Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
March 20, 1998
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, March
20, 1998, at 8:00 a.m. at the Ramada Inn, 110 S. Second Avenue, Kearney,
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
Chairperson Karen Warner called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m. Members
present: Ron Norman, Karen Warner, Frances Lovell. Robert King arrived
and joined the meeting at approximately 8:20 a.m. Staff present: Rod Wagner
and Sally Snyder. Guests present: Stan Gardner, John Dale and Jeanne Saathoff.
Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Ron Norman and seconded by Frances
Lovell to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-
absent; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-absent; Lovell-aye; and King-absent.
Approval of the Minutes of the January 15, 1998 meeting: It was moved
by Frances Lovell and seconded by Ron Norman to approve the minutes of
the January 15, 1998 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders-
absent; Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-absent; Lovell-aye; and King-absent.
II. PUBLIC FORUM
Guests were welcomed to the meeting.
III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
Nebraska Congressional Delegation re Copyright Legislation. Letters
were sent to the Nebraska Congressional delegation (Attachments I). The
only response received to date was from Senator Hagel. (Attachment II.)
Senator Ron Raikes re LB 1226 (county levies for library services): Letter
received from Senator Raikes was a follow up in response to a letter sent
to the Senator regarding questions he raised during the public hearing
on LB 1226. (Attachment III.)
IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Karen Warner reported on Legislative Day, February 11, 1998. Karen attended
Legislative Day on February 11 at the State Capitol. Attendance at Legislative
Day was very good.
V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Budget Hearing and Request Status: (Attachment IV.) The Budget Hearing
was held on February 10. Jean Saathoff, Director of the Kearney Public
Library and Information Center; Judy Grandstaff, Director of the Blue Hill
Public Library; and Rod Wagner testified. The funding request for a Librarian's
position that was being funded by cash revenues from Nebrask@ Online was
not included in the Appropriations Committee's budget recommendations.
A position vacancy would need to be used to continue the position. The
Appropriations Committee did support the $500,000 additional state aid
funds request in the Commission budget. The Committee responded favorably
to the discussion of the statewide library card (NebrasKard). Also, the
Committee expressed interest in the Commission returning next year as part
of the biennium budget request to make a case for a larger sum of state
money to be used for state aid purposes along with, and including, a plan
for the state library card.
Robert King joined the meeting at this time.
Personnel Update - - Classification and Compensation Study: The State
Department of Administrative Service Personnel Division announced a major
classification and compensation study would be underway. This study will
look at all state employee classifications and the compensation system,
which was implemented over 20 years ago. The intent of the study is to
provide more equity within state government classifications. The librarian
and librarian related positions at the Commission that were reviewed and
updated by State Personnel in the last two years will be reviewed again.
Facility Update: A response was received from The Atrium's building
manager based on the owner's assessment of the options under consideration
for addressing the basement area water leakage problem. The building owners
would like to temporarily move the stack area in the southeast area of
the basement and then build a drainage system above the ceiling and put
in sump pumps so that when any water did come in it would be handled by
the drainage system. If the Commission decides to go with one of the higher
cost options then the Commission would have to cover the difference in
price. The Commission staff is also looking into compact shelving to help
address the space problem.
February Retreat with System Administrators: Library Commission staff
Rod Wagner, Richard Miller, Nancy Busch, Jo Budler, Mary Jackson and Ellen
Van Waart met in early February with the six library system administrators.
Quarterly meetings will be established during the year, with one of the
meetings including the larger public library directors to discuss common
issues. Another one of the meetings will include board members to discuss
budget issues and joint planning.
The Library Commission's current librarians' certification program has
been in place for ten years. There is a desire to revisit this program
and look at how the program is working and what benefits have resulted
from this program and what is not working as well. Regional system
administrators will be involved in the evaluation, which initially will address the basic
skills training.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT (January and February)
January and February Expenditure and Financial Reports: The January
and February, 1998 Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and
reviewed by the Commissioners. (Attachments V and VI.)
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was no unfinished business.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Ron Norman and seconded by Frances Lovell to adjourn
the meeting at 8:42 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote: Sanders- absent;
Norman-aye; Warner-aye; Fletcher-absent; Lovell-aye; and 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.
Attachment I - Letter to Congressional Representatives
Attachment II - Letter from Senator Hagel
Attachment III - Letter from Senator Raikes
Attachment IV - Budget Hearing and Request Status
Attachment V - January Expenditure and Financial Report
Attachment VI - February Expenditure and Financial Report