Meeting Minutes for 05/10/2022

Brainfuse Demo (Jack Rothstein, Brainfuse)

• Demo Recording
• Demo on Brainfuse HelpNow (online tutoring, test prep, and more), and JobNow (online job search/resume/interview assistance plus unemployment benefits help). 

Q & A 

• Q: Is the live tutoring, the samples were text/typing based, audio/video-enabled also?
• A: There can be an audio option but most students are not as audio inclined and they prefer to communicate using texting and chatting. There can be challenges with audio such as equipment issues with microphone or speakers, and bandwidth capability. This is something that can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.    
• Q: Could the currently excluded libraries be included in the shared pricing next year?
• A: Price is first based on population. Price adjustments are later based on usage. This means that libraries that already have a subscription may be able to join the Marmot pricing depending on usage. 

Other Business

• OverDrive Curated Lists
  • Haley will be leaving Bemis on May 20th. This leaves no one to handle the adult OverDrive curated lists. Haley says the process is really easy and one of her favorite things to do when she needs a break from the more labor-intensive aspects of her job. OverDrive does most of the work, so it does not take much time at all.
  • Addy from Montrose agreed to take on this task
  • Action Item: Tammy will get in touch with Addy to make sure she gets the training and account permissions for curating adult OverDrive collections.
• New CLiC EBSCO Suite
  • CLiC was unable to include Academic Search Ultimate in the latest negotiation with EBSCO for this suite of databases but remains available to facilitate a la carte access for an additional cost.
  • John from Bemis asked if libraries would be interested in the Academic Search Ultimate. 
  • Action Item: Tammy will contact Kira from CLiC to see about pricing for the Marmot libraries interested in the Academic Search Ultimate database.
• State Library Homework Help
  • Liz mentioned that the State Library is working on a homework option. Liz sent an email to Nicole Davies to find out more information. Liz will share that information with Tammy.
• OverDrive Expired Metered Access (MA)  Titles Update
  • Tammy sent out the list of expired MA titles to Kaitlin to have them weeded. 
  • Kaitlin has already weeded those titles.
  • Tammy is still going to go through the titles that have holds and contact the library staff to have them either remove the hold for the patron or purchase the title.
  • Tammy will run this weeding report monthly starting on June 1, 2022.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, June 14th at 1 p.m.