April 21, 2008

    M I N U T E S
    IOWA COMMISSION OF LIBRARIES

Date:  April 21, 2008
8:30 a.m. to Noon
State Library of Iowa
1112 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Room 300

Present:  Monica Gohlinghorst, Daniel Boice, Thomas Martin, Janet Mohs, Jann Freed, Rita Martens, David Boyd

Absent:  Frank Sposeto

Staff:  Mary Wegner, Carol Simmons, Annette Wetteland, Barbara Corson, Beth Henning, Sandy Dixon, Steve Cox, Jay Peterson, Karen Randleman

Guests:  Karen Burns, Administrator, Southwest Iowa Library Service Area; Maureen Sullivan, Strategic Planner; and Katherine Von Wald, Coordinator, Iowa Center for the Book

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chair Monica Gohlinghorst, who welcomed Maureen Sullivan to the meeting.

1.0   Set Agenda
Agenda approved as set.

2.0   Approve Minutes
Martens moved to approve as presented.  Boice seconded, motion carried unanimously.

3.0   Financial Report
Cox reported that both federal and state monies are on target.  The State Library will begin using 2008 federal funds within a week or so.  New computers will be installed for half of the staff some time this spring.  The other half received new computers last spring.  Cox said he is expecting gift funds of $8000 from CBS News to arrive soon.  Martin moved to accept the report as presented.  Boice seconded, motion carried unanimously.

4.0   Communications

A.  Commission Reports
          Boice said he attended two meetings: Iowa Private Academic Libraries and the Iowa chapter of Academic and College Research Libraries.  Wegner presented a State Library update at each.
 Gohlinghorst announced that the Council Bluffs Public Library is celebrating 10 years in its building.  She said the library received a matching grant for $125,000 they will use for the book budget.  The library also had 1,500 entries for a bookmark design contest.
           Martens reported that the Department of Education is waiting for legislative action on Core Curriculum standards for Iowa schools.
           Mohs said she is learning about health care literacy and how it works in Iowa.  She said she viewed a video about Iowa being the healthiest state in the country.
           Martin said Iowa City is in the process of hiring a new city manager.  The Iowa City Public Library is preparing for the Summer Reading Program.  He also noted that his home town of Conrad will be dedicating a new library building on June 7.  He invited commissioners to attend.

B.  State Librarian’s Report
     Corson reported on State Library activities during National Library Week, April 14-18.  Twenty-two classes with nine instructors on 11 topics were held.  118 students attended.  Evaluations were very favorable.  The State Library also held two Lunch and Learn sessions showing two documentaries about Iowa.  The Horizon data base system is undergoing a change and will soon be stored and maintained in Atlanta, GA.  Software for Iowa Publications Online will be upgraded as well.
      Henning said she will be reading vendor proposals next week to upgrade the State Data Center Web site.
      Dixon announced that State Library Consultant Gerry Rowland will retire at the end of June. A reception for him will be held after the June Commission meeting.  Seventy libraries received Gates Hardware Grants and 60 participated in the Computers in Libraries Conference in Washington, DC.  Six staff members attended the Public Library Association in Minneapolis in late March.
      Wegner said she will resume monthly State Library Updates, which will be e-mailed to commissioners, State Library staff, and LSA staff.  She reminded commissioners that there was a display on the first floor honoring the State Library’s 100 year anniversary in the Miller Building.

C.  Library Service Areas Report - Karen Burns, Southwest Iowa Library Service Area (LSA)
      Burns reported that the Library Service Areas are focusing on early childhood literacy by putting together Kids First kits and holding a Grandparents Fair.  An online conference was conducted using Wimba, which is available through the State Library’s membership in WebJunction.  One-hundred attended the conference.  Michael Stevens presented in the morning and Pat Wagner in the afternoon.  Another class will be held on January 12, 2009.  The Southwest LSA is part of a consortium to provide downloadable audio books to patrons.  The vendor is OverDrive.  Staff at Northwest, Central, Southwest, and Southeast LSAs will serve as project managers.  Libraries were also asked to participate in “A Day in the Life of Iowa Libraries," an online photo journal that will be a "snapshot" of Iowa libraries during National Library Week.  Librarians, trustees and friends will take photos of their libraries and its happenings on April 16 and upload the photos to Flickr.  The photos will be accessible to anyone online.  Burns is also holding computer-side chats and several other classes via the Web.

D.  Special Report – Katherine Von Wald, Iowa Center for the Book   
            The Iowa Center for the Book affiliation with the Library of Congress was recently renewed.  The national Letters about Literature program changed this year.  Instead of winning trips to Washington, DC, the two national winners at each of the three age-group levels will be joined by four honorable mentions in each level and each will win prizes, as well as money for their local libraries.   A ceremony honoring Iowa’s winners will be held at the State Library on April 25, 2008. 
5.0   Public Comment
        None

6.0   Discussion Items

A.   Introduction of New State Library Staff
       Dixon introduced the Commission to two new State Library consultants:   Karen Randleman and Jay Peterson.  Randleman is the new youth services consultant and Peterson will run the e-rate program, work with databases and securing discounts for libraries, and manage the school library survey.

7.0   Action Items

A.   Report from Bylaws Review Subcommittee
           Martens motioned to keep the bylaws as written.  Freed seconded, motion carried unanimously.  Simmons is to note the date of motion on the document.

B.  Voluntary Multi-type Statewide Shared Automation System – Advisory Group
      Wegner reported to the Commission that the library community has a great interest in a statewide shared automation system.  She asked for approval to put together an advisory group to advise the State Library on the viability of a new system.  Martin moved the following:

The State Library seeks to develop a voluntary statewide shared automation system, using open source software.  The system will be developed for and open to Iowa libraries of all types.  An ad hoc advisory group, broadly representing the Iowa library community, will be formed with the following charge:
•    Affirm guiding principles for the shared automation project
•    Communicate Iowa libraries’ priorities for a shared automation system
•    Advise the State Library on strategies for the successful development of a shared automation system

Martens seconded, motion carried unanimously.

C.   State Library Strategic Planning – Maureen Sullivan
           Wegner introduced Maureen Sullivan to the Commission.  She explained that Sullivan is facilitating the process of creating a strategic plan for the State Library.  Sullivan gave a short overview of her background and then asked commissioners several questions to initiate the planning process.  The Commission will be updated on the planning process via e-mail prior to the June meeting.

8.0   Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
NEXT MEETING:  June 20, 10:00-2:00 p.m. Room 300, State Library
Minutes submitted by Carol Simmons, Secretary 3