Idaho Commission for Libraries

The board discussed several items including federal grant updates, LSTA reporting, and Summer STEM Grant awards. Financial reports detailed budget reductions for the upcoming fiscal year, including impacts on staffing and project funding. The operations report covered staff changes, legislative updates regarding 2026 bills, and facility improvements. Additionally, the board reviewed the FY2025 statewide public library statistics and the findings from the 2026 Idaho Library Needs Assessment survey. Strategic issues such as future bilingual programs and contract statuses were also reviewed.

The board meeting agenda includes updates on federal and state funds, miscellaneous revenue, and the Library Services Improvement Fund. Key agenda items cover operational reports from the State Librarian and management team, a personnel report, and a presentation on bicultural services. Additionally, the board will review and act on grant awards for continuing education and creative aging, consider updates to the Electronic Resources Collection Development Policy, conduct the election of officers, and address a board appointment.

The board discussed several items including continuing education grant awards, reimbursements for public libraries, and the status of state agency budgets amidst potential general fund reductions. The State Librarian provided updates on a new library needs assessment survey, personnel changes including recent hires and upcoming retirements, and legislative activities such as tracking specific library-related bills. Policies regarding Talking Book Service use and electronic resource borrowing were updated and adopted. Additionally, plans for an upcoming board tour of West Central Idaho libraries were reviewed.

The meeting covered several updates and actions regarding funding and programs. The board reviewed and approved minutes from the October 16, 2025 meeting with a minor correction. Key financial discussions included an update on federal funding drawdowns and the unanimous approval of expenditures up to $18,000 from the Library Services Improvement Fund (LSIF) supported by an $18,000 donation from the Idaho Scottish Rite Foundation for the 2026 summer reading program. Grant awards were discussed, specifically the Creative Aging Grant, Kindergarten Readiness Grants (awarded to 15 recipients), and Bucks for Books Grant Awards (awarded to 26 schools, funded in partnership with the Idaho Lottery Commission). Operational reports included updates on national library agency conferences, planning for a strategic needs-assessment project in early 2026, anticipated budget holdbacks, and staff transitions, including the State Librarian's upcoming retirement. The board also received reports on legislative compliance confirmations regarding Idaho Code 18-15178 and grant fund usage restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, the board unanimously adopted the Electronic Resources Collection Development Policy and approved the revised FY2026-27 board meeting schedule, which includes a two-day board tour in April 2026.

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners convened to discuss several key areas. Legislative matters were addressed, including bills introduced during the 2016 session affecting the Commission for Libraries and the Idaho library community, as well as potential broadband reimbursement for public libraries in FY2017. The board reviewed federal funds, including LSTA applications received, and discussed the FY2016 expenditures mid-year review and the FY2017 Governor's budget recommendation. The State Librarian's report covered operations, management team activities, personnel updates, and the Stacks Digital Repository Annual Report. Strategic priorities were also discussed, focusing on changing the conversation about Idaho libraries and extending lifelong learning opportunities.