June 2006 Commission Meeting Minutes

Date:  June 20, 2006                                      
Location:  Des Moines Public Library
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.                         


Present: Dale Ross, David Boyd, Pam Bradley, Jann Freed, Monica Gohlinghorst, Rita Martens
Absent:  Frank Sposeto
Guests:  Roy Kenagy, Kay Runge
Staff:  Mary Wegner, Barb Corson, Steve Cox, Sandy Dixon, Fran Fessler, Beth Henning, Alan Schmitz

Welcome from Kay Runge
Kay Runge, director of the Des Moines Public Library, welcomed the Commission.  She talked briefly about the new downtown library building and the unique features that architect David Chipperfield incorporated into it.  Of special note are the energy-efficient walls of copper mesh between two plates of glass, and the building’s “green roof”, which is planted with sedum.

Ross called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

1.0  Set Agenda
Ross requested that “Action Items” be moved after “Approve Minutes”.  Agenda approved with the change.

2.0  Approve Minutes
Gohlinghorst moved to approve minutes from the April 12, 2006 meeting as written.  Martens seconded.  Motion carried.

3.0  Action Items
     A.  SILO contract with ISU
Schmitz explained that the SILO contract for computer services with Iowa State University is up for renewal.  The contract is renewed every three years.  Through the Parks Library at Iowa State, the State Library is provides the SILO Locator and interlibrary loan programs for libraries, and is also able to host e-mail and Web sites for libraries.  Horizon, the on-line library catalog, is also located on their server.  This partnership with Iowa State is beneficial to both entities.  As a land grant college, the Parks Library’s partnership with the State Library helps fulfill the obligation to provide outreach service to the state.  The partnership provides cost savings and flexibility for the State Library.  Schmitz discussed the SILO budget and gave an update on the PLOW (Putting Libraries on the Web) project.  More than 290 public libraries have signed agreements to participate in the project.

Gohlinghorst moved to approve the contract.  Boyd seconded.  Motion carried.

     B. Approve document “Is a Combined School/Public Library Right for your Community?  A Guide for Decision Makers”

Dixon reported that the committee has completed their charge by the Commission to “develop a planning guide to assist Iowa communities in making informed decisions on combined school and public library services.”  The title is “Is a Combined School/Public Library Right for Your Community?  A Guide for Decision Makers.”  The State Library contracted with Mary Jo Langhorne, a consultant and retired teacher librarian, to work with the committee and write the document.  In addition to the committee’s input, it was reviewed by four “readers” who provided suggestions.  The document outlines issues to address when considering a combination school/public library, and includes a feasibility checklist.  The State Library plans to make the document available to the Iowa Association of School Boards, Iowa League of Cities and other interested parties.  It will also be on the State Library’s Web site. 

Freed moved to approve the document.  Boyd seconded. Motion carried

     C.  Approve Articles of Incorporation—Iowa Center for the Book Foundation
Wegner presented a draft of proposed Articles of Incorporation for the Iowa Center for the Book Foundation.  The Development of a Foundation will allow the acquisition of funds to support the Center for the Books. 

Bradley moved to approve the Articles.  Martens seconded.  Motion carried.

     D.  Approve State Library/Library Service Areas Plan of Service 07-08
The State Library and Library Services Areas are required by Iowa code to develop a biennial unified plan of service.  Wegner presented the proposed Plan for 07-08:

Goal:  Iowa Libraries are Educational
Objective 1*
The number of public libraries offering training in finding and evaluating information will increase by 25 percent by June 30, 2008.
Objective 2*
Librarians will train 500 parents to be better able to assist in their children’s reading and school readiness by June 30, 2008.

Goal:  Iowa Libraries are Essential
Objective 1
The disparity between city and county funding will decrease in 20 counties by June 30, 2008.
Objective 2*
Two hundred libraries will send at least one representative to an advocacy training session by June 30, 2008.
Objective 3
Each year representatives from public libraries will report contact with three different types of decision makers.

Goal:  Iowa Libraries are Effective
Objective 1
One hundred public libraries will have used the New Planning for Results as a long-range planning process by June 30, 2008.
Objective 2
One hundred public libraries will meet an additional two standards from those listed in In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality Fourth Edition by June 30, 2008.
Objective 3
Two hundred public libraries will send trustees to board development programs by June 30, 2008.
Objective 4*
The number of EbscoHost searches by Iowans will increase 10 percent by June 30, 2008.

Objectives marked with * provide opportunities for collaboration among libraries of all types.
Gohlinghorst moved to approve the Plan of Service as presented.  Martens seconded.  Motion carried.

4.0  Resignation of Commission member
Paul Roberts has submitted his resignation from the Commission as he will be moving to Wisconsin.  Wegner has been in touch with the Governor’s office in regards to a new appointee. 

5.0 Financial Report
Cox reported the budget is on target as this fiscal year comes to a close.  Cox explained in detail what is included in the Office Expenses category from both the state and federal budgets. He pointed out that the IT Equipment funds will need to be increased next year.  He also said that the Miller building will be getting new telephones this summer, because the ICN is replacing telephones on the Capitol complex.

6.0  Public Comment
None

7.0  Discussion Items
     A. Discussion topic for August retreat
Wegner suggested the following topics for discussion at the August retreat and referred to the handouts included in the board packet:  Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources;  Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century;  and Web 2.0, Library2.0 and Libraries 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 World.

The retreat will be held at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa on August 8 and 9. Commission members agreed on the discussion topics.

     B.  Open Access/Access Plus Programs FY07
Wegner, Dixon and Gerry Rowland are working on the language for the Open Access and Access Plus agreements.  As requested by the Commission, the Open Access agreement will now include the statement, “To participate in Open Access, a public library must have been established on or before July 1, 2004 in accord with the Code of Iowa and if established July 1, 2006 or after, must meet Direct State Aid, Tier 1 requirements.”  Also being discussed is the complex issue of how to count and reimburse transactions among libraries that participate in a shared automation system.  Wegner said that in the coming year a task force will be convened to make recommendations about the issue.

8.0 Communications
     A. Commission Reports
Martens has been named co-chair, with Wegner, of a committee to establish in rule a definition of and guidelines for an articulated, sequential school library program, in accordance with HF2792 which was approved by the General Assembly in May 2006 and which requires each school district in Iowa to have a qualified licensed teacher librarian. 
   Gohlinghorst reported that the All Iowa Reads committee has narrowed the 2007 choice down to seven books.  The decision will be made in August.  Henry Winkler is coming to Council Bluffs to discuss a book he has written on dyslexia.  Gohlinghorst recently visited the new Minneapolis Public Library.  Planning for the ILA annual conference, to be held in Council Bluffs in October, is going well.
   Ross will attend the ALA conference being held in New Orleans, July 23 through 28. 

     B.  Library Service Areas Report
Roy Kenagy from the Central Iowa Library Service Area gave a brief report of happenings in the Library Services Areas.  Emily Navarre, SE administrator will be retiring July 1, and a reception will be held in her honor at Scott County Headquarters in Eldridge, on July 8 from 2:30 to 5 pm.  Kim Kietzman has been named the new administrator.  At present, only Central LSA, Northeast LSA and East Central LSA have consultants as well as administrators on staff.  North Central, Northwest and Southwest LSA’s do not employ a consultant.  Kenagy described a workshop he has developed, “Just Say No to Reference.” 

     C.  State Librarian’s Report
Corson reported that the first ever Patents Workshop was held at the State Library on May 4 and 5.  The first day was for inventors; 43 attended.  The second day was for librarians and patent attorneys.  Karon King, who interned at the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office in Washington, DC organized the event and arranged to have two persons from Washington present at the workshop.  The Historical Society of Iowa is gathering biographical information about famous Iowans and is asking for help in writing the biographies.  State Library reference librarians will write brief biographies of 10 Iowans.

Henning provided Commissioners with a data profile on Older Iowans, which was compiled by the State Data Center’s Gary Krob.  On May 30, Henning met with the governor at his request to briefly explain population estimates and how they are done, as well as population trends, in-migration and natural changes. 

Dixon announced the dates and locations of the Gates Rural Sustainability workshops “Libraries on the Prairie”.  Approximately 200 have registered to attend.  294 libraries have signed letters of intent for the Gates Staying Connected Putting Libraries on the Web (PLOW) project.  Annual town meeting dates have been set to take place during the weeks of September 19 and 26. Focus groups discussing the State Library’s new Web site, consisting of 8-10 pre-confirmed participants, will meet in the morning prior to the start of four of the town meetings.

Wegner has begun sending out monthly updates of State Library activities to the Commission, Library Service Area and State Library staff. Legislative wrap up: Iowa libraries will receive $50,000 in new money for the Enrich Iowa program, $50,000 in new money will be divided among the seven LSA’s, and $200,000 in new money was appropriated to the State Library.  All of the new funding comes from the Rebuilt Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF).  Legislation was passed that requires each school district to employ a teacher/librarian. 

9.0 Adjournment
Ross adjourned the meeting at 1:20 pm

10.0  Optional Tour
Commission was invited to stay for a tour of the Des Moines Public Library

NEXT MEETING: August 8, Commission Retreat; August 9, Regular meeting; Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa