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Frequently Asked Questions on Clustering


 

Why have clusters?
Why make the clusters this way?
Will the clusters ever change?
Do clusters apply to workgroups?
How do the clusters communicate?
What if a library wants to leave a cluster and join another one?

 

Why have clusters?

With representative governance, we need to have some way to group libraries.  Each group of libraries has a representative on the appropriate committees.

Why make the clusters this way?

Some of our goals for the clustering are:

  • To have the clustering system be easy to understand.
  • To have one system of clustering for the Administrative Council and the 3 committees (Delivery Committee, ILS Committee, Technology Committee).
  • To have the clusters be semi-geographical.  Cluster members are more likely to know one another if they are closer together geographically, and being close together facilitates getting together face-to-face if a cluster chooses to do so.

Will the clusters ever change?

Yes.  Clusters will be re-evaluated every two years.  The Administrative Council is charged with re-evaluating and re-distributing clusters.  However, anyone is welcome to come speak to the Administrative Council if they have concerns about a proposed change in clustering.

Do clusters apply to workgroups?

No.  Workgroups are comprised of whatever library representation is appropriate to the workgroup.  Workgroup members do not need to be committee members. 

How do the clusters communicate?

Each cluster has an email list to use for communication.  If a representative chooses, he or she can develop additional means of communication, but the email list should be the primary mechanism.

What if a library wants to leave a cluster and join another one?

Libraries would not be permitted to leave a cluster and join another one.

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