Falcon Meeting

 

Date:     2/9/06

 

Minutes:

Approval of November minutes. Motion to approve by Cato, seconded by Waverly, passed.

 

Present:

Apalachin, Auburn, Aurora, Cato, Candor, Cincinnatus,  Dryden, Groton,  Homer, McGraw, Moravia, Newark Valley, Newfield, Nichols, Owego,  Poplar Ridge, Seneca Falls, TCPL, Trumansburg, Union Springs, Waterloo, and Waverly.  Rex, Linda, Eric, Jan, and Karen from FLLS.

 

Absent:

Alternatives, Berkshire, Cortland, Fair Haven, Interlaken, Lodi, Marathon, Ovid, Port Byron, Spencer and Weedsport.

 

Announcements:

  • The first Director of the Finger Lakes Library System, William Weitzel has passed away. Mr. Weitzel became the first director of FLLS in 1958 and laid the foundation for library services and what the library system would become.
  • The Governor has released a proposed budget for New York State and there will be no increased funding for libraries. This is the eighth straight year library systems have not received an increase in funding. Karen urged library staff to contact your local state legislator asking for increased funding on a state level.
  • The system meeting is next Thursday 2/18 and will feature a Performers Showcase. The March system meeting is the 23rd and is on Summer Reading and the April system meeting will be a two day workshop on 4/18 and 4/19 and is titled “Finances in your library.”

 

Old Business:

 

1)      Rex discussed patron notification options. Please do NOT select Phone as a notification method. This option is only used in conjunction with Telephony, an add on product we do NOT have. Selecting this option blocks paper and email notices. Please choose Mailing Address or Email Address only.

 

2) Linda Beins reminded libraries to include the library code abbreviations at the top of all in-transit slips using the complete and correct code.

 

3) Spine labels were discussed. Testing was done during the fall with a few selected libraries. The labels are now here and will be handed out at the end of the meeting. You must call CNS to set up some parameters for printing these labels. Use the provided labels for any new item added. Labels will not be provided for any retro conversion project. Karen from Owego reiterated how easy it is.

 

New Business:

 

1) Rex discussed wireless Internet access. He was going to use a LSTA grant in 2006 to help   fund this project, however grants are now on a two year cycle and we can’t apply until 2007. In 2007, we are planning to apply for an LSTA grant that will cover the cost of the Polaris WAM (Wireless Access Manager) equipment. Some security issues were discussed. Wireless access does allow access to your network and software; users can see what is on your network. The solution would be to keep it off the internal network. Most libraries use Road Runner with one modem for Polaris and one modem for the Public. Using wireless access, another router would grab another IP address outside your network. Owego being one exception because of Clarity Connect, they would have to purchase another IP address. Equipment needed would be a hub (switch) plugged into the Public Road Runner modem and a wireless router. This equipment would be separate and above what you have now. If your library has multiple floors you may need an additional access point. The question was raised as to whether money is saved by waiting for the LSTA grant and yes; the plan is for the grant to fund the software and equipment needed.  One advantage is that users can access the Internet with their own computer and not have to wait in line to use a public Internet station. Drawbacks are that it does use up bandwidth especially when using streaming audio which sucks up resources and patrons would not be able to access your printer since they wouldn’t be on your internal network. There is equipment available that pinches down bandwidth. Libraries may however have to update their Internet policy to cover wireless access.

 

2) The PAC design committee has met and made some changes to the way the PowerPac looks. There is a new color scheme and the Polaris logo was removed and FLLS’s logo inserted and the font has been changed. The next step is to move the dashboard from the left to the right side. Some suggestions were voiced: change the term “search options” to “search limits” which limit the results prior to the actual search. Can the default first search option be browse NOT keyword? It was mentioned that it’s really hard for the patron to distinguish between local availability and system availability. Can the default be limited to the owning library first and then expand to other libraries? Can we have a list of search options on the first page? It was pointed out that the patrons need to be educated on how to use PowerPac, by using signage and giving search tips. Can we move the box to limit by library to the top of the page? Rex will look into that. Can the local availability link be a different color or bolder than the system availability link, something that sets them apart from each other. The committee is always looking for constructive comments and suggestions please send to Rex, using in the subject line of the email, Power Pac design issue and be very descriptive. Jan will design a card to hang on the public terminals with search tips.

 

3) A universal card was discussed. One card for each patron which they can use anywhere in the system. Currently there is no mechanism to prevent patrons from using their card to check out an item anywhere in the system. The software is written for one card per patron. Where the item is checked out would get the circulation count for that item and fines are calculated where the item is checked in. Loan period are determined on where the item is checked out. A message does display when a patron is registered at one library and checking out at another library. A side note on lost items: items lost in Polaris and then deleted do not display title or author information; however a right click on the line number and then selecting properties will display the author and title information of the lost item.

 

4) The Pricing Committee has met twice and has restructured the pricing to reflect the reality of the situation. A handout was given on the proposed new pricing structure. Ports have been changed to staff clients with a minimum of two, one for circulation and one used for either circulation or item maintenance. The chart handed out outlines the charges by library. The new price structure will need to be adopted by the FLLS board.  The plan is that the new price structure will be in place for the 2007 billing year.  Please share the new pricing information with your board and send comments regarding the new pricing structure to Rex.

 

 

Open Discussion:

 

1)      A suggestion was made to use teleconferencing for those who cannot travel so they can still participate in the Falcon meeting. Cayuga College has had success with it. Karen and Rex will look into the possibility.

2)      A comment was made that the smaller room space made it easier to see and hear other participants during the discussions.  We will grapple with how to reconfigure the space/layout while still providing enough seats for all participants.

 

Meeting adjourned:

            12 Noon

 

Next Meeting:

                May 18th; meetings are 9:30 – 11:30 am