NOBLE Executive Board meeting

November 8, 2006

@ NOBLE

 

I.  Call to Order: President Sue Koronowski called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

 

In Attendance: Sue Koronowski, Dennis Kelley, Elisabeth Tully, Doug Rendell, Linda Hummel-Shea, Mary Rose Quinn, Karen Pangallo Martha Holden , NOBLE- Executive Director Ron Gagnon, NOBLE Member Services Manager Elizabeth Thomsen and NOBLE Systems Manager Martha Driscoll.  Also in attendance were Directors Nadine Mitchell of the Lynn Public Library and Pat Cirone of the Beverly Public Library. 

 

II.  Approval of Minutes: A Motion to approve Minutes of October Executive Board meeting was forwarded by  Doug Rendell, seconded by Elisabeth Tully, and unanimously approved.

 

III.  Executive Director’s Report:

 

Super Search – Elizabeth Thomsen is conducting library site visits for training and promotion of the Super Search product. There is a survey being added to the NOBLE website for users that will provide space for comments as well.  Elizabeth reported that many academic libraries, and public libraries with multiple databases are considering using the Journal List included in the Super Search interface to replace the EBSCO A-Z list that they had been subscribing to separately.  Initial cost estimates of adding additional database journal titles to the Super Search Journal List indicate that the cost of switching over to the Super Search list is cost effective for most. Gale products continue to present issues with search limiters.  Elizabeth will use the feedback she obtains from users in her grant report that is due at the end of November.  Ron noted that promotional materials for the Super Search product will be distributed to libraries shortly.

 

Demoulas Grant – Ron reported that he has not yet heard about the status of his application to Danvers Savings Bank for $5,000 for the digital library initiative.  In the meantime he has applied for funding also to the Demoulas Foundation, that is supported by the Demoulas grocery store chain.  Doug Rendell offered to contact a representative at Danvers Savings Bank to see if he can obtain the current status of the NOBLE grant application.

 

TIAA-CREF – Last year NOBLE encouraged staff to increase their contributions to their own retirement accounts as NOBLE increased its contributions on behalf of employees.  Seven staff members requested kits for contributions.

 

Release 2006 – Release 2006 was implemented yesterday without problems.  The most significant upgrade is the 13 digit ISBN enabling.  NOBLE staff are reviewing and testing nine pages of enhancements and will determine which of those are applicable for NOBLE use.  Staff members are also investigating hold & transit slip enhancements.  These will require that libraries have receipt printers.

 

E-rate – Martha Driscoll and Ron Gagnon met with Verizon to discuss our options.  NOBLE will try to take advantage of a window of opportunity that opens next week (closes early-February).  Ron would like to replace our old frame-relay library network with Ethernet protocol technology.  This would give us new technology and increased bandwidth at roughly the same cost.  Ron will investigate whether we can obtain substantial Internet cost savings as well by switching to Verizon at the same time.

 

NMRLS Opportunity – Ron reported that NMRLS is looking for web server / Internet provider.  Ron is considering the idea of providing a quote for this service.

 

NELINET- Ron reported that NELINET sponsored a meeting of their consortium members to smooth over some of the membership issues that have been problematic.  The cost of consortium membership is high and NOBLE was forced to upgrade to consortium membership this year at an increased rate.  Members are also trying to persuade NELINET to lower costs of courses and workshops for members.  These are viewed by members as often prohibitively high.

 

Holiday Schedule – Ron requested that the Executive Board approve two half-day floating holidays for NOBLE staff in lieu of providing a half-day holiday on the working day before the full holiday.  Because Christmas and New Year’s fall on Monday, it makes more sense to offer floating half-day holidays than to close early on the previous Friday.  The Executive Committee agreed.

 

Network Administrators – Ron and Martha will attend a meeting of network administrators tomorrow.  Among other items, they will discuss Atrion wireless and virtual catalog software.

 

Meeting Date Change – The meeting schedule approved previously by the Executive Board denoted April 5, 2007 as the Executive Board meeting date to accommodate the scheduling of Legislative Day that was tentatively scheduled for the 4th, our regularly scheduled date.  In the meantime, MLA was unable to get facilities for the 4th of April.  Ron requested that the Executive Board change the meeting date back  to the 4th so that it reflects our regular meeting schedule.  Executive Board agreed.

 

Wakefield Web Redesign  - NOBLE won the competitive bid process instituted by Wakefield to  secure a designer for website redesign.

 

Other

  • NOBLE will participate in MBLC database procurement process “Behind the Screens”
  • Elizabeth Thomsen encouraged members to participate in CODfest – info is on NOBLE SIS .   Survey responses will help determine what electronic resources should be licensed by the MBLC from July 2007 through June 2012
  • NOBLE will not apply for funding in next LSTA project, but will wrap up existing grant projects.
  • Executive Board requested that NOBLE provide a list of the Release 2006 enhancements noting precisely which enhancements do/do not apply to NOBLE libraries.

 

IV.  Non-circulating Customer Cards – NOBLE staff presented a proposal in response to libraries’ comments that many people have difficulty obtaining library cards because of difficulty in obtaining proof of residence.  NOBLE policy requires proof of residency for library card registration.  NOBLE offered the option of providing a library card that requires limited registration information (to be determined by NOBLE) and that may be used for PC registration and electronic resources, but not for circulation of materials – scope of activity to be determined by Ptype.  The card could be easily upgraded to include circulation privileges at any time that full registration information (i.e. proof of address) is provided by patron.  The Executive Board with input from Nadine Mitchell and Pat Cirone discussed many related issues including criteria used for determining patron addresses; the advisability of implementing a “two-tiered” card system; the benefit, if any, of assigning an alternate label for the reduced-privilege card; API authentication facility for limiting use of PC resources based on for example fines or fees.  After lengthy discussion Doug Rendell forwarded a Motion to approve the “Non-Circulation Cards” Policy as presented by NOBLE.  Martha Holden seconded the Motion that was unanimously approved.  Ron Gagnon will follow up with NOBLE legal counsel to determine whether there are any legal issues that we should be aware of.  The Policy will be brought up for a vote at the next Members Meeting.  Ron reminded the Executive Board that libraries’ participation in this initiative will be voluntary.

 

V.  Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Mary Rose Quinn distributed the Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2006.  Doug Rendell forwarded a Motion to Approve the Treasurer’s Report that was seconded by Karen Pangallo and unanimously approved.

 

VI.  CALEA – Ron explained the history of CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act) that was originally adopted in 1994. New proposed regulations regarding the Internet and FBI access will very likely affect library networks and may or may not have implications for individual libraries.  Basically the law was designed to provide law enforcement officers a “back door” into public networks to enable the facilitation of wiretaps by federal law enforcement agents.  The burden of providing technology and 24/7 staffing to support law enforcement monitoring as enacted, falls upon the networks.  Because the NOBLE network provides connectivity with public networks via the Internet and because NOBLE’s  service is contracted by a public entity (UMASS). NOBLE would likely be considered to be subject to CALEA mandates.  Any changes to hardware and software that would enable FBI monitoring would be costly and involved.  At this point Ron urged libraries to be aware of the implications that this may present in the future, but he does not recommend any immediate action.  Deadline for compliance is May 2007 or within 90 days’ notice.

 

VII.  Strategic Planning Update – Ron is still looking for a facilitator for the Strategic Planning Process.  Ideally the process will begin in January.  Members are encouraged to  offer any suggestions or recommendations for facilitators to Ron as soon as possible.  Of the three candidates originally recommended, two cannot commit to the project and one is doubtful at the present time.

 

 

 

 

VIII.  Working Groups – All working groups have recently approved meeting schedules with the exception of the Resource Sharing Working Group that will meet on November 20 and will finalize a schedule at that time.  Elizabeth Thomsen reported that the Collection Management Working Group is preparing two presentations – one for public libraries, another for academics – that will focus on selection methodology, special collection and budgetary issues.  The Collection Management Team is taking a “member-to-member” approach to this year’s activities -  an approach Elizabeth thinks will be effective.

 

IX.  Members’ Meeting – November’s Meeting of the Members will be held on November 16 at Merrimack College in North Andover in the Sakowich Campus Center.  The NMRLS Annual Meeting will take place immediately after at noon in the building next door – Cascia Hall.  Ron noted that Elisabeth Tully has graciously offered to present at the Members’ Meeting, a program on serving “millennials” – those born after 1981. Additional staff members are welcome to attend as this presentation will provide information that is valuable to all member libraries.  The full agenda will be available on the website.

 

 

Adjournment- 4:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

Martha Holden, Secretary