optimizing technology in libraries: planning & looking forward michael stephens st. joseph...
TRANSCRIPT
Optimizing Technology in Libraries:Planning & Looking Forward
Michael Stephens
www.tametheweb.com
St. Joseph County Public Library
www.libraryforlife.org
Our Plan:
Tips for Planning Librarians Beware Technolust and
Technomust! Looking to the Future
Tips for Technology Planners
“Technology is a tool…it is only a tool”
Sandra Nelson
Wired for the Future
Meeting the Mission:
Is the Tech Plan part of a bigger mission & vision?
Does it fulfill a goal or objective?
Milwaukee County Federated Library System
Goals: To strengthen and enhance technology-
related administration, documentation and training
To maintain a Technology Planning Process.
http://www.mcfls.org/public/techplan.html.
Who plans?
A mixture of admin and IT as well as front line staff
Stakeholders must be involved IT cannot plan new services without
librarians and admin! Librarians cannot plan new services
without IT!
What is the Lifespan of the Library Technology Plan
1-2 years 3-5 years 5+ years? (probably too long)
How do we create buy-in?
Keep staff informed! Blog planning or new projects Offer training:
“Meet RFID!” “Welcome to WiFi!”
No surprises please!
Look for High Impact
Prioritize projects Finish what you start Plan for evaluation
Low Cost/High Impact
Add blogs externally and internally Offer an IM reference service Train your staff!
Beware Technolust!Beware Technomust!
Beware Technolust
Sexy Technology Wanting it because it’s so cool! How does it fit into the plan or mission?
Beware Technomust
“Many libraries experience technomust and follow the crowd, albeit later rather than earlier in many cases but they buy technology because others are, not because they have a plan about how they are going to use it to provide better service.”
Chris Jowaissas
Looking Forward
2005 and Beyond…
User-Centered Technology Plans
“It’s all about the Users.”• Stephen Abram, CIL 2004
User-centered information services “Give them what they want.”
IM? WiFi? MP3? iPods???? Telling STORIES
User Perception
Not only are you spending money, you are expending library resources such as staff time, space, and hardware.
You are also investing in a less tangible thing: your community’s perception.
Libraries should strive to implement and promote “Wow Factor” services that actually SERVE the needs of users.
Remember the ROI
Return on Investment Cost + Staff Time + Promotion =? Database Example
Are you aware?
Library Toolbars Converged Devices Integrated RSS feeds Storage (iPod anyone?) Transitioned Technologies
In the Moment:
Presence: You Your institution
Promotion Community
Webjunction.org Blendedlibrarian.org
In the Know
Read journals Read Blogs & Use RSS:
www.theshiftedlibrarian.com Subject-related blogs too (RFID)
LITA Top Trends Chat with colleagues at conferences
Use some Good Tools
Wired for the Future, Mayo & Nelson New Planning for Results: A Streamlined
Approach, Nelson
Use some Good Tools
Webjunction www.webjunction.org
Tech Atlas techatlas.org/tools/
TechSoup www.techsoup.org
Unplug My Friends
Thank You!
Questions? Comments? AIM: mstephens7mac Skype: mstephens7 [email protected] www.tametheweb.com www.libraryforlife.org