National Resource Sharing Policy Committee
Minutes of the Second Meeting, 10 August 2000
Minutes of the second meeting of the National Resource Sharing Policy Committee (NRSPC), held at 4.00pm on 10 August 2000 by teleconference.
Attendees
Andrew Wells (NLA - Chair)
Susan Magnay (CASL/NRSWG)
Liz Curach (CAUL)
Sherrey Quinn
(ALIA)
Charu Sood (NLA/NRSWG)
Tom Ruthven (NLA/NRSWG)
Kristen
Ritchie (NLA - Minutes)
1. Welcome and Apologies
No apologies.
2. Minutes of last meeting
The Minutes of the last meeting were accepted.
3. New Interlibrary Resource Sharing (ILRS) Code for endorsement
Members congratulated the NRSWG for developing an excellent draft ILRS Code - with additional thanks to Mr Ruthven for editing the Code for distribution. It was thought that the Code was flexible and would be useful for managers and practitioners. No difficulties were anticipated in its acceptance. Members endorsed the Code and agreed that it should be circulated as soon as possible.
It was agreed that the ILRS Code and Guide to Best Practice would be presented to CAUL and CASL at their October meetings. As ALIA has a wide constituency it was recognised that gaining endorsement from the entire membership would be difficult.
It was agreed instead that the draft Code would initially be presented to ALIA's new ILL Expert Advisory Group to make a recommendation to the ALIA Board about endorsement. If CAUL, CASL and ALIA supported the revised Code the NRSWG would then publicise and promote it more generally to the library community.
It was agreed that longer term issues of future responsibility for publishing and revising the Code would need to be discussed by key groups. ALIA was likely to have a key role as part of the responsibility it accepted from ACLIS.
4. Update on ILL/DD Benchmarking Study
An update on progress to date was provided. A small Pilot Study was almost complete and useful feedback on the Study materials had already been obtained. Recruitment of libraries from various library sectors was progressing well. Ms Ritchie thanked Ms Magnay, Ms Curach and Ms Quinn for their assistance in recruiting libraries to participate in the Study.
Ms Quinn and Ms Curach offered to publicise the survey further and to encourage the participation of more libraries.
Ms Quinn queried how State libraries would be treated where they undertake ILL/DD services on behalf of public libraries in their State. It was noted that this applied in several states to some degree. In some cases, it would probably not be possible to include public libraries from particular States/Territories; in others the Study would include requests on behalf of local public libraries as part of the State or Territory Library's request numbers.
5. Other business
It was noted that while the NRSWG was working well it was not intended to exist indefinitely. It was agreed that discussion between ALIA, CAUL, CASL and the NLA is needed to decide on the best mechanism for addressing national ILL/DD issues, including follow-up action from the Benchmarking Study.
Ms Magnay stressed that the success of the NRSWG as a group had been based on the broad practical experience and perspectives of its members, and the fact that they were appointed as individuals.
Ms Quinn indicated that ALIA had recognised that the issue of charges, not addressed for the revised Code, would need to be dealt with soon. The results of the Benchmarking Study were considered an important component of assisting ALIA with this responsibility, although the Study would not be completed until mid-2001.
Members asked to formally record their appreciation of the work done by Ms Sood. Her drive and work were crucial to the success of the NRSWG. Ms Wells agreed to write to Ms Sood on behalf of the NRSPC and NRSWG to thank her.
6. Next meeting
To be decided
