Former Committees & Taskforces
CUWL Customized Database Task Force Meeting
CUWL Customized Database Task Force Meeting
February 10, 2000 – 1:00-3:00
UW Baraboo
Those present: Bob Rose (chair), Denise Babin, Anita Evans, Abbie Loomis, Ken Grant, Terri Muraski, Lorie Docken.
The group first discussed the charge, issues related to the charge and the general purpose of this task force. We simply created a list of some of the questions/issues related to charge:
· The purpose of the task force – identification of the problem
· Will the outcome of this task force result in a pilot or a comprehensive project
· Are there gaps in the current coverage provided by the UW System shared electronic collection?
· What is the nature of any potential content (full text databases, full image databases or full image electronic journals)?
· The importance of access methods (interface, and integration with citation databases, OPAC, linking, etc.)
· Archiving issues
· Who is the audience?
· Distance learners
· Authentication issues
· Retention related to print subscriptions
· Support of alternative publishing models
· The procurement process
· Cost of project and funding resources
The Task Force (TF) agreed that one of the central issues to be addressed is that libraries/users should be selecting content rather than simply accepting vendor’s pre-packaged content. The TF discussed the California State RFP at some length and agreed that it resulted in positive outcomes including forcing vendors to deal with archiving issues, getting vendors to package content demanded by a consortium, and defining Cal State’s "core" collection. However, Cal State ended up with less than half of its requested titles from Ebsco Academic Search, a resource already available to UW libraries.
The TF also agreed that the audience for any UW project should be undergraduate students and faculty preparing courses. Through discussion, the TF arrived at consensus that any UW project should look at a subject approach to acquiring content. This tactic is a bit different than that taken by the California State project where "core" titles were identified.
The TF discussed possible subjects that could be addressed:
Sciences, engineering, allied health/nursing, art, computer science, biology, humanities.
The TF reached consensus on an allied health/nursing focus. It is believed that having access to electronic content in this subject area would benefit all UW System students. The TF went on to identify program areas fitting into allied health/nursing. Those areas include: nutrition, health education, vocational rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technician, physician’s assistant, nursing, speech therapy/communication disorders, community health/wellness programs, sports medicine, public health.
The TF also discussed the type of content and agreed that the content may be a combination of full text, full image, electronic journals.
Action items:
Bob will present the TF’s recommendation of focusing on allied health/nursing content to CUWL and CDC. Given that the CUWL charge is rather broad, the TF would like confirmation that that our recommendation is in line with CUWL’s concept of a "Customized Database."
Lorie will look at UW System campus course offerings to determine if there are other allied health/nursing programs missing from list above.
Assuming that CUWL and CDC approve the Task Force’s approach, members of the TF will then divide the subject areas related to allied health/nursing and begin identifying potential electronic resources.
Notes taken by Lorie Docken.