Technology Plan
for the
(library name and city name)
From: July 1, 2009 To: June 30, 2012
(starting date, year/month/day) (ending date, year/month/day)
This is a suggested format. You may use your own format if you need more space; please include the same information requested here.
You may wish to contact your System Coordinator or consultant for assistance or examples.
Mission Statement: What is the mission statement for this library?
The Brazoria County Library System serves the educational, informational, and recreational needs of library users. Its mission is to provide library resources for citizens of all ages. The library strives to achieve the highest level of service, while stressing convenience, speed of access, and quality of information.
Approved by the Brazoria Commissioner's Court
June 13, 2006
Current Technology: What is the current level of technology in this library? List computing and telecommunications resources currently in use.
Integrated Library Automation System: a circulation, cataloging and acquisitions system, from SyrsiDynix software systems, run on:
Miscellaneous computing resources:
23 non-networked PCs distributed throughout the Library System performing public word processing, reference access and juvenile activities.
Data network:
The library's Internet communications are fully integrated with Brazoria County's Ethernet WAN which is run from an Op-e-man 20 Meg Internet connection. Ten branches have dedicated T-1 lines accessing the Internet in the county’s point-to-point network. The Angleton Library and Administrative Office remain an integral part of the county’s Local Area Network.
Internal Wiring: Each library is internally wired using CAT-5, plenum-rated cabling. In addition, six branches are equipped with wireless routers for Internet access.
Voice network: Library Administration is integrated on Brazoria County's existing phone network.
Angleton Library has a T-1 that supports their voice network. Individual branches' voice communication is POTS and is the financial and maintenance responsibility of each local municipality.
Printing Control System: Based on iTeam software, and run on Dell servers at 10 branches, and Dell Optiplex PCs for printer release stations. Printing management is through 'debit' cards provided by the vendor. Printers are color HP Inkjet or HP laser printers purchased with County funds. Color printing is managed with local Inkjet printers.
Self-Checkout Stations: The Pearland Library has two Libramation Mark-3 Model 3 checkout units.
Time management: Time management software (Busy Signals, LLC) has been implemented in 10 branches
Future Technology: 1. What is the desired future level of technology in this library?
2. What specific hardware and software, telecommunications, and information technologies (such as access to the Internet, remote databases, distance learning, web-based catalogs, reference services, etc) are you planning to acquire and implement? (Your System Coordinator or consultant may have checklists or other materials to assist in responding to this question.)
1. The Brazoria County Library System seeks to:
a) Enable effective access to information within the library, at home and at school or the office for patrons of all ages and abilities.
b) Implement appropriate access to a wide variety of electronic resources for the community and for future growth.
c) Increase communication and access with other community institutions regarding library services, resources and policies.
d) Promote effective control of information support systems within the library.
e) Promote service standardization between branches throughout the service area.
2. The specific actions the Brazoria County Library System will do to undertake the above tasks are to:
a) Maintain current SirsiDynix ILA until replacement and evaluate other systems according to system needs, cost-benefit considerations, hardware compatibility and hardware obsolescence. Increase availability of PCs for patrons of all ages to use and upgrade or replace obsolescent public and staff PCs as funding allows. Further objectives are to:
1. Upgrade PCs to allow access to CD-RW drives or other portable storage devices.
2. Purchase scanners for 7 branches.
3. Purchase laptop PCs for branches or additional workstations as needed.
4. Purchase educational software stations for children and youth.
5. Evaluate networking equipment and bandwidth needs for expansion.
b) Continue to offer TexShare databases to 'out-of-facility' library patrons via Remote Patron Access. Expand this service to other databases as funds and licensing agreements allow.
c) Continue existing and foster further telecommunication alliances with other community and education based networks and consortia. Increase public web presence. Upgrade infrastructure to expand Internet access to libraries. Implement wireless networks at branches for using library-owned laptops or patron-owned laptops in a library setting.
d) Implement self-checkout stations at selected branches. Explore expanded email notification for possible implementation.
e) Implement electronic payment in system branches.
f) Review, evaluate and update as needed public Internet Policies.
Timeline: What are the planned dates to implement this desired future level of technology in this library? List the approximate dates when you expect to reach important milestones in your technology implementation
July, 2009: Evaluate existing PC workstations and servers; prioritize for replacement as funding allows. Complete budget analysis for wireless networks and laptop computers in branches. Evaluate pricing to diversify options for patrons and staff. Improve an inventory/catalog of existing software in system libraries. Evaluate existing Integrated Library Automation System hardware and software. Prepare ILAS proposals for budget consideration.
January, 2010: Replace obsolete/obsolescent PC workstations as funding allows. Install wireless network software and hardware. Purchase wireless capable laptop PCs for ‘in branch’ use as funding allows. Prepare for budget consideration electronic payment options. Examine holdings and evaluate needs for educational software.
July, 2010: Evaluate self-checkout at the Pearland branch in view of expanding this service to other busy sites, Lake Jackson, Alvin and Angleton Branches. Install electronic payment system. Evaluate existing PC workstations with the County IS Department and ILAS components for obsolescence.
January, 2011: Evaluate 2009 -2012 Technology Plan and revise as needed. Replace existing PC workstations as evaluation prescribes and budget allows. Evaluate self-checkout technology for expansion to additional branches.
July, 2011: Replace existing PC workstations and servers as evaluation prescribes and as budget allows. Start preparation of the next three-year technology plan.
January, 2012: Replace existing PC workstations and servers as evaluation prescribes and budget allows. Conduct a hardware and software audit of existing technology. Survey public needs and vendor requirements and evaluate current technologies to anticipate future trends. Have technology plan completed and approved.
June, 2012: Replace existing PC workstations and servers as evaluation prescribes and budget allows. Upgrade ILAS as budget allows.
Budget: 1. What are the approximate costs of this desired future level of technology? 2. How does the Library plan to secure the necessary funds for each technology component, i.e. what are the sources for these funds?
Self-checkout stations: Initial cost: $50,000, yearly fees $4,000. To be paid using Brazoria County General Funds. Expand this service as needs are ascertained and budgets provide.
Wireless Internet Access: Expand secure wireless access to remaining five branches with WPA encryption, 802.11g compliant access routers and Wireless PCI network cards where needed. Estimated cost per branch: $1,000, total project cost $5,000 to be paid using Brazoria County General funds with e-rate reductions.
Equipment Replacement: Annual replacement of desktop or laptop PCs for staff and patrons (6 year cycle): $50,000. Funding source: Brazoria County General Funds and Loan Star Library Grant funds.
Databases: Continued funding of TexShare as funds allow: $7,000 annually. Additional databases purchased through Amigos (Houston Area Database Consortium and OCLC), $68,895. Funding source: Brazoria County General Funds and Loan Star Libraries Grant funds.).
Integrated Library Automation System Upgrade: The next major upgrade to our existing ILAS will require significant hardware and software enhancements estimated to cost $200,000. Funding source: Brazoria County General Funds and grant funds if available.
Education and Training: What are this library's plans to accomplish the training necessary for staff and patrons to use the desired technology effectively? What types and sources of training will this library participate in?"
The Brazoria County Library System will effectively train staff to use and to teach other staff and the public by:
1. Key staff attending annual vendor conferences to keep current on ILAS developments.
2. Key staff training local staff members on ILAS updates as needed.
3. Continuing the training curriculum for local staff members to train the public in use of the TexShare and other databases.
4. Continuing on-going patron training in basic Internet skills and basic skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation programs.
5. Training in other new technologies - concentrating first on key staff, then staff training followed by patron training classes, coaching and/or producing written material as needed.
6. Obtaining additional training from the Houston Area Library System, Amigos, the TSLAC and from grant sources as they are offered.
Technology Integration: How will this library integrate the use of these technologies into the services it provides users?
The integration of new technology and enhancements to existing technology into the Brazoria County Library System's plan of service will be accomplished through staff development and patron education. Improved technology will enhance our service goals to meet information and recreation reading needs in our current member communities and in any potential member communities by:
1. Enhancing and expanding public Internet access, access to subscription databases and our on line catalog to provide wider information and access to our services.
2. Enhancing access to patron account information for patrons at the library, home or the office.
3. Providing for increased control over computer facility usage while helping to conserve staff and physical resources.
Evaluation Process: 1. How will this library evaluate the success of this plan? 2. How will you determine if the technology plan was successful in meeting the goals of your institutional plans? 3. How frequently will you update the plan?
1. The Brazoria County Library System will continuously monitor routine technology operations and resource use while specifically evaluating new technology opportunities annually during budget preparation and as grant or discounts become available.
a) Routine technology operations will be monitored using staff interviews and patron satisfaction questionnaires.
b) Resource use will be monitored using web use tracking software, staff interviews and patron satisfaction questionnaires.
c) The results of this evaluative process will highlight technology needs or areas where patrons or staff may need more or different training.
2. Success in meeting institutional goals will primarily be measured using standard statistical measurements; measurement of circulation, Internet use, in-building or remote visitation from home or office, and through patron satisfaction surveys. A full room-use survey is conducted semi-annually, and normal use statistics are recorded daily.
3. This technology plan will be reviewed and updated at 18 months, and periodically reviewed while preparing the annual budget, when grants become available or when discounts are applied for. Criteria to be used in this review process are:
a) Telecommunications and bandwidth.
b) The age of hardware resources.
c) The age of software resources.
d) Responses from staff interviews and patron questionnaires.
e) Recent technology innovations.
This Technology Plan has been reviewed and submitted on behalf of this library
Signatures:
| ____________________________________________________ | ________ |
| Library Director | Date |
| ____________________________________________________ | ________ |
| Library Board Chair | Date |
| ____________________________________________________ | ________ |
| As Applicable: Mayor, City Manager, County Judge, or School Superintendent (Circle appropriate title) |
Date |
| ____________________________________________________ | ________ |
| Approved by Texas State Library | Date |
(7/17/00)