Vol. 28 No.7, Summer 2001

Arroyo Seco Library Network and Library of California Update

Arroyo Seco Library Network

The Arroyo Seco Library Network (ASLN) as well as continuing its organizational efforts has started providing services to its members. Delivery service between members, if they already do not have a delivery service arrangement, is provided as needed by an arrangement with UPS. Reference service for non public libraries' difficult questions is available from the MCLS Reference Center. A trial of the 24/7 Reference Project is planned for the fall. The 24/7 Reference Project allows patrons through the Internet to ask questions in real time of a reference librarian. A continuing education workshop was provided in May with Susan Berk presenting Management: State -of-the-Art. It was a review of all available management styles.

Organizational and administrative developments during the first six months included adopting a Conflict of Interest Code, adopting a Delivery Protocol, establishing a Membership Committee to review membership applications, having discussions about an Association Affiliate for groups of special interest libraries or librarians (such as the Southern California Chapter of SLA), preparing the Plan of Service for 2001/2002 fiscal year starting July 1, and continuing to contract with MCLS for fiscal and administrative services in 2001/2002. Minutes of meetings are posted on the ASLN Web site, http://www.asln.net/. Actual funding for 2001/2002 will not be known until after the August Library of California Board meeting. There are 126 members in ASLN (14 special libraries with 20 participating libraries, 42 academic institutions with 70 participating libraries, 41 public libraries with 274 participating libraries, and 29 schools with 112 participating libraries).

Library of California

Final funding for the Library of California for the 2001/2002 fiscal year remains unknown. The Governor's January proposed augmentation was deleted from the May revised budget. That leaves just the five million dollars allocated each year under the Library of California Act (less any reductions due to the State budget problems). The Library of California Board (LoCB) at their June meeting made decisions about priorities but could not adopt a final budget until the State budget is passed and signed. The LoCB agreed upon funding the Librarians Index to the Internet (http://lii.org/), LoC Serials/Periodicals database, interlibrary loan pilot program, and regional library networks. At the April LoCB meeting the Board adopted a formula for funding the regional library networks using a base of $200,000 plus additional funds according to Members plus Participants in fiscal 2001/2002. The elimination of the augmentation (plus any additional cuts due to State budget problems) means a reduction in the amount available beyond the base for regional library networks. Possible suggestions for applying reductions to the April formula result in a range of $587,725 to $621,523 for ASLN in fiscal 2001/2002. The August LoCB meeting will determine the final allocations to regional library networks beyond the base $200,000 per network depending upon the amount remaining available after funding the three statewide programs.

In April the LoCB approved funding for Amigos Library Services general membership for members of regional library networks in fiscal 2001/2002. Amigos Library Services is a nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to providing resource-sharing opportunities and information technology to libraries. ASLN members who choose to utilize this State funded membership in Amigos will have access to services ranging from discounts on library supplies and electronic information resources to member rates for imaging and preservation services and training.

During the 2000/2001 fiscal year LoCB allocated funding to collaborate with the California Digital Library in developing Counting California. Counting California is single Web interface enabling users access to actual data compiled by federal, state, and local agencies on California. While a prototype has been available for several months, it is to become publicly available on July 18th. Counting California is accessible at http://countingcalifornia.cdlib.org/. There is access by topic, geography, title, and provider. Currently data is provided by California Department of Education, Standards, Curriculum and Assessment Division; California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics; State of California, Department of Finance; and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.

Ann Coppin
South State Cooperative Library System
(323) 583-1292
ssclshq@pacbell.net