January 29–30, 2004
The State Library Board met January 29 – 30, 2004 in the Brahm Boardroom at the State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio to conduct their annual retreat.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2004. State Library Board members present were: Ms. Lucille Hastings, President; Dr. George W. Paulson, Vice President; Mr. David Miller, Ms. Ann Baines, Mr. Carl Stich, and Mr. Michael Lucas, Secretary.
Visitors present were Russell Crabtree, Holy Cow Consulting and Paul Pormen, NOLA Regional Library System.
State Library staff members present were: Pete Bates, Judy Bow, Jane Byrnes, Jay Burton, Jim Buchman, Diane Fink, Pat Haas, Cindy McLaughlin, Missy Lodge, Bill Morris, Gretchen Persohn, Carol Roddy, Dennis Van Sickle, Steve Updegraff, and Roger Verny.
OATH OF OFFICE
Dr. Paulson administered the oath of office to Lucille Hastings. Ms. Hastings was appointed to a second five–year term on the State Library Board by the State Board of Education at their January meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The December 11, 2003 minutes were approved by common consent.
GATES GRANT
Roger Verny, Deputy State Librarian, announced that Ohio was one of 18 states nationally to receive a Gates Foundation Staying Connected grant. Six Ohio libraries will use the grant money to update and replace public access computers.
Ms. Baines moved (M–01–04) that a Gates Foundation Staying Connected grant in the amount of $21,574 be awarded to the Toledo–Lucas County Public Library to start the computer replacement process.
Dr. Paulson seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting "yes".
The Staying Connected grants are used to purchase public access computing equipment for libraries that have populations living in areas of persistent poverty. Ms. Baines, asked how the "areas of persistent poverty" were determined. The Gates Foundation has a methodology to make that determination.
REVIEW OF STATE LIBRARY'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Mr. Verny led a review of the State Library's mission and vision statements included in the 2002–2007 Strategic Plan. First the Board considered the changes in the environment that have occurred since the Strategic Plan was first written. A few of the changes listed were: Less funding; Greater use and knowledge of the technologies available; and Moving to a customer focused environment. Then the group looked at the internal and external vision statements, discussing whether the statements should be changed and how.
Dennis Van Sickle, head of the new Labor and Government Relations Department, discussed the department's role in implementing the Library's goals.
THE STATE LIBRARY AND REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEMS
Russell Crabtree, Holy Cow Consultants, reviewed the process used by the State Library / Regional Library Systems task force to discuss the incorporation of the regional library systems into the State Library. It was decided that such incorporation would be neither feasible nor desirable. The task force recommended a study to look at the vision, purpose, and services of the Regional Systems.
After discussion, the Board decided that no study would be conducted. Instead, they decided to take a free market approach to the Regional Library Systems, in that the Board would be open to service based grant proposals from the Regionals.
BUDGET PRIORITIES AND STRATEGY
The Board also reviewed the State Library's budget priorities and strategy. Diane Fink, Head of Fiscal Services, discussed how the 2006 – 2007 budget will be developed, based on guidelines from the Office of Budget and Management. A few of the budget priorities discussed were: Educating decision–makers; Updating technology for internal users; Maintaining outreach to user groups; Continuing to integrate the library community; and Collection development. Strategies discussed included: Finding partners and determining which services are the most important.
January 30, 2004
LSTA PRIORITIES AND FUTURE DIRECTION
The Board discussed Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant priorities and the future direction of the grant program. Missy Lodge, Program Administrator, led a review of the progress on the goals listed in the LSTA 5 Year Plan 2003–2007. The Board reviewed the LSTA grant approval process and agreed that one Board member should attend grant review Team Leader sessions. After discussion, the Board expressed concern about funding LSTA proposals that are in direct competition with SLO projects. They directed the LSTA Advisory Council to review this issue and develop a recommendation. The Board also discussed the promotion of successful grant projects.
MISCELLANY
The Board discussed the databases that were purchased with LSTA funds and questioned how they were being used. Jay Burton, Head, Library Programs and Development, trains librarians in using the databases. He said patrons want information when they need it. The library staff is key in educating patrons about the available databases and their use.
Carl J. Stich, Jr., will be leaving the State Library Board in December 2004. The Board discussed the nomination process for new members of the Board. Currently, the request for nominations goes out by electronic means, with letters to legislators, public and academic libraries and library associations. The Board discussed that if the location of the nominee will be an issue that should be mentioned in the request for nomination.
The Board discussed and agreed that a Board member should attend Talking Books Consumer Advisory Council meetings.
Michael S. Lucas, State Librarian, reviewed the activities grid for the Library Futures Initiative, a comprehensive review of the future of public library service. The State Library would be responsible for heading three initiatives: the establishment of a statewide 24/7 virtual reference service; creation of a statewide library card; and establishing a statewide adaptive technology initiative. Steps have already been taken to establish the 24/7 virtual reference service and the adaptive technology initiative. Mr. Lucas indicated to the Board that the statewide library card is the third priority among the three activities. However, within the next few months he will appoint a working group to address the issue.
Pete Bates, Information Systems and Technology Director, updated the Board on the current status of MORE, the statewide resource–sharing project. Currently, there are 135 libraries of various types using the MORE system. The new software release 2.6 is due in the Spring 2004 and will improve searching and processing speed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Stich moved (M–02–04) at 11:35 a.m. that the State Library Board enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting "yes".
Mr. Miller moved (M–03–04) at 1:00 p.m. that the State Library Board reconvene from Executive Session. Dr. Paulson seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting "yes".
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items for discussion, the Board adjourned by common consent. The Board adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2004.