Advocacy Working Group Meeting Minutes

Present: Genein Cox (LSE), Máire Lanigan (St. Mary's & Chair), Mary Nixon (Goldsmiths), Janet Percival (UCL), Catherine Walsh (London Metropolitan University)

In attendance: John Gilby (LSE), Anne Spennrath (Goldsmiths)

Apologies: Apologies were received from Liz Hunwick (Middlesex), Frances Norton (Wellcome Library), Barbara Spina (SOAS).

1. Minutes and Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 19th September 2006.

The minutes were agreed as accurate and true record of the meeting.

2. Annual Report

The annual report for 2005/6 was tabled.  Thanks were expressed to Stephen Randall (Ocean), Frances Norton and Mary Nixon for their work on it.  GC reported that she had sent out 250 copies and noted that it was not in A4 format.

• Action 2.1 – GC to send copies to Vice-Chancellors, Members of the Society of Chief Librarians, Other consortia of academic libraries, the president of CILIP, and UK library schools.
• Action 2.2 – MN to ask FN for written spec.

3. Steering Group

ML reported that the Steering Group had reviewed the working groups, as a result of which the Group’s name had been changed to Marketing and Communications Working Group.  The Disability and Special Needs and Disaster Management Working Groups had been disbanded. 

4. InforM25

JG presented the new InforM25 web site, to be launched on 20 November.  Agreed that it was a great improvement; a few small adjustments were suggested.   A plan for promoting the web site was agreed, including a prize draw (six prizes of £50 Amazon vouchers, subject to the Treasurer’s approval).

• Action 4.1 – JP with BS or FN to write press release by 17 November and let GC have a mailing list.
• Action 4.2 – JG to put a feedback form on the web site, with promotional text on InforM25, M25 and CPD25 homepages.
• Action 4.3 – ML to secure Treasurer’s agreement to the prize draw.
• Action 4.4 – ML, MN to liaise with 529 to design posters and carrier bags and write email to Heads of Service, containing a brief news item for library web pages.

5. Top Ten Facts

MN reported on a meeting that she and ML had had with Mary Davies and Angela Convers of London Higher.  Angela had contacted those libraries whose statistics are not in the SCONUL report, so that the facts could be as accurate as possible.  A revised Top Ten Facts was tabled.  It was noted that the facts about the Consortium on p. 1 of the annual report also had to be kept up to date.

6. Marketing Plan

ML had drafted a marketing plan, which was revised at the meeting.  Agreed that the Consortium Welcome Pack should be on the agenda for the next meeting.

• Action 6.1 – ML circulate revised plan for comment and submit it to the Steering Group on 5 December.
• Action 6.2 – MN to arrange a half-day exchange of experience session on marketing with CPD25.  Antony Beverton to be invited to lead it.

7. 2007 Meetings

Thu 11 Jan, 15.00, LSE followed by meal

Thu 15 Mar, 10.00, St Mary's

Thu 17 May, 15.00, SOAS

Thu 19 July, 10.00, Goldsmiths

Thu 20 Sept, 15.00, UCL

Thu 15 Nov, 15.00, t.b.a.