VLAC Minutes

Friday, July 12, 2002
1:00pm - 3:00pm
CPE Conference Room A

Present: Arne Almquist, Diane Culbertson, Mary Molinaro, Miko Pattie, Hannelore Rader, Larry Rees, Cathy Reilender, Jennifer Scarborough, Janet Stith, Dennis Taulbee

Absent: Kathy Hamperian, James Nelson, Norma Northern, Wayne Onkst, Lee Van Orsdel

Visiting: Charlene Davis, Tari Keller, Daniel Rabuzzi, Bill Hansen

Rader requested introductions of new members. The following new members were present:

Mary Molinaro (UK)
Jennifer Scarborough (KDE)
Arne Almquist (NKU)
Cathy Reilender (Midway)

Continuing members and guests then introduced themselves.

The second order of business was to ask for a volunteer to serve as Secretary. Almquist accepted that task.

A call for nominations for Vice-Chair then ensued. Almquist was the sole nominee. He was elected by unanimous vote.

Rabuzzi provided an update of KYVU's activities. He mentioned that there had been a migration in course management software, KYVU is now licensing WebCT and Angel, and that a new systems integrator had been selected (Embanet, from the University of Toronto). There will be no meaningful interruption of service. The staff are currently debugging and making sure that things are working properly. The choice of platform (e.g., WebCT, Angel, or Blackboard), is up to the local institution. KYVU's focus is on content and pedagogy. Rader asked about e-reserves. Rabuzzi indicated that this was again local choice. The concern seemed centered around the use of Endeavor's e-reserves module. Eventually, students will have a single sign-in for courses and library services.

Rabuzzi reiterated the importance of SAALCK having representation in the Chief Academic Officers' Meeting. Currently that is not the case. After a recent meeting between SAALCK and KYVL/KYVU, KYVU has recommended that there be a standing representative from Kentucky the SAALCK libraries.

Kentuckiana Digital Library Project-KYVU recently received an update on the project from Mary Molinaro and Paul Willis while on a visit to UK. Rabuzzi reiterated the importance of making sure that this is truly integrated into the history education process. A discussion on how to publicize the project ensued.

Pattie began an update on KYVL activities. This began with a demo of the new KYVL home page (will debut August 1). Some links have been changed for clarity. The page has been redesigned to make it easier for users who are accessing from home (presumably less sophisticated users of library/web resources). The changes were based on feedback from users. The site is ADA level 3 compliant.

There is an updated "How to use KYVL" page organized in sections based on what is currently on the home page. Users should be able to learn almost anything that they may need to learn to be able to use KYVL. This should be a good substitute for face-to-face training.

The group was very impressed by the demo of "KYVL For Kids." The new site is very colorful with animated characters and is aimed at grades P-5. The page contains sound. Unfortunately, the PC used for the meeting was not configured for sound. A major kick-off event is planned.

The page provides a great introduction to the research process and an interface to kid-friendly databases.

Sitesearch: OCLC will discontinue support as of 12/31/03. A programmer is helping to maintain the product until an alternative is identified. The question arose: Do we need to maintain a single common interface? KYVL/KYVU is going to be using Horizon Live to provide online reference services. More information can be found at www.horizonlive.com.

Work Group Updates:

KYVL Users' Group (Reported by Bill Hansen): A proposal to create a users' group was discussed. WKU has agreed to host a web site for the new group. There will also be a listserv. The group will have a 'soiree' at the KLA Fall Conference. The KYVL Users' Group is also examining the possibility of having joint meetings with SOLINET. The target market will be end users of KYVL rather than institutions. Nominal dues (to be determined) would be charged. The proposed name is the Virtual Library Users' Group (VLUG). Discussion ensued as to whether this could become a friends group. A vote was taken to accept the KYVL Users' Group document as written.

Voyager Work Group: The service agreement expired on June 30, but has been continued. Some verbiage needs to be changed. The system upgrade has been scheduled for early September using test servers.

Collections Work Group: The group is working to begin assessment of the database collection of KYVL. There are two issues: access (gateway) and how effective it is, and training (help, support). In the past, we've always demanded training from vendors, but never follow up. They are trying to get the evaluation process set up as a regular procedure so that this is done on an ongoing basis. The group is working on a draft of quantitative procedures to be used to make the evaluation. Hopefully they can be put into place late this calendar year.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 6th, 2002 at 1:00pm in CPE Conference Room A.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.

Last Updated: 7/02