REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Winnefox Library System

Wednesday, March 31, 2004

REMINDER:  Meeting is at Ripon Public Library @ 4:30 PM

 

 

WINNEFOX LIBRARY SYSTEM –                       This year’s System Annual Report (Exhibit 2003 ANNUAL REPORT                                                A) is included in your packet.  This is a

required report which must be submitted to

the state in order for us to receive our second aids check.  Mark and Julie have prepared it with lots of help from others.  It describes our progress on goals and objectives from our Annual Plan.  Discussion.  Action Requested: accept 2003 Annual Report.

 

WISCONSIN EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT          Rick Bowman and I are proposing that

SYSTEM - PROPOSAL TO RETIRE                     Winnefox use some of our undesignated

UNFUNDED LIABILITY                                         reserve funds ($170,067) to pay off our

                                                                                    unfunded liability under the employee retirement system.  It amounts to $54,472.  We are currently paying interest at the rate of 7.8% at a time when we are earning slightly more than 1%.  It would save us payments ranging from $5,000 - $8,000 a year for the next 12 years which include interest payments amounting to $35,202.  The amortization schedule is included as Exhibit B for your information.  Most of the other public library systems in Wisconsin have paid off their prior service liability.  Discussion.  Action Requested:  approve proposal to pay off unfunded liability as described above.

 

Legislative Update                                         The following information came out recently

                                                                                    From the WLA Library Development & Legislation Committee:

 

AB431, the county levy exemption change passed both houses and now goes to the governor.  He is expected to sign it.  For more information, see: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/LegislativeStatus.htm

 

Disclosure of Juvenile Library Records, AB 169, passed both houses and goes to the governor. We have urged a veto, but that is unlikely.  This bill requires a library that is supported by public funds, upon the request of a custodial parent or guardian of a child under the age of 16, to disclose to the parent or guardian all library records relating to the use of the library's documents or other materials, resources or services by the child.  I recommend that libraries begin talking to the city or county attorney or the library board’s attorney to begin to develop policies and procedures to implement the law. The bill’s history can be found at:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2003/data/AB169hst.html

 

Rep. Freese introduced AB 940 & AB 941.  Sen. Leibham SB 498 & SB 499. The bills have been endorsed by WLA.  AB940/SB498 (the “language” bill) make technical changes and clarifications to Chapter 43 of the State Statutes, which govern Wisconsin libraries.  AP941/SB499, (the

 

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“reform” bill) make several recommendations to reform the way that libraries and library systems are operated and funded.  Summaries of these proposals are included as Exhibit C.

See: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/LegislativeStatus.htm

http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dltcl/pld/doc/chapter43language3.doc

 

Remember that WLA LD&L is recommending that each system hold a local legislative day in July. We will ask systems to coordinate this with their member libraries, usually on a county by county basis. July this year is a good time because it is just before elections in September. We will be preparing templates and legislative packets.  If you have the names of volunteers, please send them in.  Discussion.  Action Requested: none at this time.

 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS -

 

·        Trustee Manuals -.those of you who asked to continue getting a print manual will be receiving your updated Trustee manuals at this meeting. 

·        Winnefox Assistant Director’s Report – Mark has prepared a report (Exhibit D) identifying a number of activities/meetings that have been occurring during the past couple of months in order to keep you informed.

·        SIRSI Upgrade – I want to point out that the staff from Winnefox and Oshkosh Public Library have done an outstanding job during the transition from the old DRA automation system to the new SIRSI system.  To give you an idea of how much they are appreciated, I asked member libraries to let me know what they thought – good or bad.  That compilation of email comments is contained in Exhibit E.  You should be very proud of them.  I am.

·        Wisconsin Collaborative Network Initiative (WCNI) – I received word last week that I’ve been appointed (by either the Governor or Superintendent (DPI)) to the newly configured Wisconsin Collaborative Network Initiative (WCNI).  I’m the representative for Wisconsin public libraries and public library systems.  The list of members and my notes from the first meeting are included as Exhibit F.  Some of you may recall that the process to bid an upgrade to the state high speed telecommunications network was halted by the Governor after the University system “walked” out of the process (which was being managed by the Dept. of Administration).  WISCNET was not going to be able to continue to manage the network and provide ISP services without bidding against commercial vendors.  So, UW was going to go out and bid its own network upgrade.  Then the Governor halted the process.  This committee is to provide technical oversight to DOA for a rebid of the next generation high speed telecommunications network for Wisconsin

 

 

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education and government institutions and public libraries/systems now have a seat at the table.  Winnefox uses WISCNET services and we have been very happy with them.

·        WLS Trustee Workshop - Trustees as Advocates; 5:30 - 7:30 pm (following the Winnefox Library System Board Meeting); Location: Ripon Public Library (map)
Rick Grobschmidt, Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction, will discuss how important it is for library trustees to be advocates for libraries on both the local and state levels. He will draw on his experience to help trustees understand the ins & outs of the political process.  If you’re interested or plan on attending, please let me know.

·        Winneconne Trustee Workshop – the Winneconne Village Board has requested that I conduct a workshop on the role and responsibilities of the Library and Village Boards with respect to library administration, funding and services (Exhibit G).  I will be adapting information from the Wisconsin Trustee Manual.  It takes place on April 27th at 5:00 PM.

·        System & Resource Library Association of Wisconsin (SRLAAW) – the agenda from our last meeting is included (Exhibit H) along with a copy of the Preliminary Ideas for LSTA Grant Categories for 2005.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the possible categories, please let me know and I can forward them to the LSTA Advisory Committee before their next meeting.

·        Correspondence – I have included a very nice note (Exhibit I) from Dorothy Nimmer about her service on the Winnefox Board.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

John V. Nichols

Director