June 2012 Meeting Minutes

June 27, 2012 (Deb)

Les reviewed key points from the library director’s meeting:

• Dr. Page met with the directors and asked for their vision of where they want the libraries to be in three years. He’s asking for a service vision, not a facilities view. Most of the meeting discussion was around the aging iii system and a move to Evergreen. Much of the problem lies in no systems developed yet which can handle Maine’s network. Dr. Page will need to find the funding for the move.
• The directors had a hard time understanding what catalogers wanted as relayed through the cataloguing best practice review.
• Transition to Local WorldCat (search tool) is not urgent as the Summons contract won’t expire until late fall. As we are not an OCLC member, Les is not ready to jump on board for this one service. No decisions have been finalized.
• Docutek will be replaced by Ares for ereserves.
• Les is on the copyright committee. Directors want a baseline of consistency with all the libraries. Currently, the online policy statements have a wide range of views between the campuses.
• Library Directors will be on campus (UMFK) Aug. 16 and 17.
• Directors are looking at a new approach to the billing of shared services. They are looking into the possibility of each individual campus receiving a once a year invoice with all the services included. The campus then pays their share of the invoice. Les suggested this may be something Asita can oversee. This is under review.
• On behalf of the BPL reference librarians, Sofia relayed the concern that the directors be inclusive of BPL and MSL when making decisions.

Deb reported the sensor on the Elite disk cleaner is no longer working properly. The machine can clean but repairs are random. The company service technician recommended upgrading to another machine as the Elite has been discontinued. There was some discussion as to quality of the machine and why would we want to purchase from this company. Deb will talk to the company about concerns raised. Sofia will remove the repair feature from our list of services.

Sofia talked about the pending July 20th URSUS server migration and the message she will post on the library site. Databases will be available and patrons can search URSUS books through MaineCat but cannot place holds.

It is Sofia’s understanding, from discussions with Eric, that access to the library collection will be closed due to waxing of the floors from July 16-20. Les said this was unacceptable and will talk to Jeff.

Sofia noted HSLIC $50 membership is due July 1.

Sofia asked about status with the alarm system for the Quad doors. Les said it is no longer necessary to use the Bell Tower alarm.

Les received a draft of the parking permit policy from Ray Phinney. A work study position will be created to enforce the policy. Be on the lookout.

Sofia noted the new Chat (with a librarian) is now available. Beginning in the fall, all evening and weekend staff will be expected to use the chat. Sofia will provide training.

Sofia reported she will soon weed heavily from the education collection and will need to purchase new materials. Sofia, Katie and Les will review books in our collection which no one else owns. We will offer what we don’t want to the other libraries.

Sofia review things of interest from the reference retreat:

• Several libraries have discarded their ERIC fiche. Katie is working on cataloguing our collection. It was agreed to see if the collection is accessed once catalogued, before deciding to discard.
• Sofia is in charge of the reference group for the next three years.
• Some campuses use business students to develop library marketing plans. Sofia proposed this idea be use here in conjunction with one of the business professors and will explore it further.
• Some libraries use text and/or tweet a librarian. Katie suggested purchasing a tracfone (something without a contract) for texting purposes as a trial. Along the same line, Sofia said it may be time to reinvestigate face book and twitter. Katie, being more familiar, is willing to assist Sofia.
• Sofia noted Farmington has created their own "what are you reading" posters featuring faculty and students. This is very feasible for us with the use of the GIS lab for poster making.

Sofia said she would like to reduce the size of the reference collection and use the space differently. Most of the reference collection would go into the stacks. Enthusiastic discussion followed as to possibilities.

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