Multitype Library Board

Prepared by Elgin Bunston for OLA Super Conference,

February 26, 2010

Definition

A multitype library system is a network of working relationships, between any combination of autonomous libraries and information providers, established to share services and resources for mutual benefits.

The purpose of the multitype library system is to support communities in their access to affordable, quality information services.

Environmental Context

1950 first regional library formed (model for others)

1958 provincial library begins centralized cataloguing service for municipal and regional libraries.

1965-73 public libraries formed regional libraries -Interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing

policies developed

1967 Library Inquiry Committee Report -Provincial Library to play a central role in interlibrary loan and in-depth reference

support

Environmental Context

The Public Libraries Act, 1984

Saskatchewan Library Board– Evolved into Public Library Directors group

Northern Library Office– Multitype arrangement

10 Public Library Systems

•PNLS (northern)

•7 regional libraries

•Regina and Saskatoon

Environmental Context

Public Libraries Act, 1996:

Mandated participation of municipalities in the provincial public library system

Outlines Provincial Library responsibilities to: 1. Provide “cost-effective and appropriate central

services to public libraries.”

2. Develop “province-wide library policies and other library advisory functions.”

History Continued

1998 first Multitype Board meets 2001 Gateway, Z-39.50 search portal

for all SK public libraries 2006 public libraries develop a strategic

to implement a single integrated library system

2008 funding for SILS is granted

Formation of the Multitype Library Board

Libraries Cooperation Act, 1996

“to provide a mechanism for formalized co-operation, across jurisdictional boundaries, in accordance with principles respecting continued individual responsibility on behalf of participants and respecting the importance of achieving consensus before making important decisions between…”

Composition of the Board

A public library system director and a library trustee;

A post-secondary library director and 1 other librarian from a post-secondary library;

A teacher-librarian and a member of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA);

A special library director and another special librarian.

Composition of the Board

Provincial Librarian; A representative from the

Saskatchewan Library Association; A specialist in Aboriginal library

services; An archivist.

MLB and Government

Minister’s Advisory Board

Role of Provincial Library & Literacy Office

How does the MLB operate?

Consensus decision making, by law Consultations with partners Respect for institutional mandates Development of relationships Creation of a co-operative framework

rather than operations

Role of Board Members

Represent their sector at the MLB table 2-way communication with sector on

board activities Contribute ideas for possible

collaboration across sectors Follow up on agreed upon tasks

How and Why?

Echo Valley Forum 1988

Reaffirmed the idea, first stated by the Library Inquiry Committee (1967), to expand the one-province public library system to include cooperation among all types of libraries.

Principles:

One-province system;

Resource sharing;

Service to all;

Participation of users.

Library Service in the 1990s

Many barriers to library service: Physical, Geographical, Institutional mandates, Cultural, economic, Educational.

Ideas for Improvement

Better resource sharing;

Reduce duplication;

Help patrons make use of technology;

Improved access for everyone.

Board Successes

Removal of PST on electronic resources Competency profile for professional

librarians Support from provincial ministers on

library issues such as Library Book Rate Initiated grant and bursary programs to

address areas of concern

Saskatchewan Library Education Bursary 2002-

Recruitment and retention of concern to multiple sectors;

Background including 8Rs Report; MLB recommendation to the

Government of Saskatchewan; Seed funding for bursary administered

by Saskatchewan Library Association.

Multitype Database Licensing Program (MDLP)

Province-wide license for 10,000+ unique journal titles and 83 eBooks for all residents

Maximizes purchasing power of libraries through cost sharing;

Increases the amount of authoritative content available to Saskatchewan and provides equitable access for all residents.

Product Overview ProQuest (4) (News, Canadian Research Index and CBCA) The Gale Group (15) (Business, general reference, health and

kids) EBSCO (3) (Auto repair and 2 Novelist products) Grey House Canada (Canada Info Desk) CEDROM-SNi

(Newscan products for appropriate sectors) Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. (Encyclopaedia Britannica

Online) Services documentaires multimedia (Repère) Thomson Carswell (Index to Canadian Legal Literature) Wiley InterScience (The Cochrane Library)

Multitype Database Licensing Program (MDLP)

Development

Model/Structure

Philosophy

Future growth

Initial Program Partners

All 10 public library systems

4 urban school divisions

Special libraries

Program Expansion

Universities and colleges (SIAST, religious colleges, etc.)

800+ schools represented by the Ministry of Education

More special libraries (government, law, health, credit union)

Program Structure

No contribution formula

Committee (at least 2 reps/sector)

Products satisfy the needs of multiple

sectors

Reached the limits of common interest

Program Evolution

Opt-in products to augment the core

collection (2 sectors or more)

Focus on training and increased patron

usage

Digitization

6 + 1 working group

Digitization Forums

Inventory Project

Saskatchewan Digital Alliance

Saskatchewan Digital Alliance

Workshops

Policy recommendations

Advisory to grant program

Digitization Grant

Purpose:

Multitype partnershipsBuilding capacitySaskatchewan content

http://scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy/

Digitization Grant

Success and challenges

Limited grant funding

Barriers to entry

Leveraging Funds

Contribution from U of Saskatchewan

15 partners on a $20,000 grant

“Saskatchewan War Experience”

Wide representation (geographically and across sectors)

New Strategic Plan

MISSION Through co-operation, libraries contribute to

the social and economic development of citizens of Saskatchewan.

VISION Successful communities through library co-

operation.

Strategic Directions

1. Engage strategic partners in the continuing development of the Multitype System;

2. Identify opportunities for co-operation in order to address emerging issues; and,

3. Initiate mechanisms for co-operation.

Other Board Activities and Challenges

Representative workforce Recruitment and retention Potential internship Promote the value of school libraries

and teacher-librarians Improved communications and use of

technology

Saskatchewan Libraries Site

Career Information

Promotion Campaign

Questions?

Contact: elgin.bunston@gov.sk.ca(business card with me as well)

Provincial Librarian, Joylene Campbell Joylene.Campbell@gov.sk.ca

Information about the Multitype Library Board http://www.lib.sk.ca/http://www.lib.sk.ca/staff/multitype/index.html