NuGen Users Group Meeting
2nd Quarterly, 7.21.11

Minutes submitted by Deb Bull, Kalkaska County Library
Al called meeting to order at 10:35

Michele requested someone to take minutes, then tricked Debbie into it.

1. Debbie pointed out that there is 10 hour metered parking one block south, adjoining the NW Bank parking lot; Michele added that there is a map at this link http://www.downtowntc.com/userfiles/file/DowntownMAPweb10.pdf

 
that lists all of the public parking lots in the downtown area.

2. Phyllis gave Al & Debbie a brief tutorial of Live Scribe, manufactured by Pulse
3. Michele read minutes of previous meeting.

Old Business

1. Michele reminded everyone that the NuGen forum is available and that she monitors it every day.
2. Al is still working on making the statistical reports available for export to a spreadsheet, and needs a copy of a previous years’ report so that he can design to it.  Margery volunteered to provide one.
3. Al will not be available the last week of September, he will be at a Clarion conference.
4. Tech hints and suggestions, factoids
   1. Deep Freeze has an end of day auto-shutdown feature, available on the upgraded version, only.
   2. Clean Slate is preferred by some attendees.
   3. Al can add the Overdrive link to IPAC for a nominal fee.
   4. 4 of 18 (22%) NuGen users are using Overdrive via the UpNorth Digital Consortium.
   5. Al suggests using One in One for domain registration.
   6. About 44% of NuGen public library users are MeLCat libraries.
   7. Michelle S. will be working on smoothing out the LibNet/MeLCat merger (via NCIP, a 3M product) for better usability.
   8. It is Nanette’s experience that LibNet does not work on Server 2008

New Business

1. Al is working on improving Quick Mark
2. Al informed us that the software industry is heading towards Drupal, a S.O.A.P. (Simple Object Access Protocol), and the developers are working on the integration of Drupal with the new VuFind software he is integrating with LibNet.  The improved LibNet/VuFind will be out in September and will be available in October. (Al wants to eliminate Pervasive).  
3. Al gave attendees a preview of VuFind (cost to NuGen users TBA).  12 programmers developed it, at a cost of $12 million.  Needs LAMP and/or WAMP  or Windows capable host software.
4. Some of the VuFind highlights:
   1. Data will be held in digital clouds (cloudlibraries.net) and is retrievable, eliminating the need for onsite backup.  Server can be located on or off-site.  NetGet will be made obsolete.
   2. Information can be “captured” allowing check-out & check-in when Internet or network service is down, and automatically reloaded upon resumption of service.  This feature is not designed yet but will be very useful.
   3. Integrates OPAC and IPAC.
   4. Quick Mark will be improved.
   5. Adds ability to batch-run inadequate Marc records & replace them with improved records.
   6. Features
      • Customizable log-in (staff, circ personnel, administrators      patrons.  Example: elimination of Marc features for public users
      • OCLC and Amazon friendly integration.
      • Searches can be bookmarked.
      • Reviews feature.
      • Citations will be available.
      • Better search/sort tools will be available (ie: by date, etc.)
   7. Suggestions from NuGen users to Al:
      1. Keyword search for patron data (ie: search by first name)
      2. Add a Check-Out button to the Check-In screen
      3. Simplify adding classifications, ie: Playaway
      4. Add an “Immediate Needs” session to next Users Group Meeting.
      5. Add ‘renewals’ to statistics.
      6. Enable copy/paste function between windows in MeLCat
      7. Enable patrons to renew at any time in IPAC, as long as there is not a Reserve for the item.

4 THINGS NSI CAN DO TO SAVE YOU TIME
    1. Batch run substitute Marc records
    2. Key word patron search function
    3. Add ‘renewals’ to statistics reports  (note: Bob will show Al how)
    4. Place circ rules on one page
4 PROBLEMS (WITH SYSTEM, OR IN GENERAL)
    1. ½ letter bug (possibly solved by resizing screen?)
    2. Mark import function (too complicated, too many steps?)
    3. Driver’s license field too small
    4. MichiCard field too small

Attendees:
Phyllis and Joe Moore - Beaver Island District Library
Cindy Collier - Benzie Shores District Library
Nannette Miller - Elk Rapids District Library
Deb Bull - Kalkaska County Library
James Hibler - Kalkaska County Library
Deb Stannard - Leelanau Township Library -
Sue Graham - Richfield Township Library -
Margery Porter – Benzonia - portermh@benzonia.lib.mi.us
Al Patrick - NuGen
Bob Hanson - NuGen
Michele Lezon - NuGen

Public libraries not able to attend:
Central Lake District Library
Glen Lake District Library
Helena Township Library
Mancelona Township Library
Leland Township Library
Bellaire Public Library
Betsie Valley Library
Indian River Area Library
M. Alice Chapin Memorial Library (Marion)
Reed City Public Library
Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library