School Library Media Center Recertification
Moira O'Brien, Principal, and Liz Lamoreaux of the Shawsheen School in Andover made a presentation to the group regarding their request for a waiver. Ms. O'Brien submitted a waiver request that was rejected by the Board at their February meeting because the librarian's certification was not expected until August of 2006. The Executive Board discussed the presentation. Based on sincere and diligent efforts of the current librarian to obtain library media certification, the vote to accept the one-time waiver request passed unanimously.
ILL Recommendation
Greg Pronevitz explained that the NMRLS Interlibrary Loan Centers at Memorial Hall Library and NOBLE have been working with NMRLS staff to recommend changes that will provide some simplification to NMRLS ILL policies. Two recommended changes are based on cost recovery steps taken by the ILL Centers. The ILL Centers have instituted a fee for out-of-state libraries requesting items from the ILL Centers at $12.00 per item. This fee enables the ILL Centers to balance the costs of borrowing from libraries that charge fees. This policy affects only out-of-state libraries who borrow from NMRLS ILL Centers. Cost recovery allows us to eliminate two barriers to ILL for NMRLS member libraries. The Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation to eliminate two restrictions as follows:
As of May 1, 2005, NMRLS cancel two ILL restrictions, i.e.,
1. The five-item per patron per day limit.
2. The need for a member library (or patron) to cover the cost of loans for which the fee exceeds $15.00.
Marnie Oakes, Chair of the ILL Committee, informed the group that these changes will be monitored and that she will report back on the impact.
Personnel Committee Recommendation
1. Acting on a previously approved motion to secure both Life and Long Term Disability Insurance for the NMRLS staff, Greg Pronevitz explained that the Personnel Committee would like to recommend that NMRLS purchase the Long Term Disability and Life Insurance from Principal or Guardian both of whose quotes are within budget.
2. To deal with the recent premium increases for NMRLS HMO and Dental Plans, the Personnel Committee recommends that NMRLS increase the required contribution for participating staff members in two phases beginning July 1, 2004 with Phase One and July 2, 2005 with Phase Two. A plan with higher co-payments was an option we explored; however, the staff prefers keeping the current plan and changing the ratio.
The Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to increase the required contribution for participating staff members in two phases beginning July 1, 2004 with Phase One and July 2, 2005 with Phase Two.
Legislative Update
Greg Pronevitz referenced several handouts regarding the House Ways and Means FY2005 Budget and the Governor proclaiming April to be library month. More information available at http://www.nmrls.org/news/apr04/legupdate.shtml (and, in this current newsletter at http://www.nmrls.org/news/may04/legupdate.shtml.
Member Satisfaction Surveys:
Greg Pronevitz informed the group that, in April-May 2004, we would be conducting our annual member satisfaction survey. This year he will announce a Library Director Preference Survey to the primary contact at each member library first (to be completed by one staff person per library). Two general surveys will follow the Library Director survey - 1.) the overall Member Satisfaction Survey and 2.) an optional Database Satisfaction Survey. All responses will be due by May 4, 2004.
This year's Annual Meeting will be held at Cascia Hall, Merrimack College, North Andover on Wednesday, November 17, 2004.
