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Home > The Consortium > Governance Structure

Governance Structure

Approved by the MnPALS Consortium Board November 4, 2021.

Consortium of MnPALS Libraries

Purpose

The Consortium of MnPALS Libraries facilitates reliable and cost-efficient access to library resources for the benefit of their user communities. The consortium uses an integrated automated system that addresses the needs of all participating libraries.

Organization

The Consortium of MnPALS Libraries (the Consortium) is a self-supporting organization. Members pay fees according to a funding formula, developed with input from the Consortium Board. The Executive Director of PALS is responsible for the PALS budget and works with Minnesota State’s System Director for Student Success Technologies to make financial decisions. The Executive Director of PALS has decision-making authority in the assignment of PALS staff resources.

Membership

The Consortium includes all Minnesota State libraries as well as some private college and university libraries, state government libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. Membership in the Consortium requires that a library be a member of both Minitex and OCLC, load their bibliographic records in the MnPALS catalog, allow all Consortium members to search their collections, and agree to participate in interlibrary loan with the other Consortium members.

Meetings

Members of the Consortium have the opportunity to meet once a year for a spring event organized with the help of the PALS office. At this meeting, members of the three library types determine representatives for terms beginning on September 1 at a spring membership gathering. Additional in-person meetings can be scheduled as needed.


PALS

Purpose

PALS provides automated library services and additional services in support of online learning to all Consortium libraries, benefiting their staff and patrons.

Organization

PALS is an acronym for Project for Automated Library Services. Initiated at Mankato State University in 1978, PALS is now a program of Minnesota State’s Academic and Student Affairs Division. Minnesota State is ultimately responsible for the operations of PALS.

Membership

Members of the PALS staff are state employees, and the Executive Director of PALS reports to the System Director of Student Success Technologies at Minnesota State.

Responsibilities

PALS personnel provide support and training for the shared ILS and other products. Personnel also work with consortium members to schedule and facilitate events and meetings as necessary, including the spring consortium-wide event.


Library Leadership Group

Purpose

The Library Leadership Group provides an assembly of the heads of all consortium libraries, Minitex, and Minnesota State.

Representation

  • One representative per member library who works in a leadership role: Dean, Director, Coordinator, or designee.
  • Ex Officio members:
    • PALS Executive Director
    • Minitex Director
    • Minnesota State System Director for Student Success Technologies

Member Roles & Responsibilities

  • Serve as designated representatives for any voting matters requiring one vote per institution
    • Long range planning for the Consortium
    • Contract approval (i.e., Integrated Library System)

Meetings

A minimum of one meeting per year to review Consortium activities and to provide focus and direction for the MnPALS Consortium Board.


MnPALS Consortium Board

Purpose

Taking into consideration staffing, budgets, types of patrons served, student population, and geographic location, the Board will represent the Consortium membership to:

  • Establish and advance the mission, vision and strategic priorities of the Consortium
  • Provide input and recommendations to the PALS office
  • Approve and review the formation and charges of policy groups and task forces
  • Create, review, and/or approve consortium-wide policy
  • Build and maintain communication in the Consortium

Representation

Any employee of a MnPALS member library is eligible to serve on the Consortium Board. Membership should consist of:

  • 4 representatives for 2-year libraries (limit of one person per institution)
  • 4 representatives for 4-year libraries (limit of one person per institution)
  • 2 representatives for state and special libraries (limit of one person per institution)
  • 1 policy group representative per policy group (currently: ILL, Circulation, Network Zone/Cataloging)
  • Ex Officio members:
    • PALS Executive Director
    • PALS Support and Training Specialist

Board Terms

  • 2-year terms, with a maximum of 4 consecutive years
    • Elections occur at the spring gathering
    • Terms begin September 1

*For the first year of Board elections, use staggered terms of 1 and 2 years

Board Positions

  • The Board selects a Chair-elect at the first fall meeting
  • Chair serves one year
  • Chair-elect serves one year as Chair-elect and one year as Chair
  • Chair rotates among 2-year, 4-year, and state agency/special libraries
  • Secretary duties provided by PALS (ex-officio)

Member Roles & Responsibilities

  • Board Representatives: represent and communicate with their constituency groups
  • Board Chair: Sets agenda and chairs meetings
  • Board Chair-elect: Chairs meetings in absence of Chair
  • Secretary: Sets up online meetings, takes notes, distributes notes after meetings

Meetings & Events

The Board will hold a minimum of two meetings per year

  • Meeting schedule for the year will be finalized by the Board at the first fall meeting
  • Meetings can be held as long as a simple majority of Board members is present in order to advance the work of the Board
  • A voting quorum is a two-thirds majority of Board members
  • The Board will work with PALS to organize membership meetings and events
  • Meeting minutes will be taken by a PALS staff member

Consortium Engagement Opportunities

Policy Groups

Current policy groups are Circulation, Interlibrary Loan, and Network Zone/Cataloging. Additional policy groups can be created with Board approval.

Purpose

To create and review consortium-wide policies

Representation

  • Any employee of a MnPALS member library is eligible to serve on a Policy Group
  • Consists of a minimum of 1 member each (2 year, 4 year, and state/special, if applicable)
  • One member of each policy group will serve on the Board to represent policy group interests
  • Policy groups will have at least one formal PALS staff liaison

Member Roles & Responsibilities

  • Represent library type in creation and review of policies

Meetings & Events

  • As needed

Task Forces

Purpose

Task Forces conduct defined investigations that further the mission or clarify operations of the Consortium. The Board establishes Task Forces.

Representation

  • Any employee of a MnPALS member library is eligible to serve on a Task Force
  • Varies by need; may be determined in charge
  • No formal liaisons from Board or PALS staff are required, but they may be appointed as needed
  • Task Forces are not represented on the Board

Member Roles & Responsibilities

  • As determined by charge
  • Report back to the Board as required/requested

Meetings & Events

  • As needed to fulfill charge

Interest Groups

Purpose

Established for communication and exploration focusing on areas of common interest, which may be a product, subject specialty, or topic. Any member of a MnPALS library can form an Interest Group.

  • Any employee of a MnPALS member library is eligible to participate in an Interest Group
  • PALS staff are welcome to participate, but not required

Member Roles & Responsibilities

  • Report to the Board if needed

Meetings & Events

  • As needed

Proposed: 9/16/2021 | Adopted: 11/4/2021

PALS

Minnesota State University, Mankato
3022 Memorial Library
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507.389.2000

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