Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
September 9, 2006
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular
meeting Friday, September 9, 2006, at the Nebraska Library Commission. Notice of the
meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal Star,
Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission Web site.
Chair John Dale called the meeting to order at 9:30
a.m. Members present: Jean Ahrens, John Dale, Mary Nelson, Velma
Sims-Shipley and Carol Spencer. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Sue Biltoft,
Doreen Kuhlmann and Shannon Behrhorst.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made and
seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens
-aye; John Dale - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Carol
Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (July 14, 2006):
A motion
was made and seconded to approve the July 2006 meeting minutes. Motion carried
on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale - aye; Mary Nelson - aye;
Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Carol Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no public participation.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner presented correspondence that was sent to
Legislature's Appropriations Committee and Education Committee by Bill
Garrison, Nebraska District Manager, Midwest Regional Manager, Britannica
Online. This correspondence was sent without the knowledge of the Nebraska
Library Commission and was in regard to the appropriation request made earlier
this year by the Commission that was not funded. Shannon Behrhorst has spoken
with Mr. Garrison and requested that he contact the Committee members and
inform them that the Library Commission did not authorize or endorse this
communication.
Chair's Report and Commissioners' Comments
John Dale reported that the Lincoln City Libraries budget
is tight. One staff position will be eliminated.
Carol Spencer reported that author Alex Kava is coming to
the Broken Bow Public Library. Carol also said that the Broken Bow public
library's budget has been increased and will allow the library to purchase
more books.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Fremont Public
Library's budget was approved with no cuts. The Fremont Public Library has
hired a new children's librarian.
Jean Ahrens reported that the Scottsbluff Public Library
is working on a library expansion project. The first expansion will be in the
children's area and teen center. A 40th anniversary birthday bash
is scheduled for September 22nd and will have a 60's celebration
theme and book sale. In October, author Judy Schachner will visit every
second and third grade class in the panhandle area.
Mary Nelson reported that Brady's new library has opened.
Deanne Burkow, a native of Brady and a Princeton University professor, was a
major contributor to the building fund. Brady also received $24,000 from the
USDA Rural Development and $3,000 from the Peter Kiewit Foundation. Hildreth
and Arapahoe are discussing remodeling their libraries. The Republican Valley
Library System is holding workshops for media specialists in connection with
the ESU. Pam Soreide, Director of the Holdrege public library, has decided to
do an extreme library makeover. This will entail sprucing up, making changes,
placing large-print books where the elderly can see them, different signing,
and improving the book drop. Library circulation has increased and the
wireless internet service is being used a lot.
Director's Report
Rod Wagner reported that the Wahoo public library held
its grand opening earlier this summer. Waterloo will hold a grand opening for
its new library on September 17. Governor Heineman will attend the ceremony.
Rod reported that Paul Hammel, an Omaha World Herald reporter, recently
inquired about the new Lyons public library and whether building new libraries
leads to increased library usage. Nebraska is poised to be the first state to
have a statewide membership for all libraries, library friends groups and
library foundations in Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA).
Personnel
Rod Wagner reported that Linda Jensen
recently joined the Commission staff as a staff assistant in the library
development department. Recruitment is continuing for the new Technology
Innovation Librarian position. This position will initially be supported with
Gates Foundation grant funds. Recruitment also continues to fill the
Continuing Education Coordinator position. Initial interviews for this
position have been completed.
Public Library Trustee Projects
Ad Hoc Public Library Trustee Committee - Rod Wagner
reported that the committee is planning a "dinner and dialogue" event to be
held in several locations. The committee met with Lynn Rex and Gary Krumland
from the League of Municipalities concerning the committee's activities.
Questions were raised about the dinner and dialogue sessions and open meeting
law requirements. Advice from the Attorney General's office was sought and has
been followed.
21st Century Librarian Project
Rod Wagner reported that the website for this project is
not ready for viewing. Rod will provide information on recruitment and
retention, employment and educational opportunities at the next meeting.
Continuing Education and Training Grant Awards
Rod Wagner noted that a list of grants awards was
distributed before the meeting. The awards were given for various education
and training projects to libraries and regional library systems.
Library Service Improvement Grants (LSTA)
Rod Wagner reported that application information for LSTA
grants will be available in October. Nebraska's LSTA funds allocation has
increased allowing funding for more projects.
Nebraska Center for the Book
Nebraska Book Awards - Rod Wagner reported that this has
been a good year for the competition. About $2,000 has been received in entry
fees. Each category has judges who select the winner for their assigned
category. Awards will be presented on October 7th during the
Nebraska Book Festival.
Nebraska Book Festival - The Festival will begin on
October 6 at Nebraska Wesleyan University with programs for high school
students. On October 7th the festival will include sessions varying
from storytelling for children, readings,
book signings, book sales, music, food and
presentation of awards.
Annual Meeting - The Nebraska Center for the Book annual
meeting will be held November 5 at the Great Plains Museum in Lincoln. The
meeting will begin at 2:00 following a noon luncheon. The Jane Geske award
will be presented to the University of Nebraska at Kearney English Department.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney has hosted the Nebraska Book Festival
three times and has held a number of writing institutes and special programs.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The July financial report was included in the meeting
packet. John Dale asked about investment of NEBASE cash funds. Doreen Kuhlmann
stated that numbers were transposed and the error would be corrected. John
also asked if the general fund included carry over from the first half
biennium. Since this was the end of the first year of the biennium, general
fund balances do carry over to the fiscal year that began July 1..
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2007-2009 Biennium Budget Request - Rod Wagner reported
that the summary portion of the biennium budget request was included in the
meeting packet. There are three major parts to the budget request. One part
includes budget requests for continuing agency services at their current
level. A second part includes funding requests for new services or expansion
of a current service, the basis or need, and a justification for the requested
funds. A third part is the modification requirement. Agencies must specify and
describe services that would be reduced or eliminated if state funds are
reduced to 95% of the current year appropriation level. The personnel section
of the budget is based on current authorized staff levels and expenditures.
Personnel costs are determined based on labor contract negotiations and
policies adopted for state personnel pay and benefits by the governor and
legislature.
Velma Sims-Shipley asked about the requested increase of
funds for electronic access. Shannon Behrhorst stated that the $350,000
increase will be tied to a combination of online resources and not just the
online encyclopedia subscription.
Rod Wagner stated that the Talking Book and Braille
service has an item for the next fiscal year for digital recording equipment.
This item relates to the transition to digital talking books. Lisa Kelly, NLC
Information Services Director, recommended a 7-9% increase in the budget
request for the Commission's purchase of library resources (books,
periodicals, videos, etc.) based on industry cost trends. This line item was
requested based on a 7% increase. The budget request for travel expenses was
based on a 5% increase largely due to increases in fuel costs, fees and
lodging expenses. A 5% increase in database subscription fees is requested to
cover the cost of licensing fees for current subscriptions. A funding increase
of 4% is requested for regional library systems and state aid to public
libraries. An additional $10,000 is requested for the Librarians for 21st
Century scholarships in FY 2008-09.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2007-2009
biennium budget request as it was presented. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley -
aye; Carol Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
NEW BUSINESS
NLA-NEMA Conference (October 25-27) - Rod Wagner reported
that conference registration forms need to be submitted to Sue Biltoft very
soon. Sue will also make room reservations if needed.
November Commission Meeting
The November
meeting will be a joint meeting with the State Advisory Council on Libraries
and will begin at 9:30 a.m., Friday, November 3rd at the UNL Love
Library. The Commission meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. prior to the State
Advisory Council on Libraries meeting.
Adjournment
Chair John Dale adjourned the
meeting at 11:40 a.m.
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.