Present: J. Avrin, A. Ciliberti, J. Crocker, C. Daze, M. Gaunt, J. Getaz, L. Ostar, D. Pinto, A. Scrimgeour, R. Sweeney

1. Andrew Scrimgeour convened the meeting and the minutes from the July 14, 2004 meeting were approved with a revision to item 6. The change will reflect the announcement of Juan Almodovar as chair of the Bibliographic Control and Metadata Committee.
2. Anne Ciliberti presented a budget update. A July report was not distributed. William Paterson University is changing financial systems and July data was not available. VALE invoices were mailed on August 5, 2004. The Finance Committee will be meeting the morning of September 8^th. Agenda items include review of new contracts and licenses and updating the license website.
3. Anne Ciliberti and Richard Sweeney reported on proceedings of the Knowledge Initiative (KI) meeting in Trenton held that morning. Members of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology (NJCST) joined representatives of the NJ State Library, NJLA, NJ Library Network and VALE. Efforts are underway to have EDA and NJCST help define how best to serve the small business community. Criteria for eligibility and inclusion of companies were discussed. Planning is underway for a reception in late October to thank legislators for their support. Presidents of the three research universities will be included in the guest list.

A September 9^th meeting is scheduled to discuss vendor negotiations. Anne Ciliberti reported that about 50% of the libraries have responded to a survey to determine the level of subscribers to proposed databases. A draft Memorandum of Understanding articulating the rights and responsibilities of VALE member libraries participating in the KI was distributed. Proposed changes were discussed. Richard Sweeney will revise and redistribute it.

An announcement of the initiative is being drafted and efforts to have a web site created to start providing information is underway.

4. Committee Reports:

• Assessment Committee - Because Bro. Paul Chervenie is unable to continue as chair of the committee. Marianne Gaunt will ask a member of the Rutgers library community who is very involved in assessment issues to consider heading the committee.

• Electronic Resources Committee - Judy Avrin reported on the committee's August 10^th meeting. The committee would like to make minutes of their meetings available to VALE members. There was discussion of the best way to limit information and discussion about the products to VALE members only. It was determined that a synopsis will be posted to the VALE listserv with a link to contact Luis Rodriguez for a copy of the complete minutes.

• Interface Committee - Current chair, Fred Nesta, has accepted an international position. Andrew Scrimgeour will contact him for a replacement recommendation.

• Publicity Committee - Joan Getaz advised that Users' Conference planning is well underway. The proposed theme is "Issues in Scholarly Information: From Creator to Producer to User". Three possible keynoters have been contacted regarding availability. The agenda will be modified to allow reaction time right after the presentation. Marilyn Wilt will be preparing the printed program.

• Reference Services Committee - Jane Crocker reported that new libraries are being trained and several new libraries have expressed interest in participating in Q&A. All libraries that are currently participating are eligible for a $2,500 grant from the state. The committee is planning to have a program at the Users' Conference on Q&A.

• Training Committee - Judy Avrin advised that Lynn Randall reported a high level of interest among past training committee members contacted about continuing on the committee. She will be scheduling a meeting in September.

• Last Copy/Repository - Their white paper will be out in the fall.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2004

Prepared by: J. Avrin