Technology Committee Minutes

October 28, 2003

Decatur Public Library

Meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairperson Shelley Koehler.

Present were:  Joan Rhoades, Clinton; Ann Adkesson, Warrensburg; Matt Wilkerson, DPL; Debbie Webb, Chatham; Tim Childers, LL Springfield; Marlene Wirth, Sullivan High School; Eileen Curry, Windsor; Pat Burg, Illinois State Museum; Jean Campbell, Forsyth.

Absent were:  Paul Johnson, RPLS; Alice Reed, Blue Mound; Harry Gaylord, Illinois Supreme Court; Monica Reynolds, Blue Mound.

Shelley asked the technology committee members to consider the following question:  What should the Tech Committee be doing?  Three areas were identified for discussion regarding progress and current/future status:

Equipment:  Concern was expressed regarding the degree to which everyone is informed about the computer specs required by the new system.  Tim indicated that on the staff pc’s Windows 98 is not adequate to run Horizon.  Windows 98 will work on the patron side, but not on the staff side.  Shelley will contact RPLS and enlist their help in making sure everyone knows the requirements and is taking steps to meet them.  Of special concern are the schools. Tim suggested that in cases where schools are having difficulty, Bob Plotzke may have to speak to School Boards and administrators.

Joan asked if everyone knows how to check the specs on computers.  Instructions on how to do so will be included with the e-mail if it seems necessary. 

Digitalization:  Shelley felt that a task force on digital projects is needed. Pat Burg is familiar with digital projects; Pat indicated that other agencies might be interested and that possibly a grant could be obtained to do projects that would serve as a model. Digital Asset Management is a management tool that requires already digitalized materials.  There is a three year option on purchasing this program as part of the Horizon software.  Joan asked what other systems are doing on this issue.  Cataloging might present a challenge, but OCLC has a mixed packaging worksheet.  Making local history available is a concern to many libraries who are interested in digitalization.

Implementation:  Matt commented briefly on the profile transfer.  Dynix profile training has begun; it is complex, but necessary for the transfer of data.

Concern was expressed regarding the Decatur School libraries at the elementary buildings.  Will their holdings appear in the database, but without anyone having access? Status of the elementary libraries is an unknown.

There was general discussion of Web-Feat which searches all of a library’s electronic sources to produce an in depth display of resources from multiple databases.

Ann asked if there is an off-line backup component resembling the OBC in Classic.  That question remained unanswered.

The next meeting of the committee will be on Tuesday November 25^th at 9:30 a.m. at DPL. 

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Campbell