(This article reprinted from New England Libraries, Vol. 2, No. 3: April, 2006.)

State Association Reports

Maine

The Maine Library Association met at the Blue Hill Public Library on Friday, March 3, 2006. One issue that stood out at the meeting was the so-called Tabor (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights). It is a proposed ballot initiative modeled after Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights that limits spending at all levels of government. In an Associated Press article on MaineToday.com, March 2, Clarke Canfield states that “supporters say TABOR would rein in government spending and ease the tax burden. Opponents say it would put state and local government in a fiscal straitjacket and not allow government to invest in the future.” That same article states further that “modeled after a Colorado law, the initiative would cap government spending – not taxes.” It continues:

Since 1992, public school spending in Colorado has dropped from 35th to 49th in the nation, said Donnie Carroll of the Southern Maine Emergency Management Services Council. Teacher pay has dropped from 30th to last nationally, while college tuition has risen 21 percent.

The story is the same for public safety, health care, elderly care and other indicators, Carroll said: "The history of TABOR in Colorado shows the devastating effects on state government."

TABOR will be an issue for MLA, as well as other organizations in the state, to watch closely.

The MLA Standards Committee has been working hard this fall to update the Maine Public Library Standards of 2000. From April through July, Deputy State Librarian, Linda Lord, will be holding input meetings throughout the state to discuss this new draft.

MLA will hold a meeting in Caribou on April 18,2006. Its purpose is to reach out to Librarians in the most northern part of the state. To date, 15 members of the Executive Council will be attending.

Lastly, MLA is encouraging individual libraries across the State of Maine to hold any kind of fundraiser, from a raffle or a week’s worth of collected fines, for the week ending April 29, 2006, to benefit libraries affected by the devastating hurricanes in the gulf region. The money raised will be divided between The Louisiana Library Association and the Mississippi Library Association Hurricane Relief funds.

Reported my NELA State Representatives Sandy Broomfield and Jen Alvino (me@nelib.org).

Massachusetts

MA Board of Library Commissioners:
Massachusetts Boardof Library Commissioner George Comeau and Director Robert Maier were among those who testified on behalf of libraries on February 23rd in Franklin, Massachusetts,before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Ways & Means Committees.

As reported by Jim O'Sullivan of the State House News Service:

A three-year plan proposed by the Board of Library Commissioners would help the 1,800 libraries in the state’s regional collaborations restore programs sacrificed during the budget crunch, said Robert Maier, the board’s director. In support of increases to six line items and a $75 million public library construction bond bill closely matched by Romney’s own capital proposal, Maier said libraries “are playing a very big role in breaking down the digital divide.”
“We need state-supported programs to link together the libraries, to make those links through infrastructure that allow us to provide the equity of access that I think we all want to provide to citizens of the Commonwealth,” Maier said.
A $75 million construction bond bill (S 1841) sponsored by Sen. Brian Joyce (D-Milton) would help pare a 25-community waiting list dependent on $68 million, with another 10 proposals still in omnibus capital improvement plan, $950 million in total bonds, designates $72 million for public library projects.
The commissioners’ $32.8 million aggregate requests for the six line items exceed Romney’s by a total of $2.6 million.

MA Library Association:

• Maryanne Lewis was selected and hired as a Legislative Consultant to help educate legislators on library issues. Maryanne is a native of Massachusetts, worked for Tip O’Neill, was a State Representative, and currently represents non-profits, some corporations and unions.
• The draft Standards for Public Library Services to Children in Massachusetts www.masslib.org/yss/YSS_Standards.htm are posted on the web site under the YSS area for review.
• The final total of the proceeds for the Barnes and Noble Great Bay State Fundraiser was a little over $12,000.
• Each member of MLA has been sent a joint letter from MLA and Staples Business Advantage division announcing our partnership regarding a special offer Staples is making to institutions that receive municipal, state or federal funds. Their intent is to offer lower cost supplies and services through large quantities to institutions who often have money issues.

Reported by NELA State Representative Cheryl Hansen (ma@nelib.org).

New Hampshire

Conferences:

• PLA: NHLA sponsored three buses (from Keene, Portsmouth & Central) for NHLA members to travel to PLA in Boston in March.
• READS (REference and ADult Services): “Nuts and Bolts of Running Book Groups”: READS Roundtable Discussions.  3/27, 3/29 and 3/31.  Each presentation/discussion was followed by a book discussion.  More info available at www.nh.gov/nhla/READSspring06.htm.

Executive Board:
The board is working to revamp the members’ newsletter and get it back onto a regular schedule.  Also, after keeping an eye on several bills in the legislature things are moving forward.  HB1120 regarding internet access in libraries has been voted “inexpedient to legislate.”  HB 1236 and 1237 which could require municipalities and/or libraries to go through a rigorous notification process about what portion of association dues go towards lobbying are still in committee, but seem unlikely to be passed.

Reported by New Hampshire State Representative Lesley Kimball (nh@nelib.org).

Rhode Island

CLAN member libraries migrated from Horizon to Millennium software from Innovative Interfaces Inc., on March 27th. Training is ongoing and will continue as everyone adjusts to the new software.

The Office of Library and Information Services is currently conducting workshops to assist librarians in outreach to Hispanic/Latino communities.  The librarians providing the training are recently back from The Gates Foundation in Seattle and are eager to share this information and help us improve our services.

The RILA Conference is scheduled for June 1st and 2nd at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI.  Registration information will be going out in May.  This should be a very exciting conference!  Jessamyn West will be back this year to talk about the digital divide, and there will be programs on Anime, wikis, MyOwnCafe.org, the changing face of reader’s advisory services, and much more!  For more information on the conference and other RILA happenings, please visit the bulletin at http://www.uri.edu/library/rila/bulletin/current/80.1.pdf

Reported by NELA State Representative Laura Marlane (ri@nelib.org).

Vermont

VLA Executive Board– VLA Executive Board met on Thursday (January 12) at 9:30am at the Norwich University Library. Items discussed were:

• Health Care Resolution, which was sent to the governor and legislative leadership urging adoption of legislation that provides coverage for all without regard to employment. A response was received from the Governor on January 31.
• Also discussed was a draft of a strategic plan outline that highlights the association’s mission, advocacy, education, intellectual freedom, membership, partnerships, structure and governance. More drafts are forthcoming and VLA  will solicit comments at the annual meeting.
• Membership report shows 305 have joined VLA or renewed with 35 of these being new members. Apparently college libraries are problematic with some Vermont colleges not having any VLA members. The membership chair is also planning a membership brochure to be posted on the web site similar to the New Hampshire Library Association example.
• There were 213 Vt. DOL/VLA joint surveys sent out to public library directors, regarding policies on confidentiality and DOL services. February 1 was the deadline date for return.
• Nominations are now being sought for VLA offices: VP/President elect; Treasurer; and ALA Councilor.
• H719, a bill to establish a summer study committee on public libraries in Vermont, was referred to the Education Committee on January 26. The bill will document in the impact that public libraries have on their communities and consider what level of financial support is required.

Public Library Section– A program is scheduled for this spring entitled “Screening Reality,” with media expert Rob Williams. No date has been set yet.

Reported by NELA State Representative Jerry Carbone (vt@nelib.org).