M25 Consortium of Higher Education Libraries
MINUTES of the Consortium Annual General Meeting held Friday
24 January 2003 at Central Saint Martins, The London Institute
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| Present: |
Anne Bell (KCL) - Chair
Nick Bevan (Brunel), Brendan Casey (City), Judith Cattermole
(Middlesex), Angela Conyers (Canterbury Christ College UC),
Margaret Coutts (Kent), Vanessa Crane (CADISE), Elizabeth
Davison (London Institute), Phillipa Dolphin (Birkbeck), Doug
Dodds (National Art Library), Adam Edwards (Surrey, Roehampton),
Helen Edwards (LBS), Suzanne Enright (Westminster), Richard
Golland (Imperial War Museum), Sarah Gerrard (RHUL), Robert
Hall (Surrey), Peter Hassell (RCA), Susan Howard (Imperial),
Marina Logan-Bruce (SGHMS), Virginia Malone (Greenwich), Di
Martin (Hertfordshire), Christine Muller (South Bank), Leslie
Pitman (UCL), Sasha Shaw (Goldsmiths), Maureen Wade (LSE),
Keith Webster (SOAS), Nicky Whitsed (OU London Region), Christine
Wise (ULL), Jean Yeoh (Kings)
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| Apologies: |
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John Akeroyd (South Bank), Mary Auckland
(London Institute), Paul Ayris (UCL), Sue Clegg (Surrey, Roehampton),
Mary Davies (UEL), Brian Furner (LSHTM), Denis Heathcote (Greenwich),
Simon Jackson (RVC), Clare Jenkins (Imperial), Maire Lanigan
(St Mary's College), Linda Lisgarten (School of Pharmacy), David
McGrath (TVU), William Marsterson (Middlesex), Julia Munroe
(Reading), Brian Murphy (QMC), David Murray (LLDA), Joan Pateman
(Goldsmiths), David Pearson (Wellcome), Chris Pedley (Heythrop),
Anne Peters (IOE), Sue Price (Courtauld), Sue Robertson (Kingston),
Emma Robinson (ULL), Irene Sims (Buckingham Chilterns UC), Jean
Sykes (LSE), Roy Williams (London Metropolitan), Jules Winterton
(SAS), John Wolstenholme (TVU),
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| In attendance: |
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The Chair welcomed David Bradbury (ALCL),
Geoff Smith (BL), John Gilby (M25 Systems Team).
It was noted during the morning session that David Murray
is to leave the LLDA to take up a new appointment. The Chair
had thanked David for his contribution to the Consortium and
energy in helping drive some joint initiatives forward. His
valuable contribution to Consortium meetings would be missed.
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| 1. |
Introduction |
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It was noted that the meeting
was part of a full day meeting of Members focusing on
- Support for disabled and special needs users which included
a presentation by Wendy Le Mesurier from SKILL on the Special
Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and an update
from Margaret Coutts (U Kent) on the role and activities
of the M25 Working Group on Disability and Special Needs
Support.
- Regional issues and update on LLDA activities by David Murray
(Director LLDA)
LLDA
update.pdf
LMAL
ICT strat - draft 17th Jan.pdf
Note: a copy of the LLDA Strategic Plan 2002/3 is available
at http://www.llda.org.uk/stratplan.0802.pdf - Update on British Library activities (Geoff Smith, BL)
|
| 2. |
Minutes |
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2.1 |
The minutes were approved from
the Consortium Meeting held on Friday 21June 2002 at Vernon
Campus, SOAS
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|
2.2 |
The minutes were received from
the Steering Group meeting held on 16 July 2002 at University
of Westminster |
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2.3 |
The minutes were received from
the Steering Group meeting held on 9 October 2002 at University
of Westminster |
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2.4 |
The minutes were received from
the Steering Group meeting held on held 3 December 2002 at the
London institute |
| 3. |
Matters arising |
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3.1 |
10th Anniversary Party |
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It was noted that planning
had been undertaken by a small group (Suzanne Enright [M25 Secretary],
Sue Price [Courtauld], Philippa Dolphin [Birkbeck], Jean Yeoh
[Kings] and David Murray [LLDA]). Philippa Dolphin gave a verbal
update to Members:
The party will take the form of an evening reception, 5-7.30pm,
on 27 February 2003 at Kings College London - the Weston
Room, The Maughan Library and Information Services Centre
in Chancery Lane. Some 1000 invitations will be sent out,
including 2 invites per Member library and 4 invites per Member
institution aimed at senior staff. Laurie Taylor will be the
guest speaker.
Three key areas of M25 activity, set in a regional context and
tied to Government agendas, will form the backdrop to the
evening. These are: social inclusion (access/LLiL), ICT (InforM25/AIM25/WiLL)
and skills and employability (CPD25)
The organising group have successfully sought sponsorship for the
event (targeting partner companies who have an interest in
the Consortium and its work - library management system suppliers
in M25 Libraries and key suppliers for the host Library and
Information Centre). Sponsors will display their logo on the
invitations and be able to insert material of their choice
in the commemorative folder.
The planning group were thanked for their efforts.
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|
3.2 |
SPARC |
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The Secretary reminded Members
that the Steering Group had discussed a proposal to take out
a consortial subscription to SPARC Europe but decided the interests
of Members are already represented within SPARC Europe by SCONUL
and, where appropriate, CURL. It was noted too that individual
Members could join SPARC if they so choose. This decision was
endorsed by the Members. |
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3.3 |
Consortium name |
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The Secretary reported that
a facilitated meeting on M25 Key messages had been held 29 October,
with members of both the Steering Group and Advocacy Working
Party, along with David Murray of LLDA. The group tried to identify
key audiences and associated key messages from the M25 Consortium
in order to improve communication and PR activity by both M25
Members and partner bodies such as LLDA. The meeting was facilitated
by Synetics (Caroline Holt).
Following on from this meeting the Steering Group had agreed
that M25 Consortium should retain 'M25' within its title as
the brand is strong and identifiable within the sector. The
issue is identity outwith the sector. However, the M25 Consortium
will change its official name from 'M25 Consortium for Higher
Education Libraries' to 'M25 Consortium of Academic
Libraries' to reflect diversity and to help branding
outwith the sector. A new strap-line is also to be introduced
'Working together for London's learners and researchers'.
This will place the Consortium regionally as well as underpinning
the 'academic' aspect of the Consortium's business (including
non-HE membership).
To reinforce these changes it was agreed to delete the map on the
website (as not reflecting the true geographical spread) and
to introduce a new logo with M25 and libraries as the keywords
tied in with a re-launch of all Consortium publicity materials
during 2003.
These decisions were endorsed by the Members.
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| 4. |
Update on progress with
implementation of Development Plan 2002/3 - 2005/6
Interim
report Jan 03.pdf
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|
4.1 |
Members considered a draft
interim report for the year, providing an update on recent progress
related to the main aims and objectives for each of the main
areas of Consortium activity. It was noted that regular meetings
of Chairs of Consortium Working Groups were now set up to help
take the planned work forward in a concerted way. It was further
noted that a full report and revised Development Plan would
be submitted to the Consortium meeting in June 2003. |
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4.2 |
Members noted in particular
that:
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|
4.2.1 |
A task force had been set up, led by Anne
Peters (Institute of Education) to undertake initial investigations
into the issue of student centred and shared services. Nick
Bevan gave a verbal update and it was noted that the initial
feasibility review was positive. This will be discussed by the
Steering Group in March. |
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|
4.2.2 |
A new Working group on Collaboration and
Partnership had been convened to take this part of the Development
Plan forward as a matter of priority. Mary Davies (University
of East London) has taken on role as Chair. Angela Conyers gave
a verbal update on work mapping strategic plans of partner groups
and on proposed surveys of activity in Member institutions looking
at themes and partners. |
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|
4.2.3 |
The role, remit and focus of the M25 Systems
Advisory Committee has been reviewed and broadened in order
to find a development path for InforM25, given commercial advances,
and to bring the Consortium's resource discovery work together
in a more structured way within the Working Group framework.
As a result a new Resource Discovery Working Group has been
convened, chaired in the first year by Di Martin (University
of Hertfordshire).
Di Martin presented a report to the Members on a recent meeting
to finalise the terms of reference, membership and administrative
arrangements for the Group and to agree priorities for the
M25 Systems Team within the current range of tasks. The meeting
also had an exploratory brainstorm on resource discovery issues
over the coming 3-5 year period. It was noted that information
would be sought on current/planned activity in Member institutions
and on Members' needs.
John Gilby reported that the AET project, whereby user rights would
be identified online both by users themselves as well as library
staff, is progressing and data testing is underway. However,
data entry is complex and Members will be asked to verify
information before it goes live. It was also reported that
potential portability of the product was found to be positive.
It was reported that the long term aim of linkage between InforM25
and AIM25 is now under development, hopefully to be complete
by July 2003. Clearly this development will bring new benefits
to both library and archives users, despite complexity of
linking item descriptions with collection descriptions.
It was noted that there is a new draft LMAL ICT Strategy for London
and agreed that it is important for the Consortium to identify
large scale ICT projects to feed into this.
LMAL
ICT strat - draft 17th Jan.pdf
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|
4.2.4 |
It was noted that the Health Science Group
has been abandoned following resignation of Denis Heathcote
as Chair. |
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|
4.2.5 |
It was further noted that the subject
group for the Creative Arts has been reviewed and is now chaired
by Doug Dodds of the National Art Library
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|
4.3 |
Members noted a report from
David Murray, Director of London Libraries Development Agency
(LLDA) updating them on regional developments had been given
in the morning session (see section 1 above)
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| 5. |
Constitutional and membership
issues |
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5.1 |
Update from Constitution
Working party
Members received an oral report from Keith Webster updating them
on constitutional issues whereby the Consortium is seeking
registration as a company limited by guarantee, and separately
as having charitable status. It was reported that it is now
planned to get Charity status sorted as priority and a report
from the Charity Commissioners is expected in the near future.
Members endorsed the report of the Constitution Working party
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|
5.2 |
Membership of the Consortium
Steering Group
Members noted that: |
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|
5.2.1 |
Jean Yeoh has been co-opted onto the Steering
Group in her role as Chair of CPD25 |
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|
5.2.2 |
Di Martin (Hertfordshire), Christine Wise
(ULL) and Doug Dodds (National Art Library) have been co-opted
onto the Steering Group in their respective roles as Chair of
Consortium Working Groups (Resource Discovery, Disaster Management
and Creative Arts Subject Group)
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|
5.3 |
Membership of the Consortium |
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|
5.3.1 |
It was noted that the British Library
has now joined the Consortium as a full member |
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|
5.3.2 |
The Secretary reported that discussions
were underway with the British Museum regarding future membership. |
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|
5.3.3 |
The question of membership in regard to
CHILL was mentioned and will be investigated by the Steering
Group.
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| 6. |
CPD25: Staff development
and training issues Members received a report from the Chair of CPD25 and noted the
ambitious programme and wide-ranging involvement of staff
from across the Member institutions on the Task Groups. It
was noted that there will be opportunities for cross-sector/domain
training (e.g. with LMN, ALCL) and these should be sought
where appropriate.
It was noted that the website (cpd25.ac.uk) should have more focus
on activity (rather than structures).
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| 7. |
Treasurer's report Members received an update and report from the Treasurer on finances
for 2002/03 and an indication of initial proposals for financial
aspects of the Consortium's work in 2003/04 (which are based
on a continuing financial model of combining a flat fee subscription
with formula driven contributions for specific activities).
In respect of 2003/04 subscriptions and financial planning issues
it was noted that a Task Group had been set up to brainstorm
and review the question of future financial models; risk assessment
issues and impact of 'business step-up'. Identification of
new income streams was identified as a key area for action.
Working Groups (including CPD25) are looking into potential
expenditure also. The ongoing lack of funding for admin support
continues to be a problem. A key issue continues to be that
of the reserves policy expected by the Charity Commissioners,
demonstrating policy in building up reserves as well as demonstrating
actual financial viability. This will require the Consortium
to build up reserves if it wants to pursue charitable status.
It was noted that a paper on M25 Systems Team funding had been
received and discussed by the Steering Group in December 2002.
It was agreed that the financial contribution for the M25
Systems team should be increased to reflect the costings now
identified following detailed analysis, over the last year,
of the work provided by the team in supporting Consortium
activities. It was noted that these costings do not include
all costs e.g. full managerial and support overheads are not
included.
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| 8. |
Any other business |
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8.1 |
Christine Wise gave an update
on the revamped Disaster Management Group |
|
8.2 |
It was noted that SCONUL Research
Extra will be launched in April 2003 and is expected to subsume
the M25 Access and Borrowing scheme. |
|
8.3 |
David Bradbury (ALCL) highlighted
the need for ongoing relationships between ALCL and the Consortium |
|
8.4 |
It was noted that the next
Consortium meetings will be held as follows:
- 4 June 2003 at Imperial War Museum
- January 2004 at Wellcome
- June 2004 (tbc)
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|
8.5 |
Members were asked for ideas
and themes for the June 2003 meeting which would again be a
one-day meeting with a mixture of keynote speakers and interactive
sessions. The issue of student centred and shared services,
e-learning, VLE/MLE, HE White Paper, future of public libraries
and demos of new products (e.g. ARLIS Directory of Art, Architecture
and Design Resources) were amongst ideas put forward. These
ideas will be discussed by the Steering Group in March.
|
| Suzanne Enright |
| Secretary |
| 14 February 2003 |
