Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, November 9, 2000: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: November 9, 2000
Location: South Central Library System

Present: John Nichols (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse PL), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), David Weinhold (ESLS), and Linda Miller, Project Manager.

The meeting came to order at 10:00 a.m.

1. Partner Reports

Partners reported on training schedules. Mark Beatty has already conducted overview sessions in several locations.

NLS reported that an overview session conducted by WiLS was offered at WLA. Library staff remain very interested in device-based services. One copy of the Rocketbook reader has been circulating among the libraries. Each library would like one. Mark also wanted to be sure that Laura Wangerin of Brown Co. had been added to the Selection Committee membership.

WLS is emphasizing the netLibrary portion of the grant with plans to purchase readers on hold. Staff want to have time to become familiar with netLibrary.

System and library staff in ESLS have been trying the guest accounts provided for netLibrary. Other committee members inquired about these accounts as they were not aware of them.

Committees within OWLS continue to meet. Minutes are posted to the OWLS web site. The device-based committee wants to have the same titles on each reader and does want to continue with the original project plan to include the readers in the grant project.

SCLS reported that membership agreements have been sent to all partners, and a few have been returned. SCLS staff and Kathy Schneider met with a netLibrary representative in September. Issues discussed at that meeting included use statistics, MARC records, identifying new titles, and publicity. Steering Committee members expressed additional concerns related to weeding, identifying new titles, and functionality for reserves.

2. Committee Activities

2. a. Selection Committee

Some members of the Steering Committee have been participating in the netLibrary selection process. Steering Committee members reported that they had received a lot of comments from Selection Committee members as the committee selected the first group of netLibrary titles. Several concerns were expressed related to the selection of titles currently available, or not available, from netLibrary. Steering Committee members repeated their earlier statement that a collection had to be selected from what was currently available to provide an adequate base for evaluating the project and determining the next steps in developing a collection of e-books.

Committee members hold a range of thoughts on the emphasis that should be placed on netLibrary or reading devices within the whole project. The question of whether funds should be shifted from netLibrary to e-books from other sources was discussed. Members mentioned the problems that dealing with multiple publishers would introduce to the project, which was seen as a disadvantage of moving in this direction. Two big advantages of working with netLibrary are the company's interest in working with libraries to provide e-book titles and services and the chance to work with just one supplier. The group consensus was that the libraries should work with the netLibrary collection that the Selection Committee developed.

The Steering Committee charged the Selection Committee with 1) collecting information to provide feedback to netLibrary with the purpose of improving the collection of titles and selection tools available from netLibrary. 2) identifying any gaps, including subject or publisher, in the netLibrary collection developed for WPLC and in the titles available from netLibrary for future consideration for inclusion in the WPLC collection. 3) preparing a description of the collection of netLibrary titles that the Selection Committee has developed. 4) monitor usage of netLibrary. 5) determine when additional copies of a title need to be purchased. 6) draft a collection development statement.

A six month period, through May 2001, was set for the use of the current WPLC netLibrary collection. During this time, the Selection Committee is to assess the collection and report to the Steering Committee whether the committee wants to continue developing the collection with additional titles from netLibrary after May 2001. Remaining grant funds allocated for the purchase of netLibrary titles will be held until after the six month evaluation period. After May 2001, grant funds will either be used to purchase additional netLibrary titles or titles from other e-book publishers.

A meeting of the Steering Committee will be called for January. The Steering Committee will work with WiLS to communicate concerns to netLibrary.

John Nichols suggested submitting a WATF grant for the purpose of further developing the e-book collection with titles from other e-book suppliers or publishers. Such a grant could also request funding to add other library systems or libraries. There was support for this recommendation. Phyllis Davis will check on this.

The issue of the circulation period of the netLibrary ebooks was raised. Peg Zappen stated that the 24 hour loan period had worked for La Crosse. Mellanie Mercier mentioned that, in her research of other netLibrary users, 24 or 48 hour loan periods seemed to be common. Some felt that such a short period implied that this resource was designed to be primarily a reference tool. Different loan periods seem to be needed for different topics, but this might not be possible. (Note: I checked with Kathy Schneider. Loan periods are set on a per title basis, and there can only be one loan period per title for the collection. LKM)

Partners are beginning to make plans to introduce the netLibrary collection to library staff and the public. Some want to allow public access beginning in January, others earlier, and others the beginning of February. February 1st was set as the date for all partners to be live for the public.

Consortium public relations activities should use this date. Individual partners may publicize locally before February 1st if they are introducing the services earlier.

netLibrary usage statistics for the project evaluation will be those for use beginning on February 1, 2001.

MARC records will be needed for the netLibrary titles prior to training for the staff and introduction to the public. WiLS is negotiating with netLibrary for free records. La Crosse uses OCLC records.

There was a brief discussion of authentication and remote users. La Crosse is authenticating users against its integrated library system patron database. Other partners do not want to require authentication. La Crosse also requires users to come into the library to register for netLibrary use the first time. Some partners do not want such a requirement but want to make access as easy as possible for remote users. The Catalog and Access Committee should address these issues.

2. b. Training Committee

Copies of the handouts that Mark Beatty is distributing at the overview sessions were distributed. John Nichols asked that WiLS prepare a PowerPoint presentation for partners to use in ongoing training rather than be totally dependent on one resource, the WiLS web server, for training resources.

The report from Sue Mathews, coordinator of the Training Committee, was shared.

2. c. Public Relations Committee

The report from Brenda Haines, coordinator of the PR Committee, was shared.

The Steering Committee requested that all PR materials be provided to the partners in electronic format.

2. d. CAC Committee

A meeting of the Catalog and Access Committee will be called for December.

3. Project Evaluation

Requests from Himmel & Wilson for information to be used in the project evaluation were distributed. Each partner is responsible for providing the information directly to Himmel & Wilson.

4. Reader issues

Linda Miller gave an update on the status of the development and distribution of the RCA readers, REB 1100 and REB 1200, the successors to the Rocketbook readers. Barnes and Noble's web site is now offering pre-sales of the units with distribution to begin in December. A discussion of when or if to introduce this service into the project followed. The original schedule of the project called for readers to have been purchased for all partners by this time, but the discontinuance of the Rocketbook reader did not allow this to happen.

Steering Committee members hold different opinions on the significance of the readers in the project. La Crosse reported that the readers that it owns are always out on loan. Some expressed concern with the limited list of titles that are available through Gemstar. Periodical subscriptions may be of more interest, and Gemstar does offer several titles. A few partners may purchase one of the new readers to try. Phyllis Davis expressed concern about security with the new readers, how to prevent users from purchasing new titles or deleting current titles.

The committee decided to revisit reader issues after the release of the new REB readers. Until that time, the Training and PR committees should focus on activities that support the introduction and use of netLibrary.

The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for January 17, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at the SCLS offices.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

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


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Steering Committee Meeting, Nov. 9, 2000

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: November 9, 2000 Location: South Central Library System Present: John Nichols (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse PL), Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), David Weinhold (ESLS), and Linda Miller, Project Manager. The meeting came to order at 10:00 a.m. 1. Partner Reports Partners reported on training schedules. Mark Beatty has already conducted overview sessions in several locations. NLS reported that an overview session conducted by WiLS was offered at WLA. Library staff remain very interested in device-based services. One copy of the Rocketbook reader has been circulating among the libraries. Each library would like one. Mark also wanted to be sure that Laura Wangerin of Brown Co. had been added to the Selection Committee membership. WLS is emphasizing the netLibrary portion of the grant with plans to purchase readers on hold. Staff want to have time to become familiar with netLibrary. System and library staff in ESLS have been trying the guest accounts provided for netLibrary. Other committee members inquired about these accounts as they were not aware of them. Committees within OWLS continue to meet. Minutes are posted to the OWLS web site. The device-based committee wants to have the same titles on each reader and does want to continue with the original project plan to include the readers in the grant project. SCLS reported that membership agreements have been sent to all partners, and a few have been returned. SCLS staff and Kathy Schneider met with a netLibrary representative in September. Issues discussed at that meeting included use statistics, MARC records, identifying new titles, and publicity. Steering Committee members expressed additional concerns related to weeding, identifying new titles, and functionality for reserves. 2. Committee Activities 2. a. Selection Committee Some members of the Steering Committee have been participating in the netLibrary selection process. Steering Committee members reported that they had received a lot of comments from Selection Committee members as the committee selected the first group of netLibrary titles. Several concerns were expressed related to the selection of titles currently available, or not available, from netLibrary. Steering Committee members repeated their earlier statement that a collection had to be selected from what was currently available to provide an adequate base for evaluating the project and determining the next steps in developing a collection of e-books. Committee members hold a range of thoughts on the emphasis that should be placed on netLibrary or reading devices within the whole project. The question of whether funds should be shifted from netLibrary to e-books from other sources was discussed. Members mentioned the problems that dealing with multiple publishers would introduce to the project, which was seen as a disadvantage of moving in this direction. Two big advantages of working with netLibrary are the company's interest in working with libraries to provide e-book titles and services and the chance to work with just one supplier. The group consensus was that the libraries should work with the netLibrary collection that the Selection Committee developed. The Steering Committee charged the Selection Committee with 1) collecting information to provide feedback to netLibrary with the purpose of improving the collection of titles and selection tools available from netLibrary. 2) identifying any gaps, including subject or publisher, in the netLibrary collection developed for WPLC and in the titles available from netLibrary for future consideration for inclusion in the WPLC collection. 3) preparing a description of the collection of netLibrary titles that the Selection Committee has developed. 4) monitor usage of netLibrary. 5) determine when additional copies of a title need to be purchased. 6) draft a collection development statement. A six month period, through May 2001, was set for the use of the current WPLC netLibrary collection. During this time, the Selection Committee is to assess the collection and report to the Steering Committee whether the committee wants to continue developing the collection with additional titles from netLibrary after May 2001. Remaining grant funds allocated for the purchase of netLibrary titles will be held until after the six month evaluation period. After May 2001, grant funds will either be used to purchase additional netLibrary titles or titles from other e-book publishers. A meeting of the Steering Committee will be called for January. The Steering Committee will work with WiLS to communicate concerns to netLibrary. John Nichols suggested submitting a WATF grant for the purpose of further developing the e-book collection with titles from other e-book suppliers or publishers. Such a grant could also request funding to add other library systems or libraries. There was support for this recommendation. Phyllis Davis will check on this. The issue of the circulation period of the netLibrary ebooks was raised. Peg Zappen stated that the 24 hour loan period had worked for La Crosse. Mellanie Mercier mentioned that, in her research of other netLibrary users, 24 or 48 hour loan periods seemed to be common. Some felt that such a short period implied that this resource was designed to be primarily a reference tool. Different loan periods seem to be needed for different topics, but this might not be possible. (Note: I checked with Kathy Schneider. Loan periods are set on a per title basis, and there can only be one loan period per title for the collection. LKM) Partners are beginning to make plans to introduce the netLibrary collection to library staff and the public. Some want to allow public access beginning in January, others earlier, and others the beginning of February. February 1st was set as the date for all partners to be live for the public. Consortium public relations activities should use this date. Individual partners may publicize locally before February 1st if they are introducing the services earlier. netLibrary usage statistics for the project evaluation will be those for use beginning on February 1, 2001. MARC records will be needed for the netLibrary titles prior to training for the staff and introduction to the public. WiLS is negotiating with netLibrary for free records. La Crosse uses OCLC records. There was a brief discussion of authentication and remote users. La Crosse is authenticating users against its integrated library system patron database. Other partners do not want to require authentication. La Crosse also requires users to come into the library to register for netLibrary use the first time. Some partners do not want such a requirement but want to make access as easy as possible for remote users. The Catalog and Access Committee should address these issues. 2. b. Training Committee Copies of the handouts that Mark Beatty is distributing at the overview sessions were distributed. John Nichols asked that WiLS prepare a PowerPoint presentation for partners to use in ongoing training rather than be totally dependent on one resource, the WiLS web server, for training resources. The report from Sue Mathews, coordinator of the Training Committee, was shared. 2. c. Public Relations Committee The report from Brenda Haines, coordinator of the PR Committee, was shared. The Steering Committee requested that all PR materials be provided to the partners in electronic format. 2. d. CAC Committee A meeting of the Catalog and Access Committee will be called for December. 3. Project Evaluation Requests from Himmel & Wilson for information to be used in the project evaluation were distributed. Each partner is responsible for providing the information directly to Himmel & Wilson. 4. Reader issues Linda Miller gave an update on the status of the development and distribution of the RCA readers, REB 1100 and REB 1200, the successors to the Rocketbook readers. Barnes and Noble's web site is now offering pre-sales of the units with distribution to begin in December. A discussion of when or if to introduce this service into the project followed. The original schedule of the project called for readers to have been purchased for all partners by this time, but the discontinuance of the Rocketbook reader did not allow this to happen. Steering Committee members hold different opinions on the significance of the readers in the project. La Crosse reported that the readers that it owns are always out on loan. Some expressed concern with the limited list of titles that are available through Gemstar. Periodical subscriptions may be of more interest, and Gemstar does offer several titles. A few partners may purchase one of the new readers to try. Phyllis Davis expressed concern about security with the new readers, how to prevent users from purchasing new titles or deleting current titles. The committee decided to revisit reader issues after the release of the new REB readers. Until that time, the Training and PR committees should focus on activities that support the introduction and use of netLibrary. The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for January 17, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at the SCLS offices. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Linda K. Miller linda@lmatechwork.com 815-229-8215 voice 815-229-5362 fax

		Updated October 22, 2004