Bridge the Future to the Library

1. Bridge the Futureto the Library From the Information Superhighway to Main Street Texas State Library and Archives Commission

2. Agenda • Welcome • Participant Expectations/Intentions/Introductions • Overview/The Project Continuum • Exploring the Continuum 1 • Break • Exploring the Continuum 2 • Lunch • Exploring the Continuum 3 • Brainstorming • Action plans • Follow-up and evaluations

3. Workshop Purpose • Through this workshop we hope to help you: • share and connect with one another • learn of other opportunities to seek help from and contribute help to other librarians • make action plans to move your library closer to sustainability • introduce an online community to support library staff

4. WebJunction Background • The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Library Program • 46,000 computers • 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada • Five-year initiative • Targeting public libraries serving less-affluent communities • In May 2002, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded OCLC and partners a three-year grant. Original partners are: • Online Computer Library Center, Inc. • The Colorado State Library • The Benton Foundation • Isoph • TechSoup • Purpose: • Carry forward the Foundation’s work • Build a Web-based, public access computing community

5. The Mission • Build an online community for publicaccess computing • Support front-line staff at libraries,Community Technology Centers, andother organizations • Create a forum for collaborative knowledge and experience sharing • Become a national center of education and training for library staff • Focus on information technology policy and practice

6. The Result: WebJunctionwww.webjunction.org

7. Philosophy READ LEARN SHARE

8. Rural and Small Libraries • Limited Time • Limited $$$ • Limited Support

9. A Sense of Isolation

10. The Rural Library Sustainability Project • Grant from the Gates Foundation • 43 State Libraries agreed to participate • On-Site workshops throughout the state • Over 2000 have attended previous two rounds • Support is out there….

11. The Sustainability Continuum Intended to serve as a starting point for assessing a rural/small library’s focus on issues of sustainability

12. The Sustainability Continuum

13. Rural Library Sustainability Continuum • Six conditions: • Awareness Stage • Early Stage • Preparing Stage • Developing Stage • Advanced Stage • Performing Stage

14. Seven Continuum Topics • Library Connections • Technology Connections • Upgrade and Maintenance • Staff and Patron Training • Funding • Outreach • Advocacy

15. Rural Library Sustainability Continuum • Can be used as a: • Quick Reference Card • Memory Jogger • Tracking Mechanism

16. Additional Blank Sheets • The Continuum charts and worksheets are available for download at the Rural Library Sustainability website: http://www.webjunction.org/ruralhttp://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11778 • Blank sheets can be used for discussion among staff/volunteers/board

17. Technology Connections • Fill in your Tech Connections questions • Who provides your PAC support? Questions? • What kind of assistance for your PACs? • Possible organizations or individuals who could help maintain your PACs? • Discuss with partner • Review Listed Resources • Additional Resources • Web4Lib, PUBLIB (mailing lists) • LIBNT-L (mailing list)

18. Philosophy (review) READ LEARN SHARE

19. WebJunction Information • Register for free to: • Enroll in online courses • Receive the monthly e-newsletter, Crossroads • Join the forum discussions on All Aboard

20. WebJunction Demo(Live Internet) • WebJunction main page • Registration page • Rural Library Sustainability gateway page • Texas state RLS forum page • All Aboard discussion forums main page • Tech Planning information • Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit page • Rural “In Focus” webinars • Learning Center page (browse catalog)

21. WebJunction Demo(Non-Live) • WebJunction main page • Registration page • Rural Library Sustainability gateway page • Texas state RLS forum page • All Aboard discussion forums main page • Tech Planning information • Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit page • Rural “In Focus” webinars • Learning Center page (browse catalog)

22. Upgrade & Maintenance • Fill in your Upgrade & Maintenance questions: • How old are your PACs? • What replacement plan do you have? • Do you have a technology plan? A technology line item in budget? • Do you have a maintenance plan? • Discuss with partner

23. Technology Planning • Definition: • complements your library’s mission • assesses library’s existing technology • provides future direction (goals) • provides framework for meeting goals (objectives and activities) • provides context for evaluating library progress in providing/enhancing technology-based services

24. Technology Planning • Why Plan? • Required for E-Rate for services beyond simple long distance or cell service • Aids in justifying budget requests and grant funding • Aids in providing continuity and resisting distraction • Enables the library to articulate its vision • Provides conformance with public library standards

25. Technology Planning • Important Points • A technology plan used for E-Rate eligibility must be approved by TSLAC • By E-Rate Coordinator, currently Marilyn Johnson • For more information: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/funding/howto.html • Technology Plans should be revised annually and re-written every 2-3 years

26. Technology Planning • Elements of a Technology Plan • Executive Summary • Introduction (for outside readers) • Needs Assessment • SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) • Vision/Mission

27. Technology Planning • Elements of a Technology Plan (cont’d) • Goals • Objectives • Activities • Technical Assessment/Inventory (TechAtlas) • Support/Training • Timeline, or Action List

28. Technology Planning • Elements of a Technology Plan (cont’d) • Detailed Budget • Evaluation • Which required for E-Rate approval? • More help: http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=391

29. TechAtlas Overview

31. ALA 2007 • As part of the Texas Rural Library Sustainability grant, 5 participants from Texas are eligible to go to ALA 2007 in Washington, DC, expenses paid, where they will participate in the Rural Sustain-ability Forum. To qualify for the trip, fill out the ALA form.

32. Links of Interest • The Continuum: • http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11778 • Web4Lib E-Mail List • http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/ • LIBNT-L E-Mail List • http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/libnt-l.html • PUBLIB E-Mail List • http://lists.webjunction.org/publib/ • Technology Planning Made Easy (Florida) • http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Library_Tech/BLD_Tech_Plan.html

33. Links of Interest • US-CERT (Cyber security alerts): • http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/

34. Wrap-Up and Evaluations • Questions or Comments? • Evaluations

35. Contact Information... WebJunction: Jim MalzewskiProject CoordinatorPhone: p. 206-273-7522Email: malzewsj@oclc.org Jennifer PetersonCurriculum/Community DeveloperPhone: 206-273-7730Email: petersoj@oclc.org Presenters: Myra Arredondo ZatopekSpecial Services ConsultantTSLACPhone: 512-463-5527E-mail: mzatopek@tsl.state.tx.us Robert WilliamsTechnology Trainer/ConsultantWilliams ConsultingPhone: 361-855-2802E-mail: robert@rlwconsulting.com