Present: M. Burnette, L. Diamond, G. Ford, R. Green, A.Ritch (chair), A.
Sevetson, B. Sibley (recorder), A. Urbanic, C. Wanat
Guest: Milt Ternberg
1. Ebooks update
There was a discussion of the NetLibrary Evaluation report compiled by
Milt Ternberg. The report gave background on the NetLibrary experiment,
summarized 78 survey responses, provided usage stats and made
recommendations. There seemed to be a mixed reaction to NetLibrary by
users. Many users reported that they did not have time to try the ebooks
while those that did were frustrated by the small number of titles in the
collection. Others did like the 24 hour access and the powerful search
features of the service. Most believed that ebooks did not replace print.
The conclusion of the report was that there did not seem to be a
significant demand for ebooks at this time though we should continue for
another two years with the funding now in the deposit account for access
fees and continue to monitor use of the collection and watch the
technological developments from NetLibrary and other ebook vendors.
Alan reported on other NetLibrary tests at UCSD, UCLA, UCI and stated his
preference for the Ebrary model as an alternative to Netlibrary. Ebrary
has signed on several big publishers and will be making their database
free for searching with fees only for printing/downloading. He reminded us
that there will be a program on ebook technology given by Rick Lugg June
13 9am-12 in the Morrison Room. He also mentioned that Univ. of
Pennsylvania is entering a partnership with Oxford University Press who
will release the texts of their books to Penn users. Camille reported that
Engi is exploring subscribing to computer user manuals online.
When asked if selectors could add a few titles to NetLibrary if they paid
from their funds, Alan stated that he saw "no burning urgency to do
anything" at this point. He preferred to hold off adding titles and see
what develops thru the CDL Ebook Task Force and what resources we will
have for the new year. He stated that we already have access to many
ebooks especially reference through OUP, Chadwyck-Healey and other vendors
and publishers.
2. Announcements
*Beth mentioned the CDL Resource Liaison annual meeting planned for April
4 at UCI.and asked if there was any problem in funding travel for all the
Berkeley liaisons. Alan said that this meeting was important and all
liaisons should attend if possible. Michaelyn agreed to send out a message
to selector list about the meeting and request that comments about any of
our CDL electronic resources be forwarded to the appropriate Berkeley
liaison before the meeting date. It was suggested that there be a report
back from the liaisons. There was also a discussion about CDL's request
for usage stats for electronic resources and the difficulties encountered
sometimes in obtaining this data especially for the other campuses.
Liaisons should be encouraged to send this issue and others as agenda
items to Sherry Willhite at CDL.
*Alan announced that the Fall 2000 issue of the Chronicle of the Univ. of
Calif. (published by the Center for Studies in Higher Education) had an
article by Marianne Constable on "The University Library at the Turn of
the Century."
* Alan also mentioned that he saw a demo of Luna Insight at CDL. It is
software used to catalog, index, distribute or manipulate scanned images.
CDL is considering licensing the software so it can be used to share
visual imagery. Smith College and several institutions are using it as a
platform for image databases and instructional design.
3.Collections Budget Subcommittee Recommendations
Members reviewed the final spreadsheets of CBS recommended allocations. A
column to indicate what selector fund to use was added and some minor
adjustments in figures were made. More one time money was used but less
permanent money was used. The final total UL reserve carryover is
$566,137. However, this balance is expected to be eroded by other new
orders later this year and by hidden, ongoing costs of using -m funds for
new serials orders. Alan suggested that maybe another $50,000 be added to
DILIB since more money is likely to be needed there. All selectors making
requests should have been notified of their allocations and can start
placing their orders with the Order Div. Alan concluded that the process
was very labor intensive but it was a learning experience and he was
pleased with the outcome. Assuming that additional funds will be available
for collections, the work should be easier next year as the criteria and
spreadsheets will be in place.
4. Collections Budget Request Final Version
Alan distributed a spreadsheet of anticipated collection budget needs for
the next three years. We are requesting roughly one-and-a-half-million new
dollars for collections and collection related needs for the next fiscal
year, with a similar increase for each of the subsequent two years. The
budget is inflation-driven with 9 per cent allocated for serials increases
and 3.5 for monographs. We also need permanent increases to fund new
digital resources."Flat" increases will be used to fund new tech services
staff, binding increases, microform storage, and missing replacements.
How much of this budgetary needed will be funded remains uncertain. We
have been led to expect permanent increases of a million dollars for each
of the next three years, but these funds may have to be shared with other
library priorities. In any event, the available funds are
likely to be less than those requested, and so selectors are urged to show
restraint, especially in their ordering of new serials, and where possible
to cancel less needed serial titles of equivalent cost in order to pay for
the new ones.
5. Other Business
There was no other business so the meeting was adjourned.