|
Lakes Country
Public Library |
adopted January 7, 2003
Introduction
This plan was developed to provide guidelines for the systematic
implementation
of technologies in the Lakes Country Public Library (LCPL). The
plan is the
result of a review of the literature and an analysis of the trends
in the field of
technology. The Library Director has attended numerous technology
related
seminars and has had first hand experience with a wide variety of
technologies.
The library, as a member of the Nicolet Federated Library System
(NFLS), has
been working with them to develop a plan that is complementary to
that of the
system. The Library Board of Trustees acknowledges that the plan
defines the
ideal, and that reality will be greatly influenced by available
resources.
Nevertheless, the plan will serve to guide the allocation of resources
as they
become available.
Access to
all types of information is vital to everyone. The Lakes Country
Public
Library is planning to provide that access with technology that
will meet the
present and future informational and recreational needs of the library's
service
population, as well as keeping pace with rapidly changing technological
advances.
Lakewood
is a small rural community in northeastern Wisconsin with a year
round population of about 650. The library serves residents from
six neighboring
townships. The Lakes Country area has experienced rapid growth in
the past
few years. Estimates for area town population increases from 1990
to 1995
range form 9.2% to 13.5%. A large portion of the population is retired
adults,
some of which are part-time residents, i.e., own property and pay
taxes, but
claim residency elsewhere. There are also many younger families
that own or
rent vacation property in the area. There are a number of families
that home
school and use the library frequently. Reference requests at the
library have
been increasing rapidly. Being a small library we lack the resources
to purchase
or house many books, especially reference type. A recent planning
study with
library users found that technology and interlibrary loan functions
to be of great
importance.
1984- Canon
photocopier
1985- Apple IIe computer for administrative applications (1990 available
to
public)
1990- 286 PC for administrative applications
1992- 286 PC with 4 CD-ROM drives to access WISCAT
1993- 386 PC with CD-ROM drive (public access)
1995- Lease to buy a Minolta copier to replace a small Canon copier
1995- Internet dial-up access for staff
1996- Facsimile machine available to the public
1997- Pentium PC with dial-up Internet access and laser printer
(public access)
1997- Joined OWLSnet with two access points: circulation and one
public
access online catalog
1998- Addition OWLSnet terminal for office
1998- Laser printer for staff
1999- Installation of T-1 Telecommunication line
1999- Pentium PC with Internet access
2001- Digital Camera available to the public
2002- Minolta digital copier with network connection
- Circulation is automated
with OWLSnet system library cards, automated
check-in and out, check-out receipt printer and automated overdue notices
-
Computers are used for most administrative functions
-
One public access catalog with patron placed holds and patron access to
their account
-
One staff Pentium PC with access to the OWLSnet system and Internet
-
4- Pentium PCs with Internet access (catalog access is also available through
a telnet application)- public access
-
1 Xerox Laser printer- public access
-
1 Hewlett Packard Color Inkjet printer- public access
-
1 Hewlett Packard Laser Printer- staff
-
1 Color flatbed scanner- public access
-
1 Digital Camera- staff and public access at the library
-
Software: Word processing, Print Shop, Educational CD-ROMS,
Encyclopedia on CD-ROM, Genealogy databases, Poetry collection
-
The Library Director is very knowledgeable of and comfortable with using
computer technology. Other library staff have minimal to moderate
knowledge of computer technology.
Critical Issues for the Future
The impact of
joining OWLSnet in 1997 and its growth has been significant. The
range of services, information and materials available to our patrons
due to
technology has increased dramatically. The ongoing issues for the library
board
and library director are the financial support for technology based on
new or
additional services and materials, the staff training that will allow
for those
resources to be used, and staff support for new technologies.
GOAL A: Participate
in and support OWLSnet, the shared automation
network operated and administered by the Outagamie Waupaca Library
System (OWLS) in order to improve and enhance the services and
information available to patrons.
Objectives:
1. LCPL will budget
for the yearly membership fee for the OWLSnet
automation network. (2003- $5832 -6.24% of total)
2. The Director
will regularly attend the meetings of OWLSnet's
Administrative Advisory Committee in order to discuss the technical and
administrative operation of the network. (2003+)
3. Staff will
provide patrons with training in using the online catalog.
(2003+)
4. Staff will continue to include direct catalog links o the LCPL’s website.
GOAL B: Continue
to provide library staff and patrons with free access to
the Internet at the library through the T-1 telecommunications line provided
by OWLS.
Objectives:
1. Continually
assess, and seek to provide, the training needed by staff to
effectively participate in technology-based programs and services. This
will include, but not be limited to programs offered by NFLS and OWLS.
(2003- $1300 LCPL- 1.39% total budget, $350 NFLS budget)
2. Annually review the LCPL's Internet Use Policy. (ongoing)
3. Maintain,
expand and promote the LCPL's website at:
http://www.nfls.lib.wi.us/lak (ongoing)
4. Institute
a "CyberBuddies" program to help instruct patrons on how to
use computers and the Internet. (2003)
5. The library
will maintain and upgrade the library computers and other
equipment (2003- $4,600 LCPL- 4.9% total budget)
GOAL C: Broaden
and improve the scope of information services available
within the library.
1. LCPL will continue to upgrade software and purchase new software.
(2003- $300- LCPL .32% budget)
2. LCPL staff will continue to promote the use of the BadgerLink and Gale
databases. (ongoing)
3. Create a list of software installed on computers at the library.
4. Display software that is available for borrowing.
GOAL D: Engage
in continuous training and planning with regards to
library automation and new technologies.
1. Encourage
and support participation by staff and trustees in activities
that will help them keep abreast of technological developments.
2. Staff will
monitor the use of the public Internet/PC stations and the
on-line catalogs to determine if use is increasing, etc.
3. Staff will
monitor the amount and type of training that is provided to the
public.
4. The Director
will work with the CESA 8 Net Connections to plan and
participate in technology training. (2003-2006)
Evaluation
1. The Library Director will include information on techonology status
and
use at all meetings of the Board of Trustees.
2. The technology
plan for the library will be reviewed twice a year by the
library board and director with input from staff.