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

Members Present:
Chair Mark McKenney, Ann Crawford, Rose Ellen Reynolds, Deborah Barchi, Donna Good, Jay Litman, Joan Ankner, Alice Barrows

Members Absent:
Joanne Aspri, Dennis Cheek, Cristina Amedeo, Joshua Teverow, Donald Deignan, Phyllis Harnick, Mary Cummings

Present from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS):
Anne Parent, Beth Perry, Laurie Scialabba

Observers:
Dale Thompson, Providence Public Library; Ednor Larson, Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School, Pawtucket; David Macksam, Cranston Public Library

I. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the January 14, 2002 meeting were approved.

II. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION

Ms. Parent reported that in the Governor’s proposed FY03 state budget, grant-in-aid to cities and towns for libraries is level funded from FY02. Library construction is funded at $2,045,000, the same amount as was projected to be needed. Library Programs funding was reduced by $64,794 from FY02. Ms. Parent will meet with a Budget Analyst tomorrow, but at first glance it appears that this is primarily the salary and the benefits of the staff member whose position was frozen this year, with some additional cuts in supplies. Federal funding in FY02 has increased from last year by $300 to $820,390. The Committee on Planning and Budget will meet to discuss the allocation of Federal funds.

Ms. DiMichele was in a car accident and will be out for several months.

Mr. Boksenbaum’s daughter was injured in a ski accident and is expected to fully recover by the fall.

LSTA Planning and the new delivery contract will be the top priority for OLIS in the coming months. The LORI Committee program scheduled for March 13, 2002, featuring presentations by the state librarians from Massachusetts and Connecticut has been postponed until the fall.

Dr. Robert Carl, Director of Administration, has given his approval for funding for the Exeter Public Library construction project. A tentative letter of commitment has been sent to the library; a construction agreement will be signed after OLIS has reviewed the final plans for the project.

The final step in the LSTA Evaluation survey is underway. A survey will be sent to 50 randomly selected LORI library directors. Opinions on the benefits of the last five years of LSTA funding will be sought. Development of a new LSTA Five-Year Long Range Plan FY 2003-2007 has begun. The new plan is due to IMLS by the end of July. Focus groups will be held for the LORI Committee, and for selected library directors representing all types of libraries. A forum for the general public, including the disabled community will be held on March 18, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the North Kingstown Free Library, and will be sponsored by COLA. Another forum for library staff of all levels will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on March 20, at the Warwick Public Library. Approvals has been given to expend federal funds for a facilitator and refreshments. An online discussion group for public discussion has been established. More information is available on the website.

A reception for the retirement of Barbara Weaver will be held on Friday, March 1, 2002, 3:00 – 5:00 P.M., at the State House. Joan Ress Reeves will write a proclamation on behalf of the Library Board for Ms. Weaver. Donations for the gift basket from the Library Board are being accepted by Ms. Parent.

In response to some mis-information that has circulated at various meetings of late,
Ms. Parent reviewed the composition of membership of the Library Board. She emphasized that librarians on the Board do not represent library organizations and networks per se, but types and sizes of libraries.

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

IV. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Chair McKenney reported that a letter has been sent to David Macksam, Rhode Island Library Association, in support for the proposed legislation seeking a $500,000 Appropriations Bill for statewide library delivery service. A copy of the letter was distributed. Chair McKenney attended and spoke at the Annual Meeting of COLA. Reappointments to the Library Board are before the Senate. No word has been received from the Governor’s Office regarding new appointments to the Library Board.

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee on Planning and Budget
No meeting was held. Ms. Barrows will convene a meeting when needed to revise current year LSTA funding, after the bill for the LSTA Evaluation has been received.

Committee on Legislation
Ms. Perry distributed a packet of pending legislation. The Governor’s budget bill, H-7732, was discussed. Thanks should go to the sponsors of H-7039 and S 2523, RILA’s legislative initiative to seek state funding for the delivery service and expansion of the delivery service in the amount of $500,000. RILA’s Legislative Action Committee is mounting a publicity campaign for H7039 and S2523. Bookmarks will be distributed at libraries, and a postcard writing campaign is being planned. Websites for legislators as well as phone numbers and addresses will be included in the materials.

Mr. Litman expressed concern about the physical facility housing the Information Technology Operations Center located in Johnston, which falls under the purview of OLIS. Discussion followed. Chair McKenney will convey the information presented by Mr. Litman to Ms. Reeves, and request that Ms. Reeves convey the information to the Information Management Resources Board, as she is the designee of Chair McKenney to that Board.

Committee on Public Relations
No meeting was held. A number of Board members have expressed interest in serving on the committee, but there is, as yet, no chair. Mr. McKenney will request that Ms. Reeves review the bylaws, noting whether or not it is necessary to keep the same number of committees active.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

The search for a new Chief Information Officer was discussed. No one has been officially named as the Acting Chief Information Officer. Observer Macksam stated that RILA has taken action, and will send a letter to the Governor and Dr. Carl. The letter from RILA will express concern of the lack of a Masters Degree in Library Science (MLS) for the position, input of the Library Board and the library community in filling this position and an examination of the organization structure under the Department of Administration.The Library Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to go on record asking prompt consideration in the hiring of the Chief Information Officer and recommend the restoration of the MLS Degree. Chair McKenney will send a letter to the Governor and Dr. Carl.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

VII. AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2002, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ms. Parent suggested that the Library Board meet at the North Kingstown Free Library on March 18, 2002, since the LSTA Focus group sponsored by COLA for the public and disabled community will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the North Kingstown Free Library. A light supper will be provided at 6:00 P.M.

Members of the Library Board agreed to hold the next meeting at North Kingstown. The change of location will be noted in the Draft Agenda for the March 18, 2002 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.