R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |
Administration
Report | Chairperson's
Report | Committee
Reports |
New Business | Future
Meetings
Members Present:
Members Present: Chair Mark McKenney, Cristina Amedeo, Deborah Barchi, Alice
Barrows, Mary Cummings, Donald Deignan, Peter Deekle, Donna Good, Leslie
McDonough
Members Absent:
William Allen, Joan Ankner, Jay Litman, Phyllis Harnick, Tovah Reis, Rose Ellen
Reynolds, Joshua Teverow
Present from the Office of Library and Information
Services (OLIS):
Anne Parent, Donna DiMichele, Karen Mellor, Beth Perry, Laurie Scialabba
Observers:
Sarah Hunicke, URI GLSIS student interning with Donna Good; Dan Austin, Providence
Public Library
Materials Distributed:
The meeting was convened at 4:22 p.m.
The minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting were unanimously approved.
The LSTA/IMLS FY 2004 State Grants have been announced, and Rhode Island will receive $962,139, an increase of $138,327 over the FY 2003 appropriation. The FY 2004 appropriation is not enough to fully implement the levels of the newly reauthorized LSTA, which would have doubled the base grant of $340,000 that each state receives. This year’s appropriation provided for an additional $138,327 for each state to add to its base grant. A top priority for the funding for RI will be to fill the position of readers’ advisor in the Talking Books Plus unit. Ms. Parent thanked Ms. Perry and Ms. Scialabba for their assistance in the Talking Books Plus section. Literacy and LORI sub-grants will also be considered in the distribution of funds.
ALA Washington Office has circulated a request that library supporters contact their Congressional representatives requesting that they sign on to a letter circulated by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Robert Simmons (R-CT) in support of federal library programs to include $232 million dollars for LSTA and $100 million dollars for the School Library Literacy programs.
Ms. DiMichele distributed the agenda for the conference, Navigating the Future of Libraries: A Rhode Map, to be held on May 7, 2004, at the Crowne Plaza at the Crossings hotel in Warwick. Sarah Ann Long, former President of the American Library Association, will be the keynote speaker. A number of Rhode Island library organizations have agreed to co-sponsor the conference, and an exhibit area for vendors and sponsors will be available. To date, 52 registrations have been received. Register online at http://library.salve.edu/library_futures/registration2004.html. Information and updates can be found at http://www.ric.edu/adamslibrary/library_futures/conference.html
Ms. Parent testified before the House Finance Committee on March 11,
on H-7736, legislation on endowment-based grant-in-aid. Ms. Parent was
unable to support H-7736 and Concerns re: 2004 H-7736 prepared by Ms.
Parent was distributed. On March 24, the House Education and Welfare Committee
will hear the legislation on the establishment of the Legislative Commission.
Ms. DiMichele will testify in favor of this legislation on behalf of Ms.
Parent, who will be out of state.
The Director of the Department of Administration has agreed to grant OLIS the
authority to enter into public library construction reimbursement agreements
as long as reimbursement payments do not exceed the limits projected in the
public library construction legislation. CIO Collins has delegated responsibility
for signing agreements to Anne Parent.
As a result of the Compact Disc Multistate Antitrust case, the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General will distribute 20,000 music compact discs to schools and libraries in Rhode Island. There was a question of whether a library can sell unwanted CD’s in a book sale. The CD’s may be sold only if the proceeds are then used to purchase other music CD’s, not spoken word CD’s. The CD’s may be exchanged with other recipients.
Registration is now open for 19 continuing education program from March to June 2004 on the LORI website http://www.lori.ri.gov
Ms. Perry reported that two Gates Library Program Sustainability Seminars would be held in Rhode Island on April 5 and 6. The April 5 session will be held at the R.I. Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill in Providence, and the April 6 session will be held at the Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane. Registration and additional information can be found on the LORI website.
Ms. McDonough attended the Gates Foundation workshop in Seattle for rural librarians in public computing training. Ms. McDonough was pleased to report that small libraries in Rhode Island are very well off in comparison to other states, and serve as a great model. This can be attributed to The Champlin Foundations for their financial support for computers, CLAN for their technical support and statewide databases, and OLIS for the Minimum Standards for Public Libraries and grant-in-aid funding. Chair McKenney gave kudos to all involved.
Chair Mc Kenney welcomed guests Sarah Hunicke, a URI GLSIS student interning with Ms. Good; and Dan Austin, Associate Director at Providence Public Library.
Chair McKenney reported that Joan Ress Reeves would represent the Library Board at the American Library Association’s Library Legislative Day, May 2-4, 2004 in Washington, D.C.
Chair McKenney reported that OLIS will forward the following recommendations to the Governor’s Office for appointment to the Library Board: Ms. Reeves representing General Library Users; and Regina Connor representing Users of the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
The letter sent to the family of the late Representative Paul Sherlock in recognition and appreciation of his contribution and support for libraries was distributed.
Committee on Legislation
In the absence of Committee Chair Reynolds, Ms. Parent reported
that a meeting was held on February 23; and three legislative initiatives
were on the agenda for the Committee to consider recommending to
the full Library Board.
H-7732 – Joint resolution creating a special legislative commission to study the current strengths and weaknesses of library services in Rhode Island. The committee discussed the importance of including OLIS representation to the commission. The Committee recommended that the Library Board support H-7732.
It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Library Board of Rhode Island support H-7732 - Joint resolution creating a special legislative commission to study the current strengths and weaknesses of library services in Rhode Island.
It is expected that last year’s proposed public library construction reimbursement legislation will be reintroduced this year, amended with the inclusion of the new totals needed for construction reimbursement for the next five years. New requested appropriation levels for FY 2005 through FY 2009, calculated by OLIS staff member Ms. Mellor, were distributed. Ms. Mellor added that the delaying of some projects by communities has resulted in the need for less money for reimbursement in 2005 than originally projected. The amounts as stated should be sufficient to cover the proposed construction projects.
It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Library Board of Rhode Island support the proposed legislation on public library construction reimbursement (no bill number as yet) with the new appropriation levels as calculated by OLIS staff member Karen Mellor.
H-7336/S2155 – Acts relating to libraries – state aid: These acts would require the state to increase matching funds to public libraries based on public libraries private endowments. Ms. Parent stated that various public library representatives attended the Committee on Legislation meeting. The list of concerns regarding the legislation and a table illustrating the effects of the legislation as developed by OLIS were distributed. Some attendees had expressed concern that if the legislation were approved, it would lead to a greater pressure for fundraising in their communities. Others commented on the viability of the concept as public policy. Kathryn Taylor, Library Director at Westerly Public Library had noted that Rep. Peter Lewiss (Westerly) introduced this legislation, and while it would benefit Westerly considerably, it would also be of benefit to 18 other libraries that use endowment income for operating funds. It was noted that legislation to provide endowment-based grant-in-aid for the Providence Public Library was approved by the General Assembly in 2003. State Aid to Free Libraries, authored by Westerly Public Library and Providence Public Library as a counteraction to the list of concerns developed by Ms. Parent, was also distributed.
It was the consensus of the Committee not to recommend approval of this legislation to the Library Board of Rhode Island.
Mr. Deignan asked that since the Committee did not recommend approval, did the Committee recommend opposition? Ms. Parent responded that the Committee did not recommend opposition. Mr. Deignan asked if the Committee wished the Library Board to remain neutral? Ms. Parent responded that if the Library Board assumed a neutral stand it would go on record as remaining neutral. Mr. Deignan responded that silence gives consent.
It was moved and seconded that the Library Board of Rhode Island take a neutral stand on H-7336/S2155.
Ms. Barrows amended the motion, and it was moved and seconded that the Library Board of Rhode Island discuss, but decline to endorse H-7336/S2155. Discussion followed.
Ms. Barchi stated that she felt uncomfortable voting in any way that seems negative to libraries, is opposed to the motion, and wants neutrality.
When asked if the proposed legislation is contrary to what is in the law, Ms. Parent responded that the original grant-in-aid language (prior to the amendment of 2003) called for aid based on a percentage match of funding for libraries that is “tax-based.”
In her capacity as Chief of Library Services, Ms. Parent attends the RILA Executive Board meeting as OLIS liaison, and gave an overview of the discussions regarding this legislation at the RILA Executive Board meeting. The RILA Executive Board has taken a neutral stand on this legislation. At that meeting, several Board members expressed deep concern that if this were approved, there would be pressure to create and/or add to endowments. A number of libraries with no endowments would not benefit. One Board member commented that it is the government’s responsibility to provide for an informed citizenry, and that she therefore could not support the legislation as public policy.
Ms. Parent testified on the proposed legislation at the House Finance Committee hearing, and distributed to the Finance Committee the list of concerns she had developed. Ms. Barrows stated that with limited amounts of funding for grant-in-aid, the use of endowment funds for grant-in-aid may allow for those communities with endowments to receive a larger share of grant-in-aid funds; and that that “would be the wrong way to go.” Ms. Parent stated that if H-7336/S2155 does not pass, the legislation would stand as approved last year, and the Providence Public Library would retain its endowment-based aid.
Chair McKenney invited Mr. Austin to provide comment. Mr. Austin opined that in terms of the need for fundraising, all libraries are asked to fundraise and this legislation would not affect the need to fundraise. Public funding is needed for libraries, and the use of endowment funds to enhance library operations was reasonable public policy.
Ms. Barchi stated that it is bothersome that Providence Public Library is able to use its endowment for consideration in grant-in-aid, but it seems that Westerly Public Library cannot “get its foot in the door.” It appears as favoritism to Providence Public Library. Ms. Barchi opined that Providence Public Library should never have been allowed to do it; and it is unfair not to allow others to it. Any other library with an endowment should be able to enjoy the benefit.
Ms. McDonough opined that the legislation passed last year enabling Providence Public Library to use its endowment funds for grant-in-aid should be rescinded and that the Library Board should strongly disapprove H-7336/S2155. Town councils could ask librarians the question, “How much are you fundraising?” For a small library, $15,000 earned from fundraising goes right into the operating budget. Passage of this legislation would put small librarians in a bad position in front of their town councils.
It was moved and seconded that the Library Board of Rhode Island discuss but decline to endorse H-7336/S-2155 – Acts Relating to Libraries—State Aid: These acts would require the state to increase matching funds to public libraries based on public libraries private endowments. The motion was approved with seven affirmative votes and one negative vote.
Ms. Amedeo, Ms. Barrows, Ms. Cummings, Mr. Deignan, Ms. Deekle, Ms. Good and Ms. McDonough voted in favor of the motion. Ms. Barchi voted in opposition.
Committee on Planning and Budget
No report.
Committee on Public Relations
No report.
None.
Ms. Barchi distributed the R.I. Center for the Book card with the email address. The first annual meeting for the R.I. Center for the Book will be held in June. Volunteer recruitment for the board of directors is taking place and anyone who loves books and has business experience or fundraising experience would be welcomed.
Ms. Cummings discussed the problem she is having with email spam. Removal
of email addresses from the LORI was discussed. One consideration offered
by Ms. DiMichele would be to establish a group email address for the entire
Board. Ms. Amedeo stated that it has been useful to have her email address
posted, as economically disadvantaged persons have used it to express
concerns to her. If Board members continue to express concerns about possible
spam generated from posting their email addresses, the question will be
revisited at a later date.
None.
The next meeting of the Library Board is scheduled on Monday, April 19, 2004 at 4:15 p.m. Ms. Good offered to host the meeting at the Narragansett High School Library.
The Library Board meeting scheduled on May 17 will be held at the Cumberland Public Library and the June 21 meeting will be held at the Roger Williams University Library.
The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
Office of Library and Information Services, One Capitol Hill, Providence RI 02908-5803, (401)574-9300; Fax: (401)574-9320
Partial funding for this website and programs of the Office of Library and Information Services
is
provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
