*Some meeting minutes can also be found as Word documents under the Files tab in the wiki menu.

April 2, 2008

Members present:  Lynn, Dan, Sonja, Jessie, Julie

After gleefully welcoming Sonja back to the fold, we discussed recent ILS activities, including the discovery tool that Al from PALS has been working on.  The discovery tool has a great look and is easier to navigate than our current OPAC.   Julie will ask Al if we can put the new search box on our homepage, replacing the existing Aleph search box.  MnPALS is also apparently looking into VuFind as another possible discovery tool.  Dan went to a WorldCat local demonstration and left with some reservations, mainly that it is not customizable, only contains our data from OCLC, and does not solve our staff side issues.  Lynn and Jessie reported on the Koha demonstrations given at the PALS office and broadcast to libraries.  While the user side looks good, the subsystems were all substandard, including no link resolver and no MARC holding record.  We also discussed the ILS report from the March 10, 2008 meeting facilitated by Eric Celeste and attended by Jessie, Lynn, and Julie.  The report can be found in the Resources section of this wiki.

Late winter - early spring 2008

The group met on several occasions to discuss the wish list generate by staff (most recent issue included in the Resources section) and in preparation for the upcoming meeting at St. Ben's to discuss the future of the ILS.  The meeting will be facilitated by Eric Celeste; discussion questions were sent to participants ahead of time.

December 17, 2007 Meeting

Present:  Lynn, Dan, Julie

After discussing some of the resources we'd compiled (most are included under the Resources section of this wiki), we agreed that our next step should be to generate a list of what we're looking for in a new ILS.  This inlcudes OPAC functionality as well as the staff client.  More than just a "wish list," our ideas should include what we actually need and want in an ILS.  Questions to consider include what we'd like to see, what doesn't work in our current ILS, and what do we need our ILS to do?  We will ask all library staff to consider these questions.

We will raise these questions at the All Staff meeting on December 20.  Julie will follow up with an email to all staff, asking for input. 

Next Meeting: January 15, 2008 at 11am.

Open Source Software Reading Group

November 19, 2007

Members:  Lynn Burg, Jessie Twaddle, Sonja Timmerman, Dan Mollner, Julie Gilbert (convener)

Members present:  Lynn, Jessie, Julie

1.  The newly-formed Open Source Software Reading Group (OSSRG) met for the first time on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 9am in the first floor lounge.  The group grew out of recent discussions in the Minnesota library community about the feasibility of open source software as the basis for the next generation of integrated library systems.

2.  The OSSRG’s purpose is to explore issues related to open source software in libraries, form contacts with other libraries exploring similar questions, investigate open source software resources, and communicate with the rest of the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library staff about these issues and how they might impact our library.

3.  The group discussed questions that arose for them when considering what might happen if we moved to an open source ILS, like Koha.  (Please note that we have no set plans at this point to move to an open source ILS, but are considering what the implications might be.)

Questions and considerations include:

• Relationships – Will we stay with MnPALS or will we someday be considering joining or forming another consortium?  How do we stay in the loop with other libraries who are considering open source software?  How would our support and services with MINITEX change?

• Product – What does the staff side of Koha look like?  How well does it work?  What have other libraries using Koha experienced?  Does it interface with Marcive?  Would we migrate to a new staff client and patron interface or just a new patron interface?  What are some possibilities for using WorldCat Local in the future?  *Keep in mind that since it is open source software, we will be able to customize the software.  If it is a web-based client, updates would only have to be made on the server, not on individual workstations.  WorldCat Local is not yet in production for all libraries, but may be something to consider at a later time.

• Support – What kind of support would we have from LibLime? (LibLime is the company that provides support and services for libraries using Koha.)  We currently receive excellent, personal support from the PALS staff – would we have similar levels of customer service elsewhere?  Could GTS support the product (at least in part)?  What would the library and GTS require in terms of staffing and budget to do most/all of the support in-house?

• Migration – migration is always a process of change and upheaval.  What would the impacts be on our library and staff?  Where would the data be stored once it was extracted from PALS (if we were no longer in that consortium)?

• Cost – How much would it cost to work with LibLime?  What are the start-up and the ongoing costs?  Would there be a charge to withdraw ourselves and/or our data from PALS if we ever left that consortium?  How much more would we be willing to pay if we found a product superior to Aleph?

We recognize the multitude of questions arising from this project and are committed to exploring and gathering information on the issues listed above.  We are making no commitments or recommendations at this time to move to a different system or to renegotiate our relationship with the PALS consortium.  Instead we’re gathering information and facilitating communication in order to help us fully explore all our options and make the best decision possible for our library.  Although the process seems a little daunting, it is also exciting!

Next steps:

1.  Julie will set up a wiki that members of the OSSRG will be able to edit.  We will use the wiki to organize thoughts, list resources, and communicate with staff.  Once Julie figures out how to set up a wiki (don’t hold your breath), she will share the link with all staff.

2.  All members of the group will generate a list of contacts at other institutions who can serve as resources.  For example, the Carleton & St. Olaf libraries have a similar exploratory group, which we will contact.

3.  Group members will also add recommended readings and other resources to the wiki.  All library staff are welcome to submit readings to the group to post on the wiki.

4.  Group members are committed to communicate with all library staff and welcome comments, ideas, and questions from library staff, in addition to resources.

Next meeting:  The group will meet again once before winter break.  A specific meeting time has not been established yet.

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