion of the evaluation report of
the five year plan and the biennium budget proposal. The September meeting
will need to be moved up to the first Friday in order to have the budget
proposal submitted by the September 15 deadline date. It was agreed that
September 6 will be the best date for the 2002 September Commission meeting.
Nancy Busch stated that it will be necessary to use the June 21st
State Advisory Council meeting as a way for others to give input on
development of the long range plan.
Nebraska Library Commission LSTA Grant Awards - Rod
Wagner stated that a printed list of the project grants that have been awarded
was included in the meeting packet.
FY 2002-2003 Grant Program Schedule - Rod Wagner
distributed a tentative schedule of the 2002-2003 Commission Grants schedule.
Out-of-State Travel - Rod Wagner requested approval to
attend the summer COSLA meeting and ALA annual conference to be held in
Atlanta June 14 - 18. A motion was made to approve Rod' s travel request.
Motion carried on a roll call vote: Seiler - aye; Jussel - aye; Sims-Shipley -
aye; Rogge - aye; and King - aye. Motion approved.
ADJOURNMENT
The next Commission meeting will be held July 12, 2002,
at the Nebraska Library Commission. The State Advisory Council meeting will be
held June 21, 2002, location to be announced. The Commission meeting was
adjourned at 11:00 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.