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Present: Alan Benkert, Cheryl Beturne, David Bretthauer, Samuel Brown,
LuAnn Cogliser, Betty Goyette, Al Hopkins, Ed Murray, Jennifer O'Connor,
Jim Smith, Kendall Wiggin, Jonas Zdanys
Others: Lynette Baisden, Anita Barney, Sharon Brettschneider, Steve Cauffman,
Michael Helfgott, Gail Hurley, Bill Sullivan,
Absent: Alana Meloni
1. Call to Order & Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m. In Kendall Wiggins's
absence, Sharon Brettschneider welcomed the Board and asked if each member
would introduce themselves. Kendall Wiggin was at the Capitol for the
Governor's budget address and would join the meeting later. Ms. Brettschneider
temporarily chaired the meeting until a permanent chair would be elected
later in the agenda. She stated that the Board needed to vote on a Chairperson
and a Vice Chairperson.
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Samuel Brown MOVED (2ND Alan Benkert) to nominate Alfred Hopkins to serve
as Chairperson. VOTED unanimously. Mr. Hopkins chaired the meeting from
this time. He asked for volunteers to fill the Vice-Chair position. Jennifer
O'Connor volunteered and it was VOTED unanimously. Sharon Brettschneider
stated that the positions of a student in a Connecticut school or college
and the representative from the Commission for Educational Technology
are still vacant.
3. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented. VOTED unanimously.
4. Public Comment
There was none.
5. iCONN Overview and History - Presentation
by William Sullivan
William Sullivan gave a presentation on the history and funding of iCONN.
In FY 2001-2002 the legislature appropriated a total of 2 million dollars
for the development of a digital library as a component of the Connecticut
Education Network. The funding for databases was split between the State
Library for public and school databases and the Department of Higher Education
for academic databases. The State Library developed a request for proposal
(RFP) for the core databases and established an evaluative scoring system.
The Department of Information Technology issued the RFP on the State Library's
behalf. The Gale Group scored the highest and was chosen to be the vendor.
The core, or Tier 1, databases are for statewide access and the Tier 2
databases are restricted to either public and school or academic libraries.
The official launching of iCONN was held on March 26th, 2001. As of December
31, 2001 over 2 million searches have been performed on iCONN. The current
fiscal year saw a $618,000 reduction in the budget but that funding was
restored in the Governor's budget for FY 03. This will carry most
of the databases through until the end of June, 2003, however monies for
administrative expenses in FY 03 were not provided.
6. Commission for Educational Technology -
Michael Helfgott, Executive Director
Michael Helfgott addressed the Board about the progress of the Commission
for Educational Technology (CET). He gave an overview of the activities
and goals for the network, including a high-speed telecommunications network
connecting all schools and libraries. Mr. Helfgott stated that he has
been at the Commission since September and has had an interesting year
with much progress. The Commission is working to promote a comprehensive
agenda and to seek support from legislatures and government offices. They
have been very fortunate to have had an increase in their budget during
the special session.
7. Budget and Legislative News - Kendall Wiggin
Kendall Wiggin reported that the legislative session started today and
will end on May 5th. The Digital Library has $618,000. We have 1.4 in
the current year to pay for the database renewals. Mr. Wiggin said that
he would be asking for the full $2 million per year in the next biennial
budget. He thanked the Lt. Governor and stated that iCONN is one of many
education initiatives she has supported. Mr. Wiggin reported that the
State Library's budget is not in bad shape but there was a reduction
in state aid and the library's book budget.
8. New Business
a. Determine member terms
Sharon Brettschneider asked each Board member to pick a slip of paper,
which indicated their term of service of either 1 year or 2 years. This
procedure was called for in the bylaws so that all terms would not expire
at once. Alan Benkert, Samuel Brown, LuAnn Cogliser, Alfred Hopkins, Alana
Meloni and the representative for a student in a Connecticut school or
college will all serve 1-year terms. Cheryl Beturne, David Bretthauer,
Edward Murray, Jenifer O'Connor and Jim Smith will serve 2-year terms.
b. Filling unfilled positions
Sharon Brettschneider stated that according to the bylaws, the Board
of Governors of Higher Education will appoint the representative for a
student in a Connecticut school or college and the Commission for Educational
Technology will appoint their representative.
c. Determine meeting schedule
The question of whether to meet every month or move to a two-month schedule
was discussed. Jim Smith reminded the Board that the bylaws direct us
to meet monthly in the first year. The time and day of the meetings was
discussed. Alan Benkert MOVED (2nd Edward Murray) to meet the first Wednesday
of every month at 1:00 p.m.
9. Other Business
Kendall Wiggin told the Board that he welcomes everyone's input
on the databases and that committees can be set up to work on specific
areas. Mr. Wiggin also stated that a new biennial budget needs to be developed
and the Board will be involved in this process. He said that the Digital
Library Advisory Board needs better dialogue with the Content Committee
of the Commission for Educational Technology.
Bernice Yesner MOVED (2nd Lu-Ann Cogliser) to adjourn the meeting at
2:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Baisden
Connecticut State Library
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