Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes

Nebraska Library Commission

September 6, 1996

MINUTES

The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, September 6, 1996, 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, Dr. Robert McPherson, Jean Sanders, Frances Lovell. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch and Elaine Miller.

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

Approval of the Minutes of the July 12, 1996 meeting: It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the minutes of the July 12, 1996 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote: Norman-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Sanders-aye.

II. PUBLIC FORUM

No guests were present.

III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Letters from Don Macke, Director of the Rural Development Commission, and Senator C. N. "Bud" Robinson were handed out to the Commissioners.

The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing for LR 471 for 9:00 a.m. on September 11, 1996, to review the process and issues related to the request for proposals and contract award to Nebrask@ Interactive for network manager services.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Chairman reported he had sent a letter to Myrna Vollbrecht conveying the regrets of the Commissioners upon her resignation from the Nebraska Library Commission.

V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

"Visioning" and Resource Sharing Retreats: Two "Visioning" Retreats were held in the last two months, one in Lincoln and one in Alliance, and the Resource Sharing Retreat was held in Lincoln. Milan Wall, Co-Director of the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, facilitated both "Visioning" Retreat Meetings. Kate Nevins, Executive Director of SOLINET, was the keynote speaker for the Resource Sharing Retreat. Kate stayed for the duration of the two day retreat and facilitated the wrap-up session. A report for the Resource Sharing Retreat was handed out to the Commissioners. (Attachment I.)

Universal Service Task Force: Two meetings of the Universal Service Task Force have been held. The task force will be developing recommendations to the Public Service Commission regarding intrastate telecommunications policies relating to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. A feature of the new federal legislation intends to provide favorable rates to schools, libraries, and rural hospitals. The task force has been scheduled to meet monthly through November and is scheduled to present recommendations to the Public Service Commission in December.

Federal Library Legislation Status: If the Federal library legislation is not passed in September then it will not be passed this year. If the library legislation does not pass, a one year extension of the current program will probably be enacted.

Libraries Online Grant Proposal: The Library Commission received an invitation to apply for a Library Online Grant. Approximately 50 libraries across the country are invited to apply for the Online Grant and grants will be awarded to approximately half of the applications. The grant proposal is due on September 9, 1996 and those receiving the grant will be notified on September 21, 1996. Dr. McPherson asked that Commission members be notified concerning grant award decisions.

Nebrask@ Online: Nebrask@ Online continues to receive new contracts from state agencies for online services. Current new contracts are with the Public Service Commission and the Department of Insurance. Commissioners received the July and August General Manager's Reports. (Attachment II and III.)

NLA-NEMA Conference: The Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Educational Media Association Conference will be held on October 23, 24 , 25, 1996 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ellen Van Waart, Continuing Education Coordinator from the Library Commission, is the conference coordinator. Many other Commission staff are involved in conference arrangements and programs.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

July and August Expenditure and Financial Reports: The July and August 1996 Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the Commissioners. (Attachments IV and V.)

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

There was no unfinished business.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Nebrask@ Online Service and Rate Request 25, 1996-8: It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Frances Lovell to approve the Nebrask@ Online Service and Rate Request 25, 1996-8. Motion carried on roll call vote: Norman-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Sanders-aye.

Long Range Plan Update: Sally Snyder is working on the Long Range Plan Update. Library Commission staff are helping to review and update various parts.

Biennium Budget Request: Nancy Busch and Doreen Kuhlmann are working on the Biennium Budget Request. Nancy Busch reported on the Biennium Budget Request. It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Ron Norman to approve the Biennium Budget Request. Motion carried on roll call vote: Norman-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Sanders-aye. (Attachment VI.)

Out-of-State Travel Requests: It was moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the out-of-state Travel Requests for Rod Wagner to attend the Chief Officer of State Library Agencies Meeting, October 26-28, Richmond, Virginia, the Western Council of State Libraries conference, November 10-12, 1996, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and American Library Association meetings, February 13-18, 1997, Washington D.C. Motion carried on roll call vote: Norman-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Sanders-aye.

Meeting Schedule: The March 14, 1997, is the weekend for the State Boys High School basketball tournament. March Library Commission meetings are usually held with the State Advisory Council on Libraries. This meeting will probably have to be rescheduled if it is held at the Library Commission. The March meeting will be placed on the November agenda to see if a change of date is necessary.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Dr. Robert McPherson and seconded by Jean Sanders to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote: Norman-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Sanders-aye.

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 - Resource Sharing Dialogue Retreat

Attachment II - Nebrask@ Online General Managers Report, July, 1996

Attachment III - Nebrask@ Online General Managers Report, August, 1996

Attachment IV - July Expenditure Report

Attachment V - August Expenditure Report

Attachment VI - Nebrask@ Online Fee Request

Attachment VII - Biennium Budget 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.