_{Present: Linda Caisse (NKI), Pat LaRose,(NPT), Lisa Davis (OSL), Beth Johnson (CRA), Diane Swindlehurst (EPL), Carol Shedd (WRR), Lauri Burke (BAR), Susan Dunn (WAR),   Mary Anne Quinn (WAR)}

_{Employment Help -}

_{Beth Johnson passed around a “Job Search Guide” brochure developed at the Cranston Library. It is similar in style to the brochure developed by Pawtucket Library for Reference Services. Beth also reported on the employment programs sponsored by Cranston and Warwick libraries and held at Cranston. Andrea Eastman, a staff person at Cranston P.L., and career counselor, presented programs on resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills. 32 people attended the first workshop and 10 the second. The third workshop is Resume Critique Night and has 27 people signed up.  Participants will meet with Andrea one-to-one to have their resume critiqued. The Resume and Interview programs will be held at the Warwick Library in February, along with a third program on  job hunting strategies. Andrea Eastman will also be presenting a workshop at East Providence P.L.}

_{Pat LaRose is holding workshops on employment at Newport P.L. but they will have a different approach. Pat’s will focus on the technical skills needed in job hunting, such as typing resumes, attaching them to email, etc. Pat will analyze the attendee’s skill level and give more help to those who need it. Attendees will use laptops and get individual attention, so workshops will be limited at each session.} 

_{Job Search Bibliography for all OSL Libraries –}

_{v       Discussion was held on using the “Featured List” option on main catalog page to host a new list based on employment books and resources. It could be a bibliography for consortium-wide use with the latest job hunting, resume, cover letter, and employment search books listed. This list might also include links to important employment sites as well. Lisa would like to see Featured Lists used for other things, as well, such as award winning book lists.  Featured Lists can be built using Create List, and can have as many titles as we need. Lisa felt that if we wanted to use Featured Lists to post a list, we need to get the permission of the Steering Committee first. The current Featured Lists, the New York Times Bestseller List, is maintained faithfully by Doug at Barrington, who updates it every week. Doug uses the same review file and just changes the content every week. After much discussion, it was decided that Lisa would use Create List to build this featured list. It is #19 on Create List. Each committee member can add titles to the list. Pat LaRose is willing to go to the Steering Committee meeting on February 19 to get permission to post the Featured List. Each committee member will aim to submit 5 titles to add to the list.}

_{Envisionware Implementation-}

_{Three libraries represented at this meeting have Envisionware already and find it very helpful. Other libraries represented at the meeting will be getting it, although some libraries plan to use only the print management feature, while others plan to use the time management only.  Some of the librarians using Envisionware feel the time management is the best feature. It frees up the Reference staff and works very well. Lisa said the orders will be placed soon. Joan Gillespie recently sent a message via OSL mail to let libraries know the following:}

_{·         Envisionware maintenance will be divided evenly among participating libraries, not prorated based on percentage of fees paid to OSL.}   

_{·         Libraries can opt out after the first year if they do not like it. The maintenance fees will be shared by the libraries using it.}

_{·         Libraries can sign up for print management, time management or both for the same fee.}

_{Encore Update –}

_{The date for the Encore implementation has not been set yet.  (Joan added this update:  OSL has a new Millennium server due in February and will change the domain name when that arrives.  OSL needs the new domain name on the main server before it can set up the SSL certificate needed for the Encore server. We will know the Encore implementation date soon.)  Discussion was held on linking Encore to the original catalog screen. Some libraries in other states that are using Encore have the phrase “Advanced Search” under the search box on the Encore screen.  This links to the Advanced search screen on the OPAC. Some committee members feel that the Advanced Search screen is too complicated and would rather have the link go to the standard basic search screen on the OPAC. Others felt that the phrase on the Encore screen that links to the original catalog should be “Classic Catalog” instead of “Advanced Search” and link to the OPAC basic search screen. Lisa said each library can probably decide what they want to link to. Lisa will let us know when she has more information.}

_{Ebsco Link to Career Library Database Trial –}

_{This link will be available until June 30 so it is worth putting on the libraries websites. The  Ebsco workshop offered on 1/22/09 will focus on answering real reference questions.}

_{Database Review Committee –}

_{The Steering Committee charged an ad hoc committee with reviewing the databases and making a recommendation of which company to continue with in June. Laura Marlane will chair, with Sue Moreland, Becky Turnbaugh and Diane Swindlehurst on the committee. Laura will be in touch with this group to recruit two more people for this committee. Pat LaRose and Lauri Burke said they would be on the committee.  Beth suggested that we make a recommendation as a group. Because we are spending a lot of energy publicizing the Ebsco databases, it would be hard to make a switch. Other committee members felt it was important to consider both Ebsco and Gale, which are probably the two major companies. Gale has strengths also, particularly health. How would we go about making a recommendation to the ad hoc committee? Young Adult and Children’s Librarians should also be represented on the committee.}

_{The committee discussed pros and cons of each company. Ebsco has the Literary Reference Center, which should be in the package.  It was suggested that we should have a database in each subject, such as history, literature, science, etc. There also may be other companies that would offer good products.}

_{If OSL is able to get free trials, we should be sure to use them and try them out. The Ad Hoc committee should be getting feedback from other committees and librarians also.}

_{Pat was on the Database Committee three years ago, and said a big part of the last decision was customer service, price, etc. – the different databases were fairly comparable. It might be possible to get a package from both Gale and Ebsco, depending on the price.  Everything ends in June: OSL databases, AskRI, and ProJo.}

_{OSL Website –}

_{OSL website (aka, osl support site) revisions are still in the design process. The new OSL website will probably use WordPress. Rick is still working on the format. The LIT committee has been asked to share its findings regarding forums they have looked at.  The LIT committee needs a new forum and OSL decided we need one secure site to post minutes, reports, etc. LIT is a very active forum.}

_{Lisa created a WordPress site to try it, and found it very customizable. Even if you link other forums off it, it allows you to put everything in one place. The new site will be used for communication and support. The message boards will go away. When it’s up, training will be provided so everyone knows how to use it.} 

_{Special Collections –}

_{Ed Garcia (formerly of CFA and now at CRA) contacted a committee member to find out if there has been an update to the list of RI Libraries Special Collections that was done in the 80’s. It needs to be updated.}

_{Jessica Wilson may have done an update to the foreign language list. Pat will check to see if she has done it recently.}

_{Reference Roundtable – discussion is postponed for now until we know more about Encore.}

_{Meeting Reminders}

_{Quarterly OSL Meeting – Feb. 12         Steering Committee Meeting is Feb. 19      Overdrive – Conference call Friday, Jan.23 with Overdrive, 10:00 a.m.        Next Reference Working Group meeting – Feb. 24 at 2:15.}

_{submitted by:}

_{Mary Anne Quinn}

_1/24/09