There will be continued partnership with MLC for support and training. MEL is being evaluated for a possible transition to some type of unified portal. The plan is to update SPAN holdings this fall. Interviewing is in process for the Statewide Database Administrator, which Christie hopes to have in place by summer. According to the Statewide Database Project Cost Summary Sheet, database costs continue to rise.
Usage is also increasing, so the per search cost is stable or declining.
June 10 is the projected date for the Legislature to decide funding. Randy Dykhuis indicated that one percent would contribute approximately one million dollars. Sue Schwartz indicated that perhaps a funding summit would be needed to discuss long-term funding solutions. Randy Dykhuis hoped that we would continue to pursue the vision of core resources available free to all libraries. Michael Deller talked about the Public Library Funding Initiative, and how those libraries all are funded will have an impact on the total funding picture.