Maine Library Commission Minutes, May 5, 2008

The Maine Library Commission met at the Maine State Library on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 1:10 pm.

Members present: Karl Aromaa, Inese Gruber, Barbara Harness, Barbara McDade, Elizabeth Moran, Steve Nichols, Jamie Ritter, Joyce Rumery.

Members absent: Gretchen Asam, Charles Campo, Charles Cawley, Moorehead Kennedy, Steve Podgajny.

Also present: Dean Corner, Shirley Helfrich, Linda Lord, Gary Nichols, Valerie Osborne, Gail Waddell.

Minutes

On a motion by Gruber and a second by Harness, the minutes of the March 3, 2008 meeting were accepted.

Legislation (Gary):

The library resources for all Maine libraries bill (LD 793) has died in the Legislature.

As originally drafted LD 1993, Accountability of Cultural Agencies, created a commission to review the accountability of the cultural agencies. The leaders of the Education and Cultural Affairs committees thought that was the wrong way to go. They revised the bill so that the Cultural Affairs Council (Archives, Library, Museum, Historic Preservation, Historical Society, and Humanities Council) was charged to perform a self-assessment. There are six items that the CAC is expected to identify or review. This report shall be submitted to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee no later than January 31, 2009.

Barbara Harness asked if there were any other state models to follow if the cultural agencies faced consolidation into other state agencies. Gary responded that there are many different situations and hierarchies in which state libraries fall under; there are no models.

Budget (Gail)

The State Library budget has been cut by $61,000 in federal funds, $40,000 in state funds from this fiscal year’s budget, and $182,000 in state funds from the 2009-2010 budget. The MSL organizational chart in the Commission handbook will be revised to reflect the loss of 1.5 positions that had been vacant.

Cultural Building Space Needs (Gary)

The State Archivist sent a letter to the State and Local Government Committee about the pressing space needs of the Archives. He recommended to the chair of the committee that his department “appropriate” first floor space of the Library. The committee then directed the Bureau of General Services to explore the Archivist’s recommendations.

Gary sent a letter to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee stating that the first floor of the Library not only houses the Books By Mail program but also Talking Books, Outreach book collection, shipping, state and federal documents, periodicals, and maps.

BGS responded to the State and Local Government Committee with alternative recommendations.

Gates Opportunity Hardware Grants (Linda)

The Tech Atlas workshops that were previously held throughout the state identified sixty-six public libraries that are eligible for additional computers or computer replacements. Gates will be sending libraries money rather than hardware or software for those purposes.

New Century Grants (Linda)

The deadline for applications is May 5. So far, sixteen applications have been received. More information about the specific libraries, amount of money requested and the scoring will be forthcoming.

Barbara McDade asked if New Century funds could be used for setting up an Overdrive digital audio book collection. The cost of initially configuring the service, license fees, housing and maintenance is $84,000. There will be a $12,000 per year charge for maintenance afterwards. In addition, each library that wants to participate in the program will have to pay an annual fee, not yet determined. Access to additional titles above and beyond the subscription package is available and would be paid for by libraries that want that access.

Joyce Rumery stated that the Orono recognizes the popularity of e-books and may be able to participate in Overdrive.

Linda stated that she would want the Attorney General’s office to approve use of New Century funds for this purpose.

Pending approval by the AG’s office, Elizabeth Moran moved that the Commission approve a two-week extension for the submission of New Century grant applications so that the ARRC libraries could prepare an application for Overdrive services. Ritter seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous.

E-rate (Gary)

Gary praised Linda Lord for her tireless efforts on behalf of Maine libraries to make sure that over $2.5 million comes into the state for Internet connectivity.

Gary acknowledged that MSL should no longer be responsible for the technology and bandwidth needs of schools. The Education Department has the staff and resources to represent the schools and MSL does not.

Delivery (Dean)

A new representative from Velocity met with Dean and Gail from MSL and Joyce and Anne-Marie Nadeau from Orono to discuss customer service and an estimate of future costs of delivering materials to and from libraries. Public libraries are well aware of the bargain they receive for $11.50 per stop. It is very likely that the per stop charge will increase to $14.50 or more.

Mobile and Blog (Dean)

MSL is the first state agency to create a mobile web services page for those using Blackberries and other similar devices. Ellen Wood did a terrific job putting this together.

The state’s Office of Information Technology does not allow state employees to host blogs on state servers. However, Ellen Wood set up Dean’s blog with WordPress and there is a link to it on the MSL home page. Dean will be writing about reading, print vs. online, books, libraries and issues that concern librarians. Comments to his posts can be submitted but they will be monitored for approval by Dean.

Consultants

Shirley Helfrich reported from the Southern Maine Library District that its spring council meeting would include a presentation on information services and their transformation in the age of Google. The creation of a Maine Literary Map is proceeding. The Portland Press Herald will feature a May 11 article about the map with suggestions on how the public can submit ideas for writings that feature places in Maine. Five libraries were chosen for interior makeovers as part of New Century funding. Underwood Memorial (Fayette), Canaan, Pembroke, Bailey (Winthrop), and Zadoc Long (Buckfield) were chosen out of sixteen applications received.

Valerie Osborne reported from the Northeastern Maine Library District that she is spearheading a revitalization of the Maine Trustees Association. A number of forums are being held statewide featuring demonstrations of Marvel and WebJunction. Presentations also include library case studies that impact trustees. The NMLD council meeting was held recently. The lead topic was on boys and reading. The Public Library Director’s Institute will be held on June 9 and 10. There will be a tour of MSL including descriptions of its services and programs.

Maine InfoNet (Barbara)

Jon Forest, the administrator of Minerva, SOLAR, and MaineCat, has tendered his resignation. The state has given MIN the ok to hire a replacement.

The search for an executive director for MIN is proceeding. Two candidates have been scheduled for interviews.

A trial of WebFeat, a federated search engine, was held and elicited positive comments.

A MIN Board retreat was held and fourteen goals were adopted including negotiation of the Innovative Interfaces contract for integrated library system services, explore centralized cataloging and new technology through the ARRCs, a last copy center for periodicals, exploration of open source software for SOLAR, and a new MIN web site.

2008 Meeting Dates

September 8 and November 3 will be the final two meetings of the Commission for the year.

Other Business

Gary announced his retirement effective October 26, 2008. He urged that a process be created to begin planning for filling the State Librarian vacancy. Jamie Ritter, Joyce Rumery, Barbara McDade, Elizabeth Moran, and Steve Nichols volunteered to form such a committee.

On a motion by Moran and a second by Harness, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean Corner

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