Technology planning

Networking cable on top of a list of IP addresses

Core to library services, access to technology requires active and ongoing planning. Technology plans should support library strategic planning, include more than just computers, accommodate new and emerging technologies, and include staff training. This section has tips for planning as well as inspiration for what your plan could include. 

Articles and Resources

Why a Technology Plan?

Publish Date: Document / 22 February 2017

A technology plan can create a great path to guide the library and make sure that the mission is accomplished. This list can help you to explain the importance of planning in your library and create enthusiasm for the planning process.

Technology Vision Statements: Examples and suggestions

Publish Date: Document / 22 February 2017

Does your library have a vision for what technology should do for your library? Vision statements are a great way to describe where the library wants to be and what it values when choosing new technology

Technology Planning Evaluation

Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017

A practical guide to using a library technology plan as a living document, and building an evaluation process to make sure the technology plan aligns with the library's service goals.

Technology Needs Assessment

Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017

A collection of resources for determining what new and updated technologies to include in your library technology plan.

Checklist for a Library Technology Plan

Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017

A concise list of what needs to be included in your library technology plan. This is a useful tool to use both for organizing your plan and for evaluating it to make sure that you haven't left out anything important!

3D Printers: a revolution headed for your library

Publish Date: News / 9 November 2015

3D printing conjures notions of the Star Trek replicator—a computerized machine that can turn a verbal command into 3-dimensional objects, including food items. The evolution of 3D printers is advancing rapidly toward and even beyond that sci-fi visi...

A Slice of Maker Pie: Stories from Three Learner Labs

Publish Date: News / 17 November 2014

Think about the last time you ordered pizza and the numerous considerations that influenced your decisions. You may have weighed surroundings including dine-in versus carry-out or perhaps delivery, contemplated crust style and toppings, and evaluated...

Digital Citizenship and Public Libraries

Publish Date: News / 18 August 2014

Just as political citizenship expects principles of integrity of its citizenry, digital citizenship refers to expected modes of conduct in the digital world. Digital citizenship is an umbrella concept that includes the following: a) Preparing technol...

You Shall Not Pass! iPad Passcode Problems and Other Insights

Publish Date: News / 11 August 2014

Since her first article, iFought the iPads (and iWon), Sally-Adrina has heard from several librarians struggling with a common problem: iPad passcodes. At Rapid City Public Libraries, they experienced the same issue. A child or an ad...

Libraries are Not a 'Netflix for Books'

Publish Date: News / 4 August 2014

The recent news about Amazon's Netflix-like service for eBooks and Kindle subscriptions has done more than raise eyebrows. At a time when we see budget crunches and misleading reports about dwindling interest in books and public libraries, an entire ...