WRLSWEB Network Advisory Committee Meeting
August 2, 2007
Sparta Free Library
Minutes
Members present: Patti Berglund, Karen Bernau, Janet Brooks, Cindy
Brown, Karen Carr, Bridget Christenson. Laurie Erickson, David
Goldfein, Judy Grant, Carol Krett, Deb Lambert, Mary Lent, Chris
McArdle Rojo, David Polodna, Jeanne Rice, Karyn Schmidt, Lisa
Solverson, Rita Wachuta-Breckel, Pamela Westby
Guests: Charles Clemence, Deb Dagnon, Noreen Fish, Myrna Paulson,
Sue Stranc
Meeting was convened by Polodna at 10:04 am.
I. Greetings and Introductions/Roll Call: Polodna welcomed all.
Roll call was taken as indicated above.
Dagnon distributed a sample email memo, from LPL staff responsible
for ordering materials, which will notify WRLSWEB members of titles
that have a significant number of holds on a limited number of
copies. The purpose is to help members determine what needs to be
ordered to satisfy demand. Members felt the format would work
fine. It was noted that individual members who discover a need
should still feel free to send memos of their own to the listserv.
Polodna read an email from Bob Bocher on the efforts to obtain more
funding for BadgerNet bandwidth. While the request is still
included in budget documents, it is unclear just how much support
will be provided, so libraries might still wish to budget for
additional bandwidth. Goldfein noted that a locally provided DSL
line would be cheaper than buying additional BCN bandwidth and this
should be considered.
II. Approval of minutes from June 7 Meeting: Motion by Goldfein,
seconded by Lent, to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2007
meeting as presented. Carried.
III. Down Stream Sorting at Each Library: Polodna explained that
the demands on delivery might make it necessary to look for
strategies to share the work more broadly: specifically, this could
mean asking each library to sort out materials that are to go to
libraries that will come later in the same delivery day. Wachuta-
Breckel noted that while she is happy to make the effort, the time
that the driver picks up materials can affect how many items will
get sorted. Others concurred that too early or too late a delivery
pick-up might hamper getting everything sorted properly. Other
concerns expressed were: limited space at libraries for extra bins,
regularly changing delivery schedules, and the need for a
distinctive bin label for "down stream bins". Clemence stated that
we will give this more thought before formalizing a new procedure.
Solverson asked if it could be done as a trial; it was agreed that
delivery changes should probably all be viewed as trials.
IV. Letter of support from NAC for the Technology Plan: Polodna
reported that a requirement for the revised technology plan was
that members certify their acceptance of the plan, and that he
proposed this be provided through a letter from NAC. He read a
draft letter to the group. Motion by Jeanne Rice, seconded by
Carol Krett, to approve the letter and authorize David Goldfein as
WRLSWEB Administrator to sign the letter. Suggestions were made
that the final sentence state that the directors will "recommend"
that local boards "take action" to approve and adopt the plan as
"part of" the local technology plan. Motion by Goldfein, seconded
by Jeanne Rice, to amend the last sentence of the letter as
proposed. Carried. Then original motion as amended was voted on.
Carried.
V. Software Development Update: Goldfein reported that the timing
software that was developed by LPL is now being used in La Crosse
and Mauston. It is 99% complete; Mauston is using it as a beta
sight. Christenson said that the software is functioning
perfectly, but that they were surprised by the consequent drop in
Internet usage because of the effectiveness of the blocking
features which look at fines and overdues of library materials.
Goldfein went on to say that the plan is to run the timing software
off the LPL server which will free other libraries from any SIP2
license charges. The lease costs have not yet been established;
they will take the form of an annual charge and hopefully will be
established within the next two to three months.
Goldfein explained that LPL did not develop the self check
software, though the library has considered creating its own
version.
VI. Self Check Station Fees/Costs: Goldfein continued his
discussion of self check by explaining that the annual license
costs are $400 per station to the vendor, plus $30 per month
(currently) to LPL to share the cost of the SIP2 license.
Additional hardware is needed for each self check station including
a computer, probably with touch screen monitor, printer, and
barcode scanner. It was estimated that the start-up cost for self
check will run about $4,000 to $5,000 per station.
VII. Reports of "Transit", "Transit Holds", and "Claimed Returned"
Items: Stranc explained a recent study she undertook to determine
how many items have been marked in transit for an extended period
of time but are in fact on library shelves. The retrieval by
checking reports of these in transit items was significant, and she
suggested that WRLSWEB generate a universal report showing all
these items and that each member check its shelves for misplaced
materials. Dagnon indicated that generating the reports would be
fairly easy and that she would distribute them via email. It was
pointed out, however, that for this to work each library would need
to check the list and do it in a timely manner because the list
will only be current for a short time.
Questions were then raised about performing an inventory with a
wireless laptop computer. A request was made that 1) a summary of
the process of performing an inventory using wireless equipment be
prepared and distributed, and that 2) an investigation into the
costs of providing consortium-purchased laptops set up for Horizon,
which could be lent to libraries wishing to do an inventory, be
undertaken and presented at the October meeting.
VIII. Open Source Platforms: Polodna introduced the concept of
open source software, indicating he wanted to raise awareness of
the possibilities related to open source software and get a sense
for the level of comfort that members had with the idea. As the
viability of Horizon diminishes, it will be necessary to change our
ILS platform, and an open source solution is one option.
Discussion followed with members asking questions and describing
experiences they had with open source products. Pros and cons were
discussed, with the greatest advantages being lower acquisition
costs and greater flexibility for customization, and the greatest
disadvantage being the increased need for expertise at the local
level (for the ILS, this expertise would be needed at the WRLSWEB
level, not the local library). McArdle Rojo asked if the
technology plan's 2010 target for a change in platforms was the
target for having the new system in place or beginning the RFP
process. Polodna said the plan didn't express that level of
detail but that there was no reason not to start investigating for
the change as soon as possible.
IX. Standardizing Damage Fees: Brown said she was withdrawing the
topic.
X. SKYPE Night: Brown said she was withdrawing the topic.
XI. Additional Issues and Concerns: Goldfein asked if an online
trouble ticket mechanism would work better for assuring
responsiveness to technical problems. He was most concerned with
the times when particular support people were not available.
Westby stated that she had worked in a system that used the trouble
ticket approach and that it was very disappointing, with requests
for assistance getting forgotten if immediate resolution was not
possible. Members indicated they were not unhappy with the process
that was now in place and preferred not to change it. But many
felt a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) feature could be very
helpful. Goldfein noted that could be done through a WRLSWEB blog,
wikipedia, or other approach -- he will investigate.
Brooks asked if there was interest among members in collectively
purchasing a DVD cleaning machine that could travel on a schedule
to each library so extensive cleaning could be facilitated.
Discussion followed with the topic broadening to other kinds of
equipment such as digital projectors. To allow for a more
productive discussion, Polodna said WRLS staff would investigate
costs and characteristics of equipment and bring the results to the
October meeting. Westby reported that the Sparta Library has a DVD
cleaner and will clean discs for $2 each; if other libraries wish
to take advantage of this they need to call in advance so Sparta
can schedule the time.
XII. Next Meeting: October 4, 2007.
XIII. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 11:57 am.
Respectfully submitted,
David Polodna
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