Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
May 10, 1996
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Friday, May 10, 1996, 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
Nebrask@ Online .
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ron Norman called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Members present: Ron Norman, Dr. Robert McPherson, Tom Harvey, Jean Sanders,
Frances Lovell, Myrna Vollbrecht. Staff present: Rod Wagner and Elaine
Miller. Guests present: Andy Cunningham and Lyn Heaton.
Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Robert McPherson and
seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the agenda. Motion carried on roll
call vote: Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye;
Norman-aye.
Approval of the minutes of the March 15, 1995 meeting:
It was moved by Tom Harvey and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the
minutes of the March 15, 1996 meeting. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye;
Norman-aye.
II. PUBLIC FORUM
The Chairman asked if anyone would like to address the
Commissioners
to do so at this time. Ron Norman, Chairman, read a Resolution thanking
Tom Harvey for his years of service as a Commission member and his
contributions
to the Nebraska Library Commission. It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded
by Myrna Vollbrecht to approve the Resolution. Motion carried. Rod Wagner
presented Tom Harvey with the book ";
Nebraska A Photographic
Celebration ".
III. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
There was no correspondence or communications .
IV. CHAIRMAN 'S REPORT
Ron Norman congratulated Rod Wagner on his contribution to
the
Nebrask@ Online fees schedule
.
V. DIRECTOR 'S REPORT
National Legislative Day and Federal Legislation: Rod Wagner
attended the Chief Officers of State Libraries Agencies meeting on Sunday,
May 5, 1996. Rod Wagner and Lon Dickerson, Omaha Public Library Director,
attended a full day workshop Monday, May 6, 1996 on legislative issues
held at the District of Columbia Public Library. Mr. Wagner and Mr. Dickerson
visited each of the Nebraska Congressional offices on Tuesday, May 7. On
Monday evening, May 6, 1996, the American Library Association-Washington
office was honored for its 50
th anniversary, as were Congressional
leaders and others who have contributed to federal library program
legislation.
State Legislation re Property Taxes and Local Government
Budgets: The Legislature enacted a set of bills that relate to property
taxes and local spending limits. Over the next couple of years this legislation
will have a significant impact on local governments, their budgets and
what services receive funding. Some provisions start the next budget year
with a 2% budget limit and a zero percent increase for the following year.
In 1998, the property tax provisions take effect. The Legislature did adopt
an interim study resolution that will continue to provide a forum for libraries
to present recommendations to the General Affairs Committee regarding public
library organization and financing.
LB 1375 Task Force: Appointments to the LB 1375 Task Force
have been made. Legislative appointments include Senator Coordsen (chair
of the task force), Senator Withem, Senator Hillman, Senator Bromm, Senator
Robinson, and Senator Engel. Secretary of State Scott Moore was designated
in the legislation. Governor 's appointments include Craig Schroeder
(representing
consumer groups), Alice Dittman (representing banking, law, and insurance),
and Yvonne Norton Leung (representing the executive branch). The Department
of Administrative Services and the Legislative Research Division will provide
staff assistance to the task force. The task force will be meeting in the
next couple of weeks and is charged with responsibility for addressing
policy issues related to electronic access to state records.
State Aid Campaign: The State Advisory Council initiated
the State Aid Campaign last year and discussions will be held this summer.
The proposal that has been put forward will offer incentives for communities
to establish cooperative arrangements with neighboring communities or schools
for organization of public library services.
Long Range Plan Update and Biennium Budget Process: Staff
will be begin working on budget issues and documents. A report of the Long
Range Plan Update and Biennium Budget Process will be presented at the
July meeting.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT
March and April Budget Reports: The March and April, 1996
Expenditure and Financial Reports were received and reviewed by the
Commissioners
(Attachments I and II ) .
LSCA Funding Status: The Congress just completed action
on the Library Services and Construction Act funding for FY 1996 recently.
The result was approximately a $10,000 increase overall for LSCA funds.
Title I funding increased, while Title II and Title III decreased.
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Nebrask@ Online Electronic On-line Services Authorization
and Rate Request No. 1996-97: It was moved by Robert McPherson and seconded
by Jean Sanders to approve the Nebraska Online Electronic On-line Service
Authorization and Rate Request, No. 1996-97 (Attachment III). Motion carried
on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye;
Harvey-aye; Norman-aye.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1995-96 Priority Goals: Priority goals for the Nebraska Library
Commission for the 1995/96 year are: successful development and operation
of
Nebrask@ Online; development of a campaign in partnership with
the State Advisory Council on Libraries for a public library information
technology fund; revision and enactment of public library legislation
completion
of the Nebraska Publications Clearinghouse evaluation; successful integration
and coordination of special federal grant projects; development of staff
skills in application of evaluation methods for Nebraska Library Commission
Services; and implementation of program changes as may be required by enactment
of a new federal library program (Attachment IV).
1995 Contracts: A list of contracts for 1995 were received
and reviewed by the Commissioners (Attachments V) .
1995-96 Grants: A list of the 1995-96 Grants were received
and reviewed by the Commissioners (Attachment VI) .
State Aid Distribution Formula for 1996-97: It was moved
by Myrna Vollbrecht and seconded by Robert McPherson to approve the State
Aid Distribution Formula for 1996-97 (Attachment VII ). Motion carried
on roll call vote: Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye;
Harvey-aye; Norman-aye.
Out of State Travel Request: It was moved by Frances Lovell
and seconded by Jean Sanders to approve the out of state travel request
for Rod Wagner to attend the American Library Association Conference in
New York City from July 5-9,1996. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sanders-aye;Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye; Norman-aye.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Jean Sanders and seconded by Dr. Robert McPherson
to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 a.m. Motion carried on roll call vote:
Sanders-aye; Vollbrecht-aye; Lovell-aye; McPherson-aye; Harvey-aye;
Norman-aye.
________________________
Elaine Miller, Secretary