Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
November 14, 1997
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Friday, November 12, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. at the Nebraska Library Commission,
The Atrium, 1200 "N" Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, Nebraska. Notice of the
meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal-Star,
Omaha World Herald, and posted on Nebrask@ Online
.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Karen Warner called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Members present: Karen Warner, Frances Lovell, Robert King, Jean Sanders
and Katherine Fletcher. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch and Elaine
Miller.
Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded
by Katherine Fletcher to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
King-aye.
Approval of the Minutes of the September 12, 1997 meeting:
It was moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve
the minutes of the September 12, 1997 meeting. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
King-aye.
II. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public representatives in attendance at the
time of this agenda item.
III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
There were no correspondence or other communications
items.
IV. CHAIR'S REPORT
Karen Warner reported that she had attended two conferences
since the last Commission meeting. The American Association of Women and
Community Colleges Conference in Sidney, NE, and the NLA-NEMA Conference
in Omaha. Jean Sanders has a book contract from a publishing company to
write a book for sixth grade children on "Notable Nebraskans." Frances
Lovell thanked Richard Miller for attending the Panhandle Library System's
Annual Meeting. Laureen Riedesel, Director of the Beatrice Public Library,
joined the meeting at this time.
V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel Update: Currently underway are interviews for two
positions at the Library Commission. The Cataloger position and the OCLC
Services Coordinator position. A decision on candidates for these positions
is expected soon. Maria Ford has joined the Talking Book and Braille Service
staff as a Cassette Maintenance Clerk.
Nebraska Library Commission's "Electronic Library": The
Nebraska Library Commission's World Wide Web home page was recognized and
featured in a recent periodical of Government Computer News/ State &
Local.
Governor's Mansion Library Project: Shirley Arthur, Director
of the Governor's mansion, requested the help of Library Commission in
updating the library at the Governor's mansion. A new space for the library
will be provided in the mansion. The Nebraska Center for the Book, the
Library Commission and mansion staff will be working with Governor &
Mrs. Ben Nelson to acquire new material by Nebraska authors and books on
Nebraska for the Governor's mansion library.
Sandra Nelson and "Reaching Common Ground" Project: Library
Commission staff has been working with Sandra Nelson, Assistant State Librarian
of Tennessee on a project to improve communication and collaboration between
Commission staff and regional library system staff. Sandra is nationally
recognized for her work in planning and evaluation and is currently chairing
an American Library Association committee that is updating a public library
oriented planning process. Total expenses for Sandra's work are not to
exceed $4,800.
Gates Library Foundation: An announcement was recently
made on the funding that will be available to libraries through the Gates
Library Foundation. Initially, funding will be targeted at poverty areas
in the country. Nebraska, along with a number of other states, does not
fall under the Foundation's criteria for the first round of grants. Nebraska
has benefited from the forerunner to the Foundation, the Libraries Online
grant program. Allana Novotny has written a report on the Libraries Online
grants and the libraries that received them. (Attachment I.)
NLA - NEMA Conference Report: The Nebraska Library
Commission's
exhibit booth received a lot of visitors at the NLA - NEMA Conference.
There has been some staff discussion concerning the Commission's involvement
in the 1998 conference to be held in Grand Island.
General Affairs Committee Interim Study Hearing: On Tuesday,
November 18, the Legislature's General Affairs will hold their Interim
Study Hearing on public library issues. The Hearing will cover public library
governance, finance with special interest on the property tax and budget
lids that were set by the Legislature over the last two years. The Public
Library Profile (1995-96 data)was handed out to the Commissioners.
School and Library Telecommunications Services Discounts:
Rod Wagner and Ellen Van Waart have completed six workshops around the
state on the Universal Service Fund telecommunication discounts for schools
and libraries. The workshops were intended to provide updates and review
of the application process to help libraries apply for the telecommunications
services discounts. Draft application forms have been received by the Library
Commission. The Web site that will be set up by the federal agency created
to post application information for vendors to bid should be available
by the middle of December. Information must be posted for a minimum of
four weeks before a school or library can submit the second part of the
application and actual placement of an order for a service. The Federal
Communications Commission has modified the first-come first-serve requirement
somewhat and now they will allow a seventy-five day period in which to
receive applications. Any application received within that period will
be considered equally. The four week period for posting the application
information on the Web site is part of the seventy-five day period, the rest of the period will be for submitting
the actual order.
The Nebraska Library Commission intends to file a state
application to cover basic telecommunication (e.g., voice and Internet
service).
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted the
Federal school lunch program as the criteria to determine the discount
rate of from 20 - 90%. A table has been set up and based on the percentage
of students eligible for participation in the Federal school lunch program
is the basis for the discount. Many Nebraska libraries should qualify for
at least a 50 percent discount.
Roles and Functions of State Library Agencies: A team
of consultants is putting together a new approach to roles and functions
for state library agencies to be available by May, 1998. In the past, only
standards for state library agencies were available. The Roles and Functions
will differ in its approach and should be a more useable resource for state
library agency planning and evaluation. A list will be available soon which
compares the functions of the fifty state library agencies.
Nebrask@ Online: The State Records Board issued a request
for proposals for Nebrask@ Online. The proposals were due the middle of
October. They received only one proposal. The lone proposal was submitted
by Nebrask@ Interactive, the current Nebrask@ Online network manager.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT
September and October Financial Report: The September and
October, 1997, Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed
by the Commissioners. (Attachments II & III.) A report on Federal funds
and a proposal for the use of those funds will be prepared for the January
Commission meeting.
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Internet Policy: It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded
by Katherine Fletcher to approve the Internet Policy as presented. Motion
carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye;
Fletcher-aye; King-aye. (Attachment IV.)
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
Fiscal Year 1999 Deficit Budget Request: It was moved by
Katherine Fletcher and seconded by Jean Sanders that the Fiscal Year 1999
Deficit Budget Request be approved as presented. Motion carried on roll
call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
King-aye.
State Advisory Council on Libraries Appointments: It was
moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Robert King to approve the
re-appointments
to a three year term (second term): Devra Dragos, Librarian, Health and
Human Services System, State of Nebraska; Sylvia Person, Media Specialist,
Holdrege Public Schools; Troy Strom, City Administrator, Ashland; Kathy
Tooker, Administrator, Eastern Library System; Richard Voeltz, University
of Nebraska - Lincoln, Love Library; Jeanne Saathoff, Director, Kearney
Public Library and Information Center; and for appointment to a three year
(first term): Jane Wall, Media Specialist, Grand Island High School; Wally
Seiler, Alliance Public Library Board member. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
King-aye.
Nebraska Center for the Book Proposal for Staff Support:
It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Frances Lovell to permit the
Nebraska Library Commission staff to move forward with negotiations to
provide staff support and to serve as the host site for the Nebraska Center
for the Book, with an assessment of the arrangement in November, 1999.
Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent;
Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye; King-aye.
January Commission Meeting: The January Commission meeting
was moved from Friday, January 16, 1998 to Thursday, January 15, 1998.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Robert King and seconded by Katherine Fletcher
to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-absent; Warner-aye; Fletcher-aye;
King-aye.
Elaine Miller, Secretary
All attachments are available upon request. If you
would like a copy, please contact
Elaine Miller at the Nebraska Library Commission, 800-307-2665
or 402-471-2045 or
Attachment I - Report from Allana Novotny on the Libraries
Online Grant
Attachment II - September Financial Report
Attachment III - October Financial Report
Attachment IV - Internet Policy
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.