Future Visions Task Force Charges Draft
1. Task Force to Plan the Creation of a Large-Scale Data Base of Images
The CARLI Board has endorsed as a high priority the creation of a large collection of digital images to support learning, instruction, and research in all disciplines. The data base will include images that are publicly available for free (e.g., the New York Public Library Picture Collection Online, http://digital.nypl.org/mmpco/ ), images that are purchased by CARLI for all or part of the consortium’s members, images that are available for purchase, and images that are created and/or owned by CARLI members and/or their campuses. Although the images likely will be stored on more than one, possibly many, servers, access will be universal and will appear to the user as a single source.
The Task Force is charged to develop a plan to build this data base in phases and in tiers, with a ‘core’ base of images that will be available at no fee to CARLI members. The plan should include at least a high-level sketch of the architecture that will enable distributed sets of such images to be searched simultaneously and appear to the user as a single data base and should address such issues as sources of images; metadata production and maintenance; searching and harvesting capabilities; estimated resources required; funding models; grant opportunities; and digital rights management. The CARLI Board recognizes that these are large and complex issues, but it asks that the task force organize its work and report back with a plan of work and timetable by January 15, 2005.
2. Task Force to Plan the Creation of a Repository of Illinois-related Materials
An ever-increasing volume of born-digital and digitized content related to Illinois is being produced. However, unless we act aggressively to preserve and archive it, Illinois’ digital heritage is in danger of disappearing. This task force is charged to develop a plan to build a theme-based service, concentrating early efforts on building a working model for identifying, locating, seeking permissions, providing access, and preserving and archiving pertinent digital content, and including resource estimates and possible sources of funding. The CARLI Board recognizes that this is a large and complex task, but it asks that the task force complete its work by May 1, 2006, reporting on its progress by March 1, 2006.
3. Task Force to Create Simple, Seamless Access to Resources Provided to and by CARLI Members
Although we know that our users want easy and convenient access, we currently present them with a dazzling and confusing array of entry points to the myriad resources we make available to them. Implementation of WebFeat will reduce, but not eliminate, those arrays. The CARLI Board thinks that it is important to develop new Google-like front ends that will be both easy to use and effective in retrieving content. The interface and search engine needed to provide the advanced access we envision may not yet exist.
The Task Force is charged with developing an understanding of what is needed, monitoring the state-of-the-art in this area, and talking with vendors and CARLI member tool technology developers to push development of these desired capabilities. The Task Force will report to the board on its progress and with further recommendations on a quarterly basis, beginning January 15, 2006.
4. Task Force to Develop a Collection of Learning Objects Developed in CARLI Institutions
Faculty and others in CARLI institutions are actively developing courses and customized applets. The CARLI Board holds as a high priority the creation and maintenance of a dynamic, free, and open resource of these digital learning materials designed primarily for faculty and students of higher education. Using the concepts tested by Merlot and Rice University’s Connexions, this resource will contain learning materials, along with annotations such as peer reviews and assignments, and will enable authors to publish and collaborate and instructors to build and share applets and courses that can be used and reused. The Task Force is charged to develop a plan to build this resource and keep it current and dynamic, including estimates of the resources that will be required for startup and ongoing services. The Task Force’s report is due on February 15, 2006.
5. Task Force to Develop a Data Base of Library Tools and Products
CARLI members are distinguished by the many talented librarians and staff members who continuously develop new tools, products, and techniques that help improve access to library content and provide an array of library services. The Task force is charged to find effective ways to identify and share this expertise and to extend the availability of tools, techniques, and products to all CARLI members. The Task Force is charged to examine the feasibility of this service and to develop a plan to create and maintain this service, including estimates of start-up and ongoing costs. The Task Force’s report is due on March 1, 2006.