1.  Call to Order

Jenifer O’Connor chaired the meeting in Alfred Hopkins absence.  Jenifer called the meeting to order at 1:06 p.m.

2.  Introduction – Patricia Daragan

Jenifer introduced Patricia Daragan.  Patricia Daragan is the Director at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy Library.  Patricia gave a brief description of the academy and her professional accomplishments.

3.  Approval of Minutes

Art Skerker MOVED (2^nd Alan Benkert) to approve the minutes of March 3, 2004 as presented.  VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

4.  Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.  VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

5.  Public Comment

There was no public comment.

6.  New Business

a.  Nominations Committee – Action Doc. 04-02 – Jonas Zdanys

Alan Benkert MOVED to the approve the appointment of Patricia Daragan to the Connecticut Digital Library Advisory Board for the term of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005.  VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  All in favor.

7.  State Library Report – Kendall Wiggin

Bill Sullivan distributed written text of Kendall Wiggin’s State Librarian Report.  Ken’s report stated that the State Library announced that AP PhotoArchive and HeritageQuest Online have been added to iCONN.  His report gave a description of the features of both databases.  Thirty–three LSTA grant applications were submitted to the State Library.  The grants will be reviewed by State Library staff and the selected grants will be brought to the State Library for approval at the May board meeting.  The 2002-2003 pubic library statistics are now up and available on our website.  The Connecticut Version of Webjuntion CT will premiere at the end of June.  The Appropriations Committee passed a budget that added back $150,000 to the Connecticut Library Consortium.and includes $30,000 for an anticipated increase in the Willimantic Library Service Center lease and $25,000 for printing a commemorative edition of the State Library bennial report.  The budget has to be voted on by full legislature.  The partners in the Connecticut History Online project have submitted a grant proposal to the Institute of Museum and Library Services eojhe pcates in the Sillimanti Dsirvery Center-0rior oS  thbrought before tghtState yrhdatabashof xi noostated in his report that iCONN ed s reported gave reported reported for iggin reported that a task force of the Connecticut Library Association and the Advisory Council on Library Planning was formed to examine Connecticard.  They have issued a preliminary report to both Boards.  The report calls for more funding and for a cost study to be done to support a request to the legislature next year.  Sharon Brettschneider has issued an RFI for the study.  Sharon also reported that the LSTA grants are due at the State Library on March 5.  She is expecting more than the usual amount of grant applications.  The State Library received an increase in Library Services and Technology Act funds.  The extra funds will be used in part to support iCONN and the two new databases.

8.  Department of Higher Education Report – Jonas Zdanys

Jonas Zdanys was absent from the meeting.  There was no report given.

 9.  Other Reports

a.  Database Committee – William Sullivan (for Sharon Brettschneider)

Bill Sullivan reported that the committee met on April 30.  for Sharon Brettschneider reported that both HeritageQuest Online and AccuNet AP/Multimedia Archive are up and accessible.  Sharon will send out a letter to the public and academic libraries and also to CEMA.  The database committee met after the meeting to schedule a date to discuss the databases and if they should start another RFP.  Melissa Behney also volunteered to be on the database committee. 

b.  Digital Library Progress Report – William Sullivan

Bill Sullivan distributed a letter that was sent to all libraries announcing the migration of reQuest to the new version, AGent.  A preview environment of the new version has been made available to all participating libraries and statewide training using the Preview environment has been scheduled to take place during the last half of March.  This is phase 1 of the implementation -- to transfer all current reQuest functionality onto the AGent platform, and to begin to make use of federated searching capability with library catalogs and other public domain resources that do not require authentication.  Phase 2 will incorporate all licensed iCONN resources as well as user authentication.  Phase 2 is scheduled for July 1. 

9.  Old Business

a.  Nominations Committee – Action Doc. #04-01-William Sullivan

William Sullivan distributed a revised nominations document.  The slot for the Librarian, Other position was vacant due to Sandra Clockedile’s resignation.  The nominations committee conferred electronically and agreed to select a candidate from the names of the recent solicitation of candidates, rather than do another statewide solicitation for applications.  The nominations committee recommended Melissa Behney to fill the vacancy.  Alan Benkert MOVED (2^nd David Bretthauer) that the Connecticut Digital Library Board approves the appointment of Melissa Behney to the Connecticut Digital Library Advisory Board for a term of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004.  VOTED unanimously.

b.  Public Awareness – Sharon Brettschneider

Sharon Brettschneider reported that we have funding to begin public awareness initiatives.  Betty Goyette has agreed to develop learning activities for the school tool kit.  The tool kit for schools will have these learning activities as well as public relations graphics to download.  Bill Sullivan put together an iCONN awareness packet that was given to all the legislators.  Bill is working on a packet for seniors regarding HeritageQuest.  Sharon will be attending a curriculum meeting with Barbara Westwater to discuss iCONN and its resources.  Art Skerker stated that he is looking to incorporate iCONN into their school training and for more material for mentors. 

10.  New Business

a.  Agent 2.0 Preview Environment Demo – William Sullivan

William Sullivan demonstrated the search features of the new reQuest AGent platform.

 11.  Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 2:27 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2004 at the Middletown Library Service Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynette Baisden,
Connecticut State Library