October 26, 2007
The State Library Board met October 25, 2007 in the Carnegie Room of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2007. State Library Board members present were: Dr. George W. Paulson, President; Ms. Mary Vesper Schwetschenau, Vice-President; Ms. Lucille Hastings; Mr. David Miller; Mr. Lynn Grimshaw, and Ms. Jo Budler, Secretary.
Visitors present were: Barry McKew, Assistant Attorney General; Stephen Hedges, OPLIN; Doug Evans, Ohio Library Council; Patrick Losinski, Columbus Metropolitan Library; Dr. Belinda Boon, Kent State University School of Library and Information Science; Allison Rolfes, SWON Libraries; Joe and Janet Rathaus; and Cathy Kerner, INFOhio.
State Library staff members present were: Missy Lodge, Dianna Clark, Roger Verny, Ashlee Clark, Diane Fink, Jim Buchman, Bill Morris, David Namiotka, and Jeff Jones.
TOUR of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Genealogy, History, & Travel Division
The meeting was preceded by a tour of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Genealogy, History, and Travel Division given by manager Bonnie Chandler. The tour highlighted the improvements made to the department in order to accommodate the addition of the genealogy collection, which was transferred from the State Library of Ohio to the Columbus Metropolitan Library in April of 2007. A plaque acknowledging the State Library Board and staff hangs in the collection and reads: “It is with sincere appreciation that the Columbus Metropolitan Library recognizes the State Library of Ohio’s Board of Trustees and staff for the generous donation of their genealogy collection. In April 2007, 30,000 genealogy items were transferred to the Genealogy, History and Travel division of the Main Library. This significant acquisition coincided with the Main Library’s Centennial celebration.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September 27, 2007 Board meeting were approved by common consent.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no requests for public participation.
LSTA REPORT
Continuing Education Grants
Missy Lodge, Head, Library Programs and Development, presented two continuing education grant proposals recommended for funding.
The first grant proposal was from NEO-RLS for the Youth Services Symposium entitled, “Teens and Libraries: That’s Rad!”. Sessions will include books for teens, teen programming ideas and making the library more inviting to teens, including making it “guy friendly”. This is a two-day symposium and will be offered twice, allowing more librarians the opportunity to attend. This is a collaborative event with all four Regional Library Systems participating.
The second grant proposal was from SWON Libraries for the Continuous Library Improvement program. The quality movement to improve the work environment has moved from the profit world to the non-profit world. Over the course of six months, at two sites, teams of librarians will learn process improvement techniques and how to streamline processes in their libraries to increase efficiencies within the library.
Ms. Hastings moved (M-37-07) that Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants from FFY07 funds be awarded to the following libraries in the specified amounts for Continuing Education/ Training projects for the period of January 1, 2008 though June 30, 2008.
Northeast Ohio Regional Library System (NEO-RLS) $13,427
Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON) $24,000
Ms. Schwetschenau seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting “yes”.
LSTA Advisory Council Appointments
Ms. Lodge then presented names for consideration for the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Council recommended by State Library staff. Douglas Bean and Jennifer Schwelik are new appointees while Kathy Frederick and Stephen Wood are reappointments.
Mr. Miller moved (M-38-07) that the following persons be appointed to the LSTA Advisory Council for a three year term (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2010):
Douglas Bean, Director, Middletown Public Library
Jennifer Schwelik, Library Media Specialist, Beachwood High School
Kathy Fredrick, Library Media Specialist, Shaker Heights City Schools
Stephen Wood, Director, Cleveland Heights–University Heights Public Library
Mr. Grimshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting “yes”.
Children’s Research Study Report
Ms. Lodge then introduced Dr. Belinda Boon, Assistant Professor, Kent State University – School of Library and Information Science, to present a summary of her final report “Assessing the Training and Professional Development Needs of Ohio Public Library Staff Serving Children and Youth”. Ms. Lodge stated that the report was in response to a recommendation of the Youth Services Advisory Committee (YSAC), which was formed by the State Library in order to advise the State Library on statewide issues concerning youth, youth services, and youth services staff.
Dr. Boon reported that the purpose of the report was to identify how many Ohio public librarians are working with children, who they are, and their training needs. The results were that the typical youth services librarian is a female, between the ages of 40 and 60, and has worked more than six years in her current library. A high percentage of youth services librarians, 44.4%, have an MLIS degree. There were four areas where additional training was perceived as being needed. These were: traditional library services, technology training, an understanding of and relationship with the population served, and a desire to cooperate and partner with other organizations serving children and teens.
Dr. Boon recommended that the State Library of Ohio, the Ohio Library Council, and the Regional Library Systems coordinate their training for youth services staff. She also suggested they focus on the following areas: Traditional library skills, developmentally appropriate programming, early literacy and early childhood development, establishing and maintaining library/community partnerships, customer service skills, encouraging teen involvement in the library, marketing library services for teens, and advocating for teens with library management. She also recommended that the State Library of Ohio, the Ohio Library Council, and Kent State University work together to recruit minority youth services librarians.
Ms. Schwetschenau asked if the results were distributed. Ms. Boon replied that the intent was for the report to be distributed after the presentation to the State Library Board.
STATE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Consumer Advisory Committee Appointments
Jim Buchman, Head, Patron and Catalog Services, presented the Board with recommendations to fill seats on the Consumer Advisory Committee.
Ms. Hastings moved (M-39-07) that the following persons be appointed to the State Library’s Talking Book Consumer Advisory Committee for the terms outlined below:
Organization Representatives:
George Pyle November 1, 2007 – October 30, 2010 (initial term)
Agency Representatives:
Susan Blaha November 1, 2007 – October 30, 2010 (initial term)
Peggie Igo November 1, 2007 – October 30, 2010 (initial term)
Consumer Representatives:
Margaret Stocker November 1, 2007 – October 30, 2010 (initial term)
Jenine Stanley November 1, 2007 – October 30, 2010 (initial term)
Ms. Schwetschenau seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting “yes”.
Digital Player Policy
Mr. Buchman then updated the Board on the progress of the National Library Service (NLS) moving from the cassette talking book machines to digital players. The new digital player will be much smaller and lighter, have no moving parts, and the digital book will be the size of a credit card. The State Library of Ohio is the machine lending agency for Ohio. The State Library will be responsible for distributing the new players from 2008-2012. The Consumer Advisory Council recommended a policy, based on guidelines from the NLS, identifying the priorities for which patrons receive machines first and the process for distribution. There was discussion of the current number of talking book users in Ohio as well as how the reduced funding of NLS will affect the distribution. The Board recommended that the eligible members of the State Library Talking Book Consumer Advisory Committee be removed from the priority listing.
Mr. Grimshaw moved (M-40-07) that the following revised policy be adopted by the State Library Board:
State Library of Ohio
Distribution of Digital Talking Book Machines
Background
In late 2008, the National Library Service (NLS) Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will begin allocating its new Digital Talking Book Machines (DTBM). This unit will eventually replace the analog cassette machines currently in use. Production and allocation of the DTBMs is expected to be a gradual process that will occur over a four-year period between 2008 and 2012.
NLS has recommended each Machine Lending Agency, of which the State Library of Ohio is one, develop a set of priorities for the distribution of DTBMs to end users.
The State Library of Ohio’s Talking Book Consumer Advisory Committee developed and approved the following recommendations for priority distribution of DTBMs at its August 23, 2007 meeting. The recommendations for priority distribution are based on the following parameters:
- State Library of Ohio will be allocated an estimated 100 to 124 DTBMs per month.
- Users of DTBMs may have two machines initially: An analog cassette machine and a new DTBM.
- All DTBMs will be distributed through the State Library of Ohio. DTBMs will not be distributed through the sub-lending agencies until all priority requests have been met.
- Individuals wanting a DTBM will need to request one. DTBMs will be issued on a first-come-first serve basis within priority groupings.
- Existing users of the Talking Book service wanting a DTBM must be in an active status and in good standing, i.e. return materials on time, to be eligible.
- The State Library of Ohio will begin keeping lists of users in priority groupings beginning in January 2008, which will be shared with the Cleveland and Cincinnati Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Priority Groupings for Distribution of DTBMs
First Priority:
- Ohio Veterans. In January 2008, the State Library of Ohio will mail letters to identified veterans already on the program. Individuals wanting a DTBM will need to contact the State Library to be added to the priority list.
- Ohio Members of NLS Ten-Squared Talking-Book Club (those readers more than 100 years of age). Members will be contacted by phone. DTBMs will be distributed to those requesting one.
- Schools serving blind students.
Second Priority: To be done after first priority has been completely satisfied:
- Individuals using the Easy cassette machine. The State Library of Ohio will mail letters to Easy users already on the program. Individuals wanting a DTBM will need to contact the State Library to be added to the priority list.
Third Priority: To be done after first two priorities have been completely satisfied:
- Existing users requesting a DTBM who do NOT meet any of the previously listed priorities. Those wanting a DTBM will need to contact the State Library to be added to the priority list.
- New Users. New Users will be offered DTBMs as available. If a DTBM is not available the new user will be issued an analog cassette machine and placed on the DTBM waiting list.
Mr. Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed with Dr. Paulson, Mr. Miller, Ms. Schwetschenau, and Mr. Grimshaw voting “yes”. Ms. Hastings abstained.
State Library Department Report – SEO Library Center
Dianna Clark, Director, SEO Library Center, provided the Board with an overview of the Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) Library Center. SEO Library Center began as a resource center for eleven Southeastern counties and provided bookmobile services for seven counties. Through the years, SEO’s role has expanded and now the library center administers a library automation consortium for over 70 library systems statewide, provides interlibrary loan and back–up reference services, manages one mobile computer training lab that travels throughout the state, provides medianet items like videos and DVDs that can be shown to groups with Public Performance Rights and Elison Dies, and provides EResources - eBooks, Audio Books, Music, and Playaways.
New Employee Introduction
Ms. Budler introduced Jeff Jones, the new Head of Employee Relations.
LSTA Projected Funding
Diane Fink, Head, Fiscal & Business Services, reviewed the projected LSTA funding for the next two federal fiscal years. Ms. Fink outlined the monies reserved for the operating budget, KnowItNow Service, Libraries Connect Ohio databases, Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, automation grants, and competitive grants.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
LSTA Automation Funding Guidelines – INFOhio
Ms. Budler informed the Board that State Library staff recommends the Board fund the automation grants in the amount of $200,000 annually instead of the suggested $400,000 annually, based on the projected LSTA funding.
There was brief discussion before the Board agreed by common consent to fund the automation grants at approximately $200,000.
State Library Board Nomination
Dr. Paulson led the Board in a discussion of the six candidates received for the upcoming State Library Board vacancy. The candidates’ résumés, relevant experience, and characteristics were discussed.
Mr. Grimshaw moved (M-41-07) that Barbara Aras, Mary Dodd, and F. Ward Murrey be recommended to the State Board of Education for appointment to the State Library Board.
Ms. Schwetschenau seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting “yes”.
NEW BUSINESS
Endorsement of Ohio Library Council Competencies
Ms. Lodge then introduced Doug Evans, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council, who presented to the Board the Ohio Library Council’s Ohio Public Library Core Competencies. The competencies grew out of the Ohio Library Council’s 2003 Futures Initiative and were developed by the Library Education Committee.
Ms. Hastings moved (M-42-07) that the State Library Board endorses the Ohio Library Council’s Ohio Public Library Core Competencies.
Mr. Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting "yes".
OPLIN Filtering Grants
Stephen Hedges, Executive Director, Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), updated the Board on the OPLIN Filtering Grant Program and presented several grants which were above $5,000 for approval.
Mr. Miller moved (M-43-07) that fiscal year 2008 General Revenue Funds within ALI 350-400 (Ohio Public Library Information Network) not to exceed the amount of $42,685.00 be granted to the following public libraries for filtering grants from November 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008:
Fairfield County District Library $7,967.00
Greene County Public Library $6,090.00
Lane Public Library $5,064.00
Nelsonville Public Library $8,364.00
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County $10,000.00
Warren-Trumbull County Public Library $5,200.00
Mr. Grimshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members voting "yes".
Retirement Resolution
The following resolution was approved by common consent:
WHEREAS, Joseph Rathaus worked at the State Library of Ohio for more than thirty-five years; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Rathaus took pride in his work and resolve in his actions as a technical services library assistant; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Rathaus’ work was essential to the organization of State Library materials, permitting customers and staff to easily locate materials on the shelves;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the State Library Board recognizes Joseph Rathaus, thanks him for his years of service, dedication and loyalty to the State Library of Ohio and its customers, and congratulates him on his retirement.
March Board Meeting Date
Ms. Budler asked the Board to consider moving Board meeting scheduled for March 27, 2008 to March 20, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items for discussion, Ms. Hastings moved (M-44-07) to adjourn. Ms. Schwetschenau seconded the motion. The Board adjourned by common consent at 3:55 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2007.