Nebraska Library Commission - Minutes
Nebraska Library Commission
September 10, 2004
MINUTES
The Nebraska Library Commission held its regular meeting
Friday, September 10, 2004, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Nebraska Library
Commission. Notice of the meeting was submitted to local newspapers (Lincoln
Journal Star, Omaha World Herald), and posted on the Nebraska Library
Commission Web site.
Chair Kristen Rogge called the meeting to order at 9:35
a.m. Members present: Jean Ahrens, Patrick Gross, Mary Nelson, Kristen Rogge,
Velma Sims-Shipley and Carol Spencer. Staff present: Rod Wagner, Maria
Medrano-Nehls, and Richard Miller.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made to approve
the agenda. Motion carried on roll call vote: Jean Ahrens - aye; Patrick Gross
- aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye; Velma Sims-Shipley - aye; and
Carol Spencer - aye. Motion approved.
Approval of the Minutes (July 9, 2004): A motion
was made to approve the July 2004 meeting minutes. Motion carried on roll call
vote: Patrick Gross - aye; Mary Nelson - aye; Kristen Rogge - aye; Velma
Sims-Shipley - aye; Carol Spencer - aye and Jean Ahrens - aye. Motion
approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public present.
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATION
Rod Wagner reported that he received a letter from
Governor Johanns concerning the award given to the University of Nebraska
Medical Center's McGoogan Library of Medicine in recognition of the Library's
Consumer Health Information Resource Service (CHIRS). Plans are in the works
for an award presentation event to be held October 22 at the McGoogan Library
of Medicine in Omaha.
CHAIR'S REPORT AND COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Chair Kristen Rogge reported that she attended the
regional library systems' board training in Kearney. Kristen stated that she
noticed differences among the systems and their projects. System board members
shared information and ideas about policies and projects.
Mary Nelson reported that she also attended the regional
library systems' board training. She also attended the Republican Valley
Library System board meeting prior to the board training. The Republican
Valley Library System is currently seeking applications for a system
administrator. Jeff Gilderson-Duwe has resigned from his position as the
Holdrege public library director. The library will begin a search for a new
director.
Jean Ahrens reported that she also attended the regional
library systems' board training event in Kearney. She appreciated learning
about the variety of library system projects. Jean said that the Scottsbluff
Public Library is sponsoring author Carol Nelson Douglas this fall; Carol
writes mysteries as well as other things.
Pat Gross reported that he attended the Pender public
library's 100th birthday anniversary. A member of the House family
was present at the celebration. Pat also visited with Kathy Bretschneider,
Battle Creek public library director, about a new library the Battle Creek
community wishes to build. Pat shared fundraising ideas and experiences the
Wayne public library had during Wayne's public library building project.
Velma Sims-Shipley reported that in Fremont today, Hazel
Keene will auction off thousands of acres of land. The proceeds will go to
charitable organizations. The Keene family was a large contributor to the
Keene Memorial library so the library may receive some of the proceeds from
the sale. The Fremont public library is holding the PAWS for Reading program.
The program has a dog and trainer come to the library and children read to the
dog. The program is sponsored by the Delta Society. For more information on
the program visit http://www.deltasociety.org/
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel - Rod Wagner reported on two personnel changes.
Robert Schafer, TBBS circulation clerk, left in August. Robert has been
replaced by Michael Norval. Jodene Glaesemann, Administrative Assistant, left
the Commission to begin a librarian position with the Lincoln City Libraries.
Jodene has been replaced by Sue Biltoft. Sue is returning to the Library
Commission following positions with the Rural Development Commission and the
Nebraska Health and Human Services System.
IMLS Librarians for the 21st Century Grant -
Rod Wagner reported on the Nebraska Library Commission's IMLS Librarians for
the 21st Century grant award. The grant is for a three year period.
This grant includes a financial aid component for Nebraska students taking
community college library courses or master's degree in library science
courses. The grant project also includes a marketing component to develop
programs and resources to promote library service careers. One of the
marketing resources will be production of a movie trailer for use in movie
theaters. The project started with the State Advisory Council on Libraries
and the Council's interest in librarian recruitment and retention. Council
discussions led to the creation of a task force made up of representatives
from the Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Library Association, Nebraska
Educational Media Association, State Advisory Council, and different types of
libraries. The task force will continue to be involved in the project. The
grant funding period begins in November.
The Smartest Card @ your libraryâ„¢ - Rod Wagner stated
that the Governor will hold a press conference on September 15 at Lincoln's
Eiseley Branch Library to promote library card sign-up month and sign a
proclamation. The Governor will be presented with a large library card.
Following the press conference, the Governor will read to children. Mary
Nelson stated that the Holdrege public library presented new library cards to
Phelps County Commissioners.
Library Technical Assistant Courses - Richard Miller
reported that the LTA program started its first class, Introduction to Library
and Information Services, with 25 students on August 25. LTA students are now
eligible to apply for Nebraska Library Commission scholarship funds. Richard
stated that the Western Council of State Libraries is currently involved in an
IMLS funded grant project related to training library practitioners. Nebraska
is a Western Council member.
Music CD Distribution to Schools and Libraries - Rod
Wagner stated that according to representatives of the Nebraska Attorney
General, Nebraska schools and libraries will receive music CDs in the next few
weeks. The music CDs are the result of a lawsuit settlement filed by state
attorney generals. Stories from other states indicate that music companies are
clearing their warehouses with low interest CDs. Nebraska's distribution has
been delayed as a result of Attorney General Bruning's decision to send a
portion of the CDs to Nebraska National Guard troops serving in Iraq.
Encyclopedia of the Great Plains - Rod Wagner
passed around the newly published Encyclopedia of the Great Plains.
David Wishart is the editor. The Library Commission is assisting the
University of Nebraska Press in publicizing the encyclopedia in Nebraska and
other states within the Great Plains region. Rod stated that he co-signed a
letter that went to the other state libraries within the Great Plains. The
University of Nebraska Press is offering libraries a 40% discount.
Nebraska Book Festival - Rod Wagner stated that the
Nebraska Book Festival will be held next weekend, September 17-19, at the
University of Nebraska - Kearney. Friday is devoted to programs for high
school students. Nebraska Library Commission staff is heavily involved in the
Nebraska Book Awards competition. There are some outstanding books that will
be honored at the festival. The winners of the book awards are Children:
The Ring Bear by N.L. Sharp; Young Adult: Free to Drink the Wind by
Ruth Foreman; Fiction: Acts of Love on Indigo Road by Jonis
Agee; Cover Design/Illustration: Road Trip: Conversations With Writers
by Shelly Clark and Marjorie Saiser; Non-fiction: Restoring the
Burnt Child: A Primer by William Kloefkorn; Anthology: Road Trip
Conversations With Writers by Shelly Clark and Marjorie Saiser; and
Poetry: Potato Soup by Twyla Hansen. The 2005 festival will be
held in Lincoln.
NLA/NEMA Conference - Rod Wagner noted that the NLA/NEMA
conference will be held October 6-8 in Grand Island. The Library Commission is
heavily involved in the pre-conference and conference - exhibit, staff
presentations, program sponsorships, and sponsorship of Mary Pipher, keynote
speaker.
2005 One Book/One State Project - Rod Wagner reported
that a Nebraska "One Book/One State program" is being planned for next year.
The Willa Cather Foundation initiated the project and has sought involvement
from other state organizations. Libraries are seen as key partners in the
project. The Cather Foundation selected My Antonia for the project. The
project is part of the Cather Foundation's 50th anniversary
activities and events.
Library Technology Support Task Force - Rod Wagner
reported that the State Advisory Council on Libraries recommended creation of
a library technology support task force. The task force will be asked to
address library technology support needs and develop recommendations to
address these needs. Rod Wagner, Kristen Rogge and Brenda Ealey recently met
to discuss how the Commission, regional library systems, and the Nebraska
Library Association might move forward on this issue. Individuals to serve on
the task force were identified. The persons recommended for the task force are
skilled and knowledgeable in technical support. The task force's first meeting
will be September 28 at the Eiseley branch library in Lincoln. Mary Nelson
stated the issue was discussed at the Republic Valley Library System meeting
and they were concerned about the travel expense to have someone come to the
library to handle technology problems. They felt perhaps this could be done
with community college computer science students.
State Advisory Council on Libraries Meeting - The next
SACL meeting will be held November 19 at the Little Priest Tribal College in
Winnebago.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rod Wagner stated that Doreen Kuhlmann, Business Manager,
and he recently met with William Scheideler, DAS Budget Analyst (the Library
Commission is one of his agencies) and Gerry Oligmueller, State Budget
Administrator. Mr. Oligmueller said that he had instructed his budget analysts
to review state agency carry-over funds (from the first year of the biennium)
to determine funds that could be rescinded. We have finished the first year of
the biennium appropriation period. Funds not spent by the end of the first
year of the biennium carry over to the second year. Agencies have been asked
to provide a detailed list of how carry over funds will be spent.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
2005-2007 Biennium Budget Request - Rod Wagner reported
that there are three major pieces to the budget request. The first piece is
the "continuation budget" - a request for funds based on current activities.
The continuation budget request assumes the agency will continue the services
it currently provides, and what it will cost to carry out the activities over
the next two years. The budget request includes expenditures for such costs as
rent, office equipment, publishing and printing, accounting services, data
processing, communications, travel, and workers compensation, and many other
line items. The agency strategy is to anticipate expenditure increases and
include them in the request. For example, a 10% increase for library
materials, books and periodicals is included based on average publishing
industry cost trends.
The Commission's appropriations are made in two programs
- agency operations and state aid to libraries. The operations program
includes Library Commission personnel (salaries and benefits), operating
expenses, travel, and capital purchases. The state aid to libraries program
includes grants and contracts. Funds cannot be transferred between programs.
Under the "new or expanded" (budget adjustments)
category, a state funds increase is requested for aid to public libraries, aid
to regional library systems, and statewide database licensing. The public
library aid increase is based on providing incentives for the revised public
library accreditation guidelines. An amount of $250,000 is requested for aid
to public libraries. Incentive funds would be used for libraries that meet
requirements for the enhanced or excellent categories (accreditation).
Incentive funds would also allow the Commission to provide incentives to
libraries that receive county funds in addition to their main source
(municipal). In the Commission's operations budget request, additional funds
are sought for a staff position.
An amount of $500,000 is recommended for licensing an
additional major online package of databases. An amount of $60,000 is
recommended for regional library systems above the continuation budget level
to restore state funding to FY 2002 appropriation levels.
A staff position (administrative assistant) is included
in the request to restore a position that has remained vacant for the past two
years. An administrative assistant position provides flexibility in recruiting
for the skills needed for a variety of agency initiatives and projects. The
Commission does have federal LSTA funds that can be used to refill a position
that has been held vacant.
The budget modification is the budget section that
requires agencies to specify what would be eliminated if the agency's state
funds are reduced by 5% (based on current year state fund appropriation
levels). The 95% budget applies to both agency programs - operations and state
aid. In operations, staff positions would be eliminated if state funds are
reduced by 5%. Specific positions are not identified. If a 5%, or other, state
funds reduction results from state appropriations enacted by the Legislature,
then the Commission would institute a reduction-in-force policy subject to
state personnel rules and regulations and the State of Nebraska - NAPE/AFSCME
labor agreement. In the state aid program, a 5% state funds reduction would be
applied across-the-board to each of the categories within the program - public
library aid, regional library systems, interlibrary loan compensation, CE
grants and scholarships, and young and adult library services project grants.
A motion was made to prioritize the state aid budget
request. State aid to public libraries will be the first priority, second is
library system funding and third will be databases. Motion was carried on roll
call vote: Nelson - aye; Rogge - aye; Sims-Shipley - aye; Spencer - aye;
Ahrens - aye; and Gross - aye. Motion approved.
A motion was made to approve the 2005-2007 biennium
budget request summary as presented with priority changes. Motion was carried
on roll call vote: Rogge - aye; Sims-Shipley - aye; Spencer - aye; Ahrens -
aye; Gross - aye; and Nelson - aye. Motion approved.
OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST
Rod Wagner requested permission to attend the COSLA and
Western Council of State Libraries meetings in Rapid City, South Dakota from
October 17-20, 2004. A motion was made to approve Rod Wagner's travel request.
Sims-Shipley - aye; Spencer - aye; Ahrens - aye; Gross - aye; Nelson - aye;
and Rogge - aye. Motion approved.
ADJOURN
Chair Rogge adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.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.