NOBLE

MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION MEETING

AT ABBOT PUBLIC LIBRARY – MARBLEHEAD

JUNE 22, 2006

 

PRESENT:  Nineteen libraries were represented at the meeting, attendance sheet attached.  Robert Maier was present as a representative of MBLC.

CALL TO ORDER:  Sue Koronowski called the meeting to order at 10:20.  She welcomed Rob Maier as a guest.

APROVAL OF MINUTES:  Linda Hummel-Shea forwarded a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 25 NOBLE Members Meeting.  Motion was seconded by John Cronin and unanimously approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Ron Gagnon presented the Treasurer’s Report on behalf of Mary Rose Quinn, who was absent.  NOBLE is in good shape with 86% of budgeted operating funds expended to date.  Ron pointed out several explanatory footnotes included in the report for clarification.  Deb Abraham forwarded a Motion to Approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Motion was seconded by Elisabeth Tully and unanimously approved.

 MANAGERS’ REPORT:

Ron Gagnon – Per request of Sue Koronowski, Ron delivered an overview of activities of the past year, as follows:

  • Privacy/Confidentiality Policy. NOBLE’s Privacy and Confidentiality policies had not been updated since 1988.  The revised policies are true to the spirit of the original document but have been modified to meet the needs of Internet users.
  • Upgrades in Technology.  The telecommunications system with central site equipment replacement and a new firewall, was completed in September.  This project was mostly LSTA funded.  This doubled the capacity to the central site.  Internet connectivity was increased 66%.  NOBLE also switched its ISP to UMASS.
  • In January NOBLE replaced the 1999 III server with 70% of the funding from LSTA.  Ron is currently working with Verizon to find an alternative to the frame relay that is now outdated.   E-rate funding for FY07 has already been allocated to subsidize data lines. By next year Ron hopes to have a contract for the frame relay that can be applied to FY08 e-rate funding.
  • Federated Search.  Elizabeth Thomsen will discuss federated search later in the meeting.  This project is 100% LSTA funded.
  •  PC Reservation/Print Management Software. NOBLE has been supportive of this project by seeking consortium pricing for members.  NOBLE is working with Envisionware on pricing for member libraries.
  • NOBLE Digital Library.  NOBLE established digital library support as a core service in   FY06 and is seeking corporate support to replace the web server as part of this project.
  • Tech Expo. The Tech Expo on June 8 offered more variety in two separate rooms.  Attendance was good.
  • New Lease.  NOBLE’s new lease was effective beginning June 1.  The new terms will save NOBLE $1,000 per month and include a new front office HVAC unit that will be installed in late-July.
  • NOBLE Directory.  The print NOBLE Directory was mailed this week.  A printable version is available from the NOBLE SIS page. Paula will make regular updates to the online version throughout the year.
  • Ron reported that he wrote a chapter titled “Library/Vendor Relations from a Public Library Perspective” for the book Library/Vendor Relationships, edited by Sam Brooks, available Summer 2006.
  • NOBLE is currently testing new III software, in particular Patron API.
  • NOBLE will continue to explore AIRPAC for handheld devices, and EDIFACT, the standard for interface for ordering from vendors that supports thirteen-digit ISBNs.
  • Courtesy Notices.  After an informal poll of libraries to determine interest in generating courtesy notices, Ron decided not to proceed with generating these as several libraries were not in favor.  These may be considered for implementation in academic libraries at some point.

      

 Elizabeth Thomsen –

  • Website design.  NOBLE added an optional web redesign service for members.  Participants are invoiced on an hourly basis.
  • Language Collections.  Elizabeth Thomsen is working on identifying language collection strengths and generating a list of foreign language collections and contact information.  Elizabeth would like to develop a model for identifying types of collections and pulling them into a review file by I-type or other descriptive field.  The model could be used for any type of special collection (Braille, e.g.) so that collection strengths can be identified.
  • “Cookie Setter”.  Elizabeth is searching for a code that will enable non-Innovative search boxes to operate on the III server.
  • Downloadable Audiobooks.  NOBLE is working on the issue of how to manage links.  BHCC has a NetLibrary collection.  NetLibrary has validation by barcode and separate NetLibrary account validation.  The call number in the catalog is a link to HELP for direction.  This will evolve into a better format as time goes on.  Both Audible.com and Overdrive have different validation issues.  Elizabeth encouraged all interested librarians to use NetLibrary and test its features.  Every NOBLE library has a NetLibrary e-book account.  Elizabeth also noted that although proxy servers resolve some validation issues, there are complicated issues inherent in implementing them effectively.
  • Fall Training.  Elizabeth Thomsen is working on the fall schedule.

 

Martha Driscoll

  • Patron API.  Martha is working on this module that allows an external system query the NOBLE database.  This will be necessary for federated searching.
  • Envisionware.  Martha reported that the purchase is almost complete.  She reminded representatives of participating libraries that they should consider purchasing a receipt printer for PC reservations and that they will need a port on their switch to set up the system.  George Lally is testing an old model PC to determine if it is suitable for using as a PC reservation terminal.  The timetable for Envisionware implementation has not yet been established.

 

Ron asked that if any NOBLE members have questions concerning last minute fiscal items, they contact him as Paula is away for the week.

 

MBLC UPDATE:

Rob Maier thanked NOBLE members for their advocacy efforts in support of better library funding.  The Conference Committee budget is expected to be released next week.  Rob thanked Ron Gagnon and Mary Rose Quinn for their efforts on behalf of the MBLC Legislative Committee.

            Rob explained the FY2007 budget process and current status.  He also described the new line item for an Incentive Grant Program.  This is a matching funds program for libraries that are able to raise private funds for library support.  Rob reported that state funding for libraries is “OK” if the Senate approved figures are passed for all lines except aid to Regional Library Services, for which the House approved figure is higher.

Last year John Arnold and Rob Maier polled libraries to determine what the MBLC does well and what services the MBLC needs to improve.  Six items were identified as important for libraries as follows:

  • Delivery – The MBLC hosted a committee meeting to discuss delivery issues.  As a result of this meeting a “best practices” document was drafted.  The committee will have a wrap-up meeting with final recommendations in September.  Sorting was identified as the major delivery problem.
  • Authentication Issues – Libraries need support in making access to electronic resources as seamless or “graceful” as possible for the end user.
  • PR/Marketing – Marketing of library services is seen as lacking.  Last week the MBLC hosted a focus group to discuss PR and marketing issues.  Approximately sixty people attended.  From this group, smaller working groups will be formed to focus on specific activities.  The MBLC would like to tie this initiative into LSTA funding at some point.
  • State Aid to Public Libraries – Respondents expressed interest in programs for libraries that exceed standards as well as programs to help those threatened with loss of certification.  Services that exceed standards might for example be services to residents of other communities that goes beyond circulation of materials.
  • Library Response to Community Needs – A recent Libraries for the Future national survey identified specific targeted areas that libraries should consider when attempting to meet ongoing community needs.   These are as follows: services to teens after school; improved access to technology, and access to government information including tax information and local government information.
  • LSTA – Rob Maier reported that the current LSTA funding picture looks good.  The President’s FY2007 budget recommends increased funding for the program.

 

NOBLE Super Search – Elizabeth Thomsen reported that since the Tech Expo there has been a change in the plan to connect people to Super Search.  Originally a patron accessed the Super Search via a proxy server.  Validation remained a problem based upon which link a customer uses to access a database. A person who holds a Lynnfield card might for example be a Melrose resident. Martha Driscoll created a program that looks like a proxy server, but will search the database and redirect the patron to the appropriate library.

Elizabeth Thomsen demonstrated Super Search.  She illustrated the merging of results and the sort default by date and full-text first.  The library catalogs will be in the “general” subject group.  Super Search searches only NOBLE core databases, but libraries can add individually purchased databases if they choose.  The contract pricing includes a provision for adding additional databases at a price.

Elizabeth also noted that some individual database features are not available to the user in the Super Search.  Most users do not use advanced featured and limiters, so the Super Search offers a primary search with more simplified techniques.  At the article level the user has access to the full function of the database in which the article was located.  Elizabeth showed the full-text electronic journals list.  Serials Solutions gives libraries and users an analysis of holdings with overlap and comparison reports.  She reported that Serials Solutions is almost ready to be implemented but right now cannot determine home vs. in-house use in generating statistics.

 

III Release Schedule/Enhancements – Next Tuesday is the scheduled implementation date for Release 2005.  Wednesday’s MilCirc login process will take a bit longer as jar files are downloaded, but there is no downtime expected with the Release.  The biggest change in this Release is Priority Paging that will page at the pickup location first.  Branches and affiliate libraries may also be prioritized.  Other improvements include the following: navigation improvements so that search is not focused on drop-down option; course reserves “are you sure?” prompts removed, and search format can include “or” (DVD “or” VHS, e.g.).

The Fall Release will contain more substantial improvements including: 13-digit ISBN support; new format for hold/transit slips; item status to reflect due date if item is checked out as opposed to ON SHELF, and Webpac Pro platform for algorithm for keyword searches (mixed reviews for algorithm at this point).

 

Delivery Discussion – Members discussed persistent delivery problems.  Although there has been considerable improvement in delivery, some issues remain, particularly for Salem.  Delivery threshold has for rate increase has been met (10% increase) but NMRLS test shipments have illustrated that service does not meet the standards set in the delivery contract.  Members expressed the desire for notification of second daily deliveries.  Priority paging is expected to provide some relief.

 

President – NOBLE President Sue Koronowski thanked all members for a very productive and successful year.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

  

Martha Holden

Secretary