PNLA Quarterly, Vol. 62 No.1 Fall 1997

ALASKA

PEOPLE
The report (PNLA Q, Summer 1997) on the consumer health project failed to recognize Marcia Colson of Anchorage Municipal Libraries as the organizer of the project, which involved presentations by librarians at area health fairs and the production of a Consumer Health Information Sources brochure.

Barbara Berg, Juneau Public Libraries, took the helm of the Alaska Library Association (AkLA) at the April, 1997 conference in Anchorage. Others elected to AkLA office are: Secretary Judy Green, University of Alaska Anchorage; Vice-President Charlotte Glover, Ketchikan Public Library; and ALA Representative Clara Sitter, University of Alaska Anchorage. Janet Hadley of Sitka is the incoming president of the Alaska Association of School Librarians.

New additions to the University of Alaska Fairbanks library faculty are James Anderson, who has been appointed Bio-Sciences Librarian, and new Government Documents Librarian, Earl Shumaker.

The Alaska State Library announces the addition of Rich Greenfield as the State Library's Technical Consultant. Rich comes to Alaska with a background in law and experience at the Library of Congress Congressional Research Center.

Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer appointed State Librarian Karen Crane as chair of the committee responsible for state certification of all school and library technology plans prior to their submittal to the FCC. The State Library has become the lead agency in the state for information on the E-Rate and FCC discounts.

Departures at the Loussac Library, the public library of Anchorage, include Barbara Maclean, most recently Adult Services Librarian who will begin retirement this fall, and Carrie Eldridge, formerly Young Adult Services who now is at Friday Harbor, Washington with the San Juan Island Public Library. Another immigrant to Washington is Joanne Harmon, formerly Children's Librarian at the public library in Sitka.

The new children's librarian in Sitka is Patsy Young. The position was recently redesignated as a full-time position.

Joining the ranks of the retired this fall are: Dee McKenna of the Kegoayah Kozga Library in Nome and Karen McRae of the Homer Public Library.

Writer/librarian Marjorie Cole is the 1997 winner of the Cream City Review Fiction Contest. The spring issue of the library review published Cole's winning short story, "City Beneath the Snow."

THE ALBERTA LIBRARY
The Alberta Library has appointed Lucy Pana as its first Executive Director. Lucy was formerly the head of Libraries Branch, Alberta Community Development, responsible for the development of public libraries in Alberta and the coordination of resource sharing among libraries.

The Alberta Library is a province-wide multi-type library consortium, linking all types of libraries. It is based upon the principles of barrier-free access to member resources. It was incorporated in February, 1997. To that end, a number of working groups have been formed to lay the groundwork for such ventures as bulk purchasing and joint licensing agreements. Chair of the Board of Directors of The Alberta Library is Dean Frey, Red Deer Public Library.

ALBERTA LIBRARY CONFERENCE
The Alberta Library Conference, jointly sponsored by the Library Association of Alberta (LAA), the Alberta Library Trustees Association (ALTA) and the Learning Resources Council (LRC), was held at Jasper Park Lodge in April. The theme, "Libraries: Gateways to the Future," was addressed by the keynote speaker, Moses Znaimer, a television and communications visionary, and by many of the workshop speakers. In 1998, the conference theme, "Libraries: Works in Progress," will focus on the human side of library service. LRC will be joining the Alberta Teacher's Association Computer Council at their conference in 1998.

The Honorable Shirley McClellan presented the Magrath Public Library with the 1996 Creative Public Library Service Award, primarily for its efforts in raising funds for a new library. This award is administered by ALTA. ALTA presented the Deserving Trustee Award to Wanda White, who was instrumental in establishing the Shortgrass Library System. Mary Lou Rose, who served on the boards of the Lacombe Public Library, Parkland Regional Library and ALTA, was given an Honourary Life Membership in ALTA.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA (LAA)
At LAA's Annual General Meeting, the membership accepted a revised membership fee schedule and a new membership year. Student Awards were presented to Brenda Philip and Kim Clarke of the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta, and to Brenda Walker, Library and Information Technology, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Denise Thompson, Library and Information Management Program, Grant MacEwan Community College, who was unable to attend the conference, received her award in the mail.

British Columbia Library Association (BCLA)
Members of the 1997/98 BCLA Executive Committee are: President Frieda Wiebe, Capilano College; Vice President Greg Buss, Richmond Public Library; Past President Ron Clancy, New Westminster Public Library; Treasurer Niina Mitter, Langara College; Assistant Treasurer Todd Mundle, Simon Fraser University; Directors (2 yr.) Anita Cocchia, Electronic Library Network, and Barbara Jo May, North Vancouver District Library; Directors (1 yr.) Mary Anne Guenther, North Island College, and Barbara Patterson, Coquitlam Public Library; Membership Secretary Sybil Harrison, Fraser Valley Regional Library; Editor, BCLA Reporter Ted Benson, West Vancouver Memorial Library; YAACS Chair Judy Wilson, Vancouver Island Regional Library; ALPS Chair Elaine Fairey, Simon Fraser University; Recording Secretary Sherry Crowther, New Westminster Public Library; LSB Liaison Jim Looney; Library Service Branch Office Manager Patricia Sutherland, BCLA Office.

BCLA Conference
The theme of the 1997 BCLA conference was "Vital Connections: Libraries & Communities". Attendance topped previous records at over 450 delegates with a Trade Show featuring 64 exhibitors. Rex Murphy, popular radio personality and Canadian treasure of knowledge, wit, and opinion opened the conference with a keynote address. Betty Bengtson's plenary address, "Building User Centered Libraries" offered useful insights and practical examples from on-the-ground-experience. The conference's 32 workshop sessions were highly rated by overflow audiences.

BCLA Awards
The annual Awards Luncheon at the BCLA conference bestowed honour on a number of individuals and libraries. Building merit award: University of British Columbia. Walter C. Koerner Library Program merit award: Fraser Valley Regional Library Reading Express Program. Service merit award: Library Services Branch Internet Access Training for Public Libraries. Achievement in Library Service: Lynn Copeland, Simon Fraser University and Janice Douglas, Vancouver Public Library. Honourary Life Membership: Sylvia Crooks, University of B.C. School of Library, Archival & Information Studies, Jack Mounce, West Vancouver Memorial Library, and Judy O'Mara, MacMillan Bloedel Research Technical Library. Intellectual Freedom Award: Greater Victoria Public Library. Special Volunteer Recognition: Maureen Willison, BCLA Fund Development Committee, Ted Benson, BCLA Reporter editor, and Marcus Patz, BCLA webpage creator.

Legislation
A primary focus of the association during the past year has been to lobby for the continued support of libraries. BCLA along with the BC Library Trustees Association and the Association of BC Public Library Directors met with the new Minister of Municipal Affairs to provide information and garner support. Immediate results were that current grants to public libraries were maintained despite the government's restructuring program. However, the importance of maintaining adequate public library funding continues to require attention.

Projects
BCLA managed a variety of government funded projects, including Internet training, the Virtual Reference Desk, and the Internet and Youth project. The benefit of these projects to libraries is especially evident in times of scarce resources and burgeoning access needs. The projects have also benefitted the association through the inclusion of management fees.

Intellectual Freedom
A number of libraries in the province were shocked in May to have the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enter their buildings and attempt to seize the book Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Sexual Fantasies by Nancy Friday. The RCMP claimed to have a court order allowing them to confiscate the material. BCLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee and the individual libraries affected took immediate action, however, and after considerable media attention and numerous letters, it was acknowledged that an error had been made by the Winnipeg Police Department and the matter was dropped by the RCMP detachments in B.C.

Information Policy
The Information Policy Committee of the BCLA hosted a very successful conference in February 1997 bringing a variety of community groups together to discuss the access to and impact of technology on individuals and community groups. The Minister's Advisory Council on Information Technology is grappling with a list of concerns related to public access to information in a technological era and in a province with many wide-spread small communities. A Provincial Learning Network is under development and promises to provide a solution to some of the issues raised.

Library Consortia
The Electronic Library Network (ELN) submitted its final report on the Fileserver Pilot Project, which facilitates resource sharing among post-secondary and between post-secondary and public libraries. Benefits of the project were cost savings and efficiencies as well as enhanced resource sharing. It was recommended that the project continue as a regular service with additional participants.

The ELN is also working in conjunction with the public library InterLINK consortium to expand the range and availability of commercial full-text and other database group licenses.

At its recent planning session the BCLA executive committed to bringing library groups and associations in the province together for a summit meeting to explore what other opportunities exist for collaboration among libraries.

The Montana Library Association (MLA) Board of Directors approved a motion to allow local rates for PNLA members at the MLA annual conferences during its April meeting. The motion passed unanimously and included extending local rates to members of the Mountain Plains Library Association. Montana is also a member of the MPLA.

During my first year as the Montana representative for PNLA, I attended the PNLA Board of Directors meetings in the fall (Seattle), in the spring (Spokane), and during the August PNLA conference in Seattle. Written reports were submitted at each meeting.

I participated in the MLA Board of Directors meetings in the fall (Bozeman) and during the April MLA conference in Great Falls. I plan to attend the next meeting in Livingston in July. Written reports were submitted at each meeting I attended.

I subscribe to both listservs, Wired-MT and PNLA-L, to communicate with the boards of directors and to update all members with news items.

For each issue of the PNLA Quarterly and the Montana FOCUS I wrote a column with association and regional news items. I solicited Montana writers to write articles for the PNLA Quarterly.

At the April meeting of the Tamarack Federation in St. Ignatius, I spoke about PNLA, YRCA and the Seattle conference and encouraged joining the association. The Tamarack Federation is one of six regional divisions in the state which represent public libraries.

During the April MLA annual conference in Great Falls, I was responsible for a display table of PNLA materials in the exhibits area. At the display table names were submitted for two drawings. The winner of the drawing for a free membership was Karen Krantz of the Ronan Middle School. Liza McLelland, Bozeman Public Library, was the winner of the free Seattle conference registration. The winners were announced during the MLA conference.

I am looking forward to my second year as the MLA representative, especially this fall's retreat to review the mission of this "oldest regional library association." I believe it is a good time for this discussion to occur in light of the many issues now challenging librarians in the Pacific Northwest regarding changing technology, censorship efforts, publishing trends, human networking through annual conferences and workshops and the ever-increasing costs to provide basic services. When we all support each other, everyone wins!

Oregon Library Association (OLA)
Newly elected officers for the OLA are President-Elect Sara Charleton, Tillamook County Library; Secretary Wyma Rogers, Newport Public Library; and Treasurer Andrew Bonamici, University of Oregon. Gary Jensen, Western Oregon University, takes office as OLA President. Incoming OLA Board members and committee chairs met August 4 and 5 at Silver Falls Conference Center for an annual planning and goal-setting retreat.

Library Development
Substantial progress was made during the year toward implementation of the Oregon Information Highway Project, established in 1994 as a comprehensive development plan for Oregon libraries. On July 1, contract negotiations were completed with University Microfilms giving all Oregon libraries full-text access to the Oregonian Newspaper and several other Oregon newspapers via the Internet. Back files will be added by January, 1998. Costs of the first year of the program will be covered by an LSTA grant. Once the back files are added, the charge will be $40,000 per year. A special committee is working to determine how the charges will be paid by the participants beginning in the second year. The same committee will also develop pricing formulas to bring more Oregon libraries into the contract with Information Access Company which includes full-text access to four IAC databases. In this first year, 28 college and public libraries are participating in the program at a cost of $600,000.

;In September, the OLA Resource Sharing Committee finishes its analysis of criteria for the Net Lender Reimbursement Program whereby academic and public libraries who are net interlibrary lenders received $4 per item. New criteria for reimbursement are expected for the second year of the program. Service to children will be enhanced for the third year in a row by LSCA funding forsupport of Reading for a Healthy Start. The funds purchase giveaway books and circulating kits for home visits in conjunction with the Oregon Commission on Children and Families.

Legislation
Public Library services to children received a boost in the final days of the state legislative session when an increase from 50 cents per child to 75 cents was approved for Ready to Read grants. The grants emphasize outreach activities for preschoolers and their families to develop an early love of reading. The total two-year budget for the grant program will be $1,058,632. Increasing these grants was the priority in OLA's Legislative Program. Legislators also approved a two-year suspension of local maintenance of effort in the grant rules that would have prevented many public library from receiving fundingdue to budget cuts.

"Bridge funding," sought to help public libraries hard-hit by Measure 47/50 budget cuts was not funded by legislators. The press reported this as the Legislature choosing to fund racetracks instead of libraries, which created a public backlash and many phone calls to legislators. Governor Kitzhaber is considering a veto of the racetrack bill, however, and a request to the legislative emergency board that would give temporaryfunds to public libraries. The Governor's proposal would require local efforts to restore Measure 50 cuts and would be limited to temporary restoration of public library open hours cut under the measure. The Governor's request will probably be for under $2 million, far less than the $20 million originally proposed.

Late in the legislative session, a proposal surfaced to transfer $300,000 from the State Library budget to the State Supreme Court Library. This "raid" threatened the state agency fee system which funds much of the State Library's operations. That, in turn, threatened the use of federal library funds throughout the state as grants. Library supporters quickly responded to a Legislative Alert from OLA lobbyists and the proposal was eliminated.

Elections News
Election results for libraries have been mixed. Voters approved Crook County Library's one-year levy to raise $236,000, replacing the levy that expired June 30th. Siuslaw Library District voters approved a "make whole" levy to offset Measure 50 property tax cuts that would have been implemented July 1. Both levies met Measure 47/50 requirements for a 50% voter turnout.

A Josephine County referendum proposing a $1.1 million levy to replace the last year of the county public library's three-year levy did not pass because of low voter turnout. The levy attempted to protect the library system from Measure 50 cuts. Also rejected because of low voter turnout was the first ever levy proposed for the Warrenton Community Library. The five-year levy would have raised $10,000 for this Clatsop County library.

The City of Eugene's three-year serial levy that would have helped shield the library from Measure 50 cuts also failed due to low turnout.

A tax base measure forming a countywide special library district will go on the May 1998, ballot for the Deschutes County Library pending approval by the county commissioners. District formation would address a funding shortfall that reduces staff by 20 % at a time when two new library facilities are under construction, and all but eliminates book and periodical budgets.

People
The latest in retirements from major Oregon library positions is Washington County Cooperative Library Services Manager Peggy Forcier, who left August 1. During Peggy's tenure, the multi-type library federation saw tremendous growth, going from a service population of 295,000 to 380,00, and an annual budget going from $3 million to almost $10 million.

Rich Forcier retired in June as Assistant Dean of the College of Education at Western Oregon University. One of Rich's accomplishments, along with OSU's Mel George and the State Library's John Webb, was initiation of the Oregon State System of Higher Education program that ultimately brought Emporia State University's MLS degree into Oregon.

Michael R. Smith, former sales manager for WLN, began work May 27 as Head of Technical Services for Hillsboro Public Library. Michael is well-known to Oregon librarians as a former salesperson for Dynix and Ameritech Library Services and as Automation Manager for Washington County Cooperative Library Services. He also served as Director of the Forest Grove City Library.

Vivian A. Bull, President of Linfield College, is the newly-elected Chair of the Board of Directors of PORTALS, the Portland Area Library System. The Board consists of the presidents and CEOs of the 14 member institutions in PORTALS. In one of her first actions, she appointed James J. Kopp as interim director of PORTALS through June 30, 1998. Kopp has been library director at University of Portland since 1994 and was granted a leave of absence to take the PORTALS position.

Washington Library Association (WLA)
Two bylaw changes were approved by membership in the spring election. These bylaw changes make it easier to make minor revisions to the bylaws and also change the dues structure of the organization. WLA has now moved from a flat dues structure to a sliding structure which calculates dues based on the members income. It is hoped that the new dues structure will encourage all librarians in the state to join the association. The strategic plan developed for the year included focus on library services, continuing education, library advocacy and association management.

WLA also approved the hiring of a Webmaster. The position of electronic editor will handle all electronic publications of the association. The new webmaster is Martha Parsons.

The WLA Continuing Education Council funded the following programs during the past year: Printing and mailing of the 1997 Statewide Summer Reading Program manual; Hands on Book Mending program at the WALE Conference; Bibliorama: the Best 100 YA Books - So Far; WLA/ILL Interlibrary Loan Spring Conference; all day Hands on Mending workshop; and a Workshop on Workshops.

The Annual conference was held in April at Janzten Beach, OR and was joint conference with the Oregon Library Association. The "Wired and Inspired" theme and lively programming were draws for attendees from both states. Last October the Washington Association of Library Employees (WALE) a WLA interest group held their annual conference for library support staff which is always a rousing success.

The WLA Board for 1997/98 is: President Joan Weber; Vice President/President elect Cindy Cunningham; Secretary Carol Gill Schyuler; Treasurer Patty Duitman; Coordinator of Continuing Education Mary Campbell; Coordinator of Communication, Mike Wirt; Coordinator of Strategic Planning Jill Jean; Conference Coordinator 1998 Joy Neal; Conference Coordinator 1999 Tom Moak; ALA Councilor Jan Walsh; PNLA representative Linda Pierce; WLFTA representative Patience Rogge; Interest Group Coordinator Karen Highum.

Libraries, Legislation and People
New libraries were opened across the state including branch libraries in Walla Walla County, Spokane Public Library System, Ft.Vancouver Regional Libraries, Pierce County and a new joint facility for the WSU Tricities campus and Battelle in Richland.

Voters in Stevens County (a rural county north of Spokane) voted in the fall to create the Stevens County Rural Library District. The new library district will begin service in 1998 to all parts of the county.

Kitsap Regional Library's Linknet online service tied for second place at the National Information Infrastructure awards. They were one of six finalists in the Public Access Category. Linknet is one of two library systems in the country that offers free email to its 230,000 county residents as well as a community gopher and library homepage.

The Washington State Library is involved with a indepth review of it's priorities and is developing a new long range plan for the library. There have been meetings across the state to assist in the process. Also part of the process is the development of plans for the use of Library Service and Technology Funds (LSTA) by the state library.

In the legislative arena librarians were involved with the property tax bills introduced this session but were pleased that no intellectual freedom issues came out of committee during this session. It also appears that there are more and more groups also speaking out in favor of intellectual freedom in the state.

Many public libraries in Washington saw leadership changes this year, they include, Spokane Public Library where Aubrey George is the new director, Nancy Ledeboer the new Deputy Directory for Public Services and Randolph Strautman the new Deputy Director for Support Services. George and Ledeboer previously had other positions at Spokane Public, Strautman Assistant Director at the Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, Florida. Seattle Public Library is currently searching for a new director after the Nov. 1996 resignation of Liz Stroup. Craig Buthod is acting director. After over 20 years as the head of Walla Walla Public Library Anne Haley became the new head of Yakima Public Library. Haley replaced Richard Ostrander who had serviced Yakima for 23 years. Susan Hardie was named director of Tacoma Public Library, previously Hardie was assistant director at Tacoma. David Remington is the new head of the Pend Oreille County Library System.