Meeting Minutes
10:05 Meeting called to order by Pam Turner; introductions made.
In attendance: Jay Scherma, Martha Ott, Deb Hensler, Judy Frost, Karen LaForgia, Steve Norman, Pam Turner, Cindy White, Amy Averre, Pam Jenkins (standing in for Liz Doucett), Jim Roy and Chris Boynton (both Maine State Library outreach). Also Janet Blood and James Jackson Sanborn via phone.
Reports
Maine Infonet
James reported that the iii vendor contract is ready for signatures and he’ll send a copy for the files.
Overdrive update
End of January roll-out still expected. Currently includes 131 member libraries, 45 Minerva. Should be collecting about $56,000 in fees plus $4000 from Maine Comm. Found. – expect to spend around $50,000 or more on content this year, $40,000/yr. after that. An authentication system for patrons outside of Minerva has been established, and there is a collection development group in place setting policies and spending on content.
Maine Infonet staffing
Positions are still frozen, perhaps until May or June, though 2 positions in addition to James’ have been protected. A work-study person will be starting soon. Deb announced that she has resigned from her position and will be leaving in about 2 weeks and taking a job in Pennsylvania; everyone wished her well. She or James will post on list-servs and they are exploring options for dealing with the staffing shortage and trying to get an exception to the hiring freeze. Deb suggested that the Circulation and Cataloging Standards committees run their meetings instead of Infonet staff.
Minerva Technical
Deb reported that circulation issues involving the Kilowatt meters have been a challenge due to adjustments being made by individual libraries to the 1-week lending period.
Also challenging are issues regarding enforcement of Minerva policies; these need to be explored by the Membership committee. Deb encouraged more contact among peers for resolving “how-to” questions (vs. contacting Maine Infonet) at this time.
Finance
Jay passed out and reviewed the Minerva budget draft and suggested that the “surplus” funds be moved into the “other” budget line. He noted that the Membership board must convey to libraries that there are consequences for non-payment and they should follow through with those consequences.
Circulation Standards Committee
No report.
Cataloging Standards Committee
The committee’s submitted report was read aloud. The question was raised as to what extent Minerva and URSUS cataloging groups are working together.
Statistics
No report. The committee will be meeting at Curtis Memorial Library in February.
Membership
A meeting will be scheduled in early February.
Old Business
Funding formula
No actions have taken place regarding proposed funding formula since prior meetings; the issue will go to the Membership board. Jay noted that more staff are needed and that the current proposed formula doesn’t take that into account – it only addresses payment for the software. Members of the Minerva Executive Board should review the funding formulas previously discussed and send questions or concerns to Pam or Jay.
New Business
Users Council Meeting Wrap-up
Several noted that the meeting seemed to end on a positive note. There was discussion regarding Users Council members’ inconsistency in receiving and/or reading email and suggestions were made for putting more effort into seeing that information is received and confirmed. The next meeting will be held in April.
Long Overdue ILLs
The Circulation Standards Committee with be asked to set a billing procedure that addresses problems around this issue which were briefly discussed.
Nominations for next fiscal year
3 positions will become available in July to represent public, school, and academic libraries; Martha will send message via listservs seeking nominations.
Other
Thank you
Pam will be taking a collection for something to honor outgoing Deb Hensler.
Next meeting – Feb. 11
Meeting adjourned at 11:55.
Minutes submitted by Pam Jenkins.
