Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
August 1, 2003
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, August 1, 2003 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, Wally Seiler, Velma
Sims-Shipley; and Pat Gross. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls,
Pam Scott, Kit Keller and Shannon Behrhorst. Guests: Kathy Tooker and Brenda
Ealey.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve the
agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Gross - aye; Jussel - aye; Rogge -
aye; Seiler - aye; and Sims-Shipley - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (May 9, 2003): A motion was made
to approve the May 2003 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Jussel -aye; Rogge - aye; Seiler - aye; and Gross - aye. Motion approved.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner reported that John Seyfarth, Chair of the
State Advisory Council on Libraries, sent letters to state senators on behalf
of the Council expressing appreciation to senators for supporting the
Legislature's version of the biennium budget. John Seyfarth also sent a
letter to Pam Scott with a recommendation to include children and young adult
services in the community college library science course offerings that are
being developed. Both letters were the result of the July 18th
State Advisory Council on Libraries meeting.
Chairs Report and Commissioners' Comments
Chair Jussel reported that he recently returned from a
Lewis & Clark expedition tour. The tour was very informative and he would
recommend others to experience the tour.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that Fremont will be holding
a summer program in which Amy Moset will portray Sacagawea. Amy will hold two
performances on September 18, first performance is at 4:00 p.m. and the second
at 7:00 p.m. The Fremont summer reading program had 1,150 participants. The
library is starting a book club at the retirement home. The first book will be
Plainsong.
Kristen Rogge reported that she was a mentor at the 2003
Nebraska Library Leadership Institute and felt it was the most powerful thing
she has ever participated in. The transformation of the participants in five
days was great. The group developed a powerful vision statement which captures
the essence of libraries. Kristen also reported that she attended the SACL
meeting in Curtis. She enjoys attending the SACL meetings because she learns
so much from the group and because it's such a good forum with very talented
people. The Auburn Public Library received a substantial bequest and is hiring
architects and developing the plans for an expansion of the library.
Wally Seiler reported that he recently met with Cherie
Longmuir, Panhandle Library System Coordinator, and discussed the needs of the
area. Paxton has a new library and Cherie attended a recent event there. The
library staff was thrilled to have her in attendance. Wally attended the
annual Panhandle Library System meeting in Alliance and the SACL meeting in
Curtis. Wally worked with several other Alliance library board members to get
a sculpture for the library grounds. They met with George Lundeen and chose
one of his sculptures. The board asked the city for a donation and received
$30,000; the board will raise the remaining $10,000. The sculpture is two
children holding cages of doves which are being released.
Pat Gross reported that Wayne has a combination public
library and senior citizen center. The building was built during his years on
the library board. The Wayne Public Library is celebrating its centennial
year. Pat has talked with Randolph and Chadron public library boards about
their library building plans, sharing experience from Wayne's library building
project.
Director's Report
Personnel - Rod Wagner reported that Kathy Dukes has
returned to work full-time after a serious injury last year. Julie Pinnell has
been named the Library Commission's 2003 Employee of the Year. Nancy Busch
will be leaving the Commission to take the position of Associate Dean and
Professor of UNL Libraries. An open-house for Nancy will be held August 15
from 2-4 p.m. An invitation to the open house has been issued along with a
request for letters, cards, and notes to include in a memory book for Nancy.
Rod indicated that he would address personnel issues and options at the
September Commission meeting, especially in regard to the position vacancy
resulting from Nancy Busch's departure.
ALA Conference - Rod Wagner reported that the American
Library Association Conference in Toronto included many good programs.
Attendance and exhibits were less than the Atlanta conference last year. Even
so, the drop-off didn't appear significant. There were a number of Nebraska
librarians at the conference.
Supreme Court ruling re Children's Internet Protection
Act (CIPA) - Pam Scott distributed a spreadsheet that showed the current
e-rate funding for this year. The spreadsheet listed the libraries, regional
library systems and the Library Commission's telecommunication services
discounts. Pam provided an overview of the e-rate program. There are
currently 125 Nebraska public libraries participating in the e-rate program,
with approximately 70 getting discounted fees for both telephone and Internet
services.
The CIPA law contains three elements that affect
libraries that receive either e-rate discounts or LSTA grants for purchasing
hardware or software for Internet access. The three CIPA elements are (1) a
revised or a new internet use policy (public board meeting may be used); (2)
internet use policy must be discussed and approved at a public meeting; and
(3) filtering device. Pam stressed that if an adult asks for the filter to be
disabled the librarian must disable it immediately. Libraries will have a year
to comply with the CIPA ruling.
IMLS Recruitment and Education Grant Application - Rod
Wagner reported that the Commission has applied for an IMLS recruitment and
education grant. The IMLS will distribute approximately $9 million for grants
under this new program. Grant applications were due mid-April and 76
applications were been submitted for the grant monies. The program includes
four priority areas (1) supporting master's degree level education; (2)
supporting the doctoral level for library science education; (3)
pre-profession level (this is the category the Commission falls into, though
the Commission's application also includes scholarship assistance for master's
degree programs); and (4) research projects. Grant awards will be announced in
mid-October. Rod Wagner was on the IMLS grants panel that reviewed and made
recommendations to the IMLS on applications in the master's degree programs.
National Library Legislative Day - Rod Wagner reported
that Velma Sims-Shipley, Robert King, and he represented the Nebraska Library
Commission at the annual National Library Legislative Day. Kathy Tooker and
Brenda Ealey represented the Nebraska Library Association. Gail Formanack
represented the Nebraska Educational Media Association, and Chuck Peek
represented the Nebraska Center for the Book. Velma's husband, Parker
Shipley, joined the group for Congressional office visits and other
Legislative Day activities.
Library Services and Technology Act Reauthorization - The
group attending the National Legislative Day visited with Nebraska
congressional representatives or staff. Senator Nelson and Senator Hagel were
asked to co-sponsor the LSTA reauthorization bill. Senator Nelson agreed to
become a co-sponsor. Senator Hagel said he would consider the request, but
has not been added as a co-sponsor.
State Advisory Council on Libraries - Rod Wagner stated
that the two letters mentioned in Correspondence and Communication were
approved to be sent from the group. The first letter was to state senators
and the second was to Pam Scott to share with the library science course
group. The Dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture stated (at
the Council meeting) that the College would provide funding assistance for Mo
Khamouna, librarian at the college, to obtain his master's degree in library
science.
Library Science Education at Nebraska Community Colleges
- Pam Scott reported that the group has decided on the seven areas that will
be offered for the program. Pam distributed a handout with a list of courses
and objectives. Next steps include securing approvals from the community
colleges to begin offering library science courses beginning in the 2004 fall
semester.
National Book Festival - Rod Wagner reported that the
National Book Festival will be held October 4 in Washington, D.C. The
Institute of Museum and Library Services will again provide funds to state
library agencies to have state exhibits at the festival.
Financial Report
May and June Budget Reports - Financial reports were
included in the meeting packets.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
Election of Chair - A motion was made to elect Kris Rogge
as Chair. Motion carried on roll call vote: Rogge - abstain; Seiler - aye;
Sims-Shipley - aye; Gross - aye; and Jussel - aye. Motion approved.
Election of Vice-Chair - A motion was made to elect Velma
Sims-Shipley as Vice-Chair. Motion carried on roll call vote: Seiler - aye;
Sims-Shipley - abstain; Gross - aye; Jussel - aye; and Rogge - aye. Motion
approved.
Library Leadership Vision Statement - Kris Rogge asked
that the Library Leadership Institute Vision Statement (Our Vision for
Nebraska Library Leaders) be adopted. This action would give credit to the
group who developed it. This vision statement articulates what the role of
libraries should be or aspire to be.
A motion was made to rename the Leadership Institute
Vision statement "Vision Statement for Nebraska Libraries" and adopt it as the
vision for all Nebraska libraries. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sims-Shipley - aye; Gross - aye; Jussel - aye; Rogge - aye; and Seiler -
aye. Motion approved.
FY 2004 State Aid to Public Libraries Grant Formula - Kit
Keller reported that due to state budget reductions the state aid to public
libraries formula must be changed. Kit stated that state aid appropriations
were reduced by 10%. There are 168 libraries that receive state aid. Not all
libraries are eligible to receive state aid because they must meet a set of
criteria. Several years ago the formula was changed to add an incentive
payment for public funds over and above what public libraries receive from
their main funding source. The base payment for libraries serving less then
5,000 has been changed to $655.00 and a per capita amount of $0.10. For those
libraries serving populations of 5,000 and above, there is no base payment and
the per capita dropped to $0.185 cents from $0.205.
Public Library Accreditation Review Project - Kit Keller
stated that the public library guidelines revision project comes from the
Nebraska Library Commission's long range plan. The current guidelines have
been in place since 1996. Kit stated that the current guidelines have hit a
plateau. The guidelines no longer serve as a growth or development tool.
Kit has attended meetings and visited libraries across
the state, met with library development and other Library Commission staff and
also placed an article on the Library Commission Web site asking for comments
on guidelines changes. A session on the guidelines will be held at the NLA -
NEMA convention in October.
A goal for the guidelines revision is to tie services to
outcomes and find out what the outcomes are for the people of Nebraska.
Out-of-State Travel Request - Rod Wagner requested
approval for out-of-state travel to attend the Chief Officers of State Library
Agencies meeting September 6 - 8 and the Western Council of State Libraries
meeting on September 9, 2003, in Tucson, Arizona. Motion was made to approve
the Director's out-of-state travel request. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Gross - aye; Jussel - aye; Rogge - aye; Seiler - aye; and Sims-Shipley - aye.
Motion approved.
Director's Salary - Motion was made to approve a 1.5%
salary increase to the Director's salary. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Jussel - aye; Rogge - aye; Seiler - aye; Sims-Shipley - aye; and Gross - aye.
Motion approved.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:53 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.