Technology Plan

Library Goals and Objectives:

It is our goal to provide free internet services to the public at large and have open access to information.

Professional Development:

The librarian will be taking classes in Networking and training staff with the wireless connection and printer troubleshooting methods. At this time the Librarian is taking a class in CompTiaA+ Cert and will be finished within a few months.

Needs Assessment:

We currently have a landline phone and fax number and we have internet connectivity of 3 MBPS of a dedicated symmetrical connection. Over the next 3 years this amount will need to be doubled or tripled. As video applications and wireless products become popularized in Nenana, the need for more bandwidth speed will arise.

As the computer industry evolves we will need to become more familiar with new, emerging technologies. The library has become a place to come to for tech support. We will need to keep ourselves informed and educated so that we can better assist our patrons, as new technologies arise.

We have to get a server so that we can have a stable system for our library management software. Right now we have a 32 bit OS and our library automation software now requires a 64 bit Operating System in order to meet the specified requirements. We need to then upgrade to the newer version of our catalog. In order to do this we need to purchase tech support. The tech support is rather costly but we need this in order to get the upgrades necessary.

We need to get our main catalog computer upgraded to a 64 bit OS. This is the computer that we use to access the Server. We use this computer for checking in and out materials to our patrons.

We need to have backups done on a daily basis and then from time to time we need to test the backup systems to make sure that it will work if we need it too and we need to have an offsite remote backup as well.

It is necessary to purchase an inline uninterruptible power supply unit for our Server. The cost of the Server requires a high end UPS fit for the job. We need something that is economical, that will last and yet does the job.

All of our computers including the server need to have antivirus protection as well as internet filters. Right now, we are in the process of investigating other types of filters and antivirus software that would work with all of our computers using the Server, so that we only have to buy one rather than multiple copies and so that the maintenance is less timely. Right now our antivirus only runs when we scan manually. It is necessary for it to work all the time, stopping the virus before it infects the computer.

We need to work towards getting all of our computers set up with time saving maintenance tasks. If we could do this from the Server then it would only need to be done once instead of 9 times.

Next we need to work towards acquiring new technology such as a 3D printer. We need training for this kind of technology, and funds to pay for it. We also need a computer that can handle 3D software. The new computer will also be a replacement for one of our older computers that can no longer be upgraded.

We need Microsoft Office Professional on all our computers so that patrons do not have conversion problems going from one computer to another. We need to strive for user friendly software on all the patron access computers.

We will strive to upgrade all of the computers that we have over the course of the next three years. This means more memory and possibly an upgrade to the processor, hard drive and the OS for all of our computers.

We need to purchase software that can help our community such as Web Page Creation software, video and photo editing software as well.

We need a DVD Scratch Repair/ Cleaver in order to maintain the DVD collection.

We should purchase a big screen television making it possible to provide movie night or a story hour. Using screen catching software or hardware we could turn the television into an E-Reader.

We need a microphone for events like Easter that require it in order to be heard.

Budget:

$10,000 to purchase a new Server.

$150 for Windows 8.1 OS for our Catalog computer

$105. For Backup External Harddrive

$240 per year for an offsite backup service

$600 for an online uninterruptible power supply unit

Server Antivirus $800-1,000 to protect all of computers

Internet filtering software or hardware for all computers $500 -600

2 Microsoft Office Professional Software $735

Adobe Illustrator CS6 Collection $698

3D Capable Workstation for patrons $2200

DVD Cleaner $150-$1500

Big Screen Television $500-3,000

Screen capturing software $30-50

Wireless Microphone under $200

Virtual Reality Technology (further research needed)

Evaluation:

Have we researched all of the hardware and software that we will purchase and if so have we made these purchases? Have we installed all the necessary devices, hardware or software? Have we received the training necessary to install and use the equipment? If we have done this then we have done our part. We will then look to our patrons comments and suggestions to decipher whether this helped them to meet their goals and needs.

Technology Protection Measure/Filter:

Researching Internet Filters and purchasing appropriate filters for our community

Speaking with community about filtering and getting an idea about what the public wants us to filter.

Working with the board to set the policy and adapt the policy if needed as new issues arise. Maintain the filtering with timely updates.

Internet Safety Policy:

Disclaimer: The Nenana Public Library reserves the right to control the use of the libraries internet through the use of internet filters/monitoring. However, the library is not responsible nor endorses the internet content. The user should exercise judgment in assessing the credibility of information viewed.

Child Safety of the Internet: The Nenana Public Library upholds the rights of parents and legal guardians to supervise their children on the internet and to monitor their own childrens use of all library materials and resources. The library encourages parents and guardians to discuss internet safety with their children and to assist with this, the library has available copies of pamphlets for the Alaska Internet Circle of Safety, This project was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.