Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
March 12, 2010
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission met Friday, March 12,
2010, at the Grand Island Public Library, Grand Island, Nebraska. The
meeting notice was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal Star,
Omaha World Herald) and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission Web
site.
Members present: Jean
Ahrens, Steve Batty, John Dale, Charles Gordon, and Carol Spencer. Member
absent: Diane Boyd. Staff present: Maria Medrano-Nehls, Richard Miller and
Rod Wagner. Others present: Kate Borchman Hassebrook, Lyons; Pam Bohmfalk,
Hasting public library and NLA representative; and Steve Fosselman, Grand
Island public library and Chair, State Advisory Council on Libraries.
Chair Jean Ahrens called the meeting to
order at 9:00 a.m. This meeting is in compliance with the Nebraska Open
Meetings Act. Jean expressed appreciation to Steve Fosselman for use of the
library for the Commission meeting.
Approval of
Agenda: A motion was made
and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean
Ahrens -aye; Steve Batty - aye; John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; Carol
Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the
Minutes (January 8, 2010): A motion was made and seconded to approve the
January 8, 2010 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call vote: Steve
Batty - aye; John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; Carol Spencer - aye; and
Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC
FORUM
No public comments to report.
Chair's Report and Commissioners'
Comments
Jean Ahrens reported that the Scottsbluff public
library recently held a ground breaking ceremony for the new addition. The
contractors have said that the addition will be completed in September of
this year.
Steve Batty reported that the City of McCook received
14 applications for the library director position. The city manager chose
four people to interview which he conducted last week. As of yesterday no
decision had been made.
Carol Spencer reported the Broken Bow
newspaper had an article and picture of Joan Birnie, Broken Bow library
director, and Birnie's report to the city council which included library
usage statistics, programs completed and other projects and accomplishments.
The city council commended Joan for a job well done. The Broken Bow library
recently celebrated the 50th birthday of Dr. Seuss's book,
The Cat in the Hat.
John Dale stated that Lincoln's Bethany
branch library recently completed a remodeling project and reopened.
Charles Gordon stated that the Fremont library board is
in the process of hiring a new director, and the city is attempting to
change the library board from an administrative to an advisory board. The
library will soon have a new HVAC system installed. The library will also
receive new carpeting and paint. The library will be re-located for
approximately one-month during the project.
DIRECTOR'S
REPORT
Rod Wagner acknowledged the Nebraska Library
Association (NLA) for another successful Nebraska Library Legislative Day
(held on February 9). Wagner also expressed appreciation to the NLA and Pam
Bohmfalk, 2009 NLA president, for its partnership with the Library
Commission in obtaining and administering last summer's library youth
internships. The program was a great success. The Commission's grant
application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services includes funds
for continuation of library internships. Grant awards will be announced in
mid-June.
American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Broadband Technology Opportunity
Grant - Rod Wagner stated that the Library Commission's application for
a broadband technology grant (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration) will be submitted later
today. The application involved hundreds of hours of staff work. Staff was
overwhelmed by the response from libraries. Of approximately 170 eligible
libraries, 140 agreed to participate. Eligibility included a number of
factors such as community per capita income, broadband service availability
in the community, a library's current technology inventory, hours open to
the public, etc. Due to the short period of time to prepare applications
libraries were on a tight schedule to respond to requests for information,
provide letters supporting the project and agreements to grant requirements.
Staff worked with public library directors to answer questions and obtain
information needed for the application. Staff also worked with state level
agencies and organizations to add program content to the project.
Rod Wagner stated that Nebraska is one of
fourteen states supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to prepare
broadband technology grant applications. The foundation is pledging matching
funds and consulting assistance for grant applications. The foundation will
contribute $1.1 million in grant matching funds required contingent on a
federal grant award. This represents nearly 30% of the total project
funding.
If funded, about two-thirds of the grant money will be
used to purchase additional computers (desktops and laptops) for
participating libraries, projectors, scanners, printers, furniture to be
used with the computers, and software. A portion of the grant would be used
to upgrade broadband service, program expenses for work with partner
organizations, marketing, promotion, and a "boot camp" for technology
training. Some libraries were identified to receive assistance to install
fiber connections. Grant award announcements are expected from June through
August and possibly not until September.
Projects will be carried out over a three
year period. Computer and related equipment will be purchased, delivered and
installed over a period of time.
Nebraska Center
for the Book
Rod Wagner stated that the Nebraska Center for the Book
board met recently and decided that the book festival will be moved from
November to May (2011). Since the Nebraska Library Commission has taken on
much of the festival planning and arrangements May is a better time of year
given many other involvements in the fall. This also works in favor of
grants and allows more time for fund-raising. November will continue to be
the month for the Nebraska Center for the Book annual membership meeting.
The two events have been held together for the past few years. The November
NCB annual meeting will also include presentation of the Nebraska Book
Awards.
One Book One
Nebraska
Rod Wagner stated the book selected for the 2010 One
Book One Nebraska is Wright Morris's
The Home Place. A Wright
Morris book was selected in recognition of the 100th anniversary
year of Morris's birth. The Lone Tree Literary Society has a number of
programs planned to celebrate Wright Morris's birth year.
Rod stated that next year is the 50th
anniversary of Bison Books (University of Nebraska Press). The first
published Bison Book was Mari Sandoz's
Old Jules.
Letters About
Literature
Letters About Literature is a national program carried
out with the assistance of state book centers. Nebraska has participated in
the program for a number of years. Students are encouraged to write to and
describe their reactions to the book. Wagner reported that the Nebraska
student winners and alternates will be recognized on April 7 at a ceremony
at the Capitol with a proclamation presented by the Governor Heineman. A
luncheon program and visit the Jane Pope Geske room at the Bennett Martin
Library will follow. There has been an increase in the number of entries
each year. We have also had a national winner from Nebraska. Laureen
Riedesel, Director of the Beatrice public library and former Nebraska Center
for the Book president and board member, has served as the coordinator for
Nebraska's participation in the program since the beginning of Nebraska's
involvement. It was at her initiative that Nebraska began participation in
the program.
FINANCIAL
REPORT
Rod
Wagner referred to the January and February financial reports. The
Commission has made budget changes to accommodate state fund reductions
based on the November special legislative session. Budget reductions have
been made in the Commission's operating budget - communications, equipment,
library science and reference acquisitions, contract services, travel and
more. Appropriations were also reduced in the state aid to libraries program
and expenditures will be reduced to reflect that appropriation changes.
Rod stated that 170 public libraries are
receiving state aid payments this year. The total amount of state aid is
near the same as last year. Unaccredited libraries that submit annual
library statistical reports each received $250 under the "Dollars for Data"
state aid component.
Rod stated that a report came out saying
the appropriations committee will recommend an additional 2% reduction added
to the 5% already cut. State employee's covered by the union will not have
their salary froze even though the Governor had asked the union to consider
the freeze.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
There
was no unfinished business presented.
NEW
BUSINESS
May Meeting Schedule
Chair Ahrens asked that we consider changing the May
meeting date due to a conflict in her schedule. It was agreed that the next
meeting will be held May 21 in Lincoln.
Adjournment
- Chair Jean Ahrens adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Sincerely,
_______________________________________________
Maria Medrano-Nehls, 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.