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State Library Board Meeting Minutes April 2010

The State Library Board met April 8, 2010 in Conference Room D of the State Library, 274 East First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

CALL TO ORDER
The business meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2010.  State Library Board members present were: Mr. Lynn Grimshaw, President; Mr. F. Ward Murrey, Vice-President; Dr. George W. Paulson; Mr. Stephen Wood and Dr. Andrea Tiktin-Fanti.

Visitors present were: Stephen Hedges, OPLIN; Beverly Cain, Portsmouth Public Library; Michael Butler, OHIONET; and Doug Evans, Ohio Library Council.

State Library staff members present were: Bill Morris, Diane Fink, Julia Ward, Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, Dianna Clark, and Jim Buchman.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Mr. Wood moved (M-26-10) that the minutes of the March 15-16, 2010 Board meeting be approved.

Dr. Tiktin-Fanti seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Mr. Wood, Dr. Tiktin-Fanti, and Dr. Paulson voting "yes".

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no requests for public participation.

LSTA REPORT
LSTA Growing Community Grants

Diane Fink, Head, Fiscal and Business Services, stated that the State Library received a total of 22 Growing Community Grant proposals with a total request of $110,079.  These proposals were reviewed by members of the LSTA Advisory Committee and they recommend funding of 16 grants for a total of $76,330.  Ms. Fink noted that a summary of the grant program was included in the Board member packets.  The program requires a 25% local match and the purchase of equipment is not allowed.  The grants will run from May1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 using FFY 2009 funds.

Mr. Wood moved (M-27-10) that Library Services and Technology (LSTA) grants from FFY09 funds be awarded to the following libraries in the specified amounts for Growing Community: The Library Food Garden/Services to Targeted Populations projects for the period of May 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010.

Andover Public Library $7,386
Champaign County Library $3,283
Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library $3,750
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library $5,600
Cleveland State University, Michael Swartz Library $7,234
Defiance Public Library, Friends of the Johnson Memorial Library $3,000
Defiance Public Library, Friends of the Sherwood Library $2,625
Fredericktown Local Schools $4,380
Lakewood Public Library $7,249
Newton Falls Public Library $1,291
Olentangy Local School District $5,518
Pickerington Public Library $3,175
Plain City Public Library $7,045
Shaker Heights Public Library $5,175
Twinsburg Public Library $7,125
Wornstaff Memorial Public Library $2,494

Mr. Murrey seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

STATE LIBRARIANS REPORT
Staff Update

Ms. Fink then provided the Board with an update on several staff positions in the process of being filled beginning with the Library Assistant position which was posted for 10 days on the state’s job posting site and received over 6600 hits in resulting in over 970 total applications.  Matthew Dyer, Head, Employee Services is currently making an initial screening of the applications to ensure they meet the minimum qualifications.  Ms. Fink noted this position is an entry level position for the State Library which offers the opportunity for advancement to other positions within the agency.  There was brief discussion about the qualifications for the position and Ms. Fink noted that they will be looking for library experience among the applicants.

Ms. Fink then reported on the hiring of a Librarian II for the Reference Services department.  Katie Sabol was hired and will be starting on Monday April 12, 2010.  Ms. Sabol’s most recent experience as a reference librarian was at the Langley Air Force Base.  She was chosen from over 190 applicants for the position.

Ms. Fink then reported on the search for a new State Librarian noting that the position has been vacant since the end of February.  The Board conducted in person interviews with two candidates at the March 15-16 Board meeting.  The candidates were also interviewed by a panel of representatives from the library community and an internal State Library panel.  In addition, they made a presentation to State Library staff and the public as part of the interview process.  A total of 23 applications were received for the position.

Mr. Murrey moved (M-28-10) that Beverly Cain be appointed State Librarian of the State Library of Ohio effective June 1, 2010 at a salary of $97,000 per year.

Dr. Paulson seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

Ms. Fink also reported on the appointment of John Magill as interim director of OhioLINK with the departure of Tom Sanville.  Mr. Magill is on loan from the Ohio Department of Development and is a former Board Member of the Upper Arlington Public Library. He is a current board member of OARNET.

NEW BUSINESS
Board Meeting Format and Schedule

Ms. Fink then presented the proposed Board Meeting schedule noting that the May 13 meeting is moved up because of timing issues with several boundary change requests currently before the Board.  The June 17 meeting is moved up because of the ALA Annual Conference being held during the last week in June.  The July 22 meeting is earlier because of the absence of several staff on that date.  The October 21 meeting is earlier to avoid conflict with a Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) meeting and the December 14 meeting is earlier in the month because of the holidays.

There was discussion about the board development sessions and State Library department reports before the Board.  The Board indicated that while they appreciate the doard development sessions they feel it would be best to wait for the new State Librarian to start before continuing those sessions, perhaps in the fall.  They agreed that the departmental reports as part of the regular business meeting should continue as currently planned.  There was also discussion about the possibility of holding Board meetings at other locations around the State. Ms. Fink noted that Kim Fender, Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has offered to host a meeting of the Board at their library.  Mr. Wood suggested that given the driving distances involved it might be a good idea to hold the Board Retreat scheduled for April 28-29, 2011 in Cincinnati.  It was also agreed that the general meeting start time would be 10:00 am with the possibility of adjusting that time at a later date depending on the reestablishment of Board Development sessions.

Dr. Tiktin-Fanti moved (M-29-10) adoption of the following tentative State Library Board meeting schedule with meetings starting at 10:00 am:

May 13, 2010
June 17, 2010
July 22, 2010
September 30, 2010
October 21, 2010
December 14, 2010
January 27, 2011
March 31, 2011
April 28-29, 2011
May 26, 2011
June 16, 2011    

Mr. Wood seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

Harris Elmore Public Library Boundaries
Bill Morris, Governmental Affairs Coordinator, then presented the Board with a request from the Harris-Elmore Public Library to redefine their boundaries.  The Harris-Elmore Public Library is a school district public library whose boundaries currently equal the portion of the Woodmore School District within Ottawa County.  The library currently maintains a branch in Genoa in Clay Township on the western edge of the county which is not located within the legal boundaries of the library.  The portion of Woodmore Local School District located in Sandusky County was defined to be part of the Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County in 1985.  The Harris-Elmore Public Library is requesting the boundaries of the library be changed to better reflect their service area to include Allen, Clay and Harris Townships in the Western portion of Ottawa County.

Mr. Wood moved (M-30-10) that the State Library Board proposes the Harris-Elmore Public Library boundaries be amended to include the following townships in Ottawa County:

Allen Township
Clay Township
Harris Township

Mr. Murrey seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

National Library Week and National Library Workers Day Proclamation
Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, Director of Marketing and Communications, presented a resolution honoring National Library Week and National Library Workers Day noting that a breakfast for staff at the State Library is planned for April 13 and a lunch for staff at SEO is also planned that day.

Mr. Grimshaw moved (M-31-10) adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLUTION

Whereas, libraries everywhere play a vital role in supporting the quality of life in their communities; and

Whereas, our state’s school, academic, public and special libraries make a difference in the lives of millions of Ohioans, today, more than ever; and

Whereas, librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find and interpret the information they need to live, learn and work in a challenging economy; and

Whereas, libraries serve as crucial technology hubs for people in need of free Web access, computer training, and assistance finding job resources; and

Whereas, libraries are part of the American Dream – places for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning; and

Whereas, library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a decade-long trend; and

Whereas, all Ohioans and all Ohio libraries benefit from the resources, services, and support provided by the State Library of Ohio and the library’s dedicated staff; and

Whereas, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week and National Library Workers Day;

Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that on this day, April 8, 2010, the State Library Board proclaims National Library Week, April 11-17, 2010 and National Library Workers Day, April 13, 2010, and encourages all residents to visit their libraries or library websites this week to take advantage of the variety of library resources available and thank their librarians and library workers for their exceptional contributions to American life.

Mr. Wood seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

National Bookmobile Day 2010 Proclamation
Ms. McDevitt-Stredney then presented a resolution honoring the first ever National Bookmobile Day on April 8, 2010.  She noted that the April State Library Newsletter focuses on mobile library services and that Interim State Librarian Missy Lodge dedicated the newsletter to John Philip, a former State Library employee and nationally recognized bookmobile advocate.  The newsletter highlights Ohio’s rich heritage of bookmobile service and includes articles and photographs scanned from State Library files dating as far back as 1927 as well as information and a photo gallery of current bookmobiles in the state.

Dr. Paulson moved (M-32-10) that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION

Whereas, libraries everywhere play a vital role in supporting the quality of life in their communities; and

Whereas, librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find and interpret the information they need to live, learn and work in a challenging economy; and

Whereas, for over 100 years, bookmobiles and direct-delivery outreach services have played a vital role in fulfilling the mission of libraries, bringing the resources of libraries and the expertise of librarians directly to all kinds of communities – rural, urban and suburban; and

Whereas, bookmobiles are modern, changing and dynamic mobile information centers for the 21st century, providing not just books, but DVDs, music, resources for job searches, and more; and

Whereas, as an extension of libraries, bookmobiles are part of the American Dream – places for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning; and

Whereas, bookmobile use is up nationwide among all types of library users;

Whereas, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Bookmobile Day during National Library Week;

Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that on this day, April 8, 2010, the State Library Board proclaims National Bookmobile Day, Wednesday, April 14, 2010 and encourages all residents to visit their bookmobiles that day to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available @ your library, brought directly to you by bookmobiles.

Mr. Wood seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Murrey, Dr. Paulson, Mr. Wood, and Dr. Tiktin-Fanti voting "yes".

At the Board’s request Beverly Cain commented on the importance of bookmobile service over the years to the Residents of Scioto County.  Dr. Tiktin-Fanti agreed on the importance of the service to rural counties like her own in Tuscarawas County.  Mr. Murrey also noted that the State Library had at one time as many as 16 Bookmobiles around the state providing service at various locations.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items for discussion, Dr. Paulson moved (M-33-10) to adjourn.  Mr. Wood seconded the motion.  The Board adjourned by common consent at 11:00 a.m.

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