Meeting Minutes
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES
Lincoln, Nebraska
September 15, 1995
Present: B. Baker, L. Cundiff, S. Davis, D. Dragos, K. Marek, G. Mier,
S. Person, J. Saathoff, R. Voeltz, S. Wiegert, S. Wise.
Staff: N. Busch, B. Johnson, J. Minges, S. Snyder, R. Wagner.
Welcome and Introductions
The meeting of the State Advisory Council on Libraries was convened
by Chair Sally Wise at 10:06. Introductions of all present were given.
The agenda was approved as presented by acclamation. Richard Voeltz
moved and Laura Cundiff seconded the minutes be approved as received. The
motion carried.
NLC Report
Federal Program Status
Rod Wagner updated the Council on the status of federal programs. The
House and Senate have different bills to replace the current Library Services
and Construction Act (LSCA). Congress has an overall goal to consolidate
programs. The potential long term effect is to discontinue some funding
for Higher Education Act (HEA) programs related to libraries, and the library
program authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The House action on the federal budget for the federal fiscal year beginning
October 1, 1995, includes funding for LSCA Title I at the current year
level, reducing Title III funding nationally by $5.7 million, and no funding
included for Title II, construction and technology programs.
The Senate subcommittee action leaves Title I funding at the current
level, $16.4 million for Title II, and Title III funding at same level
as House. The Senate also includes Title IV funding for literacy programs,
and funding under the Higher Education Act Title IIB $4.5 million, and
HEA IIC at $2 million. The full Appropriations Committee is meeting today.
They will determine the overall spending levels that will go to the Senate
for action.
The Senate and House will have to reconcile differences. It is likely
there will be flat funding level for Title I, and a certain reduction of
Title III, and a potential elimination or reduction of Title II. It is
not likely all appropriations will be in place by October 1. The continuing
resolution will allow the federal government to proceed until all
appropriations
are approved.
The biggest concern for Nebraska is loss of funding for Title II. It
is likely there like will be funding for Titles I and III. Title II is
construction and technology. In recent years, Nebraska has divided the
funds between construction and technology grants. The 1995 funding was
awarded to three public libraries for construction projects, and a total
of 54 public libraries for technology projects. Flat funding means our
purchasing power declines. A reduction in Title III is also a loss.
This will be the final year of any LSCA funding, the authorization expires
in 1996. New legislation is pending, and likely to be enacted in some form,
for LSTA, Library Services and Technology Act. The effort here will be
to work toward legislation that is as close as possible to the proposal
developed by a coalition of library organizations.
In a library related matter, the Department of Commerce funding for
telecommunications appears to be in jeopardy. There were several applications
from Nebraska this year for that funding. There is a strong chance the
funding for the whole program will be reduced substantially, and it is
possible it will be eliminated.
State Aid to Public Libraries
Jim Minges reported on the one-page information sheet from the mailing
to Council members regarding state aid to public libraries. Recently there
have been several discussions among Library Commission staff about state
aid. The cause of the discussion was the promise to public libraries for
a larger amount of state aid to libraries pursuing the CLIP program. The
Library Commission did not receive the requested increase in appropriations.
This would mean reducing the amount of state aid awarded to some public
libraries in order to provide a larger amount for those involved in CLIP.
The overall issue with the state aid program is there is not much money,
slightly over $300,000, that is distributed among public libraries. It
is not a significant amount for any library, under the current distribution
program. Should state aid be a small ongoing guaranteed income for public
libraries, or a significant program for improving library service as a
grant program? Overall, state aid is about 1% of the total public library
income. For smaller libraries it is more significant (4.5%).
How should funds be distributed so all sizes of libraries have an
opportunity
to receive funds? Lacking a significant increase in funds, the Library
Commission is unable to fund any library development initiative in any
significant manner. $50 or $60 to each public library for CLIP involvement
is not significant. Statewide goals like the planning process, larger areas
of service, are two possibilities Commission staff are discussing for use
of funds. The Public Guidelines Committee has also discussed this issue.
In general, smaller libraries are more interested in the guaranteed annual
amount, the larger the library the more likely they are to want a pool
of funds to be used to develop projects related to statewide initiatives.
No decisions have been made on how the "grant" process would work. For
any grant priority, there will be some libraries not prepared to work on
that issue. Two examples for projects for these funds are: community library
planning, and county or other extended library service units to serve larger
area. How the funds are distributed is open to suggestions. It may be decided
to allocate a certain amount of funds into library size categories. Or,
pool it all together. The main question today is: do we want to maintain
the status quo or look for a change?
Discussion issues from questions on the back of the handout were:
-- $600 is what the children's library exists on, we purchase golden
sower and summer reading program books with the state aid funds.
-- State aid WAS an incentive for accreditation when it was first
introduced.
-- Librarians know generally where they want to be down the road, but
it is difficult to see the path to it right now.
-- Smaller libraries don't have time to write grants, so the library
systems step in to help and work with several libraries together. This
grant process could add to the system administrators' work load.
-- The process will have to be very simple and straight forward, local
goals must be well articulated. The CLIP structure was well developed and
the requirements are clear. Let's look at strengths and weaknesses of the
current program, and of any possible new program. What are the goals and
the vision for a new program? They should be very clear. Many libraries
depend on state aid money for certain services that may be more appropriately
funded on the local level (e.g. children's services). It may put that program
at risk but the local source should fund them. Equitable distribution of
the funds is a must. The program will need to have incentives to encourage
strong local programs, different ones may be needed if take away state
aid incentive for accreditation.
-- Our library has advanced in technology remarkably in the last four
years. The library budget has been cut each year for the last three years
and we are told it will be drastically cut next year. We are purchasing
fewer new books, but that is what the community wants: new books, especially
in the children's area. There are five libraries in Clay County and some
people want to form another. Currently, the towns don't cooperate in requesting
county library funding for each library in the county.
The Library Commission's original goal was to increase the amount of
state aid for public libraries in order to fund the CLIP program and other
incentives. The Commission did not receive any additional funds, so now
we are looking at what is the best use of the funds we have. The thought
is that some libraries will sacrifice the funds for one year in the hope
of receiving the funds in the next year for a project.
-- We should take something off the top for the incentive funds, then
divide the remainder among the accredited libraries. This means a reduction
for everyone, but also the possibility of receiving a grant for a special
project.
-- What is the goal? If it is to get libraries to work together for
larger units of service, there needs to be an incentive for it. Work also
needs to be done so it is not so difficult for libraries, and local government,
to work together (as in the example on the previous page).
There are two other programs using state aid, funding for the library
systems and funding for the lender compensation program.
-- For several years libraries were required to spend about half of
the state aid funds on materials, that helped to promote the dependency.
The Commission must be sure the next approach does not build in dependency
in another way.
-- Financial incentives would be used to get a project started, for
example, larger areas of service. The grant would be to start project,
not to fund it year after year.
Nebrask@ Online
Rod Wagner updated the Council on Nebrask@ Online. A lawsuit
was filed by Farmers Mutual Insurance. The actual cost of obtaining a record
is a primary issue. Previously the insurance company could receive a computer
tape of records. The issues were submitted to the Attorney General's office.
The Attorney General's office stated that the Department of Motor Vehicles
did not have to supply a copy of the records, tape or paper, but only were
required to allow the insurance company to view the records. The insurance
company took the matter to court. The process will be ongoing for several
months. The Commission will be supplying requested information and attorneys
will be preparing for a court case.
We are moving forward on a number of services. The Network Manager is
following the plan to work with certain key agencies in state government
and will be offering more services as available. Court records will probably
become available through Nebrask@ Online. A key service we hope
will be available is the Legislative databases. The goal is to provide
user friendly search capability, graphics, and also a number of other
legislative
databases that have not been available in the past.
Access to Internet via Nebrask@ Online is being provided to several
libraries in the state. Other libraries are using a local provider.
Previously, individual accounts with Nebrask@ Online were going
to require a $15 minimum monthly fee. That restriction will be removed
for libraries, there will be no minimum monthly charge. In addition, the
rate will be 10 cents per minute rather than 12 cents per minute.
Televideo conference sessions are scheduled for next week, September
18, 20 and 22. These sessions are for librarians in the state to tell the
Commission about concerns, issues, requests, and suggestions regarding
public access to the Internet provided in the library setting.
The State Advisory Council on Libraries section is now on the Nebraska
Library Commission home page. The first page lists the Council as one of
the choices to view. The Council section includes, or will soon include:
the Council Bylaws, minutes of the most recent meeting, roster of Council
members, the Challenge to Nebraska Libraries, the agenda for upcoming meeting,
and a list of meeting dates.
Also new on the Library Commission home page is full text of the recently
produced document: Creating the Climate for the Information Age, the
Nebraska Statewide Telecommunications Infrastructure Plan. It is listed
under the Nebraska Library Resources section.
National Science Foundation Grant and Electronic Library Project
Nancy Busch updated the Council on the National Science Foundation Grant.
A handout on the Nebraska Electronic Library was distributed to Council
members. The home page is not up yet but will be soon. It is a prototype
for the state. There will be a booth at NLA/NEMA conference to discuss
with people what they see on it, if it is useful, what is needed, should
it continue, etc. The address may be released prior to NLA/NEMA for people
to use before conference.
Nebraska submitted a National Science Foundation grant application for
a three-year project to build a math/science digital library in the state.
A total of 300 pre-proposals submitted. Nebraska was one of the 100 projects
encouraged to submit a complete application. The Foundation funded only
two projects out of the 100. Nebraska was not one of them. We have been
encouraged to re-submit the proposal to NSF at a later date. The current
grant expires at end of October, 1995.
Library Information Technology Fund Initiative -- Discussion
Nancy Busch presented the proposal included in the mailing to the Council.
The proposal is for state funding for public libraries for information
technology. The goal is to secure state funds, similar to that received
by medium sized libraries, for public libraries on a continued basis. It
would include state, local, and, possibly, private funding. The discussion
included:
-- The recommendations at the end of the document indicate the plan
is to ask the state legislature for funding, and seek a private source
for funds.
Purpose: is it clear?
-- Suggestion to include in the guidelines related to the project that
upgrading and telecommunication costs are included as a possible use of
the funds.
-- Insert in the purpose statement, "Nebraska Libraries of all sizes."
Define who the Public Resource Library Group is, many people do not know.
Also state, this particular group of libraries received state funding,
we now would like to extend it to libraries of other sizes.
Background and Needs Assessment: are they persuasive?
-- How will the Commission provide some assurance that libraries of
different sizes will benefit from this program?
-- May look at the application process and priorities for Title II
technology
funding. Once a library has received a grant for automation of the circulation
system, they will not receive any additional Title II grants to upgrade
the system, unless it is for a significant change, for example, adding
an OPAC to the circulation system, or adding additional terminals.
-- A specific statement should be made that a certain percentage of
funds will first go to libraries of a certain size, if there are some funds
left over, those funds will be used for other size libraries.
-- Structure will be needed to provide capability for smaller libraries
with limited staff to compete on an equal basis. If Title II is eliminated,
the systems could devote time to this program as a cooperative approach.
It would help to have more system staff.
-- Move the quote from Bob Kerrey to the beginning of the paragraph
about schools.
-- The ESUs were successful in their program because they worked together
to offer services, training, technical support, etc. The Library Systems
may want to follow their model to be as successful as the ESUs have been.
The ESUs have pooled their staff to provide service to schools, for example,
one staff person is the technical expert for a larger area. Cooperative
purchases were made by ESUs, and previously made by Library Systems.
- Include a broad statement that includes small public libraries in
whatever approach is taken, or is something more specific needed?
The meeting recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m. and reconvened at 1:15
p.m.
Sally Wise introduced Julie Pinnell, the new reference librarian at
the Library Commission.
Proposal Discussion continued
Who else should give input on the draft? Public Resource Library Group,
Library Systems (administrators and boards), Public Library section and
Trustees section of NLA. Nancy Busch and Sally Wise will adapt this draft
and send a second draft to SACL members. It may be possible to ask the
different NLA sections to discuss it at their meetings at the NLA/NEMA
convention.
Nancy Busch noted another campaign being promoted by the American Library
Association (ALA). $1 per capita for libraries campaign. Would result in
$1.6 million total for Nebraska. The current state aid budget in all three
categories is approximately $800,000-900,000. This campaign would need
a lot of support. Discussion:
-- There is potential competition with other state entities for funds.
Nancy Busch noted the automation funding for public resource library group
campaign stated they didn't want the funding at the expense of something
else.
-- Libraries and the Commission would want to keep this funding, at
that level, on an ongoing basis.
-- Government officials usually prefer to authorize funds for specific
projects where they know exactly where the money is going. We will have
to be clear how the funds would be allocated between programs, list the
outcomes expected and how the funds will benefit people at the local level.
-- This is a possibility for raising all of the state aid for libraries.
Technology is a hot issue right now. State aid for public libraries, systems,
and lender compensation are hot issues to librarians. How can we include
it all?
-- What is the best way to take the proposal to other groups for their
input and support? How do we get it on the sections agendas at the NLA/NEMA
conference?
-- The most we can do is present the general concept and have brief
discussion at the business meetings during the fall conference. More in-depth
discussion usually take place at Spring Meetings.
-- Becky Baker volunteered to go to the Public Library section meeting.
-- The $1 per capita is an appealing goal. Do we have to choose one
approach or the other, the technology fund OR the $1 per capita? The $1
per capita gives us a broad opportunity to provide for better library service,
not just technology.
-- They are not mutually exclusive. We can combine them and show the
$1 per capita would provide the technology portion, the system funds, lender
compensation, and aid to public libraries, in addition to other projects.
-- We need to go for $1 per capita, technology is only a part of the
total proposal.
-- Nancy Busch stated that Library Commission staff can put together
a draft document incorporating these four areas in a proposal approach.
-- Can this be ready by the NLA/NEMA convention in October? Is there
time for Council members to look at a draft and make suggestions prior
to introduction at the various section meetings at convention?
-- All types of libraries will need to support the proposal if it includes
all four areas. The main goal is to further this idea. Rather than rush
it, it will be better to have the proposal really ready when the document
is presented to various library groups.
-- This is the off year in the state's biennium budget cycle, so there
is time to consider and develop this idea. There is time to bring people
together to discuss and give input and support to the proposal.
-- Budget cuts will probably continue in the next few years. Let's not
set THIS goal TOO LOW, or we will be back asking for more funding too soon.
-- It will help to introduce the proposal at the Fall conference. Present
the proposal as one of several approaches under consideration for the future.
Ask for input on the proposal and for any other ideas as well.
-- It is best to look at all areas which need increases in funding and
not just one.
-- It was suggested that we only mention that the State Advisory Council
on Libraries and the Library Commission are looking at a significant funding
proposal but details not yet available.
-- Rather than introduce the proposal at NLA/NEMA, it may be better
to use something that goes to everyone, such as the NLCommunicator,
the Library Commission Home Page, etc.
-- Mail a draft of the umbrella idea to Council members prior to December
meeting and plan to discuss it again at that meeting. Could also develop
strategies at that time for working with other groups.
Jim Minges suggested we mention the State Advisory Council on Libraries
and the Commission are very seriously looking at some type of significant
aid funding initiative. Something is being developed but is not formed
yet.
Jean Saathoff moved that the Council and the Commission begin the umbrella
process by getting the idea out to librarians via the NLCommunicator
and the Library Commission Home Page. A draft proposal will be mailed prior
to the December meeting for Council members to discuss. Dick Voeltz seconded.
The motion carried.
December Meeting Plans and Arrangements
The above proposal will be a major agenda item for December. The meeting
will be held via video conference. Site locations and addresses will be
mailed to Council members prior to the meeting.
The Council Round Table was tabled until after the CHIRS discussion.
Consumer Health Information Resources - Discussion
The Consumer Health Information Resources (CHIRs) discussion was conducted
by Amy Garwood of the Nebraska Library Commission.
Council Round Table
Sharon Wiegert, Papillion Public Library, noted the ground breaking
ceremony for the new library will be held on September 23 at 10:00 a.m.
They hope to be in the new building by November 1, 1996.
Devra Dragos, Beatrice State Developmental Center, reported they are
experiencing a delay in receiving the CD-ROM workstation and products that
were requested earlier this summer. Several institutional libraries have
a change in staff underway. The librarian at the Norfolk Veterans Home
retired and she was replaced with an occupational therapist. The librarian
at the Lincoln Regional Center retired. They have rewritten the position
somewhat and are in the process of hiring a staff person who will be in
charge of the library as well as other duties. The Norfolk Regional Center
is considering contracting with the community college or the local hospital
for library service.
Steve Davis, Kearney Public Schools, reported they have a new fiber
optic network that is almost up and running. There are a few technical
difficulties to work out.
Sylvia Person, Holdrege Public Schools, noted their fiber optic network
is not running yet. Holdrege Public Library has contracted with Lincoln
Telephone for Internet service. They must have 50 subscribers at $19.95
a month to go forward.
Jean Saathoff, Kearney Public Library and Information Center, stated
last Sunday was the first Sunday the library was open. They are hosting
a Technology Center anniversary party on Tuesday and hope to showcase the
new Windows 95. A new roof for the library is in the budget this year.
The city manager is leaving. He has been very supportive of the library.
The Library Foundation will begin to consider a growth and needs study
for the library.
Lupe Meir, Bellevue Public Library, noted a number of public libraries
had to change to a new fiscal year this year. The change involves a one
time 14 month period for the adjustment. This will affect the budget and
statistics for the library.
Dick Voeltz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, noted the UNL library is
being folded into another unit called Information Services. The unit will
include the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Computing Center,
the Computing Resources Center from the city campus, Telecommunications,
and University Libraries. There will be no cancellation project this year.
The athletic department gave $350,000 to provide for this upcoming year.
The library recently ordered purchase of $30,000 of electronic resources
including CD-ROMS and related material. The purchase should be received
in the next few months.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Snyder