Board Meeting Minutes, November 11, 2004: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: November 11, 2004
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Inese Christman (WVLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), and Linda Miller, Project Manager.

1. Reports from the Partners

ESLS is seeing significant use of the netLibrary collection with ten to fifteen new users registering each month.

Winnefox has been occupied with the migration to a new integrated library system.

MWFLS continues to investigate a systemwide consortium for automation.

2. netLibrary/E-book Services

WiLS is offering the online introduction to netLibrary starting in November. WPLC paid WiLS for this course, and members are encouraged to register.

114 titles were recently purchased and added to the WPLC collection. A new order is ready to be submitted. Of the $40,000 budgeted for netLibrary purchases, Phyllis reported that $33,968 has been spent. The remaining amount will be used for the new order, but any amount beyond that will need to come from the 2005 budget.

Kathy Schneider was attending a WiLS Board meeting at this time but submitted a written report which addressed the following issues.

A policy is needed on weeding the netLibrary collection. Opinions varied with some in favor of using a publication date, and some not in favor of weeding at all. Discussion will continue at the next meeting. One issue with weeding is that the catalogers will need to be informed that the record needs to be removed from the database once the item is weeded.

Kathy had sent a message to the WPLC list from netLibrary regarding referring URL.

Members want to be sure that all titles have OCLC records and that those records are available for libraries which may not have yet downloaded them. Linda will check with WiLS.

netLibrary is building a collection of audio books through Recorded Books with 500 titles to be available in December. Stef will send the title list to the WPLC list. She also shared the following information. Purchasing is done on a collection basis rather than a title by title basis. There is no restriction for simultaneous use, and items check out for three weeks. The Windows Media Player is used, and the title can be transported to two devices but not burned to a CD. The sound quality is radio quality. Pricing is based on circulation and population. WiLS has requested a quote for WPLC. MARC records are available.

Concerns were expressed regarding the need for library staff to support patrons in downloading.

Linda distributed the proposal from OverDrive. It functions through the library's automation system. She has requested clarification and will share it via the list when received.

The consensus was that a demonstration of each system, along with a proposal from each, was needed. Each vendor should be willing to provide support for training for library staff and promotion of the service. Demonstrations will be scheduled in the morning with the WPLC Board meeting held in the afternoon of the next meeting in January or February. Once a date is set with the vendors, it will be announced on the WPLC list.

3. Current Projects

Electronic Database Subscription
The revised draft of the list of subscriptions for electronic databases was distributed. David recommended that WiLS be encouraged to negotiate with publishers of databases that libraries purchase but are not currently available through WiLS. A question was raised whether WiLS could negotiate with the publishers for more uniform pricing, even get a statewide price which may be less expensive than individual library contracts. Phyllis also suggested that the library systems negotiate on behalf of their member libraries. The information will be made available via the WPLC web site.

4. Project Proposals/New Projects

IMLS Grant
Josh Morrill submitted a grant through the UW to IMLS to develop a course to train librarians in evaluation and statistical analysis. Both Linda and Phyllis wrote letters of support on behalf of WPLC. A decision on grant awards should be known by the end of the year.

OCLC Cataloging
Discussion continued on the topic of increasing the use of OCLC for cataloging by increasing the number of libraries that use OCLC for cataloging. WiLS has been investigating options, and Kathy suggested several in her report. There was interest in a statewide contract or a contract that covered all of WPLC. SRLAAW is to discuss options at its next meeting. SCLS is doing a test of a batchload of records into OCLC for Portage County.

Members want to know the total cost of OCLC cataloging for current OCLC libraries in the state. It was agreed that WPLC was not interested in WiLS pursuing a quote which only included L.E. Phillips and Hedberg (Kathy's Quote #3). A question was raised of what would happen if dollars now allocated for WISCAT were shifted to OCLC. Group Services are of interest if they are necessary to make statewide cataloging work.

WPLC should take the lead in promoting what is best for all libraries in the state. SCLS will pursue getting a quote from WiLS for OCLC services which would lead to a way to combine the LINK libraries with Portage County and Marshfield (Kathy's proposed Quote #1). WPLC also supports WiLS pursuing a quote for a Group Catalog of SCLS, Winnefox, Lakeshores and Kenosha if those systems are interested (Kathy's Quote #2). WPLC also requests that WiLS get a quote for cataloging services for all of WPLC.

Virtual Reference Services
Linda mentioned that, after attending the OCLC presentation at WLA on the merger of the two virtual reference systems, she is interested in discussing what role WPLC might play. Stef stated that the merger presents the opportunity for a statewide virtual reference service. Mark shared thoughts on the differences between reference service and virtual reference service. Phyllis commented that WPLC may have a role and perhaps, once the pricing structure is known, that WPLC can get a quote. WPLC has advantages in that it's structure allows it to move quickly and that it represents much of the state's public libraries. Stef would like WPLC to find alternate sources of funding to enable more libraries to join, and Mark stated that a statewide project may qualify for LSTA funds. Linda will inform WiLS of WPLC's continuing interest.

5. Next Meeting

The next meeting date will be announced once a date for the vendor demonstrations is known. The demonstrations will be held in the morning followed by the Board meeting, which will be held at the SCLS office. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.


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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 11, 2004 Location: South Central Library System Present: Inese Christman (WVLS), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Mark Arend (WLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Nancy Fletcher (WCFLS), and Linda Miller, Project Manager. 1. Reports from the Partners ESLS is seeing significant use of the netLibrary collection with ten to fifteen new users registering each month. Winnefox has been occupied with the migration to a new integrated library system. MWFLS continues to investigate a systemwide consortium for automation. 2. netLibrary/E-book Services WiLS is offering the online introduction to netLibrary starting in November. WPLC paid WiLS for this course, and members are encouraged to register. 114 titles were recently purchased and added to the WPLC collection. A new order is ready to be submitted. Of the $40,000 budgeted for netLibrary purchases, Phyllis reported that $33,968 has been spent. The remaining amount will be used for the new order, but any amount beyond that will need to come from the 2005 budget. Kathy Schneider was attending a WiLS Board meeting at this time but submitted a written report which addressed the following issues. A policy is needed on weeding the netLibrary collection. Opinions varied with some in favor of using a publication date, and some not in favor of weeding at all. Discussion will continue at the next meeting. One issue with weeding is that the catalogers will need to be informed that the record needs to be removed from the database once the item is weeded. Kathy had sent a message to the WPLC list from netLibrary regarding referring URL. Members want to be sure that all titles have OCLC records and that those records are available for libraries which may not have yet downloaded them. Linda will check with WiLS. netLibrary is building a collection of audio books through Recorded Books with 500 titles to be available in December. Stef will send the title list to the WPLC list. She also shared the following information. Purchasing is done on a collection basis rather than a title by title basis. There is no restriction for simultaneous use, and items check out for three weeks. The Windows Media Player is used, and the title can be transported to two devices but not burned to a CD. The sound quality is radio quality. Pricing is based on circulation and population. WiLS has requested a quote for WPLC. MARC records are available. Concerns were expressed regarding the need for library staff to support patrons in downloading. Linda distributed the proposal from OverDrive. It functions through the library's automation system. She has requested clarification and will share it via the list when received. The consensus was that a demonstration of each system, along with a proposal from each, was needed. Each vendor should be willing to provide support for training for library staff and promotion of the service. Demonstrations will be scheduled in the morning with the WPLC Board meeting held in the afternoon of the next meeting in January or February. Once a date is set with the vendors, it will be announced on the WPLC list. 3. Current Projects Electronic Database Subscription The revised draft of the list of subscriptions for electronic databases was distributed. David recommended that WiLS be encouraged to negotiate with publishers of databases that libraries purchase but are not currently available through WiLS. A question was raised whether WiLS could negotiate with the publishers for more uniform pricing, even get a statewide price which may be less expensive than individual library contracts. Phyllis also suggested that the library systems negotiate on behalf of their member libraries. The information will be made available via the WPLC web site. 4. Project Proposals/New Projects IMLS Grant Josh Morrill submitted a grant through the UW to IMLS to develop a course to train librarians in evaluation and statistical analysis. Both Linda and Phyllis wrote letters of support on behalf of WPLC. A decision on grant awards should be known by the end of the year. OCLC Cataloging Discussion continued on the topic of increasing the use of OCLC for cataloging by increasing the number of libraries that use OCLC for cataloging. WiLS has been investigating options, and Kathy suggested several in her report. There was interest in a statewide contract or a contract that covered all of WPLC. SRLAAW is to discuss options at its next meeting. SCLS is doing a test of a batchload of records into OCLC for Portage County. Members want to know the total cost of OCLC cataloging for current OCLC libraries in the state. It was agreed that WPLC was not interested in WiLS pursuing a quote which only included L.E. Phillips and Hedberg (Kathy's Quote #3). A question was raised of what would happen if dollars now allocated for WISCAT were shifted to OCLC. Group Services are of interest if they are necessary to make statewide cataloging work. WPLC should take the lead in promoting what is best for all libraries in the state. SCLS will pursue getting a quote from WiLS for OCLC services which would lead to a way to combine the LINK libraries with Portage County and Marshfield (Kathy's proposed Quote #1). WPLC also supports WiLS pursuing a quote for a Group Catalog of SCLS, Winnefox, Lakeshores and Kenosha if those systems are interested (Kathy's Quote #2). WPLC also requests that WiLS get a quote for cataloging services for all of WPLC. Virtual Reference Services Linda mentioned that, after attending the OCLC presentation at WLA on the merger of the two virtual reference systems, she is interested in discussing what role WPLC might play. Stef stated that the merger presents the opportunity for a statewide virtual reference service. Mark shared thoughts on the differences between reference service and virtual reference service. Phyllis commented that WPLC may have a role and perhaps, once the pricing structure is known, that WPLC can get a quote. WPLC has advantages in that it's structure allows it to move quickly and that it represents much of the state's public libraries. Stef would like WPLC to find alternate sources of funding to enable more libraries to join, and Mark stated that a statewide project may qualify for LSTA funds. Linda will inform WiLS of WPLC's continuing interest. 5. Next Meeting The next meeting date will be announced once a date for the vendor demonstrations is known. The demonstrations will be held in the morning followed by the Board meeting, which will be held at the SCLS office. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

		Updated January 31, 2005