MTKN: Sharing our Experiences SLA GTRIC Meeting June 5, 2005 Arlene Mathison University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies

MTKN: Sharing our Experiences Background Background Years accomplishments Years accomplishments Challenges Challenges Opportunities & next steps Opportunities & next steps

Background of MTKN Network of Midwestern transportation libraries Network of Midwestern transportation libraries Begun in 2001 as a pilot project of the NTL Begun in 2001 as a pilot project of the NTL Ten participating states (now nine): Ten participating states (now nine): Iowa Iowa Illinois Illinois Indiana Indiana Kansas Kansas Michigan Michigan Minnesota Minnesota Missouri Missouri Ohio Ohio South Dakota South Dakota Wisconsin Wisconsin

Background of MTKN MTKNs MISSION Increase collaboration among the regions transportation libraries and information centers so managers, engineers and planners are better able to find and apply the most recent, credible, validated technical information to their current projects.

Accomplishments Became official – incorporated, approved bylaws, ILL agreement Became official – incorporated, approved bylaws, ILL agreement Revised committee structure Revised committee structure Updated Web site, improving the member directory Updated Web site, improving the member directory Helped to strengthen libraries at DOTs of Kansas, Michigan, and Missouri. Helped to strengthen libraries at DOTs of Kansas, Michigan, and Missouri. Lobbied IL DOT to keep its library Lobbied IL DOT to keep its library

Accomplishments (cont.) Supporting the transportation library network connectivity pooled-fund study Supporting the transportation library network connectivity pooled-fund study –Will hold back-to-back meetings in October, 2005 Facilitating the development of other regional networks & a national network Facilitating the development of other regional networks & a national network Promoting TLCat, TRIS Online, and the NTL (e.g., presentation on TLCat by Janet Bix, Ohio DOT) Promoting TLCat, TRIS Online, and the NTL (e.g., presentation on TLCat by Janet Bix, Ohio DOT)

Challenges Lack of $$ & time Lack of $$ & time What is our next TLCat? What is our next TLCat?

Last years next steps Decide on organizational structure, composition, relationship with other groups Decide on organizational structure, composition, relationship with other groups Identify funding sources Identify funding sources Create a strategic plan & goals Create a strategic plan & goals Meet/teleconference more often Meet/teleconference more often

This years next steps Support NTKN development Support NTKN development Identify next big initiative Identify next big initiative Obtain funding Obtain funding Develop shared marketing & training tools Develop shared marketing & training tools Develop partnerships with other transportation organizations: LTAP, AASHTO, etc. Develop partnerships with other transportation organizations: LTAP, AASHTO, etc. Participate in planning the 2nd Intl Technology Transfer Conference (Summer, 2006) Participate in planning the 2nd Intl Technology Transfer Conference (Summer, 2006)

Midwest Transportation Knowledge Network