Volume 10, Number 4 Fall 1996
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Editor's Note: Please send submissions for
the next issue of "CODI News" by January 15!
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Send mailing changes and inquiries to the CODI
Membership Services Coordinator,
Frances Orton, 381 W 3700 N, Provo, UT 84604.
801-226-6054. fpo@amlibs.com
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IN THIS ISSUE:
= President's Letter
= A CODI Reminder
= Conference Proceedings on CODI Website
= CODA Conference Report
= CODI Board Meeting Minutes, Aug 7, 1996
= CODI Board Meeting Minutes, Oct 9, 1996
= Board Member List, 1996 - 97
= Enhancement Committee Members, 1996 - 97
= Regional User's Groups
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President's Letter
The first of a series of focus group meetings between Ameritech and
their clients was held October 17 and 18th. The participating clients
were from large site public libraries and included: Bill Kneedler and
Ross McLachlan, Phoenix Public; Charles Coldwell, Seattle Public;
Michael Schuyler, Kitsap Regional; Brian Campbell, Vancouver Public;
Al Carlson, San Joaquin and myself. Ameritech Library Services staff
who participated were: Paul Sybrowsky, Chairman; Roger Sloan, Chief
Operating Officer; John Kolman, Chief Technology Officer; Gretchen
Freeman, VP Customer Support, Brad Jackman, VP Sales; Deborah
Richman, VP Product Management and Marketing; Ed Riding, Dynix
Product Manager, and Earl Boyce, Dynix Development Manager.
Additional focus groups will be convened for other categories of
customers in the near future. The focus of the first day was product
plans and our facilitator was Keith Wilson, formerly Executive VP of
Ameritech Library Services. Participants discussed individual library
technology plans, the role of library automation in our various
technology plans, and some lateral thinking on automation's role in
the library of the future. In this forum, we discussed current issues
facing libraries such as the need to generate revenues, adapting and
managing new technologies, patron authentication for remote loans,
electronic commerce, grant proposals and fund raising, repetitive
stress/motion in the workplace, etc. Following are a few threads from
our discussion: stress/motion in the workplace, etc. Following are a
few threads from our discussion:
Seattle Public foresees a front-end application, like a call tracking
system, where patrons can log information, requests, questions and
route them within (or without) the library. Dakota spoke about the
24-hour library; using technologies like self-service checkout,
security systems, smart library cards to make libraries accessible
day or night. Kitsap described the continuing growth of server farms
where the library automation server is one of many CPUs on the
library's network.
Phoenix spoke of the need to streamline and integrate products that
promote and optimize technology and reduce inefficiencies of
workflow. Several libraries spoke of the need for more sophisticated
management report generation tools to provice immediate and flexible
access to management information. Keith Wilson summarized: these
libraries are looking for a solid, flexible, core library management
software application. Core modules are developed holistically, not
incrementally, to provide flexibility of application and flexibility
in workflow.
The second days' discussion focused on the business environment at
Ameritech that is needed to grow such products and services. John
Shannon facilitated this discussion. (John is one of the facilitators
for the Snowbird Leadership Institute and has worked as a consultant
for libraries in the past). Our major discussion points included:
Management Style and Structure
Communication with customers
Relationship between Ameritech Library Services and other
vendors
Customer Service
Custom programming
Experience of front-line staff
Maintenance agreements
Hardware vendor contracts
Product direction and system architecture
Existing transition plan
Description of a plan for library leadership
Paul Sybrowsky summarized: from the perspectives of these libraries,
the company should be a software and services organization, a product
development and delivery organization, and an organization building
relationships with its customers. The meeting concluded with
Ameritech committing to providing a product direction document to
these participants and to other customers within 90 days.
This document will outline the issues, along with milestones and a
timeline for delivery. This plan will be used by the customer and the
vendor as an accountability tool to gauge success and progress. In
writing this column for the newsletter, I keep remembering Walt
Crawford's presentation at the 1996 ALA Conference, Future Public
Libraries: Integrating Technology with Traditional Service Values. He
concluded by saying: "All libraries are not the same; all users are
not the same. Different kinds of libraries have different missions."
Our focus group discussions reflect our needs and priorities, of
large public library systems if you will. Library needs, from their
automation vendor, will be different.
Kate Olsen, CODI President
Dakota County Library System
kato@dakota.lib.mn.us
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A CODI REMINDER
Dear CODI Membership,
Please send the names and addresses of members of your consortium
whom you want to invite to join CODI to:
Frances P. Orton
CODI Membership Services Coordinator
381 W. 3700 N.
Provo, Ut. 84604
Please do not send invitations directly to these consortium members.
I have the information needed from the contracts and am happy to
help. I also check all libraries through Ameritech Library Services
before paper work is sent out through the mail. These procedures need
to be followed to make sure that security is not jeopardized. Thanks
for your help in this matter.
Frances P. Orton
CODI Membership Services Coordinator
fpo@amlibs.com
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ON CODI WEBSITE
Conference proceedings from the 1996 CODI Conference are now posted
on the new CODI website. In addition,we're hoping to have the "Who's
Done What" survey mounted on the website soon.
The URL for the CODI website is:
http://www.vivanet.com/~ateng/
Bonnie Isaksen Trahan
btrahan@capcon.net
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CODA CONFERENCE REPORT
CODA (Customers of Dynix Australia) CONFERENCE
at Melbourne High School, October 2-4, 1996
The 3-day conference attracted approximately 115 Dynix and Scholar
clients from throughout Australia with the conference theme The
Challenge of Convergence. Dynix Australia, the Australia-Asia
distributorship owned by one of the Dynix founders, Ralph Egan, was
well-represented throughout the conference by six staff members
including Mr. Egan. Ed Riding, Dynix product manager, represented
Ameritech Library Services. The opening day a panel made up of Ed
Riding, a member of the Dynix Australia staff, and I discussed the
work of the CODI security task force, the Ameritech Library Services
response, and how libraries and Dynix Australia staff have individual
and joint responsibilities for system security.
The final session of the day was a panel discussion on enhancements.
I gave a short presentation on CODI Thursday. Australian clients,
especially large academic sites, also have more custom programming on
their systems than do U.S. clients, which makes release loads more
time-consuming and expensive; Australian clients with extensive
customs incur fees for migrating customs to new releases. But Dynix
Australia has a file of functional specifications for all customs
which allows the process to go more smoothly, data which the U.S.
office does not have as well-organized.
Another session discussed the changing role of system administrators
during break-out sessions by library type and a plenary session where
conclusions were shared. CODA members thoughts are very similar to
those discussed in a similar session at the April CODI conference. An
exception is that public librarians are faced with compulsory
competitive tendering which requires that the institution bid out the
provision of information technology support, with the potential to
outsource the entire operation.
A banquet, sponsored by Dynix, was held Thursday evening at
Ripponlea, a National Trust site near the bay, south of the city. We
were able to tour the Victorian mansion, built in the 1860s, before
gathering in the grand ballroom for dinner. Throughout the conference
and during this evening, I had many rich conversations with CODA
members and Dynix Australia staff. I learned about the demands of
their work, their libraries, and their concerns related to use or
support of the Dynix product. I hope that I was able to share some of
CODI.
Expanding on discussions at Wednesday sessions, we further explored
the need to synthesize the multitude of custom programming and
enhancement requests into a concise list of essential functionality
and overall product development direction. This may take the form of
accelerated development projects. Ed Riding noted that continuing
engineering staff in Provo are working on an accelerated development
plan.
At CODA I learned that there is enormous potential for growth in
Dynix market share in the Asian market, part of the Dynix Australia
distributorship, and that, as in the U.S., Innovative Interfaces and
SIRSI are serious contenders in the Australian academic market. Over
dinner, during long walks along Melbourne's teeming streets, and
throughout the conference, I had many opportunities to exchange ideas
and concerns with CODA friends. The involvement in four conference
sessions which was afforded to me, revealed a genuine interest in
hearing about CODI's work and a commitment to ongoing collaboration
between CODI and CODA. I greatly appreciated the chance to attend the
CODA conference and am returning to the U.S. with ideas for how we
can, together, more effectively influence the development and support
of the Dynix product.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Winters
CODI Past President
Pierce Co. Library District
swinters@pcl.lib.wa.us
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CODI BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Aug. 7, 1996, 2pm CST
Present: Kate Olsen, Mike Doellman, Sharon Winters, Bonnie Trahan,
Jerry Kuntz, Cathy Schappert, Barbara Hunsberger, Anne Cole, Gretchen
Freeman, Ed Riding, Sharon Adley, Susan Johns
1. Incorporation update - Sharon Adley:
Sharon A. reported that as of Sat. Aug. 3, Frances had received 193
bylaws ballots; 192 positive, 1 negative. It is safe to say the
bylaws were approved. Although we had allowed 35 days for the mailing
to come back, 45 days would be better next time. The mailing took
longer to prepare than anticipated. Since not all the ballots got in
the mail by the deadline, Frances delayed the deadline for ballot
counting by a few days. Sharon A. said that the negative vote was
more of a comment on the definition of a Dynix user and was a
reflection of their specific local situation. The library did not
name itself. Barbara suggested that Sharon A. put out email asking
the library to contact her. The next steps in the incorporation
process are:
1. In lieu of an organization meeting, a unanimous consent via mail.
The lawyer, David Castleton, recommended this process since it was
not possible for us to meet in person and that we usually did all
meeting by teleconference. The lawyer will be setting up that
document and process. Sharon will clarify if the unanimous consent
documents need to notarized.
2. The Articles of Incorporation will need to be edited for changes,
signed by Frances Orton as the registered agent and by Kate as the
president, and then returned to the lawyer for filing in Utah.
3. Then we pick a date to file the final tax return as the old
entity. We should ask an accountant to do this. Then the funds are
transferred to the new entity's bank account. Cathy noted that she
had changed the organization's name on the bank records. Sharon A.
said that we would probably still be required to open a new bank
account; the accountant should advise us on this. We will also need
to get a federal id number. Cathy will start looking for an
accountant.
Sharon A. reminded us that we needed to deal with some incongruent
wording in the bylaws and the articles of incorporation. There are
several instances where "Dynix" (the corporate body) did not get
changed to "Ameritech." Mike asked if we could use Dynix software;
during the discussion, Dynix Support center was suggested. Sharon A.
stated that "member in good standing" also appeared with and with
hyphens. Sharon A. suggested that Frances do the changes in the
bylaws and fax new copies to all board members.
Jerry asked if the question was whether we needed to do a mailing for
these changes. Barbara thought not since they were minor technical
changes. Mike made a motion to approve the following language changes
by the bylaws as technical changes: change Dynix to Dynix Support
Center in Article III-a and Article VII-5-a of the bylaws and to
delete the hyphens in member of good standing in Article IX-4-a of
the bylaws. Barbara seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Sharon
A. stated that the Articles of Incorporation need to have "Dynix"
changed in Article Third (a) and the names changed in Article Ninth.
These should be transmitted to David and he will file and mail around
for signatures. Kate and Frances need to sign the Article of
Incorporation and Kate's signature needs to be notarized. We agreed
that these should be back to David by 23 Aug. Kate would like to have
the Articles filed by the end of the month. Only the Articles of
Incorporation are filed in the state. Frances will house all the
papers.
Sharon A. suggested that all officers should have a copy of the
Articles. Sharon A. also stated that we will need to file for tax
exempt status within one year of incorporation. In response to Mike's
query on whether we are required to make annual reports with the state
of Utah, Sharon stated yes, probably, just a report listing officers
and registered agent. There probably is a minor filing fee;
requirements and fees vary from state to state. Sharon will have the
lawyer find out and advise us. Bonnie asked about the list of
existing contracts needed for the organizational meeting. We will
probably need the list for the unanimous consent document. Mike said
that he had two contracts for the 1997 conference; he will send a
list to Sharon A. Kate thanked Sharon Adley for all her work on this
project and for continuing to work on it.
2. DCUSTOM project update - Susan Johns and Ed Riding:
Kate asked Susan to give the board an overview of what it is and how
it works. Susan stated that the project is still in setup mode. John
Weible is doing the programming. As of Aug. 7, there are 24 sites
registered and 22 custom projects logged. The first page after login
is a site menu for the library to fill out -- information included
are Release, hardware platform, country. Most people see to fill that
out and browse the custom projects and later come back to log a
project. The committee is verifying all libraries and system
administrators during the registration process.
There are currently 93 logons and passwords assigned. John is still
working on the programming for better searching capabilities. Susan
thought the overall project was taking longer to pull together but
admitted that the amount of data being collected and input could be
affecting the time it takes a site to long and describe their
cutstom.
The committee is not geared up to edit or review material yet; they
will probably begin sometime after Labor Day. Kate asked how does
this project fit into the enhancement process. Pauline and Susan
continue to talk and are seeking the answer to that question in their
talks.
Susan hopes to bring in the enhancement chairs as projects are
identified -- asking the enhancement committees for comments.
Gretchen stated that she had envisioned DCUSTOM as a tool for the
enhancement committees. ALS wants to have one source of
recommendations for development projects. Susan was hesitant to have
the enhancement committees be the voice for all development projects
because the international community is not currently represented by
the enhancement committees.
The international community has a significant portion of the custom
programs and her idea was that this is one place their needs could be
integrated into the standard code. As Susan understood it, the charge
to DCUSTOM was to incorporate international customs. She also felt
that the enhancement committee may favor US customs over
international customs. Susan again stressed that the committee is not
in an evaluation mode but are only gathering data currently.
Ed and Gretchen both stated that ALS can only handle only a limited
number new development projects. Their staff resources have not
grown. The new projects need to be prioritized when they come to ALS.
Susan stated that if the functionality exists (as a custom), how do we
make it available to all customers, not just those who can afford it.
It is a question of equity of customers. Gretchen replied that it
would still require development to standardize the code and that ALS
needs to have priorities defined. ALS wants to be responsible to the
largest number of customers.
Jerry asked if we could expect a discount for other sites requesting
an existing custom. Gretchen said no, it cannot be a shopping mall.
ALS has found that site-specific code is a disaster during upgrades.
Susan envisioned that if, for example, patron CIV had 6 requests in
the enhancements database and was also in the DCUSTOM database, the
two could be combined into one very robust project.
Kate stated that the issue here is how to speak to ALS with a united
voice. Barbara suggested that Dcustom do the fact finding, evaluate
the projects and send to the enhancement committees for broadening
and working up the final project. The elected enhancement committees
should be the voice to ALS. Kate will ask Pauline to remind the
enhancement committees that they should think internationally and
globally about new development projects.
Barbara stated that as a customer, she wants the best ideas and does
not care where it comes from. Bonnie stated that as the idea of
global development takes root, that the hesitation that Susan feels
should diminish. Mike thanked Susan for all the work she and the
committee has done. Susan requested $200 stipend to pay expenses,
mostly programming expenses. Jerry made a motion to grant the
committee a $200 stipend to support DCUSTOM work. Mike seconded. The
motion passed unanimously.
3. Informational exchange on resignation of Tom Quarton:
Following the announcement of Tom's resignation, CODI members were
raising questions regarding the implications of the resignation. Kate
compiled a list questions from the membership and forwarded them to
Gretchen and Ed at ALS. Kate asked what is the best method to get
answers to customers. Gretchen stated that she is willing to answer
what she could and to take questions to other ALS staff. She will put
together written answers which will be sent out with the monthly
mailing (due to go out the 12th). That mailing will also include a
letter from Paul. This delivery mode was decided since just missed
the last CODI newsletter deadline. The following are the questions
posed to ALS:
1. We are concerned about the unstable company management and the
impact this instability has on the development of products and
performance level of products. We are also concerned about
instability in management and the impact this has on human resources.
What is Paul Sybrowsky's commitment to Ameritech Library Services?
2. Will the Dynix software continue to be developed? We need to
receive a message from Ameritech on the viability of the Dynix
product. We also need to know the commitment on the part of the
parent company, Ameritech, to the Dynix Product. We perceive the
Dynix product needs more agressive development to remain competitive
providing us with a robust operating environment. What does this
change in leadership mean to the development of the Dynix product?
3. Rumors about profits from the Dynix product line going to
support weaker product lines are a concern of ours. Are the revenues
from a division returned back to that division for growth and
development?
4. Please present us with a short term and long term view of your
company goals for all the product lines, but specifically for the
Dynix product.
4. Treasurer Report and Budget Plan - Cathy Schappert:
Balance 6/20/96: $17,538.80
Total credits since
last report $ 2,253.09
Deposits
Dues $ 2,225.00
Interest $ 28.09
Total debits since
last report $ 3,573.81
Mailing $ 21.03
Clerk $1,083.87
(97 hrs + misc.
reimbursements)
Petty cash $ 600.00
reconciliation
USWest (ISDN $ 193.15
disconnect)
IRS (correction $ 209.62
to tax due)
Kinko's $ 1,466.14
Balance 7/20/96: $16,218.08
Certificates of Deposit
Three six-month certificates of deposit @ $2,500 each
Int. rate: 5.60% Ann. Yield: 5.68% Maturity Date: 2/7/96
Interest earned/certificate $70.54
Each certificate was renewed for six-months at
interest rate of 4.04% Maturity Date: 8/7/96
Three six-month certificates of deposit @ $2,500 each
Int. rate: 5.10% Ann. Yield: 5.17% Maturity Date: 3/15/96
Interest earned/certificate $63.50
Each certificate was renewed for six-months at
interest rate of 4.10% Maturity Date: 9/15/96
Four six-month certificates of deposit @ $2,500 each
Int. rate: 4.25% Ann. Yield: 4.30% Maturity Date: 12/3/96
Cathy stated that are close to maturity. One needs to be decided
immediately. She has already shopped for interest rates. Zion's Bank
rates are 4.25% for annual yield of 4.30. A Scranton bank is offering
5.1% for annual yield of 5.16%. If we go with a larger sum, we can get
5.35% for an annual yield of 5.42% in Scranton. Cathy is recommending
that we reinvest $7500 and add another $7500 to it and get the better
interest rate. Barbara made a motion to invest the funds according to
Cathy's recommendation. Bonnie seconded. The motion passed
unanimously. Due to time constraints, the discussion on the budget
was tabled until the October Board meeting.
5. Membership for Scholar clients - Bonnie Trahan:
Sharon W. suggested that we contact the Scholar users group. Due to
time
constraints, a full discussion was tabled until the October Board
meeting.
6. Conference Planning update - Mike Doellman:
Recall Project
Mike will post a conference planning update to board members. Due to
time constraints, the recall project discussion was tabled until the
October Board meeting. Board members may send comments to Mike prior
to the October meeting.
7. Systems Administrator Certification - Gretchen Freeman:
Due to time constraints, discussion was tabled until the October
Board meeting. Gretchen would like to have Becky Garcia participate
in this discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 CDT.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Isaksen Trahan
Secretary of the Board
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CODI BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Oct. 9, 1996, 2pm CST
Present: Kate Olsen, Sharon Winters, Mike Doellman, Bonnie Trahan,
Anne Cole, Barbara Hunsberger, Jerry Kuntz, Gretchen Freeman. Guests:
Becky Garcia, Ed Riding, Sharon Adley
1. Incorporation update:
The unanimous consent forms were mailed out in August. The employer
ID # application was mailed Oct. 3. The incorporation basics are
completed.
Kate summarized the following points that need action:
1. Select an accountant and select a final tax filing
date (as the old entity)
2. File for tax exempt status Can we go ahead? Ask the
attorney
3. Establish procedure for endorsing checks (reference
resolution of unanimous consent document)
4. Transfer all contracts. Do we have a contract with
Frances? Ask Cathy.
5. Secretary statement adoption of bylaws.
6. Is there a set date for the yearly filing with state
incorporation board? Ask the attorney.
2. Ameritech Library Services restructuring -- Kate Olsen:
Impact on customers has caused much confusion and questions to arise.
The restructuring has hurt customer loyalty and caused clients to lose
a great deal of confidence in Ameritech Library Services.
1. Sharon W. asked if the layoffs of training staff will affect
the system administrator certification program. How will libraries
become trained and become less dependent on the support staff? Becky
said that the layoffs in the seminars/workshops' group had forced her
to refocus on how to accomplish training.They may not be offering a
full certification program. They have identified two main objectives.
The first is to provide an advanced system administrator course that
would include Unix training; this will utilize ALS trainers. The
second objective is to provide training in the area of security and
networking; Becky is currently investigating outsourcing options.
2. Jerry asked how ALS plans to provide training for all various
windows' products which are being introduced. Gretchen stated that
each of the windows' products will be delivered with training. They
are currently exploring the options; each product's training module
will be individually evaluated and designed. It may be that the
training will need to be periodically reviewed and revamped. Training
that will be delivered with cataloging for windows will be a video.
(This training is for add-on purchases. New customers are trained in
person during normal cataloging training sessions. Current customers
always have the option to purchase on-site training days.) If clients
need windows training, that should be provided locally by the
individual libraries. Gretchen stated that there are actually three
training groups with ALS. One is the group that does applications
training for new clients. The second group is the workshops group
which was cut. And the third is the satellite group, which was also
cut; this program is still intact and will continue to function.
3. Jerry asked where did the cuts actually occur. Gretchen
stated that they would not put out a list of names and/or
departments. Sharon W. stated that it seemed that the existing client
base has been hurt by the cuts in the workshops staff. Sharon stated
that the quality of the workshops has always been good and that they
need to be continued. Although the thrust of the workshops cuts came
from product engineering, the impact will be in customer support.
With vigorous lobbying from Becky and Gretchen, two seminars/
workshops' trainers have been rehired. Becky and Gretchen are
actively pursuing training concerns.
Beverly Robertson (brobert@en.com)
Rocky River Public Library
1600 Hampton Rd
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
(216) 333-7610, (216) 333-4184 fax
Back to CODI Newsletters page, or to CODI Index page.
Last updated: December 9, 1996
Comments about this page should be directed to Ann M. Tenglund, St. Bonaventure University.