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Joint Technology Committee (JTC) Minutes

July 24, 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), Deb McCabe (STP), Rob Mader (MFD), Stef Morrill (SCLS), Trish Priewe (LDI), Cheryl Zobel (MTH)

• Agenda approved.
  
  
• Minutes of the April 26, 2007 meeting were approved.
  
  
• Updates from the last meeting:
  
  
• SCLS Administration technology positions
  
  
• Kerri Hilbelink has joined the staff as Electronic Resources Support Specialist.
  
  
• LSTA 2007
  
  
• Technology titles in NetLibrary: can now be evaluated by patrons.
  
  
• In-house library staff technology training: SCLS is working with Herzing College to find technology trainers.
  
  
• Patron technology training: $9000 was set aside, about $3000 has been requested. Libraries can request up to $500 each to provide direct training to patrons. Some barriers to the training were discussed - difficulty finding trainers, patrons wanting 1:1 on-demand training rather than a class, difficulty staffing extra hours, simply publicizing the funding to libraries. Speaking to "captive audiences" such as Chambers of Commerce, student and job counselors, etc. is quite effective.
  
  
• Gadget training: First round of training was last week, and 80 people were trained. SCLS hopes to do more in the next few months.
  
  
• Game console and games: are available for libraries to borrow.
  
  
• Digitization of a local county history title: Adams County is working on their title.
  
  
• Automation: funds set aside for Horizon will need to be repurposed and may include:
  
  
  • High-end PCs for lab testing
    
    
  • Anti-virus software
    
    
  • WebPAC server replacement
    
    
    
• LSTA 2008 Technology Grant
  
  
  • More local digitization projects
    
    
    • Stef is looking for suggestions of materials to digitize. Andy said most of McMillan's materials are already done. Carol said Madison is looking for funding because they are no longer eligible for the grant they received last year. She encourages other libraries to apply for those LSTA funds because the UW makes the process easy for libraries, though the results are often not easy to navigate for the user. Membership costs & benefits of WHO were discussed. The fund proposal was approved.
      
      
  • Testing an interactive wiki/database with LINK and database searching tips: a more robust solution for patron help was discussed, and approved.
    
    
  • Upgrading the Library Online server: approved.
    
    
  • Accessible workstation upgrade: No one has ever used a trackball. Otherwise the proposal was approved.
    
    
  • LINK projects: will go through LINK committees first.
    
    
• Are you interested in …
  
  
• Temporary online registration for online resources/databases
  
  
  • If someone without a library card wanted to use a library database remotely, they could fill out an online form. Then the system could verify their address in the Post Office database and issue a card valid for 2 weeks (or some length of time) for accessing the databases.
    
    
  • This would be easy from a programming standpoint, but...
    
    
  • Some policy issues would need to be addressed - various ways of scamming the system, demand from (non)-patrons for this service, vendor complaints about more open access, etc.
    
    
  • Tana observed that the library that did this pilot project found their usage go up, from people who would not normally use the library.
    
    
  • Phyllis said she would not like us to fail to consider this as an option just because of the potential for abuse.
    
    
  • Potential for using IP address authentication a la BadgerLink (a very labor-intensive process) was discussed.
    
    
  • Stef will start by checking with database vendors and thinking about IP authentication.
    

• Current SCLS Technology Projects
  
  
• Lauren: Vicky Teal-Lovely and Julie Chase met with ILS vendors at ALA. There is no one product that appeals broadly to LINK. Open source solutions may be considered.
  
  The first round of WinLAN patron PC replacements will be finished August 9.
  
  The PC Technician II hiring process is almost complete.
  
  Slow response time has been reported on some patron XP machines, and might be the result of large downloads.
  
  
• Nichole: SCLS Administration is working on upgrading Library Online to version 3.4. Monroe PL is now up on Library Online.
  
  
• Stef: SCLS is starting a new Technology Plan process and may be asking JTC for assistance.
  
  
• Phyllis: The SCLS admin office is getting new telephones because the current ones may interfere with our wireless internet signal.
  
  
  
• Potpourri
  
  
• Madison: is trying to come up with base competencies for staff. Experienced staff have been asked to make a list of what they think their coworkers most need to know. Printer issues top the list, which covers things that happen at least a couple times per week. Staff can put a checkmark next to their comfort level on any given task. Training may take place 1/2 hour before the library opens. Carol will be happy to share the final checklist with JTC.
  
  Tana reported that Madison reworked their Flickr account, and is using the (password-protected) account to share photos of staff. They began an Electronic Resources committee to explore new databases and promote the ones they currently have. One simple idea is to put signs in the auto-repair area promoting Mitchell Online. Tana met with the City of Madison web services manager, and the City is borrowing MPL's look. It's hopeful that this will be a productive partnership. SEQ is starting IM reference.
  
  
• Middleton: right now does nothing with tech competencies, but has discussed staff training. Sarah is offering classes on Photobucket and LibraryThing. Nine patrons are already signed up for LibraryThing. They now let patrons sign up for updates to the library's computer training schedule, via the Middleton web site. They are looking at upgrading to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007 in spring, but there are still some issues to work out. After the upgrade, Sarah will be teaching classes on the new version.
  
  
• Mt. Horeb: has a checklist of competencies for staff. Staff review the list when hired and at 6 months. They are currently short-staffed.
  
  
• Baraboo: is looking at shortening Library Online time limits because of the high usage in summer. Several staff members attended gadget training, and they may decide to buy some card readers for patron PCs. They are also working on a building plan.
  
  
• Lodi: Trish is teaching 2 weeks of computer classes, as well as offering "Quick Bytes," short, on-demand 1:1 training (e.g. sign up for free email, how to find read-alikes in library databases, how to start an internet search, etc.). Several library staff members will be on hand to offer these "quick bytes." As for competencies, when Lodi hires a new person, they ask interviewees to perform some basic tech tasks. They are also remodeling their circ desk.
  
  
• Stoughton: is continuing IM reference. They keep a log of questions for other staff. Usage is up and they are considering being online for more hours. As for competencies, Marilyn is reworking a skills assessment they did in the past. She will also be recommending caller ID on the library's phones, and they'll be ordering new computers soon. Also, volunteers are still going through microfilm newspapers for birth, death and marriage dates, and Marilyn wanted to know how other libraries are making this info available for the public. MTH put it in LINK; MCM saved the Excel spreadsheet as HTML and posted it on their web site; BAR got a grant to pay someone to index the newspapers; LDI has been encouraging the local paper to start indexing. MAD suggested libraries cooperate to share their procedures for sharing obituaries.
  
  
• Marshfield: A patron offered to volunteer as a computer trainer. Mary would be interested in seeing Madison's competency checklist. MFD has a hiring checklist, and uses the hour before the library opens to do staff tech training.
  
  Rob reported that they are also adding 19 new PCs. They just began using E*vanced for scheduling. They are working with EngagedPatrons.org to get a database of their local genealogy info online.
  
  
• McMillan: has competency list from 2 years ago that they may update. The Mead-Witter Foundation used some of the library's photos in an exhibit on papermaking in the Mead-Witter House, and scanned them at high resolution for the library.
  
  
• Portage County: just added 6 internet stations to the children's area. Bob attended ALA and won a schedule3w for scheduling staff. Staff are in a bit of turmoil as painting etc. takes place.
  
  

Recorder: Nichole Fromm -- South Central Library System

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

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