§ SAALCK Directors' Council Meeting
11:00 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2004
University Club
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
Attendance:
Lee Van Orsdel, Eastern Kentucky University; Arne Almquist, Northern Kentucky University; Carol Diedrichs, University of Kentucky; James Burgett, University of Kentucky; Susie Palmer, University of Louisville; Hannelore Rader, University of Louisville; Mike Binder, Western Kentucky University; Larry Besant, Morehead University; Laurene Zaporozhetz, Murray State University; John Griffin, Murray State University; Cherry Burgess, KCTCS; And Glen Horton, GCLC
Introductions:
- Laurene Zaporozhetz was introduced as the new Dean of Libraries at Murray State University. She will replace John Griffin on the Council.
- Glen Horton was introduced as the Interim Executive Director of SAALCK and GCLC.
- Susie Palmer and James Burgett are attending the meeting to discuss collection development matters.
Approval of the Minutes:
The December 5, 2003 minutes were approved as presented.
Consortium Business:
- The group discussed the SAALCK / GCLC partnership and the direction it should take now that Michael McCoy is gone. Glen Horton passed out copies of SAALCK's agreement with GCLC. He informed the group that there are some items in the agreement that the GCLC Board/staff were unaware of. The group reviewed various items in the document. Glen said that GCLC is willing to continue the contract in the absence of the a permanent director. The group agreed that their main interest is fiscal services.
- The group decided to relieve GCLC of the responsibility of negotiating contracts for collection development and electronic databases. The Collection Development Task Force will take over the negotiation and management process. All decisions will be brought to the Council.
- Glen offered to create an e-mail discussion list for the group to facilitate communications. The group agreed that this would be a good idea.
- Glen reviewed the status of brining LAMA institutes to Kentucky. Communications with LAMA have already been established. Glen needs to determine, however, the exact steps that are needed to arrange a LAMA institute. Total costs also need to be determined. Glen will work with LAMA and SAALCK to arrange the first institute. He will keep the group informed of his progress.
- Glen polled the group about current status and interest in products from several different vendors.
Elsevier Strategy:
- Each member institution explained to the group its current relationship with Elsevier. Contract details at individual institutions were discussed in order to determine how a group contract might apply.
- The group determined that Elsevier provides different contract options and better deals to different institutions. Some institutions said that Elsevier will offer better deals if the institution threatens to not renew a contract.
- Discussion began on the possibility of taking a firm deal (including costs) to Elsevier and using the strength of the consortial group. The group, however, must be willing to follow through with threats.
- The group will discuss Elsevier again when it meets in May. A clear strategy needs to be developed. In the mean time, institutions will do their homework on the issue.
- The group may approach Elsevier by July/August.
Wiley Strategy:
- After the Elsevier situtation is resolved, the group needs to move on to Wiley.
- The group needs to establish consortial pricing.
Last Copy Collecting Issue:
This item was tabled until the May meeting.
Question Point:
- Arne Almquist led a discussion of the Question Point virtual reference service.
- NKU is currently using the service. Arne polled the group, and the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville also currently have the service.
- Arne is interested in consortial arrangements for Question Point. The Heads of Reference at NKU, UofL, and UK will get together to discuss possibilities.
- It may be possible to share hours between the institutions to provide a larger total availability of the service.
Final remarks:
- The group thanked KCTCS for hosting this meeting.
- The group also said that it will miss John Griffin at the meetings.
Adjournment and Next Meeting:
The meeting adjourned to be reconvened May 21st at the University of Louisville.
Respectfully Submitted
Glen Horton
Interim Executive Director