Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
August 13, 1997
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Wednesday, August 13, 1997, 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 Nebrask@ Online
.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ron Norman called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Members present: Ron Norman, Jean Sanders, Karen Warner, Frances Lovell
and Katherine Fletcher. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Richard
Miller, Elaine Miller, Lisa Brawner and Bonnie Henzel. Guests present:
Kathy Tooker.
Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded
by Frances Lovell to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye;
King-absent.
Approval of the Minutes of the May 9, 1997 meeting: It
was moved by Karen Warner and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the minutes
of the May 9, 1997 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye;
Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
II. PUBLIC FORUM
Robert King from Holdrege has been appointed by Governor
Nelson to a three year term on the Library Commission. Mr. King is the
publisher of the Holdrege newspaper. Mr. King was not able to attend this
meeting.
Richard Miller was introduced as the new Library Development
Director. Bonnie Henzel was introduced as a new Staff Assistant in Government
Information Services. Kandi Gordon Thomas will begin working next week
in Government Information Services, also in a Staff Assistant position.
The new employee of the year for the Library Commission
is Lori Sailors. Lisa Brawner was introduced as the Library Commission's
manager/supervisor of the year. Both Lori and Lisa will be honored by Governor
Nelson in October during employee recognition month ceremonies.
III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Ron Norman reported on a letter he received from Floyd Olson,
the facilitator of the Nebraska Universal Service Task Force. Mr. Olson
wrote that the Task Force appreciates the input and work Rod Wagner has
contributed.
IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Ron Norman congratulated Karen Warner on her re-appointment
as a Commissioner, and Jean Sanders for her appointment as Director of
the Jim Exon Library.
V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel: Diana Boone, OCLC Member Services Coordinator,
has resigned her position to further her education. That position has been
posted. The Cataloging position has been re-posted. The Commission is also
exploring the possibility of working out an arrangement with the University
of Nebraska - Lincoln Libraries to contract with the Commission for cataloging.
Judy Winkler is presently contracting with the NLC to do the cataloging
and this contract will expire at the end of October.
Biennium Budget: Governor Nelson vetoed the additional
state aid to libraries appropriations for the biennium. Work will continue
by the Library Commission with the Legislature and Governor to improve
the library funding situation for Nebraska libraries. Lt. Governor Kim
Robak has been given the lead responsibility for putting together a state
plan for information technology. The Library Commission would like to be
prominent in the plan for information technology and library technology.
A meeting has been arranged with the Lt. Governor for mid September. The
meeting will also be attended by Nebraska Library Association
representatives.
Telecommunications Services Discounts for School and
Libraries:
An interim report from the Task Force has been submitted to the Public
Service Commission. A meeting is scheduled for August 26th with the Universal
Service Fund Task Force and the Public Service Commission to discuss the
report. Work is taking place in Washington to put together the details
that are necessary for schools and libraries to apply for telecommunications
services discounts. To further the service in Nebraska, the Library Commission,
State Department of Education and regional Educational Service Units have
collaborated to work together to help schools and libraries obtain the
discounts. A website is available for current information about the policies
and procedures for the discounts. (Attachment I.)
Nebrask@ Online: The State Records Board, under
its new authority, has chosen to take over the administration of the state
electronic gateway service. A statutory provision for the State Records
Board is a library representative. John Dale, assistant director of Lincoln
City Libraries, serves as the library representative. The Farmers Mutual
Insurance company has 30 days to appeal the court ruling on the lawsuit
from the date of the July 17th ruling. (Attachment II.)
System Board Retreat Plans: The system board retreat is
being held at Kearney this Thursday and Friday, August 14 and 15. Expected
attendance at the retreat is now at 61 participants. Several staff members
from the Library Commission will be attending. Commissioners Ron Norman
and Jean Sanders will also attend.
Legislative Interim Study (LR 164): The Library Commission
will be working with the General Affairs committee on the committee's interim
study concerning public library governance and finance. The intent of the
study is to look at the impact of the property tax levy limits on providing
public library services; the impact of legislation on reorganization or
restructuring of political subdivisions on public library services and
the impact of new technologies including use of the Internet and methods
of library funding and organization on public libraries. (Attachment
III.)
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT
May and June Financial Reports: The May, June and July, 1997,
Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the
Commissioners.
(Attachments IV, V, VI.)
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was no unfinished business.
VIII NEW BUSINESS
Regional Library System Contracts and Fund Allocations: It
was moved by Karen Warner and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the
regional library system contracts and fund allocations for years 1997 -
1999. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye;
Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
State Aid to Public Libraries FY 1998: It was moved by
Jean Sanders and seconded by Katherine Fletcher to postpone discussion
and action on State Aid to Public Libraries until a later date/time. Motion
carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
Lovell-aye; King-absent.
Internet Policy: Action on the Internet Policy will be
taken after the State Advisory Council on Libraries meets in September.
Long Range Plan: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded
by Katherine Fletcher to accept the Long Range Plan as distributed. Motion
carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
Lovell-aye; King-absent.
Election of Chair: Frances Lovell moved and Katherine
Fletcher seconded to nominate Karen Warner as Chair of the Nebraska Library
Commission. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye;
Warner-abstain; Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
Election of Vice-Chair: Karen Warner moved and Frances
Lovell seconded to nominate Jean Sanders as Vice-Chair of the Library
Commission.
Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-abstain; Norman-aye; Warner-aye;
Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
Meeting Schedule for 1997-1998: Karen Warner moved and
Jean Sanders seconded to set the 1997-98 meeting schedule as September
12, 1997, November 14, 1997, January 9, 1998, March 13, 1998, May 8, 1998
and July 10, 1998. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye;
Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
Out-of-State Travel Request: Jean Sanders moved and Frances
Lovell seconded to approve the out-of-state travel request for Rod Wagner
to attend the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and Western Council
of State Libraries meetings in Boise, Idaho, October 18-21, 1997. Motion
carried on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
Lovell-aye; King-absent.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Karen Warner
to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 AM. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sanders-aye;
Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye; Lovell-aye; King-absent.
________________________
Elaine Miller, Secretary
All attachments are available upon request. If you would
like a copy, please contact Elaine Miller at the Nebraska Library Commission,
800-307-2665 or 402-471-2045.
Attachment I - Telecommunications Services Discounts for
Schools and Libraries
Attachment II - Farmers Mutual Insurance Lawsuit
Attachment III - Legislative Resolution 164
Attachment IV - May Expenditure and Financial Report
Attachment V - June Expenditure and Financial Report
Attachment VI - July Expenditure and Financial Report
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.