TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR ABC LIBRARY
VISION AND LONG
RANGE PLAN: The mission of the Library
is to provide an access point to the world’s knowledge bank. Patrons can work with scientists and scholars
near and far to explore exciting topics in science, current events, history,
languages, or the arts, and they can share the findings of their own real-world
research with peers around the globe.
Technology facilitates access to information from geographically diverse
areas. This technological characteristic
holds great potential for equalizing opportunities among regions and
socio-economic classes. As we approach
the next century, the library understands its mission to be the provider of
both access and the instruction necessary for patrons to fully utilize this
access. To facilitate this mission, the
library must continually upgrade communication and computer hardware and
software, as well as, continually develop staff knowledge and competencies.
For main goals
identified by the library follow:
1. Use technology to provide the most
appropriate information delivery system.
2. Use technology to control cost and improve
the efficiency of library operations.
3. Maintain flexibility to adapt new and
changing technology to meet the public’s needs.
4. Evaluate emerging technology for effective
responsiveness to the public’s needs.
5. Use technology to connect to relevant
sources outside the library.
6. Train staff and educate the public on how to
use technology to retrieve the information needed.
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
Potential partners
in library technology endeavors include businesses in the surrounding area,
community churches, and organizations such as the Lions club, and public
libraries in other locations within the surrounding area. The library is open to partnering
opportunities with various community groups and organizations. The library can site as its contribution to
these partnership the building’s central location, the library’s various day
and evening hours, computers that provide Internet Access, computers that are
updated to the latest technology, and staff that is trained, informed and
willing to assist patrons.
INVENTORY OF
CURRENT EQUIPMENT
The library offers
a wide range of electronic services to supplement the traditional print
services currently being offered. The
library offers public access to the Internet and public use of computers for
word processing and other personal computing needs. The library also offers FAX service.
________ Computers
Models are:
_________Printers
Models are:
_________(Routers, servers, DSL modems)
_________Scanner
________ FAX machines
_________Answering Machines
_________Telephone Lines
Adequate space for workstations for
public use
Separate space for staff computers
and On-line library services
Public computer software includes:
Public computers for electronic mail
Electrical wiring is adequate
FUTURE PLANNED
& BUDGETED HARDWARE SOFTWARE & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
The above electronic equipment needs
to be replaced approximately every 18 to 24 months. New versions of software will be installed as
they are released.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
ASSESSMENT:
The patrons of the
library need to have greater access to information including access to full
text information databases available on the Internet, such as Electric
Library. The library will promote and
make available library resources that will fill the informational, educational,
cultural and recreational needs of individuals and groups residing in our
community.
Library staff
development must be a priority in the provision of technologically enhanced
library services.
These goals
necessitate the continual upgrade of computer hardware and software. As technology develops, the library Board and
staff will continue to evaluate the effectives of the software and hardware, as
well as the library’s Internet connection.
BUDGET: The library will continue to apply for the
e-rate funding from the Universal Service Fund for discounts on its Internet
Access and Telecommunications needs.
TIMELINE: The library will develop and implement
community Internet classes.
The library will
encourage staff members to participate in external technology classes and
continue internal training as needed.
TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATION: The library will be a leader in providing access to the
Internet. Library personnel will be
information navigators and guides as community members make the transition to
new technologies.
EDUCATION AND
TRAINING: The library staff is good at
organizing information, can work well with the public, and is interested in
developing their own skills. It is
equally important that the Library Board is educated in new technology in the
library. The library realizes that staff
and Board members who resist new technologies are not serving the trust of the
community who elected them.
EVALUATION: The
Board will determine the effectiveness of current technology and determine
unmet needs. Planning for technology and
all phases of library operations will be an ongoing activity of the library
Board with long range plans and technology plans re-evaluated every 2-3 years.
Adopted
this ___________day of _____________, 200__.
This Technology
Plan has been reviewed and submitted on behalf of the library.
___________________ ____________________
President Secretary
___________________
Director
Certification of Technology Plan
Approval for
Schools and
_______________________________________________________________
is certified by the Schools and
_______________________________________________________________
has a technology plan that has met the standards and criteria outlined in the
following checklist.
CHECKLIST
Successful
technology plans align the overall education or library service improvement
objectives with the following five criteria. To qualify as an approved
Technology Plan for a Universal Service Program discount, the plan must meet
these criteria. It is critical that technology planning not be viewed or
treated as a separate exercise dealing primarily with hardware and
telecommunications infrastructure. There must be connections between the
proposed physical infrastructure of the information technology and the plan for
professional development, curriculum reform, and library service improvements.
____ The plan establishes
clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and
information technology to improve education or library services.
____ The plan has a
professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use the new
technologies to improve education or library services.
____ The plan includes an
assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other
services that will be needed to improve education or library services.
____ The plan provides for a
sufficient budget to acquire and maintain the hardware, software, professional
development, and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy
for improved education or library services.
____ The plan
includes an evaluation process that enables the