Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
November 7, 2003
MINUTES
Minutes are subject to change at the January 23, 2004 meeting.
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, November 7, 2003 at
9:30 a.m., 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 Homepage.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kristen Rogge called the meeting to order at 9:30
a.m. Members present: Patrick Gross, Richard Jussel, Mary Nelson, Kristen
Rogge, Wally Seiler, and Velma Sims-Shipley. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria
Medrano-Nehls, Beth Goble, Shannon Behrhorst, Kit Keller and Richard Miller.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made to approve
the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Mary
Nelson - aye; Patrick Gross - aye; Richard Jussel - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye
and Wally Seiler - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (September 12, 2003):
A
motion was made to approve the September 2003 meeting minutes. Motion carried
on roll call vote: Pat Gross - aye; Richard Jussel - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye;
Wally Seiler - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; and Mary Nelson - aye. Motion
approved.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner reported that he had received letters or phone
calls from Nebraska's congressional delegation, except Rep. Terry, regarding
the Library Services Technology Act reauthorization.
Chair's Report and Commissioners' Comments
Kris Rogge reported that she attended the October NLA -
NEMA conference and commended the two associations for the variety and quality
of programs.
Mary Nelson reported that Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, Holdrege
public library director, published a list of ten reasons why libraries are
still needed in the Internet age. The Holdrege library received a $3,000
bequest for books. Mary reported that she attended the recent Republican
Valley Library System board meeting and the NLA - NEMA conference.
Pat Gross reported that Wayne Public Library recently
completed activities in celebration and recognition of its centennial year.
The public library held a program each month as part of its centennial year
celebration. Pat spoke to the Ponca public library board of trustees and
encouraged them to move ahead with their plans to expand the Ponca public
library building.
Richard Jussel said that he has been following the state
budget woes.
Wally Seiler reported that he spoke to the Chadron public
library board of trustees and encouraged them to proceed with their plans to
remodel their library. Wally is working on a fund raising project for a
sculpture to be placed on the Alliance library grounds. Wally attended the NLA
- NEMA conference and presented a program on library building projects.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Fremont public
library received a $4,300 grant from the Library Commission to provide Spanish
language classes for library staff. The Fremont public library will host
Dessert in the Stacks on November 14 and will also have an author who was born
and raised in Fremont attend the event and display, sell and autograph his
books. There will also be a picture display of sites from around the world
taken by a Fremont resident.
Director's Report
Rod Wagner reported that an individual has designated one
million dollars in her will to be used for grants to public libraries with
populations under 3,000. The fund is to be administered by the Nebraska
Community Foundation.
Rod stated that David Wishart, Professor of Geography and
Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Geography, University of Nebraska
- Lincoln, gave a presentation on the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains
at the Nebraska Center for the Book annual meeting on November 2. Dr. Wishart
is the editor. The encyclopedia is scheduled for publication by the University
of Nebraska Press in 2004. The NCB annual meeting included the presentation
of the Jane Geske award to the Grand Island public library and library
foundation.
Rod reported that he attended the grand opening of the
Seward Memorial Library on October 5. Richard Miller also attended the grand
opening.
Rod introduced Amy Barr, an intern from the Emporia State
University School of Library and Information Management. Amy is completing a
practicum at the Library Commission as part of her MLS degree requirements.
Western Trails Project Presentation
Beth Goble stated that the Western Trails project is a
four state collaborative project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services with a half a million dollar National Leadership Grant. Each state
contributed at least 2,500 original documentation images. Nebraska contributed
3,200 images. The theme has a broad interpretation and Nebraska chose to
include documentation from the overland trails to modern day recreation
trails, railroads, and the Lincoln Highway. The project is almost completed.
Beth distributed project information and web site addresses related to the
project.
State Virtual Library Project
Shannon Behrhorst stated that NebraskAccess is the name
for the state virtual library. The virtual library is in the planning and
design stage. The online library will allow Nebraska residents access to many
of the databases provided by the Nebraska Library Commission and the ability
to access Nebraska library holdings. It can be accessed from home, work or a
library. A driver's license number will validate a NebraskAccess connection
from a person's home or work location. The authentication arrangement will
assure limitation to Nebraska residents and compliance with licensing
requirements. Nebrask@Online will
assist in spreading the word about NebraskAccess.
State Budget and Legislative Outlook
Rod Wagner reported that the Nebraska Economic
Forecasting Board updated state tax revenue projections at the board's October
meeting. As a result, the board lowered tax collection estimates for the
current biennium. The reduced tax projections will require the Governor and
Legislature to re-consider the biennium budget, but budget action will likely
not take place until the Legislature re-convenes in January 2004. The
forecasting board will meet again in February 2004.
A library related bill was held over from the 2003
legislative session. The bill was initiated by the City of Norfolk and
permits bond financing for technology purchases that involve two or more local
government entities. This bill includes support from the Nebraska Library
Association, League of Nebraska Municipalities, along with other organizations
and individuals.
Library Services and Technology Act Reauthorization -
FY 2004 appropriations
Rod Wagner reported that Congress has not yet completed
action on FY 2004 appropriations for many federal programs, including the
LSTA. Funding is currently provided under a Congressional continuing
resolution.
IMLS Outcome Based Evaluation Training
Rod Wagner reported on the Outcome Based Evaluation
training held at the Nebraska Library Commission office on September 29 and
October 1. Several Library Commission staff, regional library system
administrators, and some public librarians participated in the two day
training program. Each participant was asked to select a project for
development as part of the training. Rod stated that outcome based evaluation
is an expectation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services for state
program administration. The IMLS provides training for state library staff.
Richard Miller stated that Library Commission Library Development staff
recently provided training on the grants available from the Library Commission
and incorporated outcome based evaluation information in the training. The
regional library systems have been asked to use outcome based evaluation in
their long range plans.
Gates Foundation Library Program Application
Richard Miller reported that the Library Commission
received a $67,200 grant from the Gates Foundation for public library
personnel technology training. Some of the training will be provided through
contract. Grant funds will also be used to pay for OCLC Mind Leaders courses.
Library Science courses at Nebraska Community Colleges
Deb Robinson (Northeast Community College), Kay Hershey
(Metropolitan Community College), Pam Scott and Richard Miller (Nebraska
Library Commission) gave a presentation at the October NLA - NEMA conference
on the proposed library technical assistant program to be offered by Nebraska
community colleges. The first course is anticipated to be offered in the fall
of 2004.
Representatives from Nebraska community colleges,
regional library system administrators, and Nebraska Library Commission staff
developed eight courses with the outline of content and learning objectives.
Among the next actions is presentation of the program to community college
instructional officers to seek participation of the individual colleges.
Approval of the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
is needed for a degree program.
Richard Miller stated that the community colleges are
being asked to offer the library technical assistant courses and in a way that
people from across the state can participate. It is intended that courses
lead to a certificate or a two year degree. These programs will offer formal
library science education not currently or readily available to many
Nebraskans. The courses are expected to improve library service quality as a
result of the additional level of education offered beyond workshops and basic
skills classes.
NLA-NEMA conference (October 30-31)
Rod Wagner stated that the 2003 annual NLA - NEMA
conference was one of the best he has attended. There were many excellent
sessions covering a range of topics. There seemed a good number of
participants and exhibitors. Several Commission staff members and one
Commissioner (Wally Seiler) presented programs. Kris Rogge stated that it was
good that Cory Doctorow gave multiple sessions on different aspects of
copyright issues. Rod stated the pre-conference sponsored by the regional
library systems was very good. Cate McNealy presented the pre-conference
program Customer Service and Merchandising.
Library Workforce Recruitment and Retention Task Force
Rod Wagner reported that the Library Workforce
Recruitment and Retention Task Force met yesterday afternoon. The Library
Commission's application to the IMLS for a recruitment and education grant was
not approved. Rod stated that the comments returned with the application were
very positive. The grant review panel recommended the Library Commission's
application for funding. However, there were many applications and far more
dollars requested than available. A significant factor was that the Library
Commission's proposal gave primary attention to support for community college
courses and less to master's degree level education. The latter was a higher
priority. The Library Commission can apply again for the next round of
grants. Due date for applications is January 15, 2004. Wally Seiler stated
that he felt the Library Commission's grant application was very creative. He
stated that grants that were funded were things that have been tried for many
years and obviously those things haven't worked because we are still talking
about them.
At the meeting, the task force members discussed
mentoring activities. Representatives of the NLA New Members Roundtable
discussed an NMRT project to match mentors with library science students.
The task force discussed actions that can be taken
without grant funding support. Media for promoting library science education
and careers was indicated as a priority.
Nebraska Book Festival
Rod Wagner reported that the Nebraska Book Festival was
held at Creighton University on October 25. The Festival included excellent
programs on a variety of book related topics. The 2004 Nebraska Book Festival
will be held at the University of Nebraska - Kearney on September 17 and 18.
Sponsors will be UNK, the Kearney Public Library, and the Kearney Hub
newspaper.
State Advisory Council on Libraries
Rod Wagner stated that the State Advisory Council on
Libraries will meet on November 14 at the Sunrise Middle School in Kearney and
will be hosted by Steve Davis. The meeting will include a presentation on the
Nebraska Telecommunications project by representatives from the Nebraska
Information Technology Commission.
Financial Report
September Budget Reports - The financial report was
included in the meeting packets. Rod Wagner stated that expenditures are
within the reduced appropriation levels. Savings have resulted from staff
vacancies. Staff vacancy savings will be used, in part, for temporary and
contract workers.
Unfinished Business
FY 2004 State Aid to Public Libraries Grants Formula
Rod Wagner stated that the state aid distribution formula
was adjusted to reflect the reduced FY 2004 appropriation. The formula is set
forth in the meeting memo. Grants will be paid to eligible libraries serving
populations less than 5,000: $655 plus $0.10 (previous was $750 and $0.15).
Libraries serving populations greater than 5,000 will receive: $0.185
(previous was $0.205).
A motion was made to approve the FY 2004 adjusted state
aid formula. Motion carried on roll call vote: Richard Jussel- aye; Kristen
Rogge - aye; Wally Seiler - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Mary Nelson - aye;
and Pat Gross - aye. Motion approved.
Public Library Accreditation Review Project
Rod Wagner stated that Kit Keller did a great job
presenting the accreditation review project during her session late on the
last day of the NLA - NEMA conference. There was good input (questions and
comments) from those who attended the session.
Kris Rogge stated that she was surprised that some
objected to inclusion of the mission statement written and adopted by the 2003
Nebraska Library Leadership participants. Kit Keller stated she thought that
the concern was that the statement was not developed as a statewide consensus
in terms of broad based input.
Kit stated that people feel very strongly about the
guidelines and she tried to make them flexible without being vague. She
selected some of the language for the guidelines by looking at the guidelines
from other states. Kit stated that people seem to like the tier approach which
she based on programs and services rather then size. The accreditation
guidelines are used as a growth tool that library directors and boards can use
to work for a better library. It is required that a library be accredited in
order to receive state aid and to apply for NLC grants.
There are many libraries that don't meet any
accreditation levels. As a result, these libraries do not submit any data to
the Commission. Obtaining information about their finances, circulation, etc.
would give a different picture of library services statewide. An idea has been
discussed to provide a stipend to libraries who submit data for federal
statistical requirements.
Internet Safety Policy
An Internet Safety Policy was presented to address
requirements for the federal e-rate program, first discussed at the September
Commission meeting.
A motion was made to approve the Internet Safety Policy.
Motion carried on roll call vote: Rogge - aye; Seiler - aye; Sims-Shipley -
aye; Nelson - aye; Gross - aye; and Jussel - aye. Motion approved.
New Business
Out-of-State Travel Request
Rod Wagner requested permission to attend a COSLA meeting
and ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 8-13, in San Diego. Rod also requested
permission to attend the Western Council of State Libraries meeting and a
conference held by the Urban Libraries Council in Seattle, February 23 - 26,
2004.
A motion was made to approve the Director's out-of-state
travel request. Motion carried on roll call vote: Seiler - aye; Sims-Shipley -
aye; Nelson - aye; Gross - aye; Jussel - aye; and Rogge - aye. Motion
approved.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 a.m.
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.