Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

September 8, 1995

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, September 8, 1995, 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, Myrna Vollbrecht, Frances Lovell, Tom Harvey and Robert McPherson. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, Elaine Miller, Jim Minges, Annie Sternburg, Clarice Schmidt, and Julie Pinnell.

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

Approval of the minutes of the June 30, 1995 and August 17, 1995, meetings: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Tom Harvey to approve the minutes of the June 30, 1995 and the August 17, 1995 meetings. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

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

Recognition of Library Commission Staff: Julie Pinnell, Reference Librarian, was introduced as the Library Commission's newest staff member. Clarice Schmidt as the 1995 NLC Manager-of-the-year and Annie Sternburg as the 1995 NLC Employee-of-the-year were introduced.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Two letters were handed out to the Commissioners for information.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Ron Norman reminded the Commissioners that they needed to turn in their registrations for the Nebraska Library Association - Nebraska Educational Media Association Convention in Kearney in October.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Public Library Laws Revision Status: The Legislature passed an interim study resolution to address issues related to Legislative Bill 590. The resolution permits the staff of the General Affairs Committee to work with the Library Commission and Library Association concerning the legislative bill. A hearing will be held in either late September, or early October, probably in Omaha.

Publications Clearinghouse Evaluation: Nancy Busch reported to the Commissioners on the Publications Clearinghouse evaluation. A Library Commission team was formed for the evaluation and meetings began in May, 1995. Legislation was enacted in 1972 creating the Publications Clearinghouse as a division of the Library Commission. The evaluation team has met with Nebraska State Historical Society staff concerning the Historical Society's role in preserving the state documents. The team also met with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln library staff concerning duplication of collections. A letter has been sent to all the Nebraska depository libraries asking for their input. Also included in the staff study is an assessment of the use of paper copies versus electronic sources for government information.

Federal Library Programs Status: The House Committee has acted on the federal library program legislation that will replace LSCA. One of the unfortunate outcomes of this legislation is that the proposal that was developed specifically to replace the LSCA has been used by Congress as an opportunity to eliminate some other Federal Library Programs. Congress is trying to put every library program under the Library Services and Technology Act and reduce the funding for library programs under the Higher Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Sometime this fall, those bills will be reconciled and a new federal library program will emerge. At the same time, Congress is considering funding for the current LSCA program and House action on it at this point has eliminated the Title II Construction and Technology title funding, Title I funding is to remain at the current year level, and the Title III funding has been reduced. The House version will probably be around 30 percent less than the current level. The Senate has not acted on appropriations yet. Appropriations bills are expected to be enacted in September.

Nebrask@ Online Update:

Legal Issues: Rod Wagner reported that he and other staff were working with attorneys to respond to the lawsuit filed by Farmers Mutual in regard to electronic access to drivers license records and others issues.

Advisory Board: The Library Commission has received a positive response from those contacted to serve on the Nebraska Information Consortium Advisory Board. Follow up calls will be made to the few who have not yet responded. The first meeting is expected to be held in October.

Legislative Databases: The Library Commission's authorization from the Legislature's Executive Board permits library access to the full range of legislative databases.

NLA-NEMA Conference Plans: NLA (Nebraska Library Association)-NEMA (Nebraska Educational Media Association Conference will be held in Kearney, Nebraska on October 25th, 26th and 27th, 1995.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

July and August Status Reports: The July and August 1995, Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the Commissioners. (Attachments I & II)

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Priority Goals for 1995/96: It was moved by Tom Harvey and seconded by Robert McPherson to approve the Nebraska Library Commission Priority Goals for 1995/96 with the addition that it is the nature of some of the goals that they are on-going. (Attachment III) Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Nebrask@ Online Fees: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Tom Harvey to approve the Nebrask@ Online Fees (section 17-19, 1995-3, and section 20-21, 1995-4). (Attachments IV & V) Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

State Aid to Libraries Allocation: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the state aid to libraries allocation. (Attachment IV) Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

Out-of-State Travel Request: It was moved by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the Out-of-State Travel Request for Rod Wagner to attend the COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) fall meeting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 22 through 24, 1995. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye; Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye.

The meeting date for the next Nebraska Library Commission meeting has been changed from Friday, November 10, 1995 to Thursday, November 9, 1995 due to November 10 being the date that the state observes Veteran's Day.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Tom Harvey to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; 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.