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Members Present:
Chair Mark McKenney, Alice Barrows, Deborah Barchi, Donna Good, Rose Ellen
Reynolds, Mary Cummings, Tovah Reis, Leslie McDonough, Cristina Amedeo, Joshua
Teverow, Phyllis Harnick, Jay Litman
Members Absent:
Peter Deekle, Donald Deignan, Joan Ankner, William Allen
Present from the Office of Library and Information
Services (OLIS):
Anne Parent, Beth Perry, Donna DiMichele, Karen Mellor, Laurie Scialabba
Observers:
Dale Thompson, Providence Public Library; David Macksam, Cranston Public Library
The meeting convened at 4:35 p.m.
Newly appointed Library Board member, Leslie McDonough, Director of the North Scituate Public Library, was introduced. Ms. McDonough replaces Ann Crawford in representing Librarians from Small Public Libraries
The minutes of the November 18, 2002 meeting were unanimously approved.
An update of Library Board of Rhode Island Members – 2003 was distributed.
RILA, RIEMA, COLA and OLIS sponsored a reception honoring Senator Jack Reed to celebrate Library Journal’s naming him Politician of the Year for 2002. A copy of Senator Reed’s remarks is available on the LORI Website. The article appearing in the Cranston Herald was distributed.
The Museum and Library Services Act, the source of Federal LSTA funding for libraries, was reintroduced on the first day Congress re-opened. The proposed legislation in 2002 was not approved. Ms. Parent has received a commitment from Congressman Langevin’s office that he will co-sponsor, and Congressman Kennedy may also be considering co-sponsorship. The office of Senator Reed is drafting corresponding legislation in the Senate. This Act would reauthorize LSTA, which still must be appropriated. The latest appropriation figures being discussed in the Senate for LSTA at $154 million would increase funding for Rhode Island by approximately $17,700. Rhode Island received $820,300 last year.
In response to the op-ed piece by former Governor Bruce Sundlun suggesting that direct grants be eliminated due to the state budget fiscal crisis, Ms. Parent distributed a copy of the letter sent to the editor by the chair of LBRI and the president of RILA as co-signatories and published by Providence Journal. Until the Governor’s budget is issued in early February, it is not known what is being recommended for 2004. There is concern in the library community about grant-in-aid funding. A copy of the op-ed piece in the Providence Journal written by Frances Farrell- Bergeron, Director of West Warwick Public Library, was distributed.
In an effort to be proactive in anticipating discussions with the new administration about Library Programs, OLIS staff has begun to solicit brief informal testimonials from library staff, especially those that can point to the ultimate effect of the service on end users. A notebook containing letters received to date was distributed. There has been no information about the future of OLIS under the new administration or the Chief Information Officer position.
Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI), spearheaded by Providence Public Library, had a kickoff ceremony in December. Ms. DiMichele and Ms. Mellor serve on the RARI Committee. RARI is a new program to promote literacy. RARI is sponsored by libraries, schools and other partners to encourage communities across the state to read the same book and participate in discussions, events, and programs centered on that book. The book chosen for discussion in Spring 2003 is Wish You Well by David Baldacci. Further information is available at www.readingacrossri.org.
The Gates grants for public libraries have been finalized. The press release that includes a list of libraries that will receive the computers was distributed.
Chair McKenney, Barbara Weaver and Ms. Parent attended the funeral service for Victoria Lederberg, Justice of the Supreme Court. Victoria Lederberg was a great friend and supporter of libraries, authoring RIGL 29-6-2 regarding libraries, which has come to be known as the Lederberg Law.
Library Programs longtime staff member, Jeffrey Vale, retired in December. Mr. Vale was responsible for behind-the-scene computer services including LORI email management, the LORI website server, as well as the helpdesk and system troubleshooting. The position will not be filled since there is a hiring freeze in state service. It is hoped that other OLIS IT staff will fill in for some of his work.
A pie chart depicting the expenditures of LSTA federal funds according to the 2002 report that was filed with the IMLS was distributed. 36% of federal funds are apportioned to LORI and LORI grants, 24% to LLD and Literacy grants, 26% to Talking Books Plus, and 10% to Web Pubs. Supporting documentation is included in annual reports.
Ms. Mellor updated the Library Board on public library construction projects. Costs for Exeter and East Greenwich will be higher than expected. The Budget Office has agreed to increase state funding for these two projects.
None.
None.
Committee on Planning and Budget
The report of the meeting held on January 16, 2003 was distributed. Alice Barrows
reported that the committee met to consider a deadline on library reimbursement
applications in order to help establish priorities on a fair basis; and to
consider a possible cap on certain fees covered under the program. The question
of requesting legislation for a cap on the reimbursement program was raised
to help OLIS by establishing a specific amount of money to work with in a
given fiscal year. The following considerations were discussed: that there
may be another fiscal tightening in the state budget, support for libraries
runs high, revenue estimates are improving, and requests for reimbursement
additions have been regularly approved by the state budget office. According
to the schedule provided by Ms. Mellor, proposals “on the books” for
fiscal 2008 together with projects anticipated to come in but not yet approved
would total approximately $5.6 million dollars.
A decision was reached to ask the Library Board of Rhode Island
to seek legislation for an annual appropriation for public library
construction reimbursement for a five-year period, beginning in fiscal
2004 at $2.5 million, and increasing annually by $1 million, reaching
$6.5 million in 2008.
The idea of deadlines for construction reimbursement applications was discussed.
The committee agreed that absent clear indications of whether or not this would be useful, any such deadline would be left to the discretion of OLIS to set internally, if needed.
Architect fees, which vary widely depending on the size and type of project, were discussed. The committee will inquire about AIA guidelines.
The committee recommended to the Library Board that to cap reimbursement of architect's fees at 10% of the total construction costs was appropriate.
Ms. Barrows stated that Appendix F of the Public Library Construction Reimbursement Program, “Current caps and priorities established by the Library Board of RI”, needs to be updated given that the associated time period in #3 expires in FY2003 and in light of consideration of additional caps on “soft costs.”
Chair McKenney suggested acceptance of the report as given and discussion
of it under New Business.
The motion was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that
the Library Board of Rhode Island accept the report, Library Board
of Rhode Island Budget & Planning Committee: January 16, 2003.
Committee on Legislation
Rose Ellen Reynolds stated that the next meeting would be held on February
24, 2003, at 3:30 p.m., one hour prior to the next Library Board meeting,
the room to be announced.
Committee on Public Relations
Tovah Reis will set up the committee and plans to schedule a meeting before
the next Library Board meeting.
A short presentation was made by Cristina Amedeo on the 2-1-1 project proposed for Rhode Island. 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services information and referral, and is the access code for those in need and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. In 1998, a collaborative in Rhode Island was established by the United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. In 2000, the FCC approved 2-1-1 for community information and referral nationwide. Traveler’s Aid is working with the United Way to go forward with the 2-1-1 Project. At a future point in time, Ms. Amedeo would like the Library Board to consider support for the 2-1-1 Project.
The motion was made and seconded that the Library Board seek legislation for an annual appropriation for public library construction reimbursement for a five-year period, beginning in fiscal 2004 at $2.5 million, and increasing annually by $1 million, reaching $6.5 million in 2008.
When asked about what the legislation means for construction projects on the “drawing board”, Ms. Mellor responded that the appropriations requested includes projects already with signed agreements with the State of Rhode Island, construction applications that have been submitted to OLIS but have not yet been approved, and proposed projects for which applications are forthcoming. Interest payments have also been included in the reimbursement projections. Two years ago, Governor Almond proposed capping the program at $2.5 million, but this proposal was defeated after protests from the library community.
Mr. Teverow proposed that opinions about the request for legislation
be sought from meeting guests Dale Thompson and David Macksam. Ms. Thompson
responded that the costs for the Central Library might be greater than
the amount proposed two years ago. In this case, the cap would be a detriment.
Mr. Teverow stated that once the updated numbers are in, he would have
no problem with the cap. David Macksam inquired if the idea to seek legislation
was intended as a protection for the program. Ms. Parent responded affirmatively.
Mr. Litman spoke in favor of the caps, stating that if the cap is high
enough and far out enough in the future, it will protect the smaller libraries
and communities in the state. Ms. Barrows stated that $5.6 million is
the anticipated cost until FY 2008 so there is $900,000 leeway built into
the $6.5 million figure if anything unanticipated is proposed.
The Library Board of Rhode Island unanimously approved the
recommendation of the Committee on Planning & Budget to seek legislation
for an annual appropriation for public library construction reimbursement
for a five-year period, beginning in fiscal 2004 at $2.5 million, and
increasing annually by $1 million, reaching $6.5 million in 2008.
The motion was made and seconded that the Library Board cap reimbursement of architect's fees at 10% of the total construction costs, in Appendix F of the Public Library Construction Reimbursement Program.
In response to a question about AIA guidelines, Mr. Litman stated that there are no AIA fee guidelines, due to an antitrust suit with the government, and that he thinks 10% is a fair cap. Massachusetts has established municipal fee guidelines for public projects.
The Library Board of Rhode Island unanimously approved the recommendation of the Committee on Planning & Budget to cap reimbursement of architect's fees at 10% of the total construction costs, and to include this cap in Appendix F of the Public Library Construction Reimbursement Program.
A copy of the draft letter to Congressman Patrick Kennedy recognizing his co-sponsorship of H.R. 107 the Digital Media Consumers Rights Act was distributed. H.R. 107 will correct the inequities not addressed with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of five years ago, by offering libraries and consumers “fair use” privileges similar to those already granted for print materials. Ms. Reis stated that ALA, the academic libraries and the hospital libraries continue support of H.R. 107.
The motion was made and seconded that the Library Board of Rhode Island
send a letter of commendation to Congressman Patrick Kennedy on his co-sponsorship
of H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers Rights Act.
The request was made to read the more comprehensive letter that OLIS intended
to send to Congressman Kennedy. Board members would like this letter sent to
Congressman Kennedy on behalf of the Library Board.
The motion was made and seconded that the Library Board of Rhode Island send the letter of commendation that OLIS intended to send to Congressman Patrick Kennedy on his co-sponsorship of H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers Rights Act.
The Library Board unanimously approved sending a letter of commendation
that OLIS originally intended to send to Congressman Patrick Kennedy
on his co-sponsorship of H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers Rights
Act.
Ms. Thompson had concerns about the caps that would be placed on funding for the public library construction program if the legislation were approved. If the caps were in place and if a library came up with a project that would place the state’s obligation over the cap, does the library have to wait? Mr. Teverow stated that the plans for the Central Library may or may not fit. He suggested that Ms. Thompson share the current estimates for the construction for the Central Library and then the caps may need to be revisited. In response to a question as to when the cap on architect’s fees would become effective, Ms. Parent stated that the resolution on the 10% cap on architect fees would go into Appendix F of the construction regulations, and any new agreements will be subject to the 10% cap.
The COLA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2003, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., in the State Room at the State House, Providence. Representative Betsy Dennigan will receive COLA’s Sweetheart of the Year Award.
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 P.M.
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