Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
March 8, 2002
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, March 8, 2002 at
8:00 a.m., at the Grand Island Public Library, Grand Island, 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 8:00
a.m. Members present: Karen Warner, Richard Jussel, Kristen Rogge, Robert
King, and Wally Seiler. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Richard Miller and Sally
Snyder. Guests present: Steve Fosselman and Kathy Tooker.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve the
agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Warner - aye; Rogge - aye; Seiler -
aye; and Jussel - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (January 11, 2002): A motion was
made to approve the January 2002 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Jussel -aye; Seiler - aye; Rogge - aye; and Warner - aye. Motion
approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Chair Richard Jussel welcomed Steve Fosselman and Kathy
Tooker to the meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Rod Wagner reported that a letter to Rep. Tom Osborne
requesting his support for the Museum and Library Services Act was included in
the meeting packets. A similar letter was sent to other members of the
Nebraska U.S. Congressional delegation. Rod also reported that he received a
letter from Marty MaGee. Mary is one of the four recipients of the MLS
scholarships awarded by the Nebraska Library Commission. Marty wrote to
express her appreciation for the scholarship award. Also, included in the
packets is a document from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which
lists LSTA state allotments. The document was included to show the amount
received by Nebraska in comparison to other states. The LSTA allotments
include a base amount for each state of $200,000 and per capita amount.
CHAIR'S REPORT AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Richard Jussel stated that he completed several forms for
the State Auditors as part of the agency audit process. Richard also reported
that libraries in his area are discussing long range plans and needs.
Karen Warner
reported that there are several libraries in northeast Nebraska that are
planning to build new libraries
Wally Seiler reported that Susie Baird was recently
appointed to the Alliance Public Library Board. At the last library board
meeting, Wally asked a librarian that if she were dealing with the budget cuts
for the Commission what would she do. The librarian stated that she would keep
the training offered by the Commission but would cut some of the databases.
Robert King reported that Richard Miller and Rod Wagner
recently visited the Holdrege Public Library.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel -
Rod Wagner gave an update on Kathy Dukes, who was
injured in a pedestrian/vehicle accident. Kathy continues on medical leave.
He also reported that Cathy Hatterman, another staff member, was recently
involved in an auto accident and will be on medical leave for a few months.
Biennium Budget
Rod Wagner reported that the Legislature's
Appropriations Committee is holding a hearing today regarding budget issues.
Nancy Busch will attend the hearing this morning and testify regarding the
Commission's budget. In order to avoid further staffing reductions, the
Library Commission will need to further reduce other operating expenses:
library materials, travel, publications, contractual services, etc. Reductions
in state aid assistance will also be necessary, based on the Governor's budget
recommendations. The largest budget cuts will be in operations. The
Commission's 3% cut (per Governor Johanns's proposal) equals nearly $75,000.
The Governor is recommending a cut of $45,396 in state aid funds. These state
fund reductions are in addition to the 4% state funds reduction for the
current year and 5% for next year that were made during the October 2001
special legislative session.
An issue that has emerged is the Library Commission's
maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement for receiving federal LSTA funds. The
Governor's proposed budget reductions would result in expenditures falling
below the MOE for FY 2003. Commission staff has been researching the LSTA
provisions to determine the potential federal fund loss should Nebraska fail
to meet the MOE requirement. Contacts have been made with the Institute of
Museum and Library Services regarding calculation of federal fund reductions
in regard to the MOE.
The Library Commission was awarded a
grant from the State Records Board to purchase laptop computers and equipment
for wireless Internet to be used for mobile training.
State
Legislative Issues
- There are two specific library related legislative
bills before the Legislature this session. The first bill would allow for
general obligation bonds for purchase of public library technology and the
other bill would allow regional library system staff to participate in the
state employee health insurance program. Neither is a priority bill, and thus
the chance is slim that they will be acted upon this session
FINANCIAL REPORT
January and February Budget and Expenditures - The
February report reflects budget reductions per the 2001 special legislative
session.
Audit - A copy of the audit report was mailed earlier.
There were three specific issues noted in the report. The first was in regard
to $13 owed by a former employee who had a negative sick leave balance when
she resigned and left the Commission staff. The second item was in regard to
the Talking Book and Braille Service trust fund. The auditors recommended
that the Commission use trust funds before using state funds for purchase of
equipment. The third item concerned LSTA grant projects and that some
projects had not received on-site visits. All of these issues have been
addressed by staff. In regard to the LSTA grant projects, Rod Wagner noted
that with the five year LSTA evaluation project, all Nebraska libraries will
be visited by the end of May 2002. Libraries that have received federal LSTA
grant project funds have a set of questions concerning the outcomes of those
projects.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Out-of-state Travel
Rod Wagner requested
approval to attend the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies meeting in
Washington D.C. and National Library Legislative Day, May 4-8, 2002. A motion
was made to approve Rod's travel request. Motion carried on a roll call vote:
Rogge - aye; King - aye; Seiler - aye; Jussel - aye; and Warner - aye.
Rod Wagner asked if any Commissioners would like to
attend the National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C., May 6-7, 2002.
Commissioners Rogge and Jussel expressed their desire to attend. A motion was
made to approve travel for both Commissioner Rogge and Jussel. Motion carried
on roll call vote: King - aye; Seiler - aye; Jussel - aye; Warner - aye; and
Rogge - aye.
ADJOURNMENT
The next Library Commission meeting will be held May 10,
2002 at the Nebraska Library Commission. Rod Wagner thanked Steve Fosselman
for hosting the Commission and State Advisory meetings at the library. The
Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:00 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.