Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
May 21, 2010
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission met Friday, May 21,
2010, at the Nebraska Library Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska. Notice of the
meeting 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, Diane Boyd, John Dale, Charles Gordon, and Carol
Spencer. Staff present: Maria Medrano-Nehls, Richard Miller, Rod Wagner,
Mary Jo Ryan, Allana Novotny, John Felton, Christa Burns, Devra Dragos, and
Kathryn Brockmeier. Public: Kathy Tooker and Robin Bernstein.
Chair Jean Ahrens called the meeting to order at 9:30
a.m. This meeting is in compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.
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; Diane Boyd; John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon
- aye; Carol Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (March 12, 2010): Motion carried on roll call vote: Steve Batty
- aye; John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; Diane Boyd; Carol Spencer -
aye; and Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Kathy Tooker said that on May 13 the Southeast and
Eastern library systems held a spring colloquium. The speaker was Terry
Pettit, former UNL volleyball coach. The Library Leadership Institute is
held every other year. This year a reunion event is planned for former
leadership institute participants and mentors. Jamie LaRue, Director of the
Douglas County Libraries in Colorado, will be the guest speaker.
CHAIR'S REPORT AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Jean Ahrens stated that the Scottsbluff public library
building renovation project is on schedule with some interruption. The
Scottsbluff public library will host a shorter summer reading program
because the library will be closed for two weeks in mid July due to the
construction project. Scottsbluff public library will again host the Prime
Time Family Reading Program. This time the focus is on Native American families.
Jean Ahrens said the Scottsbluff public library was
burglarized and a large sum of money was taken. A portion of the stolen
money was to be used by a teen group that was just getting ready to go on a
book buying trip. Also stolen was money that had been collected from
donations for a library worker for medical treatments.
Steve Batty stated that the McCook public library hired
a new director. Steve recently attended the NETA conference in Omaha. He
said one of the conference documents included links to many useful resources
for librarians. Steve also stated that he received a message from Sherry
Houston, Republican Valley Library System Administrator, asking about a
rumor that the Library Commission was going to consolidate library systems.
Rod Wagner said that he had not heard the rumor and it is not true.
Diane Boyd distributed copies of a monthly newsletter
published by South Sioux City. The newsletter provides one full page to the
library to inform the public of library activities, such as services,
events, and recommended book lists. The newsletter is sent with the
utilities bill. South Sioux City public library provides a special computer
program for military families, which allows them to communicate with their
soldier via Skype. There is no fee for this service.
John Dale passed around a card from the ground breaking
ceremony for the new Education Center at the Nebraska College of Technical
Agriculture in Curtis. The school began in 1914 as an agricultural high
school and then became a college that confers associate degrees for two year
programs. The college hopes for a new library in the near future. John
attended a recent meeting of the Nebraska Universal Service Fund Advisory
Board. John serves as the library representative on the board. The board approved a recommendation
to the Public Service Commission that current universal service fund fee
rates be continued for the next year. John stated that Lincoln's Bethany
branch library has completed its remodeling project and is open to the
public.
Charles Gordon stated that the Fremont public library
board has sought to retain its status as an administrative board. However,
the City Council decided to revise city ordinances and listed the library
board as the library commission. After many discussions the council changed
the ordinance to read "library board" but left unclear whether the board has
administrative or advisory status. The ordinance specifies the process for
appointment of the library director. Charles stated the library is being
renovated due to damages caused by a faulty HVAC system. The project cost is
nearly $1 million. The library is closed but three temporary places have
been arranged to continue service. The Fremont library received a $350,000
gift and economic stimulus funds to fix the HVAC system and for other
library facility improvements. Choices for the library's renovation were not
made with the library board's assistance but by city staff. Fremont is in
the recruiting process for a new library director.
Carol Spencer shared a newsletter from Broken Bow
featuring articles written by the library director, Joan Birnie. The library
is currently preparing for its summer reading program activities for
children, teens, adults and families.
Director's Report
Rod Wagner stated that Christa Burns provided
statistics about the Library Commission's weekly NCompass Live program
sessions. The statistics show that in addition to Nebraska the sessions have
been accessed from a number of other states.
Rod introduced Commission staff involved in some of the
special projects underway or planned. Many Commission staff members have
been involved in the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant application. Those most involved include
Allana Novotny, John Felton, Devra Dragos, Christa Burns, Richard Miller,
Mary Jo Ryan, and Rod Wagner. The project application to the NTIA was
submitted on March 15. Staff has continued to work on the project to prepare
for implementation in anticipation of a grant award. It is not known when
grant decisions will be announced but the federal agency must award funds by
the end of September. The Gates Foundation has provided support, including
pledged grant matching funds, to fourteen state library agencies, including
Nebraska, for BTOP applications.
John Felton developed a map including information about
the 140 Nebraska libraries that have agreed to participate in the BTOP grant
project. A total of 170 Nebraska public libraries met the grant requirements
and 140 libraries agreed to be included in the project. The libraries
participating in the grant sought out community organizations to write
support letters. If the grant is approved, libraries will receive support in
several ways. Most of the grant funds would be used to purchase additional
computers (desktops and laptops) for public use. Funds are included in the
grant request to achieve adequate broadband service speeds. Funds are also
included for projectors, printers, software, furniture, carts, and other
technology items. There are also funds for marketing and promotion, and for
program partner organization expenses.
A total of $3.67 million is requested in the BTOP
application. Of this amount $2.2 million would be used for computers and
networking equipment; $300 thousand would be used for upgraded broadband
services. Of the $3.67 million, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has
pledged $1.25 million contingent on grant approval.
The Commission's grant application has advanced to the
due diligence phase. This phase includes applications considered to be
highly qualified. The due diligence phase involves responding to questions
and requests for further information supporting the application. Commission
members thanked the project team for their work on the grant.
Rod Wagner stated that if the Commission is awarded a
BTOP grant the Gates Foundation will provide support for a project launch
event bringing together project participants, government officials, and
stakeholders. The event will be scheduled for two days. The Gates Foundation
has contracted with Connected Nation to work with state libraries in
planning, arranging and their project launch event. Connected Nation is an
organization that facilitates public-private partnerships to increase access
to broadband technologies.
One Book One Nebraska
This year's One Book One Nebraska selection is Wright
Morris's The Home Place. The Lone
Tree Literary Society is the organization promoting Morris related events in
celebration of the 100th year anniversary of Morris's birth.
Kathryn Brockmeier and Peter Worth developed a web site for the 2010 book
program. They also developed a One Book One Nebraska Facebook page. Rod
stated that the Nebraska Center for the Book board will meet on Saturday and
one of the agenda items concerns the process for selecting a book for next
year. The 2011 book choice will be announced at the Nebraska Center for the
Book's annual meeting in November. Rod stated that next year will be the 50th
anniversary of Bison Books. There is a possibility that a book selection and
the Nebraska Book Festival could coincide with activities planned to promote
and celebrate Bison Books.
State Advisory Council on Libraries
Rod stated that the next State Advisory Council on
Libraries meeting will be held on July 16 with the location to be
determined. One topic anticipated for the meeting is continuing education
needs for Nebraska library workers and the possibility of a grant
application for submission to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Association of Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) Projects
Wagner stated that ALTAFF is in its first year as a
merged organization (formerly Friends of Libraries USA and the American
Library Association's Association of Library Trustees and Advocates) and is
a division of the American Library Association. Rod serves on the ALTAFF
board. Nebraska has a state membership in ALTAFF that covers all public
library trustees, library friends groups and library foundations.
Wagner reported that ALTAFF is planning to offer a
public library trustee training program which will include five courses that
will be available online. Due to Nebraska's state membership in ALTAFF
Nebraska participants will be able to participate without charge. Others
will pay a fee for access to the courses. Rod stated that the courses will
be a great opportunity for Nebraska library trustees. ALTAFF's May 2010
newsletter has an article about The
Complete Library Trustee Handbook. The Handbook was written by Sally
Reed, ALTAFF Executive Director. John Dale said getting library trustees
involved in anything is significant. He asked if there is any special
emphasis that can be used to get trustees interested in these courses. It
was recommended that we give each trustee who completes all 5 courses a
certificate or something that shows they completed the whole program.
Institute of Museum and Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
Grant Program
Rod Wagner stated that the announcement for 21st
Century Librarian Grant awards is expected in mid-June. The Library
Commission's application was submitted last December.
Other Grant Projects
Mary Jo Ryan stated that the Commission received a
donation from an anonymous source to provide grants for student interns. It
is hoped that more money will be received so that more internships can be
funded. The internship project is a partnership with the Nebraska Library
Association.
A grant is being sought to bring Neal Shusterman, the
author of Unwind, to Nebraska for
presentations at several locations across the state.
Unwind is this year's One Book for Nebraska Teens.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rod Wagner referred to the financial report ending
April 30. The Commission has taken measures per the Governor's request to
limit discretionary spending. The agency budget is in line with the reduced
appropriations. The Commission is in the first year of the biennium and any
remaining funds from the current fiscal year are re-appropriated for the
coming fiscal year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business presented.
NEW BUSINESS
State Employee Pay Policies 2010-2011
Rod Wagner stated that the Governor has asked state
boards and commissions to freeze salaries for agency directors and their top
management positions for the coming fiscal year. The Governor also asked
NAPE/AFSCME to agree to a salary freeze for state employees covered under
the union agreement. The union chose not to agree to a salary freeze. A
motion was made by Charles Gordon and seconded by John Dale that in keeping
with the Governor's recommendation that the Nebraska Library Commission
enact a salary freeze for the agency director and the agency's top
management personnel effective July 1, 2010, for the FY 2010-2011. Motion
carried on roll call vote: John Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; Diane
Boyd; Carol Spencer - aye; Jean Ahrens - aye: Steve Batty - aye. Motion
approved.
State Aid to Libraries Budget Allocation
Rod Wagner referred to a spreadsheet listing funding
for state aid programs included in the state aid to libraries program
appropriation. The Commission's biennium budget policy states that
reductions in state aid be made across the board among the major budget
categories for public libraries, regional systems, interlibrary loan,
database licensing, and grants. Rod asked that the across-the-board
reduction not be followed in regard to allocations for public library aid.
The legislature's across-the-board budget reductions have reduced state
appropriations 9.5% for the coming fiscal year. Many public libraries have
experienced local budget reductions with more anticipated. State aid for
regional library systems is in line percentage-wise with the Library
Commission's operating budget reductions. Library systems can also apply for
project funds from Commission grant programs (library improvement grants,
CE, and Youth Services for Excellence).
Rod stated that the Commission will discontinue the
annual license for Bibliostat Connect used for public library statistical
data comparative analysis. The Commission will continue to license
Bibliostat Collect for public library statistical reporting. John Felton has
developed his own data sets and believes these and other alternatives will
make up for the loss of the Connect product.
Rod noted the Commission's contract with the Utah State
Library to provide Braille services. Nebraska does not have sufficient
numbers of people to replicate the service provided through Utah's
multi-state program. The Commission needs to sustain this service agreement.
The College of DuPage educational programs are licensed
for Nebraska viewing. This service is under consideration to discontinue due
to budget reductions.
Rod Wagner stated that the Cooperative Reading Program
pays for the publication and distribution of the summer reading manuals for
libraries. Funds are included for the next fiscal year to support this
program.
Rod stated that there is $25,000 annually for
continuing education grants and the amount has remained at the same for
several years. However, this program was previously budgeted at a higher
level and once included $25,000 annually for library science education
scholarships.
Youth Grants for Excellence are available to libraries
for library service projects targeted to children and young adults. The
funding for this grant program has been reduced from $42,000 to $26,947. The
funds reduction is a concern and this program is one that should have money
restored if there is any re-allocation from other budgeted items.
Rod stated that state aid funds are budgeted for
NLA-NEMA conference program support as an extension of the Commission's
support for continuing education for library workers. The Commission has
provided funds for a conference keynote speaker for a number of years.
Wagner stated that interlibrary loan (lender)
compensation is an area for special concern. Funding for this program has
eroded over the past several years due to flat or reduced funding and
increases in other aid programs. The Commission provides partial
reimbursement to Nebraska libraries that supply loans to other Nebraska
libraries. We expect to pay out approximately $168,000 annually in lender
compensation payments. The Commission has used some of the remaining cash
funds accumulated over a number of years through the Commission's
affiliation with the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) for lender
compensation. The remaining funds will be depleted by the end of the year
(December). In order to retain the lender compensation program the
Commission will need to re-allocate some aid funds. An amount of $70,000 is
available with another $40,000 coming from state funds and $30, 000 from
federal funds. This is not sufficient to sustain current payment levels but
the remaining cash funds will allow the Commission to sustain payments at
least for the coming year.
Rod stated that the Commission has provided an annual
operating grant toward support of the Nebraska Center for the Book for a
number of years. The amount budgeted for next fiscal year is $7,500. This
amount is half the amount provided in previous years and also does not
include funds for support of a Nebraska Book Festival director contract
position that was discontinued last year due to lack of funds.
Wagner stated that a couple of database licenses will
be discontinued based on limited use. Devra Dragos has been successful in
working with vendors to retain current subscription fees and in one case
achieve a substantial discount.
A motion was made by John Dale and seconded by Diane
Boyd to approve the direction that staff is taking regarding funds for state
aid to libraries for FY 2010-2011. Motion carried on roll call vote: John
Dale - aye; Charles Gordon - aye; Diane Boyd; Carol Spencer - aye; Jean
Ahrens - aye: Steve Batty - aye. Motion approved.
2011-2013 Biennium Budget Schedule and Process
Rod Wagner stated that federal LSTA funds for the
coming fiscal year will probably be the same amount as this year. Congress
has taken no action thus far on the 2011 federal budget. Nebraska's LSTA
allotment could be reduced due to maintenance of effort requirements. Rod
stated that many state library agencies are dealing with LSTA maintenance of
effort issues due to state budget cuts.
The state budget office has informed state agencies
that the budget system is ready and available for use in preparing state
biennium budget requests. Agency budget requests are due on September 15.
The budget will be an item on the agenda for July and September Commission
meetings. Rod said that items concerning program consolidation and
streamlining were included in the appropriations bill enacted by the
legislature. Agency responses to the legislature's budget topics are due in
September.
Special Recognition
Rod Wagner thanked Jean Ahrens and Carol Spencer for
serving on the Commission for two terms. All present joined in expressing
their appreciation to Carol and Jean for their contributions to the
Commission and to Nebraska library services.
July Meeting Schedule
The next Commission meeting will be held on July 9,
2010 at the Nebraska Library Commission.
Adjournment
- Chair Jean Ahrens adjourned the meeting at 11:45 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.