ALN Work Camp report

Twenty librarians representing all types and sizes of libraries from across Alaska met September 10, 2008 to assist the Alaska Library Network. Four groups tackled a series of suggestions from libraries for ALN programs and services by prioritizing them and then developing action plans. It was intense, hard work but the results were nothing short of remarkable. At the end of the day not only were there action plans but all priorities were critiqued and commented on. In brief, the priorities, as determined by the groups, are as follows:

Priority 1 (highest)

• Develop a cataloging service for libraries (reenvisioned as Meeting the needs of small libraries
• Identify, locate and coordinate inclusion of other Alaskan digital projects into the Alaska Digital Archives
• Document delivery, both electronic and physical
• Create database consortia for libraries to share databases that aren’t available through the Digital Pipeline

Priority 2

• Develop improved authentication
• Develop reference support (reenvisioned as Expand reference support)
• Develop training opportunities for specialized topics (reenvisioned as ALN training coordinator)
• Pursue vendor discounts for group purchases

Priority 3

• Develop shared automated system with shared catalog and library cards
• Develop web page templates and/or hosting for small libraries
• “Try before you buy” - providing new technologies/media/items to libraries to review
• Develop specialized services 

Priority 4

• Provide an automated reader’s advisory service
• Coordinate and/or cover costs of traveling exhibits
• Develop tutorials for using the databases, conducting research, etc.

Once the groups had chosen and explained their priorities, participants were asked to choose the top two priorities in their opinion. Their top four priorities were:

1. Create database consortia for libraries to share databases that aren’t available through the Digital Pipeline
2. Identify, locate and coordinate inclusion of other Alaskan digital projects into the Alaska Digital Archives
3. Develop training opportunities for specialized topics
4. Develop shared automated system with shared catalog and library cards

The ALN interim board met on October 7 to discuss the priority recommendations. Taking into consideration both the priorities of the groups and the participants, the board selected the two highest rated priorities for the Coordinator to address in the short term. The priorities and the actions to be undertaken are:

Create database consortia

• Survey ALN members (and potential members) to create inventory
  • Similar questions as last year’s Electronic Resources Survey
  • New questions to determine existing purchasing consortia, price paid and how price calculated
• Encourage vendors to develop countercompliant statistics
  • Assist Jeremy Frank, JPL, with work already underway

Alaska Digital Archives

• Identify digital projects around Alaska
  • Work with Frances Field, Archives Rescue Corps, who is surveying archival collections
  • ARC survey includes questions about digitization, metadata, preservation needs and digital rights
• Facilitate reunion/reformation of Alaskana working group
  • Convene and facilitate initial meeting

In addition to the above activities, the Coordinator will continue to work on other projects such a group purchase services and membership recruitment.

Priority activities will be revisited when the formal board of directors is elected and begins their term of service next March.

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October 13th, 2008