Maine InfoNet Board Minutes, September 15, 2010

The Maine InfoNet Board met at the Maine State Library in Augusta on September 15, 2010 at 1:35pm.

Members present: Janet Bolduc, Librarian, Central Maine Medical Center; Richard Boulet, Director, Blue Hill Public Library; Clem Guthro, Director, Colby College Libraries; Judith Frost, Director of Library Services, CMCC; Linda Lord, State Librarian via telephone; Barbara McDade, Director, Bangor Public Library; David Nutty, Director of Libraries at USM; Elizabeth Reisz, Director of Library Media Services, York Schools; and Joyce Rumery, Dean of Libraries at UM.

InfoNet staff present: James Jackson Sanborn, Executive Director

Members absent: Ralph Caruso, CIO University of Maine System; Steve Podgajny, Director, Portland Public Library; Richard Thompson, Member-at-Large.

Minutes:

On a motion made by Barbara and seconded by Joyce, the minutes of the July 21, 2010 meeting were unanimously approved as amended.

R2 Consulting

Joyce, David and Barbara had an initial conversation with Rick Lugg at R2 Consulting http://www.r2consulting.org about consulting with MIN on streamlining workflow processes, especially technical services. Larger libraries would benefit from efficiencies, and smaller libraries, from potential future involvement.They are willing to meet with us to discuss developing a proposal should we be interested in contracting with them. It was suggested that they could make a presentation at the Library Directors Forum to gather information for developing a proposal to submit to MIN Board.

MIN Library Directors Forum

Forum will be held November 17 or 19, 9:30 - 3:30, at Colby College. Agenda for the day will include R2 presentation and information gathering, IMLS Grant, if awarded. Joyce, Clem, David, Barbara, Rich and Linda will work on plans for the Forum. David will contact R2 Consulting about the date and Clem will check on space availability at Colby.

Access and Delivery Discussion Notes

James received sufficient response to his recent posting about additional donations so that e-books will now be added to the Download Library. $10,000 will allow us to add approximately 600 e-books. Creating a bookmark to go in ILL books that would raise awareness of the benefits of services will be investigated. Development of a cooperative lending agreement would allow patrons to borrow directly from non-home library rather than through ILL. Alisia can offer training regionally on issues specifically identified at the meeting.

Grant Updates

Clem reported that we should hear shortly if we have been awarded the IMLS Grant.

Linda reported that implementation of the BTOP Grant is moving forward; currently hiring a project manager and an education trainer is in process. Linda is making a presentation about the grant to the Appropriation Committee tomorrow, September 16.

MIN Staffing

Recommend creating an entry level systems position to handle the rote systems work so more skilled staff would be freed up to work on strategic initiatives, including the website. Concern that there is no administrative support to handle clerical and bookkeeping tasks.

Website

Have purchased a hosted system package through HostGator.

Director’s Report

Although Blue Hill data load went smoothly, there are ongoing issues that need to be resolved before other SOLAR libraries loading should be undertaken. Still waiting on a final proposal from III for the MaineCat migration. III representatives are coming to Maine September 28 to discuss issues.

Summon

No statistics as yet. Anecdotal information indicates that there have been issues with locked down systems, cookies and browser systems. UMS will also be implementing Summon.

Last Copy Center Inquiry posted on MELIBS generated mostly positive but limited response. Topic for the Directors’ Forum.

MLA

October 7-8 at Somerset Resort in Rockport. James will be making a presentation on OneSearch. Barbara is making several presentations, not specifically on MIN. David, Joyce, Janet and Linda will also be there. Linda will be speaking at the lunch on Thursday.

Political arena and legislation

Joyce, Barbara and Linda met with local legislators to discuss possible initiatives to support libraries. The requests include a bond package for a statewide ILS, statewide delivery for all libraries, a check-off to make a donation to support libraries on taxes, and exemption of cultural agencies from percentage across the board cuts.

Concern about the future of support for libraries under a new administration. Linda will be speaking to the need for advocacy when she addresses the MLA Conference.

Other Business

Next meeting at Blue Hill Library on October 20. Lunch at Marlintini’s at 11:45; meeting at 1:30pm.
Meeting adjourned at 3:38pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Crawford Reisz
Recording Secretary

For the Public

For Librarians