New Jersey State Library

Instructions for Developing a Technology Plan

A public library technology plan should be viewed as an integral part of the library's overall plan for library service. The plan explains how technology will be used to support the library’s goals. It contains the who, what, when, where, why and how technology will be incorporated into the library's services.

The technology plan required for year ten of the E-Rate discount should cover January 2007-June 2009. It should provide a strategy for the integration of information technology into the library's services which meets the following criteria established by the Schools and Libraries Division:

• The plan establishes clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve library services.

• The plan has a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use the new technologies to improve library services.

• The plan includes an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software and other services that will be needed to improve library services.

• The plan provides for a sufficient budget to acquire and maintain the hardware, software, professional development, and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy for improved library services.

• The plan includes an evaluation process that enables the library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

The following technology plan components meet the requirements outlined in the SLD’s approval criteria. Prepare the library's technology plan by providing answers to all sections outlined below. If you have questions you may contact Kathi Peiffer at (609) 692-9623 or send e-mail to kpeiffer@njstatelib.org.

Submit two copies of the plan to the following address:

1. Provide a goal statement for technology-based library services.

   This technology-focused goal statement reflects how the library views the integration of technology for improving library services. This statement should be consistent with the library's overall plan for service. The following are some questions that may be of help in developing a statement: How does technology generally facilitate the role of the public library? How is the role of the public library changing because of technological advances? What is your vision for technology in the library? An example of a goals statement is as follows: All members of the community will have access to a broad range of technology-based library services that will meet their information and recreational needs and support their life long learning objectives.

2. Describe the library services currently offered which utilize technology.

   The following are examples of current technology-based library services: integrated online library system catalog and circulation services; public and staff access to Internet and CD-ROM databases; access to electronic information, full text and periodical citation database services; public access to workstations with business or office productivity application software; computer training centers; hosting a library web site and maintenance of a library Web home page or Web site. This list is not all-inclusive; include any other services that are not listed.

   Place the emphasis on describing technology-based library services rather than on equipment or telecommunications lines. Lists of equipment and telecommunications lines required to provide these services will be entered in section 4.

3. Describe the current staff and patron training for making effective use of technology-based library services.

   What types of training are provided for staff? From what sources is training obtained? How are patrons trained to use technology-based library services? What topics are included in the training? Is training provided on demand and/or in a classroom setting? How often is training offered? Does the library operate a computer training center?

4. List equipment, software and telecommunications lines currently available to provide the technology-based library services described in section 2.

   The following are examples of equipment, software and telecommunications: integrated online library systems; public and staff workstations or PCs for access to Internet and/or CD-ROM databases; local area network (LAN); wide area network (WAN); servers (e.g., Web, CD-ROM, E-mail, etc.); Web, dial-in or telnet access to the online catalog from remote locations; Z39.50 software installed on integrated online library systems; voice/video/data equipment (e.g., CSU/DSU, routers, hubs/switches, phone systems); and telecommunications lines. Include any other items that have not been mentioned.

   Provide the number of workstations or PCs that are available for staff and patron access to the Internet, integrated online library system and CD-ROM databases, business or office productivity applications software and in computer training centers. For the telecommunications line provide the name of the type of line (e.g., regular telephone line (POTS), Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, DSL, cable modem, etc.); and if there is a dedicated connection provide its speed (e.g., 56 KB, 128 KB, T-1, T-3, ATM, etc.)

   1. Describe the current state of cabling and electrical support within the building for technology-based library services.

      Is the building cabled for phones or a data network? If so, describe the number and type of cable runs. Indicate whether the electrical outlets are adequate to support current technology-based library services.

5. Describe the technology-based library services that the library plans to offer in the period covered by the plan (January 2007-June 2009).

   Place the emphasis on describing library services. See section 2 for examples. Equipment, software and telecommunications lines required to provide these services will be included in section 7. Indicate what technology-based library services are planned for implementation in year 1, year 2 and year 3.

6. Describe the staff and patron training required for making effective use of new or expanded technology-based library services that the library plans to implement in the next two and a half years.

   What types of training will be provided for staff and patrons so that they can effectively use new or expanded technology-based library services? From what sources will training be obtained? How will patrons be trained to use technology-based library services? What topics will be included in the training? Will training be provided on demand and/or in a classroom setting? How often will training be offered? Will the library operate a computer training center? Indicate what types of staff and patron training that are planned for year 1, year 2 and year 3.

7. Describe new equipment, software, telecommunications lines and upgrades that will be required to provide the technology-based library services described in section 5 for year 1, year 2 and year 3.

   The following are examples of equipment, software, telecommunications lines and upgrades: integrated online library system; public and staff workstations or PCs for access to integrated library system, Internet and CD-ROM databases; servers (e.g., Web, CD-ROM, etc.); local area network (LAN); wide area network (WAN); Web, dial-in or telnet access to the catalog from remote locations; Z39.50 software installed on integrated online library system; voice/video/data equipment (e.g., CSU/DSU, routers, hubs/switches, etc.); and telecommunications lines. Include any other items not mentioned. See the instructions for section 4.

   1. Describe new installation or upgrades to the cabling and electrical support within the building, if any, that will be required to implement the technology-based library services described in section 5.

      Describe the installation or upgrades of voice/video/data cabling and electrical support within the building that will be implemented in year 1, year 2 or year 3.

8. Describe the level of funding allocated in the Library’s budget (including grant and other sources of funding) that supports technology-based library services (January 2007-June 2009) for year 1, year 2 and year 3.

   The budget should include (if applicable):

   1. dedicated telecommunications line costs;

   2. Internet Service Provider costs;

   3. purchase of new PCs and peripherals;

   4. upgrades to integrated online library system;

   5. hardware and software maintenance contracts for integrated online library system, LANs, PCs and telecommunications equipment;

   6. software and on-site licenses;

   7. licenses and/or subscriptions for: online full-text periodical articles and citation databases, information databases, data search services, and CD-ROM databases;

   8. professional development training; and

   9. any required cabling and electrical support within the building.

9. Describe how the library will evaluate the progress being made to achieve goals and objectives outlined in the plan.

   Indicate how frequently the plan will be updated and by whom. Describe how the library will evaluate the success of technology-based library services that are implemented, when and how results will be reported and who will do the evaluation. Provide both qualitative and statistical evaluation data.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS *

CSU/DSU

A device which is required for both ends of a 56 Kbps, fractional T-1, T-1 or T-3 leased line.

Dial-up access

A method of connecting a computer to a network via a modem and a normal telephone line (POTS).

Ethernet

A local area network (LAN) protocol which uses twisted pair cable to support data transfer rates of 10 – 1000 Mbps.

Frame Relay

A protocol for connecting computers on a wide area network (WAN) which supports data transfer at 56 Kbps to 45 Mbps

Fractional T-1

One or more channels of a T-1 service. Typically, fractional T-1 lines are sold in increments of 56 kbps.

Home page

The main page of a Web site. See Web page.

Hub

A central connection point for wiring a LAN. Computers connected to the hub share the available bandwidth. See also switch.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a communications standard for sending voice, video and data over telephone lines

LAN

Local area network (LAN) is a computer network which connects computers and other devices within a single building.

Leased line

A permanent high speed telephone connection between two points set up by a telecommunications common carrier. The line is rented for exclusive 24 hour, 7 days a week use and is billed at a fixed monthly rate. The line may run at speeds of 56 kbps, fractional T-1, T-1 (1.544 Mbps), T-3 (45 Mbps).

Modem

A device that allows a computer to transmit data over telephone lines.

Network

Two or more computers connected in order to share resources

POTS

POTS stands for "Plain Old Telephone Service" which refers to the standard telephone service that most homes use.

Router

A device that connects two LANs into a WAN. The Internet uses routers extensively to forward packets of data from one network to another.

Server

A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. These include file, print, Web, CD-ROM, email, etc.

Switch

In data networks, similar to a hub, it connects PCs into a LAN. In phone systems, the switch is able to route calls between phones; sometimes called a PBX.

WAN

Two or more local area networks (LANs) connected over a relatively large geographical area.

Web page

A document on the World Wide Web which is identified by a unique URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

Web site

A site (location) on the World Wide Web. Each site is owned and managed by an individual, company or organization.

Workstation

When referring to a LAN network, a workstation is any computer connected to a local area network.

UTP

UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair which is a type of cable that consists of pairs of unshielded wires twisted around each other. UTP cabling is used extensively for local area networks and telephone connections. Most modern Ethernet networks use UTP cable with 4 pairs of wire.

*Definitions based upon information from: PC Webopaedia

Last updated: November 30, 2006
Comments to: Scherelene Schatz, sschatz@njstatelib.org