Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, May 30, 2001: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: May 30, 2001
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Ken Hall (WLS), Phyllis Davis and Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse PL), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), David Weinhold (ESLS), Matt Bollerman (MWFLS), Sue Siewert (KCLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Inese Christman (Marathon Co. PL), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Bill Wilson, Project Evaluator.

The meeting came to order at 10:00 am.

1. Welcome

Bill Wilson and Stef Morrill were attending their first Steering Committee meeting.

2. Partner Reports

WVLS has completed staff training with June 18 scheduled as the date to introduce public access. Staff members are getting accounts and practicing. Public relations activities include articles in the newspaper and appearances on a radio show.

WCFLS had Mark Beatty train library staff on using e-book readers. Multiple readers have been provided to each library complete with titles.

WRLS is ready to introduce readers.

At ESLS, David said that the interest in e-books has taken a back seat to interest in the new integrated library system. There may be some concerns about the 24 hour loan period. He is wondering if netLibrary will provide other file types, such as image or music files. The system does want to purchase readers, at least for staff, and possibly for use with book discussion groups.

Lakeshores has staff training scheduled for June 4th. Print PR materials are being distributed.

SCLS surveyed libraries on e-book readers. Seventeen voted for the REB1100 with no votes for any other brand of reader. Seven libraries did not want to participate in the reader program. There was good TV coverage of the service during National Library Week. Staff are preparing subject guides. Library staff want training on how to integrate e-books into reference work. Staff are preparing workshops for the schools to be offered at the beginning of the school year.

KCLS plans to introduce the netLibrary service to the public this summer, but no date has yet been set.

ESLS, IFLS, WRLS, and MWFLS brought samples of their PR materials.

3. Grant Report and Dissemination

A report is due to WATF six months after the first six month report, which will be July.

Information on the project will be disseminated at several conferences including WiLSWorld, WLA, LITA, and GWETC.

NWLS will join on July 1st if a local grant is approved.

Arrowhead and Manitowoc have asked WiLS to do a workshop indicating some interest in those two systems.

4. Target Group Issues

WRLS is using readers in its at risk program. WCFLS reported progress with netLibrary in improving access for the visually impaired.

5.Project Evaluation Report

Bill Wilson reported that Himmel & Wilson were developing a survey for collecting data to be used for the evaluation. He had received general statements from most partners regarding what they wanted from the project. Anyone with attendance counts and sign-in sheets from staff training sessions should send those to Bill.

The evaluation plan includes a phone call to partners to discuss their primary area of interest and to conduct a pre-test of the survey. The final survey will be prepared and distributed to all partners. The survey is for staff, not patrons. A key question that the survey seeks to answer is what prevents new services, such as e-books, from being implemented.

Kathy Schneider recommended reviewing netLibrary usage statistics as part of the evaluation.

Inese Christman said that WVLS wants feedback from end users. Bill said that a library would need to collect a list of users with contact information in order for this to be done.

Bill will work with Mark Beatty to identify the goals of the training that staff received.

6. Reader Issues

WCFLS ordered 105 readers, purchased through Best Buy at a cost of $271 each. Each library is receiving 4 to 7 readers. Some of the readers have intermittently crashed but can be reset. Each library will select titles for their own readers, which will be owned by the library. In June, a committee will discuss policies and planning after which titles will be purchased. Libraries are to spend 75% of available funds on the first purchase with the remainder spent in November. WiLS will conduct training for library staff in June. Readers will be available to the public beginning in July.

Peg Zappen shared that La Crosse uses Tupperware containers and padded lunch bags for circulating readers.

SCLS will also let libraries purchase and load titles on the readers. SCLS found that Powells does not require a credit card.

The inclusion of readers in the grant project provides opportunities to -demonstrate the technology. -understand the difference between netLibrary and e-book readers. -identify the training issues. -make a statement on the library's leading role in this technology.

7. netLibrary Issues

Kathy Schneider reported that OCLC does not yet have a timetable for adding data for ILL to e-book records. She sent information to the WPLC list about subscribing to the netLibrary newsletter. netLibrary activities at ALA were included in the last newsletter. Kathy also reported that netLibrary is seeking librarians to volunteer as a part of its development efforts.

Partners need to contact netLibrary directly in order to request that their configuration be changed to provide access to Project Gutenberg titles. Users can also set this when they create their accounts.

Mellanie reported that the issue of multiple libraries being reported on Brookfield's account had been resolved. It was a WiscNet problem.

Letters were sent to three publishers expressing displeasure that consortia could not purchase their titles through netLibrary. ABC-CLIO has made some changes in their policy regarding consortia purchasing. The publisher will also sell their own version of e-book titles, but not through netLibrary.

WiLS is preparing a web video clip on how to create a netLibrary account.

MARC records for public domain titles will be loaded into OCLC. They are being processed for quality control. If a library wants to purchase records through netLibrary, the library needs to do so directly. netLibrary may be moving out of supplying MARC records for any titles. David expressed concern that the 24-hour loan period is not convenient for the user and that it sends a message that the materials are primarily for reference. Loan periods can be changed on a title by title basis or by the collection.

Committee members felt that usage statistics show that more marketing is needed in order to sustain interest. netLibrary recognizes this need and has developed a web seminar on how to promote netLibrary in public libraries. Current statistics show that there are 346 user accounts of which 160 are staff. There were 50 circulations total in May among the 14 WCFLS libraries. It may take years to develop continuing interest.

David asked whether or not adding records to the PAC increased use. WCFLS reported that libraries that have records in the PAC are receiving ILL requests. The scope of the collection has a direct impact on use. If the focus of the collection is reference, then usage statistics may never be high.

The development of the netLibrary collection continues with additional titles purchased in May. Selection Committee members are submitting additional recommendations to WiLS.

The collection development policy developed by the Selection Committee was presented and discussed. A recommendation was made to request that the committee further develop procedures for withdrawing materials. Matt Bollerman moved that the policy be approved. David Weinhold seconded. The motion was approved.

8. Consortium Expansion and Continuation

While the WATF grant is a two year grant, the project was designed as an 18 month project scheduled to end December 2001. With the interest on the part of the original partners and now the new partners, a discussion on the continuance of the project beyond 2001 is warranted. Several committee members expressed a need to know costs beyond 2002 in order to prepare budgets. It was suggested that a special meeting of all partners be scheduled. To facilitate greater attendance, the meeting will be scheduled in conjunction with the SRLAAW meeting to be held in August.

The next meeting of the WPLC Steering Committee will be September 26 at SCLS.

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


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Steering Committee Meeting, May 30, 2001

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: May 30, 2001 Location: South Central Library System Present: Ken Hall (WLS), Phyllis Davis and Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse PL), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), David Weinhold (ESLS), Matt Bollerman (MWFLS), Sue Siewert (KCLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Inese Christman (Marathon Co. PL), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Bill Wilson, Project Evaluator. The meeting came to order at 10:00 am. 1. Welcome Bill Wilson and Stef Morrill were attending their first Steering Committee meeting. 2. Partner Reports WVLS has completed staff training with June 18 scheduled as the date to introduce public access. Staff members are getting accounts and practicing. Public relations activities include articles in the newspaper and appearances on a radio show. WCFLS had Mark Beatty train library staff on using e-book readers. Multiple readers have been provided to each library complete with titles. WRLS is ready to introduce readers. At ESLS, David said that the interest in e-books has taken a back seat to interest in the new integrated library system. There may be some concerns about the 24 hour loan period. He is wondering if netLibrary will provide other file types, such as image or music files. The system does want to purchase readers, at least for staff, and possibly for use with book discussion groups. Lakeshores has staff training scheduled for June 4th. Print PR materials are being distributed. SCLS surveyed libraries on e-book readers. Seventeen voted for the REB1100 with no votes for any other brand of reader. Seven libraries did not want to participate in the reader program. There was good TV coverage of the service during National Library Week. Staff are preparing subject guides. Library staff want training on how to integrate e-books into reference work. Staff are preparing workshops for the schools to be offered at the beginning of the school year. KCLS plans to introduce the netLibrary service to the public this summer, but no date has yet been set. ESLS, IFLS, WRLS, and MWFLS brought samples of their PR materials. 3. Grant Report and Dissemination A report is due to WATF six months after the first six month report, which will be July. Information on the project will be disseminated at several conferences including WiLSWorld, WLA, LITA, and GWETC. NWLS will join on July 1st if a local grant is approved. Arrowhead and Manitowoc have asked WiLS to do a workshop indicating some interest in those two systems. 4. Target Group Issues WRLS is using readers in its at risk program. WCFLS reported progress with netLibrary in improving access for the visually impaired. 5.Project Evaluation Report Bill Wilson reported that Himmel & Wilson were developing a survey for collecting data to be used for the evaluation. He had received general statements from most partners regarding what they wanted from the project. Anyone with attendance counts and sign-in sheets from staff training sessions should send those to Bill. The evaluation plan includes a phone call to partners to discuss their primary area of interest and to conduct a pre-test of the survey. The final survey will be prepared and distributed to all partners. The survey is for staff, not patrons. A key question that the survey seeks to answer is what prevents new services, such as e-books, from being implemented. Kathy Schneider recommended reviewing netLibrary usage statistics as part of the evaluation. Inese Christman said that WVLS wants feedback from end users. Bill said that a library would need to collect a list of users with contact information in order for this to be done. Bill will work with Mark Beatty to identify the goals of the training that staff received. 6. Reader Issues WCFLS ordered 105 readers, purchased through Best Buy at a cost of $271 each. Each library is receiving 4 to 7 readers. Some of the readers have intermittently crashed but can be reset. Each library will select titles for their own readers, which will be owned by the library. In June, a committee will discuss policies and planning after which titles will be purchased. Libraries are to spend 75% of available funds on the first purchase with the remainder spent in November. WiLS will conduct training for library staff in June. Readers will be available to the public beginning in July. Peg Zappen shared that La Crosse uses Tupperware containers and padded lunch bags for circulating readers. SCLS will also let libraries purchase and load titles on the readers. SCLS found that Powells does not require a credit card. The inclusion of readers in the grant project provides opportunities to -demonstrate the technology. -understand the difference between netLibrary and e-book readers. -identify the training issues. -make a statement on the library's leading role in this technology. 7. netLibrary Issues Kathy Schneider reported that OCLC does not yet have a timetable for adding data for ILL to e-book records. She sent information to the WPLC list about subscribing to the netLibrary newsletter. netLibrary activities at ALA were included in the last newsletter. Kathy also reported that netLibrary is seeking librarians to volunteer as a part of its development efforts. Partners need to contact netLibrary directly in order to request that their configuration be changed to provide access to Project Gutenberg titles. Users can also set this when they create their accounts. Mellanie reported that the issue of multiple libraries being reported on Brookfield's account had been resolved. It was a WiscNet problem. Letters were sent to three publishers expressing displeasure that consortia could not purchase their titles through netLibrary. ABC-CLIO has made some changes in their policy regarding consortia purchasing. The publisher will also sell their own version of e-book titles, but not through netLibrary. WiLS is preparing a web video clip on how to create a netLibrary account. MARC records for public domain titles will be loaded into OCLC. They are being processed for quality control. If a library wants to purchase records through netLibrary, the library needs to do so directly. netLibrary may be moving out of supplying MARC records for any titles. David expressed concern that the 24-hour loan period is not convenient for the user and that it sends a message that the materials are primarily for reference. Loan periods can be changed on a title by title basis or by the collection. Committee members felt that usage statistics show that more marketing is needed in order to sustain interest. netLibrary recognizes this need and has developed a web seminar on how to promote netLibrary in public libraries. Current statistics show that there are 346 user accounts of which 160 are staff. There were 50 circulations total in May among the 14 WCFLS libraries. It may take years to develop continuing interest. David asked whether or not adding records to the PAC increased use. WCFLS reported that libraries that have records in the PAC are receiving ILL requests. The scope of the collection has a direct impact on use. If the focus of the collection is reference, then usage statistics may never be high. The development of the netLibrary collection continues with additional titles purchased in May. Selection Committee members are submitting additional recommendations to WiLS. The collection development policy developed by the Selection Committee was presented and discussed. A recommendation was made to request that the committee further develop procedures for withdrawing materials. Matt Bollerman moved that the policy be approved. David Weinhold seconded. The motion was approved. 8. Consortium Expansion and Continuation While the WATF grant is a two year grant, the project was designed as an 18 month project scheduled to end December 2001. With the interest on the part of the original partners and now the new partners, a discussion on the continuance of the project beyond 2001 is warranted. Several committee members expressed a need to know costs beyond 2002 in order to prepare budgets. It was suggested that a special meeting of all partners be scheduled. To facilitate greater attendance, the meeting will be scheduled in conjunction with the SRLAAW meeting to be held in August. The next meeting of the WPLC Steering Committee will be September 26 at SCLS. Linda K. Miller linda@lmatechwork.com 815-229-8215 voice 815-229-5362 fax

		Updated October 22, 2004