Members present: Russ Bailey, Jeanne Crisp, Dave Durant, Dave Fergusson, Laura Gorham, Michele Hayslett, Susan Herzog, Mark Pumphrey and Carol Tobin; Robert Burgin was present for the morning.

Absent: Carol Cramer, Jeri Oltman, Lisa Roberts, Linda Stone, Vicki Weavil

Meeting was called to order by Jeanne Crisp at 10:10

Statewide Leadership Grant proposal
The VRAC discussed changes to the LSTA funding proposal which were included in the copy submitted to the LSTA review committee. These included scaling down the project by dropping the logo and identity design efforts as well as K-12 oriented features from the pilot project, to make it more manageable. These facets can be reinstated in later years as resources allow.

Software Discussion
Discussion of software issues followed. From information gathered at the Atlanta ALA meeting, the major software packages are strikingly similar. Some have unique features that may be useful in the decision-making process, but more information is needed. A challenge of this pilot project will be to determine which is most useful for our project, so a thorough and standardized testing period was agreed upon.

Partner Libraries
The process of involving partner libraries was discussed. Partners will be expected to send a representative to two days of meetings, one for training on the software and one to meet with the full Advisory Committee to discuss the overall project and implementation. A list of the project's advantages for participating libraries was made, as well as one of the basic things libraries will have to commit to participate. A subcommittee will develop a draft application form.

Web Page for Statewide VR Project
The page needs more careful attention to be kept up-to-date. Michele will take lead with assistance from committee members to provide some of the content.

Tasks, Timelines
A list of tasks necessary for getting the pilot started was compiled and deadlines for specific tasks were estimated. An integrated timeline was created. Committee members selected various areas of responsibility as noted below; absent members will be offered their choice of assignments.

Next meeting
The next meeting will occur the last week of August 2002; individuals' availability will be determined via email. The meeting was adjourned at 2:45.

Areas of Responsibility

Testing: Susan Herzog, Carol Tobin
Request for Information: Robert Burgin, Jeanne Crisp
Partner invitation: Russ Bailey, Mark Pumphrey
NC LIVE: Laura Gorham, Michele Hayslett, Jeanne Crisp
Web development: David Durant, Dave Fergusson, Robert Burgin

Rough Timeline

By
Jul 10 - Meet with NC LIVE staff to discuss shared issues
Jul 15 - Get Request for Information out to vendors
- Have draft of software test ready for feedback from VRAC
Aug 1 - Final software test script ready. Testing begins
- Web development begins
- Get partner library application forms out to libraries
- Receive passwords from software vendors in order to begin testing
Sep 15 - Completed partner library applications due
Sep 30 - Software passwords expire
- Testing complete

Partner's Responsibility
(information to convey / gather during application process)
High-speed Internet access
Computer specifications (to be determined)
Commit to participate through June 2004
Minimum commitment 4-5 hours / week (with a caveat about working to accommodate the ability of all libraries to contribute, etc.)
Attend initial training & meeting with advisory committee
Front-line staff must be enthusiastic about the project
Good web skills, experience using web to answer research questions
NC LIVE training (do they already offer to public; ask their 3 favorite dbs and why)
Why do they want to do this
How will partnering in this project benefit your users, current and future?