Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
January 10, 2003
MINUTES
Minutes are subject to change at the March 14, 2003 meeting.
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, January 10, 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 Richard
Jussel called the meeting to order at 9:26 a.m. Members present: Richard
Jussel, Kristen Rogge, Robert King, Wally Seiler, and Karen Warner. Staff
present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch, and Maria Medrano-Nehls.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve
the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Warner - aye; Rogge - aye; King
- aye; Seiler - aye; and Jussel - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes ( November
8, 2002 ): A motion was made to approve the November 2002 meeting
minutes. Motion carried on roll call vote: Rogge - aye; King - aye, Seiler -
aye, Jussel - aye, Sims-Shipley; and Warner - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public participation
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Rod
Wagner stated that Representative Hoekstra (Michigan) introduced a bill in the
U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the Library Services and
Technology Act (LSTA), as he did a year ago. Rod stated that he had contacted
Nebraska's House members - Bereuter, Osborne, and Terry to ask that they
co-sponsor the reauthorization legislation. Erin Duncan, Congressman
Osborne's legislative aide, called to say that Congressman Osborne had signed
on as a co-sponsor. The LSTA reauthorization bill includes provisions that
were agreed to toward the end of the 2002 Congress, but were not enacted
before adjournment. LSTA reauthorization legislation has not been introduced
in the Senate.
CHAIR'S REPORT AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Chair Richard Jussel stated that he attended the State
Advisory Council on Libraries (SACL) meeting in Lexington on December 13,
2002.
Richard also stated that he received a copy of an MLS
scholarship application from Susan Franklin and a letter thanking the
Commission for the scholarship. Other Commissioners stated that they also
received a letter from Susan.
Kristen Rogge stated that she also attended the December
SACL meeting in Lexington.
Robert King stated the Holdrege Public Library will close
on Saturday in order to install a new front desk. The desk was purchased with
both memorial and library support funds. Holdrege is going to try an
alternative to the bookmobile, including delivery of books by mail.
Wally Seiler stated that the Alliance Public Library
staff received training from Gates Foundation library program trainers.
Karen Warner stated that the Norfolk Public Library is
hiring a security guard to help address problems that the library has been
having.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel - Rod Wagner stated that Mary Jackson will be
retiring at the end of February from her long-time position as the
Commission's Children and Young Adult Services Coordinator. Rod stated that
the Commission will move forward to re-fill the Children and Young Adult
Services position. Rod also reported that an announcement was made yesterday
that the State and employee union negotiators reached an agreement on the
labor contract. The new agreement will include provisions for employee pay
and benefit policies for the 2003 - 2005 biennium.
Gates Foundation Library Initiative - Training and
computer installations have started, and will continue over the next several
months.
State Advisory Council on Libraries meeting - The SACL
meeting was held December 13, 2002 in Lexington. Ruth Seward, Lexington
Public Library Director and SACL member provided a tour of the public
library. Ruth also pointed out the site chosen for a new public library
facility. A major meeting topic was state and local budgets. Recognition and
Certificates of Appreciation were given to council members completing their
second term: John Dale, Lincoln City Libraries; Ken Oyer, Alegent
Health-Bergan Mercy Medical Center; Susan Baird, Box Butte Development
Corporation; and Stan Gardner, Wayne State College.
Library Personnel Retention and Recruitment Task Force -
Rod Wagner stated that the task force met for the first time on November 1,
2002 and will meet again this afternoon. The task force will contribute ideas
and recommendations for activities that the Library Commission, Nebraska
Library Association, and Nebraska Educational Media Association can pursue to
recruit and retain library workers. The task force will also offer ideas and
advice on ways to promote library service careers.
Panhandle Library Services Coordinator - Rod Wagner
stated that Pam Scott, Nancy Busch, and Panhandle Library System Board
representatives will interview an applicant for the coordinator position on
January 14, 2003.
State Budget and Legislative Issues - Rod Wagner stated
that Governor Johanns will announce his state budget proposals on January 15.
Karen Warner asked if Rod had any idea what the budget cuts will be. Rod
responded that the Library Commission could expect the Governor to propose a
10% state fund reduction. This would be an across-the-board reduction that
would be proposed for most state agencies. Nancy Busch commented that the
proposed reduction could be 15%. After the Governor announces his budget
proposal the Legislature's appropriations committee will begin development of
their recommendations. The Library Commission's budget hearing will likely be
in late February or March. The final budget decisions will not be made until
May or early June.
A bill is being introduced to provide bond financing for
library technology purchases. This has been an interest of the City of
Norfolk, especially Mike Nolan, the City Administrator. Senator Bromm has
agreed to reintroduce a bill that would allow regional library system
employees to participate in the State of Nebraska employee health insurance
program.
NLA Legislative Day will be held February 13, 2003.
Contacts have been made with Senators to place this event on their calendars.
Sally Gardner Reed has agreed to conduct a seminar in the afternoon. Sally is
the Executive Director of Friends of the Library-USA, and a Nebraska native
(Hastings).
Library Skills Education - Rod Wagner reported that
Richard Miller, Pam Scott, and he have met with Nebraska Community College
representatives and Becky Pasco from the University of Nebraska at Omaha to
discuss community college courses for library skills education. The courses
would provide more in-depth training and college credits leading to a
certificate or degree. A meeting will be held next week to address course
development and steps toward gaining approval from the colleges to offer
library skills education.
LSTA National Leadership Grant Applications - Rod Wagner
stated that the Western Council of State Libraries will apply for an Institute
of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant to coordinate library
skills training among the western states. The Nebraska Library Commission
will also be part of an IMLS National Leadership Grant application with the
Nebraska Department of Education to seek funding for a school library media
consultant and educational program for Nebraska school library media
specialists. The Nebraska project includes participation from the Nebraska
Library Association, Nebraska Educational Media Association, and the regional
library systems.
Governor's Executive Order re State Contracts - Rod
Wagner stated that Governor Johanns issued an executive order in December 2002
regarding state contracts. State agencies are required to use competitive bid
processes for state contracts and provide for performance evaluation of
services provided through a state contract. The Library Commission has a
number of contracts which fall within the scope of the executive order (e.g.,
regional library system contracts, OCLC, online database licenses).
FINANCIAL REPORT
November and December Budget Reports - Financial reports
were included in the meeting packets.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Nebraska
guidelines for Young People's Library Services (revised) - Rod Wagner stated
that he felt this topic should be deferred because a review is currently being
conducted on the accreditation guidelines and there is a question whither the
young adult guidelines and the accreditation guidelines should be combined.
Rod stated that there should be more opportunity for discussion regarding both
sets of guidelines. Rod stated that several Commission staff will be meeting
with the Public Resource Library Group next week. Public library accreditation
is one of the topics to be discussed with the PRLG.
NEW BUSINESS
State Advisory Council on Libraries Appointments - Rod
Wagner recommended that Karen Drevo, Steve Davis, and Jeff Gilderson-Duwe be
re-appointed for a second term on the State Advisory Council on Libraries.
Rod also recommended appointments of Janice Boyer, University of Nebraska at
Omaha; Theresa Jehlik, Omaha Public Library; Diana Johnson, Stromsburg Public
Library; Becky Pasco, University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Sharon Osenga,
Meridian Library System, to the Council. A motion was made to approve the
appointments of the individuals recommended. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Seiler - aye; Jussel - aye; Warner - aye; Rogge - aye; and King - aye.
Motion approved.
March Meeting with State Advisory Council on Libraries -
Rod Wagner stated that the meeting is scheduled for March 13 & 14th,
2003, in Kearney. The meeting will start the afternoon of the 13th
and end at noon on the 14th. The Commission meeting will be held
at 8:00 a.m. on March 14th. More information will be provided
closer to the meeting date.
Director's Annual Performance Review - A motion was made
to approve a salary increase of 2.5% to the Director's salary. Motion carried
on a roll call vote: Jussel - aye; Warner - aye; Rogge - aye; King - aye; and
Seiler - aye. Motion approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Richard Jussel adjourned the meeting at 11:00 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.