Board Meeting Minutes, April 15, 2005: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: April 15, 2005
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Mark Merrifield (NLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Joy Schwarz (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse), David Polodna (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), Dale Gort (MCLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS.

1. Reports from Partners

IFLS sent a message indicating that no one was able to attend the meeting and that it needed to know more about its budget before committing to participate in OverDrive.

MWFLS is busy relocating its office and selecting an ILS vendor.

Lakeshores sent a message via David Weinhold that it is interested in OverDrive but has no money.

SCLS is experimenting with iPod and e-books.

Nicolet is busy with the new ILS selection.

MCLS is hiring a new adult services coordinator who works a lot with the e-books services.

2. e-books/e-audio Services/Net Library

SCLS reported that having records in the catalog for the netLibrary titles increased accesses from 800 to 1,000 per month. Making authentication easier for users also contributed.

ESLS is now using referring URL for authentication, which should make it easier for patrons to register.

Kathy reported that eighteen percent of the collection was used in March. Peter reported that the percentage of e-books that circulate is higher than the regular collection. David Polodna stated that typically twenty percent of the collection is responsible for most of the circulation.

David Weinhold asked if it was time to evaluate the service again. Peter suggested that perhaps a survey could be accessible through the netLibrary link. Kathy will investigate.

Discussion turned to consideration of OverDrive. In response to a question about using an iPod, Stef mentioned that the work could be burned to a CD and then loaded to iTunes.

Linda shared the information on costs, which included several different scenarios which had been distributed to everyone. The cost sharing approach is based on the WPLC dues structure. The cost to an individual WPLC partner is determined by that partner's WPLC Level and the number of partners which participate in the program.

Peter stated that SCLS will be using LSTA funds to cover costs the first year and will be asking all libraries to share the cost after that.

David Polodna asked what services were provided for the $1,000 monthly fee. Basically, this covers the OverDrive hosting, access, and support fees. David supports the service and encourages all partners to participate.

OWLS agrees and wants to finds ways for all partners to contribute financial support for collection development.

The Selection Committee has been working with Kathy. The current plan is to spend $7,500 on the opening day collection. The committee recommends starting with audio. It also recommends reallocating netLibrary funds for the OverDrive project.

David Weinhold stated that ESLS libraries are interested in e-books besides audio books, to supplement the netLibrary collection. Kathy replied that the Selection Committee will also be selecting e-books after the startup with audiobooks.

MWFLS is not able to commit this year because of new shared system project.

SCLS is going to pay the OverDrive setup fee for the two non-LINK libraries, a cost of $3000.

ESLS plans to share costs with member libraries. If all WPLC partners are in, then the project is affordable. SCLS supports all partners participating from the beginning. MCFLS believes that the pricing is favorable, as stated in the scenario with all partners or ten partners, and will be participating. Steve stated that MCFLS really wants additional money for content. David Polodna shared that he had spoken to Doug Baker at Kenosha, who stated that he was supportive of the OverDrive project but concerned about continuing support for content for netLibrary. David Weinhold suggested that WPLC provide funds for OverDrive content for two years and also seek funds from others. OWLS favors reallocating netLibrary content funds to OverDrive. Mark Merrifield spoke in favor of continuing to support new content for netLibrary, in addition to OverDrive. Libraries find netLibrary particularly helpful for computer books and Cliffnotes.

David Polodna moved that WPLC proceed in contracting with OverDrive, based on all partners participating, that all partners be encouraged to participate from the beginning, that the initial selection mostly focus on audio, and that $15,000 be moved from WPLC's netLibrary content budget line to OverDrive. Peter seconded. Motion carried. A July startup date is the target.

The costs for the first six months, $12,645, would be paid by WPLC from new projects and reserves. Including the $1500 startup fee for the remaining seven WPLC partners, the total cost to WPLC would be $23,145, not including the additional funds for content. MARC records would be additional.

Inese confirmed that in the case of WVLS, if both WVLS and MCPL want to participate, then one of them would need to cover the additional $1500 setup fee.

SCLS, MCFLS, and WRLS all agree that if the three WPLC partners who are absent do not want to participate, that the costs will still be affordable, but all partners are encouraged to participate from the beginning.

Linda will discuss training services with OverDrive.

Linda asked that each WPLC partner send her the name of a person to serve on an implementation team by the end of April.

Evan asked that partners bring to the next meeting ideas on how to get additional funds for content.

3. Project Proposals/New Projects

Kathy reported that the LSTA Advisory Committee approved the use of LSTA funds to pay for the cooperative coverage component, meaning that all libraries can participate beginning in January at a low cost. There will probably continue to be an academic group and a public group. Kathy asked whether WPLC is the appropriate organization to manage and coordinate the public piece. The topic will be discussed at the next meeting.

4. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Friday, June 17th, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office.

Linda K. Miller


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Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: April 15, 2005 Location: South Central Library System Present: Mark Merrifield (NLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Joy Schwarz (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse), David Polodna (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), Dale Gort (MCLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. 1. Reports from Partners IFLS sent a message indicating that no one was able to attend the meeting and that it needed to know more about its budget before committing to participate in OverDrive. MWFLS is busy relocating its office and selecting an ILS vendor. Lakeshores sent a message via David Weinhold that it is interested in OverDrive but has no money. SCLS is experimenting with iPod and e-books. Nicolet is busy with the new ILS selection. MCLS is hiring a new adult services coordinator who works a lot with the e-books services. 2. e-books/e-audio Services/Net Library SCLS reported that having records in the catalog for the netLibrary titles increased accesses from 800 to 1,000 per month. Making authentication easier for users also contributed. ESLS is now using referring URL for authentication, which should make it easier for patrons to register. Kathy reported that eighteen percent of the collection was used in March. Peter reported that the percentage of e-books that circulate is higher than the regular collection. David Polodna stated that typically twenty percent of the collection is responsible for most of the circulation. David Weinhold asked if it was time to evaluate the service again. Peter suggested that perhaps a survey could be accessible through the netLibrary link. Kathy will investigate. Discussion turned to consideration of OverDrive. In response to a question about using an iPod, Stef mentioned that the work could be burned to a CD and then loaded to iTunes. Linda shared the information on costs, which included several different scenarios which had been distributed to everyone. The cost sharing approach is based on the WPLC dues structure. The cost to an individual WPLC partner is determined by that partner's WPLC Level and the number of partners which participate in the program. Peter stated that SCLS will be using LSTA funds to cover costs the first year and will be asking all libraries to share the cost after that. David Polodna asked what services were provided for the $1,000 monthly fee. Basically, this covers the OverDrive hosting, access, and support fees. David supports the service and encourages all partners to participate. OWLS agrees and wants to finds ways for all partners to contribute financial support for collection development. The Selection Committee has been working with Kathy. The current plan is to spend $7,500 on the opening day collection. The committee recommends starting with audio. It also recommends reallocating netLibrary funds for the OverDrive project. David Weinhold stated that ESLS libraries are interested in e-books besides audio books, to supplement the netLibrary collection. Kathy replied that the Selection Committee will also be selecting e-books after the startup with audiobooks. MWFLS is not able to commit this year because of new shared system project. SCLS is going to pay the OverDrive setup fee for the two non-LINK libraries, a cost of $3000. ESLS plans to share costs with member libraries. If all WPLC partners are in, then the project is affordable. SCLS supports all partners participating from the beginning. MCFLS believes that the pricing is favorable, as stated in the scenario with all partners or ten partners, and will be participating. Steve stated that MCFLS really wants additional money for content. David Polodna shared that he had spoken to Doug Baker at Kenosha, who stated that he was supportive of the OverDrive project but concerned about continuing support for content for netLibrary. David Weinhold suggested that WPLC provide funds for OverDrive content for two years and also seek funds from others. OWLS favors reallocating netLibrary content funds to OverDrive. Mark Merrifield spoke in favor of continuing to support new content for netLibrary, in addition to OverDrive. Libraries find netLibrary particularly helpful for computer books and Cliffnotes. David Polodna moved that WPLC proceed in contracting with OverDrive, based on all partners participating, that all partners be encouraged to participate from the beginning, that the initial selection mostly focus on audio, and that $15,000 be moved from WPLC's netLibrary content budget line to OverDrive. Peter seconded. Motion carried. A July startup date is the target. The costs for the first six months, $12,645, would be paid by WPLC from new projects and reserves. Including the $1500 startup fee for the remaining seven WPLC partners, the total cost to WPLC would be $23,145, not including the additional funds for content. MARC records would be additional. Inese confirmed that in the case of WVLS, if both WVLS and MCPL want to participate, then one of them would need to cover the additional $1500 setup fee. SCLS, MCFLS, and WRLS all agree that if the three WPLC partners who are absent do not want to participate, that the costs will still be affordable, but all partners are encouraged to participate from the beginning. Linda will discuss training services with OverDrive. Linda asked that each WPLC partner send her the name of a person to serve on an implementation team by the end of April. Evan asked that partners bring to the next meeting ideas on how to get additional funds for content. 3. Project Proposals/New Projects Kathy reported that the LSTA Advisory Committee approved the use of LSTA funds to pay for the cooperative coverage component, meaning that all libraries can participate beginning in January at a low cost. There will probably continue to be an academic group and a public group. Kathy asked whether WPLC is the appropriate organization to manage and coordinate the public piece. The topic will be discussed at the next meeting. 4. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Friday, June 17th, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. Linda K. Miller

		Updated June 14, 2005