<p> Harmonic Consortium Meeting November 21, 2005 - DSTC 112 – 1:00</p><p>Present: Nancy Agafitei, Ron Stauss, Anne McGittigan, Sandra Dies, Adrienne Stapleton, Ty Beauchamp, Gene Rollins, Mark Harris, Maryann Readal, Terry Melton, Linda Gambrill, Greg Tramel</p><p>Handouts: October Minutes, October Intra-consortium Statistics, October Joint Library Borrower Analysis</p><p>1. Observations and information from the CODI Conference were discussed. HCPL is evaluating the hardware needs to migrate to Horizon 7.4 and 8.1. </p><p>2. We must go to HIP 4.1 at the same time as moving to Horizon 7.4. We will move to Horizon 7.4 if the reports on HIP 4.1 are positive for 6 weeks to 2 months after the release date. Migration to Horizon 8.1 may require HCPL to purchase a database server, we should have the evaluation tool to use to determine this in late Jan. There will be no budget impact for the MCMPL or NHMCCD because of these migrations. </p><p>3. There will be no courier service from the college district during the Christmas holidays, 12/22 – 1/4. MCMLS has offered to use their courier to deliver tubs for Tomball, CyFair and Fairbanks Branch. They have agreed to pick up tubs for the MCMLS libraries from Tomball. Both systems will notify the appropriate staff of this plan.</p><p>4. The following Harmonic Standing Committees were formed: Circulation Committee Chair - Terry Melton, (MCMLS) Members: Sandra Dies, Kathy Green, Linda Nguyen (HCPL); Terry Melton, Cruz Lewis (MCMLS), Margaret Dawson, Anne McGittigan, Terry Gonzalez, Jean Lowery (NHMCCD). Meetings: - Before Harmonic Consortium Meeting Purpose: Greg will charge this group to discuss general circulation policies and procedures to facilitate the circulation of materials between the three systems. He will also charge the group to address the standardization of in-transit information on transit slips and tubs. </p><p>Bibliographic Authority Control Committee Chair: Linda Gambrill (MCMLS) Members: Kathleen Whitsitt, Carol Steinmetz, (NHMCCD) Bill Jarvis (HCPL) Meetings: As needed Purpose: Discuss authority control and cataloging issues and make recommendations for change in policies or procedures. Linda will notify this group.</p><p>Reference Committee Chair: Members: Reference librarian from each college, Luke Rosenberger, two MCMLS librarians, Adrienne Stapleton, Mike Ledinski, Nancy Agafitei (HCPL) Purpose: Discuss public service issues, HIP issues, electronic resources</p><p>A few more representatives from the different libraries may be added to these committees should they wish to do so.</p><p>5. NHMCCD and MCMLS now check out videos and DVD's for two week periods. HCPL is reviewing a policy change for audiovisual checkouts. HCPL limit is 10 per patron. MCMLS is five. Linda Gambrill noted that Horizon allows a patron to check out the limit from each system. </p><p>6. Greg Tramel indicated that the creation of an E-branch for Montgomery County was a priority. Mark is working on a script to collapse the number of item records for college netLibrary books. He can designate one of these item records to be used for MCMLS netlibrary holdings. Gene will create the Montgomery County e-branch in Horizon. MCMLS will have to add their holdings to this branch. 7. Montgomery County would also like to implement the Spanish HIP. This is an add-on available through Horizon administration. Mark will get this set up as a test. MCMLS can review it to make sure that it is working and translating properly.</p><p>8. The Kid’s Catalog is also an add-on available in Horizon. Montgomery is interested in implementing this. Implementation was tabled.</p><p>9. HCPL would like to begin self-registration of patrons. Problem is with the alternate ID field. NHMCCD uses this field as a match point for student ID numbers. This is a problem.</p><p>10. HCPL is dropping Web Feet because of lack of use. Library of Texas is developing a similar tool.</p><p>11. HCPL now has a policy saying that patrons who want to change to the TOM, CyFair or FB locations will have to make this request in person.</p><p>12. Intra-consortium lending statistics for October were reviewed. Statistics verify that MCMLS materials are not going to HCPL branches other than CyFair, Tomball and Fairbanks Branch. Statistics indicate that healthy resource sharing is happening between the three systems. There is still concern for the length of time it takes for books from a different system to reach a patron. It was suggested that wording be added to the request form in Horizon alerting patrons that it may take 5 business days to receive the item requested. Patron education would also help to give patrons a realistic expectation of the time required to get something from another system.</p><p>13. Return of damaged items was discussed. Even though policies concerning this issue differ, the policy of the lending location is what should be followed at the time of return. If a damaged book is paid for and returned to the patron, an email should be sent to the owning library that the book needs to be withdrawn.</p><p>14. All three systems are planning to purchase e-reference titles from Gale this year. Students should be able to access county electronic books because all students are residents of either Montgomery or Harris counties. Greg will charge the Reference committee to explore this issue.</p><p>15. Gene reported that #1 position holds dropping out of the queue is still a problem. HCPL is considering centralized printing of pull lists each day and faxing them to the branches.</p><p>16. Mark will send an email to the group to arrange a time to celebrate the Harmonic Consortium.</p><p>17. Next meeting will be January 26th at DSTC. Circulation Committee will meet at 11:00 on the 26th. </p>