MnPALS User Council: February 11, 2010

Web Meeting

Thursday, February 11, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Conference Call Phone Number:  507-389-1014

Draft Minutes

Orrin Ausen (Bethany Lutheran College), Heather Biederman (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Jan Carey (Hibbing Community College), Carrie Curie (Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Moorhead), Paul Dahl (Department of Health), Todd Digby (MnSCU), Susan Dueis (PALS), Stephen Elfstrand (PALS), Keith Ewing (St. Cloud State University), Sharon Evenson (Vermilion Community College), Michael Kirby (Dakota County Technical College), Jean Kramer (Minnesota State University Moorhead), Adam Marsnik (Normandale Community College), Amy Naughton (Minneapolis College of Art and Design), Diane Pollock (Rochester Community and Technical College), Pam Sukalski (Minnesota West Community and Technical College), Michele Throldahl (PALS), Angela Wortham (St. Cloud State University)

1. Welcome, Introductions and Selection of a Recorder

• Michael Kirby will chair the meeting and report to the Executive Committee.
• Diane Pollock will be the recorder.

2. Additions/Approval of the Agenda

• Agenda was approved.

3. Approval of Minutes from the November 12 Meeting

• Adam Marsnik moved to approve without changes. Orrin Ausen seconded. Minutes were approved.

4. PALS Director’s Update (Stephen Elfstrand)

Aleph

• Authority updates continue and will be caught up in 5-7 weeks.
• Web self-check. It will cost about $2500 per library + maintenance.
• The December service pack will be applied 2/13-2/14.
• Serials Module Training will be held at Century College 3/11-3/12.
• Migration to version 20 will be in Jan or Mar 2011. Not many changes.

Strategic Planning – The following are at the core of strategic planning:

• Excellent customer service.
• Continued support of Aleph.
• Financial sustainability (currently running a deficit).
• Diversify product offerings.
• Expand customer base.
• Collaborate with customers, vendors, campuses.
• Culture of Innovation and Creativity.

MnPALS Plus 2.0

• Date range in basic search.
• Search box in course reserve module.
• Working cooperatively with ODIN.
• Discussion with SDLN.

PALSconnect LINKER

• Open Source.
• Based on CUFTS/GODOT from Simon Fraser U in Canada.
• Beta test nearly complete.
• Economical. 50% less than most commercial products.
• Has A-Z periodical list, ILL form is populated, reveals print holdings, provides statistics, simplifies bib instruction.
• Demo coming.
  

PALSconnect ERM

• Open source electronic resource management. Beta test progressing with production in July 2010.
  

Open Source ILS

• Evergreen servers set up.
• Have signed contract with a regional library system.
• Goal is production in May 2010.
  

5. MnSCU Update (Todd Digby)

• Funding – Slotted in for a small increase this year.
• Several library projects are in the legislative bonding bill.
• Library legislative day is coming up.
• Legislative audit report on MnSCU is available on the state site. Not much about libraries.
• Working with Minitex on staffing at 2-year campuses.
  

6. Annual Meeting Planning

…Thursday, April 8; location and agenda to be determined.

• This is the same date as the Ser/Acq/Cataloging work day.
• The group suggested St. Cloud as a location and Michael Kirby will bring this to the Executive Council.
• Agenda suggestions:
  45-60 minute demo by Stephen Elfstrand of ERM, Evergreen, and Link Resolver.
  Executive Committee/User Council morning meeting.
  Directors meet in afternoon.
  

7. ND and SD Participation in Workdays

…Should our workdays be open to librarians from North and South Dakota?

Librarians from North and South Dakota have expressed interest in attending our workdays. The group discussed pros and cons including space, cost, ways to contact, etc.

• Motion by Adam Marsnik:

Move to open up registration for workdays to ND and SD librarians one week after the start of registration for MnPALS consortium members, if space remains, beginning with the upcoming spring 2010 workdays.

• Second – Pam Sukalski
• Motion carried.
  

8. User Group Structure

… The consortium currently meets in user groups based on the ILS. What would be the advantages and/or disadvantages of basing user groups on library functions or workflow instead?

A long discussion was held about the current structure of user groups, reasons for change, and what a new structure might look like. It was pointed out that there are advantages to meeting as ILS module groups and that there is plenty of material to cover. Groups have already expanded into other areas – some more than others. Reference is not tied to a specific module and is already more of an interest group.

What about larger issues, such as cooperative cataloging, archive management, collection development, libData, on-demand purchasing, distance education services, and library management? These are subjects of interest to consortium members. What structure could allow discussion of these broader issues? Are they better left for discussion by directors, deans, and coordinators? Institutions are competitors. What does this mean for collaboration?

There was a suggestion that this discussion be continued at the upcoming workdays. However, workday agendas are already set. Plus, this question has been brought up multiple times with no action. Now it needs to move forward and get input from Deans and Directors.

• Motion by Adam Marsnik:

Move that the User Council supports the creation of additional interest group(s) to address larger consortium-wide issues.

• Second – Orrin Ausen
• Motion carried.
  

9. Summary – Report to the Executive Committee – Michael Kirby will report

• Annual meeting location – St. Cloud.
• Meeting will include demos of PALS products.
• Acq/Serials/Cataloging Workday is same date.
• User Council voted to open workdays to ND and SD librarians.
• User Council voted to approve the creation of additional interest group(s) to address larger consortium-wide issues.
  

10. Adjourn

• Motion to adjourn by Sharon Evenson.
• Seconded by Adam Marsnik.
• Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

Agenda

1. Welcome, Introductions and Selection of a Recorder

2. Additions/Approval of the Agenda

3. Approval of Minutes from the November 12 Meeting

4. PALS Director's Update (Stephen Elfstrand)

5. MnSCU Update (Todd Digby)

6. Annual Meeting Planning

... Thursday, April 8; location and agenda to be determined.

7. ND and SD Participation in Workdays

... Should our workdays be open to librarians from North Dakota and South Dakota?

8. User Group Structure

... The consortium currently meets in user groups based on the ILS.  What would be the advantages and/or disadvantages of basing user groups on library functions or workflow instead?

9. Report to the Executive Committee

10. Adjourn