Dear Ken (and others)

I agree that we have to be very clear that potential subscribers understand that you can't use the AMICO Library to teach Art 101. We are responding to those who ask about how the library will grow by saying that there will be annual profiles of its content available (this is why we've been asking for these from members).

I'm curious about how "at least during this test year - [rather] than responding to specific requests [we] might be looking at the nature of these and reexamining the extent to which a library like this can meet the all the goals it seems willing to assume." In the MESL experiment, there were some cases where museums were able to meet specific requests fairly easily. In others, they had to politely decline. In all cases, without specific requests, we won't know what ways users want the library to develop. If we're not seen as responsive, its possible that academic users will just do their own digitization...

I've already forwarded requests to the NGC and AGO for specific works (as requested by a testbed participant at the University of Alberta). Do you think it would be helpful to start a thread about this on the University Testbed Discussions?

jennifer