Alabama Virtual Library Sue O. Medina Network of Alabama Academic Libraries for the Alabama State Department of Education 7 September 2007

Alabama Virtual Library

What is a Virtual Library ? Core information supporting instruction and research for Alabamas students, teachers, and citizens Core information supporting instruction and research for Alabamas students, teachers, and citizens Online access via the Internet Online access via the Internet Scholarly, essential, authoritative content Scholarly, essential, authoritative content everywhere but nowhere! everywhere but nowhere!

What is the vision for the Alabama Virtual Library? Every Alabamian will have access to the information resources available in Alabama libraries and other repositories as well as to a rich array of electronic information. Every Alabamian will have access to the information resources available in Alabama libraries and other repositories as well as to a rich array of electronic information.

What is the vision for the Alabama Virtual Library? Each Alabama library will serve as a gateway to make information available to all Alabamians regardless of location or time and via traditional and non- traditional means. Each Alabama library will serve as a gateway to make information available to all Alabamians regardless of location or time and via traditional and non- traditional means.

Who created the Alabama Virtual Library? Alabamas virtual library is the result of years of advocacy Alabamas virtual library is the result of years of advocacy –Sought formal endorsements –1998 legislature appropriated seed money to develop the project

The Advocacy Campaign Developed a grassroots strategy Developed a grassroots strategy Established a consistent message Established a consistent message Trained AVL Advocates to use a consistent message Trained AVL Advocates to use a consistent message Established a legislative tree Established a legislative tree Contacted newspaper editors Contacted newspaper editors

Alabama Virtual Library Message Equity - every citizen, student, and teacher will have access to core information needed for instruction, research, and lifelong learning Equity - every citizen, student, and teacher will have access to core information needed for instruction, research, and lifelong learning Economy - significant savings can be realized by negotiating state-wide licenses Economy - significant savings can be realized by negotiating state-wide licenses Excellence - information content is appropriate, accurate, reliable, scholarly, and up-to-date Excellence - information content is appropriate, accurate, reliable, scholarly, and up-to-date

School library example (1998 State Dept. of Ed survey) average number of print magazine subscriptions per school was 11 average number of print magazine subscriptions per school was magazines and journals available online average age of science books in Alabama school libraries was 19 years average age of science books in Alabama school libraries was 19 years AVL resources are current

Campaign Materials Poster Poster Brochure Brochure Postcards Postcards Video Video

The Advocacy Campaign 140,000 postcards 140,000 postcards –Distributed to librarians to obtain signatures in libraries/schools –Used with the brochure in presentations to PTA, Rotary, etc. 80,000 postcards returned to the State House 80,000 postcards returned to the State House

How was the Alabama Virtual Library established? Education Trust Fund; line item in APLS budget Education Trust Fund; line item in APLS budget No separate authorization bill No separate authorization bill Funding Funding –FY2000 Appropriations bill signed June, 1999 –First databases accessible in August, 1999 –Funding began on 1 October, 1999.

Who Governs the Alabama Virtual Library? Alabama Commission on Higher Education Alabama Commission on Higher Education Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education Alabama Public Library Service Alabama Public Library Service Alabama State Department of Education Alabama State Department of Education Alabama Supercomputer Authority Alabama Supercomputer Authority

Governor Riley signing SB-393 Alabama Virtual Library Bill 07/29/2004 Photo Credit: Governor Staff - Kevin Glackmeyer

How are Alabama Virtual Library funds used? Information Content – licensed databases Information Content – licensed databases AVL Help Desk AVL Help Desk Training –very limited funds (printing) Training –very limited funds (printing) Each state agency is responsible for supporting its constituents infrastructure needs Each state agency is responsible for supporting its constituents infrastructure needs NO AVL FUNDS ARE USED FOR STAFF OR EQUIPMENT!

How do I use the Alabama Virtual Library? IP authenticated access via IP authenticated access via –academic members of the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries –all public two-year college libraries –all public school systems –all public libraries Remote access using AVL Cards issued by Alabama public libraries, public school libraries, and two-year community colleges Remote access using AVL Cards issued by Alabama public libraries, public school libraries, and two-year community colleges

How are databases selected for the Alabama Virtual Library? Database Review Committee reviews products continually. Database Review Committee reviews products continually. Databases must: Databases must: Support education purposes Support education purposes Meet needs of a broad spectrum of users Provide reliable, high-quality content Represent good value for cost Provide use data for management decisions

How are databases selected for the Alabama Virtual Library? AVL Council receives Database Review Committee evaluations AVL Council receives Database Review Committee evaluations For favorably reviewed products, may refer to Database Negotiating Team for price quote and license review For favorably reviewed products, may refer to Database Negotiating Team for price quote and license review Database Negotiating Team submits its recommendation to the AVL Council Database Negotiating Team submits its recommendation to the AVL Council

Whats next for the Alabama Virtual Library? More content - always! More content - always! Federated search engine - has been suggested Federated search engine - has been suggested Access to government and other high-quality advertising-free databases (e.g. PubMed) Access to government and other high-quality advertising-free databases (e.g. PubMed) Training – always an ongoing need Training – always an ongoing need Alabama history resources: Alabama Mosaic Alabama history resources: Alabama Mosaic

For More Details: AVL Publications posted at A Miracle for the Millenium: How the Alabama Virtual Library Governance Succeeds (reprinted with permission from The Alabama Librarian, a publication of the Alabama Library Association, Inc.) A Miracle for the Millenium: How the Alabama Virtual Library Governance Succeeds (reprinted with permission from The Alabama Librarian, a publication of the Alabama Library Association, Inc.) A Miracle for the Millenium: How the Alabama Virtual Library Governance Succeeds A Miracle for the Millenium: How the Alabama Virtual Library Governance Succeeds Brochure Brochure Brochure Annual Report Annual Report –Annual Report Annual ReportAnnual Report –AVL Partners insert AVL Partners insertAVL Partners insert –AVL Resources insert AVL Resources insertAVL Resources insert Annual Report Annual Report Annual Report Annual Report Postcard Postcard Postcard Morgan, Josie. "Turning a Dream into a Virtual Reality of Statewide Information Sharing." Computers in Libraries. January 2001: Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Huntsville, AL. Alabama Virtual Library.19 July Morgan, Josie. "Turning a Dream into a Virtual Reality of Statewide Information Sharing." Computers in Libraries. January 2001: Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Huntsville, AL. Alabama Virtual Library.19 July 2007.Turning a Dream into a Virtual Reality of Statewide Information Sharing.Turning a Dream into a Virtual Reality of Statewide Information Sharing.