Meeting Minutes for 11/29/2023

eContent Committee Meeting
Minutes for 11/29/2023

Changing Committee Name (MLN1 & MLN2)

• eContent Committee changed to eResources Committee
• Libraries that did not attend the meeting will receive a voting spreadsheet via email.
• Action Item: Tammy will contact the libraries that did not get a chance to vote 

MLN1 OverDrive Blackstone Audio Simultaneous Use (SU) Renewal Discussion (Tammy)

• Blackstone Audio Renewal Before 01/22/2024
• The 50 Blackstone audio titles had 12,503 checkouts from January 01, 2023 - November 20, 2023. Here is a spreadsheet with all total checkouts and cost per circ for 50 Blackstone Audio titles. 
• The spreadsheet is not divided by the original 25 titles and the additional 25 titles; it is all 50.
• It was suggested that the three least checked-out non-fiction titles should be replaced with other non-fiction titles.
• It was suggested that people should look at the Blackstone audio simultaneous use title list before purchasing those same titles for their library because the titles they bought will not be used. You can tell if the title is on the SU list before you purchase it.
• If the purchase is approved, the volunteers will expand their search beyond the titles no longer available for sale or have lower checkouts. The group will then decide if they want to replace additional titles. 
• Volunteers to help choose Blackstone Audio replacement titles
  • John Goddard (Bemis)
  • Tallie Gray (Grand)
  • Lisa Solko (Mesa)
  • Liz vonTauffkirchen (Pine River)
•  The deadline to vote on purchasing the Blackstone Audio is by or before December 13, 2023. 
• Action Item: Tammy will check in with the libraries who have not filled out the voting spreadsheet for the Blackstone Audio 
• Action Item: Tammy will get the volunteers together in January to choose replacement titles.

MLN1 OverDrive Magazine Renewal Discussion (Tammy)

• OverDrive magazines are an all-in purchase that everyone who is part of OverDrive has to agree to purchase, or libraries will have to buy the magazines individually. Buying the magazines individually will be more expensive.
• The cost of the magazines for 2024 is different from the cost for 2023. The total cost for the magazines for 2024 is $27,500 because we are renewing by the end of this year instead of in January 2024. The total population has changed from last year as well. Some libraries may see an increase in their magazine costs.
• The individual library cost is based on a library’s total population divided by the number of libraries to find the percentage each library should pay. The percentage was multiplied by the total cost of the magazines.
• In the pricing for 2024, the cost per circ for each library was added to the spreadsheet, as well as the total checkouts for individual libraries.
• The renewal will be on December 31, 2023. 
• The deadline to vote on purchasing the OverDrive magazines is by or before December 13, 2023.
• If the group moves forward with the magazine purchase, Marmot will pay for the magazines and send an invoice to each library.
• Marketing OverDrive Magazines
  • One way to market the OverDrive magazines is to add them to your browse categories in Pika. Here are a few sample links (home and garden, cooking and food, and news and politics). Please send a service request if you need help adding the OverDrive magazine browse category to your Pika site.
  • OverDrive also offers free marketing materials to make bookmarks. As well as QR codes to market materials. Here are their Print-ready materials and Outreach materials.
• Action Item: Tammy will check in with the libraries who have not filled out the voting spreadsheet for the OverDrive magazine renewal

Other Business

• OverDrive Collection Management and Reporting training
  • Lisa Solko offered a shorter version of her MUG presentation at the next meeting