PRESENT: John Beauregard, Tom Cesarz, Patrick Cloherty, Jr., Camilla Glynn, Deirdre Hanley, Marjorie Hill-Devine, Dennis Kelley, Douglas Rendell and Bonnie Strong.

Doug called the meeting to order at 9:15 am.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Camilla Glynn moved acceptance of the minutes from June 10, 1998. Tom Cesarz seconded and it was voted unanimously.

3. TREASURER’S REPORT

Tom Cesarz presented the Treasurer’s Report as of June 30. It was not yet final due to the need to add an additional payroll period and pay Geac’s quarterly maintenance. Ron noted that Geac was still willing to do the upgrade to Release 2.6 at no charge in October when it is released.

4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT—Ron Gagnon

Ron reported that he is in the process of reviewing and revising the part-time troubleshooter position, looking to refocus from resetting terminals to emphasize ongoing work and less phone work. Martha developed a method for libraries to be able to reset their own ports, so people on site could be freed to do other tasks. They are also exploring some way of utilizing a pager or a cell phone to monitor things when no one is physically at the Central Site. The goal is to expand services and provide increased coverage.

Some of the pc’s were upgraded or their use changed. The Ebsco character cell server was no longer needed so it has become an email and Web catalog interface.

NOBLE received funds from the Northeast Region to provide use of the training room. That seems to be going well.

Ron has learned that Merrimac College is interested in joining NOBLE, as is Ruth Hooten at Bradford College. Dee wondered about the State Library, which is also apparently interested. Marjorie suggested that NOBLE have a coffee and invited interested potential members to chat about their plans.

5. GRANT UPDATE—Ron Gagnon


Ron met briefly with Keith Fiels and Rob Maier at ALA. SACL apparently had two concerns. One was that NOBLE didn’t go through a formal RFP process, although this was not identified as a requirement. Second is that the Board is looking for an all pc system, which Ron thinks is a false issue because III can use both terminals and pcs.

Marjorie mentioned that she and Deb Abraham were getting together to discuss pc purchases for the new system, and anyone could attend that meeting. Ron offered NOBLE’s assistance.

6. CAPITAL FUND—Ron Gagnon

Ron introduced a proposed Year 2000 policy in part because our line of credit with Danvers Savings Bank requires one. John Beauregard moved that the Board adopt the Year 2000 policy as presented. Camilla Glynn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Ron then explained that our funds are kept in one account, although we have been regarding some of the funds as capital funds, especially surplus funds from previous fiscal years as well as funds budgeted in both the FY 98 and FY 99 budgets as capital funds. He recommended putting all of this in a separate account and adding to it during the year as funds are collected in the regular payment process. It would also be good to be able to track that money clearly. Marjorie Hill-Devine made a motion that $123,402 as identified be transferred into a capital account. Camilla Glynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

7. PUBLIC LIBRARY BID—Pat Cloherty and Ron Gagnon

The bid for the NOBLE public library services was conducted by the Salem purchasing agent and was opened July 8. The possibility of doing a three-year bid will be investigated, with a survey sent to all public libraries.


8. ADJOURNMENT

Dennis Kelley moved adjournment at 11:40. Tom Cesarz seconded and it passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie J. Strong

Secretary