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

Members Present:
Members Present: Chair Mark McKenney, Alice Barrows, Donna Good, Tovah Reis, William Allen, Leslie McDonough, Rose Ellen Reynolds

Members Absent:
Cristina Amedeo, Jay Litman, Joshua Teverow, Joan Ankner, Deborah Barchi, Mary Cummings, Peter Deekle, Phyllis Harnick, Donald Deignan

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

Observers:
Joan Ress Reeves; Dale Thompson, Providence Public Library

The meeting was convened at 4:40 p.m. Ms. Carol Drought, Deputy Director of Warwick Public Library, welcomed the Library Board to Warwick Public Library, and expressed appreciation for the assistance and support from OLIS Library Services.

I. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the November 17, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved.

II. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION

Ms. Parent thanked the Board and those individuals who sent letters to the Governor urging him to reject the Fiscal Fitness recommendations to splinter OLIS Library Services into four disparate agencies. It is expected that OLIS Library Services will stay together as an entity, based on a discussion between the Governor and CIO Thomas Collins on December 4, 2003. The Board agreed by consensus to send a letter to the Governor to thank him once his Fiscal Fitness recommendations have been made.

New security measures at the Department of Administration include a requirement that meetings held after 4:30 p.m. be held only on Monday and Wednesday, therefore necessitating the change of the location of the Board meeting today. When visiting Library Services in the future it will be necessary to check in with the receptionist on the fourth floor.

Sadly, the library community lost a great friend and supporter with the passing of Representative Paul Sherlock last Saturday.

A summary of library news items in 2003 compiled from the LORI Webpages by the Library Services Web team was distributed. The summary is available on the OLIS website.

Ms. DiMichele reported that the upcoming Futures Conference. “Navigating the Future of Libraries: A Rhode Map” will be held on Friday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza at the Crossings in Warwick. Handouts were distributed. Goals include being a catalyst for library staff to think in new and innovative ways about delivering programs and services; to operate as a springboard for the approaching statewide study of the future of Rhode Island libraries; and to facilitate dialog about the common future opportunities and challenges all libraries will face in the future. The conference program will consist of a keynote address, a luncheon plenary speaker, and concurrent sessions in the morning and afternoon. Themes covered by the sessions include population trends and their effects on who will be library users in the future; the future of delivery of information; and educational trends in library graduate programs as well as how people learn as they encounter information in libraries. An exhibit area for vendors and sponsors will be available. Sponsorship information will be sent to library organizations and individuals. Anticipated cost of the conference is $10,000, with conference registration fees expected to be around $50 or less, with out-of-state attendees’ fees slightly higher. Brown University will act as fiscal agent. Contact Ms. DiMichele for more information regarding vendors, sponsorship or if you would like to volunteer assistance. Information can also be found at http://www.ric.edu/adamslibrary/library_futures/.

Ms. Parent added that this conference is the second step in examining the future of libraries in Rhode Island. Ms. Thompson reported that the LibFutures Committee, consisting of representatives of all library organizations and types, is focusing on a new library study. Draft legislation is being finalized to establish a Legislative Commission comprised of members of the legislature, representation from the Governor’s Office, the public and various types of libraries. It is hoped that the commission will engage legislators to become familiar with and move the future of libraries forward, and that it will appropriate funds to hire a consultant to lead a study that will result in a strategic approach to multitype library cooperation. Final text of the bill will be on the LibsFutures website. Sponsorship of the legislation is being sought. The next meeting of the LibFutures Committee will be held on February 2, 2004 at Cranston Public Library at 3:30 p.m., and new members are welcome.

The Shipping/Warehousing/Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) five-year contract has been awarded to Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. The transition will begin February 1, 2004. The current vendor will supply talking books until that date. OLIS staff is in the process of notifying patrons of the schedule for transferring the collection and database to merge with the KLAS system used by Perkins. Database transfer and staff training will take place in February and March during which time Perkins staff will provide backup services to OLIS TBP patrons. On March 1, 2004 the transition should be complete and all services will be available. Staff in RI will continue to be the main contact for RI patrons for requests and machines. A copy of the letter to patrons was circulated. On completion of the transition, the result will be direct access to the database for patrons, their family or caregivers from home via the Internet. They will be able to locate titles and place holds as well as view their own records online. If Talking Books Plus does not hold a particular title, the catalogs of Perkins and the Worcester Talking Book Library are available on the same system for direct interlibrary loans. Funding for the vacant staff position in Talking Books Plus may not be available in FY05. Ms. Parent reported that Mr. Deignan has agreed to send a letter of concern.

Construction at the Rochambeau Library and Middletown Public Library has been completed, and Ms. Parent spoke at both events. Construction continues in East Greenwich and Exeter. East Providence is planning for a new branch in Riverside. Barrington plans a renovation of the first floor. Johnston is seeking town funding for its new library building. Renovation of the Knight Memorial Library is anticipated in Fall 2004 or Spring 2005, depending on fundraising. Cumberland plans to renovate a section of the library not included in the previous project. The current condition of this part of the building jeopardizes the state’s investment in the new library. Burrillville, North Scituate and Tiverton continue with their plans for expansions and new buildings. RILA may consider introducing last year’s construction legislation with updated figures.

The Gates Foundation is sponsoring a workshop in Seattle, WA in February for rural librarians in public computing training, and asked Library Services for recommended attendees. Ms. McDonough has been selected. Carol Brouwer, North Smithfield Public Library and Judith Bell, Jamestown Philomenian Library have also been selected to attend the workshop.

III. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Chair McKenney reported that there has been no response from Commissioner McWalters to the letter sent expressing concern about the approval by the Providence School Board of the reduction to only one librarian in each Providence high school rather than the mandated 2 to 2.5 per school, and requesting denial of the extension of the waiver to continue the practice. Ms. Good added that no decision has been made yet. The high school positions have not been reinstated.

It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Library Board of Rhode Island send a letter to the family of the late Representative Paul Sherlock in recognition and appreciation of his contribution and support for libraries.

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee on Public Relations
No report.

Committee on Legislation
Ms. Reynolds has been awaiting introduction of legislation before scheduling a meeting. The next meeting will be scheduled on Monday, February 23, 2004, one hour prior to the Library Board meeting.

Committee on Planning and Budget
No report.

Ad Hoc Committee on Bylaws
Ms. Reeves has sent proposed changes to the Bylaws to the Ad Hoc Committee members.

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

The Annual Meeting of the Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) will be held on February 10, 2004 at the State House. Guest speaker will be author of Prince of Providence, Michael Stanton. Herman Rose will be awarded the “Sweetheart of the Year” award. Mr. Allen will become the new chair of COLA.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

VIII. AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

It was the consensus of the Board members to change the time of the next meeting, due to the security measures at DOA. The next meeting of the Library Board is scheduled on Monday, February 23, 2004 at 4:15 p.m., at the Department of Administration, Conference Room B. (Note change in time.)

The Board requested Ms. Scialabba to survey Board members for suggestions for in moving the location of some or all of the March, April, May and June meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.