§ SAALCK Directors' Council Meeting
12:00 noon, February 7, 2003
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
- Present:
- Lee Van Orsdel, EKU (Chair); Arne Almquist, NKU; Larry Besant, Morehead; Mike Binder, WKU; Janet Brewer, Murray; Karen McDaniel, KSU; Mary Molinaro, UK; Hannelore Rader, U of L
- Guests:
- Daniel Rabuzzi, KYVU; Enid Wohlstein, KYVL; Terri Holtze, U of L
- Absent:
- Larry Rees, KCTCS
- Informal Discussion with Rabuzzi:
- We discussed the possibility of KYVU/KYVL acting as a coordinator of joint grant projects between SAALCK and KYVL. Rabuzzi indicated that KYVL could serve as lead and fiscal agent for such projects.
- Binder asked how this would differ from our earlier requests for KYVL to act as fiscal agent. Rabuzzi responded that due to purchasing rules, KYVL could not pass funds, regardless of where they came from, to vendors.
- Van Orsdel asked for clarification--could Rabuzzi clarify where boundaries lie between KYVL and SAALCK? How does he envision KYVL's role, scope and boundaries?
- Rabuzzi deferred the question to Wohlstein. Wohlstein: KYVL's responsibility is to get to Kentuckians as early as possible. The issues are equitable access, education/training in using databases, subject specific guides. KYVL seeks to address the needs of the P-12 population by providing resources that are targeted at the various groups, K-5, college, etc. KYVL works to build relationships with various constituencies around the state. As a resource for the state, a goal is to focus on sectors, such as public health.
- In regard to P-12, the goal is to get the kids early, building excitement toward learning that they may not get through their local library. Some of these may be directed to the university libraries. Others at least have access to KYVL resources.
- Rabuzzi: The year 2000 was important. The legislature mandated that adult literacy was a task of the CPE. 12% of KYVU students are now adult learners. KYVU is aiming toward the least advantaged citizens of the state. Statutory mandates have extended the definition of post-secondary education far beyond what its traditional meaning. KYVU continues to aid higher ed., but it is also thinking about other sectors, including the powerless and voiceless.
- Rader: Hopefully, the efforts toward K-12 are directed toward getting more people into our institutions. However, our particular client base is research-oriented. We need more expensive resources. How can we bring more of these to the state of KY by working together? Is there a need for some of these things beyond our institutions? Are they really needed by a wider audience?
- Rabuzzi: CPE will fight against anything that will reduce enrollment, and continues to be deeply engaged in Bucks for Brains. With the third round of Bucks for Brains, CPE would like to work to build support for these library resources using the research support component of the program. These funds should be targeted for extremely specialized products to support the endowed professors.
- Besant pointed out that research indicates that many of the highly specialized resources that have in the past been applied to UK or U of L for the use of a single professor, would be heavily used at the other institutions. Besant also suggested that if KYVL cannot serve as fiscal agent for SAALCK, there is not much left to talk about in terms of SAALCK/KYVL partnership. Rabuzzi indicated willingness to go back to the state procurement agency to ask again, if we could structure something for him to bring with him.
- There was discussion about the possibility of a cafeteria plan. Rabuzzi stated that if KYVL was the licensee of databases, they could be the agent. Almquist suggested that the perfect plan may be to have KYVL act as agent for a cafeteria plan with SAALCK obtaining an independent agent for SAALCK-specific databases and projects.
- Rabuzzi will go back to his financial people to see if such a cafeteria plan would be possible.
- Virtual Reference Project:
- Terri Holtze described the U of L experience. Currently, their virtual reference service is available from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. They are using Live Assistant software. The software works very easily, and has the benefit of not causing the patron or librarian to download anything (plug-ins). Her suggestion was to start with basic capabilities then grow rather than starting full-blown and pulling back. Michael Binder asked if each library needed to come to same level of experience as U of L before creating a shared service.
- ASERL/SOLINET has extended the opportunity to purchase QuestionPoint to SAALCK at a 30% discount. Any or all can buy in at this point.
- Binder suggested setting a formal discussion for the Virtual Reference Task Force. It was decided to do this at the April meeting.
- Barb Brazis:
- Have her come to our meeting rather than us going to them.
- HarpWeek Update:
- Almquist reported that he had met with John Adler and Susan Severtson of HarpWeek while at ALA Midwinter. Adler suggested that the Gheens proposal be presented in person. He is willing to come to the meeting. Letters of support have been coming in and we should be ready to schedule the meeting with Gheens in the next few weeks. Those whose letters have not been received yet were asked to try to expedite them. Those who are working with the privates were asked to remind their contacts that we need their letters.
- Next meeting:
- March 11th. The University of Louisville will pay for lunch. Barb Brazis of ProQuest will be attending the meeting. It was decided to ask her to come to the University rather than taking her up on her invitation to visit ProQuest. This will allow us to meet comfortably on issues in addition to the ProQuest presentation.
- Follow-up on the Rabuzzi/Wohlstein Conversation:
- It was decided to ask the SAALCK Collection Development Committee to develop priorities for the selection of EBSCO/FirstSearch databases to see if KYVL can begin creating the cafeteria plan.
- SAALCK Fiscal Agency:
- Almquist spoke to the Executive Director of GCLC to gauge their interest in serving as fiscal agent. He reported that there was great interest on the part of GCLC in serving in that role. GCLC's Executive Director indicated that this could be done at a very reasonable cost. This indicates that we should be able find an entity willing to serve this role.
Respectfully submitted by Arne J. Almquist