NOBLE

MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION MEETING

AT NOBLE

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

 

PRESENT: Sixteen libraries were represented at the meeting, attendance sheet attached.

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Linda Hummel-Shea called the meeting to order at 10:00.  Introductions were done.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Martha Holden made a motion to approve Minutes from June 14, 2007 meeting.  Lorraine Jackson seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. 

 

VOTE TO ELECT NEW TREASURER:

Due to Mary Rose Quinn’s resignation in August, a treasurer needs to be elected for the remainder of the term, Linda Hummel-Shea reported.  Doug Rendell, assistant treasurer, was nominated by Executive Board at their August meeting.  Linda opened the floor for additional nominations, there were none.  Vote was unanimous to elect Doug Rendell.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Ron reported the budget report of June 30, 2007, was superseded by information in the budget documents, which includes FY2007 bills paid after July 1.  Some FY2008 budget items were adjusted by Executive Board at their September meeting.  A new report was not presented.

 

MANAGERS’ REPORT:

Ron Gagnon –

·         Continuing education for NOBLE staff and training for library staff is a priority this year.

·         The recent Network Administrators meeting focused on the distribution of Telecommunication & Resource Sharing funds.  Figures based on information provided by the networks were presented by Paul Kissman of the MBLC.  NOBLE will receive $214,600, which is approximately $3,000 more than last year.

·         Our accountant, Bob Guimond, has begun site work for FY 2007 audit.

·         Ron and Martha attended the Virtual Catalog Governance and Users meeting.  There was concern about whether the product would continue when Sirsi bought out Dynix.  Sirsi Dynix has committed to continue to develop the URSA product.  The group is sending out RFP’s to networks to maintain the system the Virtual Catalog is housed on.  The contract fee is $40,000.  NOBLE reviewed it and decided not to respond due to the full time coverage and support that is required.

 

Elizabeth Thomsen –

·         Reviewed upcoming meeting schedule. Reference Roundtable and Introduction to Create Lists held earlier this month.  Annual Circ Review meeting and WordPress coming up.  On October 30th NOBLE libraries are invited to a session at EBSCO.  On November 1st Mediawiki Session, covering the open source software written for Wikipedia.  Collection Day on November 8th, 10-2.  There will be a schedule of events posted.  More information is on the Staff Information System for all sessions.

·         Visiting libraries doing “EBSCO Tune-ups”.  Assisting staff with configurations, training, etc.

·         In the Action Plan libraries are entitled to two half days of on site training – can be any topic.

·         Reminded directors that NOBLE staff will do “Welcome to NOBLE” for new staff.

·         Working on moving Staff Information System to WordPress.

·         Reorganized how the Introduction to Create Lists sessions are done – training room configured differently.  Sessions will have less material and fewer attendees.

·         Working on using courseware software package for training.

·         Held small training session before the Reference Roundtable meeting to show topic of interest that can’t devote 30 minutes of discussion to during the meeting.  This idea was received very well.

·         Work continues on the Digital Library.  Martha installed DSpace, open source software used to store and manage digital collections, running on the new server.  Items have been added.  Demo of system is planned at next month’s Members Meeting.

Members of the Corporation Meeting                                                                             Page 2

September 27, 2007

 

 

·         October 25th NOBLE staff participating in Digital Day at Holy Cross, a project of the Digital Commonwealth.  Ron and Elizabeth are speaking.  Ron stated NOBLE is sponsoring member so our libraries can sign up at member rate.

·         Gave an update on the Working Groups.

 

Martha Driscoll –

·         Continues to work on migrating our existing four servers onto the new server.  Will be moving web and email servers over in the next few weeks.  Purchased new version of Brightmail Antispam that includes virus protection on the server, which will catch viruses at the server from being delivered to email.  Ron added still need antivirus on PC’s. 

 

PRESENTATION OF FY 2009 BUDGET:

The budget package was sent to directors for review prior to today’s meeting.  Budget is presented at this meeting with vote taking place at October meeting.  Budget was approved by Executive Board.  Ron did Powerpoint presentation.  A 1% increase in assessments is proposed – no increase over last two years. Coming in under the CPI for 5 years and meeting it this year.  Below are summarized highlights of the presentation:

 

Stabilizing Costs Factors:

·         Replaced HVAC Units

·         MBLC Level funded

·         Level rent – lower than FY 2006

·         FY 2007 Surplus: Verizon (still under billed), record enhancement, utilities

 

Chart with Costs Distribution:

·         45% Personnel

·         36% III & Network Maintenance, and Data Line

·         Remaining is for site, office administration, staff PC’s, audit, legal, MARC records, continuing education, PC/Server upgrades, capital contribution

·         Trend over past three years are personnel and III & Network costs continue to increase. Three year maintenance server contract will expire in FY 2009, therefore additional cost.

 

New Initiatives:

·         Re-appropriated the $48,000 funds for Federated Search to proposed new MLS position to assist with cataloging and implement new technologies. Executive Board is still establishing position details.

·         Rolling out NOBLE Digital Library with server grant from Danversbank.

 

New Horizons:

·         Catalog 2.0 Interface

·         Open Source

·         More interconnections

·         Keep staff up to date

·         Enough staff to support

 

Concerns:

·         Membership stability

·         Cost of keeping current services and infrastructure

·         Increasing speed of development.

·         Internet bandwidth

·         Insurance costs

·         Energy costs

Members of the Corporation Meeting                                                                             Page 3

September 27, 2007

 

Contingency Fund:

·         Balance is $675,000 which represents approximately 6 months operational costs.

 

Capital Fund:

·         Balance $855,107.  Put aside for future upgrades and large expenditures.

·         Lease decision and system upgrade in 2-3 years.

·         LSTA is sole source of MBLC grant funding.  More used by MBLC for operating costs, therefore reducing network funds.

·         Reduced contribution for FY 2009 by $8,800.  More coming from CD interest.

 

Other Programs:

·         EBSCO contract increase 5%.

·         PC Support cost increase less than 5%, $5 per PC, due to new software and increasing transportation costs.

 

Linda Hummel-Shea added there was much discussion at Executive Board about whether to have increase or not.  Felt needed to assess small increase with many unknown factors.  

 

Alyce Deveau asked what would happen if Saugus doesn’t pay their member fee.  Ron explained Executive Board would review the current budget and adjust line items.  Libraries will not be reassessed.

 

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT YOU?

Elizabeth did overhead presentation on web sites that post reviews of libraries through Web 2.0. Links are on SIS www.noblenet.org/sis/saying.html

 

Yelp – online guide of reviews about places, libraries, restaurants.  Events and reviews are posted by anyone.

Student School Reviews - reviews posted by students on colleges and other schools

Boston.com – another site that lists venues events, is integrated and connected to the Boston Globe

Upcoming Events – a Yahoo service where any event can be posted.  Libraries can list there events.

 

More Places to Look:

Check web sites for info that is posted by other people because information not always accurate.  Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, Flickr.  News alerts can be set up when something is posted on your library.    

 

MBLC BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING:

Linda explained on October 4th the MA Board of Library Commissioners is having a public hearing on their FY 2009 state budget request.  Input on libraries needs is requested for the meeting.  Ron will be attending the meeting on behalf of NOBLE.  Need to get libraries and regions more recognized as a need of more funding.  Ron distributed a handout with MBLC Legislative Agenda Budget request, prior year funding and cherry sheet information.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Alyce Deveau made a motion to adjourn.  Martha Holden seconded the motion.  The meeting adjourned at 12:00.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Karen Pangallo

Secretary