Technology Plan 2003-2004

Appleton Public Library (APL) has a strong historical commitment to the integration of technology into its programs and services. The APL Long Range Plan 2000-2004, contains several goal areas related to technology and automation, which are incorporated into this plan. The planning for development of the library’s websites is also included here. This plan will be reviewed on an annual basis, and revised as goals are accomplished and new goal areas are identified.
 

Technology Plan Goal Summary

Goal 1: To maintain sufficient budgets for equipment and software replacements and upgrades.

Goal 2: To integrate appropriate technologies into library public and technical services processes.

Goal 3: To enhance the Library’s role as a community leader in local history digitization, electronic information sources, automation and automation training.

Goal 4: To take advantage of private, state and federal initiatives as appropriate.

Goal 5: To develop the library’s web-based services and to increase the usefulness of the library website.

Goal 6: To address the training and information needs of the APL staff.

Goal 7: To evaluate technology projects of the library.  
 

Strategies:

1. Ensure that the library budget includes funding to replace approximately 20 to 25 percent of computer workstations each year, including servers and any expanded access that may be needed to accomplish other goals.
   
2. Cooperate with OWLS in upgrading, maintaining and providing services via LAN and Internet.
   
3. Provide sufficient staff for the setup, maintenance and repair of existing hardware.
   
4. Work with City of Appleton Information Services to study library connectivity needs to other City departments and implement appropriate solutions. Cooperate with them to assess new technology solutions such as voice over IP, networked printers and copiers, document imaging, etc.
   
5. Maintain sufficient numbers of licenses for standard software, and ensure that library budget includes funding to renew, upgrade as appropriate and purchase new titles as needed to fulfill other objectives in this plan.
   
6. Maintain awareness of developments INFOCIS fiber optic project and utilize as appropriate.
   
7. Monitor network use and cooperate with OWLS and City of Appleton to maintain sufficient bandwidth for library services.
   
8. Maintain security on library network as growth in use and services change.

Goal 2: To integrate appropriate technologies into library public and technical services processes.

Strategies:

1. Assess new technologies and evaluate their usefulness in improving library services.
   
2. Expand participation in OCLC QuestionPoint virtual reference service. Promote service to library patrons and provide for staff training as needed.
   
3. Continue to implement equipment upgrades and changes that will facilitate more efficient face to face reference and patron assistance work. E.g. flat panel screens, dual monitors, etc.
   
4. Work with OWLS to study and implement a workstation management PC reservation system that will reduce need for staff intervention in patron signups for public access computers.
   
5. Reconfigure public access workstations throughout the building, taking advantage of Gates granted software and security procedures.
   
6. Continue to work with OWLS to plan strategies for cooperative cataloging that will best meet needs of all participants in the OWLSnet automation network in the most cost effective way.
   
7. Provide the community with individual instruction and group training programs in the use of new technologies and information resources.
   
8. Maintain an awareness of the availability and usefulness of electronic reference resources, such as full text periodical databases and indexes, and provide access to them as appropriate.
   
9. Cooperate with OWLS in evaluating new electronic formats and services for inclusion in OWLSnet service offerings.
   
10. Cooperate with OWLS in evaluating NEWCat online catalog and improving usefulness to patrons.
    
11. Evaluate the impact of new electronic formats and technologies on library services and collections. E.g. wireless access points, public access computer lab, workstation management software systems, etc.
    
12. Stay abreast of new technologies that may provide mechanisms to increase services and reduce costs, e.g. self-checkout systems, email notification, email newsletters, marketing distribution lists, etc.

Goal 3: To enhance the Library’s role as a community leader in local history digitization, electronic information sources, automation and automation training.

Strategies:

1. Cooperate with OWLS, the City of Appleton, Fox Cities Online and other agencies in the development of community based information systems.
   
2. Provide leadership, training and coordination of community efforts to maximize citizen access to information.
   
3. Expand and develop the Fox Valley Memory Project in collaboration with the Outagamie County Historical Society and other area providers of local history information. Clarify goals and direction of the project.
   
4. Consider training that might be provided by APL staff to meet the needs of external groups, such as OWLS Librarians, City of Appleton employees, Fox Cities Online users, ADI members, and the general public.
   
5. Maintain currently developed indexes of local information such as the Post Crescent index, songbook index, city services index, obituary index, historic photograph index.
   
6. Develop and maintain new in-house databases and make the content available via the Internet as appropriate.
   a. Veterens records index

Goal 4: To take advantage of private, state and federal initiatives as appropriate.

Strategies:

1. Plan and implement a public training lab and public access computers as provided under the guidelines of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation library grant.
   a. Staffing
   b. Space needs
   c. Workstation configuration and security
   d. Configuration changes on other library workstations
   e. Promotion and publicity
   
2. Participate in federal e-rate and state TEACH programs as appropriate and cost effective.
   
3. Cooperate with OWLS in statewide efforts to establish connections among shared automation systems such as the Linked Systems Project among shared library automation systems.
   
4. Participate in statewide library technology advisory and planning organizations such as the WLA Technology committee and LITAC.
   
5. Encourage efforts to initiate, and take advantage of statewide contracts for electronic reference products and other technology applications.
   
6. Seek and implement private grants for technology projects as appropriate.
   
7. Develop alternative sources of funding to support technology innovations, including capital campaigns, library budget increase requests, grant funds, federal and state discount programs, OWLS, the Appleton Library Foundation, Friends of the Appleton Library or individual donors.

Goal 5: To further develop the Library’s web-based services and work to increase the usefulness of the library website.

Strategies:

1. Evaluate current web based services and plan for additional services e.g. virtual reference, audio and video content.
   
2. Assess staff skills and provide training and tools as needed to achieve organizational goals.
   
3. Consider organizational changes to create web/graphic design work team, or train additional staff to maintain web page content.
   
4. Consider the potential for combining web-based services with other agencies such as OWLS.
   
5. Explore publishing additional documents and information on the web, as an organization and collaboratively with others.
   
6. Expand marketing campaign to raise awareness of what the library’s web site has to offer the community.
   
7. Provide web hosting services for local and statewide library organizations within acceptable limitations of staff time and costs.

Goal 6: To address the training and information needs of APL staff

Strategies:

1. Further assess training needs of APL staff. Survey supervisors regarding staff training needs. Seek funding to provide needed training and to provide staff to coordinate in-house training activities.
   
2. Study and implement ways to use the Gates Foundation training lab to facilitate staff training.
   
3. Maintain staff competencies in Local Area Network (LAN) navigation and conventions.
   
4. Develop training programs in the use of specific applications. Consider and evaluate use of different types of training, such as one-on-one "just in time" training, formal group training conducted by APL staff, and formal group or individual training provided by outside agencies.
   
5. Work with City of Appleton Information Services to identify and take advantage of appropriate Citywide training opportunities.

Goal 7: To evaluate technology projects in the library.

Strategies:

1. Working with state and national agencies, continue to make efforts to refine methodology for measuring the use of electronic services and reporting data as part of library output.
   
2. Solicit feedback from patrons on a regular basis on the types of technology services and training they would like to see in the library.

Recent history of technology planning

Library service goals are seen as driving the need for technology enhancements. In order to continue providing the highest quality library service to residents of the community, we need to maintain APL’s technological expertise and leadership.

In late 1993 and early 1994, a task force of APL staff, including representation from OWLS, met to develop an automation plan. Major elements of that plan included establishment of a local area network; expanding the LAN to include all shared staff workstations and insuring that all supervisory staff had their own workstation; establishing Internet access via the LAN; exploration of added services that could be added to the network, including establishment of a World Wide Web server and a web site, and public access to the Internet from workstations in the library building. All of the objectives established at that time were accomplished. Funding from the Appleton Library Foundation, regular Library budget, a Federal Library Services & Construction Act (LSCA) grant and assistance from the OWLS were all used in implementing that plan.

As a part of a building addition and remodeling project in 1996 the Library deployed many upgraded or new public access workstations, connecting many to the LAN. Public access to the Internet was expanded to five workstations, three in adult areas of the building and two in Children's Services. All public access Internet workstations were upgraded , LAN workstations replaced “dumb terminals” at three public service desks. This change added Internet access, CD-ROM, and file sharing to the functions available at these service points. More staff workstations were added throughout the building.

In 1997, a technology planning team began meeting regularly to review and revise the Library's technology plan. Members of that group continue to work to maintain an understanding of future needs and new functions for library automation, and to refine this plan to meet those needs. In 1998, efforts were successful to include a new full time position in the library table of organization beginning with the new year. In March of 1999 a Technology Coordinator was added to the APL staff.

Under the current Technology Coordinator, many of the goals of the 1999-02 plan have been accomplished. The library’s network has grown and has been brought under consistent professional administration and management. The Appleton Public Library is positioned with solid infrastructure to sustain significant growth and development of public and staff support.

Technology Budget

Budget deliberations among the various library sections have begun for the year 2004 budget and include support for a technology budget to meet many of the objectives listed here.

The equipment replacement budget for Network Services operations was $45,600 in 2003. This is the same as the 2001 and 2002 budgeted amounts. We feel this figure will be adequate for anticipated replacement needs in 2004, given declining workstation costs and the impact of the Gates Foundation grant. Our ongoing goal is to be able to replace 25%-30% of workstations each year and to replace or upgrade servers at least every four years. Software licensing costs have been addressed and adequately funded for 2002-03, at $6000 per year.

Library management will continue to seek alternative sources of funding for some of the initiatives outlined here. Funds may be sought from capital campaigns, library budget increase requests, grant funds, federal and state discount programs, the Library Foundation or individual donors.

Appleton Public Library / 225 N. Oneida St. / Appleton, Wisconsin 54911-4780  (920) 832-6170
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 Latest revision 4/1/2000