Library Advisory Committee

V I C L I N K O R D I N A R Y M E E T I N G

February 13th, 2-5pm

M I N U T E S

Present: John Binnion, ERL: Neville Humphries, Moreland; Alasdair Wardle, Casey-Cardinia; Judy Peppard, SLV; Chris Kelly, Monash; Adele Kenneally, Glenelg; Chris Payne, Mitchell; Karen Cummings, Whitehorse-Manningham; Anne Holmes, Boroondara; Gay Sussex, Maribyrnong; Alison Katona, Mornington; Heather Phillips, Frankston; Carole Ingwersen, Latrobe City; Susan Orr, Campaspe; Gabrielle Blair, Brimbank; Nada Bagaric, Local Government Division; Anne Yerbury, Yarra Plenty; Craig Anderson, Yarra Plenty; Con Lannan, Geelong; David Feighan, Vicnet; Rebecca Toohey, Libraries Online; Stuart Hall, Libraries Online; Brendan Fitzgerald, Libraries Online; Elizabeth Jackson, Hume-Moonee Valley; Bronwyn Hughes, Brimbank; Barbara Horn, Yarra-Melbourne (Chair); Deidre Pellizzer, Port Phillip (Minutes).

1. APOLOGIES

Naomi Barr, Julie Rae, Michael Byrne, Jan Suhow, Lynne Makin, Russ Elwin, Jan Penney, John Murrell, Cathrine Harboe - Ree, Graeme Dudley and Colin Morrison, Elaine Richmond.

Barb expressed a welcome to Chris Kelly – Monash, David Feighan, VICNET and welcomed back Anne Holmes from her recent leave.

2. MINUTES OF DECEMBER MEETING

Minutes accepted: Moved:Alison Katona Seconded: Gabrielle Blair

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

4. CORRESPONDENCE

Incoming: Topic Action? Department of Justice Confirmation of Public Officer File

5. SPEAKER Alisdair Wardle presented a terrific synopsis and slides of his tour of public libraries in towns and cities across the USA.

6. TREASURER’S REPORT – Chris Payne

 Chris has received confirmation from Department of Justice that Viclink is up to date with incorporation procedure and GST exemption  Invoices can now be sent for this financial year.  Bank statement – $19,000 credit  Carryover average each year around $20,000  Viclink will pay for dinner drinks at March Library Odyssey.

Moved: Chris Payne Seconded: Adele Kenneally

7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BRANCH – Nada Bagaric

 Report circulated  Lucas Hearne has been appointed to replace Chris McLaren (who has accepted a position at West Gippsland Library Service)  Some Infrastructure Grants have been decided and announced; details can be found on DOI website.

8. STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA

SLV News and VICNET – Stuart Hall  Stuart announced some changes at Vicnet – he will assume the role of Manager, Vicnet while Gary Hardy takes on the strategic role of Vicnet Development Manager  Vicnet Committee (reporting to the Library Board) has welcomed Craig Anderson as the member representing public libraries  David Feighan, (ISP marketing manager at Vicnet) has been invited today to address issues of bandwith costs. Vicnet has limited flexibility when it comes to costing/charging. The aim is that no matter how many subscribers to Vicnet, operations are viable.

Bandwith presentation – David Feighan  The model used is one that aims for fixed costs, sustainability and equity.  Vicnet is not aiming to profit but sustainable cost recovery.  Vicnet’s present cost from state use is $444,000 per annum.  Bandwith presently at 3 megs plus individual libraries bandwith, ie. Victorian libraries buy in bulk through Vicnet.  Options: 1. Fixed $$ for fixed bandwith calculated on estimated yearly cost – Product A. If this library uses more it can pay more within that year – Product B. Is this a model worth pursuing. 2. Existing model – based on population and fixed costs and unlimited usage. 3. Number of terminals. 4. Combination of all 3 factors. 5. Gulliver could provide a possible funding model.

Actions: Working group to report via email (Viclink list) ASAP Craig, John B, Chris Payne could co-opt others Barb to co-opt Darren.

Library Networking Unit – Judy Peppard  Report circulated  Update:  The policy development position was advertised recently; it is hoped that the appointee will be able to attend the March Odyssey. Barb will represent Viclink on the recruitment group. The timeline is projected for Feb 2002 when the policy will go to Cabinet  Judy encourages us to seek consultants who could be good.  Joint project funded by DOI and SLV.  - wall height charts sent today  Publications/promotions/merchandising ideas for forum.  Baby Book Bags – presentation for April meeting (with Gary Hardy)  Reminder on LOTE surveys – get them in.  Digitisation – presentation by Derek for future.

Marketing Committee – Judy Peppard  Jan Penney has been appointed as a public libraries representative  Comment that public libraries representatives could go through Viclink. 9. CPLG

 CPLG supports the Viclink Funding Campaign; letter has been written to Min Bob Cameron from CPLG requesting that core funding be increased by the CPI as the minimum annual increase  Mobiles Conference - registration information out; Website will be updated next week

10. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

VICLINK Executive

Funding Group Update  Letter to Minister and Shadow Minister  Discussion with JM re:strategies.  Meetings with MAV, CEO’s meeting.

Library Odyssey - Judy  100% library attendance  Program out soon – emphasis on future thinking and participation  Car pooling will be organised through Library Networking Unit.

Cinemedia  Deidre Pellizzer and Alison Katona met with Faye Shortal and Pat Broadhurst.  Agreed that action needed so ideas/suggestions passed on to Judy for discussion at April Viclink.

Induction Kits

Deidre discussed some ideas for the Kits:  Information kit – VICLINKS’s role in the wider library context  History/background  Related bodies such as Statewide committees etc.  Other influences such as DOI, Library Board, SLV.  Library Networking Unit,including roles of each member  Executive and roles/relationship  Letter of welcome from President  List of helpful sites, directories, listservers  Mission statement of VICLINK  Membership fees explained  Strategic plan and any other relevant documents Other ideas discussed:

 Executive Committee member to ‘Buddy’ new Managers for first VICLINK meeting  Seek other ideas from library groups such as SLV Networking Unit  Present Induction Kit at Library Odyssey in March, perhaps a ‘launch’ at pre-dinner drinks

ACTION: Julie Rae and Deidre to complete

Technology 2005 – John Binnion

 No meeting GULLIVER – Barb Horn

Report circulated

 Group, convened by Julie Rae, has been meeting for some time to look at costings for Gulliver.  Extensive evaluation process involving several libraries.  Model based on eliminating problems associated with using one factor only such as per capita.  Ebsco and Gale are happy to work with individual libraries to enhance subscription.  Current training, joining fee, etc. currently done through Libraries Online, Gulliver Group would decide on who provides this training in the future.  Stuart – looking at Libraries Online re: current funding.  Graham has indicated that local priorities is a possible source of funding.  Envisaged as an annual review.  Reporting is available now on Gulliver usage. Ask Rebecca Toohey.

Action: Brendan F. will put together a full figures spreadsheet with explanations and rationale of use of ‘categories’. Eg. Geelong and Murrundindi

 Executive had discussed sliding scale for smaller libraries  Ideas for group  Create 0.5 category  Rationale for categories  Consider scale for main fees

Action: Brendan to draft pro forma letter to scale agreement from libraries and email

 What about other people using databases increasing usage and therefore higher costs and implications for country libraries, although percentages will adjust across all libraries?  Statewide money for Gulliver could be proposed?  Brendan: benefits of consortia and developing model (rather than Statewide).

Motion: 1. Consider ideas/refinement of categories (send back to Gulliver Group). 2. Formula is on right track. 3. Thanks to Gulliver Group

Moved: John Binnion Seconded: Craig Anderson

Reference Co-operative – Rebecca Toohey (Rebecca is happy to report although not group formal representative )  The meeting held a ‘round robin’  Reference statistics collected under review  Next meeting will be held with the State School Library Association

11. OTHER BUSINESS

 One day workshop on Best Value/Service Reviews – Exec to discuss after March Odyssey.

12 . NEXT MEETING:

Tuesday April 10 Carlton Branch, Yarra Melbourne Libraries, 2 - 5pm. 10.