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November 2005
Advanced Training
Thomson Gale is pleased to inform you of an advanced training opportunity available to EPIC member libraries during the week of the 14th of November.
Thomson Gale has recently found out that Ben Hinton, Thomson Gale International Channel Manager will be able to travel to New Zealand and offer advanced e-resource administration training.
They realise this is late notice, but hope that some of you will be able to take up this opportunity.
This training is suitable for systems and electronic resources Librarians (or equivalent roles) in libraries that are at the stage of integrating their e-resource content into their websites, course software and catalogues. The training will be hands-on and will cover:
*Integrating Gale content into your OPAC
*Creation of subject or topic relevant pages
*Integrating Gale content into course tech software or intranets
*Using the administration module to manage the customisation of the resources
The training will not cover searching of the resources, which is covered in basic training ( see *Basic Training* below)
Due to venue sizes, places in the advanced training sessions are limited. However, Thomson Gale will be using these sessions to assess where future advanced training needs to be focused. There will be more opportunities for this advanced training in 2006.
The date and venue details for the training are below. To register a place please visit: http://www.galegrouprpas.com/epic/ The deadline for registration is: Friday, 10th November 2005.
*Basic training*
The EPIC Governance Group is working on basic training, covering general use and promotion of the resources, to be delivered in libraries around the country. This will be coming up before the end of the year, and early next year, and we will be contacting libraries about this in the very near future once all the details are confirmed.
If you have any questions about Thomson Gale's training please contact maryce.johnstone@thomson.com
Thomson Gale Advanced Training Session details:
Monday 14 November
Auckland Session (30 places available)
09:30 - 12:00
Auckland University of Technology
Wellesley Library
WA Building
Information Literacy Laboratory
Tuesday 15 November
Palmerston North Session (24 places available)
09:00 - 11:30am
Massey University
Turitea Campus
Library Training Room
Wednesday 16 November
Wellington Session (24 places available)
01:00-3:30pm
Victoria University of Wellington
Kelburn Campus Library
Library Training Room
Thursday 17 November
Dunedin Session (30 places available)
09:00 - 11:30am
University of Otago
Central Library
Ground Floor
Seminar Room 3
Friday 18 November
Christchurch Session (20 places available)
09:00 - 11:30am
University of Canterbury
Central Library
Level 5
Library Training Room
September 2005
EPIC Meeting Update September 2005
Kia ora EPIC Libraries,
It was lovely to see some of you in the EPIC meeting at Conference last Tuesday.
We know that not everyone could make it - so here's a brief synopsis of the meeting:
Barbara Garriock (EPIC Governance Group Chair) and Fiona Rigby (EPIC Manager) provided an update on the training and procurement activities that have been happening at the moment:
* Procurement - we received a large number of proposals to the EPIC RFI. This has meant the evaluation has taken longer than we anticipated. It is really important that this time is taken to ensure that the Evaluation Team can come up with the best decisions for New Zealanders and New Zealand Libraries.
* The Evaluation Team (Sally Pewhairangi, Dylan Owen, Pat Liao and Leo Clayton) have been doing a fabulous job. EPIC especially wants to thank their institutions - Manukau Libraries, School Services-National Library, Manukau Institute of Technology and Ministry for Social Development - for the time they've allowed them to complete this extremely important task.
* Training Package - The EPIC Governance Group has selected a shortlist from the recent expressions of interest. They will be interviewing the shortlist in the very near future.
* When we have something we can tell you about the procurement process or the training package - we'll let you know!
We then heard from 3 different libraries about their experiences with EPIC:
* Judi Hancock (Rangiruru Girls School) talked about the difference it has made for schools and how she is getting staff and students to use the resources.
* April Christensen (New Zealand Fire Service) talked about introducing the resources in her organisation. Including ideas about targeting users with customised handouts.
* Sandra Hughes (Wairoa Centennial Library) told her story about how hard introducing EPIC has been in her small public library - but the Digital Strategy has made a huge difference for her. She also talked about some of the innovative ways she's managed to show users 'what's in it for them' - including having an EPIC promotional session at the local Rotary Club Meeting.
We'll get Judi, April and Sandra's stories onto the website in the near future so that you can learn more about their experiences.
Ka kite ano,
Fiona
Fiona Rigby
EPIC Manager
Additional EPIC Resource from Thomson Gale - September 2005
In the next week all EPIC libraries will be able to access a new resource free of charge, called the Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL). GVRL contains fulltext reference titles that are currently available in the following resources:
*Biography Resource Center Health & Wellness Resource Center
*History Resource Center : World
*Literature Resource Center
*Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
*Student Resource Center
~What is GVRL?
The GVRL searches like other databases in the EPIC suite of Gale resources. The key benefit of the GVRL is that it is providing another way to access reference content that you already have. It means that you only have to search one resource to access the reference content of five databases.
To see what GVRL looks like visit: http://www.gale.com/gvrl/tour.htm (requires Flash) and see http://www.gale.com/gvrl/ for more information.
~How much will GVRL cost?
There is no charge to access GVRL - it is part of your membership to EPIC.
~What do I need to do to make it available?
The link to GVRL will appear on your main Gale menu screen in the next week.
You won't need to change anything in your set-up to make it work and your users will be able to access it in the same way the access all the other databases.
Thomson Gale will send you the direct URL for you to include on your intranet and/or webpages in the near future.
If you have any technical queries about this send your query to sean.volke@thomson.com
~How can I get more e-books in GVRL?
Thomson Gale currently has over 400 titles available as e-books on the Gale Virtual Reference Library platform. You may purchase additional titles to add to your free collection and these e-book titles can be purchased individually to create a build-your-own electronic reference collection.
If you are interested in purchasing additional e-books please send an email to maryce.johnstone@thomson.com and she will send you a spreadsheet including the full title list along with pricing information.
August 2005
EPIC Procurement Process 19 August 2005
Kia ora koutou,
In July the Epic Governance group launched a procurement process to negotiate access to another set of e-resources. The first stage, the EPIC Request for Information, has now closed and we are now in the important evaluation phase.
The EPIC Governance Group will be commissioning two groups to take this process forward:
*The Product Evaluation Group is responsible for evaluation of the RFI responses and recommending a shortlist for consideration by the EPIC Governance Group.
*The Negotiation Team will be responsible for negotiation with supplier(s) identified through the procurement process to obtain favourable licensing terms and contract(s) for selected product(s).
The EPIC Governance Groups is pleased to announce the members of the Product Evaluation Group.
The members were selected because of their extensive experience in evaluation and use of electronic products and in depth knowledge of the type of electronic resources to be considered by EPIC. The group will represent both their own sector’s information needs and the overall needs of all New Zealand libraries, and their users.
The Evaluation Group members are:
Sally Pewhairangi
Sally is the Electronic Resources Librarian for Manukau Libraries where one of her key roles involves managing the electronic subscriptions collection and liaising with vendors and training staff in the use of these resources. She is also on the AnyQuestions project team and was part of the group that evaluated the RFP for this project. She also been involved in the evaluation of the library management system (from an OPAC perspective) for the eLGAR consortium. Her recent contributions to these projects, practical approach and desire to ensure all New Zealanders have access to quality information makes her an ideal candidate for the EPIC Evaluation Group.
Leo Clayton
Leo Clayton (Senior Reference Librarian, Ministry of Social Development) is an experienced Reference Librarian and has worked in a number of special libraries, including the Parliamentary Library. He previously managed Parliamentary Library's Infocus service and has indepth knowledge about e-resource functionality as well as an excellent understanding of information requirements, searching, use and delivery of information in the Special Library context.
Dylan Owen
Dylan is National Adviser, Schools Collection in National Library's School Services. He has been involved with a number of Library e-projects including; Living Heritage, Discover, AnyQuestions.co.nz and training School Services staff, teachers and librarians in the use of EPIC. He is also responsible for the Schools Collection development and management and has a wide knowledge of the New Zealand curriculum.
Dylan will also consult with a reference group of school librarians to discuss the evaluation and their expectations.
Pat Liao
Pat Liao has worked in both public and tertiary libraries. She is currently Team Leader, Information Services at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). She is experienced in evaluating electronic resources in terms of usability for various target audiences, and value for money. Pat teaches information literacy classes and conducts customised electronic database searching and web site evaluation sessions. She assists senior students and lecturing staff with advanced research. Target audiences at MIT range from foundation education and trade areas to degree level and some postgrad diplomas. Subjects taught at MIT cover most disciplines, including Nursing and Health Studies.
The EPIC Governance Group would particularly like to thank the Group's libraries for allowing them the time to commit to this very important task.
Ka kite ano,
The EPIC Governance Group
Supporting Information
FAQs about the EPIC Procurement Process
What is an RFI?
An RFI is a structured, fair and equitable way of soliciting information about electronic resources relevant to the needs of New Zealanders and New Zealand libraries. It is intended to provide sufficient information to enable EPIC to formulate a shortlist of suitable products that may proceed to the next stage of the tendering process (for example, a Request for Proposal).
How long will the process take?
EPIC is aiming to complete the procurement process in October 2005. However, one of the key lessons from the PER:NA Project is that successful collaboration takes time. EPIC will take the time required to ensure that decision-making is collaborative and that the process is fair and equitable so that we achieve the best possible outcome. EPIC will, where possible, keep you updated on progress.
I'm an EPIC Library - will it be compulsory for me to subscribe to any new resources?
As with the Per:na Project, the success of this initiative relies on the collaboration of New Zealand libraries. However, if the procurement team is successful in negotiating a deal, all libraries in New Zealand - whether they are current members of EPIC or not - will be able to choose whether they buy in to one, or both, sets of EPIC resources.
Can I read the RFI document?
Yes, the RFI document is still available here: http://library.manukau.ac.nz/epic_rfi_2005.doc
Barbara Garriock
EPIC Governance Group Chair
July 2005
EPIC Procurement Process 7 July 2005
Kia ora New Zealand libraries
Over the last year many of you have asked the EPIC Governance Group (EGG), “what are you going to add to EPIC next?"
In response to this, the EGG has now launched a procurement process to negotiate access to another set of e-resources.
The process has started with a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI is seeking interest from e-resources suppliers with the capacity and capability to provide e-resources that:
· will be of relevance to all New Zealanders;
· can be made available to New Zealand libraries of all types; and
· can be licensed on an 'all of country basis' (where any person in New Zealand can access the resources through a consortium member library - whether it is a public, academic, special or business library or the National Library).
EGG has worked hard in ensuring that the RFI document reflects the unique nature of EPIC, and that it addresses the wide-ranging needs of all library sectors in New Zealand.
EPIC will be drawing from expertise from across New Zealand libraries to set up a procurement team - a Product Evaluation Group and Negotiation Group. We will announce the members in the very near future.
What is an RFI?
An RFI is a structured, fair and equitable way of soliciting information about electronic resources relevant to the needs of New Zealanders and New Zealand libraries. It is intended to provide sufficient information to enable EPIC to formulate a shortlist of suitable products that may proceed to the next stage of the tendering process (for example, a Request for Proposal).
How do you ensure the process is fair and equitable?
To ensure all respondents are treated in a fair and equitable way, all respondents to the RFI must direct any and all enquiries by email to Fiona Rigby - the EPIC Manager. Respondents have also been instructed that they must not directly approach any other EPIC Consortium members or their officers or employees regarding the RFI.
What happens if I get approached by a vendor about the RFI?
The EPIC Governance Group recommends that you refer them to fiona.rigby@epic.org.nz.
How long will the process take?
EPIC is aiming to complete the procurement process in October 2005. However, one of the key lessons from the PER:NA Project is that successful collaboration takes time. EPIC will take the time required to ensure that decision-making is collaborative and that the process is fair and equitable so that we achieve the best possible outcome. EPIC will, where possible, keep you updated on progress.
I'm an EPIC Library - will it be compulsory for me to subscribe to any new resources?
As with the Per:na Project, the success of this initiative relies on the collaboration of New Zealand libraries. However, if the procurement team is successful in negotiating a deal, all libraries in New Zealand - whether they are current members of EPIC or not - will be able to choose whether they buy in to one, or both, sets of EPIC resources.
Can I read the RFI document?
Yes, the RFI document is available here: http://library.manukau.ac.nz/epic_rfi_2005.doc and it is available on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) www.gets.govt.nz
Barbara Garriock
EPIC Governance Group Chair
On behalf of the EPIC Governance Group
April 2005
Kia ora EPIC Libraries, (apologies for duplication)The EPIC Governance Group (EGG) met yesterday and is pleased to make
the following two announcements,
Procurement:
* The EPIC Governance Group will be running an RFI (Request for
Information) process over the next few months.
* We will be seeking products that are of relevance to all New
Zealanders.
* Product licences will be negotiated on an all of country basis (where
any person in New Zealand can access the resources through their
consortium member library - whether it is public, academic, special,
school, business or the National Library).
* It will not be mandatory for current EPIC libraries to buy in and
non-member libraries will not have to buy in to the existing EPIC
agreements.
* We will be drawing from expertise from across the EPIC membership to
set up a Product Evaluation Group and Negotiation Group to be involved
in the procurement process.
Training Strategy:
* The EPIC Governance Group will be developing a flexible training
package that will be focussed on the e-literacy skills that are required
to get the best out of e-resources.
* The training package will be skills focused.
* The training package will be designed so that it can be delivered in
a range of ways to suit the wide range of EPIC libraries.
* We will be drawing from expertise across the EPIC membership for
trainers that will be able to help deliver the training.
These are two very large initiatives and the EPIC Governance Group and
the EPIC Manager will be working hard to get these in train over the
next few months. We'll provide you with more information as soon as it
is available.
Ka kite ano
Fiona and EGG
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February 2005 Newsletter