December 9, 2022

Minutes —December 9, 2022

The one hundred ninety-third meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022 by Board Secretary Roger Donaldsonl at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board members: Ben Bolbach, Michael Butler, Roger Donaldson, Holly Richards, Sue Schuld, and Meredith Wickham.

Also present were: Jessica Dooley, Derek Zoladz, and Don Yarman (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott, Wendy Knapp, and Jamie Pardee (State Library).

Attending virtually at https://meet.goto.com/OPLIN/december-2022-oplin-board-meeting: OPLIN Board members Travis Bautz, Bill Lane, and Garalynn Tomas; and Christine Morris (OPLIN)

Holly Richards moved to approve the agenda as presented; Ben Bolbach seconded. There was no discussion, so the Secretary called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

The Secretary called for public participation.

Wendy Knapp reported that the State Library has submitted their budget request for the next biennium requesting the allowable 5% increase. The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet in the next week, and will appoint a new State Library Board member. At the State Library Board meeting December 8, the Board awarded just over $200,000 in LSTA grants. Now that the IMLS has approved the LSTA five year plan, State Library will be reviewing the mission and vision statements and the State Library’s strategic plan. State Library has contributed two datasets—the public library directory and directors’ directory—to the DataOhio portal, and has plans to grow what is available.

Sue Schuld moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2022 meeting as presented; Holly Richards seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

Jamie Pardee reviewed the financial reports. The fiscal year started with $1.5 million cash balance, and is projected to fall to $1.1 million at the end, a good amount to have in reserve. Disbursements are in line with estimates for this time of year.

Holly Richards moved to accept the financial reports; Sue Schuld seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

None.

Don Yarman explained that occasionally a library for various reasons wishes to move the fiber demarcation point (demarc) in their building, incurring construction charges from the vendor that show up on OPLIN’s bill, as OPLIN is the customer on the account. He asked for the Board’s guidance on future practices: absorb the cost as part of OPLIN’s obligation to provide internet service, or create a mechanism for billing those charges back to the library. The Board directed Yarman to bill create a simple contract process so that the State Library can bill the charges back to the library.

Yarman discussed the agency’s positive experience at the OLC Convention in September, noting that the “OPLIN Update” presentation filled the room to capacity. He welcomed new employee Derek Zoladz, and updated the Board on the project to help libraries with their branch connections by letting libraries list branches on a statewide, omnibus E-rate form 470. Yarman will meet with Broadband Ohio to ask for funds to help with infrastructure expenses for this project.

Christine Morris explained that in addition to the omnibus 470, we are working with libraries to update their admin information with E-rate. Morris thanked the State Library Board for the LSTA grant to support year 2 of statewide licenses for Northstar Digital Literacy. Negotiations are in process for the statewide databases licensed in partnership with OhioLINK and INFOhio, also with the support of LSTA funds

Yarman discussed a new layout for Webkits that Laura Solomon designed, and Solomon’s work rebuilding the “What’s That Snake” and “What’s the Point” websites.

Jessica Dooley discussed the migration of OPLIN’s Mailman lists to a new server, and taking on hosting additional lists maintained by the State Library. She outlined recent expansions in the co-location space and the growing number of libraries looking to host equipment there. Dooley reached out to all libraries participating in the Omnibus Branch 470 to confirm their requests and clarify expectations. Dooley and OIT Engineer Mike Horsely have been inventorying the components of the core to make sure that spare cards are available in the event of hardware failure. Dooley acknowledged the work of NEO-RLS and the excellent technology conference they held October 25.

The Secretary had nothing to report.

With no other business pending, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:44 a.m.