[Web4lib] Library Technology Plans (slightly OT)

[Hogue Melanie]

The following comes from experience with technologies in a public library. That may or may not matter in your stiuation.
 
Probably your first step would be to use something like SurveyMonkey to poll both staff and patrons to see what they think the library needs, what it is doing well, and what poorly. Make sure you design and market this properly; so you get a big sample, and useful statistics. If your board or admin want to implement things that don't jibe with your findings; some promo work in this area will need to be added to your plan.
 
Then you will need to research options and costs while considering the technical capabilities of your staff and patrons, the availability/costs of training, and what funds will be available to carry out what you need to do.
 
Word to the wise: a mistake made with the addition of new technologies in any organization can be not considering staff buy-in and training. Because of the fast-paced progress in this field; it's easy to overwhelm.
 
Melanie Amy Hogue
Manager of Online Resources & Reports
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library
423-757-5114

________________________________

From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Marcus W Davis
Sent: Tue 11/8/2011 9:38 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Library Technology Plans (slightly OT)



[Cross-posted to LITA-L]

I've been given the assignment to "Revise long-term goals and objectives of the library systems/technology unit."  I'm in the "background research" stage for this assignment.  While I understand that this is a "web" list, I feel that web services are so fundamental now to library IT operations generally, that I needed to inquire here.  So, apologies, for the slight off topic nature.

I'm inquiring to crowd-source for examples, methodologies, and persons with extensive experience in developing well-written, comprehensive and (above all) useful technology plans for academic libraries.

Please share your written plans, your experiences (both positive and negative), your thoughts about methodologies (e.g., interviews, questionnaires), best practices, trend assessments, etc. . . . anything that would help toward developing a solid long-term planning document.  Rather than clutter the list by replying directly if you'd prefer you can either email me directly or post your responses on a blog I'm setting up for this project at librarytechplans.wordpress.com.

Thanks.
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