SCLS Home Committees Home JTC Home Search

Joint Technology Committee (JTC) Minutes

April 26, 2007

Present: Mary Adler (MFD), Andy Barnett (MCM), Lauren Blough (SCLS), Phyllis Davis (SCLS), Tana Elias (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)

• The agenda was approved.
  

• The minutes from the January 9, 2007 meeting were approved.
  

• Updates from the last meeting:

• The LSTA 2007 technology grant funds have been released, so we've been working on buying materials for the grants. We purchased a PS2 game console and 2 games, as well as a selection of gadgets, and plan to get a Wii game console later this year. Gadget training is scheduled for July 17, 18, 19 and will allow people to try iPods, Palms, mp3 players, a GPS handheld, and more. The patron technical training funds will soon be available for libraries to request. Adams County will be the partner for the next local history digitization project.
  
  
• DOPA was reintroduced and may have passed the House. It will probably pass the Senate as well.
  
  
• SCLS Administration technology position:
  
  
  • The Library Electronic Resources Support Specialist position was not filled, and SCLS administration is considering next steps.
    
    
• LSTA 2008 Brainstorm Ideas
  
  
  • Technology Block Grant and Digitization grants will probably be available. In July we'll finalize and submit the grant. Possible ideas suggested by the group include:
    
    
    • Another round of county local history digitization projects
    • Ideas from the new ILS
    • Extend the gadget and games collections
    • Windows networking projects
    • LibraryThing accounts through LibraryThing for Libraries
      
      
• Are you interested in…
  
  
• Stef asked whether people were interested in adding the download capability for NetLibrary titles in PDF format, since the price has decreased significantly. Opinions may depend on whether there are download limitations, whether titles can be printed and/or have some kind of DRM. We may want to ask the Citizen Technology Group whether they would be interested.
  
  
• Current SCLS technology projects

• Overdrive: Video is here and Dan has updated the FAQ wiki.
  

• Library Online: Lodi Woman's Club PL and Brodhead Memorial PL both got Library Online within the last 2 weeks, and it has been going swimmingly.
  

• IM Reference: Stoughton has gotten 3 IM contacts or so. They log in Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm plus whenever they're able. The Library is also teaching the city government staff about IM.

• Citizen Technology Board: The March question was about blogs and feed aggregators, and got 30 responses. Nichole posted the results (pdf) on the SCLS web site. We need ideas for future topics, so please send your suggestions to Nichole. One idea would be the NetLibrary downloadable option discussed above.
  
  
• OCLC and Worldcat: Stef saw a demonstration of the OCLC link resolver that is very promising. OCLC is also working on refining the zip code search in Worldcat.
  
  
• Databases: Work to promote the reference databases is continuing by the PR committee.
  

• LINK: Most people have heard that the Horizon migration has been called off and LINK is exploring different ILS options. Automation is rolling out patron PCs with XP to replace NT, and installs are scheduled through June. Monona, Verona and Oregon are adding self-check machines.
  
  
• Programming wiki: SLCS is seeking a library staff member volunteer to help advise on a project to create some sort of wiki to share adult and youth services programming ideas.
  
  
• Potpourri
  
  
  • Madison: E*vanced has been online for about a month. They've seen a 15% patron registration rate for programs. Tana is working on setting up a web site for the MPL Foundation and has been talking to area web design professionals. They are about 1/3 done converting their reference bookmarks to del.icio.us, and once they're done they will feed those links into their web pages.
    
    
  • Stoughton: Marilyn and the circulation manager visited self-check stations at other libraries and talked to technical services staff. Visits to Verona and Mount Horeb are planned. The library is doing a space needs assessment that looks forward to 2030, and public forums are being conducted. Next week their LINK machines will be converted to XP.
    
    
  • Middleton: They are considering putting up an LCD screen that could run a powerpoint slide show of library events and news. They have gone to open holds, and many more people use the self-check, but often leave their cards behind by accident. They print out a hold slip and insert it in the book, then place the book spine-down. They recently held a web survey that drew some (4-5) responses about privacy concerns about open holds. Excel classes are very popular, and the public is interested in Access but probably have very specific needs. Sarah is thinking about teaching a class on LibraryThing this summer.
    
    
  • Herzing: Preparations are underway for information literacy training, and regular maintenance is underway.
    
    
  • Lodi: Library Online arrived on Monday as mentioned above. They also bought a receipt printer that will replace the old rubber-stamp method. Trish's connection to the newspaper has been profitable for the library in terms of getting the library story out there, and they're discussing these changes in terms of improved customer service. They are rearranging their floor space. Trish is teaching Excel classes on the brand new wireless lab, and patrons are really jazzed about it.
    
    
  • McMillan: Their new wireless outdoor sign is working after setting the record for tech problems. The new sign is much more visible than the old metal sign. They also started loaning earbuds to people (and wiping them with Clorox Wipes between patrons).
    
    
  • PCPL: Planning for more patron PCs in the adult area. Community-wide wireless for Century's customers and schoolchildren is planned, but the library is apprehensive because
    
    
  • Marshfield: 19 new computers are arriving to replace patron PCs. All the CRT monitors have been replaced with LCDs. The library is also getting new lights. Lori is getting married over the weekend, but the library will remain open for business.
    

Next meeting date: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 1 PM. Beth Huwe volunteered to take notes.

Recorder: Nichole Fromm -- South Central Library System

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

SCLS Home | Committees Home | JTC Home