July 28, 2011

I am forwarding the message below on behalf of Canon Crawford, the chair of the Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Committee.

Next week I will post details about the additional Gale databases.

Thanks,
Jen

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Library Development
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR  97301-3950
503-378-5011
jennifer.maurer@state.or.us

From: libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us On Behalf Of Canon Crawford
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 9:50 AM
To: Libs-Or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] Update from the Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Committee

Dear Oregon Library Community:

The Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Committee (SDLAC) represents all Oregon libraries in the selection and procurement of databases funded at the State Library with LSTA funds. At our last meeting in July 2011 we decided it was time to provide a summary of what's happening with the current contract, a review of what's currently offered, and who represents your library on the SDLAC.

As most of you know, we began a two year contract in August 2009 with Gale that included options for up to three additional years for our general periodicals database. Members of SDLAC met in March 2011 to discuss the renewal options prior to the two year expiration date on July 31, 2011, and we decided to pursue a three year renewal if additional content were provided to augment the current package of databases. In the even that additional content was not provided, a one year renewal would have been approved. The OSL staff worked diligently to facilitate discussions about the additional content with representatives from Gale, and we received word that Gale would offer additional database content and freeze the price of the database package through July 31, 2014.  We reviewed a handful databases that Gale offered, and after the selection process we are excited to announce that both the GREENR and U.S History in Context databases will be added in August 2011. The LSTA advisory council and then the State Library Board approved the committee's recommendation for a three year contract expiring on July 31, 2014 with Gale.

The SDLAC will meet again this year to begin planning for the next RFP well ahead of the expiration of the current contract. It is our goal to make a decision by the end of 2013 to allow substantial time for approval and constituent planning in 2014. We will also be working with OSL staff to monitor developments related to the LSTA Five Year Plan and will be staying informed of any changes to LSTA funding by the federal government.

In the meantime, allow me to summarize the content available to Oregon libraries:

Gale General Periodicals Databases
Opposing Viewpoints
New in August 2011: GREENR
New in August 2011: U.S. History in Context
LearningExpress

Since SDLAC members represent specific library sizes and types, we also wanted to remind you who your representatives are so you might contact them if you have input about our work. You can find the minutes of past meetings, committee member contact information and links to Gale and LearningExpress support from the State Library website.

Statewide Database Licensing Program: http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/technology/sdlp/index.shtml

On behalf of the members of SDLAC, I would like to thank the OSL staff for its support and ask for your input as we continue our work.

Sincerely,
Canon Crawford
Chair, SDLAC
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Electronic Resources Librarian
Shoen Library
Marylhurst University