Updated: 08/09/01
This site maintained
by:
Rick Krumwiede
Terry Dawson
System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin
Minutes of the meeting
held on February 22, 2001, Madison, Wisconsin
WLA Conference Room
Those present by way of a sign up sheet were: Mark Morse, David Weinhold,
Janet Jennings Linda Stobbe, Matthew Bollerman, Karen Krueger, Ruth Ann
Montgomery, Alan Engelbert Jim Zwadlo (new System Director of Southwest
Library System), Tom Hennen, Mary Bethke, Tom Strange, Cal Potter, Alan
Zimmerman, Pam Kiesner, Mark Merrifield, Pete Hamon, Rick Krumwiede, Ken
Hall, Heather Eldred, Paul Nelson, Kate Huston, Doris Nix, Bob Bocher,
Kathy
Schneider, Milt Mitchell, and Bernie Bellin, recording secretary.
I. Call to order: Chair Milt Mitchell called the meeting to order at 10:12
a.m.
II. Quorum determination: The Chair announced that a quorum was present.
III. The new System Director of Southwest Library System, Jim Zwadlo,
was introduced and everyone introduced himself or herself. (At this point
any normal human would be hopelessly lost, but Jim pressed on.)
IV. There were no additions or changes to the agenda. However, Ken Hall
shamelessly plugged the new Trustee Newsletter done jointly by OWLS and
WINNEFOX library systems.
V. A motion to approve the minutes posted to the SRLAWW web site from
December 15, 2000, as printed was approved. (Strange/Huston)
VI. The Nominating Committee (Joan Airoldi and Tom Strange) reported a
slate of officers as follows:
Chair: Barb Dimick,
Madison Public Library
Vice-Chair: David Polodna, Winding Rivers Library System
Treasurer: David Polodna will remain treasurer as long as it is feasible
for him to do both tasks for SRLAAW
A unanimous ballot
was cast and approved. (Eldred/Krumwiede) Since neither the Chair nor
Vice-Chair was present, Milt served as Chair Pro tem on a motion by Krumwiede/Strange.
Motion carried.
VII. New Business:
A. Treasurer’s
Report---No report, treasurer not in attendance.
B. WATF Dissolution Discussion: This discussion and the 2002-2003 Biennium
Budget were inter-discussed at this time. The chair of the WATF opposed
the dissolution of that Board and was not present at the meeting when
the vote was taken. Some of the $18.5 million was used for McCallum’s
budget proposal. This is a very draconian (Cal’s word, I would never
think of this) budget for the DPI and its agencies. There is money in
the budget as presented, it is the job of librarians and trustees to influence
the priorities. (For instance, McCallum provided for a corporate tax decrease
when such a tax cut was not asked for.) A. Zimmerman explained that the
impact on system funding would be substantial in the next biennium. Currently
we are at 10.1%, but would drop to 9.5% in 2002 and under 8% in 2003.
Keep focus on 13% or it will be too far removed for anyone to consider
the number when we are at less than 8% in 2003. P. Nelson stated that
WLA and LD&L’s position is that the deficit that McCallum is
talking about is based on priorities and the total budget request package.
There is not the huge deficit, the governor wants us to think there is.
Librarians need to keep 13% in front of Assembly Republicans and the Governor.
Any letters sent should be copied to George Lightbourne. Paul will do
a sample letter for systems to distribute to member libraries and their
trustees. He cautioned everyone to not vent when writing to Republicans,
be civil—vent with the Democrats. The status quo (no increase) is
a cut in our funding. Point out that money for libraries and education
is preventative as opposed to corrective later on. Ask why the tax cut
was necessary if it was not asked for. There was a great deal of discussion
on how to be successful with the 13% request. LD&L will coordinate
testifying and speaking to the budget as the hearings move about the state.
C. UNIFYING VISION REPORT: Karen Krueger presented the report (located
elsewhere on this web site) for recommendation.
First Recommendation:
That we recommend that the public library systems compile information
on the use and need of electronic resources and that a committee be formed
to analyze this data and contact the vendors. DLTCL would be invited to
participate in this process. We also recommend that the funds for enhanced
electronic resources be taken from system aids, prior to distribution
of the funds to systems, to assure statewide access. Improved system funding
would be needed to make this practical. On a motion by M. Merrifield,
second by T. Strange, SRLAAW moved that M. Bollerman act as one of the
SRLAAW designated representatives on the WiLS Shared Electronic Services
Committee. Motion carried. On a motion by D. Weinhold, second by A. Engelbert,
it was moved to table funding on the Unifying Vision Recommendation #1
on shared electronic resources.
Second Recommendation: Badgercard. On a motion by K. Hall, second by T.
Strange, SRLAAW recommended that when systems get full (13%) state aids,
that a new system mandate be created to require statewide open access,
i.e., public libraries in each system have to agree to allow borrowing
from any resident of the state. We also recommend that Wisconsin Statute
43.12 be revised to specify that counties shall pay at least 70% of the
cost of service provided by libraries in any county to their residents
who do not pay a municipal library tax. Motion carried (after much discussion
about the portion of the recommendation being a new mandate).
Third Recommendation: Minimum Standards. On a motion by B. Bellin, second
by K. Huston, SRLAAW recommended a statutory change to revise system membership
requirements to mandate that libraries meet certain minimum standards,
that the standards be developed by 2002, and that libraries be given three
years to meet them. This effort would need to be done cooperatively with
WLA, DLTCL, SRLAAW, and the library community generally. Motion carried
with two noes—J. Jennings (Superior Public Library) and Linda Stobbe
(Northern Waters Library System).
Fourth Recommendation: Research & Development. On a motion by T. Hennen,
second by H. Eldred, SRLAAW recommended that systems collaborate with
each other and with other institutions, using existing state aid funds
and grant monies, to implement some R & D projects that can benefit
all Wisconsin’s libraries. Motion carried.
Fifth Recommendation: 24/7 Reference Service. On a motion by M. Morse,
second by K. Huston, SRLAAW recommended that a committee be formed to
investigate the feasibility of providing 24/7 reference service via existing
or new services. The committee would need to be a joint effort of WLA,
SRLAAW, etc. The committee should also consider how the public would be
informed of the availability of such a service. Motion carried.
Sixth Recommendation: Rethinking System Structure. No action was taken.
Decisions will be announced on the SRLAAW web site.
THE SRLAAW UNIFYING VISION COMMITTEE IS DISOLVED AT THIS TIME.
D. Representative to ALA Legislative Day: Mark Merrifield and Tom Strange
will attend ALA Legislative Day. SRLAAW will pay for T. Strange to attend,
NFLS will pay for Mark to attend. Both will report back to SRLAAW.
E. NetLibrary project and WATF: The work of the WPLC has been well received.
P. Hamon reported that the big push for the netLibrary project would be
during National Library Week. About 5,000 titles are currently available
to borrowers.
VIII. DIVISION REPORTS
A. LITAC -- a) WISCAT
R. Bocher reported for S. Drew. The RFP’s for a new and improved
or totally new WISCAT have been returned and the WISCAT sub-committee
will be reviewing the proposals with a report to LITAC expected in Mar/Apr.
b) Linked System Project A smaller version of the pilot project utilizing
three systems in the state will be prepared for spring of 2002. At this
time it looks like the systems to be linked would be DRA, GEAC, and EpixTech.
B. LSTA FUNDING: C. Potter reported that the national request for LSTA
funding will be increased from $300 million to $500 million—with
hopes of a substantial increase to be realized form the request. SRLAAW
members will be asked to support the request and ‘put a home face’
on the issue. The LSTA Advisory Committee will be meeting in early March.
C. Legislative Issues: 1) Filtering: R. Bocher reported that the state
initiative for Internet filtering is a K-12 issue. Federal filtering is,
as we all know, connected to e rate funding. In the Children’s Protection
Act, filtering is referred to as technology prevention software and need
not be exclusive. The FCC is addressing the clause for turning the filtering
on and/or off, depending on patron requests. The FCC is seeking clarification
by July 2001. As R. Bocher reported, the only charges that are subject
to loss of funding, for public libraries, would be the WiscNet charges.
TEACH T1 lines are not a part of this. The level of filtering that must
be provided has also not been addressed.
2) Municipal Utility Network Prohibition: C. Potter reported that it would
be introduced again. The League of Municipalities and other governmental
organizations/leagues will oppose it.
3) Other items: Albers bill allow parents access to circulation records
of children who are 16 and under. Circulating for petitions at this time.
SB60 will be introduced if it does not make it through the budget cycle.
D. E-Rate Funding: E-rate will be part of the Bush Education Block Grant
Program. It won’t happen as part of the Bush Budget Agenda. Most
of the discussion on e rate took place in C, above.
E. Delivery of Library Materials Advisory Committee: D. Weinhold reported
that the committee continues to struggle with what is a viable, timely,
convenient AND cost effective method of delivery. More to come.
F. Summer Library Program (referred to as the Summer Reading Program on
the agenda): C. Potter reported for Larry Nix that Wisconsin will continue
to participate in the consortium with other Midwestern states. It is working
well at huge cost savings to DLTCL.
G. WiLS: K. Schneider left the meeting early, but M. Mitchell reporter
that her raison d’être was addressed. (Earlier in the meeting
SRLAAW appointed someone to the WiLS Electronic Shared Services Committee—M.
Bollerman)
At this time Rick Krumwiede commended the outgoing chair for his years
(and years) of service. A rousing round of relief—I mean applause—followed
Rick’s very well deserved recommendation.
Meeting adjourned in the 2:05pm time frame.
The Date of the Next Meeting will be at the call of the new Chair, Barb
Dimick.
Bernard Bellin, Recorder
