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Members Present:
Chair Mark McKenney, Peter Deekle, Tovah Reis, Donna Good, Deborah Barchi, Jay Litman, Alice Barrows, Rose Ellen Reynolds, Cristina Amedeo, Mary Cummings

Members Absent:
Joan Ankner, Joshua Teverow, Donald Deignan, William Allen, Phyllis Harnick, Leslie McDonough

Present from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS):
Anne Parent, Beth Perry, Donna DiMichele, Karen Mellor

Observers:
Joan Ress Reeves; Regina Connor, Kim Worthington, URI-GSLIS student

Reporting:
Laurie Scialabba

Materials Distributed:
1. Proposed State Library Aid, FY 2006
2. Facts about Rhode Island Libraries (rev. 1/18/05)

The meeting was convened at 4:18 p.m.

I. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the October 25, 2004 meeting were moved, seconded and unanimously approved.

II. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION

The federal LSTA grant for FY 2005 for Rhode Island is $1,020,285. This is a 6% increase (in actual dollars, $58,146) over the previous year. It was noted that the increase on the Federal side is more than offset by the decline on the State side of support for the agency in recent years. In response to Ms. Connor’s inquiry about the percentage of state match and the maintenance of effort required by the IMLS, the Federal funding agency, Ms. Parent will provide the information to Ms. Connor.

State library aid was fully funded at $8.4 million dollars in the Governor’s budget.
Library Construction Aid increased $110,158 over the FY 2005 revised funding level to fully fund projected FY 2006 payments for current commitments. The Proposed State Library Aid, FY 2006 was distributed and the Board will vote on it at its next meeting.

The State Budget Executive Summary includes a statement that Library and Information Services is considered a new program as a result of the reorganization of the former Office of Library and Information Services. The title of the resulting library program is under consideration. Ms. Parent’s position has been proposed to move to the classified service, however, the Master’s Degree in Library Science will no longer be an educational requirement.

ALA is urging the library community to support H.R. 405, a tax cut for educators, including school librarians. However, COSLA is debating the issue, and whether ALA should support a tax cut. Ms. Parent recommends that the Library Board hold off on expressing support for the legislation. Mr. Litman requested that the bill be sent via email to him. Ms. Parent will email the ALA release about the bill to all LBRI members.

Relocation of office space for library staff is under negotiation. Ms. Perry and Ms. Parent have developed recommendations in response to a request for same from DOA administration; and they are scheduled to meet with DOA representatives on Wednesday. Ms. Parent will inform the Board of relocation discussions after Wednesday.

The LibFutures Steering Committee met in January to discuss implementation of the three most important public service goals identified at the Town Meeting. The three goals are: one catalog for all libraries, statewide databases and lifelong learning. The Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday and one item for discussion is to have a small group meet with a facilitator to discuss the statewide roles for Providence Public Library and the state library agency, the role of the Library Board and the status of school libraries. The projected date of this meeting is February 11, and Ms. Parent will represent OLIS and Chair McKenney will represent the Library Board.

H5170 was introduced and would provide that all libraries that receive state aid shall be subject to the open meetings law. This act would take effect on July 1, 2006.

III. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Chair McKenney welcomed Kim Worthington, URI-GSLIS student, working with Donna Good. An article in today’s Providence Journal noted that the Governor has appointed Regina Connor to serve on the Library Board. The Governor has also reappointed Alice Barrows, Peter Deekle, Tovah Reis and Mark McKenney to the Library Board. Joan Ress Reeves’ name has also been submitted to the Governor’s Office for appointment. Chair McKenney also attended the HELIN Conference.

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee on Legislation
No report.

Committee on Planning and Budget
No report.

Committee on Public Relations
No report.

Ad Hoc Committee on Bylaws
Facts about Rhode Island Libraries (rev. 1/18/05) was distributed. Board members were invited to send comments to Tovah Reis. The committee will meet again to finalize the wording. It will be distributed in print and placed on the LORI website. Ms. Reis will send meeting notification for the next committee meeting to Ms. Scialabba for the Office of the Secretary of State. Mr. Litman and Ms. Mellor are invited to the next meeting.

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Reporting on her attendance at a recent IRMB meeting, Ms. Barrows reported that “Ask A Librarian” service, featured on ri.gov, had 724 hits for the month of December. Ms. Mellor noted that Providence Public Library answered approximately 250 questions for “Ask A Librarian.” The discrepancy in number is thought to be that most hits represent people stumbling across and/or glancing at the site. Ms. Reeves asked if there is fair compensation to Providence Public Library as the Statewide Reference Resource Center (SRRC) for this service. Chair McKenney asked if the service was cost-effective. Ms. Parent noted that the service is included as part of the negotiated services provided under the SRRC contract. She added that while traditional reference service statistics are declining, electronic reference statistics are increasing, although the service is still too new for final conclusions to be drawn on its cost-effectiveness. Mr. Deekle added that the academic libraries also provide a virtual reference service. Ms. Reeves suggested combining the two reference services. Ms. Reis noted that the academic libraries sign licenses and cannot give access to the service to the general public. Mr. Litman suggested exploration of connecting to the service on the Cox homepage.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Proposed State Library Aid, FY 2006 was distributed and discussed. Ms. Parent noted that these amounts are also reflected in the Governor’s proposed budget. The Library Board will take action on the proposal at the next Library Board meeting.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Reynolds reported that the COLA meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., at the State House. Senator Elizabeth Roberts will receive the Sweetheart of the Year Award.

VIII. AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2005 at the Department of Administration.

Future meetings of the Board are scheduled as follows:

February 28
March 21
April 25
May 23
June 20
Sept 19
October 17
November 21
December 19

The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.