All Directors Meeting
March 19, 2015
DeForest Community Library
New Services Discussion (no resolutions intended for today, we are looking for direction)
Filtering on Internet PCs in Order to Receive E-rate grants in 2016 and Beyond
1) Would you considering complying with the CIPA filtering requirements in order to be eligible for
E-rate grants beginning in 2016?
Corey:
-As a money saving possibility, yes.
-What is involved in being “compliant?”
-How clear are the guidelines? Physical configuration: If a ‘compliant’ machine is situated near and noncompliant, etc. i.e. Adult users & computers near kids. How near? What would need to be done?
-Smaller libraries
-parents might largely be appreciative of filtering
-“feels” like a government intrusion v. freedom of information.
Kerrie:
General consensus, with the exception of MTH, would be yes, they are willing to consider it. Yes for SUN, MPL
and MOO.
Mark: (Carolyn Shaffer, Erin Foley, Lore Ponshock, Barb Calaway)
 Lore Ponshock asked about different providers and what that may mean. No change with
BadgerNet if libraries choose not to filter.
 BadgerNet costs already subsidized by eRate.
 Also a question of whether all libraries would have to agree to filter, or just SCLS technology
customers.
 Does it have to be unanimous among all libraries, or just the SCLS technology subscribers.
 How would it work for non-SCLS technology customers?
 Who would do the filtering?
 How much would it cost to do the filtering?
 Would wireless be filtered?
 Lore said she feels the same way she always has. It’s too much work to manage and to worry about.
 Erin Foley said she is totally opposed to filtering. She said it is not her job to be a parent to adults.
 Carolyn took it to her library board this week and they are against it.
 Carolyn is also against library filtering.
 Barb said she is also against the idea of filtering in the library.
 Carolyn said it is really difficult in small libraries to manage the requirement to turn it on and off,
especially since they have youth and adults using computers in the same area.
 Totally not worth it!
Marty:
CSP: Filtering is off the table, No.
WAU: Not worthwhile
NGL: Having it on staff pc makes it very undesirable. Cons outweigh the positives
VER: Don’t have a problem with inappropriate content (too often) No
FCH: NO
SKC: NO
Wireless would have to be filtered also
Tim:
- First reaction negative overall
- requirements may be outdated (2004 CIPA) – old news in the report
- school districts as an example had a problem setting up multiple filtering requirements for different age
groups (CBR)
- are any SCLS libraries currently using filters?
- Question on annual report about compliance with non-filtering – would filtering cause compliance
problems with the state?
- Potential community reaction to turning away available funds – do patrons realize what the impact would be
for adult users?
- What are the specifics of what is allowed vs. not-allowed? Would libraries have to check ID to verify ages
and would that cause problems?
- What happens if different age groups with different filtering levels are sitting or working together? Does
that then cause a problem with compliance?
- Is the potential amount ($38K) really worth it? Would a larger amount be more of a motivator?
- Can the filter level be tied to patron logins/accounts?
- Would the entire system have to be on-board or can libraries act individually? Question of how a vote
would be conducted on a system policy for libraries (one library-one vote).
- Is current filtering technology up to the task of filtering content appropriately? Is it still based on 2004
standards?
Greg:
MCM already filters, and it works well; very few patron complaints/requests for turning it off; they are open to
having this be a system service. Trish LDI feels the whole thing is terrible; she wants to see the financial end of it,
but there is a sense of “icky”. Some discussion of what’s blocked, how. Sue Ann REE: says its library policy not to
permit nudity content on library PCs; which is constitutional – filtering or policy? Richard STO would like to know
about the money. MCM pays $600/year for OpenDNS. Carolyn would oppose accepting any amount of money for
filtering on patron or staff PCs; it’s not in keeping with the mission of the library as she sees it.
Summary: 1 “no problem”, 3 with concerns but willing to look at more info and cost details, 1 absolute No.
2) Would your library be able to adhere to the CIPA guidelines?
Corey:
-Staff training?
-Some not filtered; Some not supported by SCLS, so we’re not bound by CIPA
-See above (physical limitations of computer placement)
Kerrie: Yes, we feel like we are already doing this to some extent.
SUN: the library cards be coded to turn filtering on or off? This would solve administration issues. What kind of
money are we really talking about? Add to our workload or reduce it?
MTH is not for it. Slippery slope. We shouldn’t pursue it just because of the money? Philosophically opposed.
MPL deals with a lot of people who use the computers inappropriately now. This would reduce these issues and
uncomfortable conversations with patrons and would reduce the need for policing what people are doing. Service
benefits. Due to state statute, we already don’t allow most of the things that CIPA doesn’t allow. So what’s the big
deal? ALA did a lot of work on this and this can be considered a victory. ALA is advocating for it. Erate funding
would provide additional funding to allow us to expand broadband and internet access and to continue to build that
infrastructure.
MOO: if there’s an opt out option, he’s for it.
How will this work with wireless networks? The filtering would not apply to personal devices.
Mark:
Didn’t discuss because no one was in favor of implementing filtering.
Tim:
- Becomes an issue for smaller libraries with limited staff (LAV, NOF, RKS, BLV) – would they have to reset
filters every time a computer logon is changed?
- Different scale of staff responsibility required depending on number of computers the library provides.
- What would the issues be with patrons’ own devices and wireless access?
Storage and Retrieval of Digitized Materials
1) Would libraries like SCLS to provide a solution to both host and provide access to digitized local
materials (preferably through LINKCat)?
Corey:
-YES!
-At what cost? Cost sharing with larger participation appears to be a logical benefit
-Local history benefit
-Future changing of ILS…would that be lost?
-Many possible hosting solutions; is this the right one?
-Who can do scanning if we don’t have hardware? Quality of scan can depend on who (and what)…Scanner
quality/sophistication
-Scanning “Lab” to be lent out. (IDEA)
-Memory capacity? File size limits?
-The more into Linkcat the better (one place for patrons to go)
-Digital copyright considerations. Who “owns”?
Kerrie:
Yes by SKC and MPL and MOO
FCH, MTH and SUN don’t feel strongly.
MPL loves it in concept.
FCH historical society won’t allow anyone outside of their office at the library access their material.
SKC would reclaim shelf space as they could store certain documents digitally. Making use of the discovery layer.
Next step.
Nice to offer.
Mark:
Erin said her concern is that as soon as you put in images you start getting too many hits. Want to be able to put
limits on the items that come up.
 Carolyn liked the idea of being able to access everything like this from within LINKcat.
 Carolyn said she would even like to put her local newspapers into a resource like this.
 Carolyn said she thinks it’s a great opportunity for small libraries to get local information available to
more people.
 Erin is concerned that most people don’t really want to download the actual content, but just want
to know that it is available.
Marty:
WAU: Yes, if we can search within the digitized document (by word,)
CSP: Yes, local historical society resources
NGL: Yes, local Swiss resources
VER: would be interesting and yes
Tim:
- Would this be available before or after CodeFusion?
- Using the service and adding the files would require a lot of time to prepare files.
- Possibly a good outlet for volunteer group activities (historical societies, etc.). Community would probably
love to use it.
- Sun Prairie Museum is using Facebook for a lot of their collection. Would something more archival and
widely publicly-accessible be more appealing to groups and communities?
- Librarians are very interested, but can time found to organize efforts?
- Some hesitation about being early adopter.
- Interest level is generally very high – time and priority is the major concern.
Greg:
MCM wants to know if their Recollection Wisconsin item records can be migrated to MARC records in any kind of
economical way (over 800 items), rather than creating all those records from scratch. VTL had indicated that this is
something that needs to be explored.
MCM would have some concern about separating their content from the local museum’s Recollection content, but
moving could have enough advantages, like the indexing and retrieval. Concern about whether this content would
be accessible to Google (that is desirable and something Recollection provides for them now).
Everyone at the table agreed that if there was a low cost tool provided by SCLS, they would have a use for it.
2) If SCLS provides a solution, would libraries be willing to contribute to the storage fees?
Corey:
Yes, cautiously
Kerrie:
If MOO is contributing content, yes. SKC would rather pay based on a formula, so their patrons can access other
content. Depending on the price, maybe.
Marty:
NGL, $150 -200 okay to pay annual
CSP: yes $500- $1,000 annually
WAU: yes, as long as the fees are low
VER: yes up to $500 annually
Tim:
- Question on fees:
o are the fees annual?
o For libraries that use it only?
o Could costs be defrayed by grants?
How Can SCLS Help Libraries Help Their Patrons with Technology
1) In what areas do patrons need help with technology?
Corey:
-One on one with their own devices; Overdrive; phones(!),
-Provide a session on “tech” coming their way; What do you (patrons) already possess?
-Each need is unique
-Not knowing that their internet access is limited/non-existent
-Wide skill sets; Diverse needs; Where do you start?
Kerrie:
How to use Overdrive
How to set up eMail
Basic technology skills
Tablets
How to use a computer
eReaders
Setting guidelines for helping with technology
Mark:
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Mark Gartler said it might be better to ask in what areas don’t they need help.
Lore said OverDrive was a big area of need.
Carolyn said the OverDrive support course was very good. She is excited to get some questions.
Lore said they have had some real challenges. A patron in Florida who needed assistance and
couldn’t come in. They worked through the phone and email and got the issue resolved.
Lore said OverDrive is still a bit clunky.
Marc Gartler said part of that is by design. He said the publishers want a bit of friction.
Marc said they are seeing more issues about where the circulation is coming from. More and less in
different areas of the city.
Marc said a tremendous need for just basic computer use. Creating a free email account. Others
agreed.
Lore said often times adults are intimidated to ask for help.
Carolyn said there is that, but also some people who are very demanding for help.
Erin said one guy asked them to help him get on Match.com. He had no email addresses. That was a
new one for them.
There was a sense at the table that there is still a stigma attached to it when they don’t know how to
use computers or the Internet.
It used to be OK to attend classes, but it doesn’t seem so much anymore.
Marc said they don’t teach any classes at MPL. They do instruction in the digital media lab, but not
basic instruction on computer use.
Lots of one-on-one and small group. Not lots of classes.
Marty:
Basic know-how for everyone (staff)
Get staff up to speed
Subscription to Treehouse (too expensive)(webinars on software) Didn’t know that Badgerlink had it.
List of resources on website (told them we had it) Can’t find, website is cluttered.
Topics they need for patrons
Word
Excel
NGL & WAU are more needy for software help. Not so much with devices WAU & NGL
Tim:
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Overdrive, accessing Overdrive on tablets away from library
Basic computer skills – need for classes
Librarian training for tablets + devices, various devices and multiple platforms
Cheat sheets and educational materials to keep skills current – create a “help” file folder on the computer
desktop
Differences between browser technology, making sure current preferred versions are widely publicized
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Trying to keep patrons comfortable with changes in browser appearance, etc.
Step-by-step instructions to patrons to help their thinking
Library staff could sometimes use basic-level training; minimal staff standards for competencies
Greg:
Trish looks forward to the list of competencies from SCLS, just so as to better judge the ability of staff to offer
help. E.g. how to use Office. Carolyn is the only full time staff person, so getting part timers trained is hard. Some
patrons won’t touch a computer, others are totally comfortable.
Sue Ann shifted from classroom to appointments.
2) How can SCLS help libraries help their patrons?
Corey:
Nearly impossible;
Tends to be local
Where do you start? Most frequent of problems? Easiest fixes?
Kerrie:
Keeping up to date with changes, such as Overdrive.
Send out alerts when there are changes in technology
Don’t think there’s much else SCLS can do, besides communication regarding the above.
Our table would rather see SCLS work on other things, such as Koha, etc. Bigger libraries may not need the tech
help as much as some smaller libraries.
Marty:
Provide, create, or point to proficiency tests for staff
Tim:
- Provide a central file for cheat sheets and best practices, training outlines
- Providing re-watchable webinars for patrons on basic computer skills
Greg:
Carolyn wonders if there can be something more like a Bookmobile for tech expertise, to visit from time to time,
fully equipped with staff time and expertise. Trish added that in addition to equipment, a referral list of people who
can teach computer classes.
Look at new technology being developed and suggest possible applications in the library, e.g. the DVD dispenser.
Other Ideas
Kerrie: Community outreach ideas
Back to school nights
Madison children’s expo
Senior events
Health expos
Safety Days
Police Days
Parades
Chamber events
Involvement in community organizations—attend meetings, ear to the ground and input in community
meeting decisions
Low income neighborhood events and committees, picnics, etc
Mark:
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Taking your library outside into the community at other events (Garden Expo, Quilting Expo).
Susan Hedrick said they attend a local health fair, back to school nights, events with senior groups.
They highlight special collections or resources they can get through the library. Take some prepared
a library cards so they sign people up. Lore asked if they did any sort of outcome measurement to
determine if it is worth the effort. Susan said it is anecdotal.
Susan Santner said they do a National Night Out, Safety Day, Women’s Business Expo. She said it is
more about having a presence in the community than it is about tangible benefits. She said they want
to be seen.
Trish (LDI) said they do all these things, but they also are involved in every community group in
Lodi. She said because they are there, they can offer information about resources when the
opportunities arise.
Marc Gartler: They try to attend neighborhood picnics to have a presence. They too just want to
have a presence. But he said there is a cost to do this. They are using people who are usually at the
desk in the library, and this has stretched their branch staffing significantly.