Board Meeting Minutes, April 30, 2003: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: April 30, 2003
Location: South Central Library System

Present: David Weinhold (ESLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Rich Krumwiede (OWLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Mark Merrifield (NFLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider (WiLS). Josh Morrill also attended.

The meeting came to order at 10:00 a.m.

1. Partner Reports

Phyllis Davis reported that a patron called to ask why Adobe Acrobat Content Server has not been set up so that titles can be viewed offline. Information on the netLibrary website indicates that a library would need to have this in place in order to provide this service. However, this is not yet available for libraries to license.

2. Current Project Reports

There were no official reports, but some information was shared concerning the audio book project, which is going well.

3. Library User Survey Report

Josh Morrill gave a presentation of the survey report and answered questions.

A question was asked about the possibility of a "halo effect" influencing responses. Josh responded that the questions were balanced and that he does not feel people were gravitating toward positive answers.

There was a question about responses concerning voting in the recent gubernatorial election. Since there was only a 50% turnout to vote, why did 85% of library users and 65% of non-users respond that they voted? Josh responded that studies show voters are more likely to participate in phone surveys, but this does not affect the comparison of responses from users to non-users.

Josh was asked to summarize the results from questions about library funding. He responded that the results are very significant since people were not only asked how much funding their library deserves but also how much funding they think their library receives. Most people surveyed think their library deserves more money.

The report had been sent to committee members who were to review it.

Because of the length and detail in the report, the idea was suggested that a second document be created that would be a brief narrative featuring the conclusions and trends that can be drawn from the data. This document should be developed by a group of librarians who have insight into how the information will be used by libraries.

Mark Arend, Phyllis Davis, Peter Hamon, Mark Merrifield, and Peggy Shaffer volunteered to serve on this committee. Representatives from the WLA PR Committee and DPI will also be invited.

The Board agreed that a survey should be done every four years after a gubernatorial or presidential election.

4. Survey Report Distribution

Josh is scheduled to make a presentation on the report at WAPL.

The report will be posted on the WPLC website and copies will be sent to WLA, netLibrary, and DPI. Linda Miller will prepare a cover letter to include with a copy of the report for these agencies that contributed to the cost of the survey. A press release will be prepared for each partner to distribute to local media.

5. New Project Proposals

David Weinhold presented the proposal for a call center and survey services. A written agreement is needed for services that Josh will provide. One issue to address would be ownership of the material that is produced. Material should be copyrighted in WPLC's name. There will also need to be some guidelines and service descriptions with costs prepared to provide to interested customers.

There was a discussion of presentations of the report to non-members. The service would be coordinated through WPLC, which would have a surcharge equal to 20% of Josh's fee.

The issue of charging an administrative fee for use of the call center was discussed. The Board agreed that members and non-members should pay an administrative fee. Additionally, a surcharge of 50% to 100% would be added for non-members.

6. netLibrary

The online user interface for netLibrary has changed. There will be a users group meeting with a representative from netLibrary at WiLSWorld, July 24, 2003. Both public and academic library staff are invited.

A comment was made regarding the possibility of a change in the software used to access titles. This is not likely to happen for several years, but the access fee may be affected if that happens.

Publishers continue to express concerns to netLibrary over the growth of consortia. Some publishers may not allow the inclusion of titles in a shared collection. A netLibrary representative is to get back to WiLS with more information.

The collection shared with the academic libraries is now active. Homestead High School has joined recently. The schools are making efforts to coordinate the selection of materials. One school district and four high schools are currently participating. About eight to ten other schools have been contacted about participating. Most have responded that they may consider it in the fall.

7. Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting adjourned.

Linda Miller


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Board Meeting, April 30, 2003

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: April 30, 2003 Location: South Central Library System Present: David Weinhold (ESLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Rich Krumwiede (OWLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Mark Merrifield (NFLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider (WiLS). Josh Morrill also attended. The meeting came to order at 10:00 a.m. 1. Partner Reports Phyllis Davis reported that a patron called to ask why Adobe Acrobat Content Server has not been set up so that titles can be viewed offline. Information on the netLibrary website indicates that a library would need to have this in place in order to provide this service. However, this is not yet available for libraries to license. 2. Current Project Reports There were no official reports, but some information was shared concerning the audio book project, which is going well. 3. Library User Survey Report Josh Morrill gave a presentation of the survey report and answered questions. A question was asked about the possibility of a "halo effect" influencing responses. Josh responded that the questions were balanced and that he does not feel people were gravitating toward positive answers. There was a question about responses concerning voting in the recent gubernatorial election. Since there was only a 50% turnout to vote, why did 85% of library users and 65% of non-users respond that they voted? Josh responded that studies show voters are more likely to participate in phone surveys, but this does not affect the comparison of responses from users to non-users. Josh was asked to summarize the results from questions about library funding. He responded that the results are very significant since people were not only asked how much funding their library deserves but also how much funding they think their library receives. Most people surveyed think their library deserves more money. The report had been sent to committee members who were to review it. Because of the length and detail in the report, the idea was suggested that a second document be created that would be a brief narrative featuring the conclusions and trends that can be drawn from the data. This document should be developed by a group of librarians who have insight into how the information will be used by libraries. Mark Arend, Phyllis Davis, Peter Hamon, Mark Merrifield, and Peggy Shaffer volunteered to serve on this committee. Representatives from the WLA PR Committee and DPI will also be invited. The Board agreed that a survey should be done every four years after a gubernatorial or presidential election. 4. Survey Report Distribution Josh is scheduled to make a presentation on the report at WAPL. The report will be posted on the WPLC website and copies will be sent to WLA, netLibrary, and DPI. Linda Miller will prepare a cover letter to include with a copy of the report for these agencies that contributed to the cost of the survey. A press release will be prepared for each partner to distribute to local media. 5. New Project Proposals David Weinhold presented the proposal for a call center and survey services. A written agreement is needed for services that Josh will provide. One issue to address would be ownership of the material that is produced. Material should be copyrighted in WPLC's name. There will also need to be some guidelines and service descriptions with costs prepared to provide to interested customers. There was a discussion of presentations of the report to non-members. The service would be coordinated through WPLC, which would have a surcharge equal to 20% of Josh's fee. The issue of charging an administrative fee for use of the call center was discussed. The Board agreed that members and non-members should pay an administrative fee. Additionally, a surcharge of 50% to 100% would be added for non-members. 6. netLibrary The online user interface for netLibrary has changed. There will be a users group meeting with a representative from netLibrary at WiLSWorld, July 24, 2003. Both public and academic library staff are invited. A comment was made regarding the possibility of a change in the software used to access titles. This is not likely to happen for several years, but the access fee may be affected if that happens. Publishers continue to express concerns to netLibrary over the growth of consortia. Some publishers may not allow the inclusion of titles in a shared collection. A netLibrary representative is to get back to WiLS with more information. The collection shared with the academic libraries is now active. Homestead High School has joined recently. The schools are making efforts to coordinate the selection of materials. One school district and four high schools are currently participating. About eight to ten other schools have been contacted about participating. Most have responded that they may consider it in the fall. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting adjourned. Linda Miller

		Updated October 22, 2004