Board Meeting Minutes, November 16, 2005: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: November 16, 2005
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Mark Arend (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Maureen Welch (IFLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Inese Christman (WVLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS.

1. Reports from Partners

MWFLS - Plans for a systemwide ILS are progressing nicely.

Winnefox - A new director will be announced by the end of November.

Linda had discussions with both ALS and SWLS regarding WPLC membership.
Peter stated that WPLC should keep its special membership offer to both open into 2006.

2. MOTOR

At least eleven WPLC partners are receiving information from the service.
The cost for 2006 is $2,500 for the state, which is $166 per WPLC member if shared evenly. Several Winnefox libraries are using the service and find it useful. Marathon County reference librarians find that it takes too long to find the information. They had thought that it would be more useful but find that they are not using it that much. The same is true in WRLS. Ten or more libraries in IFLS are using the service. Peter Hamon moved that WPLC continue to support the service for 2006 using reserve funds, that WPLC partners actively promote the service to their libraries during that time, and that the cost be passed onto the WPLC partners beginning in 2007. Mark Arend seconded. David Weinhold stated that the cost for only one library is $100, and so the WPLC shared cost is a much better deal. Motion carried.
Stef will send access information to the list.

3. OverDrive

SCLS is live and is testing MP3 devices. Kenosha is in test mode. NWLS is moving toward go-live. Lakeshores is waiting to implement SIP2. OWLS and Nicolet are waiting until they migrate to the new ILS. Marathon County is live but has not yet added the link to its web page. MWFLS is concerned about the additional costs for OverDrive especially as its membership cost increased due to an increase in its population. ESLS is charging the OverDrive cost back to its libraries.

The Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped continues to be interested in access to the digital audio books for its customers. RLBPH staff have been informed that their customers can get access now by virtue of being registered with their home public library. Steve Heser has spoken to the RLBPH's library automation vendor, and that vendor's product does not have the capability to support a connection by a third-party. He has also demonstrated the service to the library.

Phyllis suggested that SCLS could include records of RLBPH customers in the SCLS database for authentication, thinking that the inclusion of RLBPH could improve fund raising options for WPLC. Peter proposed that WPLC add RLBPH, then ask for funds to support its inclusion, and lift up its inclusion in fund raising.

A committee of Phyllis, Stef, Steve, and Linda will discuss the issue in a conference call.

Mark Arend moved that RLBPH be included in the OverDrive project if all issues can be resolved. Bob Hafeman seconded. Motion carried.

Peggy prefers to have RLBPH customers included in their home library system database rather than have all RLBPH customers in one library system's database. However, Steve Heser stated that this would be too problematic to do. David Weinhold recommended that library systems talk to RLBPH to discuss getting information on customers within their areas.

Evan Bend and SCLS staff will discuss fund raising issues to seek additional funds for OverDrive content. Evan will chair the committee.

OverDrive does not yet offer the ability for patrons to purchase titles that would then become part of the OverDrive collection but may offer such a service in the future.

The Selection Committee would like to know if patrons are burning CDs. Some publishers, such as Harper Collins, do not allow CD burning, a fact which is stated on the OverDrive record for the title. Concerns were raised over other publishers following the practice of not allowing burning and that there is no price break for titles which do not allow CD burning. The consensus was that the Selection Committee should select titles that it believes are best for the collection, but that OverDrive should be urged to pursue publishers that allow burning or give a price break for titles that can't be burned.

Circulation remains high for the collection. There are very few titles that have only circulated once. The Selection Committee uses a formula for buying additional copies of titles on hold. In recent orders, one-third of the amount spent was for added copies. The committee will probably spend one-half of the remaining $3,000 for 2005 on added copies.

Discussion followed on the extent to which the collection should be balanced. At this time, the amount of funds available restricts the extent to which the collection can be balanced. The fact that all titles are circulating supports the work of the Selection Committee. Most likely the collection will be more balanced in ten years.

The Selection Committee revisited the issue of the Maximum Access collection which allows unlimited checkouts of each title. However, the collection consists of titles from one publisher, and committee members do not believe that the titles would be popular. The program essentially rents titles to the OverDrive customer for a year. The consensus was that the Selection Committee should make the decision whether to purchase Maximum Access titles or not. The Implementation Team may revisit the issue of the loan period.

Due to the continued high circulation and long waiting lists, no active promotion plan has been developed for the service.

4. NetLibrary

Kathy Schneider reported that publishers in the NetLibrary e-book program are now requiring consortia to purchase multiple copies of titles. The quantity to purchase is based on certain factors, but the minimum will be six copies after July. The reason is that publishers are concerned that print copies are not being purchased. The consensus was to notify NetLibrary that WPLC will stop purchasing titles at the end of 2006. As much of the remaining 2005 NetLibrary funds will be used before the end of year with any funds remaining shifted to OverDrive content.

5. Project Proposals/New Projects

SCLS shared information on a new item which it had purchased from the bookstores which is a self-contained digital audio book that comes with its own reader, batteries, and headphones.

6. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office.

The Board thanked Peter Hamon for his service and strong support of WPLC since its inception and wished him well in his retirement.

Linda K. Miller


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Board Meeting, November 16, 2005

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		WPLC Board Meeting Minutes: November 16, 2005 Location: South Central Library System Present: Mark Arend (WLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Steve Platteter (MWFLS), David Weinhold (ESLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Bob Hafeman (MCLS), Evan Bend (OWLS), Maureen Welch (IFLS), Kristen Anderson (WRLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Steve Heser (MCFLS), Inese Christman (WVLS), Michael Sheehan (NWLS), Mark Merrifield (NLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. 1. Reports from Partners MWFLS - Plans for a systemwide ILS are progressing nicely. Winnefox - A new director will be announced by the end of November. Linda had discussions with both ALS and SWLS regarding WPLC membership. Peter stated that WPLC should keep its special membership offer to both open into 2006. 2. MOTOR At least eleven WPLC partners are receiving information from the service. The cost for 2006 is $2,500 for the state, which is $166 per WPLC member if shared evenly. Several Winnefox libraries are using the service and find it useful. Marathon County reference librarians find that it takes too long to find the information. They had thought that it would be more useful but find that they are not using it that much. The same is true in WRLS. Ten or more libraries in IFLS are using the service. Peter Hamon moved that WPLC continue to support the service for 2006 using reserve funds, that WPLC partners actively promote the service to their libraries during that time, and that the cost be passed onto the WPLC partners beginning in 2007. Mark Arend seconded. David Weinhold stated that the cost for only one library is $100, and so the WPLC shared cost is a much better deal. Motion carried. Stef will send access information to the list. 3. OverDrive SCLS is live and is testing MP3 devices. Kenosha is in test mode. NWLS is moving toward go-live. Lakeshores is waiting to implement SIP2. OWLS and Nicolet are waiting until they migrate to the new ILS. Marathon County is live but has not yet added the link to its web page. MWFLS is concerned about the additional costs for OverDrive especially as its membership cost increased due to an increase in its population. ESLS is charging the OverDrive cost back to its libraries. The Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped continues to be interested in access to the digital audio books for its customers. RLBPH staff have been informed that their customers can get access now by virtue of being registered with their home public library. Steve Heser has spoken to the RLBPH's library automation vendor, and that vendor's product does not have the capability to support a connection by a third-party. He has also demonstrated the service to the library. Phyllis suggested that SCLS could include records of RLBPH customers in the SCLS database for authentication, thinking that the inclusion of RLBPH could improve fund raising options for WPLC. Peter proposed that WPLC add RLBPH, then ask for funds to support its inclusion, and lift up its inclusion in fund raising. A committee of Phyllis, Stef, Steve, and Linda will discuss the issue in a conference call. Mark Arend moved that RLBPH be included in the OverDrive project if all issues can be resolved. Bob Hafeman seconded. Motion carried. Peggy prefers to have RLBPH customers included in their home library system database rather than have all RLBPH customers in one library system's database. However, Steve Heser stated that this would be too problematic to do. David Weinhold recommended that library systems talk to RLBPH to discuss getting information on customers within their areas. Evan Bend and SCLS staff will discuss fund raising issues to seek additional funds for OverDrive content. Evan will chair the committee. OverDrive does not yet offer the ability for patrons to purchase titles that would then become part of the OverDrive collection but may offer such a service in the future. The Selection Committee would like to know if patrons are burning CDs. Some publishers, such as Harper Collins, do not allow CD burning, a fact which is stated on the OverDrive record for the title. Concerns were raised over other publishers following the practice of not allowing burning and that there is no price break for titles which do not allow CD burning. The consensus was that the Selection Committee should select titles that it believes are best for the collection, but that OverDrive should be urged to pursue publishers that allow burning or give a price break for titles that can't be burned. Circulation remains high for the collection. There are very few titles that have only circulated once. The Selection Committee uses a formula for buying additional copies of titles on hold. In recent orders, one-third of the amount spent was for added copies. The committee will probably spend one-half of the remaining $3,000 for 2005 on added copies. Discussion followed on the extent to which the collection should be balanced. At this time, the amount of funds available restricts the extent to which the collection can be balanced. The fact that all titles are circulating supports the work of the Selection Committee. Most likely the collection will be more balanced in ten years. The Selection Committee revisited the issue of the Maximum Access collection which allows unlimited checkouts of each title. However, the collection consists of titles from one publisher, and committee members do not believe that the titles would be popular. The program essentially rents titles to the OverDrive customer for a year. The consensus was that the Selection Committee should make the decision whether to purchase Maximum Access titles or not. The Implementation Team may revisit the issue of the loan period. Due to the continued high circulation and long waiting lists, no active promotion plan has been developed for the service. 4. NetLibrary Kathy Schneider reported that publishers in the NetLibrary e-book program are now requiring consortia to purchase multiple copies of titles. The quantity to purchase is based on certain factors, but the minimum will be six copies after July. The reason is that publishers are concerned that print copies are not being purchased. The consensus was to notify NetLibrary that WPLC will stop purchasing titles at the end of 2006. As much of the remaining 2005 NetLibrary funds will be used before the end of year with any funds remaining shifted to OverDrive content. 5. Project Proposals/New Projects SCLS shared information on a new item which it had purchased from the bookstores which is a self-contained digital audio book that comes with its own reader, batteries, and headphones. 6. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 10:00 AM at the SCLS office. The Board thanked Peter Hamon for his service and strong support of WPLC since its inception and wished him well in his retirement. Linda K. Miller

		Updated February 6, 2006