Michael Sauers & Christa Burns

Technology Planningfor Libraries

Who are we?

• Michael SauersTechnology Innovation LibrarianAuthor, Blogger, Photographer

• Christa BurnsSpecial Projects LibrarianGamer, Gardener, Cat & Ferret minion

Who are you?

• Name• Position• Library• Service area / # of patrons served• When was the last time your library had a

technology plan?

What a Technology Plan is…

• A plan• A demonstration• A lens with which to focus• A prioritizing agent• A budgeting tool• An aligner with other institutional goals• A training schedule• A fund-raising tool

What it is not…

• A list of technology that the library wants and on what time frame it wants it.

You plan should be SMART

• Specific• Measureable• Aggressive & Attainable• Results-oriented• Time-bound

Why?

• Give the library direction• Show the library is forward-thinking• Help minimize technology-related crises• Use staff time efficiently• Avoid wasting money on equipment• Help you think through your priorities in

order to use technology in a way that directly furthers your mission

What makes a good plan?

• Concise• Specific• Integrated• Foreseeable• Flexible

And what doesn’t?

• Tech for tech’s sake• Doesn’t connect the tech to the mission of

the library• Doesn’t explain why the tech is needed• Poorly organized• Techno-babble• Leaves stuff out

What others will look for

• Alignment• Business Case• Framework for Accountability• Discrete Initiatives• Appropriate Costs• Proactive Approach• Highlight Innovation• Viability and Sustainability

The players

• Board• Director• Department heads• Staff• Public?• Vendors• Consultant• State Library

The Resources

• Direct:– Current strategic and/or long-range plan– Library mission and/or vision statement– Current and/or previous technology plans

• Indirect:– All of the above for parent institution– Library journals, magazines, and blogs– Other libraries’ tech plans

The Structure

• Executive summary• Library description• Library challenges• Current technology environment • Emerging technologies• Web site evaluation• Recommendations

Executive Summary

• 1-2 page narrative summary of the plan

Library Description

• Introduction• Purpose of the plan• Library history• Physical description• Mission statement• Community served• Staffing

• Budget• Collection size &

annual growth• Services offered• Use of the library• Current technology

• Visuals never hurt

Library Challenges

• SWOT Analysis–Strengths–Weaknesses–Opportunities–Threats

Current Technology

• Hardware–Patron computers, Staff computers,

networking equipment, peripherals• Software–OSes, Patrons, Staff

How to pick new tech

• Think about “competencies”

What do you think your staff needs to know to move your library into the future?

Emerging Technologies

• Audio/Video• Wireless (802.11n / WiMax)• Mobile• RFID• Social Media• Photo printing

Web Site Analysis

• Follows current design practices?• Platform?– Static, CMS

• Accessible?• Social?• Mobile?

Recommendations

• Priorities• Description of relevant categories• Listing of the specific recommendations– Type (new software, application, hardware)– Cost (including interdependencies)– Benefits

• Recommended timeline• Assessment/results/training needed

Suggested phrasing

“In the next [time frame], the library will [action or recommendation], which will result in [associated benefits].”

http://webjunction.techatlas.org/

• Inventory Tool• Event Tracker• Planning Tool

More Resources• Matthews, Joseph R., Technology Planning:

Preparing and Updating a Library Technology Plan: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

• TechSoup for Libraries: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/

• WebJunction – Technology Planning:http://www.webjunction.org/techplan

• NLC Technology Planning Worksheet: http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/erate/worksheet.html

• Links:http://delicious.com/travelinlibrarian/techplan

Thanks!

• Michael SauersTechnology Innovation Librarianmsauers@travelinlibrarian.infowww.travelinlibrarian.info

• Christa BurnsSpecial Projects Librarianchrista.burns@gmail.comchristajoy.blogspot.com