Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
January 15, 1998
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Thursday, January 15, 1998, 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 the Nebraska
Library Commission Homepage.
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 Ron Norman. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Nancy Busch and Elaine
Miller.
Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Ron Norman and seconded
by Frances Lovell to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
Approval of the Minutes of the November 14, 1997 meeting:
It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Robert King to approve the
minutes of the November 14, 1997 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
II. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public representatives present.
III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
A letter from Diane Frankel, Director of the Institute of
Museum and Library Services, concerning the LSTA program was received and
reviewed by the Commissioners. This is the Library Commission's first grant
award under the LSTA. (Attachment I) A comparison of what each state receives
in LSTA funding was also presented to the Commissioners. (Attachment II).
LSTA state allocations are awarded according to population of the state
or territory.
IV. CHAIR'S REPORT
Karen Warner reported that at the next Commission meeting
she will bring the PowerPoint presentation that she did for the Board of
Governor's. The presentation is based on Northeast Community College Library
Resource Center Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel: Annie Sternburg is back from family leave following
the birth of her twin sons. Kandi Gordon Thomas is presently on family
leave following the birth of a daughter.
Devra Dragos began work at the Library Commission on December
8, 1997, as the OCLC Member Services Coordinator. Kimberly Shelley has
accepted the position of Cataloger and will begin her new position on January
20, 1998.
One position is still vacant at the Library Commission.
A job description is being developed for the position for posting and
recruitment.
Facility Planning Update: Nancy Busch gave a report on
water leakage in the Talking Book and Braille Service stack area and the
area where the Telex machine is located. Three different options are being
considered to move the Talking Book and Braille Service stack area to a
different area. The Telex machine in the lower level was ruined by a leak
from a first floor restroom. An alarm is being placed on a sump pump over
the Telex machine to notify Pacific Realty of any problem with leakage.
The alarm will allow sufficient warning and time to correct any problem
before leakage. A new Telex machine has been ordered and will be paid for
by the realty company.
Also being addressed is the air quality in the Library
Commission space. The fresh air intakes for the building are in the alley.
When trucks are left parked in the alley with motors running, diesel fumes
are coming in the fresh air intakes. While the air is filtered, there is
still an odor. The fresh air intakes will be moved up fifteen feet The
alley also need's resurfacing and a problem exists for the mail truck getting
into the alley to deliver NLC mail.
ALA Midwinter Conference and COSLA meeting: The American
Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in New Orleans just concluded
a few days ago. Rod Wagner attended the Chief Officers of State Library
Agencies (COSLA) meeting before the ALA Conference. New guidelines and
statements of roles for state library agencies are being published and
should be ready by June. The Annual ALA Conference will be held in Washington,
D.C. in June, 1998.
The Library of Congress will be celebrating its bicentennial
year in 2000. A number of activities are being prepared and the Library
of Congress would like to include local libraries, States, State Library
Associations and State Centers for the Book in their activities.
Universal Service Fund School and Library Telecommunications
Discounts: There is opposition to the Telecommunications Discount Program
by some telecommunication companies which feel that they are being unfairly
taxed to supply funds for this program. The Chair of the Senate committee
that oversees the Federal Communication Commission has been critical of
the program, and he intends to hold hearings sometime in February or March.
Concern was expressed that changes may be made to the program that would
substantially reduce the benefits of this program.
The Library Commission has collected technology plans
from public libraries. NLC is preparing to submit an application on behalf
of those libraries for the discounts. After the application is filed the
Commission is arranging two televideo conference sessions, at various
locations,
so that libraries can receive further details, information and instructions
on completing the application process.
Rod Wagner has been appointed to the Universal Service
Advisory Board. Members are appointed by the Public Service Commission.
The Advisory Board will replace the Universal Service Fund Task Force.
The Board will advise the Public Service Commission on policies related
to administration of the Universal Service Fund including telecommunications
discounts for schools, libraries, and rural hospitals, as well as access
charges, and programs to support access to services by low income and other
special needs persons. The first meeting of the Advisory Board will be
held on February 9th. Alan Wibbels and Rod Wagner will give an update on
the school and library discount program at the first meeting.
Nebraska Center for the Book: A meeting of the Center
for the Book board will be held on February 7th. The Commission has received
the mailing list for the Center for the Book and Mary Geibel is incorporating
the membership list into the Commission's master name and address
database.
Nebraska Information Technology Commission: The Governor
recently created, by Executive Order, a new Information Technology Commission.
Legislation has also been introduced to provide additional specifications
for the Commission. The Nebraska Library Association supports a specific
library representative to be on the Commission. Under the Information
Technology
Commission there are to be three councils: Government, Education, and
Community.
The Governor has asked the Nebraska Library Association to select a library
representative to serve on the Community Council. The Commission believes
there should be a library representative on each of the Councils, and will
advocate that position.
Nebraska Library Commission Centennial Year (2001): The
Nebraska Library Commission will have its Centennial Year in 2001. Nancy
Busch has been tracking down and identifying historical materials. An archive
area will be set up on the second floor by the Pelican Room to organize
documents we have now. Several staff members and people from outside of
the Commission have volunteered to serve on a committee to start planning
the Centennial. A planning group will be organized this spring to plan
events for the centennial year.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT
November and December Financial Report: The November and
December 1997 Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed
by the Commissioners. (Attachments III & IV.)
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
State Advisory Council on Libraries Appointments: It was
moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Frances Lovell to appoint Mo Khamouna,
Library Director, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and Tom Schmitz,
Librarian, Lincoln Regional Center, to the Nebraska State Advisory Council
on Libraries. Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye;
Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
LSCA/LSTA Grant Funding: In recent years most of Nebraska's
federal grant funding has been distributed under the LSCA Title II Construction
and Technology Funds. The LSTA allows more flexibility, although its primary
purpose is in support of technology related uses. Funding may be used for
other purposes as well, if they are consistent with LSTA and the NLC Long
Range Plan. The State Advisory Council on Libraries continues to be involved
in recommendations, goals and activities related to LSTA grant funding.
Another issue of the previous federal library program (LSCA) was that it
was largely targeted toward public libraries. The new LSTA allows for
participation
of all types of libraries. It was moved by Ron Norman and seconded by Robert
King to approve the Nebraska LSTA Grants Program as presented. Motion carried
on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
(Attachment V)
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
State Advisory Council on Libraries 1997 Annual Report: Jean
Saathoff did an excellent job serving as Chair of the State Advisory Council
on Libraries in 1997. The Council was involved in discussions of the new
Long Range Plan, the Libraries for the 21st Century Initiative
with the Legislature, updating of the Council by-laws, and advocating library
interests on other state and federal legislation.
March Commission and State Advisory Council on Libraries
Meeting: It was moved by Frances Lovell and seconded by Jean Sanders to
hold the March meeting with the State Advisory Council on Libraries in
Kearney at the Ramada Inn on March 19 and 20, 1998. Motion carried on roll
call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
1998 State and Federal Legislative and Budget Issues:
The Library Commission will continue to follow the American Library Association
(ALA) Washington office when they need assistance. ALA has asked for help
on copyright legislation. Legislative Day at the Library Commission is
scheduled for February 11.
LB 314 Requirements: Information concerning LB 314, enacted
by the Legislature during the past legislative session, was included with
meeting materials. This new law establishes new requirements and procedures
for the evaluation of the heads of state boards and commissions.
Director's Performance Review: It was moved by Frances
Lovell and seconded by Jean Sanders to retain Rod Wagner as Director of
the Nebraska Library Commission with an above expectation rating on his
evaluation and with a pay raise to equal that of state employees on July
1, 1998. Motion carried on roll call vote: Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye;
Warner-aye; King-aye.
Out-of-State Travel Request: It was moved by Ron Norman
and seconded by France Lovell to approve the out-of-state travel requests
for Rod Wagner to attend the Western Council of State Libraries meeting
in Kansas City, Missouri, from March 8-10, 1998, and the Chief Officers
of State Library Agencies meeting and National Library Legislative Day
in Washington, D.C. from May 2-5, 1998. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; King-aye.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Robert King
to adjourn the meeting at 11:17 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Lovell-aye; Sanders-aye; Norman-aye; Warner-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 - Letter from Diane B. Frankel, Director
of Institute of Museum & Library Services
Attachment II - LSTA State Program Funding for Fiscal
1998
Attachment III - November Financial Report
Attachment IV - December Financial Report
Attachment V - Nebraska's LSTA Grants Information for
the 1998 Grants Program