Almost all of the development for the core functionality of the software (harvesting, validation, etc.) is complete. Remaining items include bulk uploads and queue management. Code developed by Bernd Oberknapp for the COUNTER validation tool has been useful for this project, and future collaboration is expected to continue to prevent duplication of effort. The interface is still in a wire framing status, but coding of the interface will begin soon, and a minimum viable product in expected by late April. Biweekly meetings with COUNTER, Jisc, and ConsortiaManager have been critical to advancing this project in terms of developing sustainable software code as well as a sustainable community.
A pilot with around six participants, both consortia and individual libraries, is scheduled to take place from May to September. CC-PLUS will host the software for the pilot centrally, making this a useful test of the capacity needs for hosting this as a service. At a later stage of the pilot, one or two of the pilot participants may be asked to install the software locally. There will be monthly check-ins with piloting entities as well as more formal feedback surveys. Potential pilot participants have been identified, and an email will go out in February. CC-PLUS will request a one-year extension from IMLS (with the existing financial resources) to allow for challenges with publishers implementing COUNTER Release 5, ensure an effective pilot, and build in refinements.
A draft website has been developed, and a contractor will be used to finalize the logo and look and feel of the site. The website is expected to be live around May. How the program will be included in the ICOLC meeting in Columbia is still unknown.