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

Members Present:
Chair, Joan Ress Reeves, Ann Crawford, Mary Cummings, Rose Ellen Reynolds, Deborah Barchi, Madelyn Rumowicz, Anne Kayarian, Donna Good, Jay Litman

Members Not Present:
William Shuey, Joshua Teverow, Artemis Kirk, David Panciera, Dennis Cheek, Phyllis Harnick, Joanne Aspri, Don Deignan

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

Observers:
Dale Thompson, Providence Public Library

Chair Reeves convened the meeting at 4:45 P.M.

I. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes will stand as circulated.

II. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Ms. Weaver reported that the kickoff for "Find-It Rhode Island" was held earlier today at the Office of the Secretary of State. Ms. Perry gave a demonstration of "Find-It Rhode Island" at the kickoff.

At the Rhode Island Educational Media Association Annual Dinner, Ms. Frechette received the President's Leadership Award for lifetime achievement. The Linda Aldrich Award was given to Ms. Good.

This is the last Library Board meeting that Ms. Frechette will attend as part of the OLIS staff. Ms. Frechette has been appointed Executive Director for RILINK. OLIS has received permission to fill the position vacated by Ms. Frechette immediately. Advertisements for the vacancy will be placed in LJ Hotline, Providence Journal, Boston Globe and at various electronic library sites. The closing date for applications is November 30, 2000. The vacancy notice was distributed.

Ms. DiMichele reported that the first meeting of the Library of Rhode Island (LORI) Committee was held on September 29, 2000. Discussion included dismay that funding for statewide databases failed in the last legislative session. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2000. Information and minutes will be posted on the Library Programs website or the LORI Pro website.

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

IV. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

Ms. Reeves congratulated Ms. Weaver, Ms. Perry and OLIS staff on the success of "Find-It Rhode Island"

Chair Reeves reported that Mr. Panciera has resigned from the Library Board. Ms. Weaver will request a replacement for Mr. Panciera.

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee on Planning and Budget
Ms. Rumowicz reported that Ms. Weaver presented the committee with the budget for Library Programs. State funding is not forthcoming. If the legislature does not increase funding, decisions will need to be made about eliminating programs. Ms. Rumowicz will draft strategies to increase awareness to the many services provided by the state library system. Each committee member will be responsible for a portion of the strategy. Ms. Weaver will develop a proposed budget. Funding for the Public Library Construction Program is also a problem. The Budget Office has stated that the cap is at two million dollars. Discussion followed. Ms. Weaver will speak to the Legislation Committee. Ms. Weaver will also inform the Budget Office that the Library Board did adopt a sliding scale of caps. The Governor has not increased the cap even though the Library Board did. Chair Reeves made reference to the statement, "A noble anger is our duty."

The next meeting of the committee is scheduled on November 3, 2000

Committee on Public Relations
No report.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Chair Reeves proposed a standing ovation for Ms. Frechette.

VII. AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 20, at 4:30 P.M. at the Department of Administration, Conference Room C.

The Committee on Planning and Budget will meet on Friday, November 3, 2000 at 2:00 P.M. at the Department of Administration, Auditor's Conference Room.