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Technology Plan

FY09-FY11 Technology Action Plan

Introduction:

The Wilmington Memorial Library (WML) is a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) and shares an integrated library system called Horizon with thirty-five other libraries.  MVLC operates a wide area network (WAN), which connects its member libraries to the Horizon system and to the Internet.  The library’s public computers connect to the Internet via the Comcast network.  Funding for technology comes from a combination of town and state sources, which has been sufficient to meet the library’s needs the past several years. In addition, The Friends of the Library have given funds for specific purchases.  The Town of Wilmington provides technical hands-on support and advice to the library.

The mission of WML is to enrich the community by providing access to intellectual, cultural and recreational resources to all citizens.  The library will offer current, sufficient, and sustainable technologies in support of this goal.

Overview:

The library currently supports eighteen public Internet access PCs (twelve in the adult area and six in young adult) plus six public HIPs (online catalog).  The public Internet PCs in the Adult area, purchased in September 2006, are Windows Vista capable and are covered under a three-year warranty.  The computers in the Young Adult area, purchased in the fall of 2007, run Windows Vista and are covered under a three-year warranty.  All the HIPs are seven to eight years old and are targeted for replacement.  In addition, there is one stand-alone preschool computer, which is used exclusively for educational games.  The library invested in LCD flat screen monitors for the staff in 2004 and for the public in 2006.  One additional HIP and two Internet computers will also be added in children’s area.    

There are nineteen staff computers, plus a laptop.  Half the staff computers were purchased in the spring of 2003 and the other half in the fall of 2004—none is under warranty.  The staff computers are earmarked for replacement in FY09.  One additional staff computer may be purchased for the Young Adult librarian to have an off-desk work space.  The laptop was purchased in November 2007 and runs Windows Vista.  The library purchased an HP Proliant ML 350 G3 Server in April 2004, which is in good condition.  The library owns ten printers: five laser jets and five ink jets, most of which were acquired in the past three years.  The oldest is the HP Laser Jet 4050 workhorse printer, purchased in 1999, used by both staff and patrons.  This printer, due to its low copy levels, is expected to last at least a few more years.

Most public and staff computers currently run Windows XP Professional and have Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition 11.0 and Microsoft Office 2003.  The exceptions to this are the preschool computer, which runs the Home ed., and the six new computers in the young adult area as well as the Director and Administrative Assistant’s computers and the staff laptop run Windows Vista.  Firefox 3.0 was downloaded onto all public internet computers as an optional browser.  Staff computers are currently using Firefox 2.0 due to an incompatibility with Firefox 3.0 and the MVLC Report Generator program, which will hopefully be resolved with the release of an updated program by MVLC.  In addition, all public and staff PCs run Internet Explorer 7.0 with the exception of those that are used for the Virtual Catalog (will only function with IE 6.0.).  Deep Freeze Enterprise, Windows protection software by Faronics, is used on the public computers to ensure settings remain secure. Staff computers run Horizon 7.3.4, which is the consortium’s integrated library system (ILS).  The next ILS upgrade is expected in late 2008.  As protection against spyware, AdAware SE Personal is the product of choice on staff PCs.  It is expected that all new staff computers will run Windows Vista and Office.                                                                 

The library’s web site (www.wilmlibrary.org) was redesigned in the fall of 2006, resulting in a user-friendly layout with an appealing design.  The Web site was then updated/“cleaned up” in spring 2008.

Wireless access was introduced in the library March of 2006.  The service is available throughout the building with two access points on the first floor. 

A variety of state and regionally funded electronic databases are offered to the public.  In addition, Wilmington purchased eight additional databases with plans to add more in the future.  Since 2006, patrons have had access to downloadable audio books through Overdrive.

Wilmington offers a popular one-on-one computer basic skills class one evening per week taught by a volunteer and one morning per week taught by a volunteer or the library staff.

FY10 Technology Action Plan

Goal 1: Library users and staff will have access to current technology.

Objective 1
Replace public Internet and staff computers after four years of use in order to provide sustainable and reliable service.
Actions:

  1. Purchase twenty new computers (with Windows Vista) for staff during FY09 to begin a four-year replacement cycle.
  2. Use replaced staff computers for HIPs (will continue running Windows XP).
  3. Use two replaced staff computers for children's internet.
  4. Ensure that peripheral equipment (barcode scanners, receipt printers, etc.) will be compatible with the upgrade to Windows Vista.
  5. Purchase ten new computers for public use during FY11 to replace those purchased in 2006.

Objective 2

Keep computer software current for both staff and patrons so tasks may be performed efficiently and the library is perceived as progressive.
Action:

  1. Investigate the automation of computer maintenance (e.g., disk defragmentation, Windows updates, etc.) to ensure that all computers remain up-to-date.

Objective 3
Meet patron demand for Internet access while reducing staff time monitoring computer use.
Action:

  1. Ask staff to observe use of the public Internet computers during calendar year 2008 to determine whether time management software is warranted.  

Objective 4
Provide reliable, cost-effective printing for both patrons and staff.
Action:

  1. Purchase 3-year warranty with next-day exchange for any new printer purchase.
  2. Configure public computers to default to Print Preview when Print button is clicked in order to avoid unnecessary/wasteful printing.
  3. Replace HP 4050 printer (adult patron black and white) in FY11.

Goal 2: The library will use technology to provide additional services.

Objective 1
Offer self-service options for patron convenience and to reduce staff time.
Action:

  1. Request LEG/MIG funding to purchase two self-checkout units in FY10.
  2. Request funding for a fax line for public use in FY10 budget.
  3. Investigate and implement Web 2.0 technologies by December 2009 that encourage participatory library service for both patrons and staff. (Head of Technical Services)FY10

Goal 3: Residents will have access to a variety of digital information.

Objective 1
Add digital formats to the collection for the pleasure and convenience of patrons.
Action:

  1. Investigate the cost and time involved to digitize the local history collection by December 2010. (Head of Technical Services) FY11

Goal 4: The library will be a community resource for computer literacy training.

Objective 1
Expand the variety and size of computer classes offered to the public FY10

Action:
  1. Ask the Friends to fund four laptops in FY10 to be used for computer training classes; ensure laptops are suitable for use by seniors.
  2. Survey other libraries to see what types of classes have been successful by June 2009 in preparation for offering updated class schedule to the public by the fall of 2009. (Head of Technical Services)FY10

Goal 5: The library staff will have access to technology training necessary for optimum job performance.

Objective 1
Raise staff awareness of emerging technologies and ensure staff possesses adequate skills in the use of email, Horizon 7.3.4, MVLC Wiki, basic computer maintenance tasks, and higher level skills as needed.

Action:

  1. Establish minimum standards for all staff positions by early 2009. (Head of Technical Services)FY09
  2. Schedule one-on-one training sessions in summer 2009 to be taught by Head of Technical Services. FY10
  3. Encourage staff to take advantage of technology training offered at the regional level.
  4. Invite regional expert to talk about emerging technologies at one of the quarterly staff meetings in 2009. (Director) FY10
  5. Encourage staff to use instant messaging as an in-house communication tool by early 2009.

FY10 7/1/2009-6/30/2010, FY11 7/1/2010-6/30/2011
Submitted by Alicia Kendall, Head of Technical Services, 09/2008