Present:

Jim Scheppke (Oregon); Tine Walczyk and Deborah Littrell (Texas); Sharon Morris and Gene Hainer (Colorado); Ellen Fox (BCR); Bev Obert (Illinois)

Total balance as of 12/31/2007  $155,763.35

Colorado has 15 live sites and 5 new sties coming on soon.  They are working to correct some slowness and server issues

Texas reports much the same as last meeting Tine is doing more training.

Oregon has 22 live sites and 12 more in the queue for a total of 34.  This is ¼ of all public libraries in Oregon.  They hired a graphic artist to do banners for the Oregon libraries for about $600 per banner and this is going well.  Jim will send out the email from Darci giving updated information on the graphic artist.

Illinois has successfully moved the websites from the commercial hosting facility to the Shawnee Library System.  New training begins soon.

4. Progress report from the Project Coordinators

Tine reported that Joel is back at work and is 90% done with the setup tool and major progress on Plinkit 2.0.  The coordinators talked about planning for the upgrade with the unified installer, a new web form product that will work better and options for color schemes.  These changes will require updating of the Administrator’s Manual.

Testing: Darci will have a location for high level testing of Plinkit 2.0 for functionality.  Each state will receive the state specific version of Plinkit 2.0 and test for how it works setting up new sites and how it works in migrating sites from 1.0 to 2.0

Development of products:  Recurring events is still high on the list plus development of 2-3 additonal skins in 3-5 color schemes.  The coordinators will develop a list of new features based on requests from the libraries currently using Plinkit.  To keep these product developments moving, the coordinators are suggesting the collaborative hire a part time project manager whose responsibility will be to set up time lines, work on contracts, keep in touch with the product developers, and maintain communication between the coordinators and developers.

Plinkit has won the ASCLA Award.  The goal is to win three awards for Plinkit.  We looked at the Carnegie Mellon Grant but felt because Plinkit is not an open source product freely given out we do not qualify.

John Houser from PALINET has show interest in Plinkit.  Darci and Sharon are working on a getting started packet of information for new states.  Darci is also working on a technical problem with the RSS Feeds on the sites.  The next Coordinators meeting will be Feb. 29^th.

5.      Projects:

Plinkit 2.0 will be completed soon, cost $35,000; Set up tool coming with Plinkit 2.0 at $7,000.  Updating the Documentation will cost approximately $15,000.  Other projects for the year are recurring events @ $7,000 and new skins @ $10,000.

6.      Part-time Project Manager:

Discussion.  Feeling this would be a ¼ time position.  Ellen stated it is a possibility BCR could provide someone.  Jim will talk with Brenda on Feb 22 about this.  The coordinators are to write up a job description, 1-2 pages in length by Feb. 15. Tine will spearhead this.

7.      08-09 Projects:

The coordinators have no definite projects for the next year.  Sharon said that by July we would be able to look at new sites and increased capacity of the software.  It was decided to have the following as a tentative budget

Project Development            $50,000

            Part time project manager   $20,000

            Travel                                      $10,000

            Total Budget 08-09               $80,000

8.      Fees for collaborative membership 08-09. 

After discussion it was tentatively decided that the fee next year would be $10,000 per state.  This will be finalized at the next meeting.  There was also discussion that there could be an initial buy in fee for new states, and then a lower fee after established.  It was also mentioned that if we had a lower fee we might have more interest from other states.

9.      Recruitment of new states to the Collaborative

Sharon and Darci will develop two items; Benefits of Plinkit for the hosting agency, and What’s involved when you get started on Plinkit.  They will have drafts by March 1.  Bev will make contact with PALINET while at OCLC Members Council.  Jim will talk with Darci about updating the www.plinkit.org website.  Jim will reach out to COSLA by email to their list with a link to Plinkit.  Other appropriate e-lists as identified will be used to spread the Plinkit word.

It was suggested that each state submit the names and links of their top 2 Plinkit library sites that can be placed on a separate page of the website for recruitment purposes.

10.  Plans for accepting the ASCLA Award. 

The consensus was that Darci and Tine should be there to accept the award.  A poll will be taken to see who will be attending ALA Annual.  Project Coordinators are to do a cost proposal by the March steering committee meeting to get folks to ASCLA.

11. Plans for other awards

Everyone is to be on the lookout for other awards that the collaborative could apply for.

12. Next meeting Friday, March 28^th time 9, 10, 11 AM