SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY LIBRARY SYSTEM
REFERENCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 7, 2001

Members Present:  Natasha Kahn, SJVIS; Mike Drake, SJVIS; 
LouAnn Nickerson, Kern County; Mary Ellen Tyckeson, SJVLS; 
Kay Anthony, Coalinga; Stan Matli, Madera County; Janet 
Harader, Kings County; Marie Stanley, Fresno County; Van 
Quine, Tulare County.

Absent:  Porterville City, Tulare City, Mariposa County.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Marie Stanley.  
The minutes of September 6 were approved as corrected:  
1)  SIRS - Kern has the CD-Rom product; 
2) Strike the sentence that states Mike Drake & Sharon 
Vandercook will work on a schedule of electronic databases 
to consider.

1. Valley Almanac.  This item served as a reminder that 
each jurisdiction is responsible for Valley Almanac’s 
removal from their computers.

2. Keyword Search.  An enhanced keyword search would 
include title, subject, notes fields.  Stan Matli and Marie 
Stanley reported on their decision to propose the term
Quick Search for the expanded keyword search.  Discussion 
followed regarding this suggested term as well as where it 
should be listed on the search menu.  Kay Anthony moved and 
LouAnn Nickerson seconded the motion that we use the term 
Super Keyword Search.  Each jurisdiction can decide if they 
wish to add this feature.  For those jurisdictions who wish 
to add it but do not know how, SJVLS will help.

3. Remote Patron Authentication.  Infotrac is the only 
system-wide product available to home users at this time.  
Each jurisdiction chooses their qualifier set.  If any 
jurisdiction has negotiated other remote user databases, it 
can add them to their RPA.  Links on the Web have to go 
through the RPA server.  If linked, Infotrac can be accessed 
from home.  If a patron’s record is not complete, they may 
not be able to gain access from home.

Each jurisdiction can decide exclusions to remote access, 
e.g. too many fees, too many books out, etc.  We may want to 
restrict Infotrac so we can get better statistics on remote 
usage.  The question was asked as to how to access Infotrac 
if your jurisdiction does not have a web page.  It was 
suggested that it can be accessed from the system web page.

4. ReferenceUSA.  There is no remote access to ReferenceUSA 
at this time.  One reason is that it is too difficult for 
home users.  It would also cost our System approximately 
$8,000 more.  The Council wants the Reference Committee to 
address this issue.  Some problems committee members 
mentioned is that its speed is slow and often needs to be 
refreshed.  Marie Stanley would like for ReferenceUSA to 
prove themselves before considering expanding our 
subscription to include remote access.

5. Re-Evaluation Cycle for System Electronic Subscriptions.  
We need someone on the Reference Committee to keep track of 
subscription renewals and revisit the issue before the 
renewal date.  If we re-evaluate, we need to do so several 
months before our subscription runs out.  If we want to 
replace an existing subscription with one that is similar 
in cost, we can ask the System to replace that product.  If 
it costs more, we need to inform the Administrative Council 
in January for a change of subscription to take place in 
July.  Keith can give us renewal dates.  Mike will bring 
the list to the next meeting.

Individual or several library jurisdictions can renew or 
begin subscriptions through the system during the year if 
each is paying its own way and it doesn’t affect other 
members’ budgets.

6. SJVLS Inventory of Electronic Resources.  Mike Drake 
handed out a list of databases indicating which 
jurisdiction(s) subscribe to them.

7. Z3950.  URL:  heartland.sjvls.org/webclienttest.html is 
the new Heartland server.  It searches CSUF and Bakersfield 
College catalogs.  If your jurisdiction wants to have patrons 
search other libraries from Pac For Windows, Mary Ellen will 
add those libraries to your Web Pac.  Libraries have to be 
running a Z3950 to do this.

On March 1 the Virtual Catalog will be released.

8. Library of California.  Kay Anthony is Chair of the 
Heartland Regional Council.  If anyone has questions about 
the Library of California, they are welcome to ask her.  
They have received $361,000 for set-up.

9.   Print Management Committee.  A member of the Reference 
Committee is needed to serve on the Print Management 
Committee.  They will be looking at software that will be 
able to determine how many pages and the cost for printing.  
Marie Stanley volunteered.

Members shared reference resources.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,


Janet Harader, Secretary
Reference Committee