Rural Library Services Meeting Highlights

ALA Midwinter Meeting 2007,  Seattle, WA

Lawrence Grieco - January 21, 2007

We discussed and agreed to co-sponsorship of program with the ALA Committee for Rural, Tribal and Native American Libraries of All Kinds (CRTNALAK), to be presented at the ALA Annual Conference, 2007, in Washington, DC:  “Rural and Small Libraries vs. Small Salaries.” 

We discussed a program proposal for the ALA Annual Conference, 2008, in Anaheim, CA, co-sponsored by CRTNALAK, and the PLA committee Small and Medium Sized Libraries: “Public Programs in a Shoe Box: What If You Don’t Have a Community Room?”  This would be a panel discussion with at least four librarians on the panel.  I will put together the proposal for the committee and submit it by the May 1, 2007 deadline.

Beth Nicholson, of the Small and Medium Sized Libraries committee, asked the Rural Library Services Committee to co-sponsor a program for Anaheim: Marketing for Small Libraries.  The Rural Library Services committee agreed to co-sponsor. 

Members present: Larry Grieco, Chair; Penny O’Rourke, Member; Dwight McInvail, Member; Danny Hales, Ex-officio Member.

Members absent: Karaleen Hannigan , Chris Carlson, JoAnn G. Mondowney, Michael Limer, Susan Hanks, Carolyn Coulter and Amanda Standerfer.

Visitors: Carol Barta, Chair, CRTNALAK

ALA Annual Conference 2006, New Orleans, LA

Lawrence Grieco - June 25, 2006

Larry reported on committee-sponsored program, Intellectual Freedon in Rural Libraries, presented June 24.  Larry also led discussions about Carol Barta's proposedprogram about NLM for 2007 Annual Conference.

Dwight proposed a program for 2007 Annual about the Carver Bay Branch in South Carolina.  Kendi Kelley suggested we team up with the Branch Libraries Committee and co-sponsor.  Dwight and Larry talked with Paula Settoon, incoming chair of the committee.  They agreed to co-sponsor and we wrote a program proposal and turned it in.

Members present: Larry Griece, Carolyn Coulter, Dwight McInvaill

Members absent: Karaleen Hannigan, JoAnne Mondowney, Chris Carlson, Michael Limer, Susan Hanks, Penny O'Rourke, Amanda Standerfer

Visitors: Kendi Kelley

ALA Midwinter Meeting 2006, San Antonio, TX

PLA COMMITTEE NAME:    Rural Library Services

CHAIR OR REPRESENTATIVE: Larry Grieco

DATE(s) OF MEETING(s): January 22, 2006

Please provide a one or two paragraph report on the activities of your committee during the Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference and what you expect to accomplish prior to your next committee meeting.

The Rural Library Services Committee met on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Alamo Ballroom of the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel.   Guests Carol Barta, Chair of the ALA Committee on Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of all Kinds, and Danny Hales opened the meeting by describing a possible two-hour program for the ALA Annual Conference in D.C. in 2007:   a presentation by the National Library of Medicine on “Good Health Information @ Your Library: Training the trainers”—a description of the NLM online databases and how to use them.  Carol’s committee would like to propose this program and Rural Library Services would co-sponsor.  It was agreed that we’d like to go ahead and do this.  (A meeting had been set for later in the afternoon, and Committee member Cheryl Bryan agreed to represent the committee, and would later forward information to the Chair).  It was noted that the deadline for submitting this program proposal was May 1, 2006.  Before we adjourned we spoke briefly to Mark Pumphrey, chair of the Small and Medium Size Libraries Committee.  He expressed interest in his committee also co-sponsoring the NLM program.

We discussed briefly the membership of the Rural Library Services Committee, and how it seemed like at least five members’ terms were expiring in June. 

Larry Grieco, Chair of the Committee, described the program for New Orleans 2006:   Intellectual Freedom in Rural Libraries: How to Keep the Library for Everyone, to be presented by speaker John Ellison.   Both Danny and Carol indicated they had a conflicting meeting during the program time slot, and would try to reschedule their meeting so they could be in attendance.  Carol talked about a project called OPAL, and suggested that Ellison’s power point presentation, visuals and narrative, could be put online and be available on the Internet for everybody.  Grieco said he would ask Ellison if he would do this.  (Meeting then adjourned.)

Members present (please name):Larry Grieco, Cheryl Bryan, Beth Nicholson.

Members absent (please name):Chris Carlson, Susan Corl, Karaleen Hannigan, JoAnn Mondowney.

Visitors (please name):Danny Hales, Carol Barta, Andrew Smith, Kendi Kelley.

ALA Midwinter Meeting, Boston, MA

Dwight McInvaill, Chair
January 16, 2005

1. 1. We will be a Beta site of the "ALA Online Communities"

2. We will do a program at ALA 2005 for rural library directors and staff on 1. public relations 2. grant writing/fundraising 3. strategic planning

3. We have proposed an "Advocacy" program for PLA 2006

4. We are planning an ALA 2006 program on Intellectual Freedom and Privacy Issues. If that's not possible, we may collaborate on a program featuring rural library of the year award winners.

5. We have passed a resolution requesting that the PLA Board of Directors endorse establishing an ALA Standing Committee on Rural School, Tribal, & Public Libraries

Members present: Dwight McInvaill, Cheryl Bryan and Larry Greico

Members absent: Chris Carlson, Susan Corl, Eric Hansen, JoAnn Mondowney, Beth Nicolson and Jennifer Jones

Visitors: Nicky Stanke

ALA Annual Conference 2004, Orlando, FL

Dwight McInvaill, Chair
June 27, 2004

The general discussion covered a lot of issues of concern to rural libraries: the lack of federal construction money for libraries (LSCA vs LSTA); erate opportunities, filtering problems, minimum service populations for establishing rural libraries (along with the idea of "Family Resource Centers" rather than small libraries), and the Local Heroes program of the public library and the school system in Wareham, Massachusetts.

Recognition was given to Cheryl Bryan and Ruth O'Donnell for their effective presentation for the committee during the previous day (June 26, 2004) on "Rural Libraries: the Heart of the Community."

The committee discussed also its already submitted proposal for a program at the 2005 ALA Conference entitled "Congratulations, Rural Library Director! You've Got the Job. Now what?" This program, if approved, would provide rural library directors -- especially new ones -- with a roadmap of best practices, tools, and other advice to best serve their libraries' citizens. This information would be valuable for rural library staff and trustees, too. It was mentioned by Jerry Thrasher, Cluster Chairman, that this is just the sort of thing that PLA is now seeking. PLA wants ideas on "Effective Practices" and is organizing a special committee on this topic. He encouraged the Rural Library Services Committee to give ideas to this special committee whose findings will be peer reviewed. Dwight McInvaill, Larry Grieco, and Beth Nicholson had originally volunteered to be panelists on the upcoming program if it's approved by PLA for the annual conference in 2005, and Cheryl Bryan said she'd like to be on it, too. Beth Nicholson suggested Michael Limer, a new director, as another potential panelist and said she'd contact him.

For the 2006 PLA Conference, the committee planned to propose a program on "Advocacy" featuring a dynamic consultant, Pat Wagner. A suggestion was made that we should also submit the names of a small group of panelists to serve as reactors to Pat Wagner's comments.

For ALA 2006, the committee discussed the idea of doing a joint program with the Community Information Services Committee. Another topic suggested for consideration for a program was "How You Can Mentor Successfully." It was pointed out that a lot of librarians will be retiring soon, providing the profession with a potential wealth of possible mentors for libraries in rural areas.

Committee members and visitors then talked about the exciting work and survey of ALA's Taskforce on Rural School, Tribal and Public Libraries. Mention was also made of PLA's achievements including the "@your library" campaign" (although everyone expressed the need for a rural libraries component), the "Early Literacy Project," and the "E-Learning Initiative" (with its first free online course on designing effective policies. An announcement was made, too, of the "Results Series" online at < elearnlibraries.com > with free downloadable forms. Jerry Thrasher mentioned that Sylvia Sprinkle Hamlin would be the new cluster chair, and Larry Grieco said that he would like to serve as Chair of the Rural Library Services Committee after the 2005 ALA Annual Conference.

Members present: Dwight McInvaill,Larry Grieco,Cheryl Bryan,Beth Nicholson,Teresa Knapp

Members absent: Eric Hansen, Susan Hill, Bernie Vavrek,Ristiina Wigg, Jennifer Jones (electronic member)

Visitors: David Paynter, Timothy Rogers, Katrina Zlotnikov, Danny Hales, Claudia Sumler, Jerry Thrasher

ALA Midwinter Conference 2004, San Diego

Dwight McInvaill, Chair
January 11, 2004

MEMBERS: Dwight McInvaill Beth Nicholson Larry Grieco Cheryl Bryan

ABSENT: Eric Hansen Susan Hill Teresa Knapp Bernie Vavrek Ristiina Wigg Jennifer Jones (electronic member)

VISITORS: Patricia John, Coordinator, USDA Rural Information Center. She asked to be added to the committee, if possible.

REPORT: From the context of their own libraries, committee members discussed some of the needs of rural librarians and some of the resources available to them. Tough economic times were the principal focus. It was stressed that fiscal shortfalls have led to difficulty in delivering training, in providing interlibrary loans, in sustaining state library services, and in advocating properly for rural libraries. Pat John, Coordinator of the USDA Rural Information Center, talked about the agency's web site < www.nal.usda.gov/ric > and mentioned the funding resources there and the numerous links to more information (over 3,000 links!). Cheryl Bryan of the SEMLS mentioned a software program called CAPWHIZ that she'd seen used effectively to enable people to communicate -- and to advocate -- to government. The committee then reviewed ideas for upcoming committee programs in light of PLA's overall focus on literacy, lumination (continuing education), advocacy, and recruitment. The committee decided to propose two programs for upcoming national events: one for the 2005 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago entitled "Congratulations, Rural Library Director! You've Got the Job. Now What?" and another featuring Pat Wagoner speaking on "Advocacy" for the PLA 2006 Conference in Boston. At the conclusion of the meeting, everyone was reminded of the program that the committee would be sponsoring at the 2004 ALA Conference in Orlando from 10:30 to noon on Saturday, June 26, entitled "Rural Libraries; the Heart of the Community."

ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 26, 2003

Eric Hansen, Chair

The Chair called the meeting to order at approximately 9:30 A.M. Those present introduced themselves and furnished brief updates on the status of libraries in their home states. Potential program topics for the 2004 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando and the 2004 PLA National Conference in Seattle were discussed from a list prepared in advance by the Chair. After some discussion, the following topics were selected: "The Rural Library As Community Commons" (ALA), "Marketing the Rural Library" (PLA). Cheryl Bryant agreed to co-present for the ALA program. She completed the program proposal form on the spot, which the Chair signed, dated, and handed in after the meeting. The Chair will fill out the PLA online program proposal form. Those present agreed to assist the chair in securing presenters for the PLA program.

Two of the four presenters who had agreed to appear at the 2003 ALA Conference in Toronto for the committee's program have recently backed out of their commitment due to travel constraints imposed as a result of their states' fiscal crises. Members present at the meeting agreed to assist the Chair in securing replacements.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:41 A.M.

Members Present: Cheryl Bryan, Larry Grieco, Eric Hansen, Teresa Knapp, Beth Nicholson, Jerry Thrasher

Absent: Jamie Hansen, Susan Hill, Janet Lexow, Dwight McInvaill, Don Reynolds, Bernard Vavrek, Ristiina Wigg

Visitors: Danny Hales, Live Oak, FL

ALA's Annual Conference 2002, 6/16/0

Eric Hansen, Chair

Incoming Chair Eric Hansen facilitated the meeting in place of Rosanne Goble, who was unable to attend due to a flight schedule discrepancy in Dodge City, KS. Members present introduced themselves. Hosting and handout logistics for the June 17 program “The ‘Been There’ Meet the ‘Newbies’”: Library Services for New Populations to the Community” were discussed and duties delegated. The committee discussed the present dire condition of state budgets, including implications the situation holds for libraries at the state and local level, especially rural.

Group brainstorming led to a program proposal for Toronto 2003: “How We Survived: Coping Strategies for Rural Libraries and State Budget Shortfalls.” Jerry Thrasher asked Jane Eickhoff to drop by to offer her advice on what information an on-the-spot program proposal ought to include. Eric Hansen hand wrote a proposal according to the committee’s ideas and Eickhoff’s directions, photocopied it for filing purposes, and handed it in to Eickhoff before noon on the day of the meeting.

Members Present: Teri Knapp, Jerry Thrasher, Don Reynolds, Larry Grieco, Jamie Hansen, Eric Hansen

Absent: Uncertain, due to changeover in membership

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