Director's Report | Chairperson's Report | Committee Reports |
New Business | Future Meetings

Members Present:
Chair Joan Ress Reeves, Rose Ellen Reynolds, Ann Crawford, Donna Good, Artemis Kirk, Donald Deignan, Deborah Barchi, Jay Litman, William Shuey, Mary Cummings, Phyllis Harnick

Members Not Present:
David Panciera, Anne Kayarian, Joanne Aspri, Dennis Cheek, Madelyn Rumowicz, Joshua Teverow

Present from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS):
Barbara Weaver, Dorothy Frechette, Beth Perry, Donna Longo DiMichele, Melody Allen, Laurie Scialabba

Observers:
Dale Thompson, Providence Public Library

Chair Reeves convened the meeting at 4:40 P.M.

I. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the May 22, 2000 meeting will stand as circulated.

II. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Ms. Weaver reported that Dorothy Frechette would retire on October 31, 2000.

Ms. Weaver and Ms. Perry attended the Gates Foundation library grant workshop in Seattle. Grants and eligibility guidelines were received. No money, equipment or staff will come to Rhode Island until the middle of 2002. Eligible buildings will receive full grants, training, help desk support and computers. The Gates Foundation sets eligibility guidelines. Scholarship and stipend money may also be available to graduate library schools in the state.

The Library of Rhode Island (LORI) Committee List was distributed. Ms. DiMichele reported that the first meeting will be held September 28, 2000 at the Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln Campus.

The plaque given by the American Library Trustees Association was displayed. A meeting will be set up in Senator Reed's office in October to give awards to Senator Reed, David King and David Panciera. Library Board members are invited to attend.

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ms. Allen reported that two changes were made to the draft Minimum Standards for Rhode Island Public Libraries.

Standard 1. Under the population category 20,000-49,999, the hours open were reduced from 75 to 60 hours and under the population category 50,000 and over, the hours open were reduced from 68 to 65.

Standard 10. The phrase "at least one" was eliminated, and public access to terminals was changed to "The library provides onsite public access to the internet and offers instruction in its use."

Discussion followed.

It was moved and seconded that the Library Board vote to approve a change in the second sentence in Standard 10. FROM: "The library provides onsite public access to the Internet and offers instruction in its use." TO: "The library provides onsite public access to the Internet appropriate to the demonstrated needs of the local library community and offers instruction in its use."

The Library Board unanimously approved the motion. There were no abstentions.

IV. CHAIR'S REPORT

Chair Reeves reported that the General Assembly did not fund the Library Linx Project in the last legislative session. We will try again next year.

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee on Planning and Budget
Ms. Reeves reported that there are no recommendations from the committee to the Library Board. One of the two items discussed was the issue of funding in the budget to recruit for the position vacated by the retirement of Ms. Frechette. The second item discussed was the commitment of $2,270,000 in construction reimbursement funds in FY2002 for projects already underway, which is $270,000 over the two million dollar cap. The committee will meet again to discuss options. The Advocacy Task Force may also be called upon.

Committee on Legislation
No report.

Committee on Public Relations
No report.

V. NEW BUSINESS

The report, "Assessing E-Government," by Darrell West was discussed. The website for the report is http://www.insidepolitics.org/egovtreport00.html. Newspaper articles were distributed.

"The Cooperating Libraries Automated Network, Lending and Borrowing - fiscal 1997 - 2000" report was distributed. Ms. Frechette discussed the report.

Ms. DiMichele reported that school membership in RILINK is up to 18.

Ms. Weaver reported on the Democracy Compact.

VI. AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The following dates were established for future meetings of the Library Board:

October 16, 2000
November 20, 2000
December 18, 2000
January 22, 2001
February 26, 2001
March 19, 2001
April 23, 2001
May 21, 2001
June 11, 2001

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.