Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2001: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: December 5, 2001
Location: South Central Library System

Present: Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse), David Weinhold (ESLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Sue Sievert (Kenosha), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Inese Christman (Marathon Co.), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), Ken Hall (WLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. Jay Moynihan (NWLS) and Julie Zauchau (Superior) participated via conference phone.

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

1. Partner Reports

Lakeshores reported receiving ILL requests for netLibrary titles listed in library holdings. There are no plans for readers.

NWLS libraries are implementing as staff are able. Promotional materials for netLibrary are being distributed. Staff training in netLibrary has been done.

KCLS promoted netLibrary services to the schools, which are probably interested in direct access.

WVLS staff visited member libraries to introduce services. Dial-up libraries must contact WVLS to create accounts. Marathon County bought readers and titles. MCPL is conducting a workshop for WVLS on using netLibrary for reference. MARC records will probably be added to both the MCPL and WVLS databases later.

WCFLS reported low usage of netLibrary. Libraries are waiting to load records into the databases until more is known about netLibrary's situation. Patrons are asking about how to find what new titles are available in the collection. Statistics on titles accessed are distributed to the libraries. The readers are doing well with $2,000 of additional content just purchased. The reader surveys distributed by Himmel & Wilson were distributed, completed, and returned. Patrons like being able to enlarge the font and use the backlighting.

SCLS has paid all bills received for readers and content. The system has two training sessions provided through the grant due yet. Phyllis Davis joined Barbara Strauss and Mark Beatty to present a session at LITA on the project. Memory cards are being added to readers to increase capacity to about 80 titles. Libraries will begin circulating in January. Stef Morrill is importing netLibrary statistics into Excel for easier use.

WLS reported that the project activities are continuing. With the hiring of a new PR staff member, activities promoting electronic resources should increase.

ESLS is monitoring netLibrary use statistics. Libraries continue to get new registrations. Readers have been distributed to all of the libraries. Libraries were responsible for configuring and setup and are excited about the new service. Mead may use for a book club.

OWLS is implementing patron authentication. A new round of training is beginning. Libraries have increased interest in readers.

IFLS presented a workshop on netLibrary as a reference tool. L.E. Phillips staff is offering training for the public.

2. Project Report and Dissemination

Linda Miller thanked those who presented on the project at Fall conferences. Presenters included Phyllis Davis, Barbara Strauss, Mark Beatty, Linda Miller, Sue Mathews, and Sheryl Allmann. Presentations were made at LITA, WLA, and GWETC.

Expenses covered by grant funds need to be sent to SCLS by May. Reports are due to WATF in February and the end of the project.

Work continues on the evaluation of readers using the survey distributed by Himmel & Wilson. WCFLS has sent completed surveys. SCLS and ESLS are both working on completing. Peter Hamon reported that Himmel & Wilson is continuing work on evaluation tasks including evaluation of training and readers. Peter is also exploring the possibility of contracting with another person for evaluation of specific services including services to target groups, the general public, and in-depth analysis of netLibrary usage and the collection.

Mary Tlusty offered to distribute the evaluation to the public attending classes offered by L.E. Phillips. Peggy Shaffer would like an evaluation of what additional training library staff might need.

Barbara Strauss welcomed an evaluation of the netLibrary collection and its use. The Selection Committee could benefit from such information. David Weinhold wondered if the Selection Committee might collect the netLibrary statistics, but other committee members stated that the statistics are too difficult to collect. He asked if netLibrary had a way to collect information from readers, but Kathy Schneider said no.

Peter will contact Josh Morrill to discuss possible evaluation services.

3. netLibrary Report

Kathy Scheider reported that the court had approved a loan for OCLC to purchase netLibrary. The purchase should be finalized on December 12 if no other purchasers make offers. No new titles have been purchased since news of netLibrary's financial difficulties surfaced in October. Kathy expects OCLC to make changes in the cost package, possibly adding an annual fee. She has been impressed with the level of service that netLibrary continued to offer during the past few months.

Discussion on establishing a relationship with school libraries followed. There was a question about whether to include schools that are outside of the WPLC members to participate on the same basis as other schools as outlined in the previously adopted guidelines. The number of such schools could be significant in Milwaukee County. Committee members expressed opinions on both sides of the issue. Several stated that students are the biggest number of potential users of the netLibrary collection. The income to WPLC from the schools is an incentive in allowing schools to participate. David Weinhold moved to include schools within WPLC boundaries through June 2002 as stated in the guidelines and to offer participation to schools outside of WPLC after July 1, 2002 for an additional 33% cost. Ken Hall seconded. The motion carried.

Services to the schools will be marketed through the library systems. If a library system or member does not want to manage the marketing to the schools, they should inform Kathy Schneider so that WiLS will handle the marketing to those schools.

Some members have expressed interest in a workshop on using netLibrary for reference services. WiLS is developing such a workshop and will have it ready in January. Because the workshop is in addition to those originally purchased, interested members will need to contract with WiLS for the workshop at regular rates. David Weinhold moved and Peggy Shaffer seconded that the cost for developing the netLibrary reference workshop be paid from any available WATF grant funds. Motion carried.

6. Future Projects

Due to time, the members skipped to a discussion of agenda item number 6.

Kathy Schneider raised the idea of using funds allocated for netLibrary for services from another e-book vendor, Books24x7. The focus is heavily on information technology. Phyllis Davis asked about managing simultaneous users on a statewide basis, and Kathy responded that she believed that it could be done. Ken Hall moved that licenses for Books24x7 be purchased now. Peggy Shaffer seconded. Discussion followed on the feasibility and timing of such an implementation. Some members stated that library staff were still trying to implement netLibrary and handheld reader services and would not have the time and resources to introduce another new service now. Committee members had little or no experience with the service, and there was discussion about a trial period. Ken withdrew the motion, and Peggy agreed. Kathy will setup a trial of Books24x7 for January.

Barbara Strauss reported that the Catalog, Access, and Circulation Committee was investigating a potential service for the new year. The service provides libraries with information on the titles included in serial subscriptions provided through an aggregator such as EbscoHost. WiLS does have a contract with Serials Solutions that provides this service, and Kathy reported that academic libraries have purchased the service. Only full text journals are included. There was discussion about how to limit the service to only WPLC libraries if the service were linked with a statewide service such as BadgerLink. If there is sufficient interest, WiLS can get a quote.

Phyllis Davis asked for input into the WATF report.

The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for January 30, 2002 at 10:00 a.m .at the SCLS offices.

The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

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


		Home > Meetings > Minutes > Steering Committee Meeting, Dec. 5, 2001

Members Bylaws Committees Meetings Discussion List Statistics Current Projects Proposals for Future Services Reports Links Home Contact Us		Steering Committee Meeting Minutes: December 5, 2001 Location: South Central Library System Present: Mellanie Mercier (WCFLS), Peter Hamon (SCLS), Peg Zappen (La Crosse), David Weinhold (ESLS), Peggy Shaffer (LLS), Sue Sievert (Kenosha), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Inese Christman (Marathon Co.), Mary Tlusty (L.E. Phillips), Ken Hall (WLS), Barbara Strauss (OWLS), Linda Miller, Project Manager, and Kathy Schneider, WiLS. Jay Moynihan (NWLS) and Julie Zauchau (Superior) participated via conference phone. The meeting came to order at 10:00 a.m. 1. Partner Reports Lakeshores reported receiving ILL requests for netLibrary titles listed in library holdings. There are no plans for readers. NWLS libraries are implementing as staff are able. Promotional materials for netLibrary are being distributed. Staff training in netLibrary has been done. KCLS promoted netLibrary services to the schools, which are probably interested in direct access. WVLS staff visited member libraries to introduce services. Dial-up libraries must contact WVLS to create accounts. Marathon County bought readers and titles. MCPL is conducting a workshop for WVLS on using netLibrary for reference. MARC records will probably be added to both the MCPL and WVLS databases later. WCFLS reported low usage of netLibrary. Libraries are waiting to load records into the databases until more is known about netLibrary's situation. Patrons are asking about how to find what new titles are available in the collection. Statistics on titles accessed are distributed to the libraries. The readers are doing well with $2,000 of additional content just purchased. The reader surveys distributed by Himmel & Wilson were distributed, completed, and returned. Patrons like being able to enlarge the font and use the backlighting. SCLS has paid all bills received for readers and content. The system has two training sessions provided through the grant due yet. Phyllis Davis joined Barbara Strauss and Mark Beatty to present a session at LITA on the project. Memory cards are being added to readers to increase capacity to about 80 titles. Libraries will begin circulating in January. Stef Morrill is importing netLibrary statistics into Excel for easier use. WLS reported that the project activities are continuing. With the hiring of a new PR staff member, activities promoting electronic resources should increase. ESLS is monitoring netLibrary use statistics. Libraries continue to get new registrations. Readers have been distributed to all of the libraries. Libraries were responsible for configuring and setup and are excited about the new service. Mead may use for a book club. OWLS is implementing patron authentication. A new round of training is beginning. Libraries have increased interest in readers. IFLS presented a workshop on netLibrary as a reference tool. L.E. Phillips staff is offering training for the public. 2. Project Report and Dissemination Linda Miller thanked those who presented on the project at Fall conferences. Presenters included Phyllis Davis, Barbara Strauss, Mark Beatty, Linda Miller, Sue Mathews, and Sheryl Allmann. Presentations were made at LITA, WLA, and GWETC. Expenses covered by grant funds need to be sent to SCLS by May. Reports are due to WATF in February and the end of the project. Work continues on the evaluation of readers using the survey distributed by Himmel & Wilson. WCFLS has sent completed surveys. SCLS and ESLS are both working on completing. Peter Hamon reported that Himmel & Wilson is continuing work on evaluation tasks including evaluation of training and readers. Peter is also exploring the possibility of contracting with another person for evaluation of specific services including services to target groups, the general public, and in-depth analysis of netLibrary usage and the collection. Mary Tlusty offered to distribute the evaluation to the public attending classes offered by L.E. Phillips. Peggy Shaffer would like an evaluation of what additional training library staff might need. Barbara Strauss welcomed an evaluation of the netLibrary collection and its use. The Selection Committee could benefit from such information. David Weinhold wondered if the Selection Committee might collect the netLibrary statistics, but other committee members stated that the statistics are too difficult to collect. He asked if netLibrary had a way to collect information from readers, but Kathy Schneider said no. Peter will contact Josh Morrill to discuss possible evaluation services. 3. netLibrary Report Kathy Scheider reported that the court had approved a loan for OCLC to purchase netLibrary. The purchase should be finalized on December 12 if no other purchasers make offers. No new titles have been purchased since news of netLibrary's financial difficulties surfaced in October. Kathy expects OCLC to make changes in the cost package, possibly adding an annual fee. She has been impressed with the level of service that netLibrary continued to offer during the past few months. Discussion on establishing a relationship with school libraries followed. There was a question about whether to include schools that are outside of the WPLC members to participate on the same basis as other schools as outlined in the previously adopted guidelines. The number of such schools could be significant in Milwaukee County. Committee members expressed opinions on both sides of the issue. Several stated that students are the biggest number of potential users of the netLibrary collection. The income to WPLC from the schools is an incentive in allowing schools to participate. David Weinhold moved to include schools within WPLC boundaries through June 2002 as stated in the guidelines and to offer participation to schools outside of WPLC after July 1, 2002 for an additional 33% cost. Ken Hall seconded. The motion carried. Services to the schools will be marketed through the library systems. If a library system or member does not want to manage the marketing to the schools, they should inform Kathy Schneider so that WiLS will handle the marketing to those schools. Some members have expressed interest in a workshop on using netLibrary for reference services. WiLS is developing such a workshop and will have it ready in January. Because the workshop is in addition to those originally purchased, interested members will need to contract with WiLS for the workshop at regular rates. David Weinhold moved and Peggy Shaffer seconded that the cost for developing the netLibrary reference workshop be paid from any available WATF grant funds. Motion carried. 6. Future Projects Due to time, the members skipped to a discussion of agenda item number 6. Kathy Schneider raised the idea of using funds allocated for netLibrary for services from another e-book vendor, Books24x7. The focus is heavily on information technology. Phyllis Davis asked about managing simultaneous users on a statewide basis, and Kathy responded that she believed that it could be done. Ken Hall moved that licenses for Books24x7 be purchased now. Peggy Shaffer seconded. Discussion followed on the feasibility and timing of such an implementation. Some members stated that library staff were still trying to implement netLibrary and handheld reader services and would not have the time and resources to introduce another new service now. Committee members had little or no experience with the service, and there was discussion about a trial period. Ken withdrew the motion, and Peggy agreed. Kathy will setup a trial of Books24x7 for January. Barbara Strauss reported that the Catalog, Access, and Circulation Committee was investigating a potential service for the new year. The service provides libraries with information on the titles included in serial subscriptions provided through an aggregator such as EbscoHost. WiLS does have a contract with Serials Solutions that provides this service, and Kathy reported that academic libraries have purchased the service. Only full text journals are included. There was discussion about how to limit the service to only WPLC libraries if the service were linked with a statewide service such as BadgerLink. If there is sufficient interest, WiLS can get a quote. Phyllis Davis asked for input into the WATF report. The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for January 30, 2002 at 10:00 a.m .at the SCLS offices. The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m. Linda K. Miller linda@lmatechwork.com 815-229-8215 voice 815-229-5362 fax

		Updated October 22, 2004