| M25 Consortium of Higher Education
Libraries
MINUTES of the Consortium Annual General Meeting
held Wednesday 4 June 2003
at Imperial War Museum
|
| Present: |
Robert Hall (Surrey) - Chair
Nick Bevan (Brunel), Brendan Casey (City), Angela Conyers
(Canterbury Christ College UC), Mary Davies (UEL), Elizabeth Davison
(London Institute), Doug Dodds (National Art Library), Phillipa
Dolphin (Birkbeck), Suzanne Enright (Westminster), Janet Evans
(Imperial), Sarah Gerrard (RHUL), Richard Golland (Imperial War
Museum), Diana Herman (UCL), Chris Hunt (ULL), Maire Lanigan (St
Mary's College), William Marsterson (Middlesex), Di Martin
(Hertfordshire), Christine Muller (South Bank), Julia Munroe
(Reading), Brian Murphy (QMC), David Pearson (Wellcome), Sue Price (Courtauld),
Vivien Robertson (Kings), Jane Savidge (Kingston), Irene Sims
(Buckingham Chilterns UC), Jean Sykes (LSE), Rachel Sylvester
(London Business School), Keith Webster (SOAS), Nicky Whitsed (OU in
London), Christine Wise (ULL), John Wolstenholme (TVU), Jean Yeoh
(Kings)
|
| Apologies: |
John Akeroyd (South Bank), Mary Auckland
(London Institute), Paul Ayris (UCL), Sue Clegg (Surrey, Roehampton),
Margaret Coutts (Kent), Vanessa Crane (CADISE), Helen Edwards (LBS),
Brian Furner (LSHTM), Peter Hassell (RCA), Denis Heathcote
(Greenwich), Chris Hunt (ULL), Simon Jackson (RVC), Clare Jenkins
(Imperial), Chris Launder (Courtauld), Linda Lisgarten (School of
Pharmacy), Marina Logan-Bruce (SGHMS), David McGrath (TVU), Chris
Pedley (Heythrop), Anne Peters (IOE), Carol Pickaver (Kent), Sue
Robertson (Kingston), Sasha Shaw (Goldsmiths), Geoff Smith (BL),
Maureen Wade (LSE), Jules Winterton (SAS), Astrid Wissenburg (Kings)
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| In attendance |
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The Chair welcomed David Bradbury (ALCL), John Gilby
(M25 Systems Team), Graham Fisher (LLDA) and Fiona O'Brien (LLDA).
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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 focussing on the e-learning agenda, a
key strategic driver for UK higher education. There had been a
series of 3 presentations on e-Learning and supporting initiatives.
- Jonathan Darby : Chief Architect, UKeU updated Consortium
members on the developing UKeU agenda, strategy, progress to
date and priorities and opportunities for the future
- Nicky Whitsed : Director of Library Services, Open University
provided an institutional focus on the developing local
e-Learning agenda and highlighted both the role of, and
implications for, the O.U's library services.
- Howard Noble : team member, Project OLIVE updated Consortium
members on the collaborative OLIVE project and the potential
implications for local e-Learning initiatives
Input from the speakers, and the range of perspectives they
brought to this issue, was designed to help Consortium member
clarify their thinking in this area, both at a local and consortial
level. There was also a discussion later in the afternoon on the
potential role for the Consortium in e-learning.
|
| 2. |
Minutes |
|
2.1 |
The minutes were approved
from the Consortium Meeting held on 24 January 2003 at Central Saint
Martins, The London Institute
|
|
2.2 |
The minutes were received
from the Steering Group meeting held on 5 March 2003 at City
University |
|
2.3 |
The minutes were received
from the Steering Group meeting held on 1 May 2003 at Royal Holloway
(2 Gower St.)
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| 3. |
Matters arising |
|
3.1 |
It was noted that Graham
Fisher has been appointed Director of the London Libraries
Development Agency from 2 June 2003 |
|
3.2 |
It was noted that the 10th anniversary
party and launch of CPD25 was held on 27 February 2003, at Kings
College London - the Weston Room, The Maughan Library and
Information Centre in Chancery Lane. The event was judged to be a
'stunning success', especially in attracting Laurie Taylor as the
key speaker. Members expressed their thanks to the organizers (Philippa
Dolphin, Suzanne Enright, Sue Price and Jean Yeoh), to the LLDA and
to the various party sponsors.
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| 4. |
Constitutional and membership issues |
|
4.1 |
Members received an oral report on
constitutional issues. It was noted that the Consortium's
application is still with the Charity Commissioners, going through
the final registration process. An application for limited company
status will then follow. |
|
4.2 |
Members received an update from the
Secretary on membership of the Consortium. The recommendation to
offer membership to the British Museum library was approved.
|
|
4.3 |
Members received an update on membership
of the Consortium Steering Group, specifically |
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|
4.3.1 |
Noted the results of the election for three vacancies
on the Consortium Steering Group (Maire Lanigan, Maureen Wade and
John Wolstenholme were elected) and also for two Officer vacancies
for Chair (Robert Hall) and Treasurer (Keith Webster re-elected).
Members expressed their thanks to outgoing members of the
Steering Group (Brendan Casey, Elizabeth Davison and Sarah Gerrard)
and passed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chair Anne Bell for her
huge contribution to the work of the Consortium and the Steering
Group, going back over many years.
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4.3.2 |
Noted that membership of the Consortium Working Groups
is reported via the Groups' web-pages
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| 5. |
Business planning issues and update on
progress with implementation of Development Plan 2002/3 - 2005/6 |
|
5.1 |
Members accepted an Annual Report for
2002/03 which gives an update on progress related to the aims and
objectives for each of the main areas of Consortium activity M25AnnualReport02-03.pdf
The Secretary drew attention to some key areas: that much effort
had gone into mutual support areas (disability, disaster planning)
and that the two new Working groups were making much headway
(Resource Discovery, Collaboration and Partnership). In addition, it
was noted that two Consortium access schemes (for researchers and
for fast track access to the BL) had been the model for, and are now
subsumed into, national schemes and this was a significant
achievement. The change in name to reflect the wider membership was
also a welcome step forward. |
|
5.2 |
Members considered a draft Update on the
Development Plan for 2002/3 to 2005/6 which details aims and
objectives for the Consortium. The Steering Group will amend the
plan in the light of comments made and decisions taken at the
meeting. M25DraftUpdateDevPlan2003-4.pdf
In addition, Members noted a report from Di Martin (University of
Hertfordshire) on the work of the Resource Discovery Working Group.
It was agreed to |
|
|
(a) |
review the online archiving policy |
|
|
(b) |
go live with the test version of the Access
Eligibility Calculator (AET) but also to seek a new name for it |
|
|
(c) |
consider a new publicity campaign for InforM25 in
2003/4
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It was proposed that the Health Science
Group be re-convened to discuss strategic (and some operational)
issues of concern to Members. The Steering Group will discuss this
proposal later in June.
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|
5.3 |
Members noted that the task force, led by
Anne Peters (Institute of Education) to undertake initial
investigations into the issue of student centred and shared services
has completed its work. A new Working group has been convened to
take this part of the Development Plan forward as a matter of
priority. Nick Bevan (Brunel University) has taken on role as Chair
and he provided a report to Members. |
|
5.4 |
Members were given a presentation on
issues related to collaboration and partnership in the region and
beyond from Mary Davies, Chair Collaboration and Partnership Working
Group
|
|
5.5 |
Members noted that group discussions
around the key theme of e-learning would be held after the meeting.
The Steering Group will further amend the Development Plan in the
light of comments made in these discussions.
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| 6. |
CPD25: Staff development and training
issues |
|
Members received a report from Jean Yeoh,
Chair of CPD25
It was noted that year one of CPD25 had been very successful, if
a little conservative, with high levels of participation across the
events, visits and Chartership programmes. The structure of having
five themed task groups is working well, the website is under
re-development and a fruitful relationship has been established with
LMN.
It was noted that subscriptions for 2003/4 will be pegged at
2002/3 levels but the costing model will be reviewed for 2004/5. A
new 3-year business plan will be presented to Members in January
2004.
Members thanked Jean Yeoh for her strong leadership of CPD25.
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| 7. |
Treasurer's report |
|
Members received an update and report from the Treasurer on
finances for 2002/03. It was reported that the budget is on profile,
the policy of building up reserves is well underway and that there
is a small surplus forecast. The ongoing lack of funding for admin
support continues though.
Roy Williams has agreed to act as auditor and the Treasurer
thanked Robert Hall for his work on preparing the subscription
levels for 2003/4.
Members approved the proposed subscriptions for 2003/2004 (which
are based on a continuing financial model of combining a flat fee
subscription with formula driven contributions for specific
activities) including an increase in the flat fee subscription to
£300 per HEFCE-funded institution. Non HEFCE-funded institutions
continue to be charged a flat rate subscription.
Members noted that the financial model for all subscriptions will
be reviewed prior to January 2004.
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| 8. |
Any other business |
|
8.1 |
It was noted that the next Consortium
meetings will be held as follows:
- 29 January 2004 at Wellcome
- June 2004 (tbc - possibly the V&A)
|
|
8.2 |
Members were asked for ideas and themes
for the January 2004 meeting which would again be a one-day meeting
with a mixture of keynote speakers and interactive sessions. The
Steering Group will discuss this further.
|
| Suzanne Enright |
| Secretary |
| 5 June 2003 |
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