ARKLink Meeting Minutes

              August 17, 2000; 11:30 p.m.
              Harding University, Searcy

The Luncheon meeting of ARKLink was called to order at Harding University August 17, 2000 at 11:30 p.m. by Myron Flugstad.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved with minor corrections.

Flugstad asked that Peggy Morrison and Janet Parsch summarize the meeting of the Governor's Technology Task Force taht was recently held at "The Ranch."  There was a report of the EAST program for student advancement.

The ARKLink presentation was on ProQuest and the explanation of the cooperative purchasing efforts.  Some discussion of problems with lack of a union catalog for the state and differing databases.  The presenters were disappointed at the attention span of the audience and that some left the room.  Those that stayed were attentive.

This was ARKLink's third opportunity top present to interested groups.  Bob Frizzell sensed a negative attitude among some Task Force members.

Discussion followed on the fact that a key contact may be the Campus legislative or Government Relations representatives on each college campus.  Having legislators understand the issues is the key.

Janet Parsch reported on the Health Reference Center database report and its pricing via AMIGOS from David Glick.  ARKLink will proceed with the arrangement through the Arkansas State Library.  The FTE based funding was possible through AMIGOS, but the State Library was not cooperative in the funding change to the FTE type rather than a flat fee per institution.  The project was left with the State Library.

The web cacheing problem was explained by Peggy Morrison.  Cacheing has ceased for now.  It is a tool to manage band width, but is not a viable option for library applications.  A technical solution may be on the horizon, but keeping contacts with the DCS (Department of Computer Services) should be maintained.

Susan Goldner reported on the governance structure for ARKLink.  She is investigating the "supporting organization" structure like the ARKNet uses.  Draft bylaws will be presented at the next meeting.  Mary Ryan and Henry Terrill also serve on this committee.

Bob Frizzell and David Glick presented the Database Cooperative Purchase report.  Interest in the Career and Technical Database (ProQuest) was good, but the high price, even with a 10% discount killed the proposal.  Need to update the database interest survey was indicated before we proceed with approaching other vendors.

The APA has announced site licenses available based upon FTE, but full information was not available.  The PsycInfo renewal will be in early 2001.

We may look at a package of 5-6 databases on a 2-year basis.  Business, legal, health, general, history and another.  We would need a person to coordinated the effort, a board or via a state agency to support the procurement process.  Discussion followed.

Resource Sharing Task Force needed suggestions on the two most highly tanked projects, then a plan of action can be implemented.  Send suggestions to Peggy Morrison of the top two choices.

Amanda Moore reported for the Collection Development Task Force and suggested a joint ECO project in the Print Subscriber program through OCLC.  The list of titles will be posted on the webpage and then institutions can mark their holdings.  We can then get a price quote for the group access (everyone would have access to ALL of the publication backfiles if any one member had the title).  More to follow as it develops.

Amanda also reported on information about how other consortia were structured for collection development efforts.  Some were loosely based, grant funding, some received legislative funding, some provided core packages, others provided special packages of databases.  Keys were campus support via the V.P.'s on each campus, a money saving effort, multiple agency support was key (i.e. - state library, DHE, etc.). Availability to every citizen.  Bill Parton (ArTech) mentioned a upcoming V.P.'s meeting in October.  It would be a key time to present our case again!  Bill will check on details and contact persons.

Funding Task Force did not report.

Brochures will be available next week.  A cover letter will accompany the mailing.  A fact sheet would also be helpful and a cost savings (to date) and a "What it can do for you" information will be helpful.  If funding is cut for something else, that would not be a wise proposal.  A report to the Joint Legislative Council may be needed by September for the 2001 legislature.

How does our efforts fit into the Arkansas State Library program and efforts?  Since many of the academic libraries are not happy with the State Library efforts, now is the time to have a dialog since Jack Mulkey is coming in new as the director.  ArLA might be a prime time for input.  Pat Murphy has been apprised of our concerns about non-FTE funding schemes.  Suggested was a non-LSTA advisory group that would emphasize a broader function and cooperation role for the Arkansas State Library.

DHE relationships are now fully known.  Some key legislators do exist.  Key will be local administrators that know what we are and are informed about our commitment and goals.

Suggestion of a dues structure for ARKLink was postponed.

Suggestions for contents of the cover letter to accompany the brochures would be sent to Janet Parsch asap.  It was suggested that the letters go to the Chief Academic Officers within each campus at this time.  Librarians should make contact before the materials arrive to "prepare the waters."

Next meeting to be during the ArLA meeting, Oct. 8-10 or on Oct. 20 at a site TBA if the ArLA meeting can't be scheduled.

The Executive Committee will meet with Jack Mulkey before ArLA at the State Library or as can be arranged.  UALR-Law was suggested.

The meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m.