Joan Gillespie handed out bookmarks made by Overdrive´s public relations department for the E-Zone at no cost to its members. There was one typo noted, “you’ instead of “your’. Those in attendance didn´t think most people would notice. Joan mentioned that posters and bookmarks were given out at the OSL meeting, with one poster per library. She will check on the cost of additional posters for those libraries that want more. Those wanting the bookmark or poster pdf files should contact Lisa Davis at OSL.

Dorie Conway offered to get dates for a conference call meeting with Laura Crowe, from Overdrive, and the members of the web design committee. There was a request to change “Always Available’ to something else, such as “available now’. The web committee will discuss this item. Lisa Davis will coordinate training for library staff.

Discussed ensued about the manner of payment for “always available’ subscriptions. The cost for the two current subscriptions had been split equally between the original thirteen founding members of the E-Zone. All of OSL are members of the E-Zone now, and most have not budgeted for content this year. Providence Public Library agreed to contribute $6,000 to shared subscriptions. The group purchases committee will discuss how selections will be made. Dorie Conway also discussed Providence Public Library´s interest in subscribing to a standing order plan. She discussed the options and requested input from those present. There was a consensus that two copies of the best sellers would be a good start. Providence Public agreed to contribute $4,000 to the standing order plans. This is a total commitment of $10,000 to electronic audio materials that anyone in the state can borrow. There was a question on how we will know what is being ordered via the standing order plan so that we don´t duplicate those titles. Dorie is to find out.

Chris mentioned that it is important for all member libraries to purchase items in order for the collection to grow and be attractive to the public. Greenville is contributing $3,000 to on-line audio books. Lynn Thompson mentioned that some small libraries couldn´t afford to purchase any electronic audio books. Chris suggested that libraries use their audio budget if they have one, and if not to consider it for next year. Others also voiced concern that everyone needs to purchase materials to make this work. Providence´s contribution will help to offset those libraries that cannot purchase any content this year.

There was discussion about the content of the video collection that we are receiving free of charge this year, but will be charged for next year if we decide to keep it. Some at the meeting expressed an opinion that many of the titles are of poor quality and would not be purchased or even selected by their library´s staff. Some mentioned that having a video collection made up mostly of poor quality movies that contain graphic scenes of murder and sexual abuse will have a negative public affect on the entire collection and will reflect badly on the EZone libraries. A committee was created to review the titles and determine which ones should be weeded from the collection. The committee members are: Sue Lepore, Mattie Gustafson, and Dorie Conway.

The next meeting is scheduled for November 9 at 10 a.m. at the Warwick Public Library.

Respectfully submitted,
Chris LaRoux