Minutes of the EREC Meeting

October 23, 2001

Present: Mike Banfield, Mardi Centinaro, Kathy Firestone, Pat James, Sharon McRae, Cindy Richey, Karen Rossi, Lynn Schneider

Absent: Jackie Schmitt-Marsteller

Database usage

The committee analyzed the Core Database Statistics 2001, which reflect high usage of many databases but low usage of others. We discussed various methods to promote database usage and agreed to take the following steps:

  • Mike Banfield will email the einlibs list with a review of the databases that are available.
  • Mike will ask vendors if instructional guides or pamphlets are available for distribution to library customers.
  • We’ll offer staff training sessions regionally throughout the county, to be taught by database vendors. We’ll also ask vendors if they have videotapes available, and, if not, we’ll ask if they’ll agree to our videotaping training sessions. Videos could then be made available to staff who are unable to attend a training session. Cindy Richey and Pat James will explore the possibility of getting a videographer.
  • We’ll develop an instructional brochure that will include search tips and also an annotated list of databases available through the eiNetwork and Access PA Power Library. Mardi Centinaro, Mike, and Sharon McRae agreed to work on the brochure. Cindy will pursue sources of funding and design assistance for the brochure.

Network-wide database trials

Following the review of many databases, we recommend establishing network-wide trials according to the following timeline:

  • Facts.com – now through November 14, 2001
  • SIRS Researcher – now through December 16, 2001
  • Hoover’s Online - business – mid-January/February 2002
  • Info USA – business - mid-January/February 2002

To be compared with Gale Group’s Business and Company Resource Center

  • Gale’s Health and Wellness Resource Center – March/April 2002
  • ProQuest Health – March/April 2002

To be compared with EBSCOhost’s Alt-Health Watch and Health Source

  • ProQuest’s Chilton Automotive Repair – May/June 2002
  • AllData – automotive repair – May/June 2002

An evaluation form for staff feedback will soon be available online, and we encourage all staff to review and evaluate the databases. Mike will email library directors requesting a contact person for database evaluation.

Committee database trials

  • Learnatest.com – October/November 2001
  • ProQuest’s Chilton Automotive Repair – November 2001

Sharon will contact Consumer Reportsand Magill Science Encyclopedia to request information about their online databases.

Karen Rossi will talk with CLP’s Pennsylvania Department about Ancestry plus and ProQuest’s Genealogy and Local History. Karen will also talk with CLP’s Job and Career Education Center about their learning databases.

Budget considerations

At its November meeting, EREC will evaluate the budget allocation and the database collection, recommending databases to be added to and deleted from the collection. We ask staff to provide us with suggestions, comments, and requests. Cindy will email staff with this request. Cindy and Mike will get pricing information from vendors.

Old business

Mardi reported that the distribution dates of Access PA Power Library brochures and bookmarks has not yet been determined.

Shaler’s database brochure is on the P drive.

Next meeting: November 20, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at Dormont Public Library

Submitted by

Karen Rossi

October 24, 2001