Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

September 8, 1994

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 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 9:30 a.m. Members present: Dr. Robert McPherson, Ronald Norman, Myrna Vollbrecht and Frances Lovell. Jean Sanders and Tom Harvey were absent. Staff Present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Jim Minges and Elaine Miller. Others present: Kate Marek, Jean Dale and William Doyle.

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

Approval of the minutes of July 8, 1994: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the minutes of July 8, 1994. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-absent; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

Recognition of guests. The Chairman asked that if anyone wished to address the board to do so at this time. There was no response from the guests.

Time was then allowed for Commissioners to discuss informally any items of interest.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Ron Norman read a thank-you letter from Marge Curtiss.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Ron Norman reported on an article in the Omaha World Herald concerning Regional Libraries.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Public Library Laws Revision: It is likely that before the end of this month there will be a meeting among representatives of the Nebraska League of Municipalities; Nebraska Library Association; Jim Minges; Rod Wagner and Ken Winston, Counsel to the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, to determine if there are any points in which we have common agreement or to identify areas where the League of Municipalities disagrees with the legislative proposal that was introduced last session. A fundamental issue of the revision is that of local control of the public library program where if a municipality chooses to join a district, then the governance of the library program would transfer to the district rather than the municipality.

Nebraska Information Network: The Nebraska Information Network recently adopted letters of incorporation. Roger Hahn has been appointed as Executive Director. The Governor's Communications Bridge Task Force has met with a representative of the Nebraska Information Network and issued a report to the Governor concerning state government's role in working with the Nebraska Information Network. (Attachment I.)

Federal Library Legislation: New Legislation relating to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has been passed by both the Senate and the House. This act will likely result in some federal funds being available to help schools acquire library resources.

The Library Services and Construction Act has strong support in place among library related organizations for a new federal program to replace the current Library Services Construction Act. The Senate and House took action on the federal fiscal year budget. The House omitted money for LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) Title II in their appropriation. The Senate's program did include money for Title II at the current year's level. The House and Senate representatives will get together and decide what to agree upon concerning Title II money for FY 95. There is a slight increase in the Title I funding in the Senate version. Funding in Title I over the base level is based on a state's population. A fairly significant increase in the Title III money was included to allow states to direct money toward establishing electronic library gateways.

A telecommunications bill working its way through Congress includes an interesting provision that is being referred to as public rights-of-way and access. Under this provision the FCC would require that companies reserve a percentage of their capacity to make available for public uses, including libraries purposes, at a cost based on an at cost provision. A real controversy about Senate Bill 1822 (the Communications Act of 1994) does take away a good part of state's regulatory powers over communications. The National Governors Association is very active in lobbying that this provision be modified.

State Advisory Council on Libraries: The State Advisory Council on Libraries will be meeting at the Nebraska Library Commission on September 9, 1994. (Attachment II.)

The Council initiated at their last meeting a challenge statement to Nebraska libraries and librarians that will relate to library use of information technology. The Council hopes to have the challenge statement available to be distributed prior to the NLA/NEMA convention the end of October, 1994. The Council will also be discussing the Information Technology Commission Draft Report.

Tom Harvey arrived at 10:00 a.m.

Information Technology Commission Draft Report: (Attachment III.)

Rod Wagner reported to the Commissioners that the annual Nebase meeting will be held on October 4, 1994 and the Nebraska Library Association Convention will be held in Omaha on October 26, 27 and 28, 1994.

Ron Norman announced that Nebraska Library Commission staff member Vern Buis (Computer Applications Director) will receive the Nebraska Library Association Meritorious Service Award.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

July and August Financial Reports: Commissioners received and reviewed the July and August Expenditure and Financial Report. (Attachment IV and V.)

Federal Funds Audit Appeal Status Report: (Attachment VI.) The appeal challenges the direction the U.S. Department of Education is taking on the Federal Funds Audit Report concerning a Library Commission employee's work time between being attributed to federal or state time. The U.S. Department of Education's attorney agreed that they will try to resolve the appeal on an informal basis and so as not to have to go through the complete federal process. The Nebraska Library Commission believes that 100% of the staff member's time is eligible for federal funds but the Commission has left the staff member's time at 75% federal and 25% state.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Request for Proposals (Nebraska Online Tier II): The Nebraska Library Commission has prepared an RFP document for the Nebraska Online Tier II Service. This service would allow for access to some state government information on a fee basis. The Nebraska Library Commission would issue a request for proposals. Companies that have an interest in supplying this service would be able to respond to it. Hopefully an arrangement will be put into place by which the Library Commission can work with a company to enhance state government information and make state government information available to the public through electronic networks. A copy of the RFP document has been sent to State Purchasing since they are the agency that will be coordinating this process. Rod Wagner will meet with Barb Lawson, Director of State Purchasing Monday, September 12, to iron out a few provisions that need further discussion. The Library Commission has worked with Central Data Processing, Intergovernmental Data Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of State's Office and the State Courts Administration. The Library Commission is hopeful that these agencies will continue to work with us and participate in this project.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

1995-97 Biennium Budget Request: (Attachment VII.) Nancy Busch, Deputy Director of the Library Commission handed out a new version of the FY 1995-97 Biennial Budget Request Summary. It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Tom Harvey to accept the 1995-97 Biennium Budget request as received. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Small Business Administration Sub-Grant Agreement with the Department of Economic Development for Nebraska Online Project: (Attachment VIII.) It was moved by Tom Harvey and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the Small Business Administration Sub-Grant Agreement with the Department of Economic Development for the Nebraska Online Project as presented. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye, Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent, Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Agreement with Nebraska Development Network for Nebraska Online Services: (Attachment IX.) It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Robert McPherson to approve the Agreement with Nebraska Development Network for Nebraska Online Services. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye, Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent, Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

Out-of-State Travel Request: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the out-of-state travel request of Rod Wagner's to attend the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science briefing in Washington, D.C. on September 20 - 22, 1994 and the Fall Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and Western Council of State Libraries meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 15 - 18, 1994. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye, Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent, Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Tom Harvey to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote: McPherson-aye; Tom Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-absent; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-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.