Pleasant Valley Library District Technology Plan 2012-2014

Melissa Hisel LI 815 Emporia State University July 3, 2011

Table of Contents

Mission and Vision Statements.3 Existing Technology Summary.4 Goals and Objectives6 Action Plan...7 Technology Budget..14 References15 Appendix.......................................................................................16

Mission Statement
The Pleasant Valley Library District is a significant element in the community that strives to improve the lives of all Pleasant Valley residents through the provision of high quality library services that encourage lifelong learning.

Vision Statement
The Pleasant Valley Library District is a central part of the community that connects individuals to information and to each other and to the wider world.

Existing Technology Summary

The Pleasant Valley Library District presently provides: Access to the internet for both children and adults at each of the districts 3 branch libraries. Community Wi-Fi hotspot with 24/7 access to a wireless internet connection. Access to computers with Microsoft Office Suite: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and other basic computing. Online access to the librarys catalog and research databases. PVLD utilizes the Millennium Integrated Library System (ILS) PC Reservation software is used for time management on public access computers. The library offers downloadable electronic books and audiobooks via the Overdrive platform and holds nearly 2,500 titles. Printing, Photocopying, Faxing, and Scanning are available for a small fee at all branches. Each library acquired a lease on two new all-in-one color machines in 2009. USB flash-drives are available to be borrowed (for 48 hours) or purchased for $8 at every computer lab. 4

Classes on basic computing are available at all branches. One-on-one computer training sessions and specialized classes in advanced Internet searching, online genealogy, and resume building are available periodically at select branches.

The district subscribes to 38 research databases/products on a variety of topics including; a variety of academic products geared toward adults as well as juvenile products such as Tumblebooks, World Book Online and live homework help from tutor.com.

A new district website was built and went live in April 2009. It includes many new interactive features notably; Chat with a Librarian an online chat reference service, a highly customizable events calendar, a feed of new materials feature.

Goals and Objectives

Technological tools naturally support the districts seven primary objectives: 1. Enable lifelong learning. 2. Provide a safe place for community gathering 3. Support Early Literacy 4. Provide a source of recreation 5. Help residents of Pleasant Valley be informed world citizens 6. Connect residents of Pleasant Valley with the wider world 7. Support Information Literacy Skills

PVLD will strive to maintain current computer equipment, software, and electronic technology so as to have the most up-to-date tools within our means and staff will be trained in and will utilize current technologies. When possible, PVLD will use metrics to measure the efficiency of technological programs and services and will regularly evaluate these outcomes within the framework of our goals and adjust services accordingly.

Action Plan
Internet Access: At all branches of PVLD there is Qwest DSL for staff computers and OPACs and public wireless access. PVLD should expand bandwidth to anticipate the increase in use of mobile computing and to increase the reliability of wireless service. Anticipated: 2012 Desired Outcomes: More users will be able to simultaneously access the wireless network at desirable speeds. The library will become a community hot-spot for internet access. Metrics:A user satisfaction survey will be utilized.

Online Databases: We will continue to monitor the usage of our databases and online subscription services and will maintain or terminate service based upon use activity and quality of content and price. We will continue to monitor the market for new and useful products as they become available. Anticipated date for implementation: Ongoing. Desired Outcomes: Users will be able to find quality information when and where they need to access it.

Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Materials Budget: The budget for reference materials will be shifted to reflect use statistics. At present 40% of our budget for reference materials is spent on print materials and 60% on digital subscriptionswe anticipate this shifting even more toward online resources to approximately 30/70 by 2014. We will continue to dedicate more funds to the acquisition of materials in electronic formats in all areas. Anticipated date for implementation: Ongoing. Desired Outcomes: Increased usage of the library 24/7, i.e., online. Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Website Content: We will continue to maintain our own website ensuring that content is current. Staff will create instructional and informational videos for patrons which will be imbedded in the districts webpages. We also intend to add a mobile catalog component with the Boopsie application. We 8

are evaluating Discovery platformsparticularly the open source VuFind product. This product should give our OPAC modern search capabilities like faceting browsing and social media features. Anticipated date for implementation: Boopsie: June 2012. VuFind: December 2012. General website maintenance: ongoing. Desired Outcomes: Ease of access to library information and resources. Increased site traffic. Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Computer Access: We presently hold 43 staff computers and 60 public access computers. 13 staff computers are slated for upgrade in 2012 and 2 tablet computers will be purchased for the Director and the assistant director of administration. We will be upgrading 20 public access machines during 2012-14 as well as adding an additional 74 machines in 2013. The bulk of the new machines (65) will be part of a new adult computer lab in the basement of the Happy Acres branch which statistically has the highest number of adult computer users in the district.

Anticipated date for implementation: Ongoing. Desired Outcomes: Shorter wait times for public computing, increased computer use within the libraries, provide access to current software and equipment. Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Self-Checkout: We will be adding RFID self-check kiosks and security gates at each of our 3 branches. There will be 3 kiosks at the Happy Acres branch and 2 each at Rainbow Branch and the Gilligan Carter Sr. Branch. We project that this will decrease patron wait times for check-out, allow for an extra measure of patron privacy when checking out and will free up staff for other essential tasks. Anticipated date for implementation: 2013 Happy Acres. 2014 Rainbow and Gilligan Carter Sr. branches. Desired Outcomes: Decreased loss of library material due to theft. Increased patron privacy. Decreased wait times at check-out. 10

Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Gaming: We will be purchasing Nintendo Wii consoles and games for each of the branches for use in programming. We will evaluate other gaming systems that enter the market and will acquire additional systems when appropriate. We will build an in-house collection of games at each branch that will be current and will appeal to a wide audience. Anticipated date for implementation: Initial systems purchased: 2012 Acquisition of games for in-house use: ongoing. Desired Outcomes: Increased program attendance by teens and young adults. Metrics: A combination of statistical usage data and user satisfaction survey data will be utilized.

Staff Development: The director of technical services will report on the state of library technology at monthly staff meetings and at monthly board meetings and will design and implement tech training sessions for all staff. 11

The library director will work with the director of technical services to develop a base of core competencies in technology for staff. Staff will be evaluated and will establish technology goals which will be included in the regular evaluation process. Anticipated date for implementation: Goals established: January 2012. Training: Ongoing. Evaluations: Bi-annual. Desired Outcomes: Staff will exhibit increased comfort and competency when using new and emerging technology. Staff will better perform their duties when assisted by useful technology. Staff will better serve customers when assisting them with new technology. Metrics: A combination of supervisor observations and training session evaluation surveys and mini skills tests. Public Technology Training: The director of technical services will assign staff at all branches to plan and implement regular technology training in the following areas: general computing, basic internet, advanced internet searching, information literacy for youth, information literacy for senior, social networking, digital photography, word processing, Microsoft Office products, using downloadable media at the libraryand others as necessary.

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Anticipated date for implementation: Planning: January-February 2012. Initial implementation: March 2012 Desired Outcomes: Users will be better able to use existing technology and will develop useful skills and knowledge. Metrics: A combination of supervisor observations and training session evaluation surveys.

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Technology Budget Description of Technology Hardware Replacement computers for staff Replacement computers for public access Wii gaming systems Additional public computers Tablet computers for staff RFID SOFTWARE/Subscription Services Tumblebooks Morningstar Teen Health Science Resource Opposing Viewpoints Legal Forms EBSCO Host Heritage Quest Ancestry Learning Express Learning Express: Computer Chiltons World Book Tutor.com Language Learning Culturegrams History Study Center Staff Software Misc. Microsoft Uprgades Other Computer Furniture Training Leases Telephone System Color, networked copier, scanner, print, fax 2012 2013 2014 Goals/Notes

$15,000.00 $5,000.00 $60,000.00 $2,500.00

$15,000.00 $5,000.00 $45,000.00 $200,000.00

$15,000.00 $25,000.00 $5,000.00 $25,000.00 $150,000.00

#5 #6 #1 #6

Help residents of Pleasant Valley be informed world citizens Connect residents of Pleasant Valley with the wider world Provide a source of recreation Connect residents of Pleasant Valley with the wider world

#1

Enable lifelong learning.

$1,500.00 $7,500.00 $695.00 $3,000.00 $1,600.00 $3,000.00 $5,000.00 $700.00 $800.00 $1,398.00 $700.00 $1,643.00 $3,570.00 $7,700.00 $5,000.00 $1,290.00 $3,280.00 $5,000.00

$1,500.00 $7,500.00 $695.00 $3,000.00 $1,600.00 $3,000.00 $5,000.00 $700.00 $800.00 $1,500.00 $800.00 $1,800.00 $3,600.00 $5,500.00 $1,300.00 $5,000.00

$1,500.00 $7,500.00 $695.00 $3,000.00 $1,600.00 $3,000.00 $5,000.00 $700.00 $800.00 $1,500.00 $800.00 $1,800.00 $3,600.00 (3 year contract) $5,500.00 $1,300.00 (3 year contract) $5,000.00 $10,000.00

$15,000.00

$30,000.00 $15,000.00

$25,000.00 $15,000.00

#7 #1

Support Information Literacy Skills Enable lifelong learning.

$13,700.00 $25,000.00

$16,000.00 $35,000.00

$16,000.00 $35,000.00

Total

$189,576.00

$404,295.00

$364,295.00

$958,166.00

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References

Garfield County Library District (2008). Garfield County Public Library District Internet Use Policy, Rifle, CO: Various. Garfield County Library District (2009). Technology Plan 2009-2011, Rifle, CO: Various. Houghton-Jan, S. San Jose Public Librarys Mobile Ap Goes Live. Retrieved July 29, 2011, from
http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/2010/08/sjplapp.html

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Appendix I began my work on this project by first speaking with my supervisor at the Longmont public library to find out about the technology plan they had developed. I was surprised to hear that LPL does not have a technology planfor two reason; first we do not participate in the e-rate program and also because we are within the city government and they handle most of our big picture technology needs (i.e. infrastructure). I think contacted the administration office of my former library district on the western slope, in Garfield County and was able to get a copy of their technology plan. They are in the process of creating a new plan and they will send me a copy when it is complete. They do participate in e-rate; as part of the Marmot consortia for internet and they also apply on their own for telephone services. Because I am still somewhat familiar with GCPLDs resources I decided to use that system as a base for describing the existing technology in my hypothetical district. I decided to research technologies by checking out some library blogs that I follow. I also read copies of Marmots annual reports and regular newsletters to find out what was up. In preparing this plan I utilized the GCPLDs condensed technology budget statementwhich

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was really useful because I had no idea what some of these products cost and that information is not always readily available. The biggest challenge to my plan was my lack of knowledge about technology infrastructure. Servers and networking is really beyond meso I avoided that difficulty by pretending that all the essentials were already built-in. For this project we did have an unlimited fantasy budgetbut I decided to try to keep it a little closer to real because in reality Im sure the biggest challenge for libraries and technology is deciding what is essential and what isnt and deciding what technologies to spend precious little funds on.

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