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Joint Technology Committee (JTC) Minutes

January 9, 2007

Present: Mary Adler (MFD), Meg Allen (BAR), Andy Barnett (MCM), Lauren Blough (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Tana Elias (MAD), Carol Froistad (MAD), Nichole Fromm (SCLS), Marilyn Granrud (STO), Sarah Hartman (MID), Beth Huwe (Herzing College), Dan Jacobson (SCLS), Rob Mader (MFD), Deb McCabe (STP), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Trish Priewe (LDI), Cheryl Zobel (MTH)

• The agenda was approved.
  

• The minutes from the October 10, 2006 meeting were approved.
  

• Updates from the last meeting:

• The LSTA 2007 technology grant has been approved, but the federal government has not yet acted, so there is no budget.
  
  
• DOPA died.
  
  
• SCLS Administration technology positions:
  
  
  • The draft of the job description for the Library Electronic Resources Support Specialist position was distributed.  Stef will be the management person for technology.  Nichole and Dan have added responsibilities and will be classified as Library Consultant I.  This will provide backup for all positions.
    
    
• Are you interested in…
  
  
• Andy Barnett described how he added a page about McMillan to Wikipedia.  The page has the history of the library and photos.  He cautioned people to cite their source(s).  He advised composing the piece in Word where spelling and grammar checks are easier, and then pasting the document into Wikipedia.
  
  
• WPLC has purchased a Sony eReader for demonstration.
  
  
• New York Public Library has 2 machines for printing books (in public domain) on demand at a cost of one cent per page.  Like so much new technology, it is geared directly to consumers.
  
  
• Current SCLS technology projects

• Overdrive: Statistics can now be broken down by library.  From September-December 2006, SCLS patrons checked out more than Milwaukee County Federated System, and more than 10 other systems combined.  Overdrive has asked SCLS/WPLC to remove information on their web pages about getting Overdrive recordings on to iPods, and that is being done for right now, but will be revisited at next WPLC meeting.  Lodi has found that having quarter sheet promotional information at the circulation desk has generated interest.  WPLC purchased 200 video titles.  The site itself isn’t done; launch date will be February 1st.   There is some concern about the feature titles purchased.
  

• Telus: There were over 1 million Telus bookings in SCLS in 2006.  A Telus user group meeting will be planned for March or April.  Print management has been installed at one library, and will be installed at Madison Central sometime in the near future.  There is some concern that the print process may be confusing to patrons.  Other libraries could have print management installed, if they are interested.
  
  
• Google Analytics: Available to web pages hosted by SCLS.  Contact Nichole for further information.
  

• IM Reference: Stoughton, Reedsburg, Deerfield, and Plain will be attending a half day workshop in preparation for offering IM Reference.
  

• COW: A reference subcommittee is exploring sharing useful Web sites using del.icio.us.
  

• Citizen Technology Board: The members have been surveyed on three topics this month – pre-return notices, video services, and online resources.  Stef will post the results, including comments.
  

• OPAL: Right now SCLS is unable to upgrade, so cannot offer national sessions.
  

• LINK: Year end report processing went much faster with the new Sun machine.  Candidates for the catalog position are being interviewed.  The 6-week email problem with Charter has been resolved, and LINK is now white listed so emails can go through.  Thank goodness for a good anti-virus program.  Verona will be getting self-check and Monona is interested.  Brodhead will go live on LINK in March.
  
  
• Potpourri
  
  • Marshfield: Wireless access is available and welcome.  They have a new exchange server.
    
    
  • Wisconsin Rapids: They are in the midst of re-cabling for the upstairs renovation.  They have a second Scan-Eze scanner.
    
    
  • Portage County:  The small starter collection of Playaways is populars.
    
    
  • Stoughton:  Paper notices will be eliminated Feb. 1.  A 15-minute Telus station was updated to require a library card.  There were several technology improvements to the meeting room: wireless access; a mounted multi-media projector, and mounted speakers.  They are working on IM Reference.
    
    
  • Mt. Horeb:  Everyone loves self-check.
    
    
  • Middleton:  They now have a budget line item for replacement computer parts, and are replacing all mice with optical mice.  Self-service holds will begin in March.  Three new people are helping staff the reference desk, and Sarah has developed a FAQ on html that she will share with JTC members.  They are doing more of the ILL work on OCLC, building lender strings.
    
    
  • Baraboo: They will soon have a wireless network.  Their new phone system has voice mail.
    
    
  • Madison: Training staff on the e*vanced system registration program.  2 branches will go live in February; all will go live in March.  They have started a maintenance database.  Staff submit requests online, responses are posted, and all can know what’s in the works.
    
    
  • Lodi: The wireless lab is reserved for 2 weeks for public training sessions.  Telus is coming soon.  A web site re-design is planned.  They are re-designing their front desk to have a second accessible checkout station.
    
    
  • SCLS:  The wireless lab will soon be completely replaced.  SCLS is partnering with Winnefox and OWLS to design some programs for learning new technology.
    
    
  • Madison:  They are on the cusp for Telus Print management.  They received the LSTA grant for digitization of city directories, but the monies have not yet been funded.  The third phase of cabling has been completed.

Next meeting date: Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 1 PM.

Recorder: Deb McCabe -- Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point

For more information about the Joint Technology Committee, contact Stef Morrill.

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