Central Library / Collection Development Advisory Committee Meeting
May 22, 2003
Attended: Josh Cohen, Tom Finnigan, Pat Kaufman, Tom Lawrence, Sue Hermans, Sally Alderdice, Greg Callahan, Patti Haar, Jim Cosgrove, Andy Dancer, Lauren Muffs, Merribeth Advocate
Absent: Ellen Guerci, Matthew Bollerman

Central Library Development Aid Program Application

• The application for program year 2003-2004 has been approved. Any changes for the next application must be done next month, as it affects the Central Library budget. T. Lawrence proposed shifting more money in the upcoming application to online databases, as it would suit the needs of the members and the needs of the Central Library as well. Committee agreed. Central Library would like to shift the billing for online services to mid-to late summer, and will work with the database vendors to achieve this.
• J. Cohen asked what additional needs or directions Central Library Services should focus on for member reference support:
  • Reference Portal: Newburg Free Library http://www.newburghlibrary.org/  provides a reference portal for their member libraries
  • Indexing Local Newspapers: Committee agreed this would be a useful resource. T. Lawrence said it was certainly possible, but concern over subject heading and authorities needs to be addressed. It was suggested that the Central Library could create a  ‘volunteers guide to indexing local papers’. A. Dancer mentioned the database model used by Paul Brown with Greene Link where information can be added to the site without FTP. A first step is to survey the libraries [see Action 1] to see who has the content of these local papers.

Print Periodicals

• Central Library Reference staff is evaluating their print periodical collection, and has cut close to 40 periodicals. Any titles being eliminated will also have their back files eliminated.
• T. Lawrence said this collection should meet the needs of the average patron, not the exception, and should directly relate to the reference and recreation function of the library.  When the final periodical group is decided on they will be barcoded, linked and will circulate as hold-able materials, making the 300 title collection with a 5 year back run available through the OPAC. He suggested creating a Central Library Periodical Guide, with browseable sections by topic, that member libraries could use with patrons, offering patrons further access to information through their library.
• Committee suggested that member libraries make their periodicals holdable, as we are moving forward towards system wide collection development.
• Delivery of periodicals was discussed with the committee agreeing that magazines should always be delivered in some kind of envelope.
• L. Muffs said they are looking to add some reasonably priced, good quality periodicals. G Callahan suggested less well-known political titles.  J. Cohen suggested new local magazines. Timetable for suggestions: Subscription notice goes back to EBSCO in late August.
• Committee suggested a survey of member libraries: who now links and circulates their periodicals, who circulates the current edition, what titles do they have that they consider unique or special. [see Action 2]
• Committee asked for simple directions for members for linking periodicals. [see Action 3]
• Committee mentioned that the linking issue should also take SENYLRC SEULS into account

• Could add a link to OPAC during next design phase
  • There are some good web sites to link to
  • Would like enhancements of staff picks (could be sheet passed around to staff w/ a deadline for submission), monthly display of titles, genre search
• Noble Net Swap Shop http://www.noblenet.org/swapshop/ has some natural language searches
• Connect with small presses: alternative views as well as writers who have less exposure.

Other / Weeding workshop

• Develop a series of interactive discussions of guidelines and protocols that ultimately lead to a plan.
  • Some of the workshops could be presented in the Fall 2002
  • Could be a grant proposal for next year (provide a foundation and establish a need). Outgrowth of New Planning for Results
• M. Advocate will contact Marianne Kotch, Vermont Department of Libraries [see Action 4] 

Actions

1. MHLS will survey libraries to see what local newspapers they have.
2. MHLS will survey libraries regarding periodicals: who now links and circulates their periodicals, who circulates the current edition, what titles do they have that they consider unique or special.
3. L. Shedrick will create simple directions for members for linking periodicals (available at <http://www.midhudson.org/resources/resource_sharing/Linking%20Magazines.pdf>).
4. M. Advocate will contact  Marianne Kotch about the Weeding Workshop Series.

Report to Director’s Association
CLDA money moving towards databases
Newspaper indexing possibility

Submitted by Merribeth Advocate, 5/28/03