Bridge the Futureto the Library

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

From the Information Superhighway to Main Street

Agenda

• Welcome• Participant Expectations/Intentions/Introductions• Overview/The Project Continuum• Exploring the Continuum 1• Break• Exploring the Continuum 2• Lunch• Exploring the Continuum 3• Brainstorming• Action plans• Follow-up and evaluations

Workshop Purpose

• Through this workshop we hope to help you:– share and connect with one another– learn of other opportunities to seek help

from and contribute help to other librarians– make action plans to move your library

closer to sustainability– introduce an online community to support

library staff

WebJunction Background

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Library Program– 46,000 computers– 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada– Five-year initiative – Targeting public libraries serving less-affluent communities

• In May 2002, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded OCLC and partners a three-year grant. Original partners are:– Online Computer Library Center, Inc.– The Colorado State Library– The Benton Foundation– Isoph– TechSoup

• Purpose: – Carry forward the Foundation’s work– Build a Web-based, public access computing community

The Mission

• Build an online community for publicaccess computing

• Support front-line staff at libraries,Community Technology Centers, andother organizations

• Create a forum for collaborative knowledge and experience sharing

• Become a national center of education and training for library staff

• Focus on information technology policy and practice

The Result: WebJunctionwww.webjunction.org

Philosophy

READ

LEARN

SHARE

Rural and Small Libraries

• Limited Time• Limited $$$• Limited Support

A Sense of Isolation

The Rural Library Sustainability Project

• Grant from the Gates Foundation• 43 State Libraries agreed to participate• On-Site workshops throughout the state • Over 2000 have attended previous two

rounds• Support is out there….

The Sustainability Continuum

Intended to serve as a starting point for assessing a rural/small library’s focus on

issues of sustainability

The Sustainability Continuum

Rural Library Sustainability Continuum

• Six conditions:– Awareness Stage– Early Stage– Preparing Stage– Developing Stage– Advanced Stage– Performing Stage

Seven Continuum Topics

• Library Connections• Technology Connections• Upgrade and Maintenance• Staff and Patron Training• Funding• Outreach• Advocacy

Rural Library Sustainability Continuum

• Can be used as a:

– Quick Reference Card

– Memory Jogger

– Tracking Mechanism

Additional Blank Sheets

• The Continuum charts and worksheets are available for download at the Rural Library Sustainability website:

http://www.webjunction.org/rural http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11778

• Blank sheets can be used for discussion among staff/volunteers/board

Technology Connections

• Fill in your Tech Connections questions• Who provides your PAC support? Questions?• What kind of assistance for your PACs?• Possible organizations or individuals who could

help maintain your PACs?

• Discuss with partner• Review Listed Resources• Additional Resources

• Web4Lib, PUBLIB (mailing lists)• LIBNT-L (mailing list)

Philosophy (review)

READ

LEARN

SHARE

WebJunction Information

• Register for free to:– Enroll in online courses– Receive the monthly e-newsletter,

Crossroads– Join the forum discussions on All

Aboard

WebJunction Demo(Live Internet)

• WebJunction main page• Registration page• Rural Library Sustainability gateway page• Texas state RLS forum page• All Aboard discussion forums main page• Tech Planning information• Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit page• Rural “In Focus” webinars• Learning Center page (browse catalog)

WebJunction Demo(Non-Live)

• WebJunction main page• Registration page• Rural Library Sustainability gateway page• Texas state RLS forum page• All Aboard discussion forums main page• Tech Planning information• Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit page• Rural “In Focus” webinars• Learning Center page (browse catalog)

Upgrade & Maintenance

• Fill in your Upgrade & Maintenance questions:

• How old are your PACs?• What replacement plan do you have?• Do you have a technology plan? A technology

line item in budget?• Do you have a maintenance plan?

• Discuss with partner

Technology Planning

• Definition:– complements your library’s mission– assesses library’s existing technology– provides future direction (goals)– provides framework for meeting goals

(objectives and activities)– provides context for evaluating library

progress in providing/enhancing technology-based services

Technology Planning

• Why Plan?– Required for E-Rate for services beyond

simple long distance or cell service– Aids in justifying budget requests and grant

funding– Aids in providing continuity and resisting

distraction– Enables the library to articulate its vision– Provides conformance with public library

standards

Technology Planning

• Important Points– A technology plan used for E-Rate

eligibility must be approved by TSLAC• By E-Rate Coordinator, currently Marilyn

Johnson• For more information:http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/funding/howto.html

– Technology Plans should be revised annually and re-written every 2-3 years

Technology Planning

• Elements of a Technology Plan– Executive Summary– Introduction (for outside readers)– Needs Assessment– SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities, threats)– Vision/Mission

Technology Planning

• Elements of a Technology Plan (cont’d)– Goals– Objectives– Activities– Technical Assessment/Inventory

(TechAtlas)– Support/Training– Timeline, or Action List

Technology Planning

• Elements of a Technology Plan (cont’d)– Detailed Budget– Evaluation

• Which required for E-Rate approval?• More help: http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=391

TechAtlas Overview

ALA 2007

• As part of the Texas Rural Library Sustainability grant, 5 participants from Texas are eligible to go to ALA 2007 in Washington, DC, expenses paid, where they will participate in the Rural Sustain-ability Forum. To qualify for the trip, fill out the ALA form.

Links of Interest

• The Continuum:– http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11778

• Web4Lib E-Mail List– http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/

• LIBNT-L E-Mail List– http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/libnt-l.html

• PUBLIB E-Mail List– http://lists.webjunction.org/publib/

• Technology Planning Made Easy (Florida)– http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Library_Tech/BLD_Tech_Plan.html

Links of Interest

• US-CERT (Cyber security alerts):– http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/

Wrap-Up and Evaluations

• Questions or Comments?• Evaluations

Contact Information...

Presenters:

Myra Arredondo ZatopekSpecial Services ConsultantTSLACPhone: 512-463-5527E-mail: mzatopek@tsl.state.tx.us

Robert WilliamsTechnology Trainer/ConsultantWilliams ConsultingPhone: 361-855-2802E-mail: robert@rlwconsulting.com

WebJunction:

Jim Malzewski Project CoordinatorPhone: p. 206-273-7522Email: malzewsj@oclc.org

Jennifer PetersonCurriculum/Community DeveloperPhone: 206-273-7730Email: petersoj@oclc.org