[Ilf] TOWN HALL SERIES - POSTED ON BEHALF OF JANE MYERS, ILF PRESIDENT

[Crissy Gallion]

TOWN HALL SERIES

January 25, 2007

Demotte Public Library - Jasper County

The morning session for this information meeting was met with sunshine and
brisk breezes but no freezing drizzle.  That was indicative of the weather
and most of the attendees at the northwest Indiana Town Hall meeting.  

Patty Lunsford, INCOLSA executive comittee member, joined Roberta Brooker
and Jim Corridan from the Indiana State Library for this meeting.  It was
also nice to have jan gillespie, treasurer, and Jim Cline, assistant
treasurer, join me in representing the Indiana Library Federation.

After introductions, Patty Lunsford spoke assuredly on the "congenial
relationship" between the State Library and INCOLSA.  Patty is a medical
librarian and commented that INCOLSA was very intent on seeing all library
communities working together.

Jim Corridan said clearly that INCOLSA and the State Library had reached a
tentative agreement on services but that the document was not yet signed.
He did say that he was confident that the agreement would be complete in the
near future.  Some of these service issues will be unresolved until a
complete agreement is reached and signed.

During the power-point presentation, the audience posed questions about the
details that would most affect their libraries.  Jim's statement, "There are
different issues in different parts of the state," was on target.  The
service contract is still of concern to many as they have had past
experiences where they were not served effectively.  The questions
concerning contracting INCOLSA were answered only by saying that the state
statute on bidding and quotes must be followed.  The vendor contracts for
delivery of services will follow the law.

Certification was discussed at length.  It was nice to hear a director
state, "None of us are against certification or continuing education.  We
attend everything we can to stay on top of issues and technology."  Many
questions referred to past workshops counting toward future continuing
education requirements and related thoughts about the details of past
conferences.  It became apparent how critical ILF Conferences, district and
annual, will become in the future. 

Un-served and underserved areas brought several issues to the table as there
is concern with the tax rate issues unique to the northwest Indiana area.
Several were very vocal about not wanting to create county-wide library
districts.  They cited the differences within each county and differences
between school systems.  One common theme voiced was that libraries should
meet minimum standards in order to be recognized as a library in the state
of Indiana. 

Many stayed for conversation with Patty, Jim and Roberta after the meeting.
The group was well prepared and asked pointed questions.  There are many
more questions to be answered as the programs unfold, but there are also
many who seem willing to take part in helping with the solutions. 

ILF, INCOLSA and the State Library deserve credit for working as a team.
Patty Lunsford ended the meeting with encouraging words indicative of the
spirit of partners that can only help our library community.  It was good to
have an open and honest exchange of ideas with small, large, special and
academic libraries represented.

Respectfully submitted, 
Jane Myers

ILF President

 

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