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Consumer Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - May 19, 2005

Consumer Advisory Committee Meeting
May 19, 2005

Minutes

Committee members & partners attending: Irwin Hott, Eric Duffy, James Donnan, Mona Pocatko, Cheryl Blevins, Michael Southern, Barbara Mates, Donna Foust, Lisa Seavers, Joel Husenits, Jo Budler, Roger Verny, Sandy Johnson, Larry Walls, Jim Buchman.

Committee members & partners absent: Katherine Kadish; George Pyle; Elmer Fisher; Joshua Frum; Donna Reeves, and Janell Brown.

INTRODUCTIONS: The meeting was held in the Board Room of the State Library of Ohio. It was called to order at 10:30 AM by Irwin Hott, chair. Each attendee introduced him or herself.

MINUTES: The Minutes of the February 17, 2005 meeting were approved as sent. These minutes, as well as future minutes will be posted on the State Library's web site.

REGIONAL REPORTS:

CINCINNATI LBPH: Donna Faust reported that the Cincinnati Public Library is going through a major reduction of work force due to budget cuts. Reductions apply to operations at the library itself and not to the Regional LBPH. Staff reductions have caused some problems with scheduling and answering telephones at the LBPH. Sunday hours will be eliminated at library, which will free up staff to help cover desks and phones.

Leap of Faith is the latest Book Club title being read. Founding Mothers by Cookie Roberts is the next scheduled book club read. Vital Speeches has been added to the list of magazines.

Donna also briefly reported on the Midlands Western Conference, which was held in Seattle, May 11–14. A report on an NLS use study was one of the highlights at the conference. This use study showed that 80% of circulation is from 20% of collection. KLAS data from eight libraries was used to compile this study. Some noted regional differences did exist, but the data were consistent across the libraries for the most part.

Cincinnati LBPH is also looking at how to best implement the NLS 10squared Program, which honors centenarians using talking book services.

CLEVELAND LBPH: Barbara Mates reported that the Cleveland LBPH is busier than ever. Given their staffing shortage, it has been difficult maintaining services while still going out to do programming.

The Book Club reading of Rocket Boy was rescheduled and replaced by a book on the Wright Brothers. This was a cooperative program with the Ohio and Massachusetts Schools for the Blind. An electronic chat room was accessed by the three sites to talk with an engineer from NASA who posed as Wilbur Wright.

Cleveland LBPH is re–launching its Braille Read Together program. Four sessions are planned at Martin Luther King Branch. The idea is to mainstream kids into the Cleveland PL Summer Reading Program.

Family Fun and Learning Day is scheduled for June 22nd at the Cleveland LBPH. Frank Kurt Cylke, Head of NLS, will be attending to honor Cleveland's centenarian users as part of the 10squared Program. Parts of the day will be broadcasted over the web.

STATE LIBRARY REPORTS:

State Librarian Jo Budler testified about the State Library's proposed FY 06–07 budget before both the House & Senate. The House's proposal included a 10% reduction to OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network); a 10% reduction to the Regional Library Systems (not the same as the Regional LBPHs); and added Ohioana to the StLO budget. The StLO is not in favor of adding Ohioana to its budget.

StLO Projects: Jo Budler commented that she wants to share new StLO programs and initiatives with this committee to get input and feedback.

Know–It–Now: Know–It–Now is not ADA compliant. The StLO is being more aggressive with Know–It–Now to make the product compliant. Know–It–Now staff are working on a new version. This version will include voice over IP and bigger fonts. Jo asked if the committee would be willing to beta test the new version when it is ready. Irwin Hott suggested that staff turn off their monitors when testing. Know–It–Now staff will be working directly with the Ohio School for the Deaf when testing. Test results will be reported back to this committee.

Ohio eBook project: LSTA funds are being used to support a startup statewide collaborative purchase of audio and e–books from OverDrive.

Any library in the state may participate. Costs include a $1,500 start up fee per library and a commitment to buy additional titles for use by any library participating in the eBook project.

The committee requested that OverDrive provide an audio guide to its system. According to members of the committee, OverDrive is accessible, but needs some work. The key board commands are a little cumbersome.

LearningExpress Library: This is a two year pilot project funded by the StLO and OPLIN, with an additional Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to Libraries Connect Ohio. This is a collaborative project of the State Library of Ohio, OPLIN, OhioLINK, InfoOhio and OHIONET.

LearningExpress Library will join the core research databases that Libraries Connect Ohio provides to Ohio residents. LearningExpress Library provides online, interactive practice tests, career building tools, and writing aides. Some tests will not be ADA compliant; some tests have visual components.

Jim Buchman, Head of the StLO Talking Book program, reported on internal operational changes and activities that have taken place to the machine lending operation since April 1, 2005.

  • 1) Voice mail has been added. Phones are still covered during hours of operation. Voice mail will answer when the phone is in use, after hours, or when staff step away from the desk. So far, there have been no complaints from users.
  • 2) Staffing: After reviewing needs and workflows, it was determined that the machine lending operation was flush with administrative and support level staff, but lacking in library assistant staff to physically handle the machines. Action taken: Allison Hoggett (Office Assistant) was transferred to another part of the library, and Larry Walls (Library Assistant) was transferred into the department. Current staffing levels will remain at three FTEs: Sandy Johnson as secretary; Larry Walls & Dave Eley as library assistants; with Jim Buchman sharing time as program head with other areas of responsibility within Patron & Catalog Services.
  • 3) Machine Inventory. Jim Buchman continues working with NLS to reduce overstock of machines to fit our demands. According to NLS recommendations, our inventory should be approximately 10% of our active patrons – 1,600 – 2,000 range. Currently the StLO inventory has over 2,000 machines in a repair status alone.
  • 4) Annual Conference: The Annual is scheduled for September 16, 2005, at the State Library of Ohio. Suggestions for topics & speakers are welcomed.
  • 5) Other activities since April:
    • Attended orientation session at NLS beginning from March 30 – April 1
    • Visited Cincinnati Regional and the Elfuns on April 14
    • Visited Cleveland Regional on May 10
    • Will be visiting Keystone in Raleigh NC, on June 22–23 for in–dept KLAS system training

PARTNER REPORTS

OPLIN: Joel Husenits reported that OPLIN going through an extensive security audit. Carol Roddy, OPLIN director, is retiring. Her last day will be June 23. OPLIN will be conducting a national search for a new director.

Rehabilitation Services Commission: Lise Seavers reported about a national RSA plan to consolidate and restructure all RSA services. If implemented, this plan will impact the delivery of rehabilitation services in Ohio by potentially eliminating special areas of expertise. NFB and other groups are planning to hold a rally in Washington, DC in protest to this proposed restructuring.

University of Cincinnati: Michael Southern reported about the continuing discussions to get publishers to provide college text books in different formats such as CD–ROM, electronically, e–mail. Books in alternative formats need quick turnaround to be useful in a college setting. Michael is also in process of reviewing the University's tech lab to make it ADA compatible.

NEW BUSINESS:

CAC Appointments and Terms: Jim Buchman was notified by Josh Frum that he was resigning his appointment to the committee. Suggestions for a new consumer appointment will need to be considered.

Jim Buchman then led a discussion about committee terms. According to the bylaws, terms on this committee are for three years. With the exceptions of Michael Southern (09–05); Elmer Fischer (10–05); and Cheryl Blevins (10–07) everyone's terms on the committee have expired.

Jim Buchman suggested that now would be a good time to review the bylaws of the committee and look at how to move ahead with reappointments to the group. Ideally, this would be modeled after the structure in place for the StLO LSTA Advisory Committee. Revised bylaws and reappointments could then be taken to the State Library's Board as one package. Target date would be the September 2005 StLO Board meeting.

Revised bylaws and suggested committee reappointments will be brought to the August CAC meeting. Irwin Hott volunteered to help Jim Buchman revise the bylaws.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2005 at 10:30 at the State Library of Ohio. The meeting adjourn at 12:15 PM.

Minutes submitted by Jim Buchman.