ADVOCACY TASK FORCE

REPORT

Date: January 8, 2001

 

Members Present:

Cheryl Banick, SLA, ARIHSL

Peter Bennett, CLAN

Ginny Moses, CLAN

Alice Barrows, COLA

Connie Malinowski, RIEMA

Bob Aspri, HELIN

Chuck D'Arezzo, HELIN

Linda Wood, RILINK

Merrily Taylor, CRIARL

Dale Thompson, RILA

David Macksam, RILA

Dorothy Frechette, RILINK

Ruth Pettigrew, COLA

Donna Good, RIEMA, Library @d Holly Barton, RIEMA

Richard Olsen, HELIN

Artemis Kirk, Library Board Ednor Larson, RIEMA

Mary Zammarelli, ARIHSL

Joan Ress Reeves, Library Board

 

Present from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS): Barbara Weaver, Beth Perry, Donna DiMichele, Laurie Scialabba

Materials Distributed:

1.    Library Linx Project from last year

2.    FY2002 Version of the Library Linx Project

3.    Estimates for Federal Program Budget for FY 2002

Person Reporting: Laurie Scialabba

 

Issues Discussed:

Ms. Reeves discussed last year's Library Linx Project and asked if there was still support for the proposal this year.  The FY2002 Version of the Library Linx Project was discussed.  Interface and catalog are main thrust.  Rhode Island is one of the few remaining states that do not subscribe to database licenses statewide.

 

A motion was made and seconded to endorse the FY 2002 Library Linx Project with the tactics described by Ms. Kirk (as a universal statewide catalog and database with a budget and a continuing budget for a few years out.)

 

Discussion followed. $1,250,000 is enough for statewide database licenses and everything under Electronic Networks and Resource Sharing. $1,250,000 is not enough to do everything on the FY2002 proposal.  Interlibrary loan is not separable from electronic networks.

Ms. Kirk suggested the following language and budget for the proposal:

                             Virtual catalog interface                       $ 250,000

                             Databases                                              750,000

                             Multi-type linkages/networking               200,000

                             Staffing and support                               300,000

                             Interlibrary loan and delivery                   200,000

                             TOTAL                                            $1,700,000

 

The motion was amended, (friendly) and seconded to support the FY2002 Library Linx

                             Project to include:

                             Virtual catalog interface                       $ 250,000

                             Databases                                              750,000

                             Multi-type linkages/networking               200,000

                             Staffing and support                               350,000

                             Resource sharing and delivery                 200,000

                             TOTAL                                            $1,750,000

 

Ms. Taylor asked if everyone was going to recommend this to their organizations as something to support.  If anyone is unable to support it, please feel free to say it.  Ms. Barrows stated at its last meeting, the Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) voted to support the proposal.  Those in attendance would need to go back to their organizations.

 

Ms. Reeves called for a vote of support, in principle, for the FY2002 Library Linx Project

                             to include:

                             Virtual catalog interface                       $ 250,000

                             Databases                                              750,000

                             Multi-type @ages/networking                 200,000

                             Staffmg and support                               350,000

                             Resource sharing and delivery                 200,000

                             TOTAL                                            $1,750,000

 

Cheryl Banick, Peter Bennett, Dorothy Frechette, Ginny Moses, Ruth Pettigrew, Alice

Barrows, Donna Good, Connie Malinowski, Holly Barton, Bob Aspri, Richard Olsen,

Chuck D'Arezzo, Artemis Kirk, Linda Wood, Ednor Larson, Merrily Taylor, Mary

Zammarelli and Joan Ress Reeves voted in favor of the motion.

 

No one opposed the motion

 

Dale Thompson and David Macksam abstained.  They then explained their position.

 

Ms. Thompson said that she supports all items in the proposed package.  She stated that the state should fund much more and the BRC Report should be looked at.  The cost for this proposal is too high, and she felt that last year the cost was too high.  Mr. Macksam stated that for this sum of money, Clusters Two and Three of the BRC Report should be reviewed.  A Public Relations Campaign and Literacy are not mentioned.  It was suggested that it was possible that RILA could return and ask for $2,000,000 if the amount was not enough.  Ms. Kirk stated that Ms. Thompson and Mr. Macksam have a point.  This is one part of the BRC piece, and if the focus is on one piece everything else could get left behind.  We may want to cost out the BRC Report and say to complete the initiatives, it would cost "this".

 

Ms. Reeves stated that the feeling is this should be a bill and consensus from the library community is needed.  Organizations should let Ms. Reeves and Ms. Weaver know by

 

January 22, 200 1, whether or not their organizations support the FY2002 Library Linx Project.  Ms. Scialabba will send the report of this meeting.

 

Ms. Weaver reported that the American Library Association's National Library Legislative Day is scheduled for April 30 and May 1, this year.  Please let us know who will be attending.  Mr. Macksam will attend from RILA.

 

Ms. Weaver stated that is seems highly unlikely that UCITA legislation will be introduced in Rhode Island this year.  More information will be forthcoming.

 

The next meeting of the Advocacy Task Force is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 4:00 P.M.