Meeting Minutes
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES
Nebraska Library Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska
March 14, 2003
Minutes
State Advisory Council members present: Susan Baird; Jim
Bothmer, John Dale; Steve Davis; Karen Drevo; Nancy Escamilla; Stan Gardner;
Jeff Gilderson-Duwe; Maggie Harding; Mo Khamouna; Ken Oyer; Tom Schmitz; Ruth
Seward; John Seyfarth; and Jane Wall.
Commission members
present: Richard Jussel and Kristen Rogge. Commission staff members
present: Maria
Medrano-Nehls, Mary Jo Ryan, and Rod Wagner. Guest: Kathy Tooker.
Welcome and Introductions
Rod Wagner
welcomed everyone on behalf of Chair John Seyfarth, who was unable to attend.
Rod welcomed the new SACL members: Janice Boyer, Theresa Jehlik, Sharon Osenga
and Becky Pasco. Introductions were made around the table.
Agenda
A motion was
made and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion approved.
Minutes
Approval of
Minutes (December 13, 2002: A request was made for a correction in John
Dale 's report to state Clark Enerson Partners (not Clark Anderson &
Partners). Ruth Seward asked that the minutes be corrected to indicate that
in her report, the reference is to the library foundation and not the library
friends. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the
December 13, 2002 meeting as corrected. Motion approved.
Reports
LSTA Re-authorization and
Funding: Rod Wagner
requested that a letter of appreciation from the State Advisory Council be
sent to Congressional Representatives Bereuter, Osborne and Terry, who all
voted in favor of the LSTA reauthorization bill. Osborne and Bereuter were
co-sponsors of the LSTA bill. The Senate has just started work on their
version of the legislation. The Senate bill is expected to be similar to the
House bill.
State Budget Outlook and
State Legislative Issues: Rod Wagner
reported that the Governor 's budget proposes a 10% state fund reduction for the
Library Commission. The reduction applies to both the Commission 's operating
budget and state aid funds. The Library Commission budget hearing was held on
March 4. The Nebraska Library Association Legislative Committee helped arrange
testimony for the hearing. Those testifying included Brenda Ealey, Verda Bialac,
Mary Reiman, Lauran Lofgren, and John Seyfarth.
LSTA Project
Grants (2003) - Rod Wagner stated that the Nebraska Library Commission
recently awarded project grants totaling about $250,000. Rod stated that for a
number of years grant funds have been available to support a broad range of
applications. Most of the applications have been for technology projects. A
recommendation was made this past year to target LSTA funds for specific
projects. The Commission wishes to raise the issue that for the next year
priority be given to funding creation of a state digital library, digitization
projects, and support for projects that support English language learners.
Other applications would not be ruled out, but priority would be given to these
uses.
Jeff
Gilderson-Duwe stated that he has been an advocate for a state digital library
project for a long while. The digital library could be a one-stop Nebraska
library services portal that would have an image, a brand and possibility to be
marketed across the state. Nebraskans could access the library for subsidized
magazine databases and would allow them to search a virtual library catalog. The
virtual library catalog would allow searching of multiple web based library
catalogs at one time. It will also allow for viewing of digitization projects. A
good example is the Colorado Virtual Library.
Mary Jo Ryan
stated that Nebraska Online (NOL) is opening up portals for particular groups:
citizens, education, business, state employees. NOL will be marketing
government information to specific target groups.
Sharon Osenga
asked how many LSTA grant applications were for services. Rod responded that
only a few applications were received for service projects. Sharon indicated
that not enough emphasis was placed on the fact that some of this money can be
used for services. Sharon noted concern for services to the Spanish-English
community.
Library
Skills Education Programs - Rod Wagner stated that an initiative involving
the development of library skills education through Nebraska community colleges
is underway. The community colleges would offer courses leading to a
certificate or associate 's degree, and could be the basis for moving on to a
four-year program and beyond. The community college courses will offer training
beyond the basic skills classes currently offered through the Library
Commission. A planning group is developing a curriculum and course content.
Gates Foundation
- Rod Wagner reported that Gates Foundation representatives are involved in
training and installation of public access computers in Nebraska public
libraries. Reports from participants indicate that installations are going
well. The Gates personnel are currently in south-central Nebraska and will
finish in eastern Nebraska.
Library Workforce
Recruitment and Retention Task Force -
Rod Wagner
reported that the task force met yesterday and discussed an IMLS grant program,
Recruiting and Educating Librarians for the 21st Century. The IMLS
has $10 million available for grant projects. The Task Force encouraged the
Library Commission to apply for a grant. One of the projects discussed was
development of a short video to promote library service careers. The video would
be targeted to the younger generation. The project would also develop resources
that could be used by libraries, local communities, media, and by theaters as a
pre-movie advertisement.
Marketing @ your
libraryâ„¢ - Mary Jo Ryan
stated that the Library Commission sent a marketing packet to every library;
she hopes the libraries will use them to market their library. Tom Schmitz
stated that they have used the logo on bookmarks for special libraries; Becky
Pasco stated her Public Administration class must use the logo in a class
project. Nancy Escamilla said the Scottsbluff public library uses the logo
for its summer reading program. Karen Warner said she notices the logo in
every library she visits.
Lunch & Discussions
Council Roundtable
Jeff Yost
reported that the Nebraska Community Foundation has seen tremendous activity
on behalf of libraries. In the last year, the Foundation had a donor create an
expectancy gift written into her will for a $1 million dollar fund to go out
in competitive grants to libraries in very small communities with populations
of 3,000 or less. The Foundation has been helping a number of libraries with
capital campaigns and building endowments. Jackie Nicholson left all of her
memorial donations to the Wymore library endowment. There is a possible
$50,000 scholarship for the visually impaired and blind. The Foundation is
currently working with the attorney and the family to broaden the description
to education need and scholarships.
Diana Johnson
reported that the Stromsburg Public Library recently finished its brown bag
lunch program. The library received a grant for a computer and Web Collection
Plus. The library has 12,000 classical music audio tapes that will be cataloged.
Janice Boyer
reported that the March issue of Library Journal includes a special
section titled "Movers and Shakers." Mark Davis, technology specialist
for UNO Library, is among those featured in the article.
Kathy Lute
reported she is back on the Ogallala public library board. The damage from last
summer 's storm is almost repaired. The Paxton public library is up and running
nicely following its building project.
Sharon Osenga
reported that the Northeast and Meridian library systems will be holding a
children 's services retreat in Aurora. Day two is for summer reading program
topics. The children 's services consultant from the South Dakota State Library
will attend the retreat and will make a program presentation. A Library
Leadership Institute, hosted by the regional library systems, will be held this
July 10-14, in Schuyler.
Steve Davis
reported that the Kearney public library is in the selection process for an
architectural firm for an addition to Kearney 's library. NEMA and NLA/SCYP are
gearing up for their spring meetings. Kearney public schools will be hosting
David Pecknow. Kearney will also be hosting the
International Reading Conference in July.
Jane Wall
reported that she is teaching English to at-risk students at Southeast Community
College.
Ruth Seward
reported that Lexington public library held a book-sale on March 3 & 4. The
library also held an open-house on March 5 and gave demonstrations of the new
Gates computers. The library was designated a large amount of money in an
estate; the amount is in the range of $300,000-350,000. The library building
bond failed at the last election. Lexington currently has half the money needed
for a new library.
Jim Bothmer
reported that at the last meeting he said he was chair for the search committee
to hire a new vice-president for information technology. It has been a lot of
work since there were over 100 candidates. The Creighton Health Sciences Library
is coordinating an inter-professional education course. Creighton University is
tightening its budget, and the library is taking a 7% budget cut.
Nancy Escamilla
reported that the Panhandle Library System has hired a new system coordinator.
Cherie Longmuir will start on April 1. The Panhandle region has three
representatives on the Youth Advisory Board. A summer reading workshop is
scheduled for April 4. Scottsbluff public library hosted a Read Across America
workshop and had over 80 children participate. They will also be hosting the
Listening to Your Prairie program, May 10-June 12; this program will only be
held in 30 locations across America. The program will start with the ethnic food
festival featuring products grown in Nebraska. Gering public schools have
suffered two blows; one being the kidnapping and murder of a young girl and the
second was the embezzlement of $400,000. The school is getting the money back
which will help during the budget crunch.
Tom Schmitz
reported that the HHS Consortium has been making progress on its library
automation project. The libraries in the consortium are all set up for
circulation and are now waiting for Internet connections. The Consortium
applied for an LSTA grant for Spanish and Vietnamese materials, but was denied.
They will be providing Netlife training for state facility nurses.
Maggie Harding
reported that NLA has 730 paid members, 81 of them are new members. Maggie has
assigned each member a membership number. Library Legislative Day was well
attended. Discussion has been held regarding an online membership directory.
Crete public library received Gates computers. Doane College is hosting a week
long seminar on Lewis & Clark.
Theresa Jehlik
reported that the Omaha Public Library is seeking a new Director. The Omaha
Public Library had a 9% budget cut in 2002 and a 4% cut in 2003. On May 6, The
Book Guys will be broadcasting two shows at the W. Dale Clark Library. A current
concern is the Douglas County/City of Omaha computer merger; it appears that the
merger will cost the library three times more for technology services.
Kathy Tooker
reported that the Eastern Library System and Southeast Library System are
holding a Spring Fling social on April 11 at Mahoney State park. The Eastern
Library System will host a media specialist training program on March 27 at
UNO. The System recently held a two day Web page academy class.
Becky Pasco
reported that the University of Nebraska at Omaha has 148 students involved in
some level of library education. Her students frequently mention the warm
reception they get when they make contacts with people in the library field.
There are 33 students registered in the Missouri MLS program. Becky Pasco, Becky
Baker and Karen Drevo will be traveling around the state speaking on youth
services and libraries. NEMA representatives will be traveling around the state
conducting technology institutes.
Mo Khamouna
reported that an accreditation team will be at the Nebraska College of Technical
Agriculture next year. He has added LexisNexis services and has been increasing
the library collection. The college is considering building a student union and
moving the computer lab from the library to the student union.
Karen Drevo
reported that Norfolk Public Library received an LSTA grant to purchase PC
management software to be used on the Internet station. The library received a
$1,000 literacy grant from Wal-Mart; the bulk of the money will be used to
purchase ESL materials. During Teen Read week in October, Karen and Marci
Retzlaff visited local middle school and high school English classes, led book
talks on the young adult Golden Sower titles and passed out a reading survey.
Norfolk has hired a security guard for Monday through Thursday evenings and on
Sunday. Circulation is up and they are getting ready for the summer reading
program. The Norfolk Public Library will hold its 9th annual
literature festival on July 26.
Jeff
Gilderson-Duwe reported that he has read at the local schools the last four
years for Read Across America. The library board is taking a hard look at
library outreach services and is considering eliminating bookmobile service.
They are looking for ways to continue to preserve relationships with card
holders in the counties served by the bookmobile. Jeff is trying to convince
neighboring county boards of supervisors to subsidize library card privileges.
The library friends group is purchasing an illuminated exterior sign. The
library board recently reorganized the library policy manual.
Election of Council Vice-Chair
A motion to
elect Jim Bothmer as Vice-Chair was made, seconded, and approved.
Adoption of Resolutions,
Action Items (if any)*
It was
suggested that the Chair send letters to Nebraska Congressional
representatives thanking them for their support of LSTA.
2003 Council Meeting
Schedule
Rod Wagner
recommended that the council meet three times a year instead of four times a
year due to budget constraints. A motion was made and seconded to reduce the
number of meetings to three times a year, with meetings to be held in July,
November and March. The motion was approved.
The July 18
meeting will be held in Curtis at the Nebraska College of Technical
Agriculture. The November 14 meeting will be held in Kearney.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.