Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
July 15, 2005
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Friday, July 15, 2005, at Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff.
Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln Journal
Star, Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library Commission
Web site.
Vice-Chair Velma Sims-Shipley called the meeting to order
at 9:00 a.m. Members present: Jean Ahrens, John Dale, Velma Sims-Shipley, and
Carol Spencer. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria Medrano-Nehls. Guests present:
Nancy Escamilla, Patricia Gross, Cherie Longmuir.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve
the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens - aye; John Dale -
aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; and Carol Spencer. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (May 13, 2005): A motion
was made to approve the May 2005 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call
vote: John Dale - abstain; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; Carol Spencer - aye; and
Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Commissioner Ahrens welcomed everyone to Western
Nebraska.
Dr. John N. Harms, President of Western Nebraska
Community College, welcomed everyone to Scottsbluff and to WNCC. Dr. Harms
stated that he believes that the library is the center and the heartbeat of
the community. Dr. Harms said that he participates in a program where he reads
to kindergartners to encourage them to read. He also stated that the work that
is done by this group is very important and they should not give up their
vision.
Correspondence
and Communication
Rod Wagner stated that he had no correspondence to
present.
Chair's Report
and Commissioners' Comments
Vice-Chair Velma Sims-Shipley reported that the Fremont
public library received an LSTA grant from the Library Commission for a
digitization project. The library is collaborating with the Dodge County
Historical Society on this project. Fremont has been without an Assistant
Library Director for several months but this week they will offer a contract
to a person.
Carol Spencer reported that the Broken Bow/Custer County
Historical Society hosted "Key Ingredients" - a traveling exhibit from the
Smithsonian Institution. The exhibit drew a wonderful attendance and the
library hosted some of the activities.
John Dale reported that he is very happy to serve on the
Commission. Lincoln City Libraries had an extremely successful summer reading
program. Mary Johns was named the new Assistant Director for Lincoln City
Libraries and she will begin the position on August 1.
Jean Ahrens - The Scottsbluff public library had a great
summer reading program. The college will offer their first Library Technical
Assistant course this fall. There are seven or eight people registered for the
course. Dr. Ricardo Garcia will give a presentation on Hispano Storytelling on
August 1 at the Scottsbluff public library.
Director's
Report
Personnel - Rod Wagner reported that Cynthia Taylor has
joined the Commission staff as the Project Assistant for the IMLS Libraries
for the 21st Century grant. The application date for the Library
Technology Consultant position has been extended to August 12.
Gates Foundation Grants to State Library Agencies - Rod
Wagner reported that the Gates Foundation continues to provide funding to
support their efforts to place computers in public libraries. The newest
venture is through WebJunction - the Gates Foundation funded service provided
by OCLC. WebJunction is an on-line community providing a broad based set of
applications and services to support libraries and technology activities.
The new activity, Rural Library Sustainability, will
provide another round of training for rural Nebraska librarians. Nebraska was
invited to be among the first ten states to participate in the new training
project. The Library Commission will receive over $60,000 to support
participation with a goal of 80% participation of Nebraska rural libraries.
Several sites will be arranged for the training targeted for the first half of
2006.
This fall, a couple of Nebraska Library Commission staff
members will attend a "Train the Trainers" session in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It
will be the responsibility of the state library agencies to identify
additional trainers, make arrangements, invite, and encourage participation.
Most of the funding will be used to pay travel related expenses for
participants. The Commission will also be involved later in another Gates
project which will focus on Spanish language outreach. Nebraska will
participate in this project in 2007.
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies Meeting - The
COSLA meeting was held prior to the American Library Association annual
conference in Chicago. Dr. Robert Martin recently completed his term as IMLS
Director and was recognized by COSLA for his contributions. He did a great job
while in this position. He raised the visibility of federal library programs.
He started the new Librarians for the 21st Century program, and he
worked to foster new partnerships between IMLS and other organizations. He has
been praised by both the library and museum communities for his leadership and
efforts. Based on federal law, the new IMLS Director will come from the museum
area.
American Library Association Annual Conference - The
conference was held in Chicago and was very well attended. The conference
included the usual mix of programs, presentations, exhibits, networking and
association business activities. The next summer conference will be in New
Orleans. One of the special events at the conference was the Advocacy Honor
Roll banquet. All of the Nebraskans honored this year were present - Kathy
Tooker, Wally Seiler and Doug Roesemann.
Library Commission Grant Programs Schedule - Rod Wagner
reported that a handout with grant dates and information was included in the
meeting packets. Rod also stated that an announcement was sent out stating
that grants will be made available to public librarians to attend the 2006
PLA. The limited grants will be awarded to public librarians who have not
previously attended. We have had the experience recently of not having all
funds available requested. We want to encourage people to consider applying
for a grant.
Nebraska Rural Institute (program on libraries and
economic development) - Rod Wagner reported that this program is held each
year. The program brings people together to address a variety of Nebraska
rural issues and needs. This year the Nebraska Library Commission has been
offered a slot to provide a presentation on libraries and economic
development.
The Library Commission's Talking Book and Braille Service
recently had a visit from David Whittall from
the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Mr.
Whittall spent a day and a half meeting with TBBS and other Commission staff.
Mr. Whittall will prepare and send a report regarding his observations.
Financial
Report
June 2005 Financial Report - The end of the fiscal year
report was included in the meeting packets. All state funds were expended or
encumbered.
Unfinished
Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
Election of Commission Chair - A motion was made
nominating Velma Sims-Shipley as Commission Chair. Motion carried on a roll
call vote: Sims-Shipley - abstain; Spencer - aye; Ahrens - aye; and Dale -
aye. Motion approved.
Election of Vice-Chair - A motion was made to nominate
Mary Nelson as Vice-Chair. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Spencer - aye;
Ahrens - aye; Dale - aye; and Sims-Shipley - aye. Motion approved.
Out-of-State Travel - Rod Wagner requested approval to
attend the COSLA annual meeting on September 11-13, in Salem, Oregon. Rod also
requested approval to attend the Western Council of State Libraries meeting in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming on October 11-12, followed by the MPLA conference.
A motion was made to approve the out-of-state travel
request. Motion carried on a roll call vote: Ahrens - aye; Dale - aye;
Sims-Shipley - aye; and Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
Adjournment
Chair Sims-Shipley adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
___________________________
Maria
Medrano-Nehls, Secretary
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.