HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING

February 17, 1999

HCL Governing Board voting members present: Highlands - Bob Bullard, Perry Newport, Jeanne Renton; Hardee-Elinor Batey, Gloria Davis, Walter B. Olliff, Jr.; Okeechobee- Robbie Clarke, Marilyn Buxton.

Board members absent: DeSoto - Commissioner Bob Avant, Ann Ryals; Okeechobee-Clois Harvey.

Other members present: Coordinator Mary Myers, State Library Program Specialist Charlie Parker, Lake Placid Librarian Merry Cresswell, Hardee Librarian Diane Hunt, Okeechobee Librarian Ed Kilroy, DeSoto Librarian Elizabeth Kenney, Admin. Secretary Carolyn Hesselink

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Notice of public meeting was read and additions to the agenda were entertained, with the following being added: Library Day at Tallahassee, and new board appointments from DeSoto County Ann Ryals and W.R. "Bob" Avant. Robbie Clark moved approval of the additions to the agenda, Marilyn Buxton seconded, and carried by voice vote.

Elinor Batey moved approval of the January 13 minutes, seconded by Jeanne, carried by voice vote.

Board Chairman Perry Newport voiced the regrets of new members Ann Ryals and Bob Avant who were unable to attend but have accepted their appointment to the board.

Cooperative Coordinator Mary Myers's report to the board was given. Born To Read Coordinator Joyce Adams will update the board at the next meeting. Her activities have been included in this month's report. Robbie moved approval of both the Coordinator's report and the financial report, seconded by Perry, and carried by voice vote.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE REPORT

Mrs. Myers gave the board members a copy of the Y2K Compliance Plan. Technical Coordinator Leslie Wood will be testing out all equipment at every library. In general, because of the newness of the equipment, we are ready. We'll be adding "patches" to make the necessary changes to those automation areas that need fixing. Bob Bullard advised that Senate Bill 80 would allow local governments to be sued if things go wrong because they were not Y2K compliant. He says we need to oppose this bill. Mary pointed out that Y2K is a bios problem, not just a pc problem or a Unix problem. Bob noted that Highlands County is treating this problem like a hurricane, that is, allocating extra staff, providing extra water on hand, having generators available, etc.

GRANT PROPOSAL

While there is a state-wide information database (FLAIRS), it is mainly for professionals. The librarian would like Heartland to setup our own database available to all, both in paper form and on the Internet, but easier to use than FLAIRS. This would be a grant proposal. Charlie Parker commented that our last year's proposal that talked about training for the public could be added to this database proposal. Mary said our local match could be in supplies, communication costs, etc. It was agreed that any personnel would be a contract position. Publicity is crucial and this idea fits well in with our long range goals and plans. March 15 is the deadline for grant proposals. Robbie Clarke moved we apply for the grant, seconded by Bob Bullard, carried by voice vote.

EQUIPMENT INSURANCE

Perry told the board that, by a gentleman's agreement, since our inception Heartland equipment has been covered by the county in which it resides. The auditors have indicated that they wish a more formal agreement would be made. Once we get the auditors note on this and talk with our insurance people. We will present to the board what we plan to do. We are really looking for a letter of agreement between the counties and Heartland.

COMMENTS BY CHARLIE PARKER

The mood in Tallahassee is positive. The State Library is looking forward to a supplemental library budget from Secretary of State Harris. This region's share of state dollars is much higher than other areas because each of the Heartland counties benefits from equalization: over $325,000 for the Cooperative, $250,000 to Highlands, $62,000 to Hardee, $85,000 to Okeechobee, and $58,000 to DeSoto. All counties in the cooperative have received construction grants, three are in the process of building, and DeSoto is completed.

Library Day is March 9 & 10 and gives those involved with libraries an opportunity to touch base with their legislators and see how the legislative process works. Workshops will be held for Friends and Board members, also, and an evening reception and dinner will take place at the University. Be sure to make appointment ahead of time for seeing your legislators.

Perry Newport commented that Senator Laurent and Representative Minton both site on appropriation committees. We can use this Library Day opportunity to thank them for the state aid, cooperative monies, and construction funds we have received.

Charlie talked an Internet filtering bill for Florida libraries that is in the hopper. We agree that usually local people should deal with this issue.

Charlie was asked about the legislative issue we wrote and called on, concerning changing library funding. The counties originally supporting switching court costs to the state government. The change was made, but this switch-over could take as long as five years. A House group saw this as a threat to the revenue structure, so they proposed that funding to libraries, historic resources and the arts be changed. Mr. Parker now believes that this idea has been put to rest, however, we don't know what new consensus is coming out.

Look for plans to be made to deal with the Secretary of State no longer being an elected position.

LIBRARY DAY PARTICIPATION

Perry asked for the board to authorize the expenses for three people to attend Library Day. Highlands already has budgeted money for travel and overnight expenses. It was agreed by consensus.

Charlie ended his report to the board them of National Library Day in Washington D.C. in May. Some 6.6 million dollars comes to Florida in LSTA grants each year. Big issues this year include copyright financial questions.

NEXT MEETING DATE SET for April 21, Wednesday, at HARDEE COUNTY LIBRARY at 10:30 a.m.

Announcements - 1st week in March is Prioneer Days in Zolfo Springs

Okeechobee County holds its Speckled Perch Days in mid-March

The secretary was asked to add to the April agenda the subject of board alternates.

Marilyn Buxton moved adjournment at 11:15 a.m., seconded by Walter Olliff, Jr., and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn L. Hesselink

Administrative Secretary