Minutes of the May 5, 1999 Meeting
Present: Chervenie, Ciliberti, John Cohn, Judy Cohn, Gaboury, Gaunt, Getaz, Hafner, Hunt, Price, Rigby, Sweeney
Guest: Dave Hoover
1. Marianne Gaunt began the meeting with an overview of the migration to the new interface and database access to the locally loaded tapes. The cut over went very smoothly once a few snags with the vendors' tapes were straightened out. Seton Hall's assistance to Rutgers greatly facilitated the cut over. Marianne distributed several documents prepared by Dave Hoover and Ann Scholz-Crane to be forwarded to the User Education and Training Committee which should make their documentation and help screen projects easier.
2. Marianne announced that Richard Sweeney is stepping down as chair of the Interface Committee and the group thanked Richard for his contributions. A new chair will be named shortly.
3. Richard Sweeney reported on negotiations he is conducting with a major science journal publisher for VALE. He described a proposed pricing model based upon current subscriptions held in NJ and usage estimates. Participation by Rutgers and/or Princeton, as the largest subscribers, was discussed. Further information about the possible package will be forthcoming in a week or two.
4. Anne Ciliberti presented recommendations for other new VALE database offerings in FY 00. The group made several suggestions and Anne indicated that she will try to get a mailing out to the member libraries within the next week. The libraries will be asked to indicate their interest in subscribing to the various databases at various estimated costs.
5. Judith Hunt reported that the Electronic Resources Subcommittee will be ready towards the end of May with a list of New Jersey-related websites for inclusion on the VALE webpage.
6. Dave Hoover described his efforts at gathering statistical data about VALE usage. He has sent preliminary information to the Assessment co-chairs who will give him feedback on further directions to be developed.
7. Arthur Hafner suggested that an issue for the group to consider and discuss is the possibility of improving access to libraries by faculty and students from other institutions. Marianne suggested that this is a topic that the Council might wish to revisit and consider. Brother Paul Chervenie suggested that the Council might also wish to consider protocols among the academic libraries pertaining to the new statewide interlibrary loan system being advanced by the State Library.
8. John Gaboury described various lobbying efforts underway to promote the State Library's request for $6 million, of which $1.5 is earmarked for VALE. Several meetings with individual legislators have been held as well as hearings at the State House. All library and VALE advocates are urged to write letters and send emails to their legislators and the Governor supporting the initiative.
9. The next meeting of the VALE Steering Committee will be on June 3 at 1:30 pm.
Minutes prepared by Anne Ciliberti
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