I-Share OPAC Team

IUG Liaison: TJ Lusher, Northern Illinois University
CARLI Staff Liaison: Paige Weston

Body to which the group reports: I-Share Users' Group (IUG)

This committee was discharged June 30, 2013.

Scope of Work:

• The I-Share OPAC Team advises the I-Share Users’ Group (IUG) and the CARLI staff on issues related to the shared integrated library system and related systems and consortial policies, practices and future directions as outlined in the Team charge
• Share expertise and communicate issues and concerns, such as workflow options, troubleshooting, and best practices in the area of the design of the shared public interfaces of the catalog (i.e., the OPACs).
• Specifically, maintain review process for OPAC development done by member libraries to gather good design ideas and to ensure customizations are within established guidelines.
• Maintain consortial customization guidelines for local OPACs including review process to modify these guidelines.
• Advise CARLI staff on the development and improvement of the local OPACs default versions for I-Share libraries.
• Advise CARLI staff on the development and improvement of consortium wide OPACs  for I-Share libraries.
• Cooperate with other CARLI bodies to encourage improvements to the OPACs via such methods as performing usability testing, developing instructional materials, offering public services forums, developing testing scripts and mechanisms, pooling development effort,  and other appropriate projects.
• Develop best practices, bug reports, feature requests, and other consortial documentation; communication mechanisms;  and  resources for training and other continuing education opportunities to assist the membership in the use and development of the OPACs.
• Investigate member library needs for assistance, and recommend mechanisms by which this support is provided.
• Assist CARLI staff with testing, documentation and training issues involved with upgrades, as needed.

Member appointment and terms:
Members are appointed for 3-year terms beginning on July 1. A rotation system has been established for the expiring terms whereby approximately one third of the committee membership is appointed each year. 

Expected reporting frequency:
The team chair will submit a written report of team’s activities to the chair of IUG at the end of the fiscal year. Additional updates on activities may be requested by IUG throughout the year.

Staff or Board liaisons:
One CARLI Office staff representative will serve as the liaison. IUG will appoint a liaison to the team. The IUG Liaison to the team will report on team plans and activities at the IUG meetings. The Liaison will report back to the team on plans and activities discussed at IUG.

Tasks required on completion of work:
The chair will forward all documents to IUG for review and approval.