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MnPALS Reference Users Group: Fall 2007

Thursday, October 11, 2007
12:00 - 2:00 pm

Minutes

Attending: Anita Anderson (Attorney General Library), Ruth Anderson (MHS), Maria Brandt (SMSU), Rosie Bunge (Normandale), Donna Davis (Dept of Revenue), Sharon Evensen (Vermillion), Jo Flanders (SCSU), Kathy Forsberg (Bethany), Michael Gorman (SCSU), Sheila Hatchell (MHS), Ginny Heinrich (MCTC), Carol Johnson (Normandale), Erin Johnson (Bethany), Mary Jo Kennedy (IHCC), Lauren Leighton (Saint Mary’s U), Perry Madden (PALS), Pete McDonnell (MSU), Sandi Mead (Minnesota West), Gina Pancerella-Willis (Anoka Ramsey CC), Jim Parsons (CSBSJU), Monica Ralston (MHS), Linda Richter (PALS), Al Rykhus (PALS), Kate Sartoris (James J. Hill), Sandy Hoffbeck (SMSU), Angie Schaper (Riverland CC), David Schmidtke (LRL), Jennie Simning (Hennepin Tech), Amy Soma (Concordia College), Barbara Tuttle (DCTC), Mark Wilhelmi (MINITEX), Dennis Meissner (MHS), Jennifer DeJonghe (Metro State U), Jan Carey (HCC), Linda Conway (SCSU), Mark McCullough (MSU), Sage Holben (Metro State U)

1. Opening Remarks - Ruth Anderson

2. Recorder - Pete McDonnell

Recorder for Next Meeting: Amy Soma

3. Additions/Changes to Agenda

Sheila Hatchell moved to add discussion of the OPAC availability column issues to the agenda. Seconded by Mark McCullough. Approved, added to item #5--PALS report.

4. Spring Minutes approved

5. PALS Report - Perry Madden

  • Change to Availability display discussion
Perry Madden demonstrated several of the problems that have arisen because of the change. Al Ryhkus has configured the Lute server OPACs to clear up most of the problems. Al brought up the question: what does the Reference group want: to go back to old In/Out display, or to go with the fix currently on the Lute server? He noted that this fix covers most problems, but there may be some tweaks that would need to be made. The main change in this fix is that the availability labels are no longer hyperlinked to the holdings; however, the Locations are still links. The width of the availability column will be smaller to improve readability of Location column.
Known problems and associated fixes:
  1. Netlibrary records --for libraries with multiple holdings, only one shows as available.
  2. Records with multiple holdings were only showing up with one location. The lute fix shows multiple locations correctly.
  3. For items with multiple sublibraries, the location displays do not line up correctly if there is no call number with one of the holdings (for example, with Netlibrary records)
  4. Items show as available when one is actually checked out. Corrected on Lute.
Pete McDonnell noted that the “check_holdings” label in the availability column is library jargon that end users might not be familiar with; could it be changed? Perry said that it is a default Ex Libris setting, but that it possibly could be changed with Javascript code, or some other means.
After some discussion, the consensus of the group was that the availability wording is more user-friendly than the old wording. The tradeoff of fixing the issues is worth the non-linking Availability label. There may still the problem of items without item records (such as periodicals that are not checked in), which will not have availability label text at all.
Jim Parsons made a motion to recommend that PALS implement the Lute fixes for the availability display on the OPAC. Mark McCullough noted that the fixes are not a perfect solution, and whether there were any clarifications needed or questions from the group? Sheila H. noted that the changes were acceptable to Minnesota Historical Society. Motion approved. These changes will be effective ASAP. The PALS office will communicate the change officially to the consortium.
  • Perry noted a change that did not make the PALS Report: The $856 electronic link field format was changed to add information back in to the electronic resource; subfield 3 and Z both display now, and appear in the order the cataloger entered them in the record. Corrected in the last week.
Perry went over the changes coming up in the new version. Sheila asked whether the combined browsing and search box will look the same; it will. All the customizations that have been done will move over into the new version. According to Perry, many changes to the OPAC were already done in v. 17 as a part of the Service Packs, and there are no additional big changes in the version 18 upgrade. Version 18 Booking will be tested.
Perry gave updates on specific task items from the plan.
  • The availability issue (#51) has been resolved.
  • Saving the search box text when paging back or forward (#63)--there may be some enhancements in v. 18.
  • SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) service that creates automatic searches—PALS is looking to implement this more widely.
  • The Subject or Title browse popup window will be going away soon.
  • Report on ELUNA
PALS office is asking for discussion and recommendations for the upcoming ELUNA group voting on version 20 enhancements. Linda Richter clarified that libraries should send their comments to PALS by Tuesday, Oct. 16th. The office will rank the enhancements and vote in ELUNA. The version 20 enhancements are available for comment on the PALS Wiki.

6. Strategies for Resolving MNPALS Reference Issuses - Pete McDonnell

Pete reminded the group that the Steering Committee is a resource libraries can go to when they’ve exhausted other options, and to just generally let the steering committee know if you have problems, issues, or questions.

7. Discovery Tool Task Force Report - Jim Parsons

The DTTF has met a couple of times since February 2007, and results of the Discovery Tool Survey show that libraries want the consortium to investigate Open URL Resolvers, and Federated Searching. Stephen Elfstrand talked about various options for Open URL Resolvers: A package from Ex Libris (ex. 10 instances, 150,000 users) would cost around $200,000. Open Source Open URL Resolvers cost much less, but don’t have all the bells and whistles and still require staff resources and funding. Getting funding from MnSCU is an issue; campus presidents and student groups advocating for new library technology would help. Sandy Hoffbeck wondered how the consortium might tap into the $60 million for MnSCU Technology. Libraries that have already bought into an Open URL resolver could opt out of any future purchase. Jim Parsons noted that if we went with a service like SFX, the consortium would get a discounted pricing.
Jennifer DeJonghe mentioned that libraries may not totally understand the various options for a discovery tool; Perry said that the PALS office could supply informational materials to help with this. Stephen wondered, should we get try to get funding for vended systems? Or, should we choose open source solutions (such as the discovery tool shown at the general session), with a longer timeline? The group consensus was that more education and information is needed for libraries to make informed decisions; Keith Ewing’s report on various Discovery Tool options (from MnPALS Strategic Planning sessions) will be posted to the web site soon. Perry suggested these topics could be taken up at a Reference User Groups work day; the Reference User Group Steering Committee is looking into offering such a session, possibly in the Spring.

8. Access Task Force Report - Keith Ewing

The MATF has not been very active. The big question has been whether the MATF should continue, and if so, what its charge should be. Keith wondered if the charges of the MATF and DTTF overlap at all; might it be feasible to incorporate the charge of the MATF into the DTTF, and then close the MATF? There was some discussion about merging the two: there are some similarities and some distinctions. The MATF focuses on the OPAC, while the DTTF has a broader focus. Jim noted that the top two responses to the Discovery Tool survey had nothing to do with the OPAC. Part of the problem is agreeing on what a discovery tool is.
Keith is resigning as chair of the MATF, due to time constraints from working on the Minnesota Digital Library Coalition and Libdata. No one has responded to the call for a new chair of the MATF. Keith stressed the importance of exploring open source options.
The Help Screens in the OPAC still have not been updated; there are some revised help screens that could be put on Lute. Keith suggested hiring a graphic designer for the OPAC design.
Keith offered to provide his summary of Discovery Tools, developed for last year's MnPALS strategic planning sessions.

9. Worldcat Local - Mark Wilhelmi (Minitex)

Mark demonstrated another discovery tool option. Worldcat Local is still in testing phase at the University of Washington (http://www.lib.washington.edu/ ). It is branded for the institution; there is an installation fee and a subscription fee (with possible discounts). According to Stephen Elfstrand, pricing information should be available in late December, 2007. The institution must have holdings in OCLC for them to show up in this tool. It overlays the OPAC, which is still there for power searching.

10. Libjam - 3 minutes to tell everyone something great, special or different about what your library is doing.

Tabled.

11. Other Items

No other items.

12. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Agenda

  1. 12:00 p.m. Opening Remarks - Ruth Anderson

  2. Recorder - Pete McDonnell
    Please identify yourself when speaking at the meeting to ease the recorder’s job. As the recorder you may ask someone to repeat their comment to verify your notes.

  3. Additions/Changes to Agenda

  4. Approve Spring Minutes

  5. 12:10 p.m. PALS Report - Perry Madden
  6. 12:30 p.m. Strategies for Resolving MNPALS Reference Issuses - Pete McDonnell

  7. 12:40 p.m. Discovery Tool Task Force Report - Jim Parsons

  8. 12:55 p.m. Access Task Force Report - Keith Ewing

  9. 1:10 p.m. Worldcat Local - Mark Wilhelmi (Minitex)

  10. 1:30 p.m. Libjam - 3 minutes to tell everyone something great, special or different about what your library is doing.
    Examples:
    • History Topics from the Minnesota Historical Society web page (Ruth Anderson)
    • Access for off campus long distance users (Pam Werre)
    • Others?
    Contact Ruth Anderson (ruth.anderson@mnhs.org) if you would like to present

  11. Other Items

  12. Adjourn

Discussion Notes for Agenda Items:

  1. Based on an idea Perry Madden picked up here: http://librariansmatter.com/blog/2007/08/04/library-20-on-the-loose-unconference/ "Libjam", where "every presenter has 3 minutes to tell everyone something great, special or different about what your library is doing." Gives people a chance to share without them feeling like they have to prepare a 10-15 minute presentation. Focus on a reference service, library instruction tip or internet resource that you use regularly.
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