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Reference Committee

Meeting Minutes—June 17 , 2008

Present: Mary Adler (MFD), Tana Elias (MAD), Jack Faulkner-Becker (STP), Amy Sabo (NGL), Jaime Vache (STO), Cheryl Becker (SCLS), Kerri Hilbelink (SCLS), Jean Anderson (SCLS).

1. Notetaker: Amy Sabo (NGL).
   
   
2. Changes to agenda: None.
   
   
3. Minutes of March meeting: Approved.
   
   
4. News and Updates: 
   
   
   1. Results of Database Survey.  Of the 52 member libraries, all but 3 responded.  The results:
      
      
      • The following databases will continue to be available systemwide in 2009, and all libraries will pay for them: Ancestry Library, Heritage Quest, LearningExpress Library, and NoveList.
      • LRC will be retained, most libraries will continue to pay, and SCLS will pick up the cost difference.
      • RefUSA Business will be available only for those 29 libraries that voted to continue to pay for it. Cheryl is renegotiating the price for these 29 libraries.
        
        
   2. EBSCOhost Visual Search is now available.
      
      
   3. EBSCOhost redesign ("2.0") will be implemented in July (no hard date has been set). A “test drive” link is available from within EBSCOhost databases.
      
      
   4. NetLibrary patron driven acquisition technology titles.  The LSTA funds for this project have been spent. The titles that were not purchased have been removed.
      
      
   5. Gale Virtual Reference Library. There was not enough interest to pursue this further.
      
      
   6. LearningExpress Library promotional PowerPoint should be available by the end of the summer.
      
      
   7. Gale webinars are available for training and product previews.
      
      
   8. Cheryl is working on setting up auto repair trials for the month of July.
      
      
   9. BrainFuse and Tutor.com offer live help; interested libraries might pursue LSTA "Innovative Use of Technology" funds.
      
      
5. New procedures, guidelines, etc. for adding databases:
   
   
   1. Process: Instead of reviewing each database after 3 years, the survey will be repeated every 3 years.
      
   2. Survey: Responding to Question #10 (yes/no indicating interest in subscribing to database) will be required, and this should simplify the results.
   3. Procedures, guidelines: The library initiating the request will get the survey results and will discuss with other interested libraries. Interest in database trials can be communicated to Cheryl and added to the agenda. These guidelines will be posted on the SCLS webpage.
      
      
6. How to indicate that some databases are not available system-wide.  We should start thinking about this now in preparation for January.
   
   
   • One option would be adding a footnote to those libraries in the database list that aren’t available at all libraries (and indicate which libraries have them.)
   • Another option would be to add an intermediary page (between the databases page and the actual database) that would list the subscribing libraries. This page could also give details about remote vs. in-library access.
     The "problems with log-on" section could detail the remote access issue as well.
   • The committee agreed that a database would be listed on the SCLS “online resources” page if more than half of the member libraries are subscribers.
   • While only the patrons of a subscribing library would have remote access to a database, anyone can visit a subscribing library to use a database in-house, and patrons should be made aware of this.
   • Subscribing libraries need to determine which, if any, surrounding townships/municipalities they will define as their patrons for the purpose of allowing remote access.
   • Listing all databases to which member libraries subscribe might be useful as well; a patron may opt to visit another library to use a particular database in-house.
   • RefUSA might be a good test of these issues, since just over half of SCLS libraries chose to continue their subscriptions.
   • What if libraries change their minds about wanting to subscribe to a particular database (and want to subscribe to something they had said they didn’t)?  Maybe they can be added when the contracts are re-negotiated for the next year. Cheryl will think about and look into this.
     
     
7. Discussion topic: Children's Reference service
   
   

• Do kids typically go to children's area or reference desk with their reference questions?   Answers varied, and the physical layout of the library seems to make a big difference. 
• To what extent are the youth services librarians made aware of databases that can help with kids' questions? Several libraries suggested that communication between reference and youth services staff could be improved, and that we’d like to see youth services staff suggest databases for SCLS libraries to trial.
• Suggestions:    Sending a note about database trial process to KidsList, having a speaker at a Youth Services meeting to discuss how various databases apply to kids, and trying to get a Youth Services librarian on the Reference Committee.
  
  

8. Update on MFD and privacy at the Reference Desk (from last meeting).  Mary reported that they have addressed the issue she mentioned at the last meeting by the creative use of furniture and signage. 
   

Next meeting: September 16, 2008.

Amy Sabo, Note taker

For more information about the Reference Committee, contact Cheryl Becker.

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