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
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 ...
iFought the iPads (and iWon)
Publish Date: News / 28 March 2014
When Rapid City Public Libraries decided to add iPads to the Children's Area, I volunteered for the project. In the end this project took me a couple of months to tackle but the number of children using the iPads made it worth the effort. I hope by s...
Connecting: Interaction Design and User Experience
Publish Date: News / 16 January 2013
The 18 minute "Connecting" documentary is an exploration of the future of Interaction Design and User Experience from some of the industry's thought leaders. As the role of software is catapulting forward, Interaction Design is seen to be n...
Why You Need a Technology Planning Team
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Thinking about assigning the responsibility of writing a technology plan to one person - or maybe taking it on yourself? Read some suggestions and the benefits of creating a team for the process instead.
What is "Total Cost of Ownership"?
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
This article from TechSoup uncovers the hidden costs of technology.
Upgrade and Maintenance Brainstorm
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
A list of ideas and resources on Upgrade and Maintenance collected from the Rural Library Sustainability workshops, training institutes, and from other discussion areas on WebJunction.
Total Cost of Ownership for new Computers
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
When your library is in the market to purchase new computers, be sure to consider the total cost of ownership and not just the sticker price on the computer.
The Resilient Organization: A Guide for Disaster Planning & Recovery
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
A comprehensive guide to preparing for any predicament and disaster recovery.
Technology Solutions for Rural and Small Libraries
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Suggestions for free, open-source, or inexpensive solutions to help your library have a visible presence on the Web.
Sample Technology Budget for a Small Library
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
This Excel spreadsheet from NPower can serve as a template for a technology budget for a small library. The spreadsheet uses eight staff as an example, but is appropriate for a library with approximately 1-20 staff members.
Sample Technology Budget for a Medium Library
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
This Excel spreadsheet from NPower can serve as a template for a technology budget for a medium-sized library. The spreadsheet uses thirty staff as an example, but is appropriate for a library with approximately 20-80 staff members.
Sample Technology Budget for a Large Library
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
This Excel spreadsheet from NPower can serve as a template for a technology budget for a large library. The spreadsheet uses 120 staff as an example, but is appropriate for a library with 80 or more staff members.
Planning Makes Perfect
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
How a library IT Manager supports her system?s computers today, while keeping an eye on the future.
Maslow and Motherboards: A Hierarchical View of Technology Planning
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Expanding on Maslow's hierarchy of needs -- physical needs must be met before psychological needs can be addressed -- Doug Johnson posits that an institution must meet infrastructure needs before it can use technology to meet its mission.
Guiding Ohio Online: Volunteer Technology Instructor Training
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Guiding Ohio Online is an AmeriCorps program that places members in rural Ohio libraries to deliver digital literacy training through computer classes, one-on-one computer assistance, outreach, and volunteer recruitment.
