Present: Rob Banks, Susan Moyer, Jane Hatch, Hans Fischer, Carla Kaiser, Roseanne Siemens, Michelle Swain, Connie Doeden, Cynthia Berner Harris, Laura Loveless, Margaret Knecht, Jayne Germer, Angela Allen, Christie Brandau, Ronda Holt, Judy Bastin, Sue Blechl, Julie Tomlianovich, Royce Kitts, David King, Patti Butcher, Diana Weaver, LeAnn Lowe, Andrew Evans, Marie Pyko, Laura DeBaun.

 

 

President Michelle Swain called the meeting to order at 10:15 am.

 

State Librarian Christie Brandau presented KLA executive director Roseanne Siemens with the State Library’s Shining Light award.

 

 

 

Vicki Jo Stewart presented 3 original water color paintings donated by 2006 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers author Rosemary Wells to Kate Capps of the Olathe Public Library; Candee Jacobs of the Beck-Bookman Library in Holt and Linda Childress of KACCRRA (Kansas Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies.)

 

Introductions of council members followed.

 

Motion: Fischer moved, Evans seconded that the consent agenda be approved as presented. Motion passed.

 

 

Swain gave brief overview of agenda/reports and solicited feedback from members.

 

 

Siemens reported on her experience as a mentor at the MPLA Ghost Ranch leadership academy, the relocation of the KLA office within the building at 1020 Washburn, across from the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library main building and the planning for the first meeting of the strategic planning task force.

 

Fischer and Hatch reported on the first organizational meeting of the strategic planning task force. Hatch indicated that the results of the member survey will be very helpful. She asked for feedback on mission, vision statements. Deadline for delivery to Council is April 1.

 

 

Siemens reported that it was necessary to change the KLA’s employee, Marilyn Arnone, from a contract to a regular employee of KLA. This is a result of changes in federal definitions of contract employees. KLA is also outsourcing payroll.

 

 

Hatch and new chair reported that Susan Moyer is the new President of the KLA Educational Foundation Board. The board will meet this afternoon to determine plans for Tri-Conference. 

 

 

Berner Harris distributed and reviewed the KLA legislative priorities for 2007 and the information on Legislative Day, scheduled for Feb. 15, 2007.

 

Current bills GAC is monitoring:

 

HB 2178 – KPERS cost of living increase for retired employees

HB 2088 – Limiting access to public facilities (parks and recreation and public libraries) by registered sex offenders

HB 2200 – changes in obscenity bill, pertaining to retail operations

 

Siemens is presenting an OPAL session on Feb. 13 on KLA’s legislative process.

 

State Library staff is working on talking points for library advocates for the State Library budget requests, including the statewide ILL delivery system.

 

 

Swain gave an overview of the revised contract for the Tri-Conference. Siemens noted that only KLA is incorporated and therefore has sustained sole liability for the conference. Swain reported she sent a letter to KASL and KAECT indicating the new agreement will end on Dec. 31, 2007. She said that this does not preclude cooperation with other organizations for the conference, but that KLA needs to have a greater say in planning and implementation of the annual conference.

 

Fischer reported that the Finance Committee met with a professional conference planner to set the stage for getting the annual conference on a sound financial footing. The planner’s report has been submitted to the strategic planning task force. One major discussion point will be the need for a conference coordinator.

 

 

Evans presented the ALA Council’s Committee on Diversity tribute resolution “to recognize the tremendous effort and sustained commitment to the Spectrum Scholarship.” This scholarship assists persons of color attend graduate library school. 

 

 

ALA Councilor Rob Banks gave a brief report on Council actions at the Midwinter Conference in Seattle. Major topics of discussion included: closing of Environmental Protection Agency offices at the local and regional levels and lack of accessibility of EPA documents. Butcher reported that since ALA annual conference is in Washington, D.C., the ALA Washington office is planning some special advocacy activities.

 

Fischer and state librarian Christie Brandau reported that the KLTA and State Library has been working on and will soon announce the implementation of a certification program for library trustees.

 

Siemens, Brandau and Bernard Harris attended the retirement reception for Johnson County Director Mona Carmack.

 

State librarian Christie Brandau reported that core competencies and a certification program for Kansas librarians will be announced soon.

 

Patti Butcher reported that the Gates Foundation will be doing another round of hardware grants; approximately 200 KS libraries will be eligible in this first round of grants.

 

Rob Banks reported that he is running for Mountain Plains Library Association president and that if he is elected, he will serve the year the MPLA/KLA joint conference is in Kansas.

 

Hatch announced that Julie Tomlianovich is a candidate for the ALA Newbery Committee.

 

Swain announced that updates to the KLA website should be sent to her; in addition to her presidential duties, she is also serving as KLA’s temporary webmaster.

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

 

Next KLA Council Meeting: Wednesday, April 11, 2007, 8 a.m. at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

 

Submitted by

Gina Millsap

Secretary