Board Meeting Minutes, November 7, 2007: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: November 7, 2007
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mike Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (Winnefox), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Krista Ross (SWLS), Kerri Hilbelink (SCLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider (WiLS).

1. Reports from the WPLC Partners

Stef Morrill introduced Kerri Hilbelink, who is new to the SCLS position which updates the WPLC OverDrive wiki and supports SCLS patrons using OverDrive.

ESLS is experimenting with the Sony e-book reader and also purchasing more NetLibrary titles.

MWFLS has edited the OverDrive records in the SHARE catalog.

Krista Ross joined the Board for the first time, representing Southwest Wisconsin Library System which joined WPLC this quarter.

MCFLS will be conducting a PAC usability study, bringing E-Commerce live next week, and is now using Google Analytics.

Nicolet is in discussion with Brown County regarding joining OWLSnet.

NWLS and SCLS added Playaway titles. Kenosha is testing Playaways and selling earbuds for $2.

Kathy Schneider mentioned the report from the E-book Task Force which is now available on OCLC’s web site.

2. Budget

Stef Morrill distributed a report on expenses and income to date. A carryover to 2008 of approximately $16,000 is expected.

3. Bylaws Review

Lin Swartz-Truesdell presented the draft of the updated bylaws as prepared by the Bylaws Review Committee. Stef presented additional areas which may need review. The committee will continue its work and report at the next meeting.

4. Survey

Linda Miller reported that she had attended Josh Morrill’s presentation of the survey report at WLA, where she responded to questions about how libraries were using the data. In addition, Kenosha used the data to develop its new strategic plan. SCLS shared the data with its foundation, which is using the information for fund raising. David Weinhold mentioned that the WLA Foundation also plans to use the report, and he also recommended that the responsibility for the survey be moved to the foundation.

5. OverDrive

Krista Ross reported that SWLS went live with OverDrive on November 1st.

Additional training sessions are scheduled for January 8th, introductory, and January 17th, troubleshooting. Library staff at all WPLC libraries are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities.

The wiki on WPLC’s OverDrive service has developed into a very useful tool for both library staff and library patrons. SCLS has been primarily responsible for updating it although all libraries are encouraged to submit suggestions for content and are encouraged to refer staff and patrons to it.

The maximum number of items that a patron can have checked out at one time has increased to six. OverDrive reports that early returns will never be possible due to contracts with publishers.

Kathy reported that the Selection Committee plans to purchase music in additional categories. The committee is considering the PBS videos. The video collection currently contains 162 titles, and the circulation since their introduction in March 2007 is 2,143. The Board is interested in offering more variety in the video collection but is also concerned about patrons who might not have broadband access. The Board asked the Selection Committee to consider how the content budget might be allocated between the three formats.

OverDrive does offer an option for libraries to have a downloading station within the library. A minimum of three licenses must be purchased by WPLC at a cost of $2,500 each to introduce the service. Annual maintenance is 20% of the purchase price. The library must provide the PC.

The circulation of the digital audio books to date in 2007 is more than 2.5 times the circulation in the same period in 2006.

OverDrive now has the ability to collect statistics for individual libraries which use the Horizon system even if the libraries do not have unique library card number prefixes. Interested libraries should contact Linda.

6. NetLibrary

SCLS is interested in offering the ability to download NetLibrary titles. About 50% of NetLibrary content is available for downloading, but WPLC has never offered the service. NetLibrary is offering the service for one year but will not guarantee its availability after that. A checkout period would have to be set. Kathy will check on the ability to limit the checkout requirement to only Adobe titles and will post the information to the list. Stef will then post a request for comments to the list and proceed accordingly based on the responses.

NetLibrary is developing regional collections with costs based on population. Kathy understands that each library system would have to sign the agreement. SWLS could join to get access to any new titles but would not have access to titles previously purchased by WPLC. Kathy will post details to the WPLC list when they become available.

6. LSTA Grant Project

The Regional Library has now completed the upgrade to its automation software to allow it to load files of MARC records. Steve Heser and Linda are meeting with Marsha Valance, RL Management Librarian, in November to assist with the implementation of this service.

Marsha discussed the library’s participation in the OverDrive service in her presentation at WLA.

Circulation by Regional Library patrons from January 1, 2007 to November 16 is 196 audio books.

7. Project Proposals/New Projects

Stef suggested that WPLC might be the best vehicle to address interest in new technology gadgets. Rather than SCLS staff going to individual library systems to share information on the gadgets, a better approach would be for WPLC to purchase a set of gadgets to circulate among the WPLC members. Information on using the gadgets is also available on vendor web sites. Board members agreed that WPLC could fill this need.

8. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 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: November 7, 2007 Location: South Central Library System Present: Evan Bend (OWLS), Lin Swartz-Truesdell (KCLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mike Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Arend (Winnefox), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Krista Ross (SWLS), Kerri Hilbelink (SCLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider (WiLS). 1. Reports from the WPLC Partners Stef Morrill introduced Kerri Hilbelink, who is new to the SCLS position which updates the WPLC OverDrive wiki and supports SCLS patrons using OverDrive. ESLS is experimenting with the Sony e-book reader and also purchasing more NetLibrary titles. MWFLS has edited the OverDrive records in the SHARE catalog. Krista Ross joined the Board for the first time, representing Southwest Wisconsin Library System which joined WPLC this quarter. MCFLS will be conducting a PAC usability study, bringing E-Commerce live next week, and is now using Google Analytics. Nicolet is in discussion with Brown County regarding joining OWLSnet. NWLS and SCLS added Playaway titles. Kenosha is testing Playaways and selling earbuds for $2. Kathy Schneider mentioned the report from the E-book Task Force which is now available on OCLC’s web site. 2. Budget Stef Morrill distributed a report on expenses and income to date. A carryover to 2008 of approximately $16,000 is expected. 3. Bylaws Review Lin Swartz-Truesdell presented the draft of the updated bylaws as prepared by the Bylaws Review Committee. Stef presented additional areas which may need review. The committee will continue its work and report at the next meeting. 4. Survey Linda Miller reported that she had attended Josh Morrill’s presentation of the survey report at WLA, where she responded to questions about how libraries were using the data. In addition, Kenosha used the data to develop its new strategic plan. SCLS shared the data with its foundation, which is using the information for fund raising. David Weinhold mentioned that the WLA Foundation also plans to use the report, and he also recommended that the responsibility for the survey be moved to the foundation. 5. OverDrive Krista Ross reported that SWLS went live with OverDrive on November 1st. Additional training sessions are scheduled for January 8th, introductory, and January 17th, troubleshooting. Library staff at all WPLC libraries are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. The wiki on WPLC’s OverDrive service has developed into a very useful tool for both library staff and library patrons. SCLS has been primarily responsible for updating it although all libraries are encouraged to submit suggestions for content and are encouraged to refer staff and patrons to it. The maximum number of items that a patron can have checked out at one time has increased to six. OverDrive reports that early returns will never be possible due to contracts with publishers. Kathy reported that the Selection Committee plans to purchase music in additional categories. The committee is considering the PBS videos. The video collection currently contains 162 titles, and the circulation since their introduction in March 2007 is 2,143. The Board is interested in offering more variety in the video collection but is also concerned about patrons who might not have broadband access. The Board asked the Selection Committee to consider how the content budget might be allocated between the three formats. OverDrive does offer an option for libraries to have a downloading station within the library. A minimum of three licenses must be purchased by WPLC at a cost of $2,500 each to introduce the service. Annual maintenance is 20% of the purchase price. The library must provide the PC. The circulation of the digital audio books to date in 2007 is more than 2.5 times the circulation in the same period in 2006. OverDrive now has the ability to collect statistics for individual libraries which use the Horizon system even if the libraries do not have unique library card number prefixes. Interested libraries should contact Linda. 6. NetLibrary SCLS is interested in offering the ability to download NetLibrary titles. About 50% of NetLibrary content is available for downloading, but WPLC has never offered the service. NetLibrary is offering the service for one year but will not guarantee its availability after that. A checkout period would have to be set. Kathy will check on the ability to limit the checkout requirement to only Adobe titles and will post the information to the list. Stef will then post a request for comments to the list and proceed accordingly based on the responses. NetLibrary is developing regional collections with costs based on population. Kathy understands that each library system would have to sign the agreement. SWLS could join to get access to any new titles but would not have access to titles previously purchased by WPLC. Kathy will post details to the WPLC list when they become available. 6. LSTA Grant Project The Regional Library has now completed the upgrade to its automation software to allow it to load files of MARC records. Steve Heser and Linda are meeting with Marsha Valance, RL Management Librarian, in November to assist with the implementation of this service. Marsha discussed the library’s participation in the OverDrive service in her presentation at WLA. Circulation by Regional Library patrons from January 1, 2007 to November 16 is 196 audio books. 7. Project Proposals/New Projects Stef suggested that WPLC might be the best vehicle to address interest in new technology gadgets. Rather than SCLS staff going to individual library systems to share information on the gadgets, a better approach would be for WPLC to purchase a set of gadgets to circulate among the WPLC members. Information on using the gadgets is also available on vendor web sites. Board members agreed that WPLC could fill this need. 8. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. Linda K. Miller

		Updated January 31, 2008