Board Meeting Minutes, March 9, 2005: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: March 9, 2005
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Peg Zappen (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Steve Platteter (MWLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS.

1. Reports from Partners

Nicolet and OWLS have questions about how the new ILS vendor will integrate with OverDrive.

MWFLS is focusing on developing a shared system for automation.

MCFLS is working on member renewals.

OWLS is planning system migration and has a subscription for Learning Express.

ESLS continues to see strong use of netLibrary and is working to allow patrons to remotely create a netLibrary account.

NWLS has completed importing records for netLibrary titles and has seen an increase in use.

WCFLS hopes to get MARC records into CAFÉ’s database this summer.

SCLS has implemented a new authentication method.

2. E-book Services

Kathy reported that 300-400 titles are ready to be ordered. The online introductory netLibrary course which recently finished got great reviews, but only six persons completed the course. WiLS may investigate developing a self-paced course or may condense the course into a shorter time period.
Board members encouraged WiLS to offer the current course again and to promote the course in new ways. WPLC partners were also encouraged to distribute such announcements to their own internal system mailing lists, which some members are already doing.

Ripon High School is interested in possibly joining to share the netLibrary collection, and WiLS staff is working with the school. Kathy also mentioned that Recorded Books has been contacting libraries to purchase audio books. Recorded Books has partnered with netLibrary.

Linda shared that she had contacted Hedberg PL regarding membership in WPLC after learning of the library’s interest in netLibrary and is awaiting word of any further interest by the library.
The discussion then turned to continued consideration of a contract with OverDrive. Kathy reported that the consortium in Michigan is very satisfied. This confirmed the information that WPLC members had previously collected from this group.

Stef reported that SCLS IT staff had some concerns about allowing the SIP2 connection through the firewall. They have discussed the matter with OverDrive IT staff. MWFLS expects more interest in OverDrive’s e-books and audiobooks than the current netLibrary plan. OWLS reports that its libraries are more interested in the audiobooks than e-books and would like to see current WPLC funds reallocated from netLibrary to OverDrive titles.
Additional content could be purchased for the OverDrive collection than is allocated in the OverDrive contract. However, if individual libraries purchase content, it is not possible to restrict access to that library.
Mark Arend wants to be sure that the collection includes a sufficient collection of audio books. Mead in Sheboygan wants e-books and audiobooks to supplement the netLibrary collection. Possible funding for content could come from library collection development funds. Grants should also be investigated. Linda shared that the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has expressed interest in OverDrive audiobooks.
OverDrive has a pilot project with five states to provide audiobooks for the Regional Libraries.

Costs for the OverDrive service were reviewed. Linda shared information from OverDrive which clarified the point regarding how OverDrive uses integrated library systems to calculate the number of ILS systems covered.
OverDrive counts as one each individual database or shared or standalone system with which it needs to connect. The number of different vendors ILS systems that are in use in the state is not a factor in determining costs.
The factor is the number of individual ILSs. Project management costs were included in determining the overall project cost. These are to cover WiLS expenses and for WPLC project management.

A tally of partners’ interest showed that all partners are interested, but a few have reservations about participating at this time. ESLS is not sure how to get the funding. MWFLS believes that it will need to wait until there is one shared system in place rather than try to implement OverDrive with the multiple automation systems in place now. Lakeshores stated that it cannot participate now because it does not have the funds.

Board members reviewed the decision made at the previous meeting which stated that WPLC would cover the first six months and then partners and libraries would share the costs. Some members stated that they needed to discuss with their libraries whether that was possible. LSTA grants for
2006 were mentioned as one possible source. MWFLS may consider rolling the costs into the shared ILS project. Mellanie mentioned the possibility of corporate sponsorships.

Questions raised included how quickly could a collection be developed; what should the mix of e-books and audiobooks be; will systems be charged the $1500 OverDrive setup fee if they migrate to a new ILS.

The cost sharing proposal presented shared costs evenly among the partners.
Board members requested that a alternate model be developed that shared costs on the same basis as the WPLC membership dues scale and that the decision made at the January meeting regarding WPLC’s share be revisited at the next meeting. All WPLC members should be encouraged to participate in the project. The issue of the $1500 fee for ILS systems beyond the first eight was discussed. The group agreed that each partner’s first $1500 fee should be covered. Reallocation of the 2005 WPLC funds for netLibrary content to OverDrive content will be discussed at the next meeting along with the new cost model.

The consensus was that Kathy should begin working with a selection committee to select content.

3. New Projects

Kathy presented an update on the “Illinois Model” for OCLC services. The committee is meeting and beginning negotiations with OCLC. Questions include how to count cataloging libraries, either as separate libraries within a consortium or as one shared system. The first OCLC proposal counted each separately. WiLS will be sharing information with various groups around the state and asked whether WPLC wanted its own presentation.
Given the number and locations of other presentations, the group did not believe that an additional presentation was necessary.

4. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 10:00 AM at the SCLS office.

Linda K. Miller
LMA Techwork
linda@lmatechwork.com
815-229-8215 voice
815-229-5362 fax


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Board Meeting, March 9, 2005

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: March 9, 2005 Location: South Central Library System Present: Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Peg Zappen (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Steve Platteter (MWLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. 1. Reports from Partners Nicolet and OWLS have questions about how the new ILS vendor will integrate with OverDrive. MWFLS is focusing on developing a shared system for automation. MCFLS is working on member renewals. OWLS is planning system migration and has a subscription for Learning Express. ESLS continues to see strong use of netLibrary and is working to allow patrons to remotely create a netLibrary account. NWLS has completed importing records for netLibrary titles and has seen an increase in use. WCFLS hopes to get MARC records into CAFÉ’s database this summer. SCLS has implemented a new authentication method. 2. E-book Services Kathy reported that 300-400 titles are ready to be ordered. The online introductory netLibrary course which recently finished got great reviews, but only six persons completed the course. WiLS may investigate developing a self-paced course or may condense the course into a shorter time period. Board members encouraged WiLS to offer the current course again and to promote the course in new ways. WPLC partners were also encouraged to distribute such announcements to their own internal system mailing lists, which some members are already doing. Ripon High School is interested in possibly joining to share the netLibrary collection, and WiLS staff is working with the school. Kathy also mentioned that Recorded Books has been contacting libraries to purchase audio books. Recorded Books has partnered with netLibrary. Linda shared that she had contacted Hedberg PL regarding membership in WPLC after learning of the library’s interest in netLibrary and is awaiting word of any further interest by the library. The discussion then turned to continued consideration of a contract with OverDrive. Kathy reported that the consortium in Michigan is very satisfied. This confirmed the information that WPLC members had previously collected from this group. Stef reported that SCLS IT staff had some concerns about allowing the SIP2 connection through the firewall. They have discussed the matter with OverDrive IT staff. MWFLS expects more interest in OverDrive’s e-books and audiobooks than the current netLibrary plan. OWLS reports that its libraries are more interested in the audiobooks than e-books and would like to see current WPLC funds reallocated from netLibrary to OverDrive titles. Additional content could be purchased for the OverDrive collection than is allocated in the OverDrive contract. However, if individual libraries purchase content, it is not possible to restrict access to that library. Mark Arend wants to be sure that the collection includes a sufficient collection of audio books. Mead in Sheboygan wants e-books and audiobooks to supplement the netLibrary collection. Possible funding for content could come from library collection development funds. Grants should also be investigated. Linda shared that the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has expressed interest in OverDrive audiobooks. OverDrive has a pilot project with five states to provide audiobooks for the Regional Libraries. Costs for the OverDrive service were reviewed. Linda shared information from OverDrive which clarified the point regarding how OverDrive uses integrated library systems to calculate the number of ILS systems covered. OverDrive counts as one each individual database or shared or standalone system with which it needs to connect. The number of different vendors ILS systems that are in use in the state is not a factor in determining costs. The factor is the number of individual ILSs. Project management costs were included in determining the overall project cost. These are to cover WiLS expenses and for WPLC project management. A tally of partners’ interest showed that all partners are interested, but a few have reservations about participating at this time. ESLS is not sure how to get the funding. MWFLS believes that it will need to wait until there is one shared system in place rather than try to implement OverDrive with the multiple automation systems in place now. Lakeshores stated that it cannot participate now because it does not have the funds. Board members reviewed the decision made at the previous meeting which stated that WPLC would cover the first six months and then partners and libraries would share the costs. Some members stated that they needed to discuss with their libraries whether that was possible. LSTA grants for 2006 were mentioned as one possible source. MWFLS may consider rolling the costs into the shared ILS project. Mellanie mentioned the possibility of corporate sponsorships. Questions raised included how quickly could a collection be developed; what should the mix of e-books and audiobooks be; will systems be charged the $1500 OverDrive setup fee if they migrate to a new ILS. The cost sharing proposal presented shared costs evenly among the partners. Board members requested that a alternate model be developed that shared costs on the same basis as the WPLC membership dues scale and that the decision made at the January meeting regarding WPLC’s share be revisited at the next meeting. All WPLC members should be encouraged to participate in the project. The issue of the $1500 fee for ILS systems beyond the first eight was discussed. The group agreed that each partner’s first $1500 fee should be covered. Reallocation of the 2005 WPLC funds for netLibrary content to OverDrive content will be discussed at the next meeting along with the new cost model. The consensus was that Kathy should begin working with a selection committee to select content. 3. New Projects Kathy presented an update on the “Illinois Model” for OCLC services. The committee is meeting and beginning negotiations with OCLC. Questions include how to count cataloging libraries, either as separate libraries within a consortium or as one shared system. The first OCLC proposal counted each separately. WiLS will be sharing information with various groups around the state and asked whether WPLC wanted its own presentation. Given the number and locations of other presentations, the group did not believe that an additional presentation was necessary. 4. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. Linda K. Miller LMA Techwork linda@lmatechwork.com 815-229-8215 voice 815-229-5362 fax

		Updated April 14, 2005