The Gordian Knot

Pat Sommers, SirsiDynix CEO, resigns effective immediately.

If any of our “correspondents” at UUGI are available to comment, please feel free to do so :_)

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We can’t stop users from using Google scholar, but we can make them trip over quality content. — Stephen Abram, VP of Innovation, SirsiDynix

The influence of Google on the way libraries think, feel, search, and work was one of several topics covered by Stephen Abram at the Directors Workshop, held Sunday, November 6, 2005.

We have an imperative to aggregate our data and mine it. — Stephen Abram

SirsiDynix clients were introduced to the Normative Data Project, led by Greg Hathorn, VP of Library Products, and the Directors Workstation, led by Gen Smith, Yuma County Library District.

If you can’t measure it, you can’t control it; if you can’t control it, you can’t improve it; if you can’t improve it, you can’t compete; and if you can’t compete, you cease to exist. — Greg Hathorn

Jane Dysart provided a critical but realistic overview of reasons why libraries fail and how they can succeed. An A+ to Jane for keeping us awake after a great lunch, *and* using the word “ticketyboo” in her presentation as a bonus!

We are committed to the success of libraries… we are very committed to our success, which means we are very committed to your success. … We can’t do everything, but prioritization is the key. — Patrick C. Sommers

The afternoon continued with presentations by Patrick C. Sommers, CEO; Angus Caroll, Chief Marketing Officer, and Steve Nielsen, Senior VP of Product Management; Don McCall, COO; and Jack Blount, Acting Chief Technical Consultant.

We are trying to measure things that move, but we are trying to measure the right things. — Don McCall

We believe we can fuse these systems — Patrick C. Sommers, on the future of the two separate ILS products.

We can accomplish fusion. — Jack Blount

Many of the comments were received graciously, but an air of skepticism permeated the hallways. A useful Q&A session was held derived from select questions provided by the directors on the Directors listserv, as well as from questions taken from the floor by those present.

A reception followed at the conclusion of the day-long meeting.

Director’s Workshop - Sunday, November 6

Directors (and their proxies) convene on CODI a day early to participate in the CODI Director’s Workshop, a new feature to the conference activities this year. Will the questions directors have be answered? Will the directors believe the answers they get? What expectations does the company bring to the workshop? Will the tone of the workshop set the tone of the conference? Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

If you have not subscribed to the Director’s listserv, go to http://mail.pittstate.edu/mailman/listinfo.cgi/codi-dir-l to subscribe.