Board Meeting Minutes, June 6, 2007, 2007: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: June 6, 2007
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Kristen Anderson (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Sharyn Heili (WVLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mike Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (Winnefox), Noreen Fish (La Crosse PL) Linda Miller, Project Manager, Kathy Schneider (WiLS).

1. Reports from the WPLC Partners

SCLS is preparing to try patron driven acquisition for NetLibrary titles.
In response to Stef Morrill's question whether any library is weeding records for NetLibrary titles from the library's database, Noreen Fish responded that La Crosse is. SCLS is considering new models for promoting database use.

NWLS has seen increases in use in both NetLibrary and OverDrive.

Kenosha's new ILS is now online.

MCFLS announced that the system board had approved the agreement for members.

Linda Miller reported that she had communicated with both Arrowhead Library System and Southwest Wisconsin Library System, and that both continue to express interest in WPLC membership in the future.

2. Survey

Josh Morrill reported, via e-mail, that he anticipates having a draft report of the survey results available soon.

David Weinhold reported that the WLA Foundation had contributed $2,500 toward the survey. David had also asked WAPL for a contribution, which is under consideration. The Foundation asked that WPLC and the Foundation work more closely in developing future survey questions. Mark Arend reported that he had asked the Fox Valley Library Council for a contribution, but the group donates to the Foundation.

3. OverDrive

Statistics for the video collection show that there have been 948 circulations on the collection of 162 titles through June 5, 2007. The Selection Committee continues to watch for new additions to the titles that OverDrive offers. The Board agreed that more titles should be added to the video collection. Kathy Schneider stated that a maximum of $20,000 more would be spent on videos.

In regards to collecting statistics, the only method continues to be directly from the OverDrive site. OverDrive reported that the development of an NCIP link to a library's ILS is proceeding slowly.

Titles in the Maximum Access collection will be swapped in July prior to the one year anniversary of that collection.

Since January, 560 titles have been added to the audio book collection.

Suggestions were made for a change in the name of the WPLC OverDrive site since it only reflects books and not video. "Digital Book and Video Download Center" was the leading choice.

Linda reminded everyone that a change in ILS or critical network components, such as firewall or IP address, can impact OverDrive's access to the ILS patron database for authentication. Several partners had recently made changes, and patrons had noticed. Linda received several communications from patrons about lack of access. Careful planning is needed for such changes as well as communication with all parties, including OverDrive, member libraries, and patrons.

The issue of providing technical support to patrons was discussed. A few examples of questions which Linda received directly from patrons since the last meeting include 1) what is my PIN; 2) can I return books early; 3) error message when downloading a book part; 4) using an iPod; 5) transferring to CD. It was agreed that more support for library staff and for patrons is needed. Marathon County has technical competencies which are required for library staff. Everyone agreed to track patron questions or issues and send to Linda. Some board members reported receiving only a few a month or every few months. The wiki will be reviewed to determine what information might be added. September was targeted as a date for having a plan for additional support.

Kathy reported that the WPLC NetLibrary collection had over 12,000 accesses from January 1st through May 2007. She will provide current statistics for posting to the WPLC web site.

4. WPLC Chair

Stef reported that SCLS would like the board to consider having a Chairperson. One suggestion was that the responsibility would rotate among board members. David stated that he liked the informal approach that the board had been using. He shared that he had tried to implement such a position for the ESLS library meetings but that no one would step forward to do it, and so ESLS staff still does it. Discussion on the topic will continue at future meetings.

5. LSTA Grant Project

Marsha Valance, director of the Regional Library was unable to attend the meeting, but Linda will invite her to the next one. Marsha is now serving on the Selection Committee.

Regional Library staff and their consultant reviewed the WPLC OverDrive web site and the WPLC wiki for accessibility and reported that they are acceptable. Linda also asked the Library to have its advisory committee review the site and to track any comments from users. She requested that OverDrive add an accessibility guide to the WPLC OverDrive menu, which has been done.

The Regional Library staff has been trained by OverDrive. The Regional Library Ambassadors, which are volunteers in communities who work one-on-one with the library's patrons, are now organizing for training.
They will then be better able to support the users. Ninety-five items have circulated to library users since January 1, 2007.

Linda had contacted a multi-state consortium which provides an OverDrive collection for several regional libraries to inquire as to what promotional materials had been developed. The consortium had not developed any, but rather this task was left to each regional library. The consortium is working with OverDrive on a new web site, which is not yet available.

The Regional Library has not yet added the records for the OverDrive titles to its catalog. Steve Heser agreed to touch base with the library on this issue.

5. Budget Update

Stef distributed a year to date budget update. Purchases for OverDrive digital books will be made from the LSTA funds.

The budget committee will meet on July 13 at 9:30 AM to draft a budget for 2008. Phyllis Davis, Stef Morrill, David Weinhold, Kathy Schneider, and Linda Miller will serve on the committee.

6. Project Proposals/New Projects

SCLS bought a new Sony e-book reader. The device is nice, but there is little content at this time. Lakeshores is writing instructions for use.

Discounts for Playaways were discussed. While several libraries and systems are purchasing them, the discounts vary. Kathy will check with the company sales representative and share her findings with the group.

7. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 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: June 6, 2007 Location: South Central Library System Present: Kristen Anderson (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Sharyn Heili (WVLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mike Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (Winnefox), Noreen Fish (La Crosse PL) Linda Miller, Project Manager, Kathy Schneider (WiLS). 1. Reports from the WPLC Partners SCLS is preparing to try patron driven acquisition for NetLibrary titles. In response to Stef Morrill's question whether any library is weeding records for NetLibrary titles from the library's database, Noreen Fish responded that La Crosse is. SCLS is considering new models for promoting database use. NWLS has seen increases in use in both NetLibrary and OverDrive. Kenosha's new ILS is now online. MCFLS announced that the system board had approved the agreement for members. Linda Miller reported that she had communicated with both Arrowhead Library System and Southwest Wisconsin Library System, and that both continue to express interest in WPLC membership in the future. 2. Survey Josh Morrill reported, via e-mail, that he anticipates having a draft report of the survey results available soon. David Weinhold reported that the WLA Foundation had contributed $2,500 toward the survey. David had also asked WAPL for a contribution, which is under consideration. The Foundation asked that WPLC and the Foundation work more closely in developing future survey questions. Mark Arend reported that he had asked the Fox Valley Library Council for a contribution, but the group donates to the Foundation. 3. OverDrive Statistics for the video collection show that there have been 948 circulations on the collection of 162 titles through June 5, 2007. The Selection Committee continues to watch for new additions to the titles that OverDrive offers. The Board agreed that more titles should be added to the video collection. Kathy Schneider stated that a maximum of $20,000 more would be spent on videos. In regards to collecting statistics, the only method continues to be directly from the OverDrive site. OverDrive reported that the development of an NCIP link to a library's ILS is proceeding slowly. Titles in the Maximum Access collection will be swapped in July prior to the one year anniversary of that collection. Since January, 560 titles have been added to the audio book collection. Suggestions were made for a change in the name of the WPLC OverDrive site since it only reflects books and not video. "Digital Book and Video Download Center" was the leading choice. Linda reminded everyone that a change in ILS or critical network components, such as firewall or IP address, can impact OverDrive's access to the ILS patron database for authentication. Several partners had recently made changes, and patrons had noticed. Linda received several communications from patrons about lack of access. Careful planning is needed for such changes as well as communication with all parties, including OverDrive, member libraries, and patrons. The issue of providing technical support to patrons was discussed. A few examples of questions which Linda received directly from patrons since the last meeting include 1) what is my PIN; 2) can I return books early; 3) error message when downloading a book part; 4) using an iPod; 5) transferring to CD. It was agreed that more support for library staff and for patrons is needed. Marathon County has technical competencies which are required for library staff. Everyone agreed to track patron questions or issues and send to Linda. Some board members reported receiving only a few a month or every few months. The wiki will be reviewed to determine what information might be added. September was targeted as a date for having a plan for additional support. Kathy reported that the WPLC NetLibrary collection had over 12,000 accesses from January 1st through May 2007. She will provide current statistics for posting to the WPLC web site. 4. WPLC Chair Stef reported that SCLS would like the board to consider having a Chairperson. One suggestion was that the responsibility would rotate among board members. David stated that he liked the informal approach that the board had been using. He shared that he had tried to implement such a position for the ESLS library meetings but that no one would step forward to do it, and so ESLS staff still does it. Discussion on the topic will continue at future meetings. 5. LSTA Grant Project Marsha Valance, director of the Regional Library was unable to attend the meeting, but Linda will invite her to the next one. Marsha is now serving on the Selection Committee. Regional Library staff and their consultant reviewed the WPLC OverDrive web site and the WPLC wiki for accessibility and reported that they are acceptable. Linda also asked the Library to have its advisory committee review the site and to track any comments from users. She requested that OverDrive add an accessibility guide to the WPLC OverDrive menu, which has been done. The Regional Library staff has been trained by OverDrive. The Regional Library Ambassadors, which are volunteers in communities who work one-on-one with the library's patrons, are now organizing for training. They will then be better able to support the users. Ninety-five items have circulated to library users since January 1, 2007. Linda had contacted a multi-state consortium which provides an OverDrive collection for several regional libraries to inquire as to what promotional materials had been developed. The consortium had not developed any, but rather this task was left to each regional library. The consortium is working with OverDrive on a new web site, which is not yet available. The Regional Library has not yet added the records for the OverDrive titles to its catalog. Steve Heser agreed to touch base with the library on this issue. 5. Budget Update Stef distributed a year to date budget update. Purchases for OverDrive digital books will be made from the LSTA funds. The budget committee will meet on July 13 at 9:30 AM to draft a budget for 2008. Phyllis Davis, Stef Morrill, David Weinhold, Kathy Schneider, and Linda Miller will serve on the committee. 6. Project Proposals/New Projects SCLS bought a new Sony e-book reader. The device is nice, but there is little content at this time. Lakeshores is writing instructions for use. Discounts for Playaways were discussed. While several libraries and systems are purchasing them, the discounts vary. Kathy will check with the company sales representative and share her findings with the group. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. Linda K. Miller

		Updated July 23, 2007