ARKLink Meeting Minutes

                               Friday, December 3, 1999; 1:00 p.m.

                               Harding University

                                        People in attendance were:

Myron called the meeting to order. The minutes were approved with one
correction: that Peggy Morrison would distribute the questionnaire on the
arculi (not arklib) listserv.

1. David presented several versions of the logo. The group expressed a
preference for one to be used as a model for some further modification.
David, Myron, and Janet will finish this up.

David will also make the Web site password protected and send out
the password on arculi. There are other "Arklink" sites on the Web; Sharon
will look into the legal issues surrounding our using that name.

2. Database Purchasing Task Force: No databases are ready yet, much to
Bob's frustration. SilverPlatter has proposed some licensing requirements
that ARKLink members are unable to comply with, since we are not a legal
entity. Each institution will have to sign a separate licensing agreement.
There are two outstanding signatures that are needed before CINAHL can be
live. PsycINFO will probably be available by the end of January. Since
fewer than expected libraries expressed an interest in MLA, the cost will be
somewhat higher than quoted, so the interested libraries are still working
on pricing.

Bob's report was the first of several that day to point to a
probable need for ARKLink to become a more formal legal being. Becoming a
non-profit takes time, work, and money. The consensus was that the legal
staffs of individual institutions would probably not be interested in or
able to be of assistance. Janet has some materials on the process and will
investigate further.

3. Resource Sharing Task Force: Peggy distributed the most recent
draft of the Needs Assessment (dated 12-2-99). Final comments are welcome.
Peggy and David will work to get the questionnaire on the ARKLink Website to
make answering and tabulating easier. Peggy will distribute another draft
of the questionnaire and a draft of the proposed cover letter on the arculi
listserv. It is hoped that the needs assessment can be mailed to directors
in mid-January.

4. Collection Development Task Force: Amanda distributed a written
account of the Task Force's first meeting of November 10. They are
investigating vendors and their approaches to consortial purchases. They
are also looking into electronic journal services, such as JSTOR or Project
Muse.

There was some discussion about the wisdom of consortial purchases
of print, since in many academic settings circulation is dropping. Some
discussion did reaffirm the current need for print materials for some
disciplines at least for a while longer.

5. Funding Sources Task Force: Kathy distributed a list of Arkansas
foundations that had appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. If you have
any contacts with any of those foundations, please tell Kathy.

6. Kathy also distributed the outline of the ARKLink "white paper",
which is based on the TexShare model. Kathy has had individual phone
conversations with each of the white paper committee members. She will work
out a plan for writing the paper (5 or so pages) and present it to the group
at its next meeting.

Jan Hart summarized a meeting with Dr. Sugg that she, Mary Ryan,
Kathy, Janet, and Juana had attended. Dr. Sugg expressed great interest in
Web-based catalogs and in INN-Reach for U of A System libraries.

7. Business: Juana reported on a presentation Mary and Kathy had done
on the Digital Library for the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications
and Information Technology of the Arkansas legislature.

There was also discussion of the sometimes difficult
interrelationships of the many library groups working on consortial and
distance education issues. The group reaffirmed its interest in remaining
an academic library group as it begins and as it works toward some
successful efforts. In the near future other groups will almost certainly
be invited to join in statewide library cooperative ventures.

The ARKLink name seems to have gotten around to vendors and others,
so please be sure to refer any questions about ARKLink and its efforts to
Janet or Myron.

The next ARKLink meeting will be Friday, January 28, at UAMS, at noon.

Lunch will be provided by UALR, and parking fees will be picked up by UAMS.

Minute-taker: Peggy Morrison

Last updated January 10, 2000
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