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October 2003 Members Council meeting summary
It was the first of three 2003-2004 Members Council meetings with the theme, "Innovation, Risk-Taking, and New Models of Service." "Libraries should seek new solutions to the problems of the current era," said Bob Seal, University Librarian, Mary Couts Burnett Library, Texas Christian University, and OCLC Members Council President. "No matter what type of library we work in, you and your colleagues face tremendous challenges such as reduced or flat budgets, rapid technological change, increased expectations and demands by patrons. Our users have a tremendous number of information options these days, only one of which is libraries. We are challenged to re-focus our energies, listen to and observe our patrons, and think in new ways if we wish to survive. This Members Council program is designed to help us explore some new ways of thinking." Taking risks to improve librariesJoan Frye Williams, Library and Information Technology Consultant, urged delegates to take risks to meet the changing needs of library users. She said librarians should recognize and use their strengths-such as their collections, staff skills and willingness to work together-when confronting competing information sources. "So much library talk is about what's missing. In many cases this is just a reflection of our desire to excel, but it prevents us from taking advantage of what's lying right around our feet. We have phenomenal assets-many of them underutilized," said Ms. Williams. One of the greatest opportunities for innovation and change is in retraining and cross-training library staff, according to Ms. Williams. "It's hard to innovate in the area of efficiency and productivity if you can't move your people around," she said. Innovation in libraries should be based on principles, not on procedures. "The basic principles in libraries haven't changed-just the tools and techniques. How well we make that distinction may determine how innovation works for us," said Ms. Williams. Creating new library services using new technologiesSarah Michalak, Director, Marriott Library, University of Utah, told delegates how her library created a new department to create new services using new technologies. She described how her staff created digital collections using CONTENTdm, a software solution that helps institutions organize a variety of digital materials, including photographs, maps and historic documents. The library's digital collections include rare books, diaries, photographs, maps, newspapers and other historic materials. Ms. Michalak said the response to the project has been so positive it has created momentum, support and funding for other projects. "Our projects have demonstrated the ways that digital technologies are creating new models for libraries," said Ms. Michalak. "This is a 21st century way of operating. Digitization and digital collections will continue to grow and change. It's a very exciting time." Taking an innovative approach to library facility sharingKathleen Imhoff, Director, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library, and formerly Deputy Director, Broward County (Florida) Library, described a unique, innovative approach to sharing a library facility with a private university. Ms. Imhoff told delegates how Broward County partnered with Nova Southeastern University to build and operate a new, 325,000-square-foot, $44 million library jointly owned and operated with public and private funding. Ms. Imhoff said the public library and private university had different goals for serving different constituencies-with funding coming from different sources. But by working together, the two distinct institutions were able to secure an ideal location, build a better library facility, and serve the entire community-Nova students as well as the 2.7 million people in Broward County. "The key to making a partnership like this work is flexibility, flexibility, flexibility," said Ms. Imhoff. "By working together, you can have better results than if you are working individually." OCLC president reports progress in strategic planJay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO, updated delegates on OCLC's progress in achieving goals set forth in its strategic plan. "In 2000, we shared our three-year strategic plan to extend the OCLC cooperative and transform WorldCat into a globally networked information resource through new services and a new technological platform," said Mr. Jordan. "Three years later, I am pleased to report significant progress. We have modified our governance structure to make it more inclusive. We have developed and are now operating new services such as Digital Collection and Preservation Services, including a digital archive; 24x7 virtual, cooperative reference service in QuestionPoint; an integrated cataloging system, OCLC Connexion; and a public access computing portal for public libraries called WebJunction. "We are also well along in the transformation of WorldCat into a globally networked resource of text, graphics, sound and motion from a new technological platform. Since we have accomplished many of the goals in the 2000 plan, we are now looking ahead and revising our strategy and tactics for the next three years," said Mr. Jordan. Environmental Scan will help in strategic planningCathy De Rosa, Vice President, OCLC Corporate Marketing, discussed findings from a recent Environmental Scan developed by OCLC-a broad look at the environment in which OCLC, its members and members' constituents operate. The scan examined social, economic, technology, research and learning, and library landscapes-and their implications for libraries and for OCLC. More research will be added as well as more input from sources around the world. Findings from the OCLC Environmental Scan will be available in the coming months. "We have identified trends starting to emerge and are discussing how we can help prepare libraries within these changing environments," said Ms. De Rosa. "We are also discussing how we should allocate resources in these changing environments when our funding is also changing. This information can help to guide us as we develop our strategic plan for the coming years. William J. Crowe honored for service as board chairWilliam J. Crowe, Spencer Librarian, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, and Chair of the OCLC Board of Trustees, briefly described the board's role in OCLC's governance, including its ongoing review of its own practices, its role in strategic planning, and its other core fiduciary responsibilities. It was the last time Dr. Crowe will address the Members Council as OCLC board chair. He was elected to four consecutive one-year terms as chair; four years is the maximum length of service for the chair. He began his service on the board in 1996 and will continue to serve on the board through 2006. "I plan to stay very much engaged with Members Council, as well," said Dr. Crowe, who also served as Members Council President in 1996. Mr. Seal presented Dr. Crowe a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the Council for his "visionary leadership, and dedicated service to the OCLC cooperative." "Bill has done a lot of good things for the Board and for OCLC," said Mr. Seal. One of the most important things he's done is to foster good relations and open communication between the Board and Members Council." All current board members attended this Members Council meeting. A new board chair will be announced following the board's November meeting. Communication review in progressEmma Bradford Perry, Dean of Libraries, John B. Cade Library, Southern University and Chair, OCLC Members Council Committee on Communication for the Collaborative, led a discussion exploring ways to improve communication within the council, between OCLC and the council, and between the council and the OCLC membership. "Better communication will help us become a better organization," said Dean Perry. OCLC partner initiatives in inclusionMr. Seal and Ms. Perry also participated in "Inclusion: OCLC Partner Initiatives," a program that provided an opportunity for OCLC staff to learn more about the inclusion initiatives of key OCLC partners. "I hope our discussion inspires you to make a renewed commitment to inclusion and diversity in your workplace," said Ms. Perry. Sandra Phoenix, Program Coordinator for the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Alliance, SOLINET, and Tracie Hall, Office for Diversity, American Library Association, also spoke about the benefits of inclusion and diversity. Rhoda Channing rememberedCouncil passed a resolution in memory of Rhoda Channing, who was Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University and a delegate to Members Council from SOLINET. Ms. Channing died July 25 of cancer. "Rhoda was a librarian who cared deeply about her institution and the profession, indeed she was a model for others," said Mr. Seal. "She was dedicated, innovative, and committed to library service, and was a strong proponent of library cooperation in general, and the work of OCLC and SOLINET in particular. She contributed significantly to the success of Members Council through her thoughtful and insightful comments, her cheerful and friendly personality, and above all, her support of the concept of the OCLC collaborative." Other council actionDuring the three day meeting, Council also:
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