| Minutes of 6/26 | Minutes of 7/17 | Minutes of 8/14 | Minutes of 9/11
Present: N. Brar, G. Carroll, J. Cassel, A. Ciliberti, John Cohn, Judy Cohn, J. Gaboury, M. Gaunt, A. Hafner, P. Long, M. Martin, L. Michelson, J. Miller, S. Nash, M. Ridgeway, B. Simpson, S. Soong, P. Tumulty, H. Wilbur
1. John Gaboury welcomed the group and suggested that the following time line guide further VALE efforts:
2. Phil Long reported that the consultant will probably be selected in the next few weeks. The consultant will then meet with Commission on Higher Education staff and begin his/her work reviewing and analyzing cooperative proposals (such as VALE) and institutional technology plans.
3. John Gaboury explained that the understanding of bond fund uses does include the purchase, but not lease, of databases and that 10% of the matching funds may be used for the purchase of materials not permitted under the bond fund.
4. Marianne Gaunt suggested the inclusion in VALE of opportunities for local institutions to purchase workstations to improve their access to electronic resources. This idea was endorsed by the group.
5. John Gaboury presented the draft VALE proposal and it was acknowledged that finishing touches such as a table of contents and executive summary would be added.
Other substantive suggestions were that the document include reference to the other proposal which NJIN will be putting forward and that some visuals or FAQ's be added to simplify the benefits to participants.
6. A major revision to the proposal was agreed upon as a result of an extended discussion about the value of developing a physical union catalog versus developing a Z39.50 decentralized database. The group agreed to modify the proposal to eliminate the physical union catalog and to begin in Phase I a pilot Z39 program with just 2 to 4 libraries, such as Rutgers and WPUNJ. Based upon the pilot and the state of Z39 developments and changing library systems in NJ, decisions about how to proceed in Phase II will be made.
7. The need to disseminate information about the VALE project to faculty, other librarians and administrators was stressed. John suggested that Barbara Simpson's NJIN committee had suggested an interactive video program on VALE which will be explored. Others suggested that a marketing/political workgroup be formed.
8. The advisability of maintaining "mirror sites" as suggested in the proposal was discussed. Most of the group thought it was an appropriate feature of the plan.
November: Presentations to various groups including the Presidents' Council,
NJIN, and the Library Directors
December: Institutional commitments due
Jan/Feb: RFP Writing Groups are underway
March: Bids received
April: Bids awarded
Sept ‘98: Phase I implemented