Updated: 04/23/03
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Minutes
of the System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin
WLA Office
February 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Polodna, who declared a quorum present. Following introductions of the 28 people present, Hamon agreed to make arrangements for a pizza lunch.
Present: Rick Krumwiede, OWLS; Mark Merrifield, NFLS; Mark Morse, L. E. Phillips PL; Janet Jennings, Superior PL; Mike Sheehan, NWLS; Ruth Ann Montgomery, ALS; Larry Nix, DLTCL; Karen Krueger, Hedberg PL; Terry Dawson, Appleton PL; Al Zimmerman, DLTCL; Paul Nelson, WLA LD & L; Bernie Bellin, LLS; Jessica MacPhail, Racine PL; David Polodna, WRLS; John Nichols, Oshkosh PL and WLS; Mark Arend, WLS; Robert Bocher, DLTCL; Walter Burkhalter, MWFLS; Heather Eldred, WVLS; Michael Tyree, West Bend PL; Rick Grobschmidt, DLTCL; Sally Drew, DLTCL; Tom Hennen, WCFLS; Alan Engelbert, Manitowoc PL and MCLS; Kathy Schneider, WILS; Peter Hamon, SCLS; Lisa Strand, WLA; Doris Nix, MCFLS.
Krueger asked to add the status of the consolidation incentive program and district library legislation to the agenda.
Merrifield moved, seconded by Nichols, to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2002 meeting. Motion carried.
Polodna, noting that there was nothing revolutionary, presented the treasurer's report. There were no questions.
Nominating Committee Chair Nichols reported that the committee has nominated Bellin for the office of President. Nichols moved that the report of the Nominating Committee be accepted and that a unanimous ballot be cast for Bellin. Motion carried. The newly elected president then assumed the chair, and he presided over the remainder of the meeting.
Legislative Task Force Issues
Nix distributed a summary of the final recommendations. Several items have been removed from the language bill and added to the reform bill. The reform bill will be introduced after the budget is finished. DLTCL is working with LRB to get the bills drafted. Hennen asked about the status of district legislation. It was reported that Sheboygan had lost the main sponsor of the bill, but that they were willing to continue pursuing district legislation.
Krueger thought that LSTA funds should be used in support of the Task Force recommendations. She made a pitch for LSTA planning grants for multiple library districts. Discussion points included whether grants could be used to investigate forming joint libraries or county libraries, how much money would be appropriate, and whether a statewide study was needed.
Hamon moved, seconded by Polodna, to recommend that $60,000 in LSTA funding be allocated to pursue planning for library districts across the state, up to a maximum of $10,000 per project, and that if no libraries apply for grants the money be put into the technology category. Motion carried, 3 no votes.
DLTCL staff will meet soon to discuss preliminary recommendations for the LSTA Advisory Committee. Bellin will communicate SRLAAW's recommendation to the committee.
Discussion continued on other recommendations. Nelson pointed out that MCFLS opposes several items (Language 6, Reform 10 & 16). Nix stated that the timetable for the language bill is ASAP and reiterated that the reform bill will come after the budget is finished. After considerable discussion about areas of non-agreement, Nix stated "the legislative process is long." It was agreed that Language 6 would be moved to the reform bill because it is controversial. The reform bill issues will be discussed at the May meeting.
Krueger reminded the group that last August a motion was passed in support of using LSTA funds to study system mergers and/or realignments. After discussion about the value of pursuing such funding, Eldred moved, seconded by Dawson, that SRLAAW recommend to the LSTA Advisory Committee that $30,000 be set aside for systems to plan for mergers, consolidation, and sharing of services, not to exceed $3,000 per system. Motion failed. Dawson encouraged interested libraries or systems to make their thoughts known to the Advisory Committee.
Resolution Reaffirming the Principle of Free and Open Access to Public Libraries
Nelson presented the draft resolution being considered by the WLA Board. Nichols moved, seconded by Hennen, to endorse the model resolution supporting free library service. Motion carried.
DLTCL Reports
Grobschmidt distributed a handout and reported on the Governor's budget proposal and its potential impact on library programs. Hennen indicated displeasure that the TEACH grant program is being discontinued; he asked about the status of current grants. Bocher stated that the current grants probably won't be rescinded, but the money hasn't been distributed yet. In response to a question about the likelihood of USF being approved as a source of funding for system aids, Grobschmidt stated that this type of thing has been done in the past. It is one way to be able to maintain funding within current constraints.
Concern was expressed that seeking USF funding could place systems in competition with schools. Nichols asked if systems are funded from USF and if TEACH is under DPI, in the future who will decide how much funding will come from USF? According to Grobschmidt, it's not clear, but the legislature and governor ultimately determine funding levels and sources. Fortunately, education and libraries are a priority of the Governor.
Nix reported on the LSTA program. It appears that there will be a small increase in the funding to states in FY2004. The reauthorization bill has been reintroduced in both houses. The Early Learning Initiative Conference will be held in April with follow-up conferences being held around the state.
Bocher, reporting on LITAC issues, said the ILL conference is being delayed until September or October. LITAC is in the process of determining what topics they will work on in the future. Morse asked about the significance of MN awarding a contract to Fretwell-Downing to replace their state ILL system. Drew reported that the two states will be able to use F-D to exchange messages. Nichols asked about the possibility that Wiscnet might be re-bid to the private sector as part of the re-bidding of BadgerNet. Bocher responded that DEG did question Wiscnet's status but determined it to be a public sector entity.
Drew distributed a handout and gave an update on the WISCAT project. The software has stabilized and is being tweaked. There will be a new Fretwell-Downing release sometime in Summer/Fall. There continue to be problems seeing shelf status from Voyage sites. Bocher provided an update on the progress of the Gates Foundation computer installation and training.
Statewide Delivery Service Payment Formula for 2004/2005
A delivery service volume handout from SCLS was distributed. Engelbert reviewed the cost-sharing formula and recommended that the same formula be used in 2004. Nichols moved, seconded by Merrifield, to endorse the recommended cost-sharing formula for 2004. Motion carried.
Ozaukee County Exemption Issues Update
Nix reported that
Ozaukee County is not happy with the current exemption standard. Legislators
in the area are pushing for a per capita standard, which could be a problem
in some areas. DPI's position is that one county should not push for legislation
that could have a negative impact on other areas of the state. According
to Nix, Weinhold believes this is a bad idea even for Ozaukee County.
Nix warned the group to be on alert. He's not sure how this issue will
surface. Hennen asked that examples of the potential negative impacts
of this change be developed and distributed so that we can speak against
it effectively.
SRLAAW Discussion List Policy
SRLAAW has never set a policy on who should be allowed to subscribe to the email discussion list. Following a paucity of interest in this subject, Hennen moved, seconded by Nichols, to give Krumwiede and Dawson the authority to decided who can subscribe to the SRLAAW discussion list. Motion carried.
Appointment of Mark Morse as SRLAAW Archivist
Nichols moved, seconded by Merrifield, to appoint Mark Morse as the official archivist for SRLAAW. Motion carried. Morse solicited copies of minutes, papers, and other historical records from the membership.
SRLAAW Representative to 2003 National Library Legislative Day
Merrifield moved, seconded by Eldred, to send Jessica MacPhail as SRLAAW's representative to the 2003 National Library Legislation Day. Motion carried.
Nichols somehow diverted the group, which was otherwise ready to adjourn, into discussing record retention schedules. He asked about retention of email and stated that a statewide recommended schedule for libraries would be helpful. Arend asked if SRLAAW should form a committee to make recommendations. Nix said that DPI might put together information about retention of short-term records. Hamon said that examples of different policies would be helpful. Eldred suggested a WLA program on the topic. Nix silenced the group when he indicated that he would have Mike Cross prepare a briefing on this issue.
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on May 30, 2003.
Krumwiede asked if an election needs to be held for Vice-President. Current Vice-President, Treasurer, and bylaws guru Polodna said, "Yes." The Nominating Committee will have a candidate at the next meeting.
Bellin adjourned the meeting at 2:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Krumwiede
Recorder
