Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission
July 8, 1994
MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held a regular meeting on Friday, July 8, 1994 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 Nebraska Online.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Ron Norman called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. Members present: Ron Norman, Marge Curtiss, Myrna Vollbrecht, Jean Sanders, and Tom Harvey. Dr. Robert McPherson was absent. Staff Present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Jim Minges and Elaine Miller. Others present: William Doyle.

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

Approval of the minutes of May 13, 1994: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the minutes of May 13, 1994. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-aye; McPherson-absent; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

Recognition of guests. The Chairman asked that if anyone wished to address the board to do so at this time. Guest William Doyle introduced himself to the Commissioners.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

No correspondence or communications were noted.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Chairman had no report.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Information Technology Update: The Library Commission, along with several other agencies, is currently involved in an Advisory Group for a Community Wide Education and Information Service (CWEIS) funded by a Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant.

The Library Commission is involved in two grant applications through the Department of Commerce which is offering $26 million for Planning and Demonstration grants that will further the National Information Infrastructure initiatives. The Commission is waiting to hear on the grant applications submitted.

The Commission received an announcement from Maxine Moul concerning a Small Business Administration Grant (Attachment I) that has been awarded to the Department of Economic Development. The Commission will be participating in the project, providing a service to monitor and select information related to telecommunications and information technology for 50 Nebraska communities which have formed Community Information Technology Committees. The Commission would also provide an electronic mail group for committee representatives to exchange information.

Representatives of Nebraska independent telephone companies have met to form a Nebraska Information Network (a non-profit organization) that will work with state government and others, in supplying telecommunications support for various projects and purposes.

The State Information Technology Commission will be meeting on August 1, 1994. A report from this Commission will be out soon thereafter for public comment.

Public Library Legislation: Jim Minges and Rod Wagner attended a public hearing in Omaha that was convened by the Douglas County Commissioners. The hearing concerned public library service in the Omaha and Douglas County area.

ALA Conference: Library Commission staff attending the American Library Association Conference in Miami at the end of June were: Rod Wagner, Jim Minges, Sara Martin, Judy Winkler, Mary Jackson, Burns Davis and Mary Jo Ryan.

Federal Library Legislation: A new federal library program is being discussed by major groups for national library legislation. The American Library Association Legislation Committee was working on a resolution at the American Library Association in Miami, to bring before the American Library Association Council. The Coalition representatives will be meeting in August to further refine the new federal library program proposal. Congressional hearings could begin this fall.

State Advisory Council on Libraries: The State Advisory Council on Libraries held a meeting in early June. The Council initiated several actions regarding information technology and telecommunications.

Ellen Snow, staff member, joined the meeting at this time. Rod Wagner reported to the board that Ellen Snow has resigned after working at the Commission for 22 years. Ellen and her husband, Bob, will soon begin a three year mission commitment in the Dominican Republic. Chairman Ron Norman thanked Ellen for her years of dedication to the Commission. Ron Norman requested that the Secretary write a letter of appreciation to Ellen for her years of contribution at the Library Commission.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

May & June Expenditure Reports: Commissioners received and reviewed the May, 1994 Expenditure and Financial Report. Rod Wagner reported to the Commissioners that the June, 1994, Expenditure and Financial Report was not completed at this time. (Attachment II.)

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Library Commission received a letter from the U. S. Department of Education regarding the results of the Library Commission Federal Funds audit for 1991. Comments from the auditors stated that the payroll documentation for staff members that are paid in part by federal funds and in part by state funds did not adequately document the breakdowns of their times. The staff member's time that is in question is actually 100% federal grant time. The Commission has designated this staff member's time as 75% federal and 25% state. The Department of Education's decision will be appealed.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Biennium Budget Issues and Strategies: The Biennium Budget is due September 15, 1994 for the FY years of 1995-1997. A shortfall in state revenues has again been projected for the new biennium budget period. The State Budget Administrator is requesting that every agency not submit requests for new money, unless that request is in place of another existing program. In the past, the Legistature has requested that all agencies submit a plan based on a five percent budget reduction. This biennium all agencies are being requested to submit a plan based on a ten percent budget reduction.

Request for Proposal for Nebraska Online Services: The Commission has been working with several other state agencies (Department of Administrative Services, Secretary of State's Office, State Courts Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles) in what has been called the Nebraska Information Consortium. The Consortium is an informal group of agencies that is exploring the potential of providing a new tier of information services on Nebraska Online for certain types of government information. The new tier would be made available on a subscriber or fee basis. A service provider's would be sought to work with the Commission and other agencies to identify state government information to be provided electronically through Nebraska Online.

It was moved by Marge Curtiss and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve issuing a request for proposal for Nebraska Online services. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-aye; McPherson-absent; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; and Vollbrecht-aye.

Election of Commission Chair: It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Tom Harvey to elect Ron Norman as Commission Chair. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-aye; McPherson-absent; Harvey-aye; Norman-abstaining; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

Election of Commission Vice-Chair: It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Jean Sanders to elect Tom Harvey as Commission Vice-Chair. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-aye; McPherson-absent; Harvey-abstaining; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

Meeting schedule for 1994-1995: The September Commission meeting date was changed from Friday, September 9, 1994 to Thursday, September 8, 1994. The following dates were chosen as meeting times for the rest of the year: November 4, 1994, January 13, 1995, March 10, 1995, May 12, 1995, and July 14, 1995.

Special Recognition: Marge Curtiss presented her resignation letter from the Library Commission effective immediately. Marge Curtiss will be moving out-of-state. Rod Wagner introduced a resolution (Attachment III) thanking Marge Curtiss for her service as a Commissioner on the Nebraska Library Commission Board. It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to adopt the resolution for Marge Curtiss. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-abstaining; McPherson-absent; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Marge Curtiss to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote: Curtiss-aye; McPherson-absent; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-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.