FY2022

FY2022 oplin

June 10, 2022

June 10, 2022

OHIO PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK (OPLIN) ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FIRST REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes —June 10, 2022

WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER

The one hundred ninety-first meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:03 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022 by Board Chair Tara Sidwell online at https://meet.goto.com/OPLIN/june-2022-oplin-board-meeting and at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board member Angela Baldree; Christine Morris and Don Yarman (OPLIN); Wendy Knapp (State Library); Michelle Francis (Ohio Library Council); Sue Schuld and Meredith Wickham (OPLIN Board appointees).

Attending virtually at https://meet.goto.com/OPLIN/june-2022-oplin-board-meeting: OPLIN Board members Travis Bautz, Ben Bolbach, Roger Donaldson, Bill Lane, Holly Richards, and Garalynn Tomas; Jessica Dooley (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott, Eric Maynard, and Jamie Pardee (State Library); and Michael Butler (OPLIN Board appointee).

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair called for public participation.

Wendy Knapp reported on the progress of the search for a new LSTA coordinator and the State Library’s new LSTA five year plan which is due to the Institute of Museum and Library Services at the end of the month.

Michelle Francis listed recent activities and upcoming professional development events. Francis reported that the Public Library Fund continues to perform above estimates, along with state revenues. Francis also outlined active legislation of interest to public libraries, including HB140 that changes required ballot language, and HB327, known as the “Divisive Concepts” bill. Open meetings flexibility ends June 30, but OLC continues to work to extend virtual meetings flexibility. The legislature has adjourned for their district work period, and is not expected to return to sessions until November.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of April 22 meeting

Holly Richards moved to approve the minutes of the April 22, 2022 meeting as presented; Travis Bautz
seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS

Don Yarman reviewed the financial reports, noting that disbursements remain in line with estimates for this time of year. About $94,000 remains in unplanned spending authority, with a projected cash balance of $2.2 million remaining at the end of this fiscal year. Yarman reported that he received the funding commitment letter from E-rate for the circuit costs in the next fiscal year.

Roger Donaldson moved to accept the financial reports; Ben Bolbach seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

OLD BUSINESS

Strategic Plan
Yarman discussed where the strategic plan was modified based on discussion at the April 22 Board meeting.

Bill Lane moved to approve OPLIN’s Strategic Plan through June 30, 2025; Roger Donaldson seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

NEW BUSINESS

Staff Raises
Stephanie Herriot explained that because OPLIN are “administrative” staff, the Board must approve their raises. These are parity raises in line with the raises negotiated by the state’s bargaining units.

Angela Baldree moved: In that the E-1 salary tables in the Ohio Revised Code 124.152 will allow for State of Ohio E-1 employees an approximate 3% salary increase effective with the first day of the pay period that includes July 1, 2022, and allows increases up to 3% for other exempt state employees, The Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees, in accordance with the duties assigned by Ohio Revised Code Section 3375.66, approves adjusting the compensation of each OPLIN E-3 staff member, to one that reflects a 3% salary increase for each employee beginning with the pay period that includes July 1, 2022; Holly Richards seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion.

Recorded vote: Angela Baldree, aye; Travis Bautz, aye; Ben Bolbach, aye; Roger Donaldson, aye; Bill Lane, aye; Holly Richards, aye; Tara Sidwell, aye; Garalyn Tomas, aye.

OPLIN DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Yarman outlined his recent work managing routine operations, particularly with continuity of business in
preparation for the turnover in the fiscal year.

 

Digital Resources Manager’s Report

Morris highlighted the work creating the partnership with Department of Education’s Connectivity Champions and the pending rollout of the pilot program to link Connectivity Champions with libraries for in-person services to help families obtain internet connectivity. She reported that as a result of adding links from OPLIN’s Sanborn Maps interface to the corresponding higher resolution scans created by Kent State University, KSU has seen a 6% increase in traffic to their collection.

Library Services Manager’s Report

Yarman expanded on a few items from Solomon’s written report, including the uptick in libraries requesting accessibility audits, the end of the Google Analytics service, and libraries taking advantage of new visual layout options that Solomon has created.

Technology Projects Manager’s Report

Jessica Dooley outlined her recent attention to circuit upgrades and vendor migrations for the service year that begins July 1. She has been traveling with OIT engineer Mike Horsley to those last few libraries with legacy routers needing replacement. Beyond the items in the written report, Dooley discussed her work consulting with libraries and their vendors to help with the success of their projects locally.

Roger Donaldson asked whether OPLIN staff might be willing to speak to the SERLS Board. Yarman replied that staff are happy to do that, and in fact in the spring Yarman and Morris will be actively looking for groups like the SERLS board to talk about coming database changes.

Chair Sidwell asked Yarman about a recent message to the SEO Directors’ list concerning branch connections. Yarman explained that OPLIN had asked for two questions to be added to the State Library’s annual statistics gathering process, in order to learn more about what types of internet speeds libraries had to their branches and how much they cost. Those numbers only tell part of the story, and Yarman had invited directors to tell him their experiences and difficulties getting connectivity to branch locations. Yarman’s aim is to see if it’s possible to create a plan for library branch connectivity improvements to discuss with BroadbandOhio.

Ben Bolbach asked for clarification about the item in Dooley’s annual report regarding OIT assuming the procurement of Juniper maintenance for the OPLIN routers. Dooley explained that OPLIN purchases the routers but they are part of OIT’s inventory, and maintaining the cost and procurement of the maintenance will now become part of the services OPLIN pays OIT for. Nothing will change in how libraries interact with OPLIN, which remains the first line of support for the equipment.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Recognition
The Chair recognized Roger Donaldson to offer the following resolution:

WHEREAS ANGELA BALDREE has been a member of the Ohio Public Library Information
Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees since July 2018; and

WHEREAS she has freely and unselfishly given of her time and efforts to ensure the success
of OPLIN by serving on the Board for four years; and

WHEREAS her experience in public and special library management, and as a trustee at the
Morley Library gave her a distinctive outlook on OPLIN and its services to libraries; and

WHEREAS the insight she developed throughout her career have always been a helpful source
of information for the Board; and

WHEREAS she has consistently contributed her valuable opinions to the OPLIN Board
deliberations; and

WHEREAS she has been a steadfast guardian of OPLIN’s interests throughout her tenure on
the Board,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, on the 10th day of June, Two Thousand and
Twenty-Two, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Public Library Information
Network recognize the significant contributions made to public libraries and library service by ANGELA BALDREE during her outstanding tenure with the Ohio Public Library Information
Network; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board extends its most sincere thanks and appreciation
to ANGELA BALDREE for her vital volunteer service as a member of this Board.

Holly Richards seconded the resolution. All aye.

The Chair recognized Holly Richards to offer the following resolution:

WHEREAS JUSTIN BUMBICO has been a member of the Ohio Public Library Information
Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees since July 2017; and

WHEREAS he has freely and unselfishly given of his time and efforts to ensure the advance of
OPLIN by serving on the Board for over four years; and

WHEREAS his experience in technology management at the Columbus Metropolitan Library
gave him an exceptional perspective on OPLIN and its services to libraries; and

WHEREAS he has provided additional service as the Vice Chair of the OPLIN Board from
2020 through 2021, and the Chair from 2021 to 2022; and

WHEREAS his exceptional knowledge of technical issues has always been a helpful source of
information for the Board; and

WHEREAS he has consistently contributed his expert opinions to the OPLIN Board and
OPLIN Executive Committee deliberations; and

WHEREAS he has been a dedicated and active advocate for OPLIN throughout his tenure on
the Board,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, on the 10th day of June, Two Thousand and
Twenty-Two, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Public Library Information
Network recognize the significant contributions made to public libraries and library service by
JUSTIN BUMBICO during his outstanding tenure with the Ohio Public Library Information
Network; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board extends its most sincere thanks and appreciation
to JUSTIN BUMBICO for his vital volunteer service as a member of this Board.

Ben Bolbach seconded the resolution. All aye.

The Chair recognized Garalynn Tomas to offer the following resolution:

WHEREAS HILARY PRISBYLLA has been a member of the Ohio Public Library
Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees since July 2019; and

WHEREAS she has freely and unselfishly given of her time and efforts to ensure the success
of OPLIN by serving on the Board for three years; and

WHEREAS her experience as director of the CLEVNET Library Consortium gave her a
unique insight into OPLIN and its services to libraries; and

WHEREAS her exceptional knowledge of technical issues and subscription library content has
always been a helpful source of information for the Board; and

WHEREAS she has consistently contributed her productive opinions to the OPLIN Board
deliberations; and

WHEREAS she has been a dedicated and active advocate for OPLIN throughout her tenure on
the Board,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, on the 10th day of June, Two Thousand and
Twenty-Two, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Public Library Information
Network recognize the significant contributions made to public libraries and library service by
HILARY PRISBYLLA during her outstanding tenure with the Ohio Public Library
Information Network; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board extends its most sincere thanks and appreciation
to HILARY PRISBYLLA for her vital volunteer service as a member of this Board.

Angela Baldree seconded the resolution. All aye.

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business pending, Travis Bautz moved to adjourn the meeting; Ben Bolbach seconded.
There was no discussion, so the Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:48 a.m.

oplin

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

OHIO PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK (OPLIN) ONE HUNDRED NINETIETH REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes —April 22, 2022

WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER

The one hundred ninetieth meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:02 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022 by Board Chair Tara Sidwell at https://www.gotomeet.me/OPLIN/april-2022-oplin-board-meeting.

Present were Board members: Angela Baldree, Travis Bautz, Jamie Black, Ben Bolbach, Roger Donaldson, Bill Lane, Holly Richards, and Garalynn Tomas. 

Also present were: Jessica Dooley, Laura Solomon, and Don Yarman (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott and Wendy Knapp (State Library); and Michelle Francis and Jay Smith (Ohio Library Council).

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair called for public participation.

Michelle Francis outlined recent OLC events, including the Fiscal Officer Conference, the series of Trustee Dinners that is starting, and the upcoming Cybersecurity webinar. Jay Smith informed the Board that OLC’s recent Legislative Day drew over 220 attendees, and had a positive response from legislators. The general assembly is currently on break and will return in May to complete the Capital Budget.

Wendy Knapp discussed the transition in delivery service companies, and announced that LSTA coordinator Cindy Boyden would be leaving the State Library for a position with IMLS. The State Library is completing their next five-year plan, due to IMLS by June 30. 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of February 11 meeting

Garalynn Tomas moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2022 meeting as presented; Travis Bautz seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS

Don Yarman reviewed the financial reports, noting that three-fourths of the way through the fiscal year, three-fourths of the administrative budget has been spent. Yarman and State Library fiscal services staff do not anticipate a need to go to the Controlling Board to ask for an increase in spending authority for the current fiscal year. Looking ahead to the budget for next fiscal year, Yarman anticipated the budgeted amounts for Juniper maintenance and Trumpia SMS credits will not be needed, and the cost of Cisco Umbrella licenses will be lower. Pending Board approval, the budget for SOCC Co-Location will need to be increased.

Ben Bolbach asked what level of Juniper maintenance OPLIN purchases. Yarman said that OPLIN carries software maintenance for access to updates, and hardware replacement; Jessica Dooley added that there OPLIN’s inventory includes working spares hardware, so faulty hardware can be replaced immediately without waiting for an exchange of hardware shipments with Juniper. 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS — none

NEW BUSINESS

Expand Co-Location Space

The current Co-Location Space in the State of Ohio Computer Center has capacity for 8 network racks. These are occupied by:

  1. OPLIN equipment
  2. Columbus Metropolitan Library (rental and power billed to library)
  3. CLEVNET
  4. CLEVNET
  5. Cleveland Public Library (rental and power billed to library)
  6. Shared Rack – Consortia
    1. CLC
    2. SEO
  7. Shared Rack – Individual Libraries (billed to library per U occupied)
    1. Greene County
    2. Worthington
    3. Euclid
    4. Lorain
    5. Cincinnati
  8.  Cuyahoga County Public Library (rental and power billed to library)

As it is OPLIN’s practice to leave some room for tenants to expand, the current space is nearly full. Additional libraries (Medina, Toledo) and consortia (SearchOhio) have inquired about moving services into the space. OIT has set prices at $300 per month for empty rack footprint, $500 per month when a rack is installed. The immediate cost for expansion would then be $28,800, but OIT has offered OPLIN the same space for the cost of one occupied rack and two vacant rack spaces, or $13,200 per year. Based on the costs for current space, Yarman proposed increasing the budget for Co-Location to $18,200.

Jamie Black asked how OPLIN marketsthe service. SOCC Co-Location is regularly featured in rotating promotions via social media and listserv footers. Special attention is given to talk about the service at tech events, meeting with consortia and groups of library IT staff. 

Bill Lane moved to approve the expansion of the Co-Location Space; Ben Bolbach seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Yarman briefly reviewed the existing plan, noting that the strategic priorities remain relevant and have proved sufficient, and that the legacy service plan lists services that are core to what OPLIN provides operationally (internet access, databases), with additional services in palace to support core services (network evaluation, E-rate workshops, filtering solution, Co-Location). Yarman does not believe there are services listed that should be discontinued, but noted that providing digital literacy training resources (i.e. Northstar) is not listed on the current plan, as Northstar content is very different than the collection of research databases.

Holly Richards asked whether Northstar could fit into the services if a priority or strategy were reworded. As offering Northstar is something that assists public libraries with digital literacy training, Christine Morris suggested adding that to the fourth strategy statement: “Offer to assist Ohio public library systems with digital communications and digital literacy training.” Yarman will make these changes to bring the plan to the June meeting for discussion and possible approval.

OPLIN DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Yarman reiterated from his written report that Dooley is performing well in her new role as OPLIN’s Technology Projects Manager. Yarman and Dooley plan to meet to create the job description to backfill her previous position of Infrastructure Specialist. Yarman and Morris’s meetings with vendors at the PLA Conference in Portland, OR, were positive, and noted he was pleased how much of the conference program focused on digital equity and the role public libraries can play.

Digital Resources Manager’s Report

Morris echoed the positive response to PLA’s digital equity content. She has been holding follow-up conversations with vendors she met at the conference, clarifying what OPLIN and its partners will be looking for in the coming months as the “Intent to Negotiate” for statewide database subscriptions is released. The Libraries Connect Ohio partners are recruiting their committees to review vendor responses to the ITN, and the joint meeting to discuss is scheduled for November 15.  The website www.digitalskillsohio.org, a generic portal to Northstar resources, will soon be added to the Ohio Web Library site. 

Library Services Manager’s Report

Several new features have been released for Website kits, including new options for arranging content, even offering different layouts on different pages within the site. Solomon recently attended two virtual conferences: Computers in Libraries (its third virtual year) and axe-con (an accessibility conference, geared to the digital industry in general).

Technology Projects Manager’s Report

Dooley noted that simultaneous with Karl Jendretzky leaving OPLIN, OIT engineer Terry Fouts who has supported OPLIN since the network’s inception has also retired. Two engineers have been assigned to support OPLIN’s needs. Dooley has recently accompanied one of them, Mike Horsely, on trips to libraries to replace the last of the old OPLIN routers that need to be upgraded to the current Juniper hardware. Dooley repeated that the Co-Location space is completely subscribed, with Cincinnati installing equipment using VLAN stacking completed by Jendretzky, and Cuyahoga County using a similar configuration created by Dooley. Dooley also was able to attend a virtual conference: the UseNix Site Reliability Engineering conference.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Sidwell noted that the Nominations Committee would be meeting after the Board meeting to select new Board members they will ask the State Library Board to appoint to the OPLIN Board.

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business pending, Travis Bautz moved to adjourn the meeting; Jamie Black seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

oplin

February 11, 2022

February 11, 2022

OHIO PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK (OPLIN) ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINTH REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes —February 11, 2022

WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER

The one hundred eighty-ninth meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022 by Board Chair Tara Sidwell at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board members: Angela Baldree, Travis Bautz, Jamie Black, Ben Bolbach, Justin Bumbico, Roger Donaldson, Hilary Prisbylla, and Holly Richards. 

Also present were: Jessica Dooley, Karl Jendretzky, Laura Solomon, and Don Yarman (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott and Wendy Knapp (State Library); and Michelle Francis and Jay Smith (Ohio Library Council).

Attending virtually at https://oplin.ohio.gov/board/february-11-2022/: OPLIN Board members Bill Lane and Garalynn Tomas; and Eric Maynard (State Library).

NOMINATION and SPECIAL ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS

With the resignation of Justin Bumbico on January 26, Vice Chair Tara Sidwell assumed the position of Chair.

Jamie Black nominated Board Secretary Garalynn Tomas as Vice Chair, and Roger Donaldson to fill the office of Secretary; Angela Baldree seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Jamie Black moved to approve the agenda as presented; Roger Donaldson seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair called for public participation.

Jay Smith reported on current legislation, including amended HB 51 which will temporarily restore the ability for public boards to meet virtually. OLC will hold its Legislative Day April 6. Michelle Francis reported that the Public Library Fund continues to come in above estimates, outlined options for libraries to continue providing COVID-19 testing kits, and described the continuing education programs OLC will hold in the coming months.

Wendy Knapp reported the State Library’s five year LSTA evaluation is underway, and that there would be an announcement in the next week about the status of statewide library materials delivery.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of December 10 meeting

Angela Baldree moved to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2021 meeting as presented; Ben Bolbach seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS

Jamie Pardee had a meeting conflict, so Don Yarman reviewed the financial reports, noting that, halfway through the fiscal year, half the budgeted funds had been disbursed. Yarman reported that after the reports were generated, $473,000 was received in E-rate refunds. 

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

OLD BUSINESS — none

NEW BUSINESS

Amendments to Content Advisory Committee charter

The Content Advisory Committee is officially chartered by the OPLIN Board to advise it on the selection of subscription information resources for public libraries. The current charter requires the committee to meet once a year, and specifies that the charter itself shall be reviewed annually by the Board. As part of the annual review, the following amendments are proposed:

II. MEMBERSHIP

Original Language: Membership will be reaffirmed at the annual spring planning meeting of the OPLIN Board.

Proposed Change: Membership will be reaffirmed by the OPLIN Board at the discretion of the OPLIN Director.

IV. PROCEDURAL RULES

Original Language: Meetings: The committee will meet at least one time a year. Because this committee may make recommendations to the OPLIN Board regarding purchases, it may be considered a "public body" under Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws; committee meetings will therefore be open to the public. While members may attend by telephone or Internet connection, they must be present to participate in any vote or be counted toward a quorum. Notices of meetings will be posted at http://oplin.org in accordance with Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws.

Minutes: Minutes of each meeting shall be created by OPLIN staff attending the meeting. After review by the committee, they will be posted at http://oplin.org.

Recommendations and Reports: Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted to the OPLIN Board through the OPLIN Director prior to the Board's annual planning meeting. Recommendations will include both suggested action and justification for suggestions. 

Proposed Changes: Meetings: Because this committee may make recommendations to the OPLIN Board regarding purchases, it may be considered a "public body" under Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws; committee meetings will therefore be open to the public and conducted under section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code and any applicable temporary law.  Notices of meetings will be posted on the OPLIN website in accordance with Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws.

Quorum: A gathering of six or more members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

Minutes: Minutes of each meeting shall be created by OPLIN staff attending the meeting. After review by the committee, the minutes will be posted on the OPLIN website.

Recommendations and Reports: Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted to the OPLIN Board through the OPLIN Director. Recommendations will include both suggested action and justification for suggestions.

V. REVIEW

Original Language: This charter shall be reviewed at the annual planning meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Public Library Information Network. 

Proposed Change: This charter shall be reviewed at the request of the Board of Trustees or the Executive Director of the Ohio Public Library Information Network. 

Travis Bautz moved to approve the amendments ; Roger Donaldson seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

Fees for Library Website Audits

Reasoning that OPLIN has a strategic interest in the accessibility and usability of Ohio library websites, Yarman proposed that the $125 fee OPLIN charges for Laura Solomon to conduct a website audit be eliminated. Black asked how often libraries asked for audits; Solomon reported that it varies, but typically there are several per year. Donaldson asked how long an audit takes; Solomon replied, that depending on extensive a site is, it takes an average of two or three hours.

Jamie Black moved to approve recommendation to eliminate the website audit fee; Travis Bautz seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

 

STRATEGIC PLANNING

OPLIN staffing update

Technology Project Manager Karl Jendretzky accepted a position at Columbus Metropolitan Library. OPLIN’s Infrastructure Specialist Jessica Dooley will assume Jendretzky’s position starting February 13. Yarman reported that he and Dooley will examine OPLIN’s shifting support and development needs to create a new position profile to post.

8.2. Discussion of next steps with Strategic Planning

Yarman reported that over the course of Board meetings this fiscal year, the Board has heard reports of OPLIN’s services and reviewed existing tactics. The logical next step would be to bring in a facilitator to guide the Board through a deeper, philosophical discussion of OPLIN’s mission and strategies, if that was desired. Black asked whether libraries were reporting deficiencies, noting that there seems to be a high rate of satisfaction; OPLIN is nimble, and the current strategic priorities have supported that. Tomas agreed, but asked the new Board members if they felt they would benefit from a deeper strategic planning discussion, or were they comfortable with the material they already have. Lane replied that he would like to experience a few more meetings before updating the strategic plan or embarking on creating a new one. Bolbach said he already has a strong understanding of OPLIN, and while he thinks there are services that could be added under the general umbrella, the current mission and strategies would allow for them. As the April meeting is the usual venue for the Board to discuss services, Sidwell recommended that a discussion of OPLIN’s services be added to that meeting agenda.

OPLIN DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Yarman reported that the annual E-rate work is on track, as OPLIN has received the reimbursements for circuit costs for the first six months of the funding year, the vendor bids for services in the next funding year were evaluated and selections made, and the Office of Information Technology is preparing the MOU for providing internet service. Yarman has asked OIT to resume purchasing maintenance on OPLIN’s routers as part of the MOU, as that would make equipment maintenance an allowable E-rate expense. Sidwell asked for information about the FCC’s proposed changes; Yarman explained that the FCC has a legitimate concern about fraud and abuse within the E-rate program, which has led it to propose the creation of a central portal to manage the bidding process for services. National organizations representing the interests of schools and libraries are opposed, arguing that E-rate applicants are currently directed to follow all local bidding laws and regulations, and that existing program integrity procedures give the FCC complete access to the bids, their evaluation, and the decision process. 

 

Digital Resources Manager’s Report

Christine Morris amplified that the FCC’s plans would be disadvantageous to small, local service providers, and that it’s important for stakeholders to submit comments on the FCC’s plans. Morris reported the Northstar roll-out is slow but steady: about 10% of Ohio’s libraries have begun offering Northstar digital literacy services to their patrons, with a total potential population served of 2.5 million. The biggest barrier seems to be fatigue; libraries are looking to each other for advice. Morris discussed an enhancement to OPLIN’s collection of Sanborn maps; Kent State University has produced high-quality, full-color scans of the maps, and KSU librarians and system staff are reviewing OPLIN’s request to add direct links to the Kent collection from OPLIN’s map interface. 

 

Library Services Manager’s Report

Solomon had nothing additional to report.

Technology Projects Manager’s Report

Jendretzky reported that firmware updates to the OPLIN devices necessary for supporting VLAN stacking were completed Tuesday evening, so the framework is in place for the Cincinnati library to begin using it. The VLAN stacking configuration is in process for the Cuyahoga County library, and other libraries are expressing interest. The Central Library Consortium has begun using the SMS service, which more than doubles the typical message throughput; OPLIN has purchased an additional 6.6 million credits to support the increase, expecting to use 3 million credits per year. Jendretzky added new functionality to the automated database statistics system which fixes a long-standing error with HeritageQuest stats.

Sidwell thanked Jendretzky for everything he’s done for OPLIN. Jendretzky said it was an honor to work at OPLIN and with Ohio’s libraries.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Nominations Committee

At the August meeting, former Chair Justin Bumbico appointed Angela Baldree, Travis Bautz, Roger Donaldson, and Holly Richards to the Nominations Committee. Yarman will post the call for nominations for the committee to review and forward their recommendations to the State Library Board for appointment.

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business pending, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

oplin

December 10, 2021

December 10, 2021

OHIO PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK (OPLIN) ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes —December 10, 2021

WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER

The one hundred eighty-eighth meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:01 a.m. on Friday, December, 2021 by Board Vice-Chair Justin Bumbico at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board members: Angela Baldree, Jamie Black, Ben Bolbach, Justin Bumbico, Roger Donaldson, Bill Lane, Holly Richards, and Garalynn Tomas. 

Also present were: Karl Jendretzky, Christine Morris, and Don Yarman (OPLIN).

Attending virtually at https://oplin.ohio.gov/board/december-10-2021/: OPLIN Board members Travis Bautz,  Hilary Prisbylla, and Tara Sidwell; Laura Solomon (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott, Wendy Knapp, and Jamie Pardee (State Library);  and Jay Smith (Ohio Library Council).

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Roger Donaldson moved to approve the agenda as presented; Angela Baldree seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair called for public participation.

Jamie Pardee reported that the State Library plans to open their meeting rooms for state agencies use in January, which might increase foot traffic in the building. Wendy Knapp reported that the State Library’s LSTA Plan Evaluation would begin the following week.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of August 13 meeting

Jamie Black moved to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2021 meeting as presented; Holly Richards seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS

Jamie Pardee noted the $490,000 drop in the cash balance, explaining it was due to the timing of internet access invoices from OIT; that large a drop is not expected every fiscal year. The salary budget is larger than the previous fiscal year due to the addition of a staff member, as well as some cash incentives the state offered for employees to get Covid-19 vaccinations. Yarman added that the travel budget is also larger due to planned attendance at some conferences in 2022.

Garalynn Tomas moved to accept the financial reports; Jamie Black seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

 Reports on the Status of OPLIN Services — OPLIN Staff

Don Yarman, Laura Solomon, and Karl Jendretzky delivered for the Board a presentation of OPLIN’s activities from the previous fiscal year, covering revenues, expenditures, usage of subscription databases, bandwidth utilization, authentication and network tools, webinars delivered, and the host of services OPLIN provides. Solomon reviewed the large project to migrate websites from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8, and then on to Drupal 9. Yarman followed up by connecting the various elements of the presentation to the OPLIN Services Plan.

Questions for PLDS

Don Yarman asked the Board, for their planning purposes, what information should OPLIN seek to gather from libraries as part of the annual data survey the State Library administers. Currently asks “type of internet connection” and monthly cost. Yarman suggested asking for bandwidth rather than type of connection, which would be more helpful. Explained libraries interpret “monthly cost” differently. Black said “bandwidth and undiscounted cost (i.e. before E-rate discounts).

OLD BUSINESS — None

NEW BUSINESS — None

OPLIN DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Yarman, Solomon, and Jendretzky had nothing to add to their written reports.

Christine Morris, OPLIN’s new Digital Resources Manager, introduced herself. Yarman directed the Board’s attention to Morris’s project plan for implementing Northstar Digital Literacy resources across Ohio libraries, and Morris reviewed the recent webinars offered to inform libraries about Northstar.

Travis Bautz expressed concern about the reporting requirements for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which ask libraries to keep detailed circulation and inventory data beyond what their integrated library systems are designed to collect and store. Yarman said he would meet directly with Bautz and his staff to discuss their concerns and to clarify the ways that the state coordinators for library E-rate and the American Library Association are interpreting the FCC’s guidelines, as state privacy laws preempt libraries from providing the level of data that the FCC expects from school districts.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Justin Bumbico welcomed Board members Ben Bolbach and Bill Lane to their first in-person Board meeting. 

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business pending, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 12:07 p.m.

oplin

August 13, 2021

August 13, 2021

OHIO PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK (OPLIN) ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes —August 13, 2021

WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER

The one hundred eighty-seventh meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021 by Board Vice-Chair Justin Bumbico at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board members: Angela Baldree, Travis Bautz, Jamie Black, Justin Bumbico, Roger Donaldson, and Hilary Prisbylla. Also present were: Karl Jendretzky and Don Yarman (OPLIN).

Attending virtually at https://www.gotomeet.me/OPLIN/august-2021-oplin-board-meeting were: 

Board members Bill Lane, Holly Richards, Tara Sidwell, and Garalynn Tomas; Laura Solomon (OPLIN), Stephanie Herriott, Wendy Knapp, and Eric Maynard (State Library); and Michelle Francis and Jay Smith (Ohio Library Council).

NOMINATION and ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS

The Nominations Committee proposed the following slate of officers: Justin Bumbico, Chair; Tara Sidwell, Vice Chair; Garalynn Tomas, Secretary;Jamie Black, Treasurer. Roger Donaldson moved to accept the slate of nominees; Travis Bautz seconded the nominations. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the nominations; all aye. Justin Bumbico continued to run the meeting as newly elected Chair.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Jamie Black moved to approve the agenda as presented; Angela Baldree seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ESTABLISH BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOR FY2022

Following the pattern of holding OPLIN Board meetings at 10:00 a.m. on the second Friday of even-numbered months, Yarman presented the following meeting schedule:

  • August 13, 2021
  • October 8, 2021
  • December 10, 2021
  • February 11, 2022
  • April 8, 2022
  • June 10, 2022

Yarman suggested that instead of clustering all strategic planning at a long April meeting that the Board break up strategic planning activities over the whole year: in October, OPLIN staff will present a review of the services, and at subsequent meetings the Board could take up topics such as expanded. Jamie Black asked whether the expectations of OPLIN will change drastically with the passage of the Federal infrastructure bill. Karl Jendretzky explained that all OPLIN’s circuits are now fiber, so there is no need to seek infrastructure money to expand library broadband. Michelle Francis clarified that this is true of main libraries, but there may not be fiber to the branches; Jendretzky agreed that branch circuits, especially in smaller or more rural libraries, may be business class cable, perhaps because fiber isn’t available but often for ease of installation and cost. Jamie Black and Tara Sidwell discussed the challenges of getting high speed internet to small communities, and there was general discussion of the possibility of coordinating multiple orders, as OPLIN did 8 years ago, to eliminate steep construction costs. The Board agreed to continue discussions of possible strategic directions at each bimonthly meeting.

Jamie Black moved to approve the meeting schedule; Hilary Prisbylla seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair called for public participation.

Jay Smith reported that the statehouse is in summer recess, but is expected back in August to debate vaccine and mask mandates in the House Health Committee. In September, OLC is expecting the legislature to focus on redistricting and election security. OLC is in the midst of planning for the upcoming Convention and Expo October 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, and thanks OPLIN for its support. More information at https://conventionexpo.olc.org.

Garalynn Tomas asked where libraries stand in terms of mandating vaccines for hiring. Smith said some libraries have passed policies making vaccination a condition of employment (with caveats that employees who are unwilling or unable to get vaccinated must undergo weekly testing to make sure they are COVID negative). Smith advises libraries to work with their county health departments for guidance; OLC does not expect statewide mandates for vaccination or masking.

Wendy Knapp reported that the funds for Imagination Library were moved back out of State Library’s budget. Nearly all of her time recently has been concentrated on problems with the transition to a new statewide delivery company, and State Library is working DAS on remedies to unsatisfactory contract performance. Knapp reported that the State Library has received enthusiastic response to the call for ARPA grant applications; the majority of proposals are from public libraries. The State Library Board will make their grant awards in September.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of June 11 meeting

Angela Baldree moved to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2021 meeting as presented; Travis Bautz seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS

Don Yarman indicated that the reports do not completely wrap up FY2021 as a few payments have yet to post in the state’s financial system. The estimated administrative expenses for the previous fiscal year were disbursed on target. Yarman explained that the $1.4 million paid to OIT was for 2020 and 2021 internet services, the bill for 2020 coming in 2021. Estimates for FY2022 are based on FY2021 expenses. Additions include payroll and travel for an additional staff member, and Northstar expenses added to Electronic Resources. The line item for Trumpia is $0 for the current fiscal year, but credits will need to be purchased in FY2023. The report currently estimates expenses $60,000 above the $5.7 million in approved spending authority, and if necessary, Yarman and Fiscal Officer Jamie Pardee will ask the Controlling Board for an increase in spending authority as the limit approaches. 

Roger Donaldson moved to accept the financial reports; Travis Bautz seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a vote on the motion; all aye.

OLD BUSINESS — none

NEW BUSINESS

Discuss new position description

The new staff position included in the budget is a restoration of the Digital Resources Manager position, which Yarman converted to the current Infrastructure Specialist position. If the position is approved by DAS, the Digital Resources Manager will be principally responsible for overseeing E-rate, including more outreach to libraries for E-rate assistance, and coordinating support and training for electronic databases, with Northstar being the first priority. Next fiscal year, the Digital Resources Manager will take the lead representing public library interests as OPLIN and the Libraries Connect Ohio partners OhioLINK and INFOhio begin identifying the next package of resources to license statewide.

OPLIN DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Yarman reported that since the last Board meeting, he has devoted a lot of time to answering questions about the Emergency Connectivity Fund and under what circumstances a library needs to filter devices in order to qualify for funding. Six libraries which do not filter their computers have applied for ECF funds to support internet service for hotspots they lend to patrons, and Yarman has reached out to them to discuss the discrepancy.

Library Services Manager report

Solomon updated the Board on her work implementing accessibility modifications to the hosted Website Kits and the Ohio Web Library database portal. She also discussed her collaboration with Jen Johnson and Peter Kukla at the State Library to identify Drupal modules that make it possible for libraries with digitized content to contribute their collections to the Digital Public Library of America.

Technology Projects Manager report

Karl Jendretzky told the Board that Mike Horsley and Nicholas Hester will be the OIT engineers assigned to assist OPLIN as Terry Fouts is retiring soon, and that so far the transition has been smooth. Jendretzky discussed progress with core configuration changes to enable custom VLAN stacking, the status of new circuit orders resulting from E-rate, growth in the number of libraries adding equipment to OPLIN’s CoLocation space in the State of Ohio Computer Center, and on-going development of the MASK authentication middleware. Jendretzky also detailed his work to programmatically pull the necessary usage stats from the new LinkedIn Learning resource. With the Central Library Consortium starting to use the SMS service, Jendretzky predicts OPLIN will need to purchase more message credits in about 12 months.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Nominations Committee appointment

The Chair appointed Hilary Prisbylla, Travis Bautz, Roger Donaldson, Holly Richardson, and Tara Sidwell to the Nominations Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business pending, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

oplin