This group used a brief video on herding cats to introduce the topic. Hooray! Visual representation of the issue!
They reviewed the collaborators of statelibrary. college medical program, school tech training site, area dev. district economic programs, science and technology telecommuting demo site, and the main county library. What are all of the financial, legal, and managerial issues involved?
Assumptions:
Communication to date has been accurately stated
the State Librarian can direct construction funds to the project
It is a good idea for the area
It is a good idea for the partners
Needs to get to the point:
Gather the data
Clearly defined roles for the state library
Communication to all partners for permissions
strategies outlined
Strategies:
Planning process defined
Steering committee, focus groups
Clearly define whoe gets what
Clearly define who is in charge
Ongoing collaboration
Collaboration factors:
environment
membership characteristics
process and structure
communication
purpose
resources
Discussion:
There was much discussion about the levels of participation of all partners. The project could in fact go forward but it may be that all the partners not participating in the end. There should have been more communication with the library staff from the get go. A key piece is what's the glue that holds all of this collaboration together? Book: The Answer to How is Yes, by Peter Block.
July 25, 2006
Day three COSLA Leadership Institute
This morning started with an all white male panel presentation on the legislative process. We heard from Michael Saxl, former speaker of the house from Maine. He talked about how to cultivate champions for libraries. http://www.verrilldana.com/AttorneyView.aspx?Id=77. He mentioned grassroots and grasstops. He mentioned that as part of a revitalization of towns, that libraries need to be made the community center and highlight of the town. Always try to get third party validation of what you're trying to do in writing. Give hard hat tours of old buildings in need of repair to get the point across. Make sure you have real testimonials from mreal people.
Anthony Driessen, a lobbyist, talked about contituent groups. http://www.quarles.com/Attorneys/Detail.aspx?attorney=178. He made the point of saying that if you don't like politics or politicians, they will sense it... he mentioned doing an asset inventory so you know who is on your side.
Mark Pocan, WI State Representative, spoke about face to face, personal letter, personal call, email communication. He said that you shouldn't assume a "yes" nod means anything when you're talking to a legislator. Also, knowing the staff is important.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm78/asm78.html.
Glenn Miller of the Pennsylvania Library Association spoke about advocacy. http://www.palibraries.org/about/. The four factors he discussed were: Merits of the issue, money, political implications, and personal relationships.
Richard Grobschmidt, chair of the WI division of libraries, moderated the panel and briefly discussed how to balance the issues of libraries within the policial realm. http://www.cosla.org/profiles/stateinfo.cfm?StateIndex=27.
Anthony Driessen, a lobbyist, talked about contituent groups. http://www.quarles.com/Attorneys/Detail.aspx?attorney=178. He made the point of saying that if you don't like politics or politicians, they will sense it... he mentioned doing an asset inventory so you know who is on your side.
Mark Pocan, WI State Representative, spoke about face to face, personal letter, personal call, email communication. He said that you shouldn't assume a "yes" nod means anything when you're talking to a legislator. Also, knowing the staff is important.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm78/asm78.html.
Glenn Miller of the Pennsylvania Library Association spoke about advocacy. http://www.palibraries.org/about/. The four factors he discussed were: Merits of the issue, money, political implications, and personal relationships.
Richard Grobschmidt, chair of the WI division of libraries, moderated the panel and briefly discussed how to balance the issues of libraries within the policial realm. http://www.cosla.org/profiles/stateinfo.cfm?StateIndex=27.
July 24, 2006
madison public library
well, while out for a walk tonight, i had to swing by the local public library... looked to be quite busy for around 7pm...nice URL banner out front!
land's end
ok, so librarians have a difficult time staying away from a sale, and when it is an outlet 50% off sale, many of us just couldn't resist! I have no idea how i'm going to get all the stuff I bought back to Columbia!
Dennis Dresang
Dennis spoke to us about politics and the growth of state governments - we had a very interesting conversation about state libraries and governmental interaction at the federal, state, and local levels which worked into the case study #2 discussion. Interesting stuff!
Second Case Study "Privatizing a Public Library" - COSLA Leadership Institute
The Facts:
public library is in an area where the population is growing
little support for the library
30 year library directo who has not solved all the problems
library funding has not improved
board issues RFP on managing the library
state law is that library functions cannot be privatized and still be called a public library
legality of board is questioned
The Library Director:
doesn't seem to be a bad guy or bad director
is aware of the need of library funding
was successful in getting renovation funds
got $2 mil in automation grant funding
personnel budget has increased
doesn't get along with the mayor and other county officials
resignation is sibmitted to the board but it's not accepted
Is the director really doing a good job?
The Library Board:
the board paid a lot of money for someone else to do their strategic planning
have they followed procurement codes?
did the board come up with the RFP solution on their own or did this come from the consultant?
there are issues about how the board operates and are their concerns really for the library?
The State Library:
see what position they took in a similar situation
is there a precedent that we have to follow
should they interfere in the process of an RFP?
what is the true definition of administering the library?
no public comment was offered on the RFP - if the process was not legal, how should the state library act?
ID a neutral party to facilitate and help develop a solution
Wrap-up:
What is the policy and intent of the State Library?
Does the State Library want to help the population?
The central question is:
How private does a library have to be before it's not public anymore?
public library is in an area where the population is growing
little support for the library
30 year library directo who has not solved all the problems
library funding has not improved
board issues RFP on managing the library
state law is that library functions cannot be privatized and still be called a public library
legality of board is questioned
The Library Director:
doesn't seem to be a bad guy or bad director
is aware of the need of library funding
was successful in getting renovation funds
got $2 mil in automation grant funding
personnel budget has increased
doesn't get along with the mayor and other county officials
resignation is sibmitted to the board but it's not accepted
Is the director really doing a good job?
The Library Board:
the board paid a lot of money for someone else to do their strategic planning
have they followed procurement codes?
did the board come up with the RFP solution on their own or did this come from the consultant?
there are issues about how the board operates and are their concerns really for the library?
The State Library:
see what position they took in a similar situation
is there a precedent that we have to follow
should they interfere in the process of an RFP?
what is the true definition of administering the library?
no public comment was offered on the RFP - if the process was not legal, how should the state library act?
ID a neutral party to facilitate and help develop a solution
Wrap-up:
What is the policy and intent of the State Library?
Does the State Library want to help the population?
The central question is:
How private does a library have to be before it's not public anymore?
Day two of the COSLA Leadership Institute
This morning, after a filling breakfast (these people know how to eat!) we settled in at the Pyle Center and heard a brief history of the first 100 years of State Libraries by Barratt Wilkins who read his paper on the topic. We then had our first case study "Whose team are you On?" which was my group... This process was very interesting and it was about a state librarian cought between a rock and a hard place, the politics involved, and issues. After a great lunch, we heard from Dennis Dresang, Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs, Director of the Center on State Local, and Tribal Governance in the school of Public Affairs. He gave us a nice overview of the growth of state governments, the capacities of state governments, and the trends. I learned a lot about how states fit in with federal mandates. It was interesting to learn that state individual tax came about in 1913. It was interesting to see which states ranged from heavily democratic to heavily republican.
http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/facultystaff/dresang-dennis.html
He also raised some interesting questions about today's political party system being the most strongly two party specific than it has been than in the past. He said that overall, the current form of state government are not as democratic as they used to be. Unfortunately he had to end on the pessimistic note because of all of the problems faced in today's society... There was a lot of discussion at the end of his presentation about the future of politics... My personal opinion is that if politicians thrive on just the power thing, then scientists should isolate the power gene and begin disabling it in all humans. Political power sucks.
http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/facultystaff/dresang-dennis.html
He also raised some interesting questions about today's political party system being the most strongly two party specific than it has been than in the past. He said that overall, the current form of state government are not as democratic as they used to be. Unfortunately he had to end on the pessimistic note because of all of the problems faced in today's society... There was a lot of discussion at the end of his presentation about the future of politics... My personal opinion is that if politicians thrive on just the power thing, then scientists should isolate the power gene and begin disabling it in all humans. Political power sucks.
July 23, 2006
waiting...
Felicia and I were waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the flight from Chicago to Madison...
Wisconsin Statehouse
Here's a shot from my first day in Madison - nice city so far! Went down to the lake this morning and it was beautiful :-) Just getting ready to start the COSLA state library leadership institute...
1st session at the COSLA State Library Leadership Institute
We are all meeting in the Pyle Center at the Univ of WI at Madison. Gary Nichols, COSLA President, welcomed the group and talked a little bit about state library leadership and how during this institute we can hone these skills to move libraries forward. Louise Robbins, Director of the Library School also provided a welcome and talked briefly about library leadership. Jane Pearlmutter, Associate Director of the Library School provided some logistics and then we went around and introduced ourselves. The Idaho State Library has recently become the Idaho Commission on Libraries and they have given away their collection to libraries in the state. http://www.lili.org/isl/about.htm
Betsey Bayless, CEO of the Maricopa Intedgrated Health Systems and Arizona's 17th Secretary of State spoke about Leadership in State Government. http://www.mihs.org/newsevents/080405.html
She mentioned that famous quote: Information is the Currency of Democracy, Thomas Jefferson. She mentioned the importance of chronicling the history of states through libraries and archives. She talked about building 'champions' for the library to advocate and support libraries in the future. Let them know what you need, building community stakeholders, and coalitions through education of the importance of libraries. She said that it is important to promote what you do - let politicians know who you are and what you do. She talked about the first time she heard the phrase "Information Superhighway" and the complete revolution in the way information is presented, how it is stored and how information is accessed. She did talk about how important it is for libraries to be integrated in the all new technologies. She said that groups such as this are important for us to have to have an opportnity to learn from one another on common problems and issues. One interesting thing she talked about was the "pwer of personality" - communication is the most important thing when making big and important changes.
Betsey Bayless, CEO of the Maricopa Intedgrated Health Systems and Arizona's 17th Secretary of State spoke about Leadership in State Government. http://www.mihs.org/newsevents/080405.html
She mentioned that famous quote: Information is the Currency of Democracy, Thomas Jefferson. She mentioned the importance of chronicling the history of states through libraries and archives. She talked about building 'champions' for the library to advocate and support libraries in the future. Let them know what you need, building community stakeholders, and coalitions through education of the importance of libraries. She said that it is important to promote what you do - let politicians know who you are and what you do. She talked about the first time she heard the phrase "Information Superhighway" and the complete revolution in the way information is presented, how it is stored and how information is accessed. She did talk about how important it is for libraries to be integrated in the all new technologies. She said that groups such as this are important for us to have to have an opportnity to learn from one another on common problems and issues. One interesting thing she talked about was the "pwer of personality" - communication is the most important thing when making big and important changes.
July 21, 2006
OPAL Online
OPAL is wonderful and I've been using it since about November - your library should get in and explore what is available! It's such a great resource for online programming events and staff development and training!
July 20, 2006
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