Technology
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
Return to the real: The library as social connector
Publish Date: News / 28 January 2019
Slides and related resources for a session presented at the 2019 ALA Midwinter conference in Seattle, by Betha Gutsche and Jennifer Peterson.
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.
Social media and libraries survey summary
Publish Date: News / 13 February 2018
WebJunction and TechSoup for Libraries collaborated on a series of free webinars focused on Libraries and Social Media. In conjunction with the 2017 series, we invited participation in a survey to learn more about how libraries use social media. The ...
Social media policy examples
Publish Date: News / 17 January 2018
In fall 2017, WebJunction cohosted a series of webinars with TechSoup on social media in libraries. In conjunction with the series, library staff were asked in a survey, if social media policies were in place in their libraries. The most common respo...
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.
Open source systems power library websites
Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017
An overview of some of the tools libraries are using to build and manage their website, including links to examples of those websites
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...
Libraries and makers resources
Publish Date: Document / 7 July 2014
A document collecting resources on libraries and makers, including books, guides, websites, and links to webinars.
