Technology in Public Libraries Meeting Highlights

ALA Midwinter Meeting 2007, Seattle, WA

CHAIR OR REPRESENTATIVE: Bill Ptacek
DATE OF MEETING: Saturday, Jan. 20th and Sunday, Jan.21

On Saturday we took a group of committee members out to King County Library System sites for a tour of Automated Materials Handling Systems before the meeting. The Committee reviewed current and future “Technotes” with Dick boss who has been contracted to write the briefings on issues related to technologies in Public Libraries. We discussed the program for the ALA Conference in Washington on Social Networking Software. We also put together a proposal for the PLA Conference in Minneapolis that came out of discussion about Open Source based ILS Systems. We are proposing a program to update developments in Open Source systems that will feature the Georgia PINES project along with work that is being done by major public libraries around the U.S. This proposal was put forward by our Cluster Liaison, Danis Kreimeier.
 
On Sunday we met with Kathleen Hughes and Andrea Mercado to discuss wikis for PLA. With the participation of our “Technotes” writer, Dick Boss, we agreed to have them loaded on the initial PLA wiki. These updates on technology would seem ideal for the interactive participation of a wiki. We provided input for possible program co-sponsorship with an ALCTS committee that would focus on software for early literacy programs. We then joined the Practical Applications in Public Libraries Committee and talked about our upcoming programs and ways in which we could cross promote the programs.

Members present: Bill Ptacek, Jane Light, Jed Moffitt, Amy Terlaga, Barbara Morland, Rebecca Teasdale, Sue Calbreath,Katie Dunneback

Members absent: Carol Bailey, Charlene Adkins, Charles McMorran, Don Barlow, Jeanne Goodrich,Mary Ellen Icaza, Matt Gullett, Tracy Strobel

Visitors: Danis Kreimeier, Dorothy Matsui, Richard Kong, Irmgarde Brown, Brian Auger, Nathan Parker, Richard Boss, Kathleen Hughes, Andrea Mercado

ALA Midwinter Conference 2004, San Diego, CA

Daniel L. Walter, Chair
1/11/04

Members present: Margaret Danziger, Jed Moffitt, Thomas Raines, Mary Sherman, Patricia Wallace, Shirley Whalen, Corrine Hill, Charles McMorran, Daniel Walters

Members absent: Jeanne Goodrich, Carl Miller (electronic member)

Visitors: Barbara Smith (IMLS), Dick Boss, Bill Ptacek, Andrea Kappler

Discussed Tech Notes project progress with Committee consultant Dick Boss and recent Notes published on PLA site; identifies topics for two remaining Notes on his contract. Discusses strategy for publishing update of "Filtering" Note in light of CIPA ruling, agreeing that the note should have more of a technical thrust that a policy review focus.

Heard report from Dick on his progress on Committee/PLA contract investigating "Unmet Needs" of ILS systems as articulated in a number of interviews Dick held with leaders of a variety of geographically dispresed public libraries of varying sizes. "Unmet Needs" project next steps will be to invite leading (market share) public library ILS vendors to attend Orlando Sat meeting to discuss problems associated with specifying new ILS applications, potential for products in the marketplace and factors affecting development of new functionality in the industry. Contect would then be developed into a program for Chicago conference. Dick will submit a proposal to Dan for revised services on this project and "Filtering Note" and Dan will work with Dick and PLA on contract.

Members Dan Walter and Jeanne Goodrich represented the committee and PLA at fall CNI meeting in Portland. Dan presented a brief report and invited members interested in attending the April meeting in Alexandria to notify him, and indicated he plans to attend.

At Sunday session heard a report from member Jed Moffitt re PLA preconference planning and need for committee members to assist with facilitation in some breakout sessions. Dan reviewd outline of Orlando program on eCommerce.

Reported summary of activities to Cluster on Sunday. Spoke with Jerry Thrasher regarding importance on continuity of membership given current PLA contracts underway with the committee.

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