nvlsl consortium csla 2008
TRANSCRIPT
Napa Valley School Library Consortium
A different solution for a very difficult timeKate MacMillan, Sandy Biale, Michelle
Holguin
Who We Are & What We look Like Napa Valley School Library Consortium Members *
Michelle, Susan, Lisa, Paula: SHUSD Janis, Cathy: CJUSD
Michelle W, Alissa, Matilda; PARTNER Loreen, Sandy ,Suzanne, Anne, Colette,
Cathy, Roberta, Sean, Stefani, Pam Terry, Diane, Amy, Nancy, Terry, Julie,
Roberta, Janine, Deana, Tina, Bobbie, Grace, Joanne, Linda, Laura, Lorrie, Melissa, Louisa, Cathy, Deb: NVUSD
Kate: Library Services Tim: IT: Bea, Aeries
con·sor·ti·um
a. An association or a combination…..for the purpose
of engaging in a joint venture.
b. A cooperative arrangement among groups or
institutions: a library consortium
The Rationale for School Library Consortiums*
Innovative solutions to support library management at the
district and site level
Keep libraries open
Databases and automation programs stable
Equal access to resources for all students*An integrated Web based library system is required for this type of school library
consortium
What the NVSL Consortium Can Do
Provide technical hardware, stability and support
Provide training/networking
Host automation software & library databases
Provide managed library services as per MOU
What the NVSL Consortium Cannot Do
Mandate District or Site staffing
Mandate District or Site budgets
Deviate from the MOU*
*Agreed upon by member administrations
What Are the Benefits? Consortium members benefit from peer support
Consortium host provides:
Up-to-date technology
Technical support
Hardware/Servers
Software upgrades
Database hosting/including backups
What Other Benefits?
Autonomous cost efficient funding
Agreed upon managed library services as per MOU
District/Admin buy-in
Strength of numbers
Training and networking opportunities
Consortium Bills
Members
Members Pay
Invoices
Funds Deposited
Funds Used for Upkeep
Members Benefit
Cost Efficient Funding
Members
Fees
Consortium
Funding
Fees = Funding
Background: California School Districts
1998 – 2001 State funds for school libraries
Updated Collections
Sophisticated library automation programs
Outcome: improved school libraries
Post California Public School Library Act of 1998
Library and technology staffing not keeping pace with
school library needs.
Districts have difficulty funding necessary library
services
…..or even keeping their libraries operational
Background: Tough Times Require Innovative Solutions ( 2004 – 200?)
Lack of funding
District/site level
Lack of funding libraries
Ongoing fiscal crisis at State/Federal
level
Background: Funding Shortages
Funding
• Less money = less library staffing
• Less resources for students, faculty and parents
Support
• Less money = less technology = less techs
• Less time to fix problems or run updates
Services• Less funding = less library services
• Students suffer
Background … Spread All Over Napa County: 612 square miles
Small rural districts: tiny remote sites:
private/parochial schools
Little federal funding: average poverty level
Minimal funding, less purchasing power of larger
districts
Background: NVUSD
NVUSD = acts as a COE
ISP for the county
Established business relationship with surrounding
districts, private/parochial schools
Technology and library staff to implement and
support a library consortium
Background: How It All Began……. 2003 Napa COE Curriculum Library
Server crash
Web Collection goes offline
Curriculum Library can’t circulate
IT asks NVUSD for assistance
Partnership formed
Background: Consortium Partners Napa Valley USD
Napa County Office of Education: 2004 Calistoga Joint Unified: 2005
Justin Siena High School: 2005 St. Apollinaris: 2006
St. Helena Unified: 2007 Blue Oak School: 2008
Consortium = members = power
Strength in Numbers
So What Technology Does the Member Need ?
Web based ILS program
Sufficient internal bandwidth
Sufficient to internet
Ensure speed
Variable depends on District size
.
What Technology Does the Host Need?
Stable ILS-trained IT department
SQL based server
Sufficient bandwidth
Available staff to provide support to sites
So …. What’s the Next Step?
Consortium host and member(s) agree uponMemorandum of Understanding
MOU = a business plan MOU = a menu of services
The Glue That Holds It Altogether
The MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
Board approved document that outlines services
and charges
Protects both parties
A form of business plan * ILS Lead included
Memorandum
of Understanding
Different districts, schools and librariesRequire
Different solutions while maintaining centralized automation services
Recommended Reading
Management
Management Styles
Centralization = clearly defined structure
Consortium = collaboration, loose structure
Centralization = top down management
Consortium = open ended leadership
Centralized Management
Centralization = all resources under one authority
All decisions from one source
Top down ‘spider’ management
3 C’s of Consortium Member Management
Members provide peer management through
Cooperation
Collaboration
Consensus
Centralized ILS
Holdings on a single server
Centralized automation administrators
Single point of contact
Standard automation features
Standard student management queries*Agreed upon at implementation
NVUSD
IT Department
Partner Districts
Site Libraries
Library Services
TL & MS
The Relationships
Most Important Relationship
IT
Library
Services
DL Vendor
IT
Facilitates ILS implementation at the hardware level
ILS upgrades
Data queries and updates
Troubleshoot and/or fix the problem(s)
Library Services
*ILS Administrator represents consortium and host
*DL: Site Teacher Librarian/ Media Specialist represents district
Implementation Team
Vendor Relationship Vital
Training
Support
Communication
IT/Technology
SupportTraining
Library Services
Who Does What?
Technology IT support includes*
*IT administrator Student management specialist Technicians Bandwidth ILS Program SQL based Server
(Implementation Team)
Library Services
Facilitates and supports ILS implementation at
the consortium level
Provides managed library services including
Administrative guidelines
Initial training sessions
Managed Services(as per MOU)
District and/or site reports
Library committee and district site visits
Collection development
Trainings; cohort meetings
Library 101 Help Page
Liaise with technical support
Collaboration/
Networking
Collection Developme
nt
Support/Training
District/Site & Board Reports
Managed Services Collaboration
Support: Annual Reports
Collection/circulation data including:
Collection maps; Collection reports
Annual inventory results
Weeding lists with recommendations
Site and aggregate reports to consortium schools and
School Boards
Library Services/Collection Development Recommend curriculum/ standard based materials
Participate in site library committee
Provide current collection maps
Collection Development Communication
Keeping track of list and requests
Titlewave Accounts
Baker and Taylor Web lists
Permabound Web lists
One account per site
Common password
Staff
Provide growth and staff development
opportunities to all members
User group/open circle training model
Network
Collaborate
Share
Training*
Training = all library staff
Consortium decides needs and presenters
Correlates training sessions to needs
Provide networking and feedback opportunities
Request professional resources as needed
Open ended circle model *biggest change
Communicating, Networking & Sharing
How to keep the information lines open How to keep information current
How to keep information available 24/7 How to keep information relevant
Library 101 Help Page Support Available 24/7
Archived trainings
Current Library information
Areas of interest for parents, students, teachers and
library staff
Online resource links
Current newsletter
Logical Hosts = County Offices of Education
Form consortium with member districts
Node for the DCP (Digital California Project) and
the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Expand existing technology to include school
libraries
The Outcome and the Result
Consortiums are cost efficient
Generate income to support the consortium host
and pay for general support of the consortium
member
Offer much needed support and direction to school
libraries
Thanks for taking Napa Valley USD School Library Consortium Guided Tour
Any questions or comments, please contactKate MacMillan