Statewide Database, Library Services Platform and Guided Pathways Update

The Executive Board of CCL has updated the strategic plan and is sharing significant activities that require attention:

1) For the past five years, we have enjoyed the benefits of a shared set of databases through a state-wide contract with EBSCO. That contract expires in December of 2017. A new Request for Proposal (RFP) is being prepared by the CCC Technology Center, with assistance and input from a CCL task force. Because the process from RFP to selection will be completed during a very short window, some fall database offerings may open later than usual, pending completion of the selection process and the creation of the new five-year contract. Please be aware of this and look for follow-up messages from our Community College Library Consortium Director, James Wiser.

2) The state budget approved in June includes $6 million for a state-wide purchase of a Library Services Platform (LSP). As with the database contract, the RFP and selection process for the LSP will be managed by the CCC Technology Center at Butte College. Members of a small LSP task force from CCL will be meeting with Technology Center representatives imminently to begin this process. Expect regular progress updates and regular calls for input. This project represents an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our collaborative efforts as a library community, and the more collaborative and inclusive the process is, the better our outcomes will be. Stay tuned for details coming soon!

3) Guided Pathways has been identified by Chancellor Oakley as an important vehicle for community college change, and we’ve seen a flurry of communications about this initiative in the past few weeks. Stay tuned for a separate posting on this shortly.

Doug Achterman
CCL President
Head Librarian
Gavilan College
(408)848-4809
dachterman@gavilan.edu