Miranda Shake, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm. The minutes of the 2/16/2011 meeting were discussed. The minutes were approved.
Pat presented on the RFI process that has begun for the IHLS automation groups. An RFI was released in August, with responses due back in September. Evaluations of the 7 responses has begun and the top finalists will be announced by the end of September. Once the top finalists are announced, scheduling of vendor demos will happen, with the hope that the demos can be completed in November and evaluation of the top vendors finished in December.
Donna, Vanessa, and Pat reviewed progress to date on the work of the shared IHLS policy groups - Circulation, Cataloging, and Shared Fees. Much of the work that still needs to be done by these groups will depend on the vendor chosen by IHLS.
Pat spoke briefly about the MyMediaMall costs and mentioned that a special assessment had been made on LINC and other MyMediaMall libraries as part of an overall boost of collection development in anticipation of Kindle titles. Also, staff reviewed information about a new 3MCloud e-book product that bypasses the need for software and stores a patron's items in a 'cloud' that can be accessed by any device. The group reiterated the need for a MyMediaMall type of product in the future as use continues to increase.
Donna presented an informative powerpoint on the migration timeline for the Champaign Public Library and Urbana Free Library moving to a separate Polaris automation product and no longer being in LINC. This will happen near Dec. 1, 2011. The prospect of this migration has raised many procedural issues for getting materials back to the LINC libraries. Circulation and interlibrary loan will be limited between libraries as the time gets closer. Also, libraries should begin to run reports to track lost materials. LINC Policy Council discussed whether LINC staff should run reports for libraries or send directions on how to run reports - the outcome is that directions will be sent to libraries.
Pat presented an issue concerning the Cataloging Center - a unique operation within IHLS that is valued and funded by the LINC libraries. After discussion, LPC directed Pat to draft a letter requesting that the new IHLS Automation Cataloging Policies include an option for a library funded cataloging center operation and send to the IHLS LLSAP Managers.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 1:00 - 3:00. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00.