Technology Planning

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
Best Practices and Planning for Digitization Projects
Publish Date: News / 23 May 2018
Alyce L. Scott, a lecturer with the School of Information at San Jose State University, explores the best practices and planning needed for digitization projects.
Two Opportunities to Develop Tech Skills with Geek Squad Academy and Best Buy Teen Tech Centers
Publish Date: News / 28 November 2017
Scientific discovery and technological innovation play a major role in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. By expanding participation in STEM education, libraries are helping to prepare the next generations to meet these challenges.
Shoestring Digital Media Lab: How one little underfunded library made it happen
Publish Date: News / 7 September 2017
The year was 2012 and several large public libraries were pioneering high-tech digital medial labs as an innovative approach to engaging a diverse audience of teens. Tameca Beckett attended PLA in Philadelphia as the Youth Services Librarian for Laur...
Writing Goals and Objectives for a Technology Plan
Publish Date: Document / 22 February 2017
Learn how to effectively write goals and objectives that are the basis for a strong technology plan.
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...
Cultivating a Hacker Ethic: Digital Citizenship at Innisfil Public Library
Publish Date: News / 9 October 2014
At Innisfil Public Library, our vision is to spark ideas to ignite a creative and dynamic community. A central pillar of our current strategic plan is to "Cultivate a Hacker Ethic" through integrating technology into our services and spaces...
Spark Your Project: Tech Tools for Libraries
Publish Date: News / 30 September 2014
Tech tools have rapidly emerged to augment digital storytelling, intuitively edit photos and video clips, easily convert complex file formats, and aid team collaboration without a myriad of emails. So, how do you know which tools can effectively help...
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...