DRA User’s Group

Technology Committee Meeting [Summary]

July 11th, 2002

Decatur Public Library

Present:  Pat Burg - ISM, Paul Johnson – RPLS, Tammy Schnell – LLCC, Shelley Koehler – SPL, , Tim Schnabel – RPLS, Steve Craven – DPL, Matt Wilkerson – DPL, Karla Johnson – DBSC, Effingham, Gisela Motzkus – IDOT, Patsy Walters – RPLS, Karen Anderson – DPL, Helen Flynn – St. Teresa HS, Cathy Marx – RCC, Eileen Curry - Windsor

Pat welcomed the Data Standards Committee members to the meeting.

Cathy Marx commented on issues/concerns of the Data Standards Committee regarding a new online system.

She listed the following issues:

·        Training by the vendor

·        Centralized cataloging for some libraries

·        Want to see own holdings first

·        More customization with control –fines

·        Easy online public access; windows format, pull down menus

·        Web based cataloging system

·        Integrated modules

·        Default pickup point to be home library

·        Reporting capabilities by Dewey Class

·        Flexible work forms

Pat discussed the summary of findings from the Users Group Technology Surveys.  She pointed out the sections for both the Technology Committee and the Data Standards Committee to report additional input.    Paul requested that two additional points be added to the Tech. Comm. issues. : 1. Company stability /corporate reputation, and 2. Interoperability.  Pat said she would distribute the summary at the Users Group Meeting.

Paul announced that Heritage Trail chose Unicorn and North Suburban chose Ex Libris.

Paul distributed the “Preliminary Findings” of the Moen study.  No recommendations were given by Moen, as yet.  It is expected that a recommendation will be announced on September 13^th.  Systems were asked to verify and report errors.

Paul returned the RFQ with the pertinent RPLS information and the group worked on the “Scope of Work” definition.  The committee discussed the timeline for the RFQ and the steps for hiring a consultant.  Pat and Gisela indicated that there may be additional consultants that could be added to the list.  It was agreed that additional names could be added.  A deadline of July 17^th was decided upon.  The RFQ will be sent out to consultants on July 22^nd, and the quotes are due back to Paul by August 16^th.                The Technology Committee will meet on August 29^th to determine their recommendation of a consultant to the Governing Board on September 1^st.

The next meeting was set for 9:30 on Thursday, August 29^th at RPLS

9:30 on Thursday, August 29^th at RPLS