Wiggin Memorial
Library
Technology Plan
2004-2006
Our mission is to be the best library we can be through our
exceptional service, relevant resources and unwavering commitment to the
enjoyment of reading, lifelong learning, intellectual freedom and community…and
to have fun doing it!
The Wiggin Memorial Library’s technology plan will support the library’s mission and goals by continuing to offer efficient access to ideas and information, whether that access be through print, audiovisual or electronic media. It is our intention to make technology a seamless part of the services we offer to all library users and to take advantage of the unique benefits of today’s technology such as access for those with disabilities, nontraditional schedules, and others for whom library and information access has been difficult in the past.
This technology plan will assist the librarian and the board of trustees in making informed decisions regarding technology and related issues such as staff training. This plan should be viewed within the larger context of the library’s strategic plan.
Develop, implement and maintain an electronic resources program to provide timely information and resources to library users of all ages to enhance their formal education, lifelong learning, recreational and cultural pursuits. Act as a gateway to this information and these resources to assist and guide users of electronic media.
Objective 1: Expand access to electronic services and resources in the
library.
þ Evaluate and select subscription electronic resources
þ Offer and publicize databases available through NHewLink
q Offer and publicize Learn-A-Test database
q Create plan for maintenance and regular upgrading of public PCs
q Investigate leasing options
þ Provide training for staff in using, managing and teaching the use of electronic resources (ongoing)
q Investigate wireless networking as a means for public access on private laptops in the library
q Investigate hardware, software and programming options to make in-library computer use more accessible to those with disabilities
q Investigate software and programming options to make the Library Web site more accessible to those with disabilities
Objective 2: Improve the public service aspects of the Athena online
catalog and circulation system
þ Upgrade to new versions as they become available and implement enhancements (ongoing)
q Install additional main desk circulation computer
þ Maintain the Web Server and Web Link modules, providing Web access to the library catalog and links to the World Wide Web from catalog searches and records (ongoing)
q Investigate and possibly implement customization of the Web Athena user interface for greater specialization to Stratham
þ Use statistical reports generated from Athena to evaluate use of the collection and to improve offerings (ongoing)
q Utilize Visual Search feature more broadly to provide better access for users and publicize this feature
q Create display and handout materials to help users navigate the Athena online catalog
Objective 3: Maintain a library Web site in conjunction with making the
catalog and subscription electronic resources accessible through the Web
q Develop standards and procedures for library Web publication including design standards and maintenance schedules
q Evaluate current in-house home page and revise
q Assign areas of content to appropriate staff members and communicate maintenance schedule to them
q Implement “EventKeeper” utility for events calendar and train appropriate staff members on its use.
q Add additional capabilities to the site: I.L.L requests, newsletter subscription, standing reserve lists, etc. Incorporate interactive forms when possible
þ Train staff in the navigation, use and teaching the use of the Web site (ongoing)
þ Work with town administration to continue the maintenance of the town government site on the library Web site to advance the library’s role as a community information center (ongoing)
þ Publicize the features of the Web site to the community and all library users (ongoing)
Objective 4: Maximize opportunities for communication between the
library and its users
q Investigate additional phone line
q Investigate additional phone at cataloging station
q Investigate use of library users’ e-mail addresses for notification of available reserves and/or overdue notification
þ Continue
to create and send “Dewey Dispatch Online Edition” via e-mail (ongoing)
þ Publicize library “e-mail list” (ongoing)
q Create “feedback” form or area on the Library Web site
Objective 5: Provide instruction for the public about electronic resources
in order to assist library users as they use the World Wide Web and other electronic resources both in navigation of those resources and in the evaluation of the information that they encounter.
þ Assign trained staff members to teach basic Internet/WWW and other electronic resources classes to interested library users (ongoing)
q Investigate Wireless networks and laptop computers to create mobile classroom
q Create a series of display and handout materials as well as electronic tutorials to explain how to use the library’s electronic resources
q Develop ways to evaluate the public’s understanding of how to use the library’s electronic resources, including class evaluations, staff observation, etc.
II. Goals for Collection Development
Select, organize and maintain a quality collection of electronic materials and materials in all formats regarding the use of electronic resources for library and home use
Objective 1: Link from the library Web site to librarian-reviewed
resources for a wide variety of ages, interests and needs
q Create a maintenance schedule to monitor links to ascertain that a link is still accessible and still useful and appropriate
q Create system for staff submission of Web site links
þ Continue to provide access to at least one full text database in the library and via the library’s Web site (ongoing)
Objective 2: Convert selected local history and genealogy resources to
electronic format to increase accessibility and help to preserve the collection
q Work with Stratham Historical Society and the Historic Commission to avoid duplication and coordinate efforts
q Investigate grant funding for digitization projects
Objective 3: Continue to purchase quality electronic resources and
information regarding electronic resources for circulation
þ Maintain circulating CD-ROM collection, expanding to DVD as necessary (ongoing)
q Increase circulating software collection to 200 current items by end of plan time-frame
þ Purchase and subscribe to resources which library users can utilize in order to make informed decisions about purchasing and using electronic resources (ongoing)
Use technology to maximize productivity by obtaining and maintaining the most effective and the most efficient utilization of technology resources and by training staff completely in the use of technology
Objective 1: Continue to increase staff productivity through the use of
technology
q Investigate, implement and budget for a planned and regular upgrade of computers, peripherals, and software to match staff needs
q Investigate leasing options
þ Maintain security on public computers to protect against changes in configuration and access to the network. (ongoing)
þ Continue to evaluate procedures concerning the use of technology especially regarding use of Athena, looking for ways to increase usability and efficiency (ongoing)
q Install additional circulation computer for main desk
Objective 2: Increase staff skills in using the electronic tools available
þ Offer staff training on Windows, Microsoft Office, Athena, etc., either in the library or through outside educational institutions or agencies (ongoing, active goal-setting in this area)
þ Identify and provide the training needed to be proficient in the use of electronic services such as World Wide Web searching, Web site evaluation, Athena circulation and searching, etc. (ongoing)
q Develop techniques, training and a staff computer manual so that staff can troubleshoot simple problems and identify and communicate larger ones. Make completion a priority (ongoing)
Provide technology resources and environment to support the objectives of the library
Objective 1: Obtain new computer equipment to enable the expansion of
electronic services to the public and staff
q Install a second networked laser printer
q Investigate leasing options for network expansion
q Invest in the necessary electrical wiring and network cabling to add computers to the network
q Install additional main desk PC for circulation
Objective 2: Plan for the continual upgrading of operating system
software and applications software and for the purchasing of new applications software that will increase staff efficiency, productivity and provide needed electronic services
þ Work with staff to identify and acquire software applications that will assist in the performance of duties (ongoing)
q Purchase image software to more easily work with digital photos and make them Web-ready
Objective 3: Plan for disaster recovery to protect the library’s investment
in data and staff time and to minimize downtime
q Update disaster plans and power outage plans for Athena and the LAN
q Make available to staff
q Purchase UPS for all computers that don’t currently have one
q Implement a schedule and train staff to perform backups of Athena files and other important staff files using tape backup in office
þ Rotate
backup media and store at least one recent backup off-site (ongoing)
q Implement a schedule and train staff to download virus software updates on all Internet-connected computers
q Install virus protection on all new computers
Objective 4: Improve and maintain infrastructure to support network
and client PCs
q Review and upgrade electricity access to better support UPS use on all PCs
Design and maintain an effective and exciting community relations program which will communicate the availability of electronic resources and promote the library
Objective 1: Market to the public the electronic resources available at
and through the library
þ Promote resources in online Dewey Dispatch, print Dewey Dispatch and in local news media (ongoing)
þ Visit local groups in order to promote resources (ongoing)
q Invite local groups to the library to receive information about electronic resources
þ Develop the library Web site as a tool to publicize the library
q Invest in handouts or promotions listing the library’s URL
q Investigate stickers to change e-mail address on library cards
Objective 2: Compile and review usage and satisfaction statistics
q Generate usage statistics:
q from electronic databases and from the library’s online catalog and use the statistics to evaluate the electronic resources offered
q Learn about and use usage statistics generated by the Web server software regarding use of the library Web site
q Develop ways to evaluate the public’s understanding of how to use the library’s electronic resources, including class evaluations, staff observation, etc.
q Provide the capability and opportunity for library users to transmit library suggestions and feedback electronically or in the library
Cooperate and coordinate with other town departments, the schools, community organizations, service agencies and other libraries to improve the quality and efficiency of electronic services
Objective 1: Work with community cultural, educational, and social
agencies and organizations to link Web sites and expand access to community information
þ Work with town administration to continue the maintenance of the town government site on the library Web site to advance the library’s role as a community information center (ongoing)
þ Coordinate with and link to proposed Stratham Historical Society and Stratham Economic Development Commission Web sites (ongoing)
q Work with local schools to make school and assignment information available in the library
q Develop a target list of community organizations that may have resources useful to library users and alert them to the resources at the library Web site
q Convert selected local history and genealogy resources to electronic format in conjunction with the Stratham Historical Society and Historic Commission to increase accessibility and help to preserve the collection
q Investigate grant funding for digitization projects
q Develop standards/procedures for library Web publication, including design standards, content assignments and maintenance schedules
q Publicize Learn-A-Test database
q Create plan for maintenance and regular upgrading of public & staff PCs
q Investigate leasing options
q Install additional main desk circulation computer
q Utilize Athena Visual Search feature more broadly to provide better access to users
q Publicize Visual Search feature
q Create display and handout materials to help users navigate the Athena online catalog in the library and remotely
q Implement “EventKeeper” utility for Web events calendar and train appropriate staff members on its use
q Investigate additional library phone line
q Investigate additional phone at cataloging station
q Create a series of display and handout materials as well as electronic tutorials to explain how to use the library’s electronic resources
q Create a maintenance schedule to monitor links on the library Web site, to ascertain that a link is still accessible and still useful and appropriate
q Create system for staff submission of Web site links
q Develop techniques, training and a staff computer manual so that staff can troubleshoot simple problems and identify and communicate larger ones. Make completion a priority
q Install a second networked laser printer
q Purchase image software to more easily work with digital photos and make them Web-ready
q Purchase UPS units for all computers that don’t currently have one (see technology inventory)
q Review and upgrade electricity infrastructure to better support UPS use on all PCs
q Invest in handouts or promotions listing the library’s URL
q Investigate stickers to change e-mail address on library cards
II. Projects for Fiscal
Year 2005
q Investigate wireless networking as a means for public access on private laptops and/or library computers in the library
q Investigate hardware, software and programming options to make both in-library computer use and the Library Web site more accessible to those with disabilities
q Add additional capabilities to the Web site: I.L.L. requests, newsletter subscription, standing reserve lists, etc. Incorporate interactive forms when possible
q Investigate use of library users’ e-mail addresses for notification of available reserves and/or overdue notification
q Create “feedback” form or area on the Library Web site
q Invest in any necessary electrical wiring, network cabling and hardware to add computers to the network
q Update disaster plans and power outage plans for Athena and the LAN; make plans available to staff
q Train staff to download virus software updates on all Internet-connected computers
q Invite local groups to the library to receive information about electronic resources
q Generate usage statistics from electronic databases and from the library’s online catalog and use the statistics to evaluate the electronic resources offered
q Generate usage statistics from the Web server regarding use of the library Web site
q Investigate and possibly implement customization of the Web Athena user interface for greater specialization to Stratham
q Work with Stratham Historical Society and the Historic Commission to convert selected local history and genealogy resources to electronic format to increase accessibility and help to preserve the collection
q Investigate grant funding for digitization projects
q Increase circulating software collection to 200 current items by end of plan time-frame
q Develop ways to evaluate the public’s understanding of how to use the library’s electronic resources, including class evaluations, staff observation, etc.
q Work with local schools to make school and assignment information available in the library
q Develop a target list of community organizations that may have resources useful to library users and add these resources to the library Web site
Revised 2004