Board Meeting Minutes, July 7, 2006: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2006
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Mark Arend (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Maureen Welch (IFLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Doug Baker (KCLS), Noreen Fish (La Crosse PL), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS.

1. Reports from Partners

Several partners reported that use of the digital audio books continues to increase.

Nicolet is assisting Brown County in joining the OverDrive project.

ESLS has given its e-book readers to Mead. A new vendor is selling content.

2. Budget

Phyllis Davis reviewed the proposed 2007 budget which had previously been distributed to partners. The budget assumes that all WPLC partners will be full participants in the OverDrive project. She explained that no money was included for NetLibrary content since the company had changed the rules and now required consortia to purchase multiple copies.

The group considered the budget in light of the role and mission of WPLC.
While all partners see the advantage of pooling resources, the question of how long a project should continue to be supported by WPLC, as opposed to moving it to more direct support by the partners, needs further discussion.

Doug Baker stated that Kenosha is interested in having a survey done and wondered if others might also be interested in participating. Josh Morrill will be invited to present a proposal at the next meeting.

David Weinhold moved, and Mark Arend seconded, that the 2007 Budget be adopted as presented. Motion carried.

3. OverDrive

Stef shared information about the wiki which was being developed as a tool to provide additional technical support to end-users.

Evan shared information about the possibility of submitting an LSTA grant.
There was consensus to focus the grant on providing digital audio books to users of the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The grant is due September 13th. Linda volunteered to write the grant. Steve Heser and a member of the Regional Library staff will assist.

Phyllis discussed the Challenge Grant in which Winnefox and SCLS have committed to contribute up to $5,000 each for OverDrive content in 2006 as a dollar to dollar match to other WPLC partners' contributions beyond the budgeted assessment. Partners may contribute in 2006 or 2007.

NWLS stated that it will contribute $750.

MCFLS announced that it will contribute $4,000 in 2006. Jim Gingery also stated that he does not see this as an annual contribution. Rather he urged WPLC to fully budget and fund the amount needed to sustain the OverDrive content development at the rate required to provide the service to the users. Phyllis agreed that the WPLC Board needs to discuss a long term solution for funding content.

MCLS and WCFLS were unsure what they might be able to contribute in 2006.

WRLS and La Crosse PL both pledged to contribute $500.

The Board asked the Selection Committee to consider and report its recommendation on the amount that should be budgeted annually for content.

Kathy reported that the Selection Committee was prepared to move forward with the purchase of 50 titles that are always available and are not restricted to one user at a time. This is an annual subscription and includes primarily classics.

Mary Knapp, Madison, and Nicole Fromm, SCLS, plan to attend the OverDrive conference this summer.

There is interest in developing a downloadable video collection through OverDrive. Noreen Fish mentioned that La Crosse was especially interested in old television shows. The Board asked the Selection Committee to investigate. Kathy asked for more partners to contribute members to the Selection Committee.

4. NetLibrary

Kathy reminded members to get requests for titles to purchase to Kathy by August 15th so that she can review them for any duplication. Stef asked that this some process be used in 2007.

Some members may be interested in providing Rosetta Stone, and Kathy will get a consortium price.

5. Project Proposals/New Projects

Stef and Phyllis reported that SCLS is seeing an increase in requests for technical assistance from patrons. Mellanie mentioned that she handles two a week. The question was raised as to whether a centralized call center for technical support should be considered.

Several members mentioned the need for additional bandwidth and wondered whether WPLC might better impress upon TEACH the need for additional bandwidth. Members were encouraged to determine what their specific needs might be.

6. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office.

Linda K. Miller


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Board Meeting, July 7, 2006

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2006 Location: South Central Library System Present: Mark Arend (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Maureen Welch (IFLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Doug Baker (KCLS), Noreen Fish (La Crosse PL), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. 1. Reports from Partners Several partners reported that use of the digital audio books continues to increase. Nicolet is assisting Brown County in joining the OverDrive project. ESLS has given its e-book readers to Mead. A new vendor is selling content. 2. Budget Phyllis Davis reviewed the proposed 2007 budget which had previously been distributed to partners. The budget assumes that all WPLC partners will be full participants in the OverDrive project. She explained that no money was included for NetLibrary content since the company had changed the rules and now required consortia to purchase multiple copies. The group considered the budget in light of the role and mission of WPLC. While all partners see the advantage of pooling resources, the question of how long a project should continue to be supported by WPLC, as opposed to moving it to more direct support by the partners, needs further discussion. Doug Baker stated that Kenosha is interested in having a survey done and wondered if others might also be interested in participating. Josh Morrill will be invited to present a proposal at the next meeting. David Weinhold moved, and Mark Arend seconded, that the 2007 Budget be adopted as presented. Motion carried. 3. OverDrive Stef shared information about the wiki which was being developed as a tool to provide additional technical support to end-users. Evan shared information about the possibility of submitting an LSTA grant. There was consensus to focus the grant on providing digital audio books to users of the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The grant is due September 13th. Linda volunteered to write the grant. Steve Heser and a member of the Regional Library staff will assist. Phyllis discussed the Challenge Grant in which Winnefox and SCLS have committed to contribute up to $5,000 each for OverDrive content in 2006 as a dollar to dollar match to other WPLC partners' contributions beyond the budgeted assessment. Partners may contribute in 2006 or 2007. NWLS stated that it will contribute $750. MCFLS announced that it will contribute $4,000 in 2006. Jim Gingery also stated that he does not see this as an annual contribution. Rather he urged WPLC to fully budget and fund the amount needed to sustain the OverDrive content development at the rate required to provide the service to the users. Phyllis agreed that the WPLC Board needs to discuss a long term solution for funding content. MCLS and WCFLS were unsure what they might be able to contribute in 2006. WRLS and La Crosse PL both pledged to contribute $500. The Board asked the Selection Committee to consider and report its recommendation on the amount that should be budgeted annually for content. Kathy reported that the Selection Committee was prepared to move forward with the purchase of 50 titles that are always available and are not restricted to one user at a time. This is an annual subscription and includes primarily classics. Mary Knapp, Madison, and Nicole Fromm, SCLS, plan to attend the OverDrive conference this summer. There is interest in developing a downloadable video collection through OverDrive. Noreen Fish mentioned that La Crosse was especially interested in old television shows. The Board asked the Selection Committee to investigate. Kathy asked for more partners to contribute members to the Selection Committee. 4. NetLibrary Kathy reminded members to get requests for titles to purchase to Kathy by August 15th so that she can review them for any duplication. Stef asked that this some process be used in 2007. Some members may be interested in providing Rosetta Stone, and Kathy will get a consortium price. 5. Project Proposals/New Projects Stef and Phyllis reported that SCLS is seeing an increase in requests for technical assistance from patrons. Mellanie mentioned that she handles two a week. The question was raised as to whether a centralized call center for technical support should be considered. Several members mentioned the need for additional bandwidth and wondered whether WPLC might better impress upon TEACH the need for additional bandwidth. Members were encouraged to determine what their specific needs might be. 6. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. Linda K. Miller

		Updated September 19, 2006