WRLSWEB Network Advisory Committee Meeting
June 5, 2008
Sparta Free Library
Minutes
Members present: Patti Berglund, Jill Bjornstad, Janet Brooks,
Cindy Brown, Karen Carr, Bridget Christenson, Jim Eliason, Laurie
Erickson, David Goldfein, Judy Grant, Muriel Gunderson, Carol
Krett, Deb Lambert, Chris McArdle Rojo, David Polodna, Jeanne Rice,
Karyn Schmidt, Mary Waarvik, Rita Wachuta-Breckel, Pamela Westby
Guests: Kristen Anderson, Charles Clemence, Jeanette Crowley, Deb
Dagnon, Randy Dagnon, Noreen Fish, Myrna Paulson, Marcia Sarnowski,
Sue Stranc
Meeting was convened by Polodna at 10:07 am.
I. Greetings and Introductions/Roll Call. Roll call was taken as
indicated above.
II. Approval of minutes from April 10 Meeting: Motion by Westby,
seconded by Goldfein, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2008
meeting as presented. Carried.
III. LPL Change for Renewals: Paulson announced that La Crosse
Public Library was now allowing a second renewal. Waarvik asked if
other libraries could change the number of renewals and Goldfein
said directors can contact Deb Dagnon to make any adjustments.
IV. Pricing for 2009: Polodna announced that due to the imminent
migration to another platform, it was decided that the pricing
structure would not be changed now. Furthermore, the level of fees
would also not change for 2009. He distributed two charts that
showed the rates and various types of fees and suggested that
directors could fairly closely estimate what the 2009 fees are
likely to be. Once he gathers information on station counts for
each library and holdings in the database, he will provide each
library with the 2009 costs.
V. The Ideal Integrated Library System (ILS): Polodna began the
discussion by laying out a few rules meant to give all an
opportunity to speak, to keep the discussion informal and flowing,
yet to maintain order so comments could be heard and notes could be
taken.
Engaged discussion followed with most attendees contributing ideas
for what the ideal ILS will provide, such as:
More immediate transit status showing location and date;
Google style searching with forgiveness for incorrect spelling;
Simpler, more straight forward and user friendly search choices;
The ability to get daily (hourly) statistics and to run them from
the local library;
Notification at the moment of check-in that an item was overdue;
Flexibility in how search results are displayed (local items first,
geographical/delivery sequence, best sellers, newest arrivals,
available (checked in) items first, etc.);
Automatic check for duplicate patron registration;
A single screen with all data for patron registration;
An acquisitions module for all members;
Ability for patrons to offer purchase requests;
More expansive short bibliographic record;
A visual approach to searching (icons, pictures) with a more
intuitive subject search;
Avoidance of library jargon and terminology;
Ability for patrons to make bibliographies, lists of items read,
and have a personal notes file;
The same catalog for both staff and patrons;
More efficient way to determine the last two borrowers;
Ability to go directly from the item record to the bibliographic
record;
Ability for the patron to select the specific volume, series
number, etc. that they want, as well as the ability to determine
order in which reserves are received when holds are placed on
several units of a series;
A "virtual shelf" where patrons can browse backwards and forwards,
and even a virtual tour of the library showing where an item is
physically located in the building;
Recommendations of other titles a patron might enjoy (as offered in
Amazon);
A check out history, with dates, for each item;
An improved "add to cart' facility, tied to placing holds;
The ability to pay fines and fees with a credit card, and the
ability for patrons to request a reserve item be mailed to their
home;
Better way to help cataloger determine appropriate author entry;
Alerts pointing out bib records that need updating or enhancing,
and the ability for local library staff to edit catalog records;
Improved management and presentation of magazine holdings;
More prominent "place hold" button;
A general material designator for large print, and more specific
designators for AV items (e.g., DVD, Book on CD);
Ability to search for movies by actors, directors, etc.;
Ability to search using multiple parameters;
Use of biometrics to identify patrons and alleviate the need for a
card;
Ability to issue a family card, with multiple names listed in
registration;
Ability to make a quick bibliography of new arrivals;
Better, customizable statistics of all types, including withdrawn
items;
Patron added reviews;
Practical NCIP compatibility to enhance interlibrary loan;
Improved patron notification options, such as immediate
notification upon check-in -- no batching of notices;
Local library identified in phone notices;
Automated voice center to manage phone notification;
ILL and WRLSWEB holds/requests both visible to patron in one
display;
Self check out improvements;
ADA compliance and easy management;
Moderate hardware demands so local libraries do not need to replace
lots of equipment;
Voice activated searching;
Ability for patron to easily select various languages for
interaction with the ILS.
[This list is not necessarily complete and only represents notes
taken by the recorder.]
There was brief discussion about the priority of the various
suggestions/desires, but nothing formal was done to rank each item.
Technical services staff felt they had a strong sense of what the
directors wanted. Goldfein asked in conclusion which was most
important, features for patrons or features for staff. All agreed
patron friendliness was the main concern.
VI. Additional Issues or Concerns: Goldfein reported that the
timing software agreement had been approved by the city attorney
and hopefully would receive final board approval in a couple weeks.
He also noted that he will be moving some libraries to DSL
connections that have been acquired by LPL: this might not be
noticeable but hopefully will even out response times. He asked
people to report slowness. When asked what was slow, he said that
if a transaction took more than 5 seconds he should be informed.
VII. Topic for August Meeting: Polodna explained the issue related
to township level b-stats, that this topic had been suggested for
this meeting but that time wasn't going to allow that discussion,
and that all should, in the meantime, think about whether township
level b-stats were still needed, should the be eliminated or
expanded, and should they be used consistently by all members if
they do exist.
VIII. Next Meeting: August 7, 2008.
IX. Adjournment: Polodna adjourned the meeting at 11:51 am.
Respectfully submitted,
David Polodna
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