Technology Made Simple: An Improvement Guide for Small and Medium Libraries

227 Pages·2006·3.109 MB·English

by  Kimberly Bolan, Robert Cullin

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Implementing and maintaining effective technology services
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is a perennial challenge for libraries; for small to medium
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growing appetite for electronic information amid constant S
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Not a techie? Not a problem. A librarian and a technical expert
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join forces in this thorough and easy-to-understand primer.
Expansive and practical, it offers detailed how-tos, many
reproducible forms, and inspiring stories from libraries that
have demystified the technology implementation process.
Library leaders, directors, department heads, and trustees
can access hands-on tools to offer premium services and save
money, while keeping their technology plan dynamic and or-
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ganized. For any librarian wanting a comprehensive overview, o
Technology Made Simple offers clear answers to overcoming l
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American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
1-866-SHOP ALA a
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(1-866-746-7252)
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www.alastore.ala.org
TECHNOLOGY MADE SIMPLE
AN IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM LIBRARIES
KIMBERLY BOLAN AND ROBERT CULLIN
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
CHICAGO 2007
http://avaxhome.ws/blogs/ChrisRedfield
While extensive effort has gone into ensuring the reliability of information appearing in this
book, the publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy or reliability of
the information, and does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any
loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication.
Composition in Minion and Helvetica Condensed by ALA Editions using InDesign CS on a
PC platform.
Printed on 50-pound white offset, a pH-neutral stock, and bound in 10-point coated cover
stock by McNaughton & Gunn.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National
Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48-1992. (cid:2)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bolan, Kimberly.
Technology made simple : an improvement guide for small and medium libraries /
Kimberly Bolan and Robert Cullin.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8389-0920-5
1. Small libraries —Automation—Planning. 2. Small libraries—Information
technology—Planning. 3. Libraries—Automation—Planning. 4. Libraries—Information
technology—Planning. I. Cullin, Robert. II. Title.
Z678.93.S6B65 2007
025.00285—dc22 2006013191
ISBN-10: 0-8389-0920-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-0920-1
Copyright © 2007 by the American Library Association. All rights reserved except those
which may be granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976.
Printed in the United States of America
11 10 09 08 07 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES v
PREFACE vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
1 Why Do IT? 1
2 Assess IT 12
3 Know IT 35
4 Plan IT 59
5 Staff IT 77
6 Pay for IT 91
7 Implement IT 104
8 Teach IT 118
9 Regulate IT 130
10 Evaluate IT 138

APPENDIXES
A | Worksheets 143
B | Resources 171
C | Resource Libraries 183
D | Job Descriptions 189
E | Publication Samples 196

INDEX 211
iii

FIGURES
1-1 Library Users’ Technology Competence vs. Technology
Resources Personally Available to Them 4
1-2 Demographics of Internet Users 6
1-3 Computers in the Lives of Children 8
1-4 Media Use by Children Ages 0–6 9
1-5 Likelihood That Americans Use “Third Places”
to Access the Internet 10
2-1 Sample Technology Floor Plan 19
2-2 Computer Training Statistics 23
2-3 Reference Questions Log 24
2-4 Sample Library Comparison 31
2-5 Big Picture Technology Analysis 33
3-1 Sample Network Map 38
4-1 Planning Cycle Diagram 60
4-2 Sample Technology Planning Worksheet 68
5-1 Staff Profi ciency Comparison Chart 80
7-1 Computer Cleaning Tips 108
7-2 Staff Troubleshooting Form 111
7-3 St. Joseph County Public Library Bookmark 114
8-1 Computer Class Survey 127
9-1 CompuMentor’s Policies Checklist 132
v

PREFACE
W
hile most librarians recognize the importance of information technology (IT), a large number
continue to struggle with implementing and maintaining effective computer and technology-
related serv ices. How can librarians, who often perform multiple roles in the small and
medium-sized library environment, navigate through this technology maze? To put it simply,
How does one keep up? Many small and medium libraries are forced to make it up as they
go along just to get by. Lack of suffi cient knowledge, time, staff, or funding forces them to
“wing it,” which will ultimately prove detrimental to libraries and their patrons.
So the question is, How do small and medium libraries implement and maintain suc-
cessful computer and technology-related serv ices? Success is derived from these basic prin-
ciples: assessment, planning, implementation, and continuous evaluation. Most important, it’s
about being prac tical, keeping it simple, and getting things done. Technology Made Simple: An
Improvement Guide for Small and Medium Libraries will provide a no-nonsense, step-by-step
handbook for the small or medium-sized library that will lead librarians to successful technology-
related ser vices; ones that will allow libraries to be ahead of the game instead of lagging behind
or just getting by.
WHO NEEDS THIS BOOK?
This is a technology manual for the non- or semi-technical library worker. In particular, the
text will deal with the complexities of developing, implementing, and maintaining computer
ser vices within the framework of a small to medium-sized public library. Thought has been
given to fl exibility and scale, with an understanding that every library is unique and faces
individual challenges in addition to those common to libraries in general. This book is an
appropriate resource for the library with no technology staff or one that is limited in size or
knowledge. This book is also for the library professional who is ultimately responsible for
oversight in this area and wants a fi rmer understanding of the topic so he or she can lead more
effectively.
vii
USING THE MATERIALS IN THIS BOOK SUCCESSFULLY
Technology Made Simple is intended to help librarians and their staff develop effective technol-
ogy ser vices that refl ect individual library priorities, as well as supporting the development of
the small and medium-sized library and its role within the community. In order to accomplish
these goals, this book will focus on technology as it relates to:
■ impact ■ budgeting and purchasing
■ assessment ■ implementation and marketing
■ learning ■ training
■ planning ■ policies
■ staffi ng ■ evaluation
Establishing this kind of framework is essential in navigating through a technological world
where everything is constantly changing. Once this approach is understood, it can be applied
to any given project at any given time. Technology Made Simple is a practical guide that can be
referenced at all stages of planning, development, implementation, and maintenance. Numer-
ous tips, practical pointers, and best practices are offered, as are recommendations to various
worksheets, resources, and model libraries. Bringing technology and customer ser vice together
(internally as well as externally) is emphasized throughout the text.
In order to make the ideas in this book more tangible, information from select public
libraries across the United States is included in it. To further increase the usability and effec-
tiveness of Technology Made Simple, a supplemental web page that includes ready-to-use
worksheets and up-to-date information can be found at http://www.ala.org/editions/extras/
Bolan09205/.
THE AUTHORS’ VISION
Librarian-consultant Kimberly Bolan and technology vendor Robert Cullin have worked
together for more than three years and feel their diverse backgrounds and working relation-
ship will prove helpful and insightful to others. Over the past ten years, Kim has worked at
both a hands-on and management level for network and computer ser vices in small and
medium-sized libraries. Most recently, she served as the assistant director in a medium-sized
public library, and she currently works as an independent library consultant. Rob Cullin is the
vice president and co-owner of e(cid:129)vanced solutions, Inc., a software company that grew out of a
cooperative LSTA grant and now focuses exclusively on developing productivity solutions for
libraries. Rob’s background is in software and hardware product development, and his passion
is public libraries.
Their experiences working independently and together as a team have led them to write
this book. They feel strongly that librarians need a how-to technology manual for vision, plan-
ning, and understanding, not a how-to manual for confi guring a router and server. In writing
Technology Made Simple they want to show readers that technology is an essential tool that
will better defi ne the importance of the public library within our communities. It is also their
intention to make technology less overwhelming and confusing, so that it becomes a topic
librarians are energized by, not threatened by. They are convinced that through successful
planning and open-minded management, public libraries of all sizes can move strongly into
the future, becoming places of greatness.
viii | Preface
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T
his book was a partnership not only between the two of us, but also with many peers, friends,
and family members. Our gratitude goes out to all those who contributed their time, talent,
and energy to this project. Thanks to each and every one of you, as there would be no book
without you.
To Renee Vaillancourt, Emily Moroni, Christine Schwab, and Jenni Fry for their
support and patience with us through the long process.
To our research assistants Mel Campbell and Keri Thomas, who helped us compile
and sort much of the information and resources in the book.
To Ava Ehde, Matt Gullet, Dan Nguyen, and Michael Stephens, who all contributed
greatly to the book and brought additional perspective to the topics covered.
To e(cid:129)vanced solutions, Inc., and particularly to Todd Cutler, who gave us patience and
time to allow us to write the book.
To our parents and family, Linda and Jim Bolan, Dave and Jeanette Cullin, Ted, Nicky,
Kelly, Chris, Grace, Elyse, and Kiernan, whose patience and love during the last
couple of years has helped us survive, thrive, and complete this project.
Finally, a very special thanks to all the very talented librarians and library staff members
who contributed information to this book. It would not be nearly as complete or as pertinent
if it were not for their contributions, ideas, and leadership. It is clear that examples of great,
forward-thinking libraries are out there in every state and country, and, many times, we need
only to look next door for inspiration.
ix