albystaff

TechPlan

Page history last edited by Anonymous 1 yr ago

ACPL Technology Goals and Objectives

Italicized "NOTES" discuss progress toward goals.

Provide greater access and more up-to-date materials and services to patrons

Improve patron workstations
- Include workstation replacement in the library budget and create a firm system for replacing 1/3 of stations each year
  - Budget realistically for patron computer replacement now that the Gates hardware grants are over.
- Increase the number of patron workstations until it meets demand
- Investigate features and peripherals that should be integrated into workstations
- Bring all workstations up to current operating system (Windows XP) and keep workstations at same level as much as possible in the future to provide for better service and easier support.
- NOTES: All machines are now at XP. The patron network server was replaced in early 2008. We will want to wait until Vista is stable/mature before doing the next upgrade. A replacement schedule has been implemented, but has fallen off due to inability to spend money. We now have an all-time high of 32 total public workstations (including all types) between all branches
Improve digital services to patrons
- Improve website
  - Increase usability
  - Increase interactive services for patrons
  - Create digital archives for local information/photos
- Investigate new digital services
  - Chat/Instant Messenging
    - Helpful link: http://www.walkingpaper.org/index.php?id=239
- Net send for in-library messenging
- Online discussion forums
Create regular computer classes for patrons, and provide links to online resources for this from the website.
Improve internet connectivity
- Double connection bandwidth by either adding an additional DSL line or getting a faster connection.
- A contract for internal rewiring is being worked on.
- NOTES: The website has been revised a few times. Not much has happened with online services, though we are offering more databases as a result of the state's initiatives there. There doesn't seem to be much demand from patrons for more local online services.

Increase workplace efficiency

Ensure all staff are trained to a basic level of computer literacy and competence to work with their workstation, the library network, and work-relevant software.
- Create skills checklists and track for each staff member
- Create classes for all staff
  - Utilize free resources to enhance/evaluate learning
  - Arrange with supervisors to provide staff time for training as needed
- Recognize differences in staff skill levels and organize training and technology support accordingly
- NOTES: basic computer training has been offered to all staff. We are probably due for another round. Department heads are working with skills checklists, starting with the WYLD lists. We are looking to revive the "deputy program" to nourish and empower our "tech leaders"
Create automated systems for increasing efficiency of operations
- Plan for migration to RFID or similar technology
  - Develop a checklist of desired features
  - Develop a list of issues that would have to be addressed technologically and organizationally
  - Investigate a desired price and get board buy-in to that price
- Create online resources for training volunteers
- Get staff appointment scheduling software integrated with email
  - Options (?): Either use current WorldClient version better, advocate upgrade with WSL, move to Google Apps for Domains, or move to county email server.
- Create a superior system for organizing library documents
- Improve or replace patron printing system (Vendprint)
- Evaluate whether workstation scheduling software is useful/cost-effective for patron machines.
- Try to find an economical, efficient air conditioning system for the library or at least for the vital computer assets.
- NOTES: RFID plan is being developed here. We don't think that technology is mature yet. Setting a desired price still needs to be done and could be a good thing to prioritize. Vendprint has been replaced with an honor system, which seems to be working well so far. Appointment scheduling is still not implemented. Google calendar seems to be the most promising option. Meeting room scheduling etc. is being doing through Happy Jack. Library documents are still messy. Some cleanup has been done. TSS has moved most items to this wiki, which has worked much better for us. We feel workstation scheduling software is not a good value and not friendly to patrons. IT assets were left out of the air conditioning project, so we'll need to do something else for that.