Jackson County
Public Library

Our Mission: To help you Connect, Learn, and Grow

Jackson County Public Library
2009 - 2011 Technology Plan
Approved by Board of Trustees
November 20, 2007

Library Mission Statement
            The mission of the library is to help the community connect, learn, and grow.
ASSESSMENT

         State of the library

            The Jackson County Public Library has accomplished many of the goals set in the 2008 – 2010 Technology Plan. The Library has added a new color copier for public use, has migrated to Evergreen Indiana, a statewide consortium of libraries, and is in the process of converting to RFID item identification and security. The Library currently maintains 97 public and staff computers and 12 dedicated servers.

 

The Seymour Community Network (http://www.seymour.org/) is hosted on the library’s web server. The Seymour Community Network currently includes 39 non-profit organizations.
 Our current digital archive is available at http://www.jacksoncountyhistory.org/.
Our current technology situation is as follows:

64  Public access computers (computer lab, classroom, catalog, etc.)
33  Staff computers
12  Servers (e-mail, web, etc.)
2    Color laser printers
9    Laser printers
5    Label printers
4    RFID Label printers
9    Receipt printers
5    Flatbed scanners
5    Black and white copiers
1    Color Copier
1    Color multifunction printer/copier/fax
3    Fax machines
1    RTI video cleaner/defect scanner
2    AzuraDisc disc cleaners
1    Dukane microfilm reader
2    Microform reader/printers
2    Digital microfilm reader/scanners

 

GOALS and OBJECTIVES
1.         Review and investigate technology to improve library services, which may include:

• Research and Reference databases.
• Maintaining library website with accurate and useful links to serve the public and staff.

2.         Continue evaluation and integration of all systems and services. Use our staff intranet to allow access to procedures and policies.

3.         Continue to evaluate staff and customers' needs and satisfaction.

4.         Assess staff skills and training needs and encourage staff to attend library-offered computer classes.

5.         Purchase new computers and technology support equipment, as library budget or grant funds allow. Technology support equipment includes software, routers, switched hubs, electrical wiring, and training materials such as movies, tutorials, etc.

6.         Actively seek additional funding to develop and sustain appropriate and effective state-of-the-art technology, researching technology grant opportunities, and applying for appropriate grants through government and private resources.

7.         Keep abreast of changes in technology related issues.

• Biweekly meetings of the Technology Committee
• Continue to subscribe to Computers in Libraries.
• Attend conferences.

8.         Actively promote publicly available technology such as free wireless internet access.

TRAINING
Encourage all staff to participate in training workshops, conferences, and other continuing library advancement education opportunities in order to become skilled and knowledgeable in the uses and benefits of electronic access and information delivery systems in the library and promote integrating technology into library operation.

Allocate sufficient funding to provide for staff to participate in activities related to the advancement of library services.
Hold classes for staff in the computer classroom.
Develop tutorials and training material to be used with new staff.
Continue staff refresher training as part of regular staff development days.
Explore statewide and regional continuing education training and make staff aware of such classes.
Provide opportunities for the staff to make site visits to other libraries to gain an awareness of how information technology is used in other facilities.
Foster a positive learning environment for on-going technological change by maintaining open lines of communication, and sharing information and technical skills.

TECHNOLOGY BUDGET
The library will actively seek additional funding to develop and sustain appropriate and effective state-of-the-art technology for the library.
Apply for an Indiana Technology Grant and Universal Service Fund discounts for Public Libraries each year.
Research sources for funding beyond the tax base, including gifts, grants, and endowments.
Maintain adequate increase in personnel, services, equipment and materials portions of the operating budget to maintain the connections, hardware, and software necessary to meet our technology plan.
Dedicate at least 3% of the operating budget to technology.
Use LIRF monies in cases of emergency.

EVALUATION
1.   The Technology Committee will revise this plan annually for approval by the Board of Trustees.
2.   Investigate and Evaluate
Investigate possibilities for upgrades and other improvements as they become available or are deemed necessary.
Evaluation process:
The Technology Committee will meet twice per month.
The Technology Committee will review the progress of the technology plan quarterly, reporting need for revision to the Library Administrator and Information Technology Specialist.
Customer satisfaction with software and other technology provided by the library will be assessed through customer comments and suggestions.
Methods to monitor the effectiveness of services:
Statistics for circulation of items
Statistics for registration of new borrowers
Statistics for computer class attendance and computer lab usage
Statistics for registration for technology related services, workshops, and programs
Comments and suggestions from customers
Community surveys
Monitor staff and public requests for new software and technology, taking into consideration user satisfaction, demand for a service, cost-effectiveness, available library space, budget constraints, and emerging technologies.

3.   Develop a program of ongoing evaluation and review to keep programs, services, and activities relevant and cost-effective.
4. Evaluate current software and hardware for function, relevance, and usefulness.
Utilize and evaluate maintenance and replacement guidelines for technology equipment, which meet the changing needs of library staff and customers.
The impact of technology will be measured through data gathered in terms of customer visits, computer use, resources used, new customers served, and customer comments.

5.   The success of the plan will be judged on the ability of the library to meet the objectives and time lines set forth. The plan will be reassessed each year to evaluate progress and modify objectives if necessary.
The Technology Committee will provide information to the department heads regularly.
The Technology Committee will be responsible for accuracy and currency of the library's web site.

6.   Surveys will solicit opinions and suggestions for growth. Through analysis of circulation and usage statistics, the effects of technology on library services will be determined.

Jackson County Public Library 2009 - 2011 Technology Plan Timeline Continuous goals: Evaluate and investigate better means of possible collaboration with other organizations Ongoing evaluation of staff and customer needs to improve services Plan for hardware or software upgrades to improve productivity and quality of service Evaluation of network security Continued evaluation of staff’s training needs and scheduling to fulfill those needs
2009
June	Replace computers 3 or more years old
July	Purchase Self-Checkout machines for Seymour Investigate other RFID enabled devices to improve library services
Oct	Apply for State Technology Grants
Nov	Apply for Universal Service Fund discounts
2010
June	Replace computers 3 or more years old
Oct	Apply for State Technology Grants
Nov	Apply for Universal Service Fund discounts
2011
June	Replace computers 3 or more years old
Oct	Apply for State Technology Grants
Nov	Apply for Universal Service Fund discounts

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