Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th September 2003 at University of London Library

Present: Mary Davies (Chair), David Ward (Acting Secretary), Brian Murphy, David Pearson, and Geoff Smith.

By invitation: Richard Osborn, Knowledge and Library Services, NW London WDC

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Christine Wise; Christine Muller; and Adam Edwards.

2. Minutes of the last meeting

The initials DW were replaced by DP in item 4 Research Libraries Network section.

3. Matters arising

None.

4. London Health Libraries - Richard Osborn (RO)

1. 
   
2. It was noted that there are also 3 NHS confederations outside London mapping onto the M25 area and that there would be scope for including these in any collaborative discussions
3. The Group agreed on the potential areas of collaboration:

• Training (contact has been made with CPD25)
• Sharing of good practice
• Benchmarking/ quality assurance
• Joint projects
• LLDA
• Better promotion of shared services
• Resource discovery
• WiLL
• Topic related activities broader than "health"
• Improved student access

ACTION: BM to co-ordinate with RO with a view to recommending the establishment of a joint working group for LHL and M25, including SE confederations and HE counterparts to address issues.

5. M25 Members' Survey and Action Plan

1. It was agreed that the survey required no further alteration and should be published on web. ACTION: MD
2. Links with the NHS are being facilitated via Richard Osborn, but the survey has also indicated a need to explore the FE angle, regional partnerships and business. One of the most elegant ways of securing collaboration with FE would be through the LLDA. ACTION: BM & MD to follow up COFE rep at LLDA.
3. The Group discussed the lack of developed links with business and how best to improve them. It noted that some work has been done through LHEC, but of a limited project nature. ACTION: MD to cross check against consortial plans, take up with steering group and build into group action plan as appropriate.
4. It was noted that the M25 Collaboration Working Group needed to replace members. Members are currently reviewing the following areas:
   • NHS (BM)
   • Govt libs (AE). ACTION: MD to approach AE to add "scoping consortial aims & objectives" to his portfolio
   • BL (DW) ACTION: DW to arrange meeting with GS
   • LHEC (MD)
   • RSLP & RSLG (DP) ACTION: DP to identify contacts

ACTION: MD to approach steering committee to find candidates to replace Angela Conyers, currently SEMLAC contact, cover the work of Christine Muller and identify identity of M25 advocacy rep.

6. Business Plans

1. The group will update the M25/LMAL/SEMLAC business plan mapping from time to time as seen necessary, but meanwhile will remove the map from the web leaving links to those organisations' established business plans. ACTION: MD
2. BM noted that LMAL was currently working to the establishment of a new agency, investigating the implications of TUPE etc. The LLDA wishes it to be a new company with a fresh board and CEO and it appears likely to happen. LLDA is in the meantime legally constituting itself by means of a joint venture agreement. While the proposed executive was dominated by the London Boroughs, BM was suggesting other organisations have better representation on it.
3. GS reported that the BL has undertaken project work with library consortia in the NE and SE and was exploring future links via Andrew Stevens. Ex Libris developments are well under way. The NW and W. Midlands are implementing INSPIRE. The BL Board has recently endorsed the CURL interlending proposals

7. A.O.B.

None.

8. Date of Next Meeting

Date was subsequently agreed as Tuesday, 28th October 2003 at ULL, Senate House at 10.30 a.m.