Heartland Regional Library Network
Regular Meeting - Board of Directors
January 8, 2002
Tulare County Library, Visalia

MINUTES

  1. CALL TO ORDER / WELCOME

  2. A QUORUM WAS ESTABLISHED AT 2:35 P.M.
    Members present: Kay Anthony, Chair, Anne Bernardo, Judy Brown, Paul Connor, Janis Kessler. Members absent: Jerry Asher, John Kallenberg, Dennis VanderWerff Others present: Doug Berg, Fiscal Agent, Cathie Helmick, State Representative (via conference phone), Jo Ellen Misakian, Executive Director

  3. AGENDA:
    1. The order of the agenda was changed and approved to allow Fiscal Agent, Berg an early exit.

  4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
    1. The December 4, 2001 minutes were approved (Bernardo/Kessler) as corrected.

  5. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
    1. Fiscal Agent, Doug Berg distributed the monthly statement indicating a balance of $142,167 unrestricted fund, $4,079 encumbered. A motion (Kessler) was made, seconded (Bernardo) and approved to accept the report.

  6. REPORTS
      Chair/Kay Anthony
      1. Shared information on the emergency preparation and response training to be held at the main branch of the Fresno County Public Library. A day in May will be set for training for HRLN board members. Cost is $35.00 per participant, which includes lunch. Training funds will be used for this purpose.
      2. Asked the board to take a look at last year's Plan of Service and come to the February meeting prepared to make suggestions.
    1. Staff/Jo Ellen Misakian:
      1. Submitted the annual Midyear Report for approval. It was moved (Kessler), seconded (Bernardo), and approved to accept the report as presented. The Report is due at the State Library on January 11, 2002.
      2. New expense forms and LoC brochures were handed out to member of the board.
      3. A discussion was held concerning six Dell desktop computers, from the telecommunications grant that has not yet been distributed. Anthony suggested the high school library members be polled to see who would be interested in and have greatest need of the computers. Based on the survey, distribution priorities will be decided at the February meeting. iv) Following a lengthy discussion and consultation with Helmick, it was decided that we should continue soliciting new members to the Region. Helmick noted the present formula for funding is based on a flat rate, plus an additional amount for member and participating libraries. Helmick further commented that acquiring new members demonstrates need for funding to state legislators.
      4. Anthony stated she would entertain a motion to adjust the agenda to introduce a new agenda action item: allowing a vote for new members. It was moved (Kessler), seconded (Brown) and approved for the addition of an action item to the agenda.
      5. Kessler moved, Bernardo seconded, and approved that the new member applications be accepted and submitted to the state board for approval at the February meeting. Those submitting applications:
        1. Dinuba Unified School District
        2. Fowler Unified School District
        3. Reef-Sunset Unified School District
        4. Selma Unified School District
    2. SJVLS/Mary Ellen Tyckoson:
      1. Reported that Chad McCully is enthusiastically working on a newsletter for the HRLN.
      2. Wireless bridge installation has been delayed due to a misunderstanding, but is now on track. The bridge is projected to be in place in a month.
      3. Reconnection is in process to the Resource Sharing System (RSS)
      4. All hospitals, public and most academic libraries are connected to the virtual catalog.
      5. Reference questions are low for the year.
    3. State Library/Cathie Helmick:
      1. Information and applications for the ILL program can be found on the LoC website. Members must submit an application to be eligible for ILL reimbursement. LoC sent letters on the program to member libraries that indicated an interest in ILL. Helmick will send direction on how to access the information on the LoC website to Anthony.
      2. A survey from Amigos was sent to member libraries requesting information. Cathie will contact Robert Watkins at Amigos for a follow-up on the data collected.
      3. Restrictions on travel should be lifted soon which means Helmick may be able to attend the February meeting in person.
      4. Anthony reminded Helmick that regions must know their funding amounts before they can effectively produce a new Plan of Service document.

  7. BOARD COMMENTS:
    1. Judy Brown suggested the board plan something special for the March council meeting to encourage attendance. A variety of suggestions were heard. This will be discussed further at the February board meeting. Brown also suggested a flyer be sent to members requesting their attendance and reminding them of upcoming nominations for new board members.
    2. Janis Kessler asked about the promotion items discussed at the December meeting. Some item(s) could be made available to members at the March meeting.

  8. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
    1. None

  9. AGENDA BUILDING:
    1. Training fees and date for emergency preparation response training
    2. Plan of Service
    3. Dell computer distribution
    4. Nomination of new members
    5. March council meeting

  10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
    1. February 5, 2002 at the Tulare County Library, Visalia

  11. ADJOURNMENT:
    1. Meeting was adjourned (Connor/Kessler) at 4:38 P.M.