Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
May 9, 2003
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting Friday, May 9, 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 9:28
a.m. Members present: Richard Jussel, Kristen Rogge, Robert King, Wally
Seiler, Velma Sims-Shipley; 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; Sims-Shipley - aye;
Rogge - aye; Jussel - aye; Seiler - aye; and King - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (March 14, 2003): A motion was
made to approve the March 2003 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Sims-Shipley -aye; Rogge - aye; Jussel- aye; Seiler - aye; King; and
Warner - aye. Motion approved.
Correspondence and Communication
Rod Wagner reported that letters had been sent to
Nebraska' s Congressional delegation concerning LSTA reauthorization
legislation. Letters to Senators Hagel and Nelson asked them to sign on as
co-sponsors of the Senate LSTA reauthorization bill (S. 888).
Chairs Report and Commissioners' Comments
Chair Jussel reported that Kearney is planning an
addition to the public library facility.
Karen Warner noted Pierce' s new public library facility.
Kristen Rogge reported that Brownville recently held a
two-day book festival. During the festival, Brownville was named an
international book town. Each establishment in Brownville houses books in
reference to their business. A large bookstore is being planned in
Brownsville.
Wally Seiler reported that he recently met with
representatives of the Chadron Library Foundation and Friends group to discuss
their desire to add on to their current library building.
Wally talked with the Chadron library representatives
about Alliance' s experience building their new library. Wally encouraged them
to dream big. Alliance public library recently held a successful evening
program. Next year, the Alliance public library will hold some programs in
the evening as well as during the lunch hour.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Omaha public library
has narrowed its selection down to four final candidates for the Director
position. Fremont recently held a book-sale that netted close to $10,000.
Seventy-five students from two high schools volunteered their time to the
project. The success of this project is largely due to a group of women who
meet each Saturday, all year, to sort books. The Fremont public library is
gearing up for the summer reading program.
Robert King reported that Holdrege Library Director, Jeff
Gilderson-Duwe, is asking for a budget increase of 3% from the city and 9%
from the county. The budget increase is needed to cover the 20% health
insurance increase for library employees. Jeff Gilderson-Duwe is redesigning
the library webpage. The three Internet computers at the Holdrege public
library are in constant use. A recent news article stated that the Hastings
library has 25,000 books sitting in the basement which are not accessible to
the public. Hastings public library is observing its 100th birthday
anniversary this year.
Director' s Report
Rod Wagner reported that a grand opening and
re-dedication ceremony will be held for the Blue Hill Public Library on May
24.
Rod noted the public library statistics summary
distributed prior to the meeting.
Recruitment and Education Grant Application - Rod
reported that the Nebraska Library Commission submitted an application for
funding available from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for
library workforce recruitment and education. The application seeks funding for
a 3 year project. The money would be used for marketing, including production
of a movie trailer which could be played at movie theaters throughout
Nebraska. The second part of the project is financial aid for students
participating in library science courses (pre-professional and professional).
The third part addresses library employment by providing incentives for
employers and students. Wally Seiler stated that each year high school
students in Western Nebraska have a scholastic contest and one of the areas is
library science. This might be an area that the NLC should focus on for
student recruitment. Local librarians might work with these students to
prepare them for the contest as well as work on recruitment. The IMLS is
expected to announce grant funding decisions in October.
Nebraska Virtual Library Project - Rod reported that the
Nebraska virtual library project is included in the NLC' s long range plan.
Shannon Behrhorst is organizing a task force to assist in planning the
Nebraska virtual library. This project is intended to develop an online
library that would offer simplified and better organized access to the Library
Commission' s and other online information resources. The virtual library
would also simplify online access to Nebraska library online catalogs. The
virtual library would also include new content resulting from digitization
projects.
State Budget Status - Rod noted that state senators are
in their final weeks of the session. Senators will begin debating tax
legislation next week. Revenue legislation must be decided along with
appropriation bills to arrive at a balanced budget. The legislative session is
scheduled to end on June 2. The appropriations committee added back $89,000
to the Library Commission' s budget for Talking Book and Braille audio
production services. Nebraska is among many states facing budget problems.
National Library Legislative Day - Velma Sims-Shipley,
Robert King, and Rod Wagner will represent the Nebraska Library Commission at
the 2003 National Library Legislative Day. Kathy Tooker and Brenda Ealey will
represent the Nebraska Library Association and Gail Formanack will represent
the Nebraska Educational Media Association. Chuck Peek, vice-president of the
Nebraska Center for the Book will also be in Washington to attend the Library
of Congress Center for the Book annual Idea Exchange. Dr. Peek will join the
library representatives for visits to Nebraska Congressional delegation
offices on Legislative Day.
Library Services and Technology Act Reauthorization -
Rep. Osborne and Rep. Bereuter are among co-sponsors of the House bill
reauthorizing the Library Services and Technology Act (H. 13). All three
Nebraska representatives voted for the reauthorization bill. Senators Hagel
and Nelson have been asked to support the LSTA reauthorization and to sign on
as co-sponsors of the legislation. Both the House and Senate reauthorization
bills include the provision increasing each state' s base LSTA fund allotment.
Reference and Interlibrary Loan Services - Rod noted Lisa
Kelly' s report regarding interlibrary loan service, included in the meeting
packets. The NLC' s reference and interlibrary loan staff members have passed
their busiest time of the year, which comes in the middle of the school
semester.
Western Council of State Libraries Meetings - Rod
reported that this meeting was held in Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las
Vegas. Henderson is among the fastest growing urban communities in the United
States. The Western Council meeting was held at one of the areas newest
public library buildings. Rapid population growth has contributed to the need
for additional libraries. The Council discussed the status of the IMLS grant
application for a western states library science educational program. The
meeting also included a tour of the new University of Nevada - Las Vegas
library, funded in part by the Lied Foundation. The library features a large
"commons" area for student research, open space and natural light, and a
unique storage system that allows automated placement and retrieval of books.
During the roundtable reports most state representatives
noted they were struggling with budget issues. Budget problems haven' t been
as severe in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Financial Report
March and April Budget Reports - Financial reports were
included in the meeting packets.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
2003 Meeting Schedule - A motion was made to set July 11
as the next meeting date. Motion carried on a roll call vote: King, aye;
Seiler, aye; Jussel, aye; Sims-Shipley, aye; Warner, aye; and Rogge, aye.
Motion approved.
Out-of-State Travel Request - Rod Wagner requested
approval for out-of-state travel to attend the ALA Annual meeting, June 19-23
in Toronto and to attend the COSLA meeting, June 22 in Toronto. Motion was
made to approve the Director' s out-of-state travel request. Motion carried on
roll call vote: Seiler, aye; Jussel, aye; Sims-Shipley, aye; Warner, aye;
Rogge, aye; and King, aye. Motion approved.
Commissioner Recognition - Karen Warner and Robert King
were recognized for their service as members of the Nebraska Library
Commission, both serving two complete terms. Karen also served the remainder
of an uncompleted term of a prior Commission member. Karen Warner and Robert
King were recognized with a plaque, Certificate of Appreciation, and
Admiralship in the Nebraska Navy. Commission members joined in thanking Karen
and Bob for their contributions to the Commission and to Nebraska library
services.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 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.