APRIL 2001

Volume 3 Number 2

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Connecticut State Library
Established 1854

State Library Board Notes

The State Library Board held their regular meeting on January 22, 2001. Chair Ann Clark announced that Robert Gallucci has formally resigned from the State Library Board. She thanked him for his dedication and service and extended best wishes to him in his future endeavors.

The board was brought up to date on the proceedings of the American Library Association's (ALA) Mid-Winter meeting. The implications of the filtering requirements passed as part of the federal budget are still unclear. However it appears that what is being referred to as the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) limits "technological protection measures" to graphic images. This measure will be very problematic for libraries. There will be no immediate effect on LSTA grants or funds.

The Connecticut Heritage Foundation reported that the new public service announcement promoting the State Library and Museum of Connecticut History and featuring Geno Auriemma is completed. It is being marketed to Connecticut television stations. Future fundraising plans are underway which include Mr. Auriemma, who is a strong supporter of libraries and friend of the State Library. Ms. Clark commented on the progress of the Connecticut Heritage Foundation in support of the State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History and complimented Chairman Fred Petersen.

Hilary Frye and Carol Trinchitella of the Division of Information Services presented a very informative report on the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA), a proposed state contract law developed to regulate transactions in intangible goods such as computer software, online databases and other information products in digital form. Publishers and large software producers are the primary supporters of UCITA Libraries. Consumer protection groups and a number of businesses have been among those opposing it. UCITA has been passed by several states starting in l999. This law pre-empts other laws in effect such as consumer protection and federal copyright laws.

The board was advised that on January 11, Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary Marc Ryan issued a memo putting forth a hiring freeze, effective immediately. This has an immediate impact in three areas:

• Filling two vacancies in the Connecticut Newspaper Project, one of which is a librarian position. This project is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The statutes allow the State Library to fill librarian positions, which are unclassified, without OPM approval.

• Another position affected is a Library Technical Assistant (a Reader Advisor) for the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). The position is federally funded and is urgently needed.

• The other major problem is completing the hiring of staff for the Library's new extended hours.

Director of Information Services Lynne Newell proposed a revised fee schedule that includes newly available color photocopies. In the past the library has offered only black and white photocopies to patrons. The fees will go to a designated revolving fund. The photocopy machines are leased. The State Library pays for paper, ink, etc. The revised fee schedule was passed unanimously.

The State Library Board extended their heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to Louise Blalock, Chief Librarian for the Hartford Public Library, who has been selected Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal, for her service to the residents of Hartford and the citizens of Connecticut.

On March 26 the State Library Board held their regularly scheduled meeting in Cromwell, Connecticut where the inauguration of iCONN, the new digital library took place. The Board approved:

• A resolution for Robert Gallucci who assumed many important responsibilities while on the Board

• The State Grant Program for Public Library Construction: Timetable and Guidelines 2001-2002

• The Loan of Firearm to the Connecticut River Museum

• The FY 2001 LSTA Budget of $1,899,637. $219,208 is available for sub grants to libraries 

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Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
860-757-6500 * Toll-free 866-886-4478