REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Winnefox Library System

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

2004 COUNTY PLANS - APPROVAL                    Included in your packets are copies of

                                                                                    the 2004 County Plans and Agreements for Winnebago, Waushara, Green Lake, Fond du Lac and Marquette Counties.  Most Plans and Agreements have been approved or are in the process of receiving final approval as we prepare this report.  At this point, the approved funding levels are as follows:

We will advise if there any changes at the meeting and have prepared amendments if necessary.  For more complete information, see the Assistant Director’s Report.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approval of County Plans as presented.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE                             Even though the state budget process is done

                                                                        For this biennium, there certainly seems to be a fair amount of activity that relates to libraries.  There are several legislative items to review and discuss:

·        2003-2005 WLA Legislative Agenda (Exhibit A)

·        Legislator Proposes New Library Fee (Exhibit B)

·        AB169 & SB128 – Disclosure of Public Library Records (Exhibit C)

·        USA Patriot Act (Exhibit D)

I will provide updates on the above legislative issues and discuss how it relates to our System member libraries.  You passed a resolution in support of free library services back in March and I can use that again to communicate with our area legislators urging them not to cosponsor or support another legislative attempt to limit free library services.  Discussion.  Action Requested: none at this time.

2004 CALENDAR OF BOARD MEETINGS         Each year we establish the dates for

                                                                                    System and Oshkosh Public Library Board meetings.  For 2004 we would propose the following dates (see Exhibit E) which are usually on the last Wednesday except where conflicts occurs with a holiday.  This schedule will accommodate Oshkosh Public Library Board meeting date changes as well as our need to schedule most meetings near the end of the month for financial purposes. Discussion.  Action Requested: approve 2004 calendar of Winnefox Board meetings as proposed in Exhibit E.

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS -

·        WINNEFOX LIBRARY SYSTEM NOMINATING COMMITTEE – We will  have a memo at the meeting from Byron Olson with the names of a nominating committee for election of officers which needs to take place at the January annual meeting.

·        PRESENTATIONS – I’m on the presentation circuit again recently in the following venues:

o       Fox Valley Library Council – panel on “Creative Budgeting in Tough Economic Times” (Thursday, Oct. 9^th in Appleton)

o       Wisconsin Library Association – panel presentation on “Library Advocacy Projects” (Friday, Oct. 30^th in Milwaukee)

o       League of Women Voters – panel presentation on the USA Patriot Act (Nov. 18^th)

o       Leadership Oshkosh – coordinating the Heritage, Arts & Culture Day and conducting a presentation on Oshkosh Public Library (Dec. 17^th)

o       Winnebagoland FOCUS – presentation to community leaders on first edition of L.I.F.E (Local Indicators for Excellence) Report (Dec. 18^th)

·        WINNEFOX ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT – the report of the Assistant Director is included for your information as Exhibit F.

·        MANITOWOC-CALUMET LIBRARY SYSTEM – Exhibit G contains notice of this year’s payment from Calumet County for non-reciprocal use by their residents of Winnefox libraries.  I’m pleased to report that the payment is increasing almost 24% over the 2003 payment!  I’ll be meeting with the Directors of Neenah and Menasha to review the use of the payment.

·        CORRESPONDENCE – none.

Respectfully submitted,

John V. Nichols

Director