Jim Kuhlman said he would email everyone updated committee/ULAC assignment information.

The next agenda item was a proposed best practices of technology/virtual reference program. Mae Rodney had suggested last May putting together such a program. Rick Moul suggested that this program take place at the same time and place as the EDUCAUSE fall program. The alternative location, should this plan not proceed, would be at North Carolina State University. Sherman Hayes asked if this program would be just for technical persons, such as the ANC members. Mary Reichel suggested forming a subgroup, not just ANC members, to set up the forum. Sherman then suggested including two people to plan, the ANC representative or other technical person and one other person of the library's choice. It was decided the best way to plan was with EDUCAUSE personnel and our own subgroup.

John Lawrence asked if ULAC needs a group to discuss best practices and provide training opportunities. Mary Reichel said John Abbott had asked if we need a collection development committee. These topics were briefly discussed but no action was taken. It was pointed out that ULAC was not engaged in such activities in the past, as it is an advisory group to the Office of the President.

Lee Gray then suggested that nominations for people to set up the best practices of technology conference be sent to Jim Kuhlman by email next week. The availability of the nominee to chair or co-chair should also be made known. Jim agreed and asked Mae Rodney to sketch out a charge for the conference. Waltrene Canada suggested that Jim make available the nice fill-in-the blank virtual form he has been using.

Betsy Brown said there is an opportunity for 'best practices' workshops at the upcoming Teaching and Learning with Technology conference.

The next agenda item was core electronic resources. At a January 2 videoconference coordinated with ULAC by Jim Kuhlman we were asked by Robyn Render to come up with a list of core electronic resources. The Office of the President would add value to negotiations for acquiring these resources. It was pointed out that the NC LIVE developers have already compiled such a list.

Betsy Brown said she'd talk to Robyn Render to find out what she wants.

Bill Kirwan said that NC LIVE is the core list but maybe we could add Academic Universe. Susan Nutter agreed but said Science Direct should be left off.

Betsy Brown said all this has to do with moving ahead with electronic learning initiatives.

Joe Hewitt said the providers are moving away from consortial negotiating. Electronic learning resources can be made available but for a lot of money and this reality is being resisted. It is important that libraries are involved at the beginning of negotiations.

Jim Kuhlman suggested that Betsy Brown and Robyn Render discuss how best to proceed. Cooperative issues need to be discussed and coordinated. The matter is much more complex than making up a list and turning it in to Ms. Render.

Betsy Brown then provided a list of known consortial distance education degree programs.

Jim Kuhlman concluded that through Carolyn Argentati, ULAC representative to the UNC E-learning Taskforce, and Betsy we will discuss the core electronic resources topic with Robyn Render.

The status of the appeal of the case involving collection of fines and fees was next discussed, led by Betsy Brown. There has been no action on the appeal. Schools are being advised to escrow fines. The appeal will not decide on what happens to funds collected retroactively. Council members were advised to consult with campus attorneys about how to handle associated issues. A fine is defined as a penalty. The clear proceeds definition specifies that institutions cannot keep more than 10%. The Board of Governors is trying to get a legislative definition.

Alternative procedures for dealing with overdue books, such as the "Blockbuster" model, were discussed briefly. Leslie Winner does not suggest any solutions, although she does think that it's all right for faculty and staff to be handled differently from students.

Susan Nutter then shared the document "NCSU Libraries Proposed Improvements in Materials Management." This plan will eliminate fines and utilize a student/faculty appeals board.

Planning for a unified state online catalog was the next topic discussed. Susan Nutter suggested that the Legislature be asked for $400,000 to buy software in another biennium.

The proposal for a charge from ULAC to ANC was discussed. Mary Reichel suggested amendments to the proposal as written; Lee Gray seconded the motion, which passed. The charge then read:

Each of the 16 university campuses has a web based search engine for their online library catalogs. In addition, all of the 16 campuses have online catalogs that support Z39.50 search capability.

ULAC requests that ANC investigate the possibility of developing a unified search capability for all catalogs, which would include the patron being able to initiate a request to borrow the item, and consider possible software for purchase.

The ANC analysis should include projected implementation times, cost and estimated staff effort for each option along with recommendations for the technical feasibility of each option presented.

ANC should identify if there will be costs for specific institutions to implement the Z39.50 options in their local systems, but the ANC is not responsible for determining the exact costs of such for each institution.

Sherman Hayes asked about the time frame for consideration of this charge by ULAC. Mary Reichel suggested by May 15. Jim asked if all agreed; all were in favor excluding four abstentions.

Jim Kuhlman next brought up the matter of the charge for ANC. Is there a general or specific one? He asked that everyone who has a copy of the charge will forward it to Jim and he will post it on the Web.

Susan Nutter then provided an NC LIVE report. The steering committee has been working with the State Department of Public Instruction (SDPI) on the legislative language from the 2001 legislative session. The steering committee decided that the content of NC LIVE as pertains to the public schools is really an issue between the SPDI and the Department of Cultural Resources.

The NC LIVE Steering Committee agreed there were three options to take to the three boards. Betsy Bunting was helpful in devising the options:

(1) continue to provide access to NC LIVE "Wiseowl" separately (which would maintain the status quo);

(2) provide access to "Wiseowl" through the current NC LIVE Website at a cost of $150,000;

(3) devise an agreement between the State Library and NC LIVE to expand resources to all under 18, which would cost $2.5 - 3 million.

SDPI wants to come into NC LIVE under a different governance structure. Officials do not want school libraries involved; it is a matter of local versus centralized control.

The 2001-2002 budget was next discussed. Betsy Brown passed out information about total budget requests for system components which had been previously developed. She said it was time to develop the next round of plans. Regarding the information she distributed, everything had been developed in terms of collaborative work. The Budget Committee should work on the next round of plans and continue the use of collaboration as part of the plan. International digital resources should also be included. Everyone should be reading planning budget materials provided by Betsy.

The next meetings of ULAC will take place in Chapel Hill May 30-31. Agenda items should be sent to Jim. He asked if there should be a session on copyright the afternoon of May 30. How

long would a session on personnel take - two hours? Joe Hewitt said an hour and a half. How broad should the copyright session be? Probably reserves would be narrow enough. E-reserves and distance education would probably take two hours, Susan Nutter said.

Some announcements were made:

(1) Joe Hewitt is in a focus group established by Mary Reichel in connection with ACRL, "The Future of Academic Libraries."

(2) Betsy Brown said MERLOT is thinking of adding library science as a disciplinary unit.

(3) Joe Hewitt invited everyone to publicize the upcoming North Carolina Literary Festival and the "Documenting the American South" project.

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM.

Elinor Folger Foster

Secretary

April 24, 2002