Year in Review

From the Director...

Well over a year ago, Maggie Harding joined the Library Commission staff to find, sort, organize, and make usable a century's worth of cumulated information about the Nebraska Library Commission and Nebraska libraries. Maggie's work was initiated as part of the Library Commission's plans for its centennial year in 2001. Maggie has proven masterful in finding useful historical materials, both inside and outside of the Library Commission's offices. The product of Maggie's efforts is an assemblage of the historical knowledge of the Commission's origins and its work over the past century. This past year's Library Commission activities are a piece of that history, and it is interesting to contrast this past year with the major events and milestones of Nebraska library activity over the past century.

Annual reports published over the years document a purpose and pattern of effort to create and support library services. Nebraska library practices are deeply rooted and slow to change. It was interesting to find a description of the lack of state funding for aid to Nebraska's local libraries and the fragmented nature of services throughout the state in a Nebraska Public Library Commission report of many years ago. That description has been rewritten and restated many times over the years. A substantial increase in state support continues to be a need and a goal. The long view is that Nebraska library services are valued in many communities and in state policy, even though the effort to financially support library services is borne disproportionately at the local level. This year's Nebraska Library Commission annual report illustrates the continuation of long established and expected library services, along with the introduction of new services. The traditional services that are the foundation of Nebraska libraries have been enhanced to supply services made possible through technology. Library Commission activities during the past year included support for Nebraska libraries in the acquisition and use of electronic databases and electronic books. An increase in state aid funds allowed a modest increase in direct aid to public libraries and new funding to support needed training for Nebraska library personnel.

The Nebraska Library Commission's centennial year will be an opportune time to review and renew the state's long range plan for library services, and to build upon past efforts to support the work of Nebraska libraries.

- Rod Wagner

Funding/Grants FY 2000

GRANTS FY 2000

Center for the Book	$ 7,500
Children's Grants for Excellence	15,000
CHIRS (Consumer Health Information Resource Service)	3,437
First Search Success Stories	200
Institutional Library Grant	1,000
Interlibrary Loan (Lender Compensation)	145,385
Library Systems	658,947
Public Library Construction & Technology (Title II)	33,000
State Aid to Public Libraries	397,054
Nebraska Library Association	3,600
Motion Picture Licensing for Public Libraries	31,660
LSTA Grants	365,096

Libraries for the 21st Century

Online Databases	307,608
Training and Continuing Education Grants	35,907
OCLC CatExpress Libraries	9,750
NetLibrary	20,000
Total Grants	$2,035,144

Funding

State Funds	$3,499,249
Federal Funds	$1,182,998
Cash Funds	$ 67,536
Total Funding FY 2000	$ 4,749,783

Year in Review 2000, Vol. 7 No. 3
NCompass is a quarterly publication of the Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N St., Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023. Phone: 402-471-2045 or 800-307-2665 (in Nebraska only). Fax: 402-471-2083. ISSN: 1075-9719. Director: Rod Wagner Editor: Mary Jo Ryan Design and Production: Valerie Dayton Web Conversion: Martha Johnson Staff: Jacqueline Crocker, Mary Geibel, Janet Greser, Cynthia Hobbs Home Page: nlc.nebraska.gov	Nebraska Library Commissioners: Karen Warner, Norfolk, term expires 2003; Robert King, Holdrege, term expires 2003; Wally Seiler, Alliance, term expires 2001; Richard Jussel, Kearney, term expires 2001; Velma Sims, Fremont, term expires 2001; Kristen Rogge, Johnson, term expires 2002; Commission meetings are held the second Friday of every other month, or as scheduled by public action of the board.
Preparation of this newsletter was supported in part by funds allocated through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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